2012 NFL Draft Winners: AFC West
Denver's top 3 picks got the headlines, but the Broncos got most of their value from the 4th round on...
We all love the brackets that come with college basketball in March, so I’ve decided to carry it over to a different sport. The madness started this past weekend with the 2012 NFL Draft and was shortly followed by a wild array of phone calls to undrafted NFL prospects. After all the dust had settled, fans were left asking, “Who had the best draft”? I’ve decided to not label every team with a letter grade, but to instead give you my take on their picks, needs, and value of where they selected prospects. I’ll then put them head to head with a team in their division and let them fight it out. The better draft advances for a shot as the divisional championship. Let the NFL madness begin…
The Redskins Had to Draft Kirk Cousins
The NFL Draft never disappoints. Every year there are decisions made that leave draft followers scratching their heads. Washington had one of those moments, early on of the third day of the 2012 NFL Draft. I’ll admit, when the name of Kirk Cousins was called I was initially surprised. As time passed and I allowed myself to look at the decision from the point of view of the Redskins, I quickly realized how the selection was a no-brainer.
We are a week past the conclusion of this year’s draft, yet people are still shocked by this decision. I’ll lay out five different scenarios that could lead to this being one of the best value picks of this draft. The situations factor around Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins’ development. I’m not saying that I believe one way or another that these situations will play out but it would be foolish to act as if they aren’t possibilities.
2012 NFL Draft Winners: AFC East
The Bills executed a well thought out plan in this year's draft
We all love the brackets that come with college basketball in March, so I’ve decided to carry it over to a different sport. The madness started this past weekend with the 2012 NFL Draft and was shortly followed by a wild array of phone calls to undrafted NFL prospects. After all the dust had settled, fans were left asking, “Who had the best draft”? I’ve decided to not label every team with a letter grade, but to instead give you my take on their picks, needs, and value of where they selected prospects. I’ll then put them head to head with a team in their division and let them fight it out. The better draft advances for a shot as the divisional championship. Let the NFL madness begin…
2012 NFL Draft Winners: NFC West
Rams GM Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher ran a textbook 2012 draft
We all love the brackets that come with college basketball in March, so I’ve decided to carry it over to a different sport. The madness started this past weekend with the 2012 NFL Draft and was shortly followed by a wild array of phone calls to undrafted NFL prospects. After all the dust had settled, fans were left asking, “Who had the best draft”? I’ve decided to not label every team with a letter grade, but to instead give you my take on their picks, needs, and value of where they selected prospects. I’ll then put them head to head with a team in their division and let them fight it out. The better draft advances for a shot as the divisional championship. Let the NFL madness begin…
The Myth of a Running Back’s Draft Value
Back in February, I talked about how Trent Richardson was a no-brainer to go within the top five draft picks of the 2012 NFL Draft. It was met with the latest myth in draft lore. We’ve all heard the same statements over the last few years “you can find talent at running back late in the draft” and “the NFL life of a running back is too short to draft early”. I’ve come to realize that if enough people with well thought of opinion say the same thing, the masses will blindly believe it and take it as fact. The running back value myth is the latest that I’ve taken on but there are plenty of myths that come out annually at this time of year.
Should the Miami Dolphins Trade for Ryan Mallett?
In Miami, Ryan Mallet would be more ready than Ryan Tannehill to play NOW...
When the NFL draft kicks off next Thursday night, teams will be on the phones considering trading picks, players, and anything else of value to be able to maneuver in the draft. A report came out today that the New England Patriots would listen to calls involving quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett. The fact that Mallett’s name was included, intrigued me.
Mallett was one of the “character” guys from the 2011 draft class. Based on talent alone, Mallett was deserving of a first round grade. Reports came out before the Patriots even drafted Mallett that they had him listed as the top quarterback in the class. While other teams passed on Mallett due to the off-field issues, the Patriots were in position with all of their extra picks to take a chance on the gunslinger. In the third round they made the value selection and planned to allow him to develop behind Tom Brady and under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick. Mallett was a less than mobile pocket passer while at Arkansas and Michigan but had a rocket arm that can get the ball to any spot on the field. Here’s a look at his numbers over the last two years while at Arkansas:
Should the NFL Draft Go Back to 12 Rounds?
The success of Arian Foster is a perfect example of how the current NFL undrafted free agency system can circumvent the draft...
The 2012 NFL Draft kicks off next Thursday night in prime time once again. The draft has become the main focus of the NFL off-season. While it started off as nothing more than a hotel meeting where men would acquire talent for the coming season, it has blossomed into quite the spectacle. It’s become so big, that men like me make a living based on predicting what might happen during this open to the public three day span of business meetings.
There will be seven rounds of selections that will take part between Thursday, April 26th and Saturday, April 28th. The first round will be covered on Thursday night, where each team will be given 10 minutes to make a selection or trade the pick. They will return Friday for rounds two and three, in which teams will be given seven minutes to select / trade in round two and five minutes from round three on. Finally, the last day consists of the teams making selections from rounds four through seven, in which the draft will end with the final pick, referred to as Mr. Irrelevant.
The draft hasn’t always been seven rounds, it’s fluctuated over the years. As recently as 1992 the draft consisted of 12 rounds. They have since added four more teams to the league and done away with five rounds.
2012 NFL Draft Profile: Bobby Wagner
- OLB, Utah State, Sr.
- Ht: 6’0
- Wt: 241
- 40 time: 4.70
Pros
Bobby routinely tracks players all over the field. If there’s only one player chasing a running back on a 60+ yard run, it’s probably Wagner and usually he’s staying stride for stride with them. He’s at his best when he’s just allowed to attack the back field. He has a great swim move and he can consistently apply pressure when allowed to. Great leaping ability and good hands. He’ll disrupt passing lanes if in position.
2012 NFL Draft Profile: Trent Richardson
- RB, Alabama, Jr.
- Ht: 5’11
- Wt: 224
- 40 time: 4.55
Pros
Richardson is a power back with good speed for a power guy. He has the thighs to power through physical defenders and the upper body to shatter arm tackles. He keeps his strong legs churning on short yardage and always lunges forward at the end of runs. For his size, you wouldn’t think his jump step would be so effective but it’s possibly his best attribute besides his physical nature. On his quick stops, he throws a physical punch that will knock any defender off balance, while in pursuit. He has good vision and shows patience to wait for a cut while the hole develops. He cuts surprisingly well in the open field. He turns into a battling ram when he anticipates contact and lowers his head for impact. Trent is also able to protect the quarterback by planting his firm base and absorb the huge oncoming linemen.
2012 NFL Draft Profile: Lamar Miller
- RB, Miami, Soph.
- Ht: 5’11
- Wt: 212
- 40 time: 4.39
Pros
Miller is an exciting prospect because of the rare speed he brings. Some scouts will squint their eyes and hope to see Chris Johnson in the fog. While he has good size for his speed, he’s still small enough and fast enough to squeeze through the smallest, closing gaps. When he gets through the first level of defenders, he becomes an instant home run threat. He displays good hands when catching out of the backfield. Whether on runs or when receiving, he easily more comfortable in the open field and makes quicker, more decisive cuts.
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