NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 2011

NFL Draft Rumors and Buzz: April 19, 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.


  • Charley Casserly: The Redskins should not take Ryan Mallett. He doesn’t fit the system. They want a mobile quarterback, and their offensive line isn’t built for a drop-back passer.

  • Charley Casserly: The Washington Post will do a two-page article on Ryan Mallett. He needs to go to a place with less attention.

  • Charley Casserly: I wouldn’t have a reservation about taking Mike Pouncey in the teens if he’s the top player on my board.

  • Charley Casserly: Mike Pouncey is a better football player at his position than some of these offensive tackles that will probably go higher.

  • Charley Casserly: The single biggest risk with Cam Newton is learning the pro offense. He doesn’t see it.

  • Gerry Dulac (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette): The area the Steelers need to address the most is cornerback.

  • Gerry Dulac: I think a guy like Aaron Williams fits nicely for what they’re looking for.

  • Gerry Dulac: Cameron Heyward, Adrian Clayborn and Stephen Paea are guys they would consider.

  • Gerry Dulac: The one thing the Steelers never turn their back on is skill players. If there were a skill position player out there they’d like, they would have a hard time saying no.

  • Gerry Dulac: They don’t think Mike Pouncey will be available at No. 31.

  • Brian Baldinger: The Steelers need to get better at corner. They’ll take the best player at corner. I think Aaron Williams will be their guy if he’s there.

  • Charley Casserly: Jimmy Smith doesn’t seem like a Steelers kind of a guy. Aaron Williams could be a better fit at safety, that’s why the Steelers spent a lot of time working him out. Derek Sherrod and Cameron Heyward both work.




  • Charley Casserly: Offensive tackle is a strength of this year’s draft. Not in terms of talent, but five could go in the first round.

  • Charley Casserly: Tyron Smith vs. Russell Okung. I’m going with Okung – stronger, more physical, can anchor the bull rush better, more prepared mentally. Smith has better feet and he’s more athletic.

  • Charley Casserly: Nate Solder vs. Trent Williams. Trent Williams clearly has better feet as an athlete. Clearly stronger than Solder.

  • Charley Casserly: Anthony Castonzo vs. Anthony Davis. Davis over Castonzo in a close one. He’s smoother and has better knee bend. He’s stronger and can anchor better.

  • Charley Casserly: Gabe Carimi vs. Rodger Saffold. I like Rodger Saffold a year ago. This one’s not close. Saffold can play left tackle. Carimi’s only a right side player. Saffold has better feet.

  • Charley Casserly: Derek Sherrod vs. Bryan Bulaga. I wasn’t high on Bryan Bulaga, but I’m going with him. Bulaga plays lower with better knee bend. Sherrod plays too high.

  • Charley Casserly’s top 10 tackles last 2 years: Russell Okung, Tyron Smith, Trent Williams Anthony Davis, Rodger Saffold, Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo, Bryan Bulaga, Gabe Carimi, Derek Sherrod.

  • The top players Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly coached against in 2010: Andrew Luck, Jonathan Baldwin and Ryan Kerrigan.

  • Brian Baldinger: I like Mikel Leshoure. He’s never fumbled in his college career.

  • Brian Baldinger: I like Mark Ingram, but you can find a good back in any round in this draft.

  • Charley Casserly: Stevan Ridley could be a steal in the third or fourth round.

  • Brian Baldinger: When I watch Akeem Ayers, I question his toughness. He doesn’t engage blockers very well. He doesn’t have great quickness. He could drop out of the first round.

  • Brian Baldinger: I really like Colin Kaepernick. If he can go from the Pistol to a pro-style offense, he’s going to be a keeper.



    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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