After a 2010 draft which saw a USF record 6 players drafted, 2011 will be a step back with only DT Terrell McClain being a guaranteed draft pick. There are a few others like Dontavia Bogan, Mistral Raymond, and Jacquain Williams who could get the call in the 6th or 7th round, but today we are going to focus on McClain and see where he might end up.
- Let's first start with SBNation's own Mocking the Draft, who has McClain going to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 3rd Round with pick number 86. McClain would most likely play as a DE with the Chiefs in their 3-4 defense, and compete with guys like Glenn Dorsey and Shaun Smith for playing time.
- The Sporting News' Russ Lande has McClain going to the Carolina Panthers with the 1st pick on the 3rd Round. With Ron Rivera era starting off in Carolina, McClain would be the perfect addition to the Panthers new high pressure defense.
- ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper both have McClain reuniting with former teammate Jason Pierre-Paul in New York with pick number 83 in the 3rd Round. ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk had this to say about McClain replacing current DT Barry Cofield,
McClain would certainly provide insurance in case the Giants don’t re-sign Barry Cofield, who said he will consider asking for a trade if he doesn’t receive a contract extension and has to play for a restricted free agent tender.
- Finally we end with DraftCountdown.com's Scott Wright, who has McClain sneaking up to the 2nd Round, going to the Chicago Bears with pick number 62. Chicago Head Coach Lovie Smith came to USF to personally watch McClain's Pro Day, and he would come in and compete after the departure of Tommie Harris.
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The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft.