BBV Community Mock Draft 2011, Second Round: Denver Selects Marvin Austin With 46th Pick

Our Big Blue View Community Mock Draft is rolling along. We have slowed a bit, as we have just one pick again today. It's the weekend, though, so that's fine.

Today, our man Mike Fiameetta was on the clock for Denver's third pick in the top 46, the Broncos second of this round.

Denver Broncos (46th overall) -- Marvin Austin, DT, Carolina

With their second pick in the second round (third overall), the Denver Broncos find themselves teased by the allure of one of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects of this draft. At the No. 46 pick, Marvin Austin from North Carolina ultimately proves too talented to pass over at this stage in the draft. Austin was embroiled in the scandal that rocked Chapel Hill in 2010 after he was ruled ineligible for the season due to his involvement with an agent. Scouts have also questioned his maturity, and Austin has been labeled as a player with questionable competitiveness.

That was the bust. For the boom, Austin is a 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle that is explosive, powerful and, at times, disruptive. At last month's Scouting Combine, Austin ran a 4.9-second 40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 38 times. Scouts rave about his lightning-quick first step and his ability to push the pocket, and Austin also boasts impressive length with 32 and 5/8-inch arms. Austin is also versatile, as he can fit in a 4-3 scheme as a tackle or in a 3-4 as an end.

With John Fox replacing Josh McDaniels as head coach, the Broncos could be willing to take a flyer on a questionable pick like Austin. Giants fans here are well aware of Fox's coaching ability and experience, and despite the sour end to his tenure in Carolina, he very well could be the type of coach to aid Austin in maximizing his potential. The Broncos resigned defensive tackle/end Kevin Vickerson in March, but as Fox guides the Broncos' defense to a 4-3 scheme, the depth chart figures to be open to a bit of a shakeup. The Broncos also released defensive tackles Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams last month, and after selecting DT Nick Fairley (Auburn) in the first round and DE/OLB Brooks Reed (Arizona) with their first pick in the second round, they return to defensive tackle in their continuing quest to solidify their front seven. -- Mike Fiammetta

My take: Yes, we let Mike run a little long with his explanation for selecting Austin. With this guy, though, there is a lot to say. This is a guy with first-round talent and a gamble worth taking for Denver, a team with a defensive-minded coach changing to a 4-3 scheme. Question is, will this guy be an Albert Haynesworth-like player, or a Haynesworth-sized pain in the backside? No doubt what Mike's focus has been in his role as Denver general manager, giving new coach John Fox players to rebuild his front line in Austin, Brooks Reed and Nick Fairley.

Top Players Remaining

Here are the top players still on the board, from SB Nation's Mocking The Draft:

-- Mike LeShoure, RB, Illinois
-- Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
-- Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
-- Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
-- Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

Round 1

Round 2