Does Anyone Want Da'Quan Bowers or Ryan Mallett? [Answer: Yes! Tampa Bay Takes Bowers 51st]
By Jason McIntyre
48th pick: Oakland Raiders: Stefan Wisniewski, C, Penn State. One of the “toughest guys in the draft” according to Jon Gruden. What QB is he blocking for? Wisniewski is the son of a former NFL star.
49th pick: Washington Redskins. The pick was traded … to Indianapolis. The Colts took Ben Ijalana, an offensive lineman from Villanova. That’s two offensive lineman to protect Peyton for (hopefully) a few more years.
50th pick: San Diego Chargers: Marcus Gilchrist, CB, Clemson. Mort reports that his dad is a former secret service agent who once protected Obama.
51st pick: Tampa Bay Bucs: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. Finally! You’ve got to feel for the kid, who just two months ago was being talked about as the No. 1 overall pick before his knee issues surfaced. Bowers led the country in sacks last year.
52nd pick: NY Giants: Marvin Austin, DT, UNC. Now that’s a scary pick. He was pegged as a very high pick after 2009, but then he missed 2010 (suspension). Has the potential to be an absolute beast.
53rd pick: Chicago Bears: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State. He’s strong. Like NFL combine-record strong.
54th pick: Philadelphia Eagles: Jaiquawan Jarrett, S, Temple.
55th pick: Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Hudson, C, Florida State.
56th pick: New England Patriots: Shane Vereen, RB, California. He’s a 5-10, 210-pounder. Mike Mayock seems to like Vereen. I watched plenty of Pac-10 football this year and Vereen never distinguished himself. But what do I know. Mort wonders if he might be the “future Kevin Faulk?” Vereen was the strongest back at the NFL combine (31 reps at 225 pounds).
57th pick: Detroit Lions: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois. Should be a nice change-of-pace back (230 pounds) with Jahvid Best (200 pounds) in the Lions backfield.
58th pick: Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland. They got their burner. Not a bad collection of WR talent: Boldin, Housh, Mason, Stallworth, and now a sick athlete in Smith.
59th pick: Cleveland Browns: Greg Little, WR, North Carolina. A converted running back who is a terrific athlete will probably be the best receiving weapon for Colt McCoy, assuming they don’t pick up someone in free agency.
60th pick: Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami. Mel Kiper called him an “underachiever” this year, but all I remember is Michael Floyd of Notre Dame eating him up in the Sun Bowl.
61st pick: San Diego Chargers: Jonas Mouton, OLB, Michigan. Supposedly this is a nice pick. I’ll defer to Duffy.
62nd pick: Miami Dolphins: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State. Insurance for when Ricky and Ronnie bolt.
63rd pick: Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida.
64th pick: Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky. Another weapon for the fastest-rising QB talent in the league. The 2nd round is finally over! And now I’ll go watch Friday Night Lights and keep an eye on the draft.