NFL Draft 2012

The NFL draft is almost upon us and I have my personal insights along with what I think the Packers and Bears should do in the draft. It is impossible to truly project where players are going in the draft so most of this is based off of what Pro Football Weekly projects along with a few other sources to give me a rough range of where players will go.
This may be the first year ever that I really like the top three QB’s – Luck, RG III, and Tannehill. With that said, I look at Tannehill as a guy that should not start right away. Between Luck and RG III I think the better QB is going to be the one that goes to Washington. So in other words I really love both. The only scenario where I see Tannehill starting any games this season is if he goes to the Dolphins. Even at that I don’t think he should. He needs to sit for a year or we will see a repeat of Gabbert (who I think is still a good QB in the long run). From there I am not sold on anybody else, though I like the potential of Osweiler because he has the right attitude.
First and foremost among the many Andre rules of thumb we need to invoke rule number 1 never draft anybody out of Clemson, especially in the first round. Also, if a player is known to not have their heart in football, skip over them.
Guys that are getting overrated
- Kirk Cousins QB – I am not sold on him because he makes bad decisions based on lack of arm strength. I think he is a solid back-up at best.
- Ryan Tannehill – Again, I like him and the potential is certainly there but he fits more as a high 2nd rounder in my eyes
- Justin Blackmon – I really do not see him as an elite receiver and there is so much depth at WR this year that I do not think he warrants a top 10 pick.
- Dontario Poe – I have a feeling that he will not go as high as people are projecting right now. If he falls down to the second round for some reason he is worth it there but from what I have seen on his game film (Not a ton but his highlights) he is too far from where he needs to be to be a first round pick.
Guys that should not be touched
- Quinton Couples – Freakish athlete but I heard an interview with him and he just did not seem like he understood different defenses very well. We see guys like this every year.
- Nick Perry – When people question your passion for the game and work ethic you should do everything you can to prove them wrong. I just do not think it is a good idea to invest a high pick on somebody who does not have passion for the game.
- Vontaze Burfict LB – The LB version of Taylor Mays but less talented and a whole lot crazier.
- David Wilson RB – I just do not see a solid NFL running back in him. Something is missing.
- Trumaine Johnson CB – His attitude and lack of effort makes me think he is going to burn somebody bad.
- Adrian Hamilton OLB – DE – I know this is an oddball one because he may not even get drafted but I could also see somebody falling in love with his insane sack production last year and taking him in the 3rd round. I bring him up because I looked at some highlights of him and there is no way that he is ever going to be able to get away with those moves in the NFL or for even a D-I college program.

Safest players in the draft
1. Luke Kuechly LB – I think that he is the surest player in this draft. A LB does not have close to the impact that a QB would but Kuechly will be very good for a long time.
2. Trent Richardson RB – Richardson is not a stud in my mind but I think that he will be a very good running back that can be a bell cow for 10 years. Keep in mind that most running backs do not last more than 3-5 years usually
3. Andrew Luck and RG III –No comment really needed I think these two will be very good for a long time.
4. Morris Claiborne – Not as flashy as many top CB in drafts past but he is a woodtick type of CB that will play a long time. The best comparison would be an Aeneas Williams type of career.
5. Peter Konz C – Smart and physically gifted with a mean streak which is exactly what you want in a Center. I have always been of the belief that the Center position is the most important on the offensive line.
My favorite players outside of the top tier players
- Ron Brooks CB LSU – A lot of balls were funneled his way and he held up.
- Miles Burris LB San Diego State – There is something about this kid that just makes me think he is going to be very good for somebody.
- Derek Wolfe DT-DE – He really stuck out to me when I watched the senior bowl and I think he is a bit under the radar (Like I talk to NFL teams or anything?)
- Marvin McNutt WR – Gene hyped him up to me. I looked over him and I saw a guy that is savvy and a good athlete. I am not convinced that he will ever be a #1 but he could compliment another receiver quite well. His understanding of offenses, being a former QB, along with his team first attitude makes me think he has it in him to carve out a Hines Ward type career.
Intriguing players
- Bruce Irvin DE – OLB – This kid has gone through a ton in his life and I really liked him but he just got into trouble again.
- Markus Zusevics – He is not going to be a starter in the NFL but he may be a very valuable swing man for a team and a reliable swing man on the OL is worthy of a later pick
- Mike Daniels – Quick but very undersized DT who a creative Defensive Coach could find a role for.
- Asa “Ace” Jackson CB Cal Poly – He is a bit raw and will need at least a year to make the jump but I like his tools and feisty attitude.


Bears: OL, LB, DB, DL
1 (19): Peter Konz C Wisconsin – The Bears offensive line has been broken into pieces these last 3-4 seasons. They have brought in some questionable offensive lineman that are either too nice or not physically there. When you have a power running system you need lineman that hate the world and Konz is not quite there but he is tough. They need somebody who can bring some much needed leadership and smarts. Konz fits that bill and will make them a better team.

2 (50): Marvin McNutt WR Iowa – Ideally the Bears could trade down a little bit here and get McNutt. Some would also say that this is a little high for him and that he is not field fast. The more I look at at McNutt the more I think he is going to be very good. He is a good size WR with good athletic ability and he has an understanding of offenses as a whole in that he was a QB. I don’t think he is going to ever be a primary receiver but that is why they traded for Marshall. He reminds me of a less savvy Hines Ward but he will give it his all. Now they can put both Knox (if he recovers) and Hester in the slot where they can be more effective.

3 (79): James-Michael Johnson LB Nevada –This guy is mentally tough and seems to have a solid understanding of defenses. He is physically gifted as well. He looks like he can play inside or outside but seems to be a better fit inside. The Bears have been ignoring their aging linebacker core for a bit too long and this guy would ease the loss of Urlacher in a few years.

4 (111): Ace Jackson CB Cal Poly – Jackson may not be here but if he is the Bears should take him. He has a similar attitude to Peanut Tillman with a very different physique. I do not think he can start right away but could serve as a very good Nickel back in his first year

5 (150): Akiem Hicks DT Regina – This guy is very raw. Some might knock him down for the mistakes he made as a JUCO transfer but he has been fine since then so it is not worth downgrading him. He is very big but a bit underdeveloped so he will not do much his first year but should develop over time. He is more valuable to a team like the Bears who have a really good D-line coach (But clearly the worst head coach in NFL history).

6 (184): Kelcie McCray S Arkansas State – An underrated value here, he is better than what they have and if a 6th round pick can start for your team that is a good value. The Bears have had a rotating door of Safeties for a few years now because everybody is a bit blue collar that they bring in. While McCrary is similar I think he has more staying power than the last two.

7 (220): Derek Dennis OG Temple –The Bears need to bring in more bodies along the offensive line and Dennis has some intriguing skills and a mean attitude. He is not dynamite but neither is anybody on the interior of the Bears OL.

Packers

1 (28): Shea McClellin OLB Boise State – The Packers missed out on Brooks Reed last year and he would have significantly helped their last place defense. McClellin is in the same vein and in a similar situation as Brooks Reed (moving up draft boards due to consistency and hard work) and may not be around with their second pick. You pick the player you want if you think he will be gone with the next pick!

2 (59): Ben Jones C Georgia – Ideally the Packers trade down from here but any trade needs a taker so it is never good to try and project that. I love Jeff Saturday but he is only going to play for a season or two and the Packers need to look at this position even if it is a little higher than he is projected (again and this will not be the last)

3 (90): Derek Wolfe DT-DE Cincinnati – Granted it is just one game and I have been fooled before but of all the players in the Senior Bowl, Wolfe really stuck out the most to me. He is somewhat of a late riser but when you really look at him there is a lot to like. He reminds me a bit of Aaron Smith but maybe not quiet that high of a ceiling. I really like this kid a lot and he serves a definite need.

4 (123): Ron Brooks CB LSU – While Morris Claiborne is clearly a better prospect than Brooks that just means that Brooks was challenged more in college. He has a solid skill set, the right attitude, and determination. I think he is getting a little underrated

4 (132): Miles Burris LB San Diego State – It is hard to project where this guy is going to play as some have him at 3-4 OLB and some think he is more of a MLB. He has a similar motor to another former SD State LB Kirk Morrison but bigger and with more talent. I really love this kid and he would be a demon on special teams and either a good rushing linebacker but more likely a great ILB to push for a starting job now or in the future. The kind of guy you want on your team.

4 (133): Trenton Robinson S Michigan State – Robinson is somewhat of a tweener and is a bit small for a safety but he seems like a guy who could make plays and will be assignment sure. He reminds me a bit of Nick Collins but he is a bit smaller and not as physical as a result. At worst I think he could be a dynamite nickel back that forces turnovers.

5 (163): Robert Turbin RB Utah State – I am not sure that the Packers need a running back all that bad but if Turbin is available I would love for the Packers to take him. He has some injury issues in his past but the Packers could roll the dice on him and see what he can do. I think he has the potential to be better than anybody else that they have but right now it is hard to project how Alex Green is going to come back from the ACL injury.
5a: If Turbin is not there then Jeff Adams OT Columbia – Adams reminds me a little bit of a raw version of Riley Reiff. He is much more of a finesse tackle at this point but he is a guy that could develop down the road. He will not play in his first year but could be something after he bulks up a bit. That phrase I hate applies here, draft him on potential alone.

6 (197): Chandler Harnish QB Northern Illinois – When I look at Chandler Harnish play I see a decent athlete and a heck of a leader. He has the same type of skill set and charisma as Matt Flynn. He would fit well with the Packers and will develop his arm strength and skills with them. Harnish may very well be gone at this point though. If that is the case I say take a chance on the next guy on my list here and sign G.J. Kinney if he goes undrafted.

7 (224): Adrian Robinson OLB Temple – This guy is being a little underrated if you ask me. I had to scramble a little to find more information on him but I think he sounds like a solid player for a 3-4 rush LB. If the Packers follow the draft like I have projected then this causes a major log jam at OLB but I think that is a good thing when you have formations that rely on having 5 linebackers that can play in addition to how much Capers adjusts defenses to fit his personnel.

7 (241): Nicholas Jean-Baptist – Big space eating nose tackle that the Packers could use to shore up the run defense on obvious running downs. I am having a hard time reading where he will go but based off of the general opinion of him he should be at this spot.

7 (243): DeQuan Menzie S/CB Alabama – He does not have any redeeming physical qualities concerning playing safety but he seems to have the will to be good. Maybe he is nothing more than a special teams guy who makes a few emergency starts. He is the type of player that you want on your team who wills his way into big plays.


Okay that about does it for my picks. I am sure that one of these guys that I have a team picking high will drop and somebody from the seventh round will jump up to the third round. I am still at a loss from the Panthers taking Sione Fua in the 3rd round last year and I had him as a 7th?

Thank you for reading!!!