NFL Mock Draft IV Has Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers Going With Quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Redskins Taking Cam Newton (Page 3)

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Feb 24, 2011

23. Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Right guard, safety, cornerback, outside linebacker, right tackle
The Pick: Florida interior lineman Mike Pouncey
Previous Pick: Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi
Analysis: The Eagles could add an interior lineman with some attitude, and that would make him a good fit for Philly.

24. New Orleans Saints
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, running back, safety
The Pick: Alabama running back Mark Ingram
Analysis: Drew Brees played through a knee injury in 2010, and that showed the human element to his game. With a top-notch running back, the Saints could take some stress off the passing attack.

25. Seattle Seahawks
2010 Record: 7-9
Needs: Quarterback, running back, guard, center, safety, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith
Previous Picks: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, Texas cornerback Aaron Williams
Analysis: The Seahawks have drafted five players from Colorado in their history, but they've never used a first-rounder on a Buffalo. The most successful player out of that bunch — tight end Christian Fauria, a second-rounder in 1995 who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

26. Baltimore Ravens
2010 Record: 12-4
Needs: Cornerback, right tackle, wide receiver, safety, inside linebacker, outside linebacker
The Pick: Miami cornerback Brandon Harris
Previous Picks: Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, Texas cornerback Aaron Williams
Analysis: This might be a dream come true for both sides. Harris fell down the board due to Prince Amukamara's slide out of the top 10 and Jimmy Smith's rise. Smith, though, gets to go to a rock-solid defense that has been shaped by players from Miami.

27. Atlanta Falcons
2010 Record: 13-3
Needs: Outside linebacker, defensive end, safety, offensive linemen, tight end, wide receiver
The Pick: Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn
Previous Pick: Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt
Analysis: The Falcons will have options here if they aren't high on Clayborn. Outside linebacker Justin Houston could be in play, as could the top wide receiver available, who could be Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin, or interior lineman Stefan Wisniewski if the Falcons can't re-sign their two starting guards.

28. New England Patriots
2010 Record: 14-2
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, tackle, guard, running back, wide receiver
The Pick: Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston
Analysis: Houston has only played one season as a 3-4 outside linebacker — Georgia played a 4-3 in prior years — and he played out of his mind, registering 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.

29. Chicago Bears
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Tackle, guard, wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive tackle
The Pick: Villanova offensive lineman Benjamin Ijalana
Previous Pick: Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod
Analysis: He is mostly projected as a tackle, but other analysts believe Ijalana could play guard, too. That works for the Bears, who need everything.

30. New York Jets
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, safety, wide receiver, defensive tackle
The Pick: Purdue defensive end/outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan
Analysis: Kerrigan is a more natural 4-3 defensive end, but many like him as a 3-4 outside linebacker because of his effectiveness as a stand-up pass rusher. The Jets will find a way to make it work.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Record: 12-4
Needs: Right tackle, guard, cornerback
The Pick: Penn State interior lineman Stefan Wisniewski
Analysis: The Steelers have surrendered 235 sacks in the last five seasons, and they've given up at least 40 in each of those years. They should fix that.

32. Green Bay Packers
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Outside linebacker, running back, defensive end, guard, left tackle
The Pick: Temple defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson
Analysis: The three-time captain had 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season.

33 (first pick of second round). New England Patriots
2010 Record: 14-2
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, tackle, guard, running back, wide receiver
The Pick: Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor
Analysis: Not sure if Taylor will make it past the Jets, but if he does, Patriots fans should be doing backflips over their embarrassment of riches on the defensive line.

Dropped Out: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, Texas cornerback Aaron Williams

Click here for picks 1-10   | Click here for picks 11-22

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