The second day of the 2011 NFL Draft gets underway in less than five hours, so there's still plenty of time for the draft experts to predict the second round. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have both put out their second round mock drafts and defense continues to be the calling for the Denver Broncos.
In Kiper's mock (Insider required), he has the Broncos selecting Texas CB Aaron Williams at No. 36, a player who had been projected in some places as a late first-round pick. As Kiper points out, the Broncos could use help in an aging secondary, even with Champ Bailey still around. Then with the 46th overall pick Iowa DT Christian Ballard joins the Broncos. He calls it "a bit of a reach."
In McShay's mock (Insider required), Oregon State DT Stephen Paea comes off the board at No. 36 and Washington LB Mason Foster goes at No. 46. Both fill needs, as the defensive line, especially the tackle position, needs a big body there and the linebacking corps is changing to over to a 4-3 front.
Neither mock draft, though, has the Broncos selecting Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, who fell out of the first round. Bowers goes at No. 43 to the Vikings in Kiper's mock and McShay has Bowers drop to just No. 37, once pick after the Broncos.
Depending on how high the Broncos have ranked Bowers, one could hope that he will be the best player available on the Broncos' board when either pick comes.
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