Jaguars: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Jaguars desperately need a playmaker to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert, last year’s first-round pick, another weapon. Blackmon had more production by himself in 13 games last season, with 121 catches, 1,522 yards, 18 TDs for Oklahoma State, than eight Jaguars’ receivers had in 16 games—121 catches, 1,359 yards, 7 TDs.
The Jaguars, who traded up two spots to land Blackmon, are counting on his biggest strength—breaking tackles to make yards after the catch—to translate to the next level. Questions remain about whether Blackmon can be a true No. 1 receiver, but it’ll be a surprise if he’s not substantially better as a rookie than any of the previous 19 receivers the Jaguars have drafted.
It’ll be a shocker if Blackmon doesn’t win a starting job immediately. Look for him to be paired with Laurent Robinson, the Jaguars’ top free agent acquisition with a five-year, $32.5 million contract.
Blackmon is 6-1, 207 pounds, but plays bigger because of his ability to catch the football in tight coverage. His route-running skills could stand to improve, but with veteran receivers coach Jerry Sullivan as his tutor, the odds are good of that happening. With two new receiving weapons for Gabbert, it should also keep defenses from putting eight men in the box to contain Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
ROUND 2: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The Jaguars have only one proven healthy starter returning in Jeremy Mincey, so Branch should be an immediate competitor for a starting job at right end. A lot will depend on how well injured pass-rushers Aaron Kampman, John Chick and Austen Lane recover from injuries that ended their 2011 season.
Though some teams view Branch as a 3-4 outside linebacker, he has the versatility and athleticism to play both end spots in a 4-3 scheme.
Branch should be able to at least work his way into the four-man rotation because he’s more athletic than his veteran competition. The Jaguars are desperate to fix a pass rush that has been in the bottom quarter of the league for the last four years. Branch may not start right away, but the Jaguars are counting on him to eventually be an impact player at a position that needs a significant upgrade.
Round 3: Bryan Anger, P, California
This will go down as the most head-scratching pick in the entire draft. Anger might be the best punter in the country, but it wasn¹t a glaring need. That said, Anger has the leg strength to flip field position as he had a net punting average of 39.7 yards last season. He has a knack for pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line and consistently has a five-second hang time.
Anger will have to win the job from veteran and fellow Cal alumnus Nick Harris, who took over midway through last season for Matt Turk. It’s hard to imagine a punter drafted this high losing out to anybody because general manager Gene Smith must justify this controversial selection. If Anger isn’t the team’s punter for at least the next five years, then it’s a wasted pick.
Round 5: Brandon Marshall, LB, Nevada
The Jaguars will be counting on Marshall to at least earn a spot on special teams. They think he’s versatile enough to provide depth at all three linebacker positions. He’s a tough, instinctive player that had two arthroscopic knee surgeries and still started four years in college. Lack of top-end speed could make it hard for him to become a starter.
Round 6: Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
Harris was a jack-of-all-trades guy in FSU’s secondary. The Jaguars needed to add depth at cornerback because Rashean Mathis is in the final year of his contract, which would leave them thin behind starter Derek Cox and free-agent acquisition Aaron Ross. Harris’ long arms will help in breaking up passes, but it’s uncertain if he has the speed to operate on the outside.
ROUND 7: JERIS PENDLETON, DT, Ashland (Ohio)
At 28 years old, Pendleton is a huge under-the-radar pick because he played at a junior college before transferring to Division II Ashland. With Terrance Knighton still recovering from an eye injury, the Jaguars needed to fortify their interior defensive line. He has a chance to get into the rotation as a backup.
Final Draft Grades!!
It’s very difficult to “grade” a draft just days after the selections however it isn’t difficult to see where we feel value was found and how teams did or didn’t manipulate the board to fit their needs. Certain players are sure to reach the dreaded “bust” status while others will ascend to “late round gem” status. Here is how we grade all 32 teams in the 2012 NFL Draft! Read more
Breakdown of All The Draft Day Trades
Draft Trade Breakdown
DAY 1 – Thursday Trades
Professor Schloss’s 1st Round Draft Grades
Professor Schloss’s 1st Round Draft Grades
First my notes:
This was a super quick draft that was over before you knew it. I never understood the reason for dragging it on and on. Teams have had months to figure this out, so unless something really unexpected happens and your guy is taken or if you’re exploring a last minute trade, there really isn’t any reason to take the entire clock.
Trades, trades, and more trades. There is nothing more exciting on draft day than trades. Given the new rookie wage scale, this will probably be a trend more than an anomaly. Teams that traded down in the draft received great value and teams who traded up knew exactly who they wanted and what it took to get him. It’s always a good sign to a fan when your team has a plan and does what it takes to execute.
The first 20 minutes were super boring. Why did the first 3 teams announce who they were taking ahead of time? What do they have to gain? Totally took the luster and excitement out of the top of the draft. I really don’t understand why the Colts have to announce they are taking Andrew Luck 1st until they need to submit their pick. This is competitive league, so why throw your cards on the table before the game even starts. Only good thing that came out of this was it gave RG3 the chance to wear those fantastic Redskin colored socks which he proudly showed everyone.
How does the NFL have the jersey for the rookies as soon as their drafted? The only explanation is they print up 1 for each player they think will be drafted. What happens to all of those other jerseys?? What if a team picks someone out of left field, does that guy get a blank jersey?
Looks like the NFL heard my complaint last year and stopped showing the player before they were drafted. I take full credit. The draft was so much more enjoyable with this improvement. I actually looked forward to hearing what Roger Goodell had to say for once.
Draft Grades:
1.Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – A+
Everything that can be said about Luck basically has been. Slam dunk of a number 1 pick and perhaps the best transition of quarterbacks ever with a #1 replacing a #1. Luck doesn’t have a ton of talent surrounding him yet, so hopefully expectations are tempered in year 1 in Indy. Let’s all remember Peyton came in and won only 3 games while throwing 28 picks his first year. Just because the recent crop of rookie quarterbacks have excelled year 1, doesn’t mean Luck has to. Side note on Luck, anyone else think he came off as kind of a dork? If I were him, I’d grow that ugly beard again he had before his senior year started. The dorky 15 year old look might not be too imposing to NFL defenses.
2. Washington Redskins – Roger Griffin III – A
Really liked what RG3 said after he was drafted. His focus remains on the team and showing the veterans he is there to work. A Cam Newton esque rookie campaign might be a little much to ask, but RG3 with Shanny coaching him up, can be a star from day 1 in Washington. The Skins gave up the house for him so I imagine they think this pick is pure gold. The massive haul is the only thing keeping this from being a top grade. Of course if he ends up being a franchise QB, all the picks will be more than worth it. Btw, could we be in for a Steve Smith like rejuvenation for Santana Moss this season?
3. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson – A
Brad Childress is the Phil Jackson of football (except for the 11 rings and ability to know what you’re doing). Phil went from Jordan to Kobe while Childress goes from Peterson to Richardson. Trent may go down as the best player to come out of this draft and the Browns made sure they nabbed him. While the entire league goes pass happy, the Browns will take a different approach and utilize the best RB prospect to come out since Peterson. I will say I’m not sure the Browns “had” to trade up and swap spots with the Vikings for this pick though. I realize other teams were interested in doing just that, Tampa perhaps, but my gut feeling tells me Vikings would have still just picked Kalil and Richardson would have been sitting there still at #4. Obviously I know a lot less than Cleveland did, or at least think they did, so perhaps this was necessary to get a much needed running back. After missing out on RG3, it’s tough to blame Cleveland for not taking any chances with the other player they loved in the draft. The city of Cleveland needed a star player, and they get one here.
4. Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Kalil – A
Anyone else wonder why Ryan was kissing Valerie Bertanelli after he got drafted? Anyway, the Vikings trade down, get 2 more picks, and still get the guy they wanted at 3. I’d say that’s Minnesota highway robbery. No one is happier about this pick than Christian Ponder though. I realize the sentiment these days are left tackles aren’t as important as they were thought to be a few years ago, but getting a cornerstone guy there for the next 10 years will only help the Vikings. They didn’t seem to fall in love with any one player in this draft, so picking probably the safest bet while trading down for more picks is smart play by the Vikes. Big question remains for Minnesota fans, how many years will they get to enjoy Kalil before the team picks up and leaves??
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon – A
Didn’t’ really understand the backlash as of late for Blackmon. A lot of scouts and talking heads didn’t feel he was a true #1. Did they watch him in college? The guy was dominant the past two seasons at OK State. There is no team starved more for wide receiver talent than the Jags so this pick is a no brainer. Even if Blackmon never develops into Calvin Johnson (who f’n does???) he is the best receiver they have had their since Jimmy Smith who retired over 7 years ago! Probably had to trade up to leapfrog the Rams to take Blackmon, so I applaud the initiative.
6. Dallas Cowboys – Morris Clairborne – B+
This grade doesn’t reflect the player, but more what Dallas gave up to get him. If a Pro Bowl CB in Asante Samuel is worth only a 7th round pick, giving up a #2 and their #1 to move up to draft Morris is a huge price. Dallas does get the last of the ‘big 6’ though and do get the top cover man in the draft. As a Cowboy fan I had my heart set on Barron, but I guess I never thought they had a chance for Claiborne. Any Dallas fan will tell you how poor their secondary played last year so with Claiborne and the addition of Carr this offseason, along with the banishing of Terence Newman, suddenly cornerback is a position of strength for the Cowboys. I am just still a bit concerned about a playmaker at the safety position and a another pass rusher, which cannot be addressed now until the 3rd round.
7. Tampa Bay – Mark Barron – A
That awful Tampa defense just got a lot better on draft night. Barron is the real deal and seems like one of those rare playmakers in the secondary who seems to always be around the ball and make things happen. Bonus points for trading down and still getting one of the top 2 impact secondary rookies. Can we just start calling him “The Baron” now? Awesome nickname. I wish Dallas got him…
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill – C
The first real boom or bust pick of the draft. The Dolphins were a mess this off-season so this pick needs to be a homerun or they will continue to fade into obscurity. We have seen so many quarterbacks enter the league with all of the tools Tannehill possesses, but flame out rather quickly. This pick is so tough to grade because you really don’t know what Tannehill will become. If Miami seriously thinks he is the answer as QB then this pick makes total sense. A part of me thinks they talked themselves into him though. He probably won’t play much at all in year 1 so the Fins might find themselves at the top of the draft next season where there are some stud signal callers available. Then what will they do? Ryan does win the award for hottest WAG in the draft room though, so that counts for something. (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ryan-tannehill-wife-stole-show-thursday-nfl-draft-161434718.html)
9. Carolina Panthers – Luke Kuechly – A-
Carolina could have used help at receiver and picked the ND product Floyd, but elect to go defense here and it found a gem in linebacker Luke Kuechly. Luke is the poster child for productivity, and his ability to play the pass will allow him to be a three down linebacker. Cam can’t do anything while the defense is on the field, so upgrading that unit has Carolina back on the path to relevancy in the NFL. The only hesitation I have is the recent lack of success top 10 linebackers in the league has had. Kuechly seems as poised as anyone to break that mold though.
10. Buffalo Bills – Stephon Gilmore – A
The Bills needed a top flight corner to match up against #1 receivers and they grab one with Gamecock product Gilmore. The Bills have dedicated themselves to building a top defense and continue with a great secondary addition. While the offense might still need work, they are hoping Fitzpatrick gains some of his magic back while the defense becomes one of the best in the AFC.
11. KC Chiefs – Dontari Poe – B-
I hope KC fans like Vegas, because their team just took one of the bigger gambles in the draft. Poe is the typical workout wonder who everyone seems to become obsessed with right before the draft. His lack of productivity at Memphis is puzzling though and raises some major red flags. At the very least he should turn into a space eater. Chiefs fans are probably hoping Poe isn’t the second coming of Glen Dorsey though. Poe massive size should prevent that from happening hopefully.
12. Fletcher Cox – B+
The Eagles trade up to get a player they really liked and given Andy Reid’s draft history, we have to trust he knows what he is doing. While Cox wasn’t necessarily a position of need, he will certainly help sure up the between the gap defense that struggled mightily at times last season. The Eagles front four is pretty nasty but Cox gives them some nice depth, flexibility, and youth. Again, I trust Andy Reid here.
13. Arizona Cardinals -Michael Floyd – C
This pick seems like the Cards were nostalgic for the days of Fitz and Boldin catching passes together. Big difference between then and now though, those guys had Kurt Warner throwing to them. Fitz and Floyd will have the pu pu platter of Kolb and Skelton. Can’t help but think the Cards could have used some offensive line help here. Rief or DeCastro would have made sense. You can have Moss and Rice out there, but if Kolb or whoever else can’t get it to them due to lack of protection or “talent’ it won’t matter.
14. St. Louis Rams – Michael Brockers – A
Rams get a talented and much needed player in Brockers here while at the same time amassing multiple picks by trading down. They put themselves in the driver’s seat for round 2. If I’m a Rams fan, I’m somewhat distraught they didn’t come out with either Blackmon or Floyd, but looking back at draft histories, some of the best wide receiver talents have come in round 2, and I can’t imagine they don’t select at least one with all the picks they have. Besides lack of guys to throw the ball to, the Rams porous run defense was their achilles heel last year. Brockers immediately upgrades that unit. Great job of the Rams this draft to maximize their draft position and getting a ton of picks in return. RG3 might be fantastic, but they seem invested in Bradford and shouldn’t have let one poor season deter them from sticking with him. Bravo St. Louis.
15. Seattle Seahawks- Bruce Irvin – D+
Eek, this was a reach. Irvin goes from former high school drop out to #15 pick in the NFL draft. Not exactly the poster child for staying in school campaigns. While I don’t think Irvin can’t be a productive starter on the NFL level, with so many teams finding ways to trade down and accumulate more picks, it’s hard to figure out why the Hawks’ felt they had to reach at 15 for the WVU linebacker. Hard to imagine he wouldn’t have been there much later in the 1st round or even on day 2.
16. NY Jets – Quinton Coples – C+
Coples could have easily gone top 10 given his talent. His effort and motor remain a question mark though, as does his consistency. Rex Ryan sometimes brings out the best in defensive players so I’m sure that was the thought process here. The Jets defense was vastly over rated last year so if Coples plays like his raw talent suggests, this unit has received a huge upgrade. Given the locker room issues that plagued the Jets last year, you do have to wonder if this is the best environment for someone like Coples. I think they would have been better served to pick Ingram here but Rex and Co. swing for the fences with this pick.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick – B+
“Dr.” Dre Kirkpatrick is exactly what the Bengals needed to replace Jonathan Joseph, who was sorely missed last season when Leon Hall went down. With Hall and Kirkpatrick, Cinnci has a secondary duo who can match up with pretty much any receiving tandem in the league. Given Kirkpatrick’s unique size, he can match up against the bigger wideouts while Hall shuts down the quicker ones. Hard to imagine the Bengals nailing two drafts in a row, but it appears they are on their way.
18. San Diego Chargers – Melvin Ingram – A
Great job by the Chargers to get the guy many thought was the best pass rusher in the draft, all the way at 18. Ingram is the hybrid pass rusher that has become so popular these past few years, and gives the Charger defense some much needed flexibility. When a guy’s biggest knock is he has “short arms”, I’d say SD did well with this selection. Besides, it’s not like he has T-Rex arms. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/prehistoric/tyrannosaurus-rex/
19. Chicago Bears – Shea McClellin – C+
McClellin was a big riser coming into the draft and seems like another pass rushing specialist, which we are finding out teams cannot have too many of. Any pressure that gets taken off Julius Pepper is also a big positive. I’m just left feeling the Bears could have done more to protect Cutler and shore up a shaky offensive line. With Riley Reiff and DeCastro still sitting there, this pick is a bit puzzling to me.
20. Tennessee Titans – Kendall Wright – C
I’m not convinced about Wright. He’s fast but he’s not exceptionally fast. He isn’t tall. He was productive but he also had RG3 tossing him the ball. He is great after the catch and in space, but will he be able to get open against top corners in the NFL? If there is concern Kenny Britt cannot come back fully healthy this pick makes a lot more sense. Wright should be a nice slot receiver, but I want a little more with pick #20.
21. NE Patriots – Chandler Jones – A-
The Pats weren’t the best pass rush team last year and they might be without their top two sack men next season so this pick makes sense. Jones has as much upside as a pass rusher as anyone in this draft. Being a fellow Syracuse Alum, I am quite proud that our awful football team finally had a 1st round pick. Cuse grads tend to over achieve in the NFL (Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeny, Mike Williams, etc…) so this pick could be special. The Super Bowl runner ups finally traded up in a draft instead of trading down, and they come away with a premier pass rushing talent.
22. Cleveland Browns – Brandon Wheedon – D
This was interesting… It was reported earlier in the day that the Browns gave Colt McCoy a vote of confidence and assured him they wouldn’t be selecting a quarterback in round 1. Lesson learned, never trust your bosses… This pick signals the white flag for McCoy as the starter in Cleveland as I can’t imagine he is willing to stay and mentor Wheedon who is about twice his age. Cleveland obviously plans to address who their QB will be throwing to in the later rounds as there isnt much to work with. A little unfair if you ask me though as Wheedon gets to work with Richardson right off the bat while McCoy had a list of cast offs last season. This selection seems like a medium risk medium reward type of pick. Wheedon probably won’t be worse than McCoy, but how much better will he actually be? Thoughts of Chris Weinke comes to mind…
23. Detroit Lions – Riley Reiff – A-
What is going on Detroit these days… The Lions are not only relevant again, but they have drafted well in the last few years, and their star player is now on the Madden Cover. (I fear for Megatron with this win. The Madden Curse is alive and well (just ask Peyton Hillis) ). Detroit is not without their weaknesses though and they address one of them right here with the second best tackle prospect in the draft. Even if Reiff doesn’t turn into a starter at LT, he should hold down the RT fort for a decade. Anytime you give Matthew Stafford more time to throw to Calvin, you are doing something right. Keeping Stafford healthy should be the #1 concern for the Lions going forward.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – David DeCastro – B+
I was certain pre draft they would take one of the Alabama linebackers with Upshaw or Hightower. Both guys screamed steel curtain defense. But with DeCastro slipping, the Steelers make a great pick here as keeping Big Ben upright is the most important to the Steelers success. Roethlisberger ran around like a chicken with his head cut off last season. Pouncy and DeCastro equals great anterior anchors for Pitt, and should also help what was a less than spectacular running attack last season.
25. NE Patriots – Don’ta Hightower – B
The Saban Belichick connection continues. For the second time in the 1st round the Pats trade up to get their guy. Hightower is a winner and should instantly help with the Pats new pass rush attack pairing with Chandler Jones. Hate to say it, but the Pats just got a lot better already, which is terrible news for the rest of the AFC.
26. Houston Texans – Whitney Mercilus – B
I can’t imagine a guy named Whitney really making an impact in the league, but what’s in a name. Mercilus will have his work cut out for him to prove he is not a one year wonder. With the Ryans and Williams defections, this pick makes total sense as the Texans get a guy who had 16 sacks a year ago in the Big 10. You don’t get that many without having some unworldly natural ability. I bet the Texans were hoping DeCastro would fall to them here but Wade Phillips just got another toy to use for next year.
27. Cincinnati Bengals – Kevin Zeitler – B
Perhaps the most boring pick of the 1st round. Cincinnati needed a RB and another WR but resisted the urge of the sexier pick and probably makes the smart play here. The more time Dalton has to throw deep passes to AJ Green the better. Besides, there is always value in backs in the later rounds and Zeitler should help the running game whoever is back there in 2012, so they indirectly improve.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nick Perry – B+
Good news, we no longer have to hear how Clay Matthews has no pass rushing help in Green Bay. Perry is exactly what the Pack needed to add a second dimension to their pass rushing attack.
29. Minnesota Vikings – Harrison Smith – B-
The Vike’s needed help in the secondary and address some of that here with the #2 safety on the board in Smith. I watched the ND product play for 4 years, and while he never stood out, he always seemed to be around the ball and constantly making tackles and plays. Smith is never going to be a shutdown safety a la Ed Reed or Eric Berry, but he will help prevent the big plays that plagued Minnesota all of last season. Most importantly, Harrison seems like a great candidate to defend the ever dangerous Tight Ends in the league.
30. San Francisco 49’ers – A.J. Jenkins – C-
I got burned last year by questioning the Niner’s selection of Aldon Smith so I choose my words carefully with the evaluation of this year’s surprise selection. Forgetting the fact that SF essentially drafted a receiver who was much lower on most scouts boards than some other receivers still available (Hill, Randle), after an offseason that saw Manningham and Moss brought in, why did the Niners feel they had to reach for a WR in this spot? With Crabtree still there, Jenkins comes in essentially as the #4 on the depth chart. I’d want more out of my first round pick. San Fran didn’t have any pressing needs but probably could have used the pick to trade out of the 1st round of or at least sure up the offensive line and secondary. They are an elite team and should be in win now mode. Just not sure how this pick lines up with that.
31. Tampa Bay Bucs – Doug Martin – B-
Two Boise State guys in the 1st round??? The Potato state must be going nuts. LaGarret Blount was probably ecstatic they didn’t land Trent Richardson, but this can’t be too pleasing at the end of the round. Regardless, Blount and Martin should make a pretty interesting 1-2 punch for the Bucs. As much as a like Martin and think he can be productive, I can’t help but wonder if the Bucs should have continued to go defense here and hope to get a back in a later round. “The Baron” isn’t going to fix this awful defense by himself. I am also still confused who is playing cornerback for them next season. Ronde Barber will be looking at homes to retire at while Aquib Taliq will be looking at jail cells to serve in.
32. NY Giants – David Wilson – C
Ahmad Bradshaw is not an every down back in the NFL so teaming him with another back makes a lot of sense. What doesn’t make to me is why the Giants didn’t feel more inclined to pick the #1 rated Tight End on the board when their top 2 TE’s on last year’s depth chart are essentially out for the 2012 season. Do the Giants not remember they plucked Bradshaw out of the 7th round? First round TE’s have given teams a ton more value than RB’s over the last decade. The league seems to be moving to a more TE oriented offense to create mismatches and Fleener would have fit that mold. Wilson is a talented back and should provide some new energy into the Giants backfield, but I can’t help but wonder if the Giants let this pick go a bit by not shoring up the TE position or the offensive line. Fleener or Cody Glenn would have been better picks in this spot.
1st Round Draft Results!
The 1st Round of the 2012 NFL Draft is in the books and as we had speculated, there was a lot of trading going on. The new Rookie wage scale eliminated any contractual issues and made for trades to happen easier. The Browns, Cowboys, Patriots, Vikings and many others all made some big trades that effected the board. Impossible to say who was a winner or loser after one round of Drafting, we will wait a while to see how the players actually pan out. Here is a list of the 1st Rounders selected and what we thought the of picks and the slot in which they were selected.
Here are the Draft Results from the 1st Round of the 2012 NFL Draft:
PICK TEAM PLAYER POS HT WT COLLEGE
1 – Colts Luck, Andrew QB 6’4″ 234 Stanford (No Brainer, great pick)
2 – Redskins (From Rams) Griffin III, Robert QB 6’2″ 223 Baylor (Same as Luck, great pick, big arm huge upside)
3 – Browns (From Vikings) Richardson, Trent RB 5’9″ 228 Alabama (Maybe a bit much to move up but great pick)
4 – Vikings (From Browns) Kalil, Matt OT 6’6″ 306 USC (Got extra picks and the guy the wanted, good job)
5 – Jaguars (From Buccaneers) Blackmon, Justin WR 6’1″ 207 Oklahoma St. (Need Weapons for Gabbert, solid pick)
6 – Cowboys (From Redskins through Rams) Claiborne, Morris CB 5’11″ 188 LSU (HUGE pick for Dallas, great move)
7 – Buccaneers (From Jaguars) Barron, Mark SS 6’1″ 213 Alabama (Great pick for the Bucs, hard hitter with range)
8 – Dolphins Tannehill, Ryan QB 6’4″ 221 Texas A&M (Least favorite Pick, could have traded down & still got him)
9 – Panthers Kuechly, Luke ILB 6’3″ 242 Boston College (Solid MLB, will help day one)
10 – Bills Gilmore, Stephon CB 6’0″ 190 South Carolina (My favorite Corner in the draft, knack for the ball)
11 – Chiefs Poe, Dontari DT 6’3″ 346 Memphis (A bit of a reach, combine numbers got him to 11 not game tape)
12 – Eagles (From Seahawks) Cox, Fletcher DT 6’4″ 298 Mississippi St. (Great pick, will help clog the Wide 9)
13 – Cardinals Floyd, Michael WR 6’3″ 220 Notre Dame (Should have went O-Line but Floyd too good to pass up)
14 – Rams (From Cowboys) Brockers, Michael DT 6’5″ 322 LSU (Rams need DT’s in a bad way, solid pick)
15 – Seahawks (From Eagles) Irvin, Bruce DE 6’3″ 245 West Virginia (Bit of a reach, bulk needed, great rusher though)
16 – Jets Coples, Quinton DE 6’6″ 284 North Carolina (Jets need rushers, Coples should be a good one)
17 – Bengals (From Raiders) Kirkpatrick, Dre CB 6’1″ 186 Alabama (Bengals got a good, hard hitting CB, solid pick)
18 – Chargers Ingram, Melvin DE 6’1″ 264 South Carolina (Good fit for the 3-4 at OLB, will bring needed pressure)
19 – Bears McClellin, Shea DE 6’3″ 260 Boise St. (Versatile, can play End or OLB good looking player)
20 – Titans Wright, Kendall WR 5’10″ 196 Baylor (Bit of a surprise but adds needed Deep Threat to pair with Britt)
21 – Patriots (From Bengals) Jones, Chandler DE 6’5″ 247 Syracuse (Great pick, huge upside and fills a big need)
22 – Browns (From Falcons) Weeden, Brandon QB 6’4″ 221 Oklahoma St. (Like Weeden better than Tannehill)
23 – Lions Reiff, Riley OT 6’6″ 313 Iowa (Great pick, protecting their top 2 investments, QB & WR)
24 – Steelers DeCastro, David G 6’5″ 316 Stanford (Steelers delighted this run masher fell to them, perfect fit)
25 – Patriots (From Broncos) Hightower, Dont’a ILB 6’2″ 265 Alabama (Another great pick, brings leadership & attitude)
26 – Texans Mercilus, Whitney DE 6’3″ 261 Illinois (Lost Mario Williams, found another long & lean DE to replace him)
27 – Bengals (From Saints through Patriots) Zeitler, Kevin G 6’4″ 314 Wisconsin (Need to protect Dalton, get RB later)
28 – Packers Perry, Nick DE 6’3″ 271 USC (Very good edge rusher opposite of Clay Matthews)
29 – Vikings (From Ravens) Smith, Harrison FS 6’2″ 213 Notre Dame (Very solid pick, Vikings need D’ help back there)
30 – 49ers Jenkins, A.J. WR 6’0″ 192 Illinois (A big of a head scratcher, Coby Fleener would have been better)
31 – Buccaneers (From Patriots through Broncos) Martin, Doug RB 5’9″ 223 Boise St. (Good pick)
32 – Giants Wilson, David RB 5’10″ 206 Virginia Tech (Speed back to pair with Bradshaw, GMen built off the run game)
The only thing that we hope fans keep in mind is that is absolutely impossible and honestly not smart to try and grade teams after one round or even one year for that matter. True Draft evaluation takes years. The Broncos stockpiled picks and are targeting players that they see will be available in Rd. 2 and the Ravens did the same. There is no reason to reach for a player that you don’t fall in love with. Let the draft come to you, however if you see a guy fall a little like Morris Claiborne and he fills a huge need than you take him, just like the Cowboys, Patriots and Vikings did.
After one day we will not proclaim Winners and Losers but will say we were impressed with the Browns, Vikings, Cowboys, & Patriots and were slightly confused with the Dolphins & 49ers.
If Tannehill turns out to be the second coming of Dan Marino than we’ll all be proven to be wrong, however they most certainly could have traded down and received the same player with more compensation. As far as the Niners, just think they have a glut at WR and believed that Coby Fleener would have helped the Passing Attack a bit more than their now 3rd WR acquired via Free Agency or the Draft.
Rounds 2 and 3 are on deck this evening, should be just as exciting as Round 1…as Bart Scott says, Can’t Wait!!
Draft Buzz!
As I’ve said all along, this is the season of deceit and smoke-screens when it comes to teams providing NFL Draft news. Most of the time, stories are planted as diversions in order to get a team to perhaps to stay away from the player that they really want. At times however we do get nuggets of insight about teams and perhaps some moves that they would like to make. This is the latest draft buzz.
Philadelphia Eagles : have reportedly shown interest in trading into the Top 5 perhaps interested in a Left Tackle to replace the injured Jason Peters. At 15 they have a realistic chance of moving into the Top 5 and with reports that the team is actively shopping Asante Samuel, he could perhaps be involved in a Draft Day deal.
New York Jets: have reportedly been rumored to be secretly targeting Alabama RB Trent Richardson to help bolster their sagging Run game. The Jets hold the 16th pick and would have to put a considerable package together in order to land Richardson who is expected to go either 4th to Cleveland or 5th or Tampa Bay. Some speculate that the Jets will target DE/LB Melvin Ingram from South Carolina if they are unable to land Richardson. Ingram is heralded as one of the best pure pass rushers in this years draft.
Denver Broncos : have recently been reported to have an interest in trading up, if necessary, for Cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Corner out of South Carolina has been a very hot prospect lately and many teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly shown interest in him. NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi said that Jacksonville has a higher grade on Gilmore than the top rated CB Morris Claiborne. As for the Broncos, they have apparently reached out to teams to see what it would take in order to make a deal happen in the projected slot that Gilmore is expected to go.
Cleveland Browns: While the Browns hold two first round picks in this years draft, there is more and more “feeling” around NFL circles that the team will look to draft Oklahoma St. QB Brandon Weeden. The 29 year old draftee is a great talent but many teams are shying away from his age. In my opinion he is the 3rd best QB available and if you don’t mind him turning 30 soon, as a rookie, then you should grab him. The Browns certainly won’t take him at 4 but maybe interested in a trade down at 22 and try to get him later all while stocking up on picks.
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings have reportedly been weighing their options between Left Tackle Matt Khalil, Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon and Cornerback Morris Claiborne. If the Vikings leave Khalil on the board, I would expect the trade lines to heat up for the Browns at 4. Many teams, including the aforementioned Eagles, might be looking to move up and snag him.
PLAYER NEWS:
Ohio St. O-Lineman Mike Adams recently tested positive for Marijuana at the NFL Combine per reports. It’s unknown how these reports get out, as they are confidential in nature. It could be a leaked story or could be made up in an attempt for teams to pass on him so another team can take him.
Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard was arrested recently for allegedly assaulting a Police Officer during an altercation after leaving a night club. Not a huge deal and might or might not effect his draft stock but it certainly isn’t the best time to get into trouble.
Other Tidbits that could effect the draft:
The Patriots have been looking at Running Backs recently, hosting Ryan Grant, Joseph Addai and Tim Hightower on Friday. The team maybe looking to add a veteran RB to pair with up and comer Stevan Ridley. The Patriots have always liked veteran players and perhaps they are looking to fill the RB void via Free Agency and not through the draft.
The Eagles have reportedly dropped the asking price for CB Asante Samuel after they failed to move him and his big contract. Scheduled to make around $11 million this year and with a glut of CB talent the Eagles are looking to move Samuel but have been unable to find compensation they feel fair. Reports now say the team is looking for a 5th to 6th round pick. The Broncos have shown the most interest recently trying to work out a deal as recent as a week ago.
Pre Draft Visits: Jacksonville Jaguars
By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.
Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.
One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.
Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!
LAST UPDATED 4/20/12
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Eric Lair -TE from University of Minnesota
Jerel Werthy -DT from Michigan State
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Quinton Coples- DE from North Carolina
Gino Gradkowski OG/C from University Of Deleware
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Chris Greenwood – RB from Albion
Ronnie Cameron – DT from Old Dominion
Toney Clemons -WR from Colorado
Tyrone Crawford -DE from Boise State
Ryan Davis – LB from Bethune-Cookman
Chad Faulcon -Safety from Montclair State
Gino Gradkowski – G/C from Delaware
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Jayron Hosley – CB from Virginia Tech
Chandler Jones – DE from Syracuse
Ronald Leary -G from Memphis
Nick Perry -DE from USC
Adrien Robinson – TE from Cincinnati
Keith Tandy – CB from West Virginia
Matt Veldman – TE from North Dakota State
Tahir Whitehead -LB from Temple
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Mock Draft #3
As we move closer to the Draft at the end of April, stories get out about what directions teams are looking to go. The only problem with that is tis’ the season for smokescreens and lies. The month of April is very hard to gauge sincerity as teams really don’t want anyone to know their plans as they move forward to Draft Day. With that said, in this draft we are going to get creative and try to envision an early round trade. How accurate it will be is anyones guess but why not mix it up a bit! Enjoy our latest version of the 2012 Mock Draft. Read more
Jacksonville Jaguars
Team Needs and Draft: Gabbert had a rough start to his NFL career as expected but look the Jags haven’t given up on him. Look for them to bring in quality veteran depth and possibly draft a quarterback in the middle rounds. Maybe they look Jason Campbell’s way for veteran leadership to hold down Gabbert.
Jags need to get a playmaking wide receiver in the draft sooner the better. I wouldn’t wait later more like the first three rounds. New owner Shahid Khan will want to make some sort of splash and if he can somehow draft Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, that would be great for the fan base.
Harry Douglass the ex- Falcons could work into Mularkey’s system and will come for cheap. What Gabbert needs is playmakers and Douglass could bring that to the table if given the chance.
Jacksonville has to find a pass rusher and that’s where the first-round pick could come into play. North Carolina’s Quinton Coples will be discussed early on, but other prospects could move ahead of him by the draft. A cornerback or offensive tackle also might be worthy of the first pick.
2012 Draft Picks
1.7, 2.6, 3.7, 4.6, 5.7, 6.6, 7.7
Free Agent Signings
QB Chad Henne, WR Laurent Robinson, CB Aaron Ross
2011 Draft Results
1st: Blaine Gabbert (QB) Missouri
3rd: William Rackley (OG) Lehigh
4th: Cecil Shorts (WR) Mt Union
4th: Christopher Prosinski (S) Wyoming
5th: Roderick Issac (CB) M Tenn St
SkinnyPost Mock Draft – #2
As noted in the first Mock Draft, Free Agency always dictates the direction teams will go in the April Draft. Now that Free Agency has, for the most part played out, let’s revisit the Mock and see where the chips fall for each team as the big day in NYC comes closer.
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB Stanford – Always has been, nothing is going to change and Luck is the pick. He will likely be under contract before the Draft even ensues.
2. Washington Redskins (Via Rams) – Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor – Great fit for Shanahan, the Skins has found themselves a strong armed, mobile QB to build around for a long time. Great pick.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Khalil, LT USC – Some people speculate that the Vikings will trade this pick but not me. Khalil is the best Left Tackle available and the Vikings need one bad. It would take quite an offer for them to move down and I don’t see one coming.
4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB Alabama – This pick will be a surprise to some but not really. In the AFC North yards are hard to come by, Hillis is gone, Hardesty is still an unknown and Richardson is a 3 down back. The Browns would be silly to take Tannehill at #4 here as his talent simply doesn’t warrant the pick.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB LSU - The tall and rangy Corner from Louisiana will be the pick here with Richardson off the board. The Bucs just resigned Barber, acquired Eric Wright in Free Agency, addressed O-Line with Nicks and the WR position with Vincent Jackson. If Richardson falls they jump on him but Claiborne is too good to pass up.
6. St. Louis Rams (Via Washington) – Justin Blackmon, WR Arizona State - The Rams played this draft perfectly as they traded down stockpiled 3 First Rounders and a 2nd all while still getting the man the wanted in the first place. Fisher is off to a good start.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quentin Coples, DE North Carolina – He might be a bit raw at the NFL level but Coples has all the tools to be an elite Pass Rusher in the near future. Long armed and very athletic he brings the skill set the Jags will be looking for. They’ve whiffed big time on Edge Rushers in the past and need to land a true playmaker here at #7.
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M – The Dolphins were unable to land Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn and do need to bring in a Franchise type QB, even though Matt Moore impressed me last year. Tannehill at 8 is a stretch in my opinion as he isn’t ready to come in and be a day one starter in the NFL and any QB taken in the Top 10 should be. Phins are desperate and will reach but hopefully pans out.
9. Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DE/DT Mississippi St. - Carolina needs to start addressing the Defense especially along the Line. Cox adds a versatile weapon that can play either inside or outside. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them take a WR here and Floyd from Notre Dame will be an awfully tempting weapon to give to Cam Newton but in the end they go with bolstering the Defense.
10. Buffalo Bills – Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame - The Bills added the marque Free Agent on Defense by landing Mario Williams and now will look to add a playmaker to pair with Stevie Johnson. Floyd is moving up the Draft boards with his speed and playmaking ability and in the AFC East you need all the scoring you can get!
11. Kansas City Chiefs – Dontari Poe, DT Memphis – Kansas City added RB Peyton Hillis in Free Agency and now will look to add a key cog along the Defensive Line. Riley Reiff will be tempting to help bolster that run game even further but after adding 35 year old Kelly Gregg and not getting the production they’d like from their former top Picks along the D-Line, the Chiefs go with Poe and hope he’s not just a workout wonder.
12. Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College – Seattle needs to address their Middle Linebacker situation and Kuechly is shooting up draft boards with his solid play. A sure tackler and heady player, Kuechly just might be one of the safest picks at Linebacker in this draft. He’s a good leader and pure tackler. The Hawks really can’t go wrong with this pick.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff, OT Iowa – One thing the Cardinals definitely need to address is their Offensive Line. Giving up 50+ sacks last season had Kevin Kolb looking a little shell shocked. Reiff is an outstanding Lineman who adds versatility in both Pass Pro and Run support. The Cardinals really get lucky to land Reiff at this point in the draft and if he’s still on the board this pick should be a no brainer.
14. Dallas Cowboys – Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina – Another player shooting up Draft Boards is CB Stephon Gilmore. A playmaker with speed has the Cowboys licking their chops. They definitely could use an upgrade in the Secondary and after letting Newman go they need another starter opposite Mike Jenkins. Gilmore is grabbing lots of attention by scouts with his speed and ball skills, the Cowboys will pounce on him at 14.
15. Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford – Philly could go in a myriad of directions here. Barron the Safety from Alabama, Brockers the DT from LSU and Martin all make sense for the Eagles but with the recent season ending injury to Jason Peters the Eagles need to shore up the Tackle position and Martin is the best available on the board. He’s good in Pass Pro and a masher in the run game and we all know that Big Red likes to address to the lines in the 1st round of the draft.
16. New York Jets – Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE Alabama – The Jets have brought in Tebow and that will get all the media attention but make no mistake about it this team is built on Defense. The 3-4 is a perfect fit for Upshaw if he’s used as an attacking LB and not involved too much in coverage. Rex Ryan loves pressure and Upshaw will allow Rex the flexibility to blitz him from different positions along the Defense. Could be a match made in heaven.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Brockers, DT LSU – Cincinnati has a tendency to fall in love with freakish athletes and they play in the most physical Division in football. Brockers, at 6-5 and 325 pounds will bring his freakish athletic ability to a Front 4 that is better than most people think. The Bengals also might look at WR or O-Line to help out with their blossoming passing game but at the end of the day Brockers is too good to pass up.
18. San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG Stanford – Le’Ron McClain was added in Free Agency to help open holes for Ryan Matthews and fill the void left by the departure of Tolbert. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft and is a pure run blocker to further assist the movement of the run game and take pressure off of Phillip Rivers. Wide Receiver is a definite possibility but with Floyd off the board there is no reason to reach, instead they go with the best OG in the draft and find a pure run blocker. Great pick by San Diego if it happens.
19. Chicago Bears – Mark Barron, SS Alabama - Chicago might look at Barron’s teammate Dre Kirkpatrick here but Barron is too good to pass up. Having a Safety who is rangy, can come up and play in the slot when needed and provide leadership in the back end makes too much sense to pass up. By trading for Brandon Marshall seeing the Bears take a WR hear seems like a longshot, instead they go with the not only the best player available in the secondary but also fill a need as well. Don’t be surprised if they do take a Corner here however. A super sleeper pick would be a Tight End, perhaps Coby Fleener from Stanford. With Martz gone and Cutler adding passing weapons that move could make sense too!
20. Tennessee Titans – Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina - Ingram has very good pass rushing skills and is versatile with the ability to play LB as well. The Titans added Kam Wimbley but lost James Jones to Free Agency. They could also use a Safety but with Barron off the board that’s out, they could also look for a replacement for Cortland Finnegan who jettisoned off to the Rams and Dre Kirkpatrick could also be the pick here. Ingram makes the most sense for a team that needs to find a way to get the QB to the ground more.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama – The Bengals have never been one to shy away from players with off the field issues and considering their need for a Corner and Jenkins ability this move makes sense. Originally I had them pegged to take a running back here with Benson gone but they addressed that need in Free Agency and now it’s time to go Defense. Jenkins has elite 1st Round talent that will scare some teams off with his off the field issues but Marvin Lewis knows how to handle players like Jenkins and can get the most out of him.
22. Cleveland Browns – Cordy Glenn, OG Georgia – Cleveland has the luxury of two 1st Rounders and really needs to upgrade the right side of the line and the 6-5, 345 pound Glenn is the run monster that the Browns need at Right Guard. They definitely will take a long hard look at Kendall Wright who could be the playmaker they need at WR but with Glenn still on the board it’ll be hard to not take him. This draft is relatively deep at WR and the Browns could land a player like Alshon Jeffery, Rueben Randall or Stephen Hill in Round 2. For this pick, they take the best player available who fills a big need!
23. Detroit Lions – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama – Eric Wright is off to Tampa Bay and the Lions secondary was awful in 2011. They have a Division of elite passers and they definitely need to address their Cornerback position. Kirkpatrick has all the tools to come in and start from day one and provide a much needed playmaker in the back end. Offensive Line could also be a possibility but Kirkpatrick is the likely pick here for the Lions.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kendall Wright, WR Baylor – Mike Wallace’s status is flux as he is looking for big money, Hines ward recently retired and the Steelers need to find a playmaker at WR if Wallace returns or not. Wright ran much better in his pro day than he did at the combine and if you watch the film on him at Baylor he was RG3′s big play receiver. It wouldn’t be a huge shock to see the Steelers take a linebacker like Dont’a Hightower as they love to reload in their attacking 3-4 Defense but at this point WR is a bigger need and Wright is too good to pass up.
25. Denver Broncos – Dont’a Hightower, LB Alabama – Everyone in Bronco Country wants a Defensive Tackle in the worst way and it’s understandable especially with the loss of Broderick Bunkley in Free Agency. With that said, the DT position is one that usually takes time to develop and with the signing of Peyton Manning this team is looking to win now. Hightower would be a great addition at Middle Linebacker and paired with DJ Williams and Von Miller the Broncos would have fast, athletic LB’s who can really get after opposing offenses. Running Back also is a longshot possibility, Lamar Miller or David Wilson could add some needed speed to the Denver backfield.
26. Houston Texans – Rueben Randle, WR LSU – Aside from Andre Johnson the Texans are thin at WR and Randle would be a big upgrade opposite of Johnson. The Defense has lost some key pieces with Mario Williams in Buffalo and DeMeco Ryans traded to the Eagles. Still they have a good core of Defensive players and could use some playmakers at Wideout to complement Andre and give Schaub more weapons in the passing game.
27. New England Patriots – Jerel Worthy, DT Michigan St. – New England could definitely use a Cornerback but with all the better players off the board the Pats will go with Worthy who can provide a pass rush from the interior. While he is raw and is a better fit at 3 technique than 5 technique in the 3-4, the Patriots are a very versatile Defense who play 4 down lineman often. Lined up next to Vince Wilfork he could see a lot of single blockers and the coaching staff can work with him to enhance his pass rushing skills which are already pretty good.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nick Perry, LB USC - After signing Jeff Saturday in Free Agency the Packers can now go and grab the OLB they need to play opposite Clay Matthews. As I stated before, the NFC North is loaded with great passing offenses so getting to the QB is vital. Perry will provide much needed rush from both sides of the Defense and is a smart move for the Pack. Secondary help could be a wise option here as well as Charles Woodson isn’t getting any younger.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C Wisconsin – It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the Ravens take a flyer at Stephen Hill due to his speed an playmaking ability but the Ravens are high on Torrey Smith to play opposite of Anquan Boldin. Konz offers an eventual replacement to Matt Birk who is starting to decline a little as he gets older. Ozzie Smith is the master of finding value in the draft all while addressing his teams needs and Konz is the best Center available in the Draft. They could also be very tempted to take Harrison Smith, the Safety from Notre Dame to play next to Ed Reed now that Zbikowski is gone. The beauty of the Ravens is that they don’t have to reach and can draft not only a need but also a talented player.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Coby Fleener, TE Stanford – The Niners have addressed the WR position via Free Agency by adding Manningham and Moss and have the luxury of grabbing a player to make the offense even more dynamic. Coach Harbaugh knows Fleener very well and when the Niners go into 2 Tight End sets they would have a big playmaker to pair with Vernon Davis. Offensive Line might be a sensible pick here as well but at the end of the draft a solid Tight End is a smart move, especially with Alex Smith returning a good Tight End group is a QB’s best friend.
31. New England Patriots – Doug Martin, RB Boise St. – Ben Jarvis Green Ellis is now in Cincinnati and the Patriots desperately need an every down back who can catch out of the backfield. Martin was a Red Shirt Senior at Boise and has the football smarts that the Patriots covet. At 223 pounds he is big enough to run between the tackles and fast enough to press on the edges. His draft stock is rising and it wouldn’t shock me to see the Pats bolster their running game. David Wilson, Lamar Miller both speed backs and Harrison Smith, the Safety we mentioned earlier could also be smart picks here…that is if the Patriots don’t trade out of the 1st Round!
32. New York Giants – Mike Adams, OT Ohio State – The Super Bowl Champs already have a fantastic Defense and now look to build up the line a little. The loss of Brandon Jacobs might put them in the hunt for a Running Back such as Wilson or Miller but Adams is too good to pass up and Coughlin is an old school coach who likes to build through the trenches. Adams is tall and athletic and in time could be a good Left Tackle protecting Eli Manning’s blind side. For now he’ll likely be put at Right Tackle and provide depth until he’s ready to be a full time starter.
Loading ...
