After a long run of picks in the trenches, the skill position players got to join in the fun, but not without a little confusion. The Ravens were schedule to pick at number 26, but did not get a pick in before their 10 minutes was up, so the Chiefs, who were picking right after them, jumped at the opportunity to pick before the Ravens, and got their pick in first, taking Pittsburgh WR Jon Baldwin. The Ravens did get a pick in right after that, taking Colorado CB Jimmy Smith.
In what is becoming an annual occurrence, the Patriots traded away a pick for a future first round pick, this time trading with the New Orleans Saints for a 2012 first round pick. The Saints used the pick to select Alabama RB Mark Ingram, whose father played in the NFL as a WR for the Giants. ESPN had a letter from Ingram's father, which they read to him on air in a touching moment.
Another former NFL player's son was also taken in the first round, as DE Cameron Heyward from Ohio State was taken 31st by the Steelers. Heyward's father is the late Craig "Iron Head" Heyward, who tragically died at age 39 of a brain tumor. The Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers got more protection for QB Aaron Rodgers, selected Mississippi St. OT Derek Sherrod.
Picks 26-32 after the jump.
- 26. Kansas City Chiefs: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
- 27. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
- 28. New Orleans Saints (from Patriots): Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
- 29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
- 30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
- 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
- 32. Green Bay Packers: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State