2012 NFL Draft

By:  Bobby Shores

Since I cannot do individual scouting reports on every single player (I wish I could, but not enough people read my stuff for me to afford to do it full time...hint hint), I decided to do position-by-position breakdown and put my draft eligible players in the order from best to worst. I will probably update this after the draft as what team drafts a player will have a big determination on how successful he is (i.e.I will not be real high on a WR that is drafted by the Jaguars or Browns because he will not have a competent QB to get him the ball). I will update this on a regular basis, slightly changing orders based on what film I can download off of the internet and adding  always insightful comments. And I do not have rankings for every position, I will not rank positions or players if I didn't watch enough film on them, I will NOT just go off of what other people say.

Quarterbacks

1) Andrew Luck-Stanford - I have Luck and RG3 technically listed as 1 and 1a, and I am only listing Luck on top because of his experience in a pro-style offense means he will adapt to the NFL slightly quicker than RG3. There are really no concerns I have for Luck, and I believe that he will have the longest and best career overall, although RG3 could have more "instant impact" due to his unique style that NFL defenses will have to prepare for. At this point I think it's fairly obvious that he will be the Colts pick at #1 overall, and how fortunate can a franchise be securing the #1 overall pick when Peyton Manning was draft eligible and now securing the #1 overall pick AGAIN when the "next Peyton" is eligible.... Seriously though, how many teams have the opportunity to land "once in a generation players" with the #1 overall pick the same year that the last/most recent "once in a generation players" suffers a major injury...

1a) Robert Griffin III-Baylor - Love him, have always loved him, and I had him above Luck for most of the season (check my Twitter account and scroll down to when he played TCU if you don't believe me). Never seen a prettier deep ball (when he is "on"), but he needs to work on his accuracy and his ability to "throw receivers open". He appears to have all the physical aspects needed to be a very successful NFL quarterback (assuming his surgically reconstructed ACL continues to hold up), as well as the mental and emotional qualities that are required to not only lead a franchise, but also become one of the next "Faces of the NFL". My only concern is that he is going to Washington (and not because I am a Cowboys fan), but because the Redskins have a history of failing with quarterbacks (have they had a franchise caliber quarterback in the modern era?), swapping out coaching staffs/systems/overall direction (like 3 coaches in the last 3 years-Gibbs, Zorn & now Shannahan), AND head coach Mike Shannahan is not known for fitting his offense/system to the players he has and instead makes the players conform to his offense. My final worry is my BIGGEST worry... Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder... I think the franchise's success since he purchased the team, his history of coddling and/or babying "franchise players.

2) Russell Wilson-Wisconsin - I have liked Wilson for a while, I just didn't know where to put him, and I know that this is probably way too high. I do not think he will get drafted this high, and probably will not get drafted until the mid-to-late rounds, but I think he has the tools necessary to be an excellent quarterback. Everybody knocks him for his size, but the days of being a big tall statue in the pocket are over, and his offensive line was 6'6-6'7 in college and he excelled. If a team will give him a shot, I believe he could be an above average starter in this league, and in the right system he could be a top 10 quarterback.

3) Ryan Tannehill-Texas A&M - Not a lot of experience, but has all the tools, I have loved the guy since 2010 and think that if he is drafted in a "movement" offense then he will be great. I actually thought that he would be best fit in Shannahan's offense (even better than RG3) as Tannehill is the best quarterback that I can think of when it comes to throwing on the run.

4) Kirk Cousins-Michigan State - I am higher on him than most anybody else I think, and I am not 100% sure why.... I just like him, don't know why, he just seems to know how to play.... Great college completion percentage, love his attitude and leadership on and off the field, seems mechanically sound, and well I don't really know....

5) Brandon Weeden-Oklahoma State - Yes he is older, but since he has already been a professional athlete he should be able to acclimate himself well and worry about football only. Everybody knocks his age saying teams won't get many years out of him, well I bet they will get more years out of him than other teams did with Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell, etc

6) Nick Foles-Arizona - Prototypical pocket passer in my opinion, I think he can become a starter for a run-heavy team.

7) Kellen Moore-Boise State - Yes he is undersized, but that doesn't bother me in today's NFL where the pocket and the QB are constantly moving. I think he will end up being a quarterback that a team is always trying to replace even though he is the best option (i.e. Doug Flutie).

**Editor's Note:  I did not include Brock Osweiler on this list for a reason, he didn't play well in his limited time as a starter and the only thing he brings to the table is being able to see over the offensive line. He is another player that I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just don't see much value in him.**

Running Backs - Besides Trent Richardson, they are all kind of lumped together

1) Trent Richardson_Alabama
2) David Wilson-Virginia Tech - I know probably a little high for him with his fumbling problems
3) Doug Martin-Boise State - Solid all around back, no big knocks on him, but doesn't do anything special either
4) Chris Polk-Washinton
5) Cyrus Gray-Texas A&M
6) LaMichael James-Oregon - One of those guys that gives a team a whole new dimension because of his ability to score every time he touches the ball
7) Lamar Miller-Miami - I didn't love him at Miami, and he needs to work on pass blocking and catching before I can move him up.

Wide Receivers

1) Michael Floyd-Notre Dame - Reminds me of Larry Fitzgerald, just needs to develop the mentality
2) Justin Blackmon-Oklahoma State - Will probably regret this one day, just doesn't seem like a guy teams need to double.
3) Kendall Wright-Baylor - Can do anything, work the slot and outside
4) Stephen Hill-Georgia Tech - Georgia Tech has a great track record recently, and no reason to think he won't continue it
5) Joe Adams-Arkansas - His skills in the return game move him way up, this guy is a day 1 starter in the slot, reminds me of a Wes Welker type except he has speed/skills to score from anywhere, needs to work on concentration though as he tends to drop some balls by trying to run with it before he has caught it.

Offensive Tackle

1) Matt Kalil-USC
2) Bobby Massie-Ole Miss
3) Jonathan Martin-Stanford - Needs to develop strength in run blocking and doesn't play with a mean streak
4) Riley Reiff-Iowa - I see him as a Right Tackle, and he needs to get stronger, watched him get blown up by defensive ends way to often, not sure why everybody likes him so much.
5) Mike Adams-Ohio State - If he played harder and wasn't so lazy he could be an elite tackle, and still may be.

Offensive Guard

1) David DeCastro-Stanford - Far and away the best, looking at the success of 1st round guards he will be great 
2) Cordy Glenn-Georgia - A team will draft him as a tackle, and he could become a good right tackle, but I think he will be like Leonard Davis and end up being a guard
3) Kevin Zeitler-Wisconsin

Center

1) Peter Konz-Wisconsin - I think he will be able to step in and play immediately, significant drop after him.
2) Ben Jones-Georgia - Could play immediately if good guards around him, huge drop after Jones
3) David Molk-Michigan
3a) Michael Brewster-Ohio State

**Editors Note:  There will be overlap between all the defensive line positions, most sites do not differentiate between these, leaving the fans to decide who can play in what scheme, I hate that so I am attempting to break it down.**

Defensive Tackle (3-4) - I think this position is deep in this draft, just not sure I see any sure fire difference makers, they all have questions in my opinion.

1) Devon Still-Penn State
2) Jerel Worth-Michigan State - Most people don't like him, but he played well in college and put up good numbers. Film doesn't lie, and I don't care how great a guy works out in shorts against no competition.
3) Josh Chapman-Alabama

Defensive Tackle (4-3)

1) Melvin Ingram-South Carolina - The guy can play every position on the defensive line in a 4-3 and play OLB in a 3-4. Versatility makes him worthy of a Top 10-15 pick.
2)

Defensive End (3-4)

1) Fletcher Cox-Mississippi State
2) Quinton Coples-North Carolina - Only thing that keeps him from #1 is the lack of effort I saw (particularly against Miami & Missouri), especially when the play gets by him he shuts down. Needs to develop more pass rush moves, but has the potential to be a JJ Watt/Justin Smith style 5-technique defensive end.
3) Jared Crick-Nebraska
4) Jake Bequette-Arkansas - Yes this is probably high for him, and I know that most people see him almost exclusively as a 3-4 OLB. Me on the other hand can see him packing on about 20lbs and playing DE and moving inside on the nickel at times. He has a high motor and never stops, he is a guy that I have been in love with as an NFL prospect for a long time.

Defensive End (4-3)

1) Melvin Ingram-South Carolina
2) Courtney Upshaw-Alabama
3) Nick Perry-USC
4) Whitney Mercilus-Illinois

Middle Linebacker

1) Luke Kuechly-Boston College - Can do it all, reminds me of Sean Lee, except he is ready to play immediately
2) Dont'a Hightower-Alabama - Smart and has excellent instincts, reads plays very fast, not great in man coverage but his speed in reading plays will help him overcome that, will do good in zone coverage.
3) Jerry Franklin-Arkansas - No he is probably not the 3rd best ILB, but he is the only one I have watched, and I have watched him extensively. He is good, has the skills, is more technical than instinctual and can be a solid linebacker for a team.

Outside Linebacker (3-4) - I don't think there is a 1st round can't miss prospect at 3-4 OLB

1) Ronnell Lewis-Oklahoma
2) Shea McClellin-Boise State
3) Bruce Irvin-West Virginia - Pure pass rusher
4) Courtney Upshaw - May move him higher after I watch more film, I just dont think he has the burst to set the edge from a 2-point stance. Will be a great run defender just not sure about his ability to get past NFL left tackles.
5)

Cornerback - Read my breakdowns here and here

1) Janoris Jenkins-North Alabama - Best cover guy without a doubt, and I know his off-field problems are a concern, but his talent overrides it.
2) Morris Claiborne-LSU
3) Dre Kirkpatrick-Alabama
4) Brandon Boykin-Georgia - Best slot corner in the draft and has very good return ability. I seem to be higher on him than anybody else, his only concern is his size and tackling ability.
5) Casey Hayward-Vanderbilt - Is a "football player" looks natural and comfortable on the field and seems to possess football smarts. Also a very aggressive player (look at first quarter of Arkansas game which obviously I watched).
6) Stephon Gilmore-South Carolina - Everybody has fallen in love with him cause of his size and measurables, but his film is not that great. The more I think about it, I might move him further down.

Safety



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