Round 1 Review

Vikings and Browns swap, 3^rd pick for 4^th, Vikings net  4^th, 5^th and  7^th round picks. Small win for Browns who have a cashe of picks and they secure themselves what I believe will be Trent Richardson. The Vikings, build some draft depths. Grades: CLE B-, MIN A-

Round 1

1 Colts: Andrew Luck, good pick necessary pick no gripes here. Grade: A+

2 Redskins: Robert Griffin III, good pick don’t like him as much as Luck but a very good pick. Grade: A

3 Browns: Trent Richardson, best player available, don’t like taking a running back this high even if he’s Adrian Peterson.  Grade: B-

4 Vikings: Matt Kalil, this was an absolute necessity and needed to be done no matter what. Grade A+

TRADE: Jacksonville moves up from 7 to 5 to take, presumably, Justin Blackmon. Tampa Bay gets 7 & 101, Jacksonville 5. This is Jacksonville leap frogging St. Louis to take the best WR on the board. Grades: TB A, JAX B+

5 Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, Best WR in the draft should make a huge difference on a team with nothing to catch the ball. Not quite A.J. Green but I expect very good production if the QB play is average at best. Grade: B+

TRADE: Dallas trades up to 6 with St. Louis, St. Louis gets 7 and 45. Great trade for the rams who pick up their fourth pick in the top 45. Grades: DAL B-, STL A

6 Cowboys: Morris Claiborne, best player left on the board and the best cornerback in the draft great cover corner with ball hawking skills. Grade: A

7 Buccaneers: Mark Barron, will help upgrade the secondary in Tampa and can play either CB or S for them to help phase out Barber. Grade:  B-

8 Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, this pick needed to be made? I guess, not sure I like this pick but if they think he can start for 8 years I guess you have to take him. Grade: C

9 Panthers: Luke Kuechly, great pick for the Panthers will give them an upgrade next to Jon Beason on the Panthers defense. Grade: A

10 Bills:  Stephon Gilmore, second best cornerback in the draft and a very good player in the SEC, needs some polishing but he will be a welcome addition to an upgraded Bills defense. Grade B+

11 Chiefs: Dontari Poe, not a huge level of production for Poe in college but with good coaching (and for defense Chiefs have it) Poe has the ability to be the next Ngata but will he turn out? Grade: B-

TRADE: Philly to 12, Seattle to 15 & 114, 172… alright hall for Seattle nothing to write home about but a trade you make to move down 3. Grades: PHI B, SEA B

12 Eagles: Fletcher Cox, Philly picks the DT they have been connected to for the better part of the past month and a guy they really like, good motor, should get to the QB but may hurt rush downs to start off with. Grade: B-

13 Cardinals: Michael Floyd, Really like this pick for Arizona giving Kolb or whoever will be throwing there in two years but I’m not sure this makes the Cardinals better than they were last year but we have 6 rounds left. Grade: B+

14 Rams: Michael Brockers, the Rams take one of the top 3 DTs of the draft, it depends who you are, but I think this pick is a pick of a first round player. Grade: C+

15 Seahawks: Bruce Irvin, REACH ALERT!!! A special athlete but will he be a reliable player or just a pass rush specialist.  REACH, had to just for fun. Grade: F

16 Jets: Quinton Coples, Inconsistent freak athlete who has all of the ability to be one of the most disruptive players from this draft and in the league. Grade: B+

17 Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, good CB from Alabama could play CB or FS for the Bengals and a good compliment in the Bengals defensive backfield.

18 Chargers: Melvin Ingram, I love this pick I think Ingram is a top ten talent, to dozen at worst and Ingram will make an immediate impact on the Chargers defense. Grade: A+

19 Bears: Shea McClellin, the crowd at Radio City Music Hall had no idea who this kid is but in the bit of film I saw I was really impressed with what I saw. He has good feet, can play up or down and all in all a solid pick for the Bears. Grade: B

20 Titans: Kendall Wright, a speed guy from Baylor, yes I saw his 40, but he has good hands and should provide a nice change of pace with Kenny Britt on the other side, solid pick not sure WR fills as much of a need as a pass rusher could have. Grade: B-

TRADE: NE to 21, CIN to 27 &93, NE wanted a difference maker and they think Chandler jones is it, Cincinnati is alright with what still sits on their board and picks up a 3^rd rounder. Grade: NE B-, CIN B+

21 Patriots: Chandler Jones, a freak athlete who went under the radar at Syracuse but can provide some punch for the Patriots, I like this pick more than Irvin because I trust NE more and Jones can provide a much bigger impact across the board. Grade: B-

22 Browns: Brandon Weeden, this signifies the end of the Colt McCoy experiment in Cleveland, Jon Gruden I don’t care what other QBs he beat in his time in college it doesn’t matter, and the start of the Weeden era he can obviously make an impact right away and should have a good 6 years before taking a huge downturn in his production. However, I’m not a huge fan of Weeden and he has absolutely no weapons at his disposal. Let’s see what the Browns can add to make this offense serviceable. Grad: C+

23 Lions: Riely Reiff, great pick here for the Lions who immediately their offensive line with Reiff, dropped much the way Bulaga did a couple years back and should be able to contribute on a line that was as porous as some holes in the ground. Grade: A-

24 Steelers: David DeCastro, another great line upgrade for a bad line, DeCastro and Pouncey should be anchors in this line for 6-10 years to come and provide very good inside blocking for Big Ben and company. Grade: A

TRADE: NE to 25, DEN to 31, 126. Another solid move for both teams with the Patriots getting a very good player and the Broncos moving back and picking up a fourth round selection. Grade: NE B, DEN B

25 Patriots: Dont’a Hightower, this played out very well for the NE another trade moves them up to get a very good linebacker prospect that will make a huge impact next to Mayo and should provide huge versatility in the Patriots. Grade: A-

26 Texans: Whitney Mercilus, a one year wonder but a huge leap for Mercilus and this provides for the pick-up of a little bit of the slack left by the departure of the Mario Williams. Grade: B

27 Bengals: Kevin Zeitler, a very good guard from Wisconsin and has played his college years in the zone scheme and has some athleticism. Should upgrade the guard spot for the Bengals. Grade: B-

28 Packers: Nick Perry, I think this was a partially forced pick for the Packers, I think Konz or Upshaw could’ve provided more impact for the Packers but Perry might provide that rush opposite Clay Mathews. Grade: B

Trade: MIN to 29, BAL to 35 & 98, Love this for Baltimore, like it for the Minnesota, let’s see what they do with it. Grades: MIN C+, BAL B+

29 Vikings: Harrison Smith, ok? Not sure I understand trading up for this, why not take Hill ro Upshaw if you’re gonna move up. Grade: C-

30 49ers: A.J. Jenkins, REACH, I mean why not Hill? Grade: C-

TRADE: TB to 31 & 126, DEN to 36 & 101, first trade I don’t like for a team, Denver doesn’t move up a whole lot in the fourth for this move down. Grade: TB B+, DEN C-

31 Buccaneers: Doug Martin, very good running back should provide a very nice 1-2 in with Blount. Martin doesn’t have the athleticism of a David Wilson but will make a nice rookie impact. Grade: B

32 Giants: David Wilson, would’ve liked to have seen an offensive lineman drafted here as three very good ones were on the board in Glenn, Martin and Konz, however, I like Wilson as a talent and he should at worst provide a spark in the depth chart behind Bradshaw. Grade B-

Well there you have it the first round is wrapped, it was quick, interesting and intriguing. Come back tomorrow for rounds two and three recaps and team grades.

Final 2012 Mock Draft

Alright this is my final mock draft for 2012, I will not be projecting trades, and I have used a consensus of some sites I enjoy to make my picks. These however are my own picks and I will gloat and take my lumps for them. There are a few surprises but really only one shocking one.


1. Indianapolis Colts: This pick was announced 4/24 and is what we have all expected since the end of the college football season. This is the right pick and there isn't a whole lot to talk about here. Pick: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford


2. Washington Redskins: I like RGIII and think he will make Washington instantly better than they were with Rex Grossman, but I'm worried about if there will be any regression as he maybe huge leaps in his passing ability in 2011. I don't think you will see the early Baylor years, having only one year of quality tape scares me. Pick: Robert Griffin II, QB, Baylor


3. Minnesota Vikings: In the last 48 hours there has been a lot of news about this pick changing and the Vikings wanting to go in a different direction. I think we're see a lot of smoke coming from Minnesota because they believe they can get Kalil a little farther down or enough compensation to take the sting off of not getting Kalil. I think the teams they want to move up are the teams that would want Claiborne, and I'm not buying it. Pick: Matt Kalil, OT, USC


4. Cleveland Browns: Love Richardson, hate this pick. Trent Richardson is by far the best running back in this draft class and will be a great asset for a team, that being said, I would never take a running back in the top 10. They have the shortest positional life span, whether by injury or just getting old fast, and they just aren't worth the contracts they are signed to most often. It sound pretty close to inevitable he ends up with the Browns on draft day and he will make an impact immediately but I just wouldn't make this pick. Pick: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Clairborne is the best CB in this draft class, he's not Patrick Peterson,so let's get this out of the way right off the bat. Morris Claiborne is a great cover corner with a ball hawking tendency who would provide depth to a backfield may be losing both Ronde Barber and Aquib Talib relatively quickly. Claiborne is a great fit here and will add another young talent to this roster. Pick: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU


6. St. Louis Rams: I heard many places about Floyd being better fit for the NFL and size-wise I believe that is true but there is no doubt in my mind that Blackmon is the best WR in this draft. I know he's 6-1, I konw he's not a speedster but I've watched him play and he was dominant, he's tough with good hands. Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State


7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Let's start this off by saying I don't know. I mean the Jaguars have been an enigma the last couple years at the draft and so I gave them the best defensive player on the board. You don't luck into leading the country in tackles two years in a row and Kuechly ahs great sidline to sideline movement. His most impressive trait is his pass defense skills and that makes him a great commodity for the Jaguars and helps to continue a rejuvination of the defense for the Jags.PIck: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College


8. Miami Dolphins: I wanted to predict a Brady Quinn/Aaron Rodgers type fall for Tannehill which I think is a stronger possiblity than many realize, however I just couldn't. If this pick isn't Tannehill I would applaud the logic of the Dolphins staff but I regret to inform Dolphins fans that this isn't really that good of a possibility. Pick: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
9. Carolina Panthers: Pick: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
10. Buffalo Bills: Pick: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Pick: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
12. Seattle Seahawks: Pick: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
13. Arizona Cardinals: Pick: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys: Pick: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Pick: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
16. New York Jets: Pick: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
18. San Diego Chargers: Pick: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
19. Chicago Bears: Pick: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
20. Tennessee Titans: Pick: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Pick: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
22. Cleveland Browns: Pick: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
23. Detroit Lions: Pick: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Pick: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
25. Denver Broncos: Pick: Nick Perry, DE, USC
26. Houston Texans: Pick: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
27. New England Patriots: Pick: Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama
28. Green Bay Packers: Pick: Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State
29. Baltimore Ravens: Pick: Peter Konz, OC, Wisconsin
30. San Francisco 49ers: Pick: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
31. New England Patirots: Pick: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
32. New York Giants: Pick: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

2012 NFL Draft Positional Rankings

Here we are ten days away from the NFL draft, so I decided to put my breakdown of each position into the top three tiers at each position (excludes OG, OC, TE and FB). So here's what we're looking at....

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks:
TIER 1: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III
TIER 2: Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler
TIER 3: Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Ryan Lindley, B.J. Coleman, Nick Foles

Running Backs:
TIER 1: Trent Richardson
TIER 2: David Wilson, Doug Martin, Lamar Miller, Chris Polk
TIER 3: Robert Turbin, Bernard Pierce, Cyrus Gray

Wide Recievers:
TIER 1: Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd
TIER 2: Kendall Wright, Stephen Hill, Juron Criner, Alshon Jeffery
TIER 3: Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Chris Givens, Nick Toon, Ryan Broyles, Reuben Randle, A.J. Jenkins

DEFENSE

Safeties:
TIER 1: Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick, Harrison Smith
TIER 2: Markelle Martin, George Iloka, Brandon Taylor, Trumaine Johnson
TIER 3: Antonio Allen

Cornerbacks:
TIER 1: Morris Claiborne, Stephon Gilmore, Dre Kirkpatrick
TIER 2: Janoris Jenkins, Alfonzo Dennard, Jayron Hosley, Josh Robinson
TIER 3: Dwight Bentley, Coryell Judie, Casey Hayward, Brandon Boykin, Trumaine Johnson, Josh Norman

Outside Linebackers:
TIER 1: Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram, Zach Brown, Shea McClellin
TIER 2: Andre Branch Whitney Mercilus, Ronnell Lewis, Nick Perry, Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David
TIER 3: Jonathan Massaquoi, Cam Johnson, Chandler Jones, Vinny Curry

Inside Linebackers:
TIER 1: Luke Kuechly, Donta Hightower
TIER 2: Mychal Kendricks, Audie Cole

Defensive Ends:
TIER 1: Melvin Ingram, Whitney Mercilus, Quinton Coples
TIER 2: Andre Branch, Shea McClellin, Nick Perry, Vinny Curry
TIER 3: Cam Johnson, Jared Crick

Defensive Tackles:
TIER 1: Michael Brockers, Fletcher Cox, Dontari Poe
TIER 2: Kendall Reyes, Devon Still, Jerel Worthy
TIER 3: Alameda Ta'amu, Brandon Thompson, Mike Martin

Let me know what you think, it should provide some insight into my draft day comments and my what I would do mock draft.

Mock Draft 4/10/12

I wanted to do a mock draft pre-combine and have finished one up, this will be a 1 round mock for the foreseeable future. The way I do this is by taking a composite of other sites and using the list to help me make a more accurate mock. So here is the first mock draft on my blog....

1. Indianapolis Colts: This is a no-brainer for Jim Irsay and the rest of the Colts front office, RGIII is a nice prospect but he has adjustments to make the style of play in the NFL and doesn't have the track record that Luck has. This should be luck and barring a huge surprise will be. Pick: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford


2. Washington Redskins: There is only one reason to move up from six to two and that is to pick a QB that you think will be the face of your franchise for the next decade. Robert Griffin III certainly looks to have the qualities to fill that void for a franchise that has been without a QB who moves the meter for a great deal of time. RGIII should huge strides in 2011 as he improved his accuracy and his ability to throw the deep ball and depending on his off-season improvement could definitely have a similar impact to Cam Newton in his rookie season. Pick: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor


3. Minnesota Vikings: The top three picks are pretty simple as each of these teams has a glaring need at a marquee position that once filled should provide a spark for the team. Neither Christian Ponder nor Joe Webb will have long term success behind a line as porous as last years Vikings were. Kalil fills one of the biggest needs for a team that has fallen behind the rest of the NFC North. Pick: Matt Kalil, OT, USC


4. Cleveland Browns: To be honest this pick is the trickiest to predict as it could be any of three players chosen, depending on how they rank on the Browns big board, but each affects how the rest of the round will play out. I believe it comes down to Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon or Ryan Tannehill, most people believe that Tannehill should be in play because they think Colt McCoy is a career backup/ fill-in starter at best; I'm not so sure that we can say much about him as the core of skill players around McCoy has just been atrocious and needs to be addressed. For this reason the pick comes down to Blackmon or Claiborne and based on my previous statement on the state of the skilled positions on this team, I will go with Blackmon. Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has shocked most people the last two years, with young talent they made a strong playoff push in 2010, but were right back in the thick for the #1 pick this year. I think an upgrade on defense is needed as there is some young talent on offense. I gave the Bucs Caliborne because Talib looks destined for a suspension or jail and the rest of the secondary is old or suspect. Pick: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU


6. St. Louis Rams: With Blackmon off the board this pick is pretty simple as a talent upgrade around Sam Bradford should be of the utmost importance in the Gateway city. Pick: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame


7. Jacksonville Jaguars: I wasn't sure how to prognosticate this pick as Jacksonville has a habit of picking for fit to their system and shunning what convention says about the drafts big board. I looked through the pack for a defensive player with high character, high motor and coming from a strong system and came out with Upshaw. Who without an unfortunate injury would have been a consensus top ten pick this season and one of the, if not, the most hyped defensive prospects in this draft. Pick: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

8. Miami Dolphins: This pick is made but I'm not convinced that it should be. Tannehill has made great strides a passer since moving back to QB two years ago, he can make most of the throws right now from the pocket and on the move but he's still a bit of a project. Would the fans allow a team to start Matt Moore and give Tannehill the time to develop. I believe there is the off chance of a front seven defensive player but the scuttlebutt is strong enough to plug Tannehill in here. Pick: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: This pick will be one of three defensive linemen for the Panthers who need to strengthen the core of their defense to help make stops and give an up an coming potent offense a chance to outscore opponents. I think Cox fits that mold, however, both Brockers and Poe fit that mold as well. Pick: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State


10. Buffalo Bills: Four the third consecutive year the Bills could use a significant upgrade on both lines and seem a ways off from being a real challenger in the AFC East. With the contract extension for Fitzpatrick some more help up front would be a major plus. Reiff comes out of a O-line production machine in Iowa and would provide an upgrade along the line. WR is an option here but with both Floyd and Blackmon off the board at this pick either Wright or Hill would be a major reach here. Pick: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa


11. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs D needs some help and with some young talent in the backfield some disruption help up front is just a smart place for Pioli and company to go. Some have pointed to a lack of production at Memphis as a major question mark for Poe but he's a physical freak and would help alleviate some of the pressure on Dorsey who is out of position in a 3-4. Pick: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis


12. Seattle Seahawks: A no-brainer for the 'Hawks who could use the upgrade in the middle of their defense with his ability to play sideline to sideline. Some have pointed to his size a detraction but you don't lead the nation in tackles to years in a row without good instincts and a knack for finding the football. Pick: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College


13. Arizona Cardinals: If you don't know that Ingram is a freak, please watch this clip... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt1CDLouWYY... I mean come on that just pure athleticism, and should be huge tool as he moves to being upright. He will have the ability to play both DE & OLB and would help to upgrade a defense that lacks playmakers. Pick: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina


14. Dallas Cowboys: Coples is an interesting slot in this draft as he could go anywhere from about 6th to 25th, he has top ten talent but he shows a propensity to take plays off and has had off the field issues which may cause him to fall. Dallas needs some young talent on defense and a DB is need Dallas will look to solve in this draft but I don't think they will be able to pass on Coples at this point in the first. Pick: Quinton Coples, DE/OLB, North Carolina


15. Philadelphia Eagles: Since Andy Reid has arrived in Philly he has taken offensive or defensive linemen in 7 of the last 13 years (11 1st rd draft picks). I think they take Brockers who was a key cog on one of the best defenses in the country. Brockers should add some youth to a group that needs to be dominant in a division with elite QB play. Pick: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU 


16. New York Jets: Richardson has top 5-10 talent but RB's just aren't worth the high first round that they use to be. The Jets should be looking for an upgrade in the backfield and a 1-2 combo of Green and Richardson would be big for that offense. Pick: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama


17. Via Oakland Cincinnati Bengals: Pick: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford


18. San Diego Chargers: Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama


19. Chicago Bears: Pick: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford


20. Tennessee Titans: Pick: Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB, Illinois


21. Cincinnati Bengals: Pick: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina


22. Via Atlanta Cleveland Browns: Pick: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia


23. Detroit Lions: Pick: Mark Barron, S, Alabama


24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Pick: Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama


25. Denver Broncos: Pick: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor


26. Houston Texans: Pick: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State


27. Via New Orleans New England Patriots: Pick: Devon Still, DT, Penn State


28. Green Bay Packers: Pick: Nick Perry, DE, USC


29. Baltimore Ravens: Pick: Peter Konz, OC, Wisconsin


30. San Francisco 49ers: Pick: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech


31. New England Patriots: Pick: Janoris Jenkins, CB, South Alabama


32. New York Giants: Pick: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

College Basketball

I haven't written much since the end of the CFB regular season but I thought it was about time to start talking CBB as we work our way towards conference tournaments and March Madness. I will be taking a look at the polls just like during the CFB season and will provide other posts as I see fit. My first college basketball post will be after the super bowl which I may be posting on as well in the coming days. Sorry for the lack of content as of late I hope to remedy these issues.