The draft is fast approaching, and we have our final eight picks to dish out before Thursday's first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
27. Atlanta Falcons: Cam Heyward, DL, Ohio State
28. New England Patriots: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
29. Chicago Bears: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
32. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona
As one would expect, the end of the first round is filled with question marks. Guys like Jimmy Smith and Marvin Austin carry a lot of baggage to their new teams, but their talent is worthy of first round money (whatever the new CBA decides that is). These last eight teams are really all about boom or bust, except for the Seahawks, who go all for bust with the local quarterback. Expect Andy Dalton from TCU to go off the board early in the second, and possibly be the best quarterback from this draft. The Patriots once again draft smart, and Ayers could be the best of this bunch.
That does it for our 2011 NFL Mock Draft. As of Thursday, we will no longer be known as Mock Lemon. Instead, we'll just be pissed off NFL fans like the rest of you, getting a small taste of football while waiting for the lockout to end.
The good news? We STILL plan on whipping out some Free Arena Football League Picks.
Can't wait.
