Here are some important dates as the college football season winds down:
2012 NFL Combine - February 22-28, 2012
2012 NFL Draft - April 26-28, 2012
Showing posts with label 2012 NFL Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 NFL Draft. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Friday, November 25, 2011
Top 10 Draft Prospects for the Cleveland Browns
After watching the Browns throughout this season, they have several areas to address through the draft in order to see success in the future. The following prospects are the best fits where the Browns will be drafting, assuming that will be top 10 and then somewhere in the early to mid 20s.
1. Robert Griffin III/QB/Baylor
This could be the most interesting choice. If Holmgren and the front office decide Colt McCoy isn't the future, Griffin would be a perfect fit in a West Coast Offense and the spark this franchise needs. At 6'2" with sub 4.6 speed, RG3 is a dream quarterback.
2. Trent Richardson/RB/Alabama
Assuming Peyton Hillis won't return next season, the Browns will need to
add a legitimate threat in the backfield. Montario Hardesty has not shown he can stay healthy enough to be an every down back, although he has the tools to be one. Richardson is a better pro prospect than former Bama back Mark Ingram and has great vision, burst of speed, as well as lateral quickness.
3. Alshon Jeffery/WR/South Carolina
The Browns have had a shortage of playmaking WRs since coming back in the league, there's no denying that. Alshon Jeffery has size (6-4, 232), great ball skills, and the ability to stretch the field, something the Browns have been lacking. Greg Little and Alshon Jeffery would be a fantastic duo for years to come and could pose matchup problems with most secondaries.
4. Vontaze Burfict/LB/Arizona State
The Browns line backing core, for the exception of D'Qwell Jackson, is aging and lacking explosiveness. Burfict can be converted to OLB in the 4-3 Browns defense and can absolutely obliterate opposing players. The only concern teams may have is character concerns, but something that is coachable and able to work through.
5. Kendall Wright/WR/Baylor
Wright would be a good pick with the pick acquired from the Falcons. Although Wright is only 5'10", he has blinding speed and can really open up the whole field. Wright plays bigger than he is with great leaping ability and good hands. Wright is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
6. Morris Claiborne/CB/LSU
No surprise here, Claiborne reminds me of former LSU corner Patrick Peterson. Claiborne is a better coverage corner than Peterson and has explosive kick return skills as well. Sheldon Brown is aging and Joe Haden needs a partner in crime to shut down opposing QBs. Claiborne could also take some pressure off Cribbs in the return game.
7. Quentin Coples/DE/North Carolina
The Browns addressed their weak defensive front last year with their first two picks in DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard, both of which look very promising. Coples is an animal at 6'6" and resembles a former UNC DE in Julius Peppers with his agility and pass rushing capabilities.
8. Zach Brown/LB/North Carolina
Another good fit at LB for the Browns here. Brown has great speed and coverage skills, something the Browns need help with. Brown is widely considered one of the most athletic players in the draft and can be a very smart pick at #22.
9. Isaiah Pead/RB/Cincinnati
I would love to see this pick happen early second round. I see Pead slipping under the radar and frankly in the second round he would be a steal. Pead has great pad level control, great agility, as well as the size a strength to be an every down back.
10. Stephon Gilmore/CB/South Carolina
Gilmore is also a very underrated player in the draft. Gilmore may be the best cover corner in the draft, and only a slim second to Claiborne. The Browns need someone to couple with Joe Haden and Gilmore is a solid DB.
Here's a couple scenarios I think are best for the Browns, based on their needs and where they are picking. The Browns finished with a record of 4-12 and will pick 4th and 22nd with the pick acquired from Atlanta.
Scenario 1:
Round 1a- Robert Griffin III
Round 1b- Zach Brown
Round 2- Isaiah Pead
Scenario 2:
Round 1a- Trent Richardson
Round 1b-Kendall Wright
Round 2- Chase Minnifield*
Scenario 3:
Round 1a- Justin Blackmon/Alshon Jeffery
Round 1b- Jamar Fleming*
Round 2- Brandon Washington*
*Not listed in top 10 for various reasons; Blackmon will most likely be gone, Minnifield is a second rounder, along with Fleming and Washington.
I think the best scenario for the Browns right now is scenario number one. Colt McCoy doesn't have the tools a quarterback should have to make plays in the NFL. RG3 is more than NFL ready and posses' the tools and IQ to become a star. Zach Brown is one of the more athletic players in the draft and would solidify a good Browns linebacker core. Finally, Isaiah Pead would be a great addition to a backfield that has decent pieces, assuming Hillis departs in free agency.
1. Robert Griffin III/QB/Baylor
This could be the most interesting choice. If Holmgren and the front office decide Colt McCoy isn't the future, Griffin would be a perfect fit in a West Coast Offense and the spark this franchise needs. At 6'2" with sub 4.6 speed, RG3 is a dream quarterback.
2. Trent Richardson/RB/Alabama
Assuming Peyton Hillis won't return next season, the Browns will need to
add a legitimate threat in the backfield. Montario Hardesty has not shown he can stay healthy enough to be an every down back, although he has the tools to be one. Richardson is a better pro prospect than former Bama back Mark Ingram and has great vision, burst of speed, as well as lateral quickness.
3. Alshon Jeffery/WR/South Carolina
The Browns have had a shortage of playmaking WRs since coming back in the league, there's no denying that. Alshon Jeffery has size (6-4, 232), great ball skills, and the ability to stretch the field, something the Browns have been lacking. Greg Little and Alshon Jeffery would be a fantastic duo for years to come and could pose matchup problems with most secondaries.
4. Vontaze Burfict/LB/Arizona State
The Browns line backing core, for the exception of D'Qwell Jackson, is aging and lacking explosiveness. Burfict can be converted to OLB in the 4-3 Browns defense and can absolutely obliterate opposing players. The only concern teams may have is character concerns, but something that is coachable and able to work through.
5. Kendall Wright/WR/Baylor
Wright would be a good pick with the pick acquired from the Falcons. Although Wright is only 5'10", he has blinding speed and can really open up the whole field. Wright plays bigger than he is with great leaping ability and good hands. Wright is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
6. Morris Claiborne/CB/LSU
No surprise here, Claiborne reminds me of former LSU corner Patrick Peterson. Claiborne is a better coverage corner than Peterson and has explosive kick return skills as well. Sheldon Brown is aging and Joe Haden needs a partner in crime to shut down opposing QBs. Claiborne could also take some pressure off Cribbs in the return game.
7. Quentin Coples/DE/North Carolina
The Browns addressed their weak defensive front last year with their first two picks in DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard, both of which look very promising. Coples is an animal at 6'6" and resembles a former UNC DE in Julius Peppers with his agility and pass rushing capabilities.
8. Zach Brown/LB/North Carolina
Another good fit at LB for the Browns here. Brown has great speed and coverage skills, something the Browns need help with. Brown is widely considered one of the most athletic players in the draft and can be a very smart pick at #22.
9. Isaiah Pead/RB/Cincinnati
I would love to see this pick happen early second round. I see Pead slipping under the radar and frankly in the second round he would be a steal. Pead has great pad level control, great agility, as well as the size a strength to be an every down back.
10. Stephon Gilmore/CB/South Carolina
Gilmore is also a very underrated player in the draft. Gilmore may be the best cover corner in the draft, and only a slim second to Claiborne. The Browns need someone to couple with Joe Haden and Gilmore is a solid DB.
Here's a couple scenarios I think are best for the Browns, based on their needs and where they are picking. The Browns finished with a record of 4-12 and will pick 4th and 22nd with the pick acquired from Atlanta.
Scenario 1:
Round 1a- Robert Griffin III
Round 1b- Zach Brown
Round 2- Isaiah Pead
Scenario 2:
Round 1a- Trent Richardson
Round 1b-Kendall Wright
Round 2- Chase Minnifield*
Scenario 3:
Round 1a- Justin Blackmon/Alshon Jeffery
Round 1b- Jamar Fleming*
Round 2- Brandon Washington*
*Not listed in top 10 for various reasons; Blackmon will most likely be gone, Minnifield is a second rounder, along with Fleming and Washington.
I think the best scenario for the Browns right now is scenario number one. Colt McCoy doesn't have the tools a quarterback should have to make plays in the NFL. RG3 is more than NFL ready and posses' the tools and IQ to become a star. Zach Brown is one of the more athletic players in the draft and would solidify a good Browns linebacker core. Finally, Isaiah Pead would be a great addition to a backfield that has decent pieces, assuming Hillis departs in free agency.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Mock Draft 1.0
Updated October 25, 2011
At last, here is the first installment of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft. For the 1.0 edition, we did not give our reasons as to why each player would be picked there, because we will be doing editing throughout the next few months until our final mock draft. Our rankings on where each team will draft are based on where we project the team to finish based on record.
At last, here is the first installment of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft. For the 1.0 edition, we did not give our reasons as to why each player would be picked there, because we will be doing editing throughout the next few months until our final mock draft. Our rankings on where each team will draft are based on where we project the team to finish based on record.
Blaise Brendan
1. Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck
QB/Stanford Andrew Luck
QB/Stanford
2. Miami Dolphins Landry Jones
QB/Oklahoma Landry Jones
QB/Oklahoma
3. Seattle Seahawks Trent Richardson
RB/Alabama Matt Kalil OT/USC
4. St. Louis Rams Justin Blackmon
WR/Oklahoma St. Justin Blackmon WR/
Oklahoma St.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars Matt Kalil OT/USC Jonathan Martin
OT/Stanford
6. Minnesota Vikings Quinton Coples
RB/North Carolina Morris Claiborne
CB/LSU
7. Denver Broncos Dre Kirkpatrick CB/Alabama Alshon Jeffery
WR/South Carolina
8. Carolina Panthers Alshon Jeffrey
WR/South Carolina Riley Reiff OT/Iowa
9. Cleveland Browns Michael Floyd
WR/Notre Dame Michael Floyd
WR/Notre Dame
10. Arizona Cardinals Jon Martin
OT/Stanford Quinton Coples
DE/North Carolina
11. Kansas City Chiefs Matt Barkley QB/USC Brandon Thompson
DT/Clemson
12. Tennessee Titans Devin Taylor
DE/South Carolina Luke Kuechly
ILB/Boston College
13. Washington Redskins Jerel Worthy
DT/Michigan State Matt Barkley QB/USC
14. Cincinnati Bengals Janoris Jenkins
CB/Northern Alabama Trent Richardson
RB/Alabama
15. Dallas Cowboys Alfonzo Dennard
CB/Nebraska Dre Kirkpatrick
CB/Alabama
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vontaze Burfict
LB/Arizona State Vontaze
Burfict/ILB/ Arizona State
17. Buffalo Bills Cordy Glenn
OG/Georgia Alfonzo Dennard
CB/Nebraska
18. Cincinnati Bengals(from OAK) Jared Crick
DT/Nebraska Janoris Jenkins
CB/North Alabama
19. San Francisco 49ers Morris Claiborne
CB/LSU Jared Crick
DE/Nebraska
20. New York Giants Bradon Thompson DT/Clemson Courtney Upshaw
OLB/Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles Luke Kuechly ILB/Boston College Manti
Te'o ILB/Notre Dame
22. Chicago Bears Andrew Datko
OT/Florida State Melvin Ingram
DE/South Carolina
23. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) Chase Minnifield
CB/Virginia Cliff Harris
CB/Oregon
24. San Diego Chargers Michael Brewster
C/Ohio State Cordy
Glenn OG/Georgia
25. Houston Texans Donte Paige-Moss
OLB/UNC Mark Barron S/Alabama
26. New York Jets Riley Reiff OT/Iowa Kendall Reyes
DT/Connecticut
27. Pittsburgh Steelers Nate Potter OT/Boise State Alameda
Ta'amu DT/Washington
28. Detroit Lions T.J. McDonald S/USC Ronnell Lewis
OLB/Oklahoma
29. New England Patriots (from NO) Courtney Upshaw
OLB/Alabama Michael Brewster
C/Ohio St.
30. Baltimore Ravens Jeff Fuller
WR/Texas A&M Bruce Irvin DE/West
Virginia
31. New England Patriots David DeCastro
OG/Stanford Jerel Worthy
DT/Michigan State
32. Green Bay Packers Dont’a Hightower
LB/Alabama David DeCastro
G/Stanford
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Brendan Phillips' Early 2012 NFL Draft QB/RB/WR Rankings
Updated October 31, 2011
Top QB
1. Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma University
3. Matt Barkley, USC
3. Matt Barkley, USC
4. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
5. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
6. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
7. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma Stat
8. Nick Foles, Arizona
8. Nick Foles, Arizona
9. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State
10. Kellen Moore, Boise St.
Top RB
1. Trent Richardson, Alabama
2. Lamar Miller, University of Miami
3. Ray Graham, Pitt
4. Lamichael James, Oregon
3. Ray Graham, Pitt
4. Lamichael James, Oregon
5. Isiah Pead, Cincinnati
6. Chris Polk, Washington
7. Andre Ellington, Clemson
7. Andre Ellington, Clemson
8. Chris Rainey, Florida
9. Knile Davis, Arkansas
10. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
10. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
Top WR
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.
2. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
4. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M
5. Juron Criner, Arizona
6. Brian Quick, Appalachian St.
7. Mohammad Sanu, Rutgers
8. Dwight Jones, North Carolina
9. Nick Toon, Wisconsin
10. Greg Childs, Arkansas
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Blaise Taggart's Early 2012 NFL Draft QB/RB/WR Rankings
Updated October 31, 2011
It is very early for concrete rankings, but as the NCAA football season progresses, I put together my preliminary rankings for the QB, RB, and WR positions for the 2012 NFL Draft. All the players in my rankings are draft eligible this year, but that does not mean they will enter the NFL Draft.
QB
1. Andrew Luck/Stanford
2. Matt Barkley/USC
3a. Robert Griffin/Baylor
3b. Landry Jones/Oklahoma
4. Brandon Weeden/Oklahoma State
5. Ryan Tannehill/Texas A&M
6. Nick Foles/Arizona
7. Dominique Davis/ECU
8. John Brantley/Florida
9. Ryan Lindley/San Diego State
10. Case Keenum/Houston
RB
1. Trent Richardson/Alabama
2. Ray Graham/Pittsburgh (INJ)
3. Lamar Miller/Miami
4. Isaiah Pead/Cincinnati
5. Andre Ellington/Clemson
6. Marc Tyler/USC
7. LaMichael James/Oregon
8. Chris Polk/Washington
9. Knile Davis/Arkansas (INJ)
10. Cyrus Gray/Texas A&M
WR
1. Justin Blackmon/Oklahoma State
2. Alshon Jeffery/South Carolina
3. Jeff Fuller/Texas A&M
4. Michael Floyd/Notre Dame
5. Juron Criner/Arizona
6. Dwight Jones/North Carolina
7. Nick Toon/Wisconsin
8. Brian Quick/Appalachian State
9. Rueben Randle/LSU
10. Ryan Broyles/Oklahoma
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