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BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Pick No. 46 -- Denver Broncos Select Benjamin Ijalana, OL, Villanova

By Michael Bean

I'm back from a quick overnight trip to the coast, so here's pick No. 46 compliments of Cannon36. Thanks to him for getting it in to me last night. Next up: the St. Louis Rams, represented by Sarge_32. - Michael B. -

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With the 46th pick in the Draft the Denver Broncos select - Benjamin Ijalana - T/G - Villanova


Exceptional pass blocker at the FCS level, dominates defensive ends on most plays with great length and athleticism. Excellent foot quickness to mirror his man. Works to sustain even if his man backs off a bit. Has the bulk, length, and footwork to be a very productive run blocker. Excellent agility to get out of his stance, capable of moving behind the line and into the hole to negate linebackers.

It's not everyday that an offensive lineman from an FCS school is named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. Ben Ijalana of Villanova certainly deserved the accolades. On top of simply being on the watch list, Ijalana ended up tenth in voting for the award given to the nation's top interior lineman. That was the culmination of a stellar collegiate career that saw Ijalana named to the first-team All-CAA team three times and to the first-team All-American squad twice. Back in 2007 Ijalana started 11 games for the Wildcats as a true freshman at the tackle position. By 2008 he was starting all the games for Villanova and he never gave up that starting job. In all, Ijalana started an impressive 53 games during his collegiate career. Ijalana's toughness and ability to stay healthy is one of his many positive characteristics.

At 6-4 and 320 pounds, Ijalana may not be the greatest fit at tackle in the NFL. However, he could easily move inside and play guard and that is what most NFL teams would expect him to do.

The Broncos offensive line is downright horrendous. Ryan Clady had trouble coming back from knee surgery and his play has been dropping in quality for the past 2 years. Zane Beadles, JD Walton, and Chris Kuper have all been strains on the trunning game and only Kuper seems to have a potential future with the team. RT Ryan Harris is a decent player but has some definite injury concerns. Ijalana may not be the best offensive player available right now, but the fact that he poentially could play 3 positions along the offensive line makes him the most valuable to the Broncos.

BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:

  1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
  2. Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
  3. Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
  4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
  5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
  6. Cleveland Browns -- 'The Snow Cone Machine' A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
  7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
  8. Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
  9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
  10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
  11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
  12. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
  13. Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
  14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
  15. Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
  16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
  17. New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
  18. San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
  19. New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
  20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
  21. Kansas City Chiefs -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
  22. Indianapolis Colts -- Cameron Jordan, DL, California
  23. Philadelphia Eagles -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
  24. New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
  25. Seattle Seahawks -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
  26. Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
  27. Atlanta Falcons -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
  28. New England Patriots -- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
  29. Chicago Bears --Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
  30. New York Jets -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
  31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
  32. Green Bay Packers -- Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

ROUND 2

  1. New England Patriots -- Cameron Hayward, DE, Ohio State (33rd overall)
  2. Buffalo Bills -- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (34th overall)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals -- Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State (35th overall)
  4. Denver Broncos -- Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois (36th overall)
  5. Cleveland Browns -- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (37th overall)
  6. Arizona Cardinals -- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada (38th overall)
  7. Tennessee Titans -- Andy Dalton, QB, Texas Christian (39th overall)
  8. Dallas Cowboys -- Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (40th overall)
  9. Washington Redskins -- Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh (41st overall)
  10. Houston Texans -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas (42nd overall)
  11. Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (43rd overall)
  12. Detroit Lions -- Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina (44th overall)
  13. San Francisco 49ers -- Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA (45th overall)

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