Many more 2011 NFL Draft predictions on the way, but here's a collection of expert picks and predictions on which player the Atlanta Falcons will grab at No. 27. Of course, each of these links to a complete mock draft, so click away even if you're not a Falcons fan. For links to ... well ... every mock draft, visit DC Pro Sports Report.
Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn is the leader through Wednesday, with six noteworthy names taking the Hawkeyes destroyer. Four send Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph to Atlanta, with Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi and Arizona DE Brooks Reed also finding multiple supporters.
The Falcons are also reportedly interested in trading up for A.J. Green or Julio Jones, which would throw this entire exercise out the window. Keep an eye on the list of players the Falcons have worked out or interviewed, too, as some of the players on the list below weren't reported as having ever met Falcons personnel. For much more background on the Falcons potential plans, read through our enormous pre-Draft Day StoryStream.
- LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA Bruins: Steve Wyche (4/25)
- WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh Panthers: Don Banks (4/27, final)
- OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin Badgers: National Football Post (4/27), Jon Dove (4/27, final)
- DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa Hawkeyes: Jay Adams (4/27), D. Orlando Ledbetter (4/27), Peter Schrager (4/25), Bucky Brooks (4/22), Mel Kiper (4/19), Nolan Nawrocki (4/15)
- DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio St. Buckeyes: Pete Fiutak (4/27, final)
- LB Justin Houston, Georgia Bulldogs: Dave Choate (4/27)
- OG Mike Pouncey, Florida Gators: Brian Galliford (4/25)
- DE Brooks Reed, Arizona Wildcats: Russ Lande (4/27, final), Todd McShay (4/19)
- TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Walter Football (4/27), Chad Reuter (4/25), Pat Kirwan (4/24), Brian Baldinger (4/20)
- DE Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh Panthers: Rob Rang (4/25)
- OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St. Bulldogs: Chris Steuber (4/27)
- OG Danny Watkins, Baylor Bears: Evan Silva (4/27, final)
- DB Aaron Williams, Texas Longhorns: Charles Davis (4/18)
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare: NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft.