2011 NFL Mock Draft: Small School Prospects Taken Over
The fifth round is the to find sleeper prospects, and quality depth/reserve guys. A majority of the players drafted in the fifth round will only play a few seasons in the N.F.L, but there are those that turn out to be gems every year.
Check out rounds 1. 2. 3., and four.
129. Carolina Panthers-Zach Hurd, G, Connecticut
Previous picks: Marcel Dareus, Greg Romerus, Lawrence Wilson
A big tough physical run blocker who has garnered a 3rd round grade from some scouts (draftinsider.net). Will be a nice piece of the puzzle for the rebuilding Carolina Panthers who have spent their first three picks on fixing the defense. Once teams get into the 5th round they must decide who they think can eventually become a starter and worry less about needs because a majority of fifth round players don’t pan out. Hurd is a potential starter on the inside.
130. Buffalo Bills-Brandyn Thompson, CB, Boise State
Previous picks: Von Miller, Gabe Carimi, Colin Kaperenick, Lance Kendricks, Colin McCarthy
The Bills need depth at cornerback because Drayton Florence could leave the team via free agency. Thompson is a nice player here in the fifth round and will develop into a good cornerback.
By the way, we will be interviewing Thompson in the next week or so, so be on the look out for that.
131. Cincinnati Bengals-Markus White, DE, FSU
Previous picks: Julio Jones, Ryan Mallett, Jaiquwqnn Jarrett, Will Rackley
One of our most underrated players in the entire draft. White has great athleticism and was once a high time recruit who hasn’t yet scratched the surface of his potential. White is a third round talent to us as well as draftinsider.net and is one of those players that is drafted earlier than people expect, and they go ‘HUH?’ and then they find out why a team “reached” for a player that was underpublicized.
132. Kansas City Chiefs-Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska
Previous Picks: Mark Ingram, Jason Pinkston, Dontay Moch, Ian Williams
The Chiefs really need another pass catching option and while they would probably prefer it was a good deep downfield target to complement Bowe, they go here with a very solid player who doesn’t possess the greatest measurables, but is a terrific blocker and solid all around wide receiver who can be a very nice #2 WR in the league.
NFLMocks Note: We have intereviewed Paul and will be having something on that shortly.
133. Arizona Cardinals-Jermey Kerley, WR, TCU
Previous Picks: Robert Quinn, Stefen Wisinewski, Andy Dalton, Jeremy Beal
Kerley is probably not a #2 WR in the league, but he is a terrific return man and that is something the Cardinals need desperately. Because of Breaston’s increased role in the offense, he was not used a punt return man and that unit suffered. They averaged 7 yards per return last year, which is not much better than the Giants did and the Giants were one of the worst special teams units in the league. It’s not like the Cardinals also can’t use depth at WR and here in the 5th round Kerley provides excellent value.
134. Cleveland Browns-Chris Carter, LB, Fresno State
Previous picks: Nick Fairley, Leonard Hankerson, Greg Jones, Jordan Todman
The Browns have all 3-4 Linebackers on their roster currently, but they are not going to play in a 3-4 defense which is a problem. Changing coaches is always difficult because of how many schematic differences and types of players coaches prefer. One area that Browns must overhaul this off-season is the linebacker group. The Browns have given McCoy two more shiny new weapons with Todman and Hankerson already and must focus on changing the defense. OL/DL are good options here as well.
135. Minnesota Vikings-Brandon Bair, DE, Oregon
Blaine Gabbert, Muhammad Wilkerson, Curtis Marsh
A hard working defensive linemen who makes plays because of his hustle and intensity.
136. Kansas City Chiefs-James Carpenter
There are some conflicting reports on Carpenter. He was a prospect that was projected to go as high as the 2nd or third round before the draft process, but hasn’t had a great draft process, but is getting cut some slack because he’s moving from OT to OG. At this juncture he’s too good value to pass up and goes to a team that is always looking to upgrade their OL. The Texans must add players to fit their 3-4 defense and could also really consider a 3-4 DE here, but Carpetner’s value is too good to pass up.
137. San Francisco 49ers-Marcus Gilchrist/CB/S/Return Man
Previous Picks: Patrick Peterson, Chrisitan Ponder, Kelvin Sheppard, Daniel Thomas, Lawrence Guy
Gilchrist has really started to grow on me (and not just because I interviewed him) because he has such great versatility and performed well at the combine. A player that I was worried wouldn’t run fast enough or show enough ability proved me completely wrong. He’s always been a player that plays all over the field, but he put up 26 on the bench press and ran a 4.45 40 yard dash. I don’t think the only question here is…how did I not have him going sooner in the draft?
138 Tennessee Titans-Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska
Previous picks: A.J. Green, Marvin Austin, Curtis Brown, Ricky Stanzi
The Titans have a pretty solid defense, but need a lot of help on offense. Javon Ringer hasn’t been great as the backup to Chris Johnson…enter Roy Helu a player that can go as high as the third round (draftinsidernet). Helu is a downhill runner and would be a perfect complement to Chris Johnson as the Titans look to improve their offense this off-season and provide whatever quarterback they end up with enough weapons to be successful.
139. Dallas Cowboys-Chris Hairston, OL, Clemson
Previous Picks: Nate Solder, Cameron Hewyard, Brandon Burton, Ahmahd Black
The Cowboys really have three areas to improve on this off-season: their secondary and their OL and defensive lines. Hairston is a big powerful Linemen which is the kind of linemen that Jerry Jones prefers.
140. Washington Redskins-Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
Previous picks: Jake Locker, Ryan Williams
If you draft a quarterback you have to make sure he has some weapons on the outside. The Redskins do need help at DL and a player to replace Andre Carter on the outside of the 3-4, but they also need to improve on their offense. Their defense started coming together at the end of last season, but over the past few seasons the Redskins haven’t been able to score enough to keep up in their division, a division that is loaded with WR talent (nicks, Smith Manningham on the Giants…Austin,Bryant, Williams? on the Cowboys, Maclin and Jackson and Avant on the Eagles). Salas is a good fit with the Redskins offense as a chain mover to complement Moss. Watch for Salas as his stock is pointing up and could go much higher than people expect.
141. Houston Texans:-Tim Barnes, C, Missouri
One of the few draft able centers in this year’s class. Barnes would provide depth along the offensive line as they prepare to
142. St. Louis Rams-Cecil Short, WR, Mount Union
Previous Picks: Cameron Jordan, Mason Foster, Luke Stocker, Clint Boling
Shorts is one of the better small school prospects coming out of Mount Union (Division three power-house). The Rams are praying that Julio Jones falls to them at 14, or close enough for them to move up without mortgaging their entire draft.
143. Miami Dolphins-Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State
Mikel LeShoure, Marcus Cannon, Casey Matthews
A 6’2 blazer (4.37 official 40 yard dash) for a team that desperately wants to add speed. The Dolphins are looking for weapons to give Chad Henne one last chance to prove himself worthy of being a starting QB in the N.F.L. or they are looking for a new quarterback. Right now it’s likely they get another QB, but in this mock they go the other route of improve the offensive weapons.
144. Jacksonville Jaguars-Pat Delvin, QB, Delaware
Previous Picks: Ryan Kerrigan, Quinton Carter, Mark Herzlich, Chris L. Rucker, Edumund Gates
Garrard is a pretty decent starting QB in the N.F.L. but the Jaguars need to find a nice developmental player to turn into their future starter. At this point in the draft Delvin is too intriguing to pass up.
145. Oakland Raiders-Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina
Aaron Williams, Marcus Gilbert, Julius Thomas
I’m not afriad to admit that I’m not entirely sure where to go with the Raiders with this pick. They could use some DE depth and Matthews is the kind of intriguing athlete that will entice the Raiders here in the 5th round. They do need to also think about getting younger at Defensive tackle as Kelly, Henderson, and Seymour are not young players.
146. Philadelphia Eagles-Doug Houge, Syracuse
Previous Picks: Corey Liuget, Ben Ijalana, ReShad Carmichael, Greg Little
A productive linebacker. The Eagles have a ton of young talent already and a bunch of draft picks they have already used in this draft. At this point they grab a player who actually has a chance to make the roster because they are not satisfied at linebacker. It’s likely they could be moving around a lot with these picks.
147. Minnesota Vikings-Ronald Johnson, WR, USC
Previous Picks: Blaine Gabbert, Muhammad Wilkerson, Curtis Marsh, Brandon Bair
The Vikings have talented WR and offensive weapons, but Percy Harvin has migraine problems and they should look to add depth at this spot in the draft. Johnson is not dynamic, but he’s a very stead-fast and reliable WR and one of the best players available at this juncture. OLB to push Ben Leber is also a possibility.
148. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Adrian Moten, LB, Maryland
Previous Picks: Aldon Smith, Bruce Carter, Tyle Sash, John Moffitt
Moten is an undersized but quick and fast linebacker with side to side range who has the speed to be effective in the cover two. The Buccaneers could upgrade their linebacker position and it could even become a priority if Barrett Rudd is not retained. Moten is appropriate value in the latter part of the 5th round.
149. Indianapolis colts-Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State
Anthony Castanzo, Rodney Hudson, Jarvis Jenkins, Kendall Hunter
Brown is not a dynamic athlete, but he’s a reliable pass catcher who can run routes and understand offenses, which is the kind of WR the Colts prefer anyway. Brown’s draft range is anywhere from the 3rd round to the 5th round.
150. Philadelphia Eagles- Jamie Harper, RB, Clemson
Previous picks:Corey Liuget, Ben Ijalana, ReShad Carmichael, Greg Little, Doug Hogue
Harper is a big tough running back (220+ pounds) that can also catch the football out of the backfield. Last year in short yardage and red zone situations the Eagles had to run a lot of trick running plays to move the ball or expose Vick to more potential hits. It would help a lot if they could find a player who could churn out some tough yardage, but also be reliable in the passing game, which is a must for Eagles running backs.
151. Detroit Lions-Scott Luturs, LB, Uconn
Prince Amukamara, Adrian Clayborn, Jerrell Jernigan, Brian Rolle,
A talented tackling machine who can make plays sideline to sideline, but has struggled to stay healthy. His stock could depend greatly on how well his medical checked out at the combine. The Lions need to add linebackers to their team in the draft and at this point Luturs could be good value.
152.Washington Redskins-Ricky Elmore, OLB, Arizona
Previous Picks: Jake Locker, Ryan Williams, Greg Salas
Elmore is a good candidate to come in immediately as a third down pass rusher in the N.F.L. The Redskins have one very good pass rusher with Orakpo, but are looking for someone to pair with him in the future on the other side.
153. Seattle Seahawks-Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU
Previous Picks: Cam Newton, Jurrel Casey, Henry Hynoski
One of walterfootballs most underrated football players is a blessing here in the fifth round. He’s a very technical blocker and while the Seahawks have Okung as their franchise LT they could look at this juncture for depth and for someone to push Locklear on the right side.
154. Seattle Seahawks-Terrance Toliver, WR, LSU
Previous Picks: Cam Newton, Jurrel Casey, Henry Hynoski, Joe Barksdale
Tolliver never lived up to his potential at LSU, but does have good potential. Perhaps Pete Carroll and his staff think they can motivate him into becoming a good player. The Seahawks could continue adding line depth and potential starters here as well.
155. Atlanta Falcons-Will Hill, S, Florida
Previous Picks: Stephen Paea, Torrey Smith, Pernell Mcphee, Orlando Franklin
This is a value pick more than a need pick, although teams can always look to add more talent in the secondary because so many secondary players play big roles on Special teams and sub-packages. Will Hill is wildly inconsistent but has shown flashes of being a big time play-maker. In this draft the Falcons have already fixed their trenches and added speed at the WR spot, so they can afford to grab a player with good upside and hope they can develop him into a solid reserve and spot starter to play behind DeCoud and Moore until one of them (potentially) leaves via free agency in a few years.
Previous Picks: Stephen Paea, Torrey Smith, Pernell McPhee, Orlando Franklin
156. New England Patriots-Nathan Enderle QB, Idaho
Previous picks: J.J. Watt, Brandon Harris, Justin Houston, Danny Watkins, Tandon Doss, DeMarcus VanDyke
Why not? I’m not predicting trades so if they keep drafting defensive players they are not all going to make the roster. The Patriots could consider adding a developmental OL here, but Enderle has intriguing upside and can develop behind two of the best minds in all of football in BB and Brady. The Patriots will eventually have to replace Brady maybe Enderle can be that guy and be Brady’s talented #2 until he does retire. Again more OL/DL depth would not surprise me at all.
157. Chicago Bears-Jonas Mouton, LB, Michigan
Previous Picks: Derrick Sherrod, Allen Bailey, Kendric Bruney, Austin Pettis
Hunter Hillenmeyer will not be back with the Bears and Pisa Tinosoma is more of a stop-gap. Mouton is a talented LB with some character issues, a few injuries in his history, and he plays a little out of control on the field, but he was super productive plays hard, can get deep in coverage, and play sideline to sideline so he fits exactly what the Bears are looking for in a linebacker prospect. The hope is that Mouton can help out on special teams now and eventually start for the Bears either for Briggs (will be 31 next season) or Pisa.
158. New York Jets-Joe Lefedged, S, Rutgers
Previous Picks: Akeem Ayers, Randall Cobb, Cedric Thornton
The Jets go with a good solid local prospect. Lefedged showed well at the combine and is a late round flyer safety prospect. The Jets defensive system relies on the versatility of secondary players and on top of that they need depth at the safety position. Lefedged is worth the pick here in the fifth round as the Jets continue to add pieces to solidify their inconsistent defense. (Pretty good defense, but struggled a lot at times at the end of the games).
159. Pittsburgh Steelers-Adam Grant, T, Arizona
Rahim Moore, Christian Ballard, James Brewer, Derrick Lock
The Steelers could always add more linebackers, but at this point Grant is good value and is more depth along the offensive line for the Pittsburrgh Steelers. Grant is a big blocker at 325+ pounds and moves well enough in pass protection, an under-publicized offensive linemen.
160. GreenBay Packers-Derek Newton, OT, Arkansas State
Mike Pouncey, D.J. Williams, Siona Fua, Delone Carter
Newton is best suited for a zone blocking system which makes him a good fit for the Green Bay Packers. He’s also one of the best players available at this point, which is always something that the Packers are looking for in the draft.
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Someone has finally taken me up on the offer of emailing me their own mock draft (full 1st round or full team mock draft) to post on the front page for our readers to read and that will be out as soon as he sends me his completed version, but I’m always looking for more, so if you’re up to it email me at Bartolisj@gmail.com and shows us how to get it right.
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