17. Carolina Panthers – Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Outside of Charles Johnson the Panthers have no legit pass rushing threats. The offense is well on the way and another first round pick on the defense will infuse this team with young talent. Getting Sam Montgomery with the 17th is an excellent value and too good to pass on.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
Aqib Talib is set to hit free agency and Ronde Barber has to retire at some point. Amerson has the physical tools to be special but his long speed remains a question mark. Amerson can lock down some of the bigger receivers in the division.
19. New York Giants – Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Giants secondary has been an eyesore thus far this season. Banks is a big, physical corner that should step in as an immediate starter.
20. Dallas Cowboys – Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB, Texas
Jeffcoat is a bit of an enigma at this point. It’s very possible that he ends up a top 10 pick when it’s all said and done. He has a tremendous amount of athleticism for his size and the bloodlines that would suggest NFL success. His father, Jim, was a standout DL for the Cowboys and they hope to replicate that level of success with Jackson.
21. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs aren’t getting any younger and the Bears will be forced to find replacements soon. Te’o is a downhill thumper that can wreck havoc in the middle of the defense. That should go over well in Chicago.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
WR is definitely not the biggest need in Pittsburgh but Hunter is too good to pass on at this point in the draft. Hunter’s return to health in 2012 could warrant a top 15 selection but for now, we’ll hold off on that one.
23. Detroit Lions – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Detroit needs to add a legitimate starting corner. Bill Bentley has some talent but outside of him they have little. Chris Houston can’t be counted on as a starter due to nagging injuries leaving a gaping hole in the secondary. Rhodes has the size and ball skills to be an immediate starter for this team.
24. Denver Broncos – John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Tyler Eifert makes a ton of sense here but TE’s will be much easier to find that mammoth NT’s. Jenkins is better than anyone on their current roster. He has the size and strength to plug the middle for this defense.
25. San Diego Chargers – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Jammer and Cason could both be gone after this season leaving a hole at one of the corners. Gilbert is a very solid athlete that is quickly picking up the intricacies of the position. He’s one to watch as the season wears on.
26. New England Patriots – Barrett Jones, OG/OC, Alabama
Jones’ versatility will make him intriguing selection for the Pats. The ability to play center gives Jones the edge over teammate Chance Warmack, the more highly rated prospect.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Ravens miss Ben Grubbs. Bobbie Williams is a serviceable piece but not a long-term answer at the position. Warmack brings a Baltimore-type attitude to the game as he buries people to the whistle.
28. Philadelphia Eagles – Tony Jefferson, FS, Oklahoma
Kurt Coleman is serviceable but not for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Jefferson adds another playmaker in the Eagles secondary that can roam the backend.
29. Green Bay Packers – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The JUCO transfer is blowing up at Tennessee in year one. At 6’3”, 205 he has the skill set to intrigue teams early in this draft. He’s as raw as they come but the Pack can afford to let him sit for a year. Greg Jennings is publicly exercising his disgruntled thoughts making this a (not-so) surprise selection.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The Falcons need to be looking long-term at the DE position. John Abraham is on the tailend of his career and there is little depth behind him. Jordan is an athletic freak at 6’7”, 245 pounds. His is putting up solid numbers through three games (14 tackles, 3 sacks) which is a continuation of a solid 2011 season. He’s raw but the talent is definitely there.
31. Houston Texans – Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell are more than adequate but a big body nose is needed if they want to get the most out of J.J. Watt and their stud linebackers.
32. San Francisco 49ers – Kawann Short, DT/DE, Purdue
The depth and age of the defensive line are starting to show. Short is an ultra-productive prospect that has a knack for finding the football in the backfield.
NOT DECLARING: Logan Thomas, Taylor Lewan, William Gholston
