2012 NFL Draft Grades
The NFL Draft is over and we have to wait a whole year until the next one but there is a season in-between so it’s not that bad. The first round was crazy, trades out the wazoo, bad picks and beautiful steals told the tale of the 2012 NFL Draft. I took the time to grade each team’s draft and asked VSD member BonesMahoney to give him his Best, Worst and Steals of the draft. Take a peak out how your team did in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts
1 Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
34 Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
64 Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
92 T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International
136 Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
170 Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State
206 Lavon Brazill, WR, Ohio
208 Justin Anderson, OT, Georgia
214 Tim Fugger, DE/OLB, Vanderbilt
253 Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois
Really a very good draft by the Colts. Andrew Luck will be the franchise quarterback for the Colts for the next decade and a half and if he lives up to potential will also be one of the best to ever play. The additions of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen kind of tell a tale of a Patriots type offense. The draft was very offense oriented with the exception of Josh Chapman who may be a starter right away in their new 3-4 defense.
Best: QB Andrew Luck
Worst: HB Vick Ballard
Steal: WR T.Y. Hilton
Grade: A
Washington Redskins
2 Robert Griffin III , QB, Baylor
71 Josh LeRibeus, G, SMU
102 Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
119 Keenan Robinson, MLB, Texas
141 Adam Gettis, G, Iowa
173 Alfred Morris, RB, Florida Atlantic
193 Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota
213 Richard Crawford, CB, SMU
217 Jordan Bernstine, S, Iowa
I’m not a huge fan of this draft outside of RG3 and Kirk Cousins. Yes, I like the Kirk Cousins pick. Just like Andrew Luck, if RG3 lives up to expectations he will be an outstanding QB for years to come. I like his versatility more than Andrew Luck but I don’t think he is as good a prospect. It really doesn’t matter though because RG3 is gonna be great. The third round pick of Josh LeRibeus was a head scratcher but maybe Mike Shanahan saw something he really liked in him and thinks he can be a starting guard in the NFL. The Kirk Cousins pick wasn’t exactly a need filling pick but it does give the Redskins a good backup and possibly a Matt Schaub Atlanta-Houston trade scenario down the road. Other than those few picks there really isn’t anything that stands out to me.
Best: QB Robert Griffin III
Worst: HB Alfred Morris
Steal: OT Tom Compton
Grade: B- (mainly for the RG3 pick)
Minnesota Vikings
4 Matt Kalil, OT, USC
29 Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
66 Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
118 Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
128 Rhett Ellison, FB, USC
134 Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
139 Robert Blanton, CB/S, Notre Dame
175 Blair Walsh, K, Georgia
210 Audie Cole, MLB, NC State
219 Trevor Guyton, DE, Cal
I really love the Vikings draft from top to bottom and everywhere in between. Matt Kalil going 4th overall is not the sexiest pick but the kind of tackle that he is doesn’t come along every year. Kalil is an elite prospect and will help protect Christian Ponder for years and open outside running lanes for Adrian Peterson when he is healthy again. Harrison Smith was not worth trading up for in the first round but he does fill a need. Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs could all potentially be starters out of camp and Audie Cole and Trevor Guyton are huge steals late in the draft and will provide quality depth.
Best: CB Josh Robinson
Worst: FB/TE Rhett Ellison
Steal: LB Audie Cole
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
3 Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
22 Brandon Weeden, QB, OK State
37 Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Cal
87 John Hughes, DT, Cincinnati
100 Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami
120 James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada
160 Ryan Miller, G, Colorado
204 Emmanuel Acho, OLB, Texas
205 Billy Winn, DT, Boise State
245 Trevin Wade, CB, Arizona
247 Brad Smelley, TE, Alabama
For all these damn picks the Browns have, they didn’t do much to improve the team. I honestly don’t like this draft at all, it fits the type of team the Browns are, no-names. Enough trashing them though, Trent Richardson was their first overall pick and they even moved up to get him out of the fear someone else would draft him. I think Trent is a good running back but I’m with Jim Brown and thinking he won’t be all that great. The Brandon Weeden pick caused me to burst out in laughter so should I really say anything else about it? I do like the Billy Winn pick because he can play both DE and DT so their pass rush should benefit. I like the Brad Smelley pick as well just because of the name.
Best: HB Trent Richardson
Worst: DT John Hughes
Steal: DL Billy Winn
Grade: D
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
31 Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
54 Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska
140 Najee Good, MLB, West Virginia
174 Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia
212 Michael Smith, RB, Utah State
233 Drake Dunsmore, FB, Northwestern
At first glance this is a pretty average draft but a look closer and its actually a very good class. The Bucs ultimately got screwed by letting Jacksonville move up and only getting a 4th in return to move down two spots. Mark Barron had been gaining a lot of hype coming into the draft and to me it’s a reach but the defense definitely needed the help. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Doug Martin and Lavonte David picks. Doug Martin will bring an impact to the running game. He can spell out Blount and also catch out of the backfield. Lavonte David will likely be put in right away and should be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. Najee good is a reach while Keith Tandy is kind of a steal. Swap their rounds and it all makes sense. The two seventh round picks are forgettable.
Best: HB Doug Martin
Worst: LB Najee Goode
Steal: LB Lavonte David
Grade: B+
St. Louis Rams
14 Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
33 Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
39 Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
50 Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
65 Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
96 Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
150 Rokevious Watkins, G, South Carolina
171 Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western
209 Aaron Brown, OLB, Hawaii
252 Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian
I’m sure there was a universal groan in the Rams War Room when Jacksonville picked Justin Blackmon. The Rams were the ultimate causality of the Bucs-Jaguars trade. Michael Brockers is a fine defensive tackle and definitely is an upgrade at the position but the Rams do have to settle for Brian Quick, who in my opinion was a reach in the second round. I do like the value of Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and Chris Givens in the mid round. They should all contribute next year. A lot of the players taken in the latter rounds are just role players and if they don’t make the team should be just special team players.
Best: CB Janoris Jenkins
Worst: WR Brian Quick
Steal: WR Chris Givens
Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
5 Justin Blackmon, WR, OK State
38 Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
70 Bryan Anger, P, Cal
142 Brandon Marshall, OLB, Nevada
176 Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
228 Jeris Pendleton, DT, Ashland
The Jaguars are the winners of the best trade in the draft. Trading down two spots to get their man, Justin Blackmon. Jacksonville gets the best wide out in the draft and he can hopefully bail out Blaine Gabbert in the passing game. I love the Andre Branch pick almost as much as the Blackmon pick. Branch may be able to start right away and help an inept pass rush. The one pick in this draft that I hate is Bryan Anger. A PUNTER IN THE 3rd ROUND! Gene Smith has no idea what he’s doing and is probably laughing thinking he outsmarted the NFL. The Jags could have gotten him in the 5th round instead of Brandon Marshall who will likely sit on special teams for a few years before he’s out of the league. Not much to this draft and taking Anger in the third hurts the overall grade.
Best: WR Justin Blackmon
Worst: P Bryan Anger
Steal: CB Mike Harris
Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins
8 Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
42 Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
72 Oliver Vernon, DE, Miami
78 Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri
97 Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
155 Josh Kaddu, DE/OLB, Oregon
183 BJ Cunningham, WR, Michigan State
215 Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas
227 Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada
Miami did a good job with this draft. Tannehill is not exactly a guaranteed boom pick but if he succeeds he will be just what the Dolphins have been looking for. The Dolphins needed to make this pick. Jonathan Martin is an insane value in the second round and can be plugged into the offensive line to begin the season. Lamar Miller doesn’t fill a need unless the Dolphins plan on using a three headed attack. BJ Cunningham and Rishard Matthews are late round wide receivers who could be great steals.
Best: DE Olivier Martin
Worst: TE Michael Egnew
Steal: T Jonathan Martin
Grade: B
Carolina Panthers
9 Luke Kuechly, OLB, Boston College
40 Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State
103 Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma
104 Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
143 Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
207 Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin
216 DJ Campbell. S, Cal
The Panthers had a great, great draft. Luke Kuechly is their best pick but not by much. His presence alone should greatly improve the defense. Amini Silatolu is a small school prospect who can make the interior of the offensive line that much better. Joe Adams and Josh Norman are great mid rounders who may not start right out of the gate but will bring depth and possibly starting potential down the road. Every pick from top to bottom filled need and depth making this one of the best drafts of the year. Watch out for the Panthers, not this year but possibly next you will see this draft class contribute to making this a very dangerous team in the NFL.
Best: G Amini Silatolu
Worst: DE Frank Alexander
Steal: CB Josh Norman
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
10 Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
41 Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
69 TJ Graham, WR, NC State
105 Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State
124 Ron Brooks, CB, LSU
144 Zebrie Sanders, OT
147 Tank Carder, MLB, TCU
178 Mark Asper, G, Oregon
251 John Potter, K, Western Michigan
If you don’t include the first pick and the last 2 picks, this was a very good draft with a lot of value. Did I forget to mention TJ Graham? LOL @ that. Stephon Gilmore was not worthy of a top 10 pick in my opinion and never understood the hype. I will say that Buffalo needed a corner but their were better players to be had. Cordy Glenn was a steal in the second and will improve the offensive line and added depth with Zebrie Sanders makes this a good draft for the o-line. The defensive side of the ball saw improvement too with Nigel Bradham and Ron Brooks. Sure Brooks is overshadowed by Morris Claiborne but he does deserve some praise.
Best: CB Ron Brooks
Worst: WR TJ Graham
Steal: T/G Cordy Glenn
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs
11 Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
44 Jeff Allen, G, Illinois
74 Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
107 Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State
146 DeQuan Menzie, CB, Alabama
182 Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M
218 Jerome Long, DT, San Diego State
238 Junior Hemmingway, WR, Michigan
Alright so the talking heads on TV kind of panned the Poe pick but they were the same people to put them high on their big boards…go figure. I neither like nor dislike the pick because nose tackles are not sexy picks and do not have stats like 4-3 tackles. As long as Poe can do his job he’ll be worth the pick. Jeff Allen in the second round isn’t a bad pick and fills a much needed area but other than those picks its not a great draft. A lot of no name players and Junior Hemmingway. I like the Hemmingway pick and he could surprise as a wide out.
Best: WR Devon Wylie
Worst: T Donald Stephenson
Steal: WR Junior Hemingway
Grade: C
Seattle Seahawks
15 Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia
47 Bobby Wagner, OLB, Utah State
74 Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
106 Robert Trubin, RB, Utah State
114 Jaye Howard, DT, Florida
154 Korey Toomer, MLB, Idaho
172 Jeremy Lane, CB, Northwestern State
181 Winston Guy, S, Kentucky
225 JR Sweezy, DT, NC State
232 Greg Scruggs, DT, Louisville
I’m a Mountaineers fan and wish Bruce Irvin the most success in the world but I can not justify him going 15th overall. Irvin was a late second round pick at best and can not start right away. He better be put in a rotation because if not he will be a liability on defense. I don’t like this draft at all and don’t know who the hell was throwing darts at the wall to make these picks. I guess Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin are the best picks of this draft because I honestly don’t think Russell Wilson will hack it in the NFL or even get a chance behind Matt Flynn unless of course Flynn stinks up the joint.
Best: LB Bobby Wagner
Worst: DE Bruce Irvin
Steal: HB Robert Turbin
Grade: D
Arizona Cardinals
13 Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
80 Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
112 Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss
151 Senio Kelemte, G, Washington
177 Justin Bethel, S, Presbyterian
185 Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State
221 Nate Potter, G, Boise State
Queue the Obama Meme, Not Bad. This is an outstanding draft by the Cardinals. Michael Floyd is a legitimate number one wide receiver but will not have to play as one. He is a great pick at 13 and is lucky enough to play across from the great Larry Fitzgerald. Word on the street was Fitzgerald was in the ear of the Cardinals owner and GM to go get Floyd. Bobby Massie is another value pick and is an upgrade on the offensive line and could possibly start with fellow draftee Senio Kelemte and even Nate Potter in the future. Ryan Lindley is an insurance policy but I doubt he’ll ever start a game and even if he does I don’t think he’ll be terrible.
Best: WR Michael Floyd
Worst: I can’t see a bad player on this roster.
Steal: OT Bobbie Massie
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys
6 Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
81 Tyrone Crawford, DE/DT, Boise State
113 Kyle Wilber, ILB, Wake Forest
135 Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington
152 Danny Coale. WR, Virginia Tech
186 James Hanna. TE Oklahoma
222 Caleb McSurdy, ILB, Montana
The Cowboys could have shit the bed after the first round and it wouldn’t have mattered. Jerry Jones, that smug bastard, shocked the world by trading up to get Mo Claiborne. With the addition of Brandon Carr in the offseason and the addition of Claiborne in the draft makes their secondary lethal for opposing quarterbacks. All it took was a second round pick to move up. Crawford fills a definite need at DE in the 3-4 while everyone else in the draft looks to be more or less of a depth signing. I do like James Hanna though and should fill the void as a second TE after the departure of Martellus Bennett.
Best: CB Morris Claiborne
Worst: S Matt Johnson
Steal: WR Danny Coale
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
12 Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
46 Mychal Kendricks, MLB, Cal
59 Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
88 Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
123 Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
153 Dennis Kelly, OT, Purdue
194 Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
200 Brandon Washington, G, Miami
229 Bryce Brown, RB, Kansas
This one Mock Draft site I got to a lot has this writer that was literally performing internet fellatio on every single pick. Me, no way. I like the Fletcher Cox and Brandon Washington picks but that’s it. Mychal Kendricks is a natural mike linebacker, Vinny Curry was BPA but much stronger needs exsisted and Marvin McNutt was good value but a bad pick. I don’t understand why GM’s harp so hard on BPA. Curry will have to compete for playing time with Trent Cole, Jason Babin and Brandon Graham. Sure Graham hasn’t been that great since he was drafted a few years ago but 3 people block Curry from starting. Brandon Boykin was a good pick but he might not have the talent to be a starting corner. Bryce Brown likely won’t make it out of training camp. Fletcher Cox is plenty talented and saves the grade from being any worse.
PS
I hate the Eagles.
Best: LB Mychal Kendricks
Worst: QB Nick Foles
Steal: CB Brandon Boykin
Grade: C-
New York Jets
16 Quinton Coples, DE/OLB, North Carolina
43 Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
77 Demario Davis, OLB, Arkansas State
187 Josh Bush, S, Wake Forest
202 Terrance Ganaway, Baylor
203 Robert T Griffin, G, Baylor
242 Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina
244 Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan
I am unsure on this draft class. I think Coples is better suited for the 4-3 than the 3-4 but I was wrong about Ryan Kerrigan last year when I said the same thing. Coples has question marks about his character and work ethic but if he can get his poop in a group he will be an absolute beast on Sundays or Thursdays or Mondays or whatever day they’ll be playing football on in the near future. Stephen Hill was their best pick in my opinion and gives the Jets a great vertical threat. I’ll avoid the Robert T Griffin jokes that were said all day. Antonio Allen is a steal in the 7th round and call me crazy but he could end up starting sooner rather than later.
Best: LB Demario Davis
Worst: DE Quinton Coples
Steal: WR Jordan White
Grade: B-
Oakland Raiders
95 Tony Bergstrom, G, Utah
129 Miles Burris, DE/OLB, San Diego State
158 Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State
168 Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
189 Christo Bulukidi, DT, Georgia State
230 Nathan Stupar, OLB, Penn State
I give the Raiders organization a lot of credit for putting together a halfway decent draft with limited picks. No 1st or 2nd round picks hurts the overall grade. Tony Bergstrom and Miles Burris are no names to me but I’ll let the scenario play out and see where they’re put. Jack Crawford should be an excellent 3-4 DE and there is tremendous value with Juron Criner. The Raiders may be somewhat shored up at WR but Criner is too good of a prospect to pass on. Nathan Stupar is a nice 7th round pick and could find his place in some sort of rotation.
Best: WR Juron Criner
Worst: OL Tony Bergstrom
Steal: WR Juron Criner
Grade: C
San Diego Chargers
18 Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
49 Kendall Reyes, DE/DT, Connecticut
73 Brandon Taylor, S, LSU
110 Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana Lafayette
149 Johnnie Troutman, G, Penn State
226 David Molk, C, Michigan
250 Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
The San Diego Chargers did a good job of finding value and starters throughout the entire draft. Melvin Ingram is mega steal at 18 and fills a need that has gone relatively untouched since the departure of Shawne Merriman. Kendall Reyes also fills a need in the second. Reyes was a borderline first rounder and once again a steal. Brandon Taylor should compete for starting time at safety. I am not a huge fan of the Ladarius Green pick or the Johnnie Troutman picks because I think they won’t see much starting time. David Molk on the other hand could possibly be the best backup center in the league, yeah small victories.
Best: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram
Worst: G Johnnie Troutman
Steal: C David Molk
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
19 Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State
45 Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
79 Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State
111 Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple
184 Isaiah Frey, CB, Nevada
220 Greg McCoy, CB, TCU
The Bears only had 6 picks in the entire draft but the first two picks make this a good draft. Chicago was dying for a presence across from Julius Peppers and they got one in the first round. Shea McClellin was a big reach especially because there were more talented DE’s on the board but maybe Chicago saw something they really liked in him. I can’t deny the fact that he is very talented and has a high motor as opposed to a low one. Alshon Jeffrey has top ten talent but a lot of teams are turned off by his weight and spotty production. Jay Cutler will make something of him and having Brandon Marshall play opposite of him is a blessing. Other than Evan Rodriguez the selections of Brandon Hardin, Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy carry no value and overall hurt the Bears draft from being ranked all that high.
Best: DE/LB Shea McClellin
Worst: CB Isaiah Frey
Steal: WR Alshon Jeffrey
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans
20 Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
52 Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
82 Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
115 Coty Sensabaugh, CB, Clemson
145 Taylor Thompson, TE, SMU
190 Markell Martin, S, OK State
211 Scott Solomon, DE, Rice
The more I look at the Tennessee Titans draft, the more I like it. I’ll be the first person to admit I hate the Titans but they did a very good job of putting together a quality draft class. Kendall Wright in the first round is a safe pick. The fact that Jake Locker is still a young quarterback makes this pick make that much more sense. Kenny Britt can’t stay healthy while Nate Washington is not a starting WR, Wright should be able to steal a starting spot Week 1. Zach Brown is a very sexy pick, fallen because of a lack of worth ethic keeps him out of the first round but with good coaching by Munch, he should return to form. Mike Martin and Coty Sensabaugh are depth signings while Taylor Thompson could get a job as a number 2 tight end. Markell Martin is also a depth signing but I can really see him becoming a starting safety in the league after a year or two.
Best: DT Mike Martin
Worst: LB Zach Brown
Steal: TE Taylor Thompson
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
17 Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
27 Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
53 Devon Still, DT, Penn State
83 Mohamed Sanue, WR, Rutgers
93 Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
116 Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
156 Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
166 Marvin Jones, WR, California
167 George Iioka, S, Boise State
191 Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State
I can not find one bad pick in this entire draft. Sure the Bengals drafted a few players with character concerns but they don’t care, they have oodles of talent here. Dre Kirkpatrick could be a legit shutdown corner and lining him up across from Leon Hall is a defensive wet dream. Kevin Zeitler is a great guard as well and although Cordy Glenn was still on the board this is still a good pick. Devon Still fills a need and is immensely talented. Mohamed Sanu is a nice steal in the middle of the draft and will fill in for Jerome Simpson. Orson Charles, Shaun Prater, Marvin Jones, George Iioka and Dan Herron are all valuable depth signings and could possibly be starters one day save for Dan Herron who will probably see 3-5 touches a game if that. One of the best drafts of the year.
Best: WR Mohamed Sanu
Worst: HB Dan Herron
Steal: WR Marvin Jones
Grade: A
Atlanta Falcons
55 Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
91 Lamar Holmes, OT, Southern Miss
157 Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin
164 Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy
192 Charles Mitchell, SS, Mississippi State
249 Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina
Outside of the Falcons taking Peter Konz in the second, this draft really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I mean you get a home run with Konz falling to the second and sure he fills a need but after him its so vanilla. I don’t know who Lamar Holmes is, Bradie Ewing makes sense but a big reach, Charles Mtichell should have gone undrafted and Travian Robertson probably won’t make the team. Jonathan Massaquoi is a value pick and adds good depth to the pass rush so he helps this grade from falling to a D.
Best: C/G Peter Konz
Worst: T Lamar Holmes
Steal: DE/OLB Jonathan Massaquoi
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
23 Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
54 Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
85 Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
125 Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
138 Tahir Whitehead, DE, Temple
148 Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion
196 Jonte Green, CB, New Mexico State
223 Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
The years of the bad classes by Matt Millen are long gone. This is a quality draft class for the most part and a sign of good times for Lions fans. Riley Reiff was a long time coming. Jeff Backus is old as dirt and should be protecting Matthew Stafford’s blindside. I don’t like the Ryan Broyles pick in the second round because of his knee surgery but maybe the Lions are rolling the dice and hoping he pans out. Dwight Bentley is a good player who can compete for the nickel job. Forget about Tahir Whitehead being a huge reach as well as Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood who may or may not pan out. Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis are incredible finds in the draft. Ronnell Lewis should have gone in the second and Travis Lewis should have gone probably at the pick they used on Ronnell. Sure they won’t start but if someone goes down they have solid contributors. Hell they shouldn’t have a problem on special teams tackling.
Best: T Riley Rieff
Worst: WR Ryan Broyles
Steal: LB Ronnell Lewis
Grade: A-
Pittsburgh Steelers
24 David DeCastro, G, Stanford
56 Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
86 Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
109 Alameda Ta’amu, NT, Washington
159 Chris Rainey, RB, Florida
231 Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado
240 David Paulson, TE, Oregon
246 Terrence Frederick, DT, Texas A&M
248 Kelvin Beachum, G, SMU
I hate this draft. No not cause its bad because it’s a tremendous class but because the Steelers made these picks. I wish my team drafted like this. David DeCastro will be a hall of fame guard, almost as can’t miss as possible. Mike Adams is a great signing as well and will likely start on the offensive line albeit he has character concerns. I like the Sean Spence pick as well because he brings more youth to the defense. Speaking of youth on the defense, Alameda Ta’amu will be a great nose tackle in the NFL and learning from Casey Hampton doesn’t hurt. Chris Rainey could see a lot of snaps with the injury to Rashard Mendenhall and is a home run threat on the ground via the running game or kick returns. Pittsburgh had a handful of seventh round picks and they were used for all depth signings so I can’t fault them for that.
Best: G David DeCastro
Worst: T Mike Adams
Steal: NT Alameda Ta'amu
Grade: A-
Denver Broncos
36 Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati
57 Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
67 Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State
101 Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
108 Phillip Blake, C, Baylor
137 Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee
188 Danny Tevathan, OLB, Kentucky
Yuck! That is the perfect word for this draft. What are the Broncos thinking? Do they think Peyton Manning being the new QB means they can put their draft on cruise control. Derek Wolfe is a big reach and I don’t understand why they traded out of the first round. There were plenty of talented D tackles to be had but they settled on a one year wonder and workout warrior. Brock Osweiler doesn’t fit the direction this franchise is going either, yeah he can be a backup and learn from Peyton Manning but he doesn’t help the team win right now. I do like the Omar Bolden, Phillip Blake and Malik Jackson picks because they are needs and can help create solid depth and possible rotational starts. I don’t know too much about Danny Trevathan but I do know the Broncos are stacked at linebacker. Ronnie Hillman has put me on the fence though, he could either be the future behind McGahee or fizzle out like Knowshon Moreno. I hope for the Broncos sake he pans out.
Best: CB Omar Bolden
Worst: QB Brock Osweiler
Steal: DE Malik Jackson
Grade: D+
Houston Texans
26 Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
68 Devier Posey, WR, Ohio State
76 Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (OH)
99 Ben Jones, G, Georgia
121 Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State
126 Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
161 Randy Bullock, K, Texas A&M
195 Nick Mondek, OT, Purdue
Texans may have made a good defensive draft here but the offense didn’t see neglect but rather bad drafting. Whitney Mercilus was a good pick at 26 and will continue to make the pass rush that much better but the need in my opinion coming into this draft was WR. Oh the Texans drafted some pass catching help? Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, they’re terrible. Neither of those players will strike fear into opposing defenses and on top of that, there were more WR’s out there to help… Andre Johnson is gonna see another season of double coverage every game. I do like the Ben Jones signing a little bit but the Jared Crick signing is so much better. This guy had first round potential coming into the season but somehow fell and the Texans could definitely use him as a 3-4 end.
Best: DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus
Worst: WR Devier Posey
Steal: DL Jared Crick
Grade: C-
New Orleans Saints
89 Akiem Hicks, NT, Regina (Canada)
122 Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
162 Corey White, S, Samford
179 Andrew Tiller, G, Syracuse
234 Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska
Poor Saints fans. Not only did the bountygate thing happen but they lost a second round pick and traded away their first last year. The Saints draft wasn’t very good outside of Nick Toon, yeah one draft pick that I think will actually pan out. Nick Toon could possibly fill the void left by Robert Meachem and start next to Marques Colston. Well that’s not entirely true, Akiem Hicks is better suited for a 3-4 but has a lot of upside and if he pans out he could be the best player the Saints drafted. As for the rest of these rejects, I doubt they stay in the NFL for more than a year or two.
Best: DT Akiem Hicks
Worst: G Andrew Tiller
Steal: WR Nick Toon
Grade: D
Green Bay Packers
28 Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
51 Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State
62 Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
132 Mike Daniels, DE/DT, Iowa
133 Jerron McMillian, S, Maine
163 Terell Manning, OLB, NC State
241 Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
243 BJ Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
The rich get richer. I don’t mean to sound like a Green Bay homer but they always seem to draft well. Nick Perry will play opposite Clay Matthews and hopefully bring the Packers defense back to the Super Bowl caliber team. Jerel Worthy will likely compete for a starting job at defensive end while Casey Hayward will keep some youth in the secondary. I don’t even know who Jerron McMillian is so that’s an F. Terell Manning and Andrew Datko are good steals to provide depth on their respective sides of the ball. BJ Coleman is an interesting prospect in his on regard. He is very raw but he could end up being trade bait in the future if he can be coached properly and work out the kinks in his game.
Packers
Best: CB Casey Hayward
Worst: S Jerron McMillian
Steal: T Andrew Datko
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
35 Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
60 Kelechi Osemele, G Iowa State
84 Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
98 Gino Gradkowski, G, Delaware
130 Christian Thompson, S, South Carolina State
169 Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
198 Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
236 DeAngelo Tyson, NT, Georgia
There must have been a seminar in the AFC North on drafting that every team went to except Cleveland, I guess they didn’t get the memo. Ravens absolutely rob a bank taking Courtney Upshaw early in the second round. The Ravens have been looking for someone opposite T-Sizzle and they finally got their guy. Kelechi Osemele kind of flew under a lot of teams draft radar and lasted to the latter half of the second round. The Ravens were delighted to draft him and he can possibly start where Ben Grubbs used to. Bernard Pierce brings much needed help to the running game as well and takes some of the workload from Ray Rice. Baltimore went with three straight small school guys and Asa Jackson was probably the cream of the crop. He’s a very good corner but needs to adjust to the level of competition in the NFL before he is handed a nickel job. I also like Tommy Streeter in the sixth round and think he can at least be a valuable member in shotgun and four wide sets.
Best: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw
Worst: S Christian Thompson
Steal: CB Asa Jackson
Grade: A-
San Francisco 49ers
30 AJ Jenkins, WR, Illinois
61 LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
117 Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest
165 Darius Fleming, DE/OLB, Notre Dame
180 Trenton Robinson, S, Michigan State
199 Jason Slowey, C, Western Oregon
237 Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia
The 49ers came into this draft without a whole bunch of needs but a glaring weakness was the passing game. No I’m not talking about Alex Smith but the wide receivers on this team are stop gap guys which is why I’m guess San Fran took AJ Jenkins in the first round. AJ Jenkins is not a first round pick at all, he should have been a late second rounder at the very most. LaMichael James will not succeed in the NFL mark my words and this whole class is just full of no names except for Trenton Robinson and Cam Johnson. Trenton Robinson adds much needed depth to the safety position while Cam Johnson magically falls to the seventh round and could be the biggest steal of the draft. Cam alone is the only reason this draft class does not get the dreaded F.
Best: DE/OLB Cam Johnson
Worst: HB LaMichael James
Steal: DE/OLB Cam Johnson
Grade: D
New England Patriots
21 Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse
25 Don’t’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
48 Tavon Wilson, S, Illinois
90 Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas
197 Nate Ebner, Ohio State
224 Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
235 Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
A team known for harboring draft picks only ends up with seven but they made most of those seven count. I don’t understand the love for Chandler Jones but a lot of teams were salivating over him so I can’t fault the Patriots for taking a coveted guy and especially at a position of need. I really like the Don’t’a Hightower pick as well because he will make an already deadly, young linebacking core that much better. Tavon Wilson was a huge reach of the Gene Smith variety but Jake Bequette makes up for it and he could play DE in either fronts in the hybrid defense. Alfonzo Dennard punches a cop and gets drafted by the Patriots, karma is non existent in this case. Dennard was a first round talent but fell due to major character concerns but the Patriots team is known for great veteran leadership and someone will set this kid on the righteous path.
Best: LB Dont'a Hightower
Worst: S Nate Ebner
Steal: CB Alfonzo Dennard
Grade: A-
New York Giants
32 David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
63 Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
94 Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
127 Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati
131 Brandon Mosley, OT Auburn
201 Matt McCants, OT UAB
239 Markus Kuhn, DT, NC State
The Super Bowl Champions came into this draft with a few needs but apparently not that much if they just won the championship. I am not a fan of Virginia Tech runningbacks and neither should you. I don’t think David Wilson will cut it as a runningback and will cause Ahmad Bradshaw to carry too much of the load. The Giants pride themselves on best player available and Rueben Randle was definitely BPA late in the second. He’ll be an excellent red zone threat for Eli Manning and I’m sure he’s glad to have him as a target. Jayron Hosely is another good pick and so what if he likes to smoke a little weed, he’ll compete for a starting job but Prince Amukamara will keep him to nickel duties. The rest of New York’s draft is depth signings and Adrien Robinson who could possibly be a starter if he can live up to his potential.
Best: WR Rueben Randle
Worst: HB David Wilson
Steal: CB Jayron Hosley
Grade: B-
http://www.virtualsportsdaily.com/2012/04/29/2012-nfl-draft-grades/
A much better version is on the homepage. Click the link look at all the pretty pictures and tell me i don't know shit about football.
The NFL Draft is over and we have to wait a whole year until the next one but there is a season in-between so it’s not that bad. The first round was crazy, trades out the wazoo, bad picks and beautiful steals told the tale of the 2012 NFL Draft. I took the time to grade each team’s draft and asked VSD member BonesMahoney to give him his Best, Worst and Steals of the draft. Take a peak out how your team did in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts
1 Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
34 Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
64 Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
92 T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International
136 Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
170 Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State
206 Lavon Brazill, WR, Ohio
208 Justin Anderson, OT, Georgia
214 Tim Fugger, DE/OLB, Vanderbilt
253 Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois
Really a very good draft by the Colts. Andrew Luck will be the franchise quarterback for the Colts for the next decade and a half and if he lives up to potential will also be one of the best to ever play. The additions of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen kind of tell a tale of a Patriots type offense. The draft was very offense oriented with the exception of Josh Chapman who may be a starter right away in their new 3-4 defense.
Best: QB Andrew Luck
Worst: HB Vick Ballard
Steal: WR T.Y. Hilton
Grade: A
Washington Redskins
2 Robert Griffin III , QB, Baylor
71 Josh LeRibeus, G, SMU
102 Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
119 Keenan Robinson, MLB, Texas
141 Adam Gettis, G, Iowa
173 Alfred Morris, RB, Florida Atlantic
193 Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota
213 Richard Crawford, CB, SMU
217 Jordan Bernstine, S, Iowa
I’m not a huge fan of this draft outside of RG3 and Kirk Cousins. Yes, I like the Kirk Cousins pick. Just like Andrew Luck, if RG3 lives up to expectations he will be an outstanding QB for years to come. I like his versatility more than Andrew Luck but I don’t think he is as good a prospect. It really doesn’t matter though because RG3 is gonna be great. The third round pick of Josh LeRibeus was a head scratcher but maybe Mike Shanahan saw something he really liked in him and thinks he can be a starting guard in the NFL. The Kirk Cousins pick wasn’t exactly a need filling pick but it does give the Redskins a good backup and possibly a Matt Schaub Atlanta-Houston trade scenario down the road. Other than those few picks there really isn’t anything that stands out to me.
Best: QB Robert Griffin III
Worst: HB Alfred Morris
Steal: OT Tom Compton
Grade: B- (mainly for the RG3 pick)
Minnesota Vikings
4 Matt Kalil, OT, USC
29 Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
66 Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
118 Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
128 Rhett Ellison, FB, USC
134 Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
139 Robert Blanton, CB/S, Notre Dame
175 Blair Walsh, K, Georgia
210 Audie Cole, MLB, NC State
219 Trevor Guyton, DE, Cal
I really love the Vikings draft from top to bottom and everywhere in between. Matt Kalil going 4th overall is not the sexiest pick but the kind of tackle that he is doesn’t come along every year. Kalil is an elite prospect and will help protect Christian Ponder for years and open outside running lanes for Adrian Peterson when he is healthy again. Harrison Smith was not worth trading up for in the first round but he does fill a need. Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs could all potentially be starters out of camp and Audie Cole and Trevor Guyton are huge steals late in the draft and will provide quality depth.
Best: CB Josh Robinson
Worst: FB/TE Rhett Ellison
Steal: LB Audie Cole
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
3 Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
22 Brandon Weeden, QB, OK State
37 Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Cal
87 John Hughes, DT, Cincinnati
100 Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami
120 James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada
160 Ryan Miller, G, Colorado
204 Emmanuel Acho, OLB, Texas
205 Billy Winn, DT, Boise State
245 Trevin Wade, CB, Arizona
247 Brad Smelley, TE, Alabama
For all these damn picks the Browns have, they didn’t do much to improve the team. I honestly don’t like this draft at all, it fits the type of team the Browns are, no-names. Enough trashing them though, Trent Richardson was their first overall pick and they even moved up to get him out of the fear someone else would draft him. I think Trent is a good running back but I’m with Jim Brown and thinking he won’t be all that great. The Brandon Weeden pick caused me to burst out in laughter so should I really say anything else about it? I do like the Billy Winn pick because he can play both DE and DT so their pass rush should benefit. I like the Brad Smelley pick as well just because of the name.
Best: HB Trent Richardson
Worst: DT John Hughes
Steal: DL Billy Winn
Grade: D
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
31 Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
54 Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska
140 Najee Good, MLB, West Virginia
174 Keith Tandy, CB, West Virginia
212 Michael Smith, RB, Utah State
233 Drake Dunsmore, FB, Northwestern
At first glance this is a pretty average draft but a look closer and its actually a very good class. The Bucs ultimately got screwed by letting Jacksonville move up and only getting a 4th in return to move down two spots. Mark Barron had been gaining a lot of hype coming into the draft and to me it’s a reach but the defense definitely needed the help. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Doug Martin and Lavonte David picks. Doug Martin will bring an impact to the running game. He can spell out Blount and also catch out of the backfield. Lavonte David will likely be put in right away and should be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. Najee good is a reach while Keith Tandy is kind of a steal. Swap their rounds and it all makes sense. The two seventh round picks are forgettable.
Best: HB Doug Martin
Worst: LB Najee Goode
Steal: LB Lavonte David
Grade: B+
St. Louis Rams
14 Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
33 Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
39 Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
50 Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
65 Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
96 Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
150 Rokevious Watkins, G, South Carolina
171 Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western
209 Aaron Brown, OLB, Hawaii
252 Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian
I’m sure there was a universal groan in the Rams War Room when Jacksonville picked Justin Blackmon. The Rams were the ultimate causality of the Bucs-Jaguars trade. Michael Brockers is a fine defensive tackle and definitely is an upgrade at the position but the Rams do have to settle for Brian Quick, who in my opinion was a reach in the second round. I do like the value of Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson and Chris Givens in the mid round. They should all contribute next year. A lot of the players taken in the latter rounds are just role players and if they don’t make the team should be just special team players.
Best: CB Janoris Jenkins
Worst: WR Brian Quick
Steal: WR Chris Givens
Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
5 Justin Blackmon, WR, OK State
38 Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
70 Bryan Anger, P, Cal
142 Brandon Marshall, OLB, Nevada
176 Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
228 Jeris Pendleton, DT, Ashland
The Jaguars are the winners of the best trade in the draft. Trading down two spots to get their man, Justin Blackmon. Jacksonville gets the best wide out in the draft and he can hopefully bail out Blaine Gabbert in the passing game. I love the Andre Branch pick almost as much as the Blackmon pick. Branch may be able to start right away and help an inept pass rush. The one pick in this draft that I hate is Bryan Anger. A PUNTER IN THE 3rd ROUND! Gene Smith has no idea what he’s doing and is probably laughing thinking he outsmarted the NFL. The Jags could have gotten him in the 5th round instead of Brandon Marshall who will likely sit on special teams for a few years before he’s out of the league. Not much to this draft and taking Anger in the third hurts the overall grade.
Best: WR Justin Blackmon
Worst: P Bryan Anger
Steal: CB Mike Harris
Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins
8 Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
42 Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
72 Oliver Vernon, DE, Miami
78 Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri
97 Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
155 Josh Kaddu, DE/OLB, Oregon
183 BJ Cunningham, WR, Michigan State
215 Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas
227 Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada
Miami did a good job with this draft. Tannehill is not exactly a guaranteed boom pick but if he succeeds he will be just what the Dolphins have been looking for. The Dolphins needed to make this pick. Jonathan Martin is an insane value in the second round and can be plugged into the offensive line to begin the season. Lamar Miller doesn’t fill a need unless the Dolphins plan on using a three headed attack. BJ Cunningham and Rishard Matthews are late round wide receivers who could be great steals.
Best: DE Olivier Martin
Worst: TE Michael Egnew
Steal: T Jonathan Martin
Grade: B
Carolina Panthers
9 Luke Kuechly, OLB, Boston College
40 Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State
103 Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma
104 Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
143 Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
207 Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin
216 DJ Campbell. S, Cal
The Panthers had a great, great draft. Luke Kuechly is their best pick but not by much. His presence alone should greatly improve the defense. Amini Silatolu is a small school prospect who can make the interior of the offensive line that much better. Joe Adams and Josh Norman are great mid rounders who may not start right out of the gate but will bring depth and possibly starting potential down the road. Every pick from top to bottom filled need and depth making this one of the best drafts of the year. Watch out for the Panthers, not this year but possibly next you will see this draft class contribute to making this a very dangerous team in the NFL.
Best: G Amini Silatolu
Worst: DE Frank Alexander
Steal: CB Josh Norman
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
10 Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
41 Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
69 TJ Graham, WR, NC State
105 Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State
124 Ron Brooks, CB, LSU
144 Zebrie Sanders, OT
147 Tank Carder, MLB, TCU
178 Mark Asper, G, Oregon
251 John Potter, K, Western Michigan
If you don’t include the first pick and the last 2 picks, this was a very good draft with a lot of value. Did I forget to mention TJ Graham? LOL @ that. Stephon Gilmore was not worthy of a top 10 pick in my opinion and never understood the hype. I will say that Buffalo needed a corner but their were better players to be had. Cordy Glenn was a steal in the second and will improve the offensive line and added depth with Zebrie Sanders makes this a good draft for the o-line. The defensive side of the ball saw improvement too with Nigel Bradham and Ron Brooks. Sure Brooks is overshadowed by Morris Claiborne but he does deserve some praise.
Best: CB Ron Brooks
Worst: WR TJ Graham
Steal: T/G Cordy Glenn
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs
11 Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
44 Jeff Allen, G, Illinois
74 Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
107 Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State
146 DeQuan Menzie, CB, Alabama
182 Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M
218 Jerome Long, DT, San Diego State
238 Junior Hemmingway, WR, Michigan
Alright so the talking heads on TV kind of panned the Poe pick but they were the same people to put them high on their big boards…go figure. I neither like nor dislike the pick because nose tackles are not sexy picks and do not have stats like 4-3 tackles. As long as Poe can do his job he’ll be worth the pick. Jeff Allen in the second round isn’t a bad pick and fills a much needed area but other than those picks its not a great draft. A lot of no name players and Junior Hemmingway. I like the Hemmingway pick and he could surprise as a wide out.
Best: WR Devon Wylie
Worst: T Donald Stephenson
Steal: WR Junior Hemingway
Grade: C
Seattle Seahawks
15 Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia
47 Bobby Wagner, OLB, Utah State
74 Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
106 Robert Trubin, RB, Utah State
114 Jaye Howard, DT, Florida
154 Korey Toomer, MLB, Idaho
172 Jeremy Lane, CB, Northwestern State
181 Winston Guy, S, Kentucky
225 JR Sweezy, DT, NC State
232 Greg Scruggs, DT, Louisville
I’m a Mountaineers fan and wish Bruce Irvin the most success in the world but I can not justify him going 15th overall. Irvin was a late second round pick at best and can not start right away. He better be put in a rotation because if not he will be a liability on defense. I don’t like this draft at all and don’t know who the hell was throwing darts at the wall to make these picks. I guess Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin are the best picks of this draft because I honestly don’t think Russell Wilson will hack it in the NFL or even get a chance behind Matt Flynn unless of course Flynn stinks up the joint.
Best: LB Bobby Wagner
Worst: DE Bruce Irvin
Steal: HB Robert Turbin
Grade: D
Arizona Cardinals
13 Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
80 Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
112 Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss
151 Senio Kelemte, G, Washington
177 Justin Bethel, S, Presbyterian
185 Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State
221 Nate Potter, G, Boise State
Queue the Obama Meme, Not Bad. This is an outstanding draft by the Cardinals. Michael Floyd is a legitimate number one wide receiver but will not have to play as one. He is a great pick at 13 and is lucky enough to play across from the great Larry Fitzgerald. Word on the street was Fitzgerald was in the ear of the Cardinals owner and GM to go get Floyd. Bobby Massie is another value pick and is an upgrade on the offensive line and could possibly start with fellow draftee Senio Kelemte and even Nate Potter in the future. Ryan Lindley is an insurance policy but I doubt he’ll ever start a game and even if he does I don’t think he’ll be terrible.
Best: WR Michael Floyd
Worst: I can’t see a bad player on this roster.
Steal: OT Bobbie Massie
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys
6 Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
81 Tyrone Crawford, DE/DT, Boise State
113 Kyle Wilber, ILB, Wake Forest
135 Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington
152 Danny Coale. WR, Virginia Tech
186 James Hanna. TE Oklahoma
222 Caleb McSurdy, ILB, Montana
The Cowboys could have shit the bed after the first round and it wouldn’t have mattered. Jerry Jones, that smug bastard, shocked the world by trading up to get Mo Claiborne. With the addition of Brandon Carr in the offseason and the addition of Claiborne in the draft makes their secondary lethal for opposing quarterbacks. All it took was a second round pick to move up. Crawford fills a definite need at DE in the 3-4 while everyone else in the draft looks to be more or less of a depth signing. I do like James Hanna though and should fill the void as a second TE after the departure of Martellus Bennett.
Best: CB Morris Claiborne
Worst: S Matt Johnson
Steal: WR Danny Coale
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
12 Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
46 Mychal Kendricks, MLB, Cal
59 Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
88 Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
123 Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
153 Dennis Kelly, OT, Purdue
194 Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
200 Brandon Washington, G, Miami
229 Bryce Brown, RB, Kansas
This one Mock Draft site I got to a lot has this writer that was literally performing internet fellatio on every single pick. Me, no way. I like the Fletcher Cox and Brandon Washington picks but that’s it. Mychal Kendricks is a natural mike linebacker, Vinny Curry was BPA but much stronger needs exsisted and Marvin McNutt was good value but a bad pick. I don’t understand why GM’s harp so hard on BPA. Curry will have to compete for playing time with Trent Cole, Jason Babin and Brandon Graham. Sure Graham hasn’t been that great since he was drafted a few years ago but 3 people block Curry from starting. Brandon Boykin was a good pick but he might not have the talent to be a starting corner. Bryce Brown likely won’t make it out of training camp. Fletcher Cox is plenty talented and saves the grade from being any worse.
PS
I hate the Eagles.
Best: LB Mychal Kendricks
Worst: QB Nick Foles
Steal: CB Brandon Boykin
Grade: C-
New York Jets
16 Quinton Coples, DE/OLB, North Carolina
43 Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
77 Demario Davis, OLB, Arkansas State
187 Josh Bush, S, Wake Forest
202 Terrance Ganaway, Baylor
203 Robert T Griffin, G, Baylor
242 Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina
244 Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan
I am unsure on this draft class. I think Coples is better suited for the 4-3 than the 3-4 but I was wrong about Ryan Kerrigan last year when I said the same thing. Coples has question marks about his character and work ethic but if he can get his poop in a group he will be an absolute beast on Sundays or Thursdays or Mondays or whatever day they’ll be playing football on in the near future. Stephen Hill was their best pick in my opinion and gives the Jets a great vertical threat. I’ll avoid the Robert T Griffin jokes that were said all day. Antonio Allen is a steal in the 7th round and call me crazy but he could end up starting sooner rather than later.
Best: LB Demario Davis
Worst: DE Quinton Coples
Steal: WR Jordan White
Grade: B-
Oakland Raiders
95 Tony Bergstrom, G, Utah
129 Miles Burris, DE/OLB, San Diego State
158 Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State
168 Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
189 Christo Bulukidi, DT, Georgia State
230 Nathan Stupar, OLB, Penn State
I give the Raiders organization a lot of credit for putting together a halfway decent draft with limited picks. No 1st or 2nd round picks hurts the overall grade. Tony Bergstrom and Miles Burris are no names to me but I’ll let the scenario play out and see where they’re put. Jack Crawford should be an excellent 3-4 DE and there is tremendous value with Juron Criner. The Raiders may be somewhat shored up at WR but Criner is too good of a prospect to pass on. Nathan Stupar is a nice 7th round pick and could find his place in some sort of rotation.
Best: WR Juron Criner
Worst: OL Tony Bergstrom
Steal: WR Juron Criner
Grade: C
San Diego Chargers
18 Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
49 Kendall Reyes, DE/DT, Connecticut
73 Brandon Taylor, S, LSU
110 Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana Lafayette
149 Johnnie Troutman, G, Penn State
226 David Molk, C, Michigan
250 Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
The San Diego Chargers did a good job of finding value and starters throughout the entire draft. Melvin Ingram is mega steal at 18 and fills a need that has gone relatively untouched since the departure of Shawne Merriman. Kendall Reyes also fills a need in the second. Reyes was a borderline first rounder and once again a steal. Brandon Taylor should compete for starting time at safety. I am not a huge fan of the Ladarius Green pick or the Johnnie Troutman picks because I think they won’t see much starting time. David Molk on the other hand could possibly be the best backup center in the league, yeah small victories.
Best: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram
Worst: G Johnnie Troutman
Steal: C David Molk
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
19 Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State
45 Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
79 Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State
111 Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple
184 Isaiah Frey, CB, Nevada
220 Greg McCoy, CB, TCU
The Bears only had 6 picks in the entire draft but the first two picks make this a good draft. Chicago was dying for a presence across from Julius Peppers and they got one in the first round. Shea McClellin was a big reach especially because there were more talented DE’s on the board but maybe Chicago saw something they really liked in him. I can’t deny the fact that he is very talented and has a high motor as opposed to a low one. Alshon Jeffrey has top ten talent but a lot of teams are turned off by his weight and spotty production. Jay Cutler will make something of him and having Brandon Marshall play opposite of him is a blessing. Other than Evan Rodriguez the selections of Brandon Hardin, Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy carry no value and overall hurt the Bears draft from being ranked all that high.
Best: DE/LB Shea McClellin
Worst: CB Isaiah Frey
Steal: WR Alshon Jeffrey
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans
20 Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
52 Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
82 Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
115 Coty Sensabaugh, CB, Clemson
145 Taylor Thompson, TE, SMU
190 Markell Martin, S, OK State
211 Scott Solomon, DE, Rice
The more I look at the Tennessee Titans draft, the more I like it. I’ll be the first person to admit I hate the Titans but they did a very good job of putting together a quality draft class. Kendall Wright in the first round is a safe pick. The fact that Jake Locker is still a young quarterback makes this pick make that much more sense. Kenny Britt can’t stay healthy while Nate Washington is not a starting WR, Wright should be able to steal a starting spot Week 1. Zach Brown is a very sexy pick, fallen because of a lack of worth ethic keeps him out of the first round but with good coaching by Munch, he should return to form. Mike Martin and Coty Sensabaugh are depth signings while Taylor Thompson could get a job as a number 2 tight end. Markell Martin is also a depth signing but I can really see him becoming a starting safety in the league after a year or two.
Best: DT Mike Martin
Worst: LB Zach Brown
Steal: TE Taylor Thompson
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
17 Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
27 Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
53 Devon Still, DT, Penn State
83 Mohamed Sanue, WR, Rutgers
93 Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
116 Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
156 Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
166 Marvin Jones, WR, California
167 George Iioka, S, Boise State
191 Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State
I can not find one bad pick in this entire draft. Sure the Bengals drafted a few players with character concerns but they don’t care, they have oodles of talent here. Dre Kirkpatrick could be a legit shutdown corner and lining him up across from Leon Hall is a defensive wet dream. Kevin Zeitler is a great guard as well and although Cordy Glenn was still on the board this is still a good pick. Devon Still fills a need and is immensely talented. Mohamed Sanu is a nice steal in the middle of the draft and will fill in for Jerome Simpson. Orson Charles, Shaun Prater, Marvin Jones, George Iioka and Dan Herron are all valuable depth signings and could possibly be starters one day save for Dan Herron who will probably see 3-5 touches a game if that. One of the best drafts of the year.
Best: WR Mohamed Sanu
Worst: HB Dan Herron
Steal: WR Marvin Jones
Grade: A
Atlanta Falcons
55 Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
91 Lamar Holmes, OT, Southern Miss
157 Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin
164 Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy
192 Charles Mitchell, SS, Mississippi State
249 Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina
Outside of the Falcons taking Peter Konz in the second, this draft really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I mean you get a home run with Konz falling to the second and sure he fills a need but after him its so vanilla. I don’t know who Lamar Holmes is, Bradie Ewing makes sense but a big reach, Charles Mtichell should have gone undrafted and Travian Robertson probably won’t make the team. Jonathan Massaquoi is a value pick and adds good depth to the pass rush so he helps this grade from falling to a D.
Best: C/G Peter Konz
Worst: T Lamar Holmes
Steal: DE/OLB Jonathan Massaquoi
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
23 Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
54 Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
85 Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
125 Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
138 Tahir Whitehead, DE, Temple
148 Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion
196 Jonte Green, CB, New Mexico State
223 Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
The years of the bad classes by Matt Millen are long gone. This is a quality draft class for the most part and a sign of good times for Lions fans. Riley Reiff was a long time coming. Jeff Backus is old as dirt and should be protecting Matthew Stafford’s blindside. I don’t like the Ryan Broyles pick in the second round because of his knee surgery but maybe the Lions are rolling the dice and hoping he pans out. Dwight Bentley is a good player who can compete for the nickel job. Forget about Tahir Whitehead being a huge reach as well as Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood who may or may not pan out. Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis are incredible finds in the draft. Ronnell Lewis should have gone in the second and Travis Lewis should have gone probably at the pick they used on Ronnell. Sure they won’t start but if someone goes down they have solid contributors. Hell they shouldn’t have a problem on special teams tackling.
Best: T Riley Rieff
Worst: WR Ryan Broyles
Steal: LB Ronnell Lewis
Grade: A-
Pittsburgh Steelers
24 David DeCastro, G, Stanford
56 Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
86 Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
109 Alameda Ta’amu, NT, Washington
159 Chris Rainey, RB, Florida
231 Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado
240 David Paulson, TE, Oregon
246 Terrence Frederick, DT, Texas A&M
248 Kelvin Beachum, G, SMU
I hate this draft. No not cause its bad because it’s a tremendous class but because the Steelers made these picks. I wish my team drafted like this. David DeCastro will be a hall of fame guard, almost as can’t miss as possible. Mike Adams is a great signing as well and will likely start on the offensive line albeit he has character concerns. I like the Sean Spence pick as well because he brings more youth to the defense. Speaking of youth on the defense, Alameda Ta’amu will be a great nose tackle in the NFL and learning from Casey Hampton doesn’t hurt. Chris Rainey could see a lot of snaps with the injury to Rashard Mendenhall and is a home run threat on the ground via the running game or kick returns. Pittsburgh had a handful of seventh round picks and they were used for all depth signings so I can’t fault them for that.
Best: G David DeCastro
Worst: T Mike Adams
Steal: NT Alameda Ta'amu
Grade: A-
Denver Broncos
36 Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati
57 Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
67 Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State
101 Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
108 Phillip Blake, C, Baylor
137 Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee
188 Danny Tevathan, OLB, Kentucky
Yuck! That is the perfect word for this draft. What are the Broncos thinking? Do they think Peyton Manning being the new QB means they can put their draft on cruise control. Derek Wolfe is a big reach and I don’t understand why they traded out of the first round. There were plenty of talented D tackles to be had but they settled on a one year wonder and workout warrior. Brock Osweiler doesn’t fit the direction this franchise is going either, yeah he can be a backup and learn from Peyton Manning but he doesn’t help the team win right now. I do like the Omar Bolden, Phillip Blake and Malik Jackson picks because they are needs and can help create solid depth and possible rotational starts. I don’t know too much about Danny Trevathan but I do know the Broncos are stacked at linebacker. Ronnie Hillman has put me on the fence though, he could either be the future behind McGahee or fizzle out like Knowshon Moreno. I hope for the Broncos sake he pans out.
Best: CB Omar Bolden
Worst: QB Brock Osweiler
Steal: DE Malik Jackson
Grade: D+
Houston Texans
26 Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
68 Devier Posey, WR, Ohio State
76 Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (OH)
99 Ben Jones, G, Georgia
121 Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State
126 Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
161 Randy Bullock, K, Texas A&M
195 Nick Mondek, OT, Purdue
Texans may have made a good defensive draft here but the offense didn’t see neglect but rather bad drafting. Whitney Mercilus was a good pick at 26 and will continue to make the pass rush that much better but the need in my opinion coming into this draft was WR. Oh the Texans drafted some pass catching help? Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, they’re terrible. Neither of those players will strike fear into opposing defenses and on top of that, there were more WR’s out there to help… Andre Johnson is gonna see another season of double coverage every game. I do like the Ben Jones signing a little bit but the Jared Crick signing is so much better. This guy had first round potential coming into the season but somehow fell and the Texans could definitely use him as a 3-4 end.
Best: DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus
Worst: WR Devier Posey
Steal: DL Jared Crick
Grade: C-
New Orleans Saints
89 Akiem Hicks, NT, Regina (Canada)
122 Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
162 Corey White, S, Samford
179 Andrew Tiller, G, Syracuse
234 Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska
Poor Saints fans. Not only did the bountygate thing happen but they lost a second round pick and traded away their first last year. The Saints draft wasn’t very good outside of Nick Toon, yeah one draft pick that I think will actually pan out. Nick Toon could possibly fill the void left by Robert Meachem and start next to Marques Colston. Well that’s not entirely true, Akiem Hicks is better suited for a 3-4 but has a lot of upside and if he pans out he could be the best player the Saints drafted. As for the rest of these rejects, I doubt they stay in the NFL for more than a year or two.
Best: DT Akiem Hicks
Worst: G Andrew Tiller
Steal: WR Nick Toon
Grade: D
Green Bay Packers
28 Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
51 Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State
62 Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
132 Mike Daniels, DE/DT, Iowa
133 Jerron McMillian, S, Maine
163 Terell Manning, OLB, NC State
241 Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
243 BJ Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
The rich get richer. I don’t mean to sound like a Green Bay homer but they always seem to draft well. Nick Perry will play opposite Clay Matthews and hopefully bring the Packers defense back to the Super Bowl caliber team. Jerel Worthy will likely compete for a starting job at defensive end while Casey Hayward will keep some youth in the secondary. I don’t even know who Jerron McMillian is so that’s an F. Terell Manning and Andrew Datko are good steals to provide depth on their respective sides of the ball. BJ Coleman is an interesting prospect in his on regard. He is very raw but he could end up being trade bait in the future if he can be coached properly and work out the kinks in his game.
Packers
Best: CB Casey Hayward
Worst: S Jerron McMillian
Steal: T Andrew Datko
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
35 Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
60 Kelechi Osemele, G Iowa State
84 Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
98 Gino Gradkowski, G, Delaware
130 Christian Thompson, S, South Carolina State
169 Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly
198 Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
236 DeAngelo Tyson, NT, Georgia
There must have been a seminar in the AFC North on drafting that every team went to except Cleveland, I guess they didn’t get the memo. Ravens absolutely rob a bank taking Courtney Upshaw early in the second round. The Ravens have been looking for someone opposite T-Sizzle and they finally got their guy. Kelechi Osemele kind of flew under a lot of teams draft radar and lasted to the latter half of the second round. The Ravens were delighted to draft him and he can possibly start where Ben Grubbs used to. Bernard Pierce brings much needed help to the running game as well and takes some of the workload from Ray Rice. Baltimore went with three straight small school guys and Asa Jackson was probably the cream of the crop. He’s a very good corner but needs to adjust to the level of competition in the NFL before he is handed a nickel job. I also like Tommy Streeter in the sixth round and think he can at least be a valuable member in shotgun and four wide sets.
Best: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw
Worst: S Christian Thompson
Steal: CB Asa Jackson
Grade: A-
San Francisco 49ers
30 AJ Jenkins, WR, Illinois
61 LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
117 Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest
165 Darius Fleming, DE/OLB, Notre Dame
180 Trenton Robinson, S, Michigan State
199 Jason Slowey, C, Western Oregon
237 Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia
The 49ers came into this draft without a whole bunch of needs but a glaring weakness was the passing game. No I’m not talking about Alex Smith but the wide receivers on this team are stop gap guys which is why I’m guess San Fran took AJ Jenkins in the first round. AJ Jenkins is not a first round pick at all, he should have been a late second rounder at the very most. LaMichael James will not succeed in the NFL mark my words and this whole class is just full of no names except for Trenton Robinson and Cam Johnson. Trenton Robinson adds much needed depth to the safety position while Cam Johnson magically falls to the seventh round and could be the biggest steal of the draft. Cam alone is the only reason this draft class does not get the dreaded F.
Best: DE/OLB Cam Johnson
Worst: HB LaMichael James
Steal: DE/OLB Cam Johnson
Grade: D
New England Patriots
21 Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse
25 Don’t’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
48 Tavon Wilson, S, Illinois
90 Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas
197 Nate Ebner, Ohio State
224 Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
235 Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
A team known for harboring draft picks only ends up with seven but they made most of those seven count. I don’t understand the love for Chandler Jones but a lot of teams were salivating over him so I can’t fault the Patriots for taking a coveted guy and especially at a position of need. I really like the Don’t’a Hightower pick as well because he will make an already deadly, young linebacking core that much better. Tavon Wilson was a huge reach of the Gene Smith variety but Jake Bequette makes up for it and he could play DE in either fronts in the hybrid defense. Alfonzo Dennard punches a cop and gets drafted by the Patriots, karma is non existent in this case. Dennard was a first round talent but fell due to major character concerns but the Patriots team is known for great veteran leadership and someone will set this kid on the righteous path.
Best: LB Dont'a Hightower
Worst: S Nate Ebner
Steal: CB Alfonzo Dennard
Grade: A-
New York Giants
32 David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
63 Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
94 Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
127 Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati
131 Brandon Mosley, OT Auburn
201 Matt McCants, OT UAB
239 Markus Kuhn, DT, NC State
The Super Bowl Champions came into this draft with a few needs but apparently not that much if they just won the championship. I am not a fan of Virginia Tech runningbacks and neither should you. I don’t think David Wilson will cut it as a runningback and will cause Ahmad Bradshaw to carry too much of the load. The Giants pride themselves on best player available and Rueben Randle was definitely BPA late in the second. He’ll be an excellent red zone threat for Eli Manning and I’m sure he’s glad to have him as a target. Jayron Hosely is another good pick and so what if he likes to smoke a little weed, he’ll compete for a starting job but Prince Amukamara will keep him to nickel duties. The rest of New York’s draft is depth signings and Adrien Robinson who could possibly be a starter if he can live up to his potential.
Best: WR Rueben Randle
Worst: HB David Wilson
Steal: CB Jayron Hosley
Grade: B-
http://www.virtualsportsdaily.com/2012/04/29/2012-nfl-draft-grades/
A much better version is on the homepage. Click the link look at all the pretty pictures and tell me i don't know shit about football.
