NFL Draft tonight at 8 PM on ESPN

The 2011 NFL draft will take place tonight at 8 PM on ESPN. We will take a look at the local teams and where most project they will go with their first round pick.

New York Giants:

The New York Giants will have the 19th pick in this years draft. The Giants have multiple offensive lineman who are coming off surgeries during the off-season. With this is mind, many of the experts believe that the Giants will select Florida guard/center Mike Pouncey with the 19th pick. He is the twin brother of Maurkice Pouncey who was a 2010 first-round NFL Draft pick and is currently the starting center for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maurkice started all 16 games as a rookie and was selected to the Pro Bowl. The Giants could only hope that Mike could be as good as his brother if they selected him. If Pouncey isn't available at 19, the Giants might look to select Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo.

If both Castonzo and Pouncey are unavailable, the Giants might look to go in a different direction with their pick. There has been talk that the Giants are interested in Alabama star running back, and former Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram. Ingram is the son of former Giants Wide Receiver Mark Ingram,SR. Although Mark Ingram JR won the Heisman as a Sophomore, he struggled during his Junior season after he missed the first two games due to minor knee surgery. With Bradshaw being a free agent, and the NFL still in labor talks, the Giants might select Ingram to sure up their backfield.

New York Jets:

The New York Jets have the 30th pick in the upcoming 2011 NFL draft. Experts predict that the Jets will select defensive tackle Phil Taylor from Baylor University. There is some debate whether the Jets will go for the best player available or for need. If the Jets go for need, they might select a linebacker. If they select a linebacker, outside linebacker Akeem Ayers from is most likely their choice UCLA. Another option at outside linebacker would be Brooks Reed out of Arizona who had a very strong combine. The Jets need to infuse some speed and youth into their front seven to help get pressure on the quarterback. Their has also been discussion that the Jets will trade down out of the 30th pick if they don't like any of the available players.

The draft is extremely important to a teams long term success. The teams that draft well are the ones that stay near the top of the league the longest. Good drafting teams can have a seamless transition from year to year as players leave to free agency or retire. Both the Giants and Jets have had recent success in the draft. Let's hope it can continue tonight.