81. Oakland Raiders  Chykie Brown – CB – Texas
As Nnamdi Asomugha’s future with the Raiders is very much up in the air, expect them to use of their first two picks to address the cornerback position. Oakland is notoriously superficial when it comes to draftees and Chykie Brown appears to fit their mold. Though he must improve his tackling and consistency, Brown has the size, speed, fluidity, and ball skills to earn time on defense as a rookie. |
|
82. San Diego Chargers  Chris Carter – OLB – Fresno State
Many felt the Chargers reached a bit on Larry English when they selected him in the first round a few years back. That appears to be true, as he has failed to live up to expectations as a pass rusher. Chris Carter gives the team another pass rushing linebacker to try opposite Shaun Phillips. He would come in and battle English for early playing time in San Diego. |
|
83. New York Giants  DeMarcus Van Dyke – CB – Miami
There are several ways the Giants could go with this pick, including offensive line or running back. They may, instead, choose to bolster their secondary by adding a young cornerback. DeMarcus Van Dyke has NFL size, speed, and movement skills, but on film, he doesn’t appear to be anything close to a third round pick. Still, he has done a nice job in the pre-draft process and his draft stock is gaining momentum. |
|
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  Doug Hogue – OLB – Syracuse
Though the Buccaneers have made strides to add help on the defensive side of the ball, holes remain that must be filled. Tampa Bay has not gotten the production they have wanted from their linebackers and they could benefit from an injection of youth. Doug Hogue is a bit of a reach here, but has the speed and athleticism to excel in the team’s Tampa-2 scheme. |
|
85. Miami Dolphins (from Phi)  Lance Kendricks – TE – Wisconsin
The Miami offense has several areas that could be addressed by the third round of this NFL Draft. In the past the team has valued more balanced tight ends like Anthony Fasano, but they would like to add a pass-catcher at the position this year. Lance Kendricks is an athletic receiving tight end that gives Chad Henne a security blanket and a potential option in the seam. |
|
86. Kansas City Chiefs  James Carpenter – OG – Alabama
There are several directions that the Chiefs could go with this pick, but it seems likely that the team will look to add help at right tackle in this draft. James Carpenter projects as an early starter along the offensive line for Kansas City. His best position appears to be inside at guard, but he could develop into a solid starter on the right side. |
|
87. Indianapolis Colts  Will Rackley – OG – Lehigh
Few top teams are quite as desperate to add offensive line help as the Colts. After nabbing a versatile option in Boling, Indianapolis turns their attention to the interior line. Will Rackley is one of the top small school players in this class. He possesses the size, strength, toughness, and grit to boost the team’s run game from either guard spot. |
|
88. New Orleans Saints  Austin Pettis – WR – Boise State
Not many would point to wide receiver as a need for the Saints. In fact, there should be few opportunities for early playing time in New Orleans. Despite having some talent and depth at the position, a young possession option is never out of the question. Austin Pettis is an excellent red-zone receiver and can help Drew Brees & company move the sticks immediately. |
|
89. New England Patriots (from SD)  Nate Irving – LB – North Carolina State
A trade in the late first round lands the Patriots this pick here in the third. Without many obvious needs to address, New England could go a variety of ways with this pick. They are luck to land a quality inside linebacker prospect in Nate Irving. He has the instincts, toughness, and athleticism to battle Brandon Spikes for early playing time. If he cannot win time on defense, he may have to make his mark first on special teams. |
|
90. Baltimore Ravens  Greg Salas – WR – Hawaii
Quarterback Joe Flacco made major strides as a passer and game manager this season. Though he had a lot of success, he could benefit from a few more young targets to threaten the outside or the slot. Greg Salas offers the team another possession option here, with the hands, instincts, and toughness to fit into the Ravens fairly conservative offense. Some Baltimore fans would prefer a more vertical option, but Salas has some excellent tutors for the slot with T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Derrick Mason on board. |
|
91. Atlanta Falcons  Kendall Hunter – RB – Oklahoma State
It appears time for the Falcons to complement Michael Turner with a smaller, quicker back to ensure their star stays healthy all season. A few running back projects have fizzled for Atlanta, but Kendall Hunter figures to be a very good secondary option for the team. He has the vision, instincts, burst, and quickness to make plays for a Super Bowl contending team while Turner rests on the bench. |
|
92. New England Patriots Tyler Sash – S – Iowa
Finally, the Patriots wrap up the second day with their sixth pick of the first three rounds. As a team without many holes to fill, New England could begin making picks based on their type of player and perceived special teams value. Tyler Sash certainly seems to fit the team’s mold. His instincts, tackling ability, and ball-hawking ability make him similar to the Ravens’ Tom Zbikowski as a prospect. Sash figures to be ready to play on defense, but his upside there is limited. |
|
93. Chicago Bears  Stefen Wisniewski – OG – Penn State
With long-time center, Olin Kreutz, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Bears could look to the draft for a young replacement. By now, everyone knows about the offensive line woes that Chicago had a year ago. Stefen Wisniewski is a versatile interior lineman that is comfortable quarterbacking the line from the center position or playing either guard spot. His technique, size, and experience ought to win him playing time immediately here. |
|
94. New York Jets  Jerrell Powe – DT – Mississippi
With Kris Jenkins’ future with the Jets in serious jeopardy, nose tackle appears to be a very draftable need for the team. Sione Pouha has been able to fill in admirably in the past, but New York will be looking to add some stability and talent at the position. Jerrell Powe is a bit of an enigma. He possesses the talent to be a legitimate starter at the next level, but his play dropped off in 2010. If he can dedicate himself, he may be ready to contribute early on in his NFL career. |
|
95. Pittsburgh Steelers  Dwayne Harris – WR – East Carolina
The Steelers are another team that are so good that it will be hard for young, first year players to make their mark. Pittsburgh has a number of young, explosive options at wide receiver; but depth and toughness is needed at the position. Dwayne Harris is a weapon in the slot with good hands and strength. If not on offense, he could make his mark on special teams immediately playing on coverage units or as a kick returner. |
|
96. Green Bay Packers  Jalil Brown – CB – Colorado
There isn’t much room for improvement on the Green Bay roster, as starting spots will be near impossible to come by for a third round rookie. Youth and depth must be added to the Packers secondary though. Jalil Brown made far too many mistakes in college, but has the size and movement skills to be a very good pro. He may have to make his mark early on special teams to justify this pick. |
|
97. Carolina Panthers  Drake Nevis – DT – LSU
The Panthers wrap up the second day of the draft by addressing the interior defensive line, where playing time will be available right away for rookies. Drake Nevis is the type of penetrator in the front four that will help Carolina push the pocket next year. His quickness and explosiveness could allow him to be an effective 3-tech early on. |
|
