Article:Sport Crack Mock Draft Part 3: 21-31

Continued from Part 1 here and Part 2 here...

Round 1 - Pick 21 (WAS): Malcolm Kelly - WR - Oklahoma

Although they have a pressing need at defensive end, Malcolm Kelly would fit way too well as a slot receiver for them to pass up on. A legit third receiver could do wonders for the Redskins offense since Randle El and Moss are threats in among themselves so it will give Kelly a lot of chances to get open for Jason Campbell.

Round 1 - Pick 22 (NYJ [from DAL]): Jonathan Stewart - RB - Oregon

Thomas Jones didn’t quite live up to expectations last year in New York and while they could do anything with this pick, after Stewart there is a bit of a drop off at RB. Some brave souls are also claiming that Jonathan Stewart will become a better pro running back than Darren McFadden. We’ll have to wait and see.

Round 1 - Pick 23 (PIT): Branden Albert - OG - Virginia

With Alan Faneca gone the Steelers are in obvious need of a guard. Since the Steelers have failed to cease playing smash mouth football for their entire history, expect them to take Albert with the 23rd pick -- he’ll fit in to their smashmouth just fine.

Round 1 - Pick 24 (TEN): Mario Manningham - WR - Michigan

There’s one thing I can say in defense of Vince Young: As inconsistent as he’s been, he’s never really had a lot of playmakers or even what one would classify as an above average receiver on the field with him in Tennessee. Although many other receiver’s are ranked higher, and with good reason, I think Manningham will have the best pro career out of all of them -- and he’ll take Young’s game to a whole other level.

Round 1 - Pick 25 (SEA): Dustin Keller - TE - Purdue

This is another of the obvious picks. The Seahawks are in need of a tight end and none of the top 24 picks of the draft look like they are going to take him. Now all the Seahawks need to do is cut Shaun Alexander and they should be all set.

Round 1 - Pick 26 (MIA [from JAX]) Kentwan Balmer - DT - North Carolina

Jason Taylor to the Jaguars for the 26th pick? It could happen folks. The Jaguars get a Pro Bowl caliber defensive end and the Dolphins get a talented young defensive tackle that they can pair with Chris Long. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Round 1 - Pick 27 (SD): Gosder Cherilus - OT - Boston College

With the release of Shane Olivea and no other glaring weaknesses that are noticeable, the Chargers taking Gosder Cherilus is another example of a pick that would just make sense. Not many people are oohing and ahhing over the kid, but he’s a strong tackle that did a great job of protecting Matt Ryan at Chestnut Hill all of last year.

Round 1 - Pick 28 (NYJ [from DAL]): Brandon Flowers - CB - Virginia Tech

If the Jets do pull the trigger and make the trade with the Cowboys for the 22nd, 28th and a mid rounder -- the 28th pick would often be the wild card of the bunch. With not too much depth or skill at cornerback, they could very well take Brandon Flowers who’s an excellent man to man cover corner and would fit right in with Eric Mangina’s defensive scheme.

Round 1 - Pick 29 (SF): Brian Brohm - QB - Louisville

I haven’t seen any other mock draft that has the 49ers taking Brian Brohm and it confuses me to no end. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of a QB. Alex Smith is not the real deal and they need to start getting some kind of insurance for the future. If Brian Brohm went in the draft last year he would have easily been the first QB taken. He very well could be a franchise QB for the 49ers -- and to me, that’s a difficult thing to pass up.

Round 1 - Pick 30 (GB): Reggie Smith - CB - Oklahoma

The Packers might rather have Flowers here, but if he goes to the Jets at 28 than they’d be just as happy to take Reggie Smith. The Packers need a bit of depth at CB and Reggie Smith will be just fine being a nickel back and studying under Al Harris and Charles Woodson next year.

Round 1 - Pick 31* (NYG): Kenny Phillips - S - Miami

One of the weaknesses that the defending Super Bowl champs have going into next year is their secondary. Luckily for them, no other team really needs a safety in the first round out of those picking ahead of them. With the top rated safety in the entire draft, the Giants get lucky with this one.


 * New England Patriots forfeit their 31st pick after allegedly violating league rules.