Big Board Nfl Draft 2012

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2012 NFL Draft Rough Big Board with descriptions

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford- Top notch athlete, can make all the throws, rocket arm strength

and great size, likely to run in the 4.65 range. There is NOTHING not to like about Luck as a

prospect, and barring debilitating injuries he should be a legitimate franchise quarterback for

Indianapolis or wherever else he might end up. 2. Matt Kalil, OT, USC- Prototypical size at 67, 295 with room to add to his massive frame, great

footwork and fundamentals and a sterling reputation as a pass protector in college. Should

become one of the five or so best left tackles in football for years to come. His brother, Ryan, is

a pro-bowl quality center for Carolina. Many say hes the best LT prospect since Joe Thomas.

3. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU- Its always a big risk to take a defensive back so high in the draft, but

Claiborne has a combination of good size, elite cover skills, ball skills and the ability to return

kicks. Hes a bit smaller than his predecessor, Patrick Peterson, but I think hell end up being a

better pure cover corner than Peterson at the next level.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State- Projects as a true #1 receiver in the NFL- hes just 61

and while that is ample height for a receiver his elite range and hands make him play muchbigger. Doesnt have burner speed but his elite quickness and route running make up for that.

Has a knack for getting into the end zone.

5. Quinton Coples, DE, UNC- Coples is an impressive physical specimen at 66, 280 and has good

speed for a player his size. Hes not as explosive as past elite DE prospects such as M. Williams

or J. Peppers, but has the strength to bully NFL offensive linemen. Should be an elite run-stuffing

end with potential for double-digit sack totals. Only concern is lack of production during 2011

college season.

6. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor- Griffin had a whale of a season for the Bears in 2011, taking the

Heisman trophy and posting massive stats. He throws a gorgeous deep ball and is a top notch

athlete who should run a near 4.50. Theres a lot to like but his lack of velocity on intermediatethrows and thin frame are two concerns. Has the chance to be special but I see bust risk here.

7. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa- Reiff has impressed scouts with his technique in both pass and run

blocking, and has faced a slew of talented pass rushers during college and has handled them

well. He has great size and strength, but isnt as athletic as Matt Kalil. He projects as a very good

LT in the NFL, but would be a monster on the right side if he was forced to move there. Reiff is a

very safe prospect.

8. Michael Brockers, DE/DT, LSU- Brockers made a surprising decision in declaring for the draft as

he projected as a very high pick in 2013, but it looks like hell be one anyway in 2012. He is a

truly special athlete, and at 66, 305 he has elite size as well. He is somewhat raw as a prospect,

but with his physical talent he has the potential to be a game-changing player as either a 4-3 end

or 3-4 tackle, in the Richard Seymour/JJ Watt mold.

9. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama- Richardson really has no flaws as a prospect, the only reason he

doesnt rank higher is the lack of positional value. His size at 511, 225 is ideal, and he should

run a 40 in the 4.50 range, giving him ample straight line speed. He makes quick, clean cuts and

doesnt shy away from contact. His upper body strength allows him to put down his shoulder



and truck defenders, and he can break off big plays going to the outside. He has great hands and

the ability to make big plays in the passing game.

10. Devon Still, DT, PSU- Still is not a sexy prospect by any means, but he had a phenomenal season

at Penn State and has great measureables, including prototypical DT size at 65, 310. He doesnt

do much in terms of penetrating and getting the QB, but that isnt his game. Think Kevin

Williams.

11. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford- Martin had a phenomenal career as a left tackle protecting

Andrew Luck, but he never faced especially talented pass rushers in the Pac-10, so it will be

interesting to see how he looks in the pre-draft workouts in one-on-ones. Martin has good size

and is plenty athletic, and with good performance at the combine he could solidify himself as a

high first round pick.

12. David DeCastro, G, Stanford- It is rare for a guard to be ranked this high, but DeCastro is a rare

prospect. He has prototypical size to play the guard position, and is a great athlete, possessing

rare speed for a player of his size. Hes one of the safest prospects in the class and should be a

rock on NFL offensive lines for years. Many scouts say he is the best guard prospect since Steve

Hutchison.

13. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame- Floyd comes with his off-the-field concerns (3 DUI arrests), but

his talent is undeniable. He has ideal size at 63, and possesses plenty of speed and athleticism

as well. What makes Floyd special is his range, he can catch anything in his zip code. He also has

a knack for scoring touchdowns and is a great red zone target. Think of him as a black Jordy

Nelson- he could post several seasons like Nelsons 2011, which would make him a truly elite

receiver.

14. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College- Kuechly is not a great athlete. He isnt particularly fast or

quick, and he doesnt have a special frame, but he flat out knows how to play the l inebacker

position. He has led the nation in tackles for two years running- he takes perfect angles and is a

fundamentally sound tackler. Kuechly isnt especially exciting, but hes a very safe pick and

should be a great linebacker for a long time.

15. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama- Kirkpatrick is a big corner prospect at 62, but he has the speed

and instincts to stick with receivers despite his extra length. He has never been a ballhawk in

college, and he has some minor character concerns (he recently was arrested for marijuana), but

some teams will look past that. He is a pure cover corner with the ability to be a #1 at the next

level.

16. Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC- Perry is a raw prospect, but he is an incredible athlete with explosive

ability off the edge and special speed. He may have more upside than any pass rushing prospect

in the class other than Quinton Coples, and its likely hell rocket up draft boards after the

combine.

17. Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama- Upshaw made a big splash in the national championship

game, taking MVP honors with a monstrous performance. Upshaw is a bit short at 61, but

players like Dwight Freeney and Lamarr Woodley have proven that players that size can be very

successful pass rushers. Upshaw is still developing his repertoire of pass rushing moves, but hes

a bulldozer who will be able to overpower linemen in both the running and passing games.



18. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina- Ingram, similar to Courtney Upshaw, has less than ideal

height, and he has short arms. Hes also not an elite athlete, but hes no stiff in that department.

What makes Ingram special are his moves- he is an absolute technician with a wide array of

moves that he uses to penetrate and get to the quarterback. A player with his kind of knack for

getting to the quarterback should not be ignored.

19. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State- Adams is an absolute beast of a man at 67, 323, and has as much

upside as any tackle in the class. He has elite strength and good footwork, his only issue is his

inconsistency. His inability to perform at the same high level play to play held him back during

his career at OSU, and he has shown that same issue to an extent at the Senior Bowl. However,

if he can get his act together, he could be a steal.

20. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama- Jenkins projected as a potential top 10 selection during his

junior season at Florida, but multiple marijuana charges got him kicked off the team. His elite

skillset remains intact, and despite his legal troubles he should still go off the board on the first

day of the draft.

21. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor- Wright had an incredible season catching passes from Robert

Griffin III, and has elite speed and quickness. The only thing keeping Wright from being ranked

higher is his height- he stands just 510. At the very least, he will be a great slot man, but if he

can polish his route running and add some bulk without losing speed he could turn into a Steve

Smith type player.

22. Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois- The nations leading pass rusher in 2011, Mercilus was a

game changer for the Illini all season. He led the nation in both sacks and forced fumbles. He is

not an elite athlete, but he has a great first step and has a nonstop motor. He should have no

trouble getting to the quarterback in the NFL.

23. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina- Jeffery entered the season as the consensus top WR

prospect and a surefire top 10 pick, but a dip in production and conditioning trouble have

caused a slide into the late first round. He has ideal size at 64, but his added weight has slowed

him down considerably. If he can get in shape, he will be a steal this late in the draft, as he

carries true #1 receiver potential.

24. Cordy Glenn, G/RT, Georgia- Glenn has mammoth size and promises to be a mauler in the run

game. He played the blindside in college, but it is highly unlikely that he will end up there in the

NFL. His run blocking is far superior to his pass protection, and as a result he will likely be

drafted as a guard with the potential to eventually move to right tackle if he progresses. Glenn

was inconsistent this year in college but has been the star of Senior Bowl workouts, improving

his stock.

25. LamarMiller, RB, Miami (FL)- Miller burst onto the draft scene this year as a redshirt

sophomore, and decided to make the leap to the NFL as soon as possible. He has blazing speed

but pairs it with solid size and power running ability. He has been a home run threat at the

college level and has receiving chops. He promises to be a dynamic playmaker as a pro, and has

drawn comparisons to LeSean McCoy.

26. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M- An ex-WR, Tannehill boasts athleticism that is rarely seen in

quarterbacks. He has 4.6 speed and is great at eluding the pass rush, and he has good arm

strength and is accuracy has steadily improved throughout his brief time as a quarterback. His



main issues are his decision making and tendency to crumble in clutch situations, but those are

both things that can be improved.

27. Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis- Poe didnt make a lot of noise as a college player, especially since he

comes from Memphis, but he is a load at the line of scrimmage and has elite athleticism for a

player of his massive size. If he can harness his physical ability, he could be a game-changer at

the nose for one of the many 3-4 defenses currently operating in the NFL.

28. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin- Konz is the consensus #1 center in this years class. The center

position is becoming increasingly valuable in todays NFL, with many zone-blocking schemes

now being used. Konz has anchored one of the best offensive lines in the NCAA for multiple

years and should enjoy plenty of NFL success.

29. Mark Barron, S, Alabama- Barrons stock has steadily risen of late and he has solidified his place

as the top safety in the class since TJ McDonald decided to return to school . Barron has good

size at 62 and is plenty fast, he could potentially run a sub 4.50, and is a big hitter. He makes

tackles all over the field, including as a blitzer, and is also a difference maker in coverage. Hes

very versatile and should be a first round pick.

30. Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama- Hightower has been a success as the heir to the Rolando

McClain throne, and should go on the first day of the draft. Hes an outstanding athlete and has

great size at 64, 260, and has played TE and DE before settling in at middle linebacker. Hes an

instinctive tackler and should be a very solid defensive leader in the NFL.

31. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson- Allen is a dangerous receiving tight end, particularly in the red

zone, and also excels as a blocker. He played in an offense that did not feature him much in

college, but his athleticism is undeniable and at 64, 255 he has a very similar build to Antonio

Gates. It would be a bit much to suggest that Allen will be as good as Gates, but its a very real

possibility.

32. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers- Sanu has managed to stay productive throughout his college

career despite shaky quarterback play and some minor injury trouble. Sanu has good size at

62, 215, and has remarkable body control and hands that allow him to make plays all over the

field. Hes a unique prospect in that he is able to serve as both a deep threat and dangerous in

the open field, which could make him a #1 in the NFL.

33. Zach Brown, LB, UNC- Zach Brown made a plethora of splash plays this year at UNC, and has

special speed, possibly sub 4.4. Browns only issue is his strength, he often gets bottled up by

blockers making him an ineffective blitzer. This could change if he can add weight without

sacrificing too much of his trademark speed, but he should be a great player no matter whether

he does or not. Its not outlandish to think he could move to safety if need be.

34. Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall- A dynamic pass rusher with an elite first step, Curry could push

himself into late first round consideration with a great combine, but he is more likely a second

round pick. He is able to pound in the trenches and stop the run, and should also be able to use

his speed to rack up sacks around the edge.

35. Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona- Burfict is known best for being a bully on the field, playing

without much control and racking up personal foul penalties. Behind that though he is an elite

athlete who hits like a cement mixer, and can be a game changer when he plays with focus.



Some team will take a gamble on him some time between the late first and late second round

and try to whip into shape.

36. Kelechi Osmele, G, Iowa State-A beast of a man at 65, 330, Osmele should be a force in the

run blocking department. The worry with Osmele is his conditioning- he has some excess weight

and has been known to wear down late in games as a result. Hopefully an NFL team can get his

training in order and make him a rock on their offensive line.

37. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia - The son of former pro bowl defensive back Frank Minnifield,

Chase is a fundamentally sound, cerebral player who has been a solid cover corner during his

time at UVA. Hes not especially big but he is a good athlete and has the ability to return kicks,

which could give his stock a slight boost.

38. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State- Recruited as a defensive end, Cox is highly athletic and will

be able to penetrate the line of scrimmage and rush the passer up the middle, which is a rare

and valuable skillset. Cox projects as a 4-3 DT, but could also likely play DE in a 3-4 scheme,

which will likely be a bit of a boost to his draft stock.

39. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina- Gilmore is a big, physical corner prospect who made

significant contributions on all sides of the ball in college. In addition to being a great cover

corner, Gilmore returned punts and was the Gamecocks wildcat quarterback. While its unlikely

Gilmore will see any snaps on offense in the pros, that does demonstrate that Gilmore is a

threat with the ball in his hands and he has likely done enough to go in the second round.

40. Alameda Taamu, NT, Washington- Taamu has slipped a bit since being a consensus first round

pick entering the season, but he didnt have a bad season by any means. Hes a load at the line

of scrimmage and should be a great space eater with his huge size. He also has a powerful bull

rush which should allow him to collapse the pocket against weaker interior linemen.

41. Dwight Jones, WR, UNC- A massive 64 receiver with speed, Jones flashed some serious

potential during his last year in college. He struggled with drops, but he is able to separate with

his speed and make big catches on jump balls, and has the potential to be a legitimate #1 wide

receiver at the next level if he can improve his hands.

42. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech- Hosley is small and light, but he has dynamite ball skills that

have put him among the nations leaders in interceptions during his career. He has closing speed

as well which helps make up for his lacking size, and at worst he should be a strong nickel corner

in the NFL.

43. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska- Dennard has found himself in the first round of mocks for a

long time, but a disastrous senior bowl week has worried scouts. His stiff hips and inconsistent

cover skills have many thinking hell have to move to safety at the next level. He could salvage

his draft stock with a strong combine, but for now he takes a hit.

44. Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska- A 61 outside linebacker, David is remarkably fast and makes

tackles all over the field. He was a very productive player in a tough Big 12-10 conference, and

has superb cover skills to go with his pass rushing ability. Hes a name to keep an eye on and a

potential riser in the pre-draft process.

45. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State- A rare physical specimen at 68 tall, Osweiler has a cannon

for an arm and throws the ball on a rope. He has steadily improved throughout his college

career but is still quite raw as a prospect. He will need a full season on the bench before being



ready to step into NFL action, but Osweiler has the potential to be a star quarterback if things

break right.

46. David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech- A breakout star in 2011, Wilson is a burner who is consistently

a big play threat. His 40 time will have a big effect on his draft stock, but he runs with a mean

streak and can be a feature running back in the NFL if he can stay healthy. He should solidify

himself as a second round pick at the combine.

47. Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State- A compact, speedy linebacker from the WAC, Wagner is a tackle

machine who will be either a 3-4 inside backer or an outside one in a 4-3. He does most of his

damage in the run game, and should be dangerous on special teams as well. The main detractor

from his draft stock will be his size- just 60

48. Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami (FL)- Streeter is a bit of a sleeper in this years incredible wide

receiver class, Streeter stands 65 and can run a 40 yard dash in 4.40. Those attributes alone

make him a day two prospect, and he still has plenty of room to grow as a player, particularly in

the route running department. He has limitless potential and could see his arrow pointing up

after the combine

49. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State- Built like a bowling ball at 59, 215, Martin is a physical runner

who should be able to play all three downs at the next level. He has been one of the most

consistently productive running backs in the nation at BSU, and looks like a very solid day two

pick at this point.

50. Brandon Weeden QB, Oklahoma State- Were he even 24 or 25 years old rather than 28,

Weeden would almost definitely go in the first round, perhaps in the top 10. He can make all the

throws, has a powerful arm, and has pinpoint accuracy. He should be able to start day one if he

ends up in a situation to do so, and can be a great NFL QB for 8-9 years if he makes the

necessary adjustments. The only gripe with Weeden is his somewhat unorthodox throwing

motion which is likely a product of his days as a pitcher.

Honorable mentions- Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia; Nick Foles, QB, Arizona; Juron Criner, QB,

Arizona; Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt; Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Stephen Hill, WR, GT; Brandon

Thompson, DT, Clemson; Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Big Board Nfl Draft 2012

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