2012 NFL Draft thread

[H34TX]

this is going to be a fun one to watch. Who are your favorite players? Who gives you the wowza? Less the 48 hours away, these guys are must haves

Melvin Ingram - DE, South Carolina
Donta Hightower - LB, Alabama. Some have him going to Pitt or Balt, making 2 hard core defenses even harder.
Courtney Upshaw - DE, Alabama

Mock Draft http://walterfootball.com/draft2012.php

[indaclutch]

Was hoping Fletcher Cox or Ingram would make it to 14, bleh. Hoping for the 2nd best secondary guy on the board behind Claiborne now. Coples/Poe/Brockers didn't do enough on the field to warrant a top 15 pick.

[Mountaineer Maniac]

Trent Richardson is going to make a GM look very smart. I wouldn't take anyone not named RG3 or Luck over him in this draft.

[H34TX]

Trent Richardson is going to make a GM look very smart. I wouldn't take anyone not named RG3 or Luck over him in this draft.

yet he is projected at #4 with # 3 going to Matt Kalil OT to Minny. In a crazy world, trade away AP with his injury issues, get Trent and some picks for OL drafting.

[MNLonghorn10]

id be content trading down and whoever wants richardson @ 3 can have him.

we need more than just an offensive tackle or running back right now.

[Mountaineer Maniac]

yet he is projected at #4 with # 3 going to Matt Kalil OT to Minny.

Not a knock on Kalil, because obviously he makes more sense for the Vikings. My point was though that elite running backs are much harder to find than tackles.

[MikeGundy'sRant]

As a homer, I'm all for Justin Blackmon. As an objective fan, I'd still pick him.

[Prophet]

Taking Barron when Coples and Brockers are still on the board is regarded, imo, so I could see Jerry making that move.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, when you have issues at just about every level of the defense, you start close to the ball and work your way back. A great pass rush will make your DBs look good. Great DBs can't cover for 10-15 seconds every play.

[DougO]

Robert Griffin III
Fletcher Cox
Luke Kuechly
Pete Konz
Doug Martin

All of those guys will be bargains regardless of where they are drafted.

Late round sleeper: Case Keenum

I really like Ingram as a player, his intensity and attitude, but he's too much of a tweener to be ranked so highly. He's going to have a hard time finding the right spot on an NFL team. Upshaw is another tweener, but with less upside. Brockers and Poe have major bust potential.

[ChrisApplewhite]

Not a knock on Kalil, because obviously he makes more sense for the Vikings. My point was though that elite running backs are much harder to find than tackles.

I agree, says no one.

[BigOrange]

i don't think richardson is going to be as good as the spot he is picked would indicate (assuming he's picked in the top 10).

[RabidHorn]

Taking Barron when Coples and Brockers are still on the board is regarded, imo, so I could see Jerry making that move.

Agree 100%
First round-DL-Brockers or LB-Upshaw
Second round-DB
Third round-Best Player available at either CB, Saftey, DL, LB or Ol
Fourth round-1st pick-Terrence Ganaway Baylor
Fourth round 2nd pick-Blake center from Baylor if there.

[cam4mav]

I have a really good friend from HS that played WR at Central Washington that is draft eligible. Most likely going to get a FA shot on a team looking to make him a TE (6'5+, 224lbs 4.65 40 and a mean blocker)
I'm just hoping he gets a shot. He worked his ass off to go from a 2 star WR in highschool at 6'4 180lbs to playing in a college all star game here in Tucson where I got to see him practice and play.

last day of the draft keep an out for Justin Helwege WR-CWU, I so hope he gets a call in the next couple days, he will have earned every bit of it!

[tx 3 putt]

he has houston texans written all over him. they love te's (especially blocking te's) and need to add depth since dreeson left


anyone think broyles (ou wr) goes in the first 4 rounds ?

[H34TX]

he has houston texans written all over him. they love te's (especially blocking te's) and need to add depth since dreeson left


anyone think broyles (ou wr) goes in the first 4 rounds ?

hmmm.. forgot about Broyles. Where would he have gone if not for the injury?

[burntorangeblooded15]

I'm thinking like 3rd-4th for Broyles now, still didnt see him as a top 20 pick before the injury tho.

[LonghornXXX]

Not a knock on Kalil, because obviously he makes more sense for the Vikings. My point was though that elite running backs are much harder to find than tackles.

Only in fantasy football. All Pro OTs have greater value than All Pro RBs

[I love Submart]

I know it's been covered ad nauseam, but only having three horns projected to be drafted, none in the early rounds, and all from the defensive side of the ball, is a great display of why we've been a mediocre to bad team for two years now

[EvilCaseMcCoy]

I can't decide whether I should watch the draft live, or go to my flag football game. I think I'd rather watch the draft.

[Dwight Schrute]

Whoever is Mr. Irrelevant gets an open invitation to tap this:

[Black Gideon]

Bitch has got a wee bit of the cray... innit?

[Ignatius]

In a crazy world, trade away AP with his injury issues, get Trent and some picks for OL drafting.

In the NFL you don't get high draft picks in exchange for a big contract. Otherwise, someone would have signed Mike Wallace as an RFA...

[Dwight Schrute]

As a homer, I'm all for Justin Blackmon. As an objective fan, I'd still pick him.

Blackmon has bust written all over him to me. Nothing against you guys, but the guy just isn't that spectacular to me.

[Dwight Schrute]

Only in fantasy football. All Pro OTs have greater value than All Pro RBs

This. A great offensive line can make a mediocre back look like a stud.

Speaking of mediocre backs, that Martin kid from Boise should be nowhere near a top 75 pick. He's Mike Hart 2.0.

[Black Gideon]

Blackmon has bust written all over him to me. Nothing against you guys, but the guy just isn't that spectacular to me.

I don't see that. I see him being the next Larry Fitzgerald. Not super fast, not super big, but has a good head on his shoulders, great hands and makes plays.

[Tulsa Poke]

Blackmon has bust written all over him to me. Nothing against you guys, but the guy just isn't that spectacular to me.

Agreed.

Someone will get a steal with Weeden, however.

[Dwight Schrute]

I don't see that. I see him being the next Larry Fitzgerald. Not super fast, not super big, but has a good head on his shoulders, great hands and makes plays.

Fitzgerald is 6'3 228 lbs with amazing leaping ability. Dude basically beat the Panthers defense in the 2008 playoffs all by himself. A better comparison for Blackmon would be Victor Cruz, but Blackmon isn't nearly as talented as Cruz.

Agreed.

Someone will get a steal with Weeden, however.

If Weeden were 22 years old he'd be a top 5 pick.

[bizzle]

Agreed.

Someone will get a steal with Weeden, however.

will they? dude is 29 with an average arm - i wonder how much that pushes him down draft boards. weinke didn't go until the 4th, i know that hurt him.

[Tulsa Poke]

If Weeden were 22 years old he'd be a top 5 pick.

Yep; it's just a matter of when to pick him.

I keep forgetting that Blackmon did show me a different gear in the Fiesta, but there wasn't enough of that in his career to make me think "oh $#@! this dude's top-5". Mid-to-late first rounder based on what I saw.

[Tulsa Poke]

with an average arm

There isn't anything average about his arm. Quick release, great accuracy, tremendous touch, and plenty of strength.

[michaelpshayes]

To my fellow Cowboy fans....

[Dwight Schrute]

You got to think that whoever drafts Weeden is planning on giving him more than a fair chance to win their starting job. He can give you 7-8 years of solid play in the right situation. He's not going to be an elite guy, but he can be one of those next echelon kind of guys who can more than hold their own.

[H34TX]

which of the 2012 Bama draftees played in the 2009 BCS title vs. Texas? That 2009 Bama team was so loaded, Saban turning into the Kentucky Calipari of high picks.

[formermav43]

Blackmon will have a more successful career than Weeden and it won't be close.

[bizzle]

There isn't anything average about his arm. Quick release, great accuracy, tremendous touch, and plenty of strength.

agree with the first 3, he just never struck me as a guy with a cannon.

[hamttx]

It seems when it comes to WR somewhere in their college play they show signs that they will end up being very good at the next level. Blackmon had good games sure, but he just did not seem to beat the other team down. Maybe a two guy, to compliment the featured receiver. I just am not sure he can handle the initial contact at the LOS, break free and run his route. He seemed to do better when DB's allowed him a cushion. Playing him tight seemed to bother him at times. Then again I don't know $#@!, so take that.

[LonghornXXX]

It seems when it comes to WR somewhere in their college play they show signs that they will end up being very good at the next level. Blackmon had good games sure, but he just did not seem to beat the other team down. Maybe a two guy, to compliment the featured receiver. I just am not sure he can handle the initial contact at the LOS, break free and run his route. He seemed to do better when DB's allowed him a cushion. Playing him tight seemed to bother him at times. Then again I don't know $#@!, so take that.

Not sure about off the line. But Blackmon was double teamed always and still dominated in college.

[cam4mav]

Byndom played him physical at the line and it really bothered him.

[Mack City Bitch]

The guy I'm really looking at (for the Eagles) is Brockers. He can straight up blow through a line and stop the run, which is the Eagles #1 need. There are talks they will trade into the top 10 to get a guy like Fletcher Cox or Luke Kuechly.

A guy that is being overlooked by a lot of people is Boise St. LB Shea McLellin. He really could be a huge steal for someone in the high 20's. Damn near Clay Matthewsesque steal.

[I love Submart]

Can't believe no Crabtree comparisons for Blackmon. Similar size, neither that fast, great pass catchers in college. Crab hasn't been a bust, but hasn't been first-round worthy either. I see Blackmon doing the same thing, especially if he doesn't go to a system that can utilize him properly

[Refball]

Byndom played him physical at the line and it really bothered him.

I might be speaking a little early here, but Byndom could probably be a future first round corner if he repeats what he did last season. Blackmon's discomfort against Byndom, I'd say, is more a compliment to Byndom than a knock on Blackmon.

[CowboyFred]

I honestly see my rams drafting him with the 6th pick which is not too bad cause we need all the offensive help we can get but personally I would rather have Michael Floyd from ND

[negative nancy]

so how will Jerry $#@! it up this year?

[negative nancy]

To my fellow Cowboy fans....

it really can't get any looser.

[drew8117]

I know it's funny to make fun or Jerry and the Cowboys, and my god they DEFINATELY do deserve it.

But, they really haven't $#@!ed up the first 2 rounds of the last two drafts at all. With Dez, Tyron Smith, and Sean Lee all as current starters and with big upsides, and with Carter's inevitable move to the starting lineup beside Lee this offseason, I think the Boys' have shown the ability to draft well in the first 2 rounds lately and not make stupid moves...it's the later rounds, and what they did in 09 that $#@!ed everything up.

I fully expect them to get at least 1 starter, if not 2, in the first 2 rounds tonight and tomorrow...after that, it's throwing $#@! on the wall and seeing what sticks.

[Black Gideon]

I might be speaking a little early here, but Byndom could probably be a future first round corner if he repeats what he did last season. Blackmon's discomfort against Byndom, I'd say, is more a compliment to Byndom than a knock on Blackmon.

Byndom totally looks like a first round corner to me. Guy has skills

[tx 3 putt]

very interesting note on drafting 1 to 10 v from 11 on, huge difference in what you pay for that 5th year ........

Not sure how big of a deal this will become, but it's got the middle of the first round talk at least. Florio reported this first over the weekend, and let me expand on it. In the new collective bargaining agreement, there's a provision that could affect trading of draft choices in the first round. Each first-round pick can be signed to a four-year contract with a club option for a fifth year that has to be exercised in May following the third season of the contract. So rookies this year will sign for four years, through the end of the 2015 season; but in May 2015, teams have to tell the players if they intend to exercise the fifth years of the contract and lock up players through 2016. For picks 1 through 10 of the first round, that fifth-year salary will be the transition number, the average of the top 10 salaries at the position that season. For picks 11 through 32, the fifth-year salary will be the average of the third through 25th salaries at the position that year.

I'll give you an example. Let's use Tannehill. The transition number for quarterbacks this year is $14.3 million. The average of the third through 25th quarterback salary this year is $8.1 million. Who knows what the numbers will look like in May 2015, but they probably won't be smaller, or the gulf narrower. In other words, if you pick Tannehill at eight, you'll be paying $6.2 million more in a five-year deal for him than if you picked Tannehill at 12. Crazy. But true.

Now, some teams I spoke with over the weekend say the fifth year in the deal will simply be used as leverage in negotiations for a long-term deal. But I can see sticklers like Scott Pioli in Kansas City, Howie Roseman in Philadelphia and Mike Brown in Cincinnati holding players to fifth years at a lower price. There's a reason Pioli went on last week in his press conference with local writers about why he loved picking at 11. That's where the more team-friendly numbers begin.

In case you're interested, the difference in fifth-year numbers for defensive ends picked in the top 10 versus in the final 22 picks of round one ($4.3 million), and defensive tackles ($2.6 million), could come into play because of the big numbers of each position in the first round. "In any case,'' one club official told me over the weekend, "the old draft trade chart is obsolete.''

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1tA96Rkof

[drew8117]

Also, I see the backlash on Barron on this board quite a bit...but why am I reading this kid might be going in the Top 10 now?

I mean when the Boys were mentioned as a team that would definately take him, there seemed to be a huge backlash as he's a physical safety with questionable coverage skills(Roy Williams part deaux?). But there seems to be a TON of love for that guy right now.

I'd still take DeCastro though. Lock up 3 spots of a potentially dominant Oline(DeCastro, Smith, Free)

[PittsburghTiger]

I have been around Fitzgerald....he is a BIG DUDE.

[Prophet]

Mayock's mock first round for those who care/are bored:

1. QB Andrew Luck (Colts)
2. QB Robert Griffin III (Redskins)
3. OT Matt Kalil (Vikings)
4. WR Justin Blackmon (Browns)
5. RB Trent Richardson (Buccaneers)
6. CB Morris Claiborne (Rams)
7. DE Melvin Ingram (Jaguars)
8. QB Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins)
9. DT Fletcher Cox (Panthers)
10. ILB Luke Kuechly (Bills)
11. SS Mark Baron (Chiefs)
12. DE Quinton Coples (Seahawks)
13. OT Riley Reiff (Cardinals)
14. DT Michael Brockers (Cowboys)
15. CB Stephon Gilmore (Eagles)
16. WR Michael Floyd (Jets)
17. CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Bengals)
18. DE Whitney Mercilus (Chargers)
19. DE Chandler Jones (Bears)
20. WR Stephen Hill (Titans)
21. OG David DeCastro (Bengals)
22. RB Doug Martin (Browns)
23. OLB Courtney Upshaw (Lions)
24. OT Cordy Glenn (Steelers)
25. DT Dontari Poe (Broncos)
26. TE Coby Fleener (Texans)
27. DE Nick Perry (Patriots)
28. DE Shea McClellin (Packers)
29. ILB Dont'a Hightower (Ravens)
30. WR Kendall Wright (49ers)
31. FS Harrison Smith (Patriots)
32. OT Jonathan Martin (Giants)