NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 22, 2011

NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 22, 2011



Below, you can find various tidbits of NFL Draft rumors and information offered by Mike Mayock, Michael Lombardi and the rest of the Path to the Draft crew on the NFL Network. I posted these in my forum, but I thought it would be better to keep all the draft rumors together in this section. I’ll be tweeting these during Path to the Draft at @walterfootball.


  • Brian Baldinger’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft: 1. Cam Newton. 2. Marcell Dareus. 3. Von Miller. 4. A.J. Green. 5. Blaine Gabbert. 6. Robert Quinn. 7. Patrick Peterson. 8. Nick Fairley. 9. Tyron Smith. 10. Julio Jones.

  • Brian Baldinger’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft cont. 11. Aldon Smith. 12. Cameron Jordan. 13. Prince Amukamara. 14. Ryan Kerrigan. 15. Mike Pouncey. 16. J.J. Watt. 17. Cameron Heyward. 18. Phil Taylor. 19. Corey Liuget. 20. Adrian Clayborn.

  • Brian Baldinger: Adrian Clayborn is great against the run; he reminds me of Will Smith. Physically, he’s one of the more gifted players in this draft.

  • Brian Baldinger: You know what you’re getting with Cameron Jordan. Great effort. Gives you something off the edge. He’ll be great against the run.

  • Charley Casserly: I see Cameron Jordan as more of a 3-4 guy. The same discussion would come with J.J. Watt. You’re getting an effort guy, but not much of an outside rush.

  • Brian Baldinger: You’re getting “de-value” with Mark Ingram. You can get a good back in any round in this draft if you do your homework.




  • Brian Baldinger: I think the Eagles will look offense at No. 23. They have a glaring hole at right guard. I could see the Eagles selecting Gabe Carimi. They can plug him in at right guard, and if Winston Justice doesn’t work out, kick him out to right tackle.

  • Brian Baldinger: If Gabe Carimi isn’t there, the Eagles can trade out. There’s some interest with Greg Little. I think they’re going to have trouble down the road retaining DeSean Jackson.

  • Charley Casserly: I don’t see them trading back and drafting a receiver. Corner is a tremendous need for them. They just need to make a decision on Jimmy Smith to see if he fits in their building. Remember, they drafted DeSean Jackson when other teams passed on him.

  • Brian Baldinger: I believe some team will take a quarterback in the first round because this is a quarterback-driven league. But I just wonder what Ryan Mallett is going to be like in pressure situations.

  • Brian Baldinger: Jeff George was late to the first practice. That was a bad sign. Not a leader, not good in the huddle, not a good guy to be the face of the franchise. I don’t think you all of a sudden become a clean guy and erase your past.

  • Brian Baldinger: I like Jabaal Sheard. He’s a pure 4-3 end with great pass-rush ability and a great motor. He could sneak into the end of the first round. He can be an immediate first-day starter.

  • Steve Wyche: The news isn’t getting anymore positive for Da’Quan Bowers. I’ve spoken to a number of teams – there is still a lot of concern about his long-term health. One defensive coordinator said he stays blocked a lot longer than he should.

  • Steve Wyche: All indications are the Panthers are going to take Cam Newton. The proverbial hay is in the barn.

  • Steve Wyche: Robert Quinn is still projected as a top-10 pick, but there’s no guarantee. Teams are a little weary that he got washed out while trying to set the edge.

  • Cullen Jenkins: I would say half the players are working out out as much as they would if there was organized team stuff.



    2011 NFL Path to the Draft Rumors Menu:

    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 27, 2011 - Top Five Buzz
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 26, 2011 - Rick Gosselin Thoughts
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 25, 2011 - Blaine Gabbert slipping?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 22, 2011 - Eagles to draft Greg Little?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 21, 2011 - Casserly's 2nd-round mock
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 20, 2011 - Houston's pick plugged in
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 2011 - Offensive tackle rankings
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 2011 - Titus Young - first round?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 18, 2011 - Ryan Mallett to go No. 10?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 16, 2011 - Browns to go WR; no QB for Miami
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 15, 2011 - Quarterback Comparisons
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 14, 2011 - A.J. Green Historical Ranking
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 13, 2011 - Bowers, Fairley, Ingram Falling
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 12, 2011 - Da'Quan Bowers: Round 2?
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 11, 2011 - Defensive End Talk
    NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 9, 2011 - Jon Baldwin, Hankerson Slipping?
    Path to the Draft: April 8, 2011 - NFL Network 2011 NFL Mock Draft
    Path to the Draft: April 7, 2011 - Gabbert better than Flacco/Sanchez/Freeman?
    Path to the Draft: April 6, 2011 - Mike Mayock's Running Back Sleepers
    Path to the Draft: April 5, 2011 - Charles Davis' Mock Draft; Overrated Players
    Path to the Draft: April 4, 2011 - Mike Mayock defends his new Big Board
    Path to the Draft: April 1, 2011 - Da'Quan Bowers Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 31, 2011 - North Carolina Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 30, 2011 - Jake Locker Pro Day buzz
    Path to the Draft: March 29, 2011 - "I'm taking Ryan Mallett over Jake Locker."
    Path to the Draft: March 28, 2011 - Julio Jones before A.J. Green?
    Path to the Draft: March 25, 2011 - "Hankerson scares the heck out of me."

    2011 NFL Draft - Path to the Draft Rumors - Home









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