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The 2012 NFL Draft is creeping up on us with the countdown officially set at 3 days.  With that in mind, we wanted to collaborate with our avid, informed reader’s on NFL’s Future to put together a mock draft.

The mock draft will be a pick a day with the final tally culminating at 6:00 a.m. EST the following day.  After the pick is in, that player will be off the board and the next selection will be up before 9:00 a.m. EST.  At the end we will put the mock together in anticipation of April 26th.

Thus far Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Melvin Ingram, Ryan Tannehill, Fletcher Cox, Michael Floyd, David DeCastro, Luke Kuechly, Riley Reiff, Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers, Courtney Upshaw, Stephon Gilmore, Mark Barron, Kendall Wright, Quinton Coples, Cordy Glenn, Stephen Hill, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont’a Hightower, Jerel Worthy, Rueben Randle, Shea McClellin, and Whitney Mercilus are off the board and the Baltimore Ravens are up.  So get voting:

The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us.  With less than ten days until  Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.

Today we look at the defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL Draft:

3-Techniques and 4-Nose Tackles

1. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

Height: 6040  Weight: 298

Cox is a plus athlete that has the versatility to play 3T or 5T.  He’s hands down the top player at both positions which should ensure he’s drafted in the top 15 of the 2012 NFL Draft.  His motor is special but needs to play with better pad level.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  Top 15

Final Grade: 6.9

2. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Height: 6036  Weight: 346

Poe is an elite size, strength, speed guy.  He’s a rare specimen that lacked big time collegiate production.  I don’t see the lack of production as a major flaw in his armor and think he’s worth the risk because guys like him don’t come around often.  Special set of tools with his athleticism.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  Top 25

Final Grade: 6.5

3. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Height: 6050  Weight: 322

Brockers is a raw talent that brings a tantalizing skill set.  His versatility to play 4NT and 5T will open his options up to 32 teams which should allow him to be drafted in the top 20 picks.  He lacks the elite burst is a concern and raises questions about his ability to get the QB in a consistent fashion.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  Top 20

Final Grade:6.4 Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft: Final Defensive Tackle Rankings»

The 2012 NFL Draft is creeping up on us with the countdown officially set at 4 days.  With that in mind, we wanted to collaborate with our avid, informed reader’s on NFL’s Future to put together a mock draft.

The mock draft will be a pick a day with the final tally culminating at 6:00 a.m. EST the following day.  After the pick is in, that player will be off the board and the next selection will be up before 9:00 a.m. EST.  At the end we will put the mock together in anticipation of April 26th.

Thus far Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Melvin Ingram, Ryan Tannehill, Fletcher Cox, Michael Floyd, David DeCastro, Luke Kuechly, Riley Reiff, Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers, Courtney Upshaw, Stephon Gilmore, Mark Barron, Kendall Wright, Quinton Coples, Cordy Glenn, Stephen Hill, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont’a Hightower, Jerel Worthy, Rueben Randle, and Shea McClellin are off the board and the Green Bay Packers are up.  So get voting:

Alfonzo Dennard is whipping up a recipe of how to absolutely destroy your NFL Draft stock.  First came a subpar season highlighted by injury, an even worse Senior Bowl week, average testing at the Combine, and now the icing on the cake.

Dennard was arrested on Saturday morning when police were called to a fight between Dennard and another individual.  During police intervention, Dennard decided it was wise to assault a police officer.  Dennard was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault on an officer, another third-degree assault charge relating to a bar fight and resisting arrest.

This latest fight isn’t Dennard first rodeo as he put on a haymaker clinic to the top of Alshon Jeffery’s head during the Capital One Bowl which earned him an early shower.

Dennard was once thought of as a first-round prospect but after a porous 2011 season and subpar pre-draft workouts he was figured to be selected in the third round.

With his latest transgression popping up with only one week remaining, Dennard’s draft stock may plummet.  I wouldn’t expect to hear Dennard’s name until the fourth round and wouldn’t be surprised if he slid further.

The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us.  With less than ten days until  Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.

Today we look at the defensive ends and five-techniques  in the 2012 NFL Draft:

**We will not include guys that aren’t fits as 4-3 DE’s in the least (i.e. Melvin Ingram, Andre Branch, Shea McClellin.  While all three could play the position, it’s my belief they will be drafted elsewhere so I’ll feature them at their respective positions)

1. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Height: 6053  Weight: 284

Quinton Coples did very little to help himself with his poor effort/performance in the 2011 season.  Coples has the talent to be a top pick in this draft but likely slides into the middle of the first round due to his lackluster play this season.  If a team can keep Coples motivated, he has the skill set to be a dominate pass rusher.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.5

2. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Height: 6035  Weight: 261

Mercilus is a base end in the 4-3 and shouldn’t be considered for a move to rush linebacker.  He’s a pure pass rusher that offers little stoutness at the point of attack.  He may take on an Aldon Smith type role as a situational pass rusher until he can add the strength/bulk to hold up against the run.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.3

3. Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Height: 6  Weight: 254

I will list Upshaw with the ends because of my belief that he is best suited with his hand in the dirt in the 4-3.  Upshaw brings a toughness and high motor that should find him success despite not having ideal measurements to play the position.

2012 NFL Draft Projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.2 Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft: Final Defensive End Rankings»

The 2012 NFL Draft is creeping up on us with the countdown officially set at 5 days.  With that in mind, we wanted to collaborate with our avid, informed reader’s on NFL’s Future to put together a mock draft.

The mock draft will be a pick a day with the final tally culminating at 6:00 a.m. EST the following day.  After the pick is in, that player will be off the board and the next selection will be up before 9:00 a.m. EST.  At the end we will put the mock together in anticipation of April 26th.

Thus far Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Melvin Ingram, Ryan Tannehill, Fletcher Cox, Michael Floyd, David DeCastro, Luke Kuechly, Riley Reiff, Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers, Courtney Upshaw, Stephon Gilmore, Mark Barron, Kendall Wright, Quinton Coples, Cordy Glenn, Stephen Hill, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont’a Hightower, Jerel Worthy, and Rueben Randle are off the board and the New England Patriots are up.  So get voting:

Last year’s 40 points in the Huddle Report mock draft scoring was solid in year one but my competitive streak won’t allow me to be satisfied with anything less than No. 1.  With Rick Gosselin pulling out (unfortunate, one of the best) the rest of us stand a fighting chance.  If you’re not familiar with The Huddle Reports scoring system, it’s a one round mock draft that assigns points for correct picks/teams and picks/round one.  With last year’s learning curve out of the way, I look to score big this season.  That said, here’s my tune up:

1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Chalk up three points because this one has become official.

2. Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Six points in the book, the only problem is that everyone else was spotted six as well.

3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The draft starts here and something (or someone) tells me that I have nine points locked up and a perfect start.  The flirtation with Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne should be over around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday as the Vikings get their franchise LT to protect their franchise QB.

4. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Twelve points. Chalk it up.  Come on, I’m a Cleveland guy and you know I have an inside track on this one.  Mark up Trent Richardson on your mock drafts and you won’t go wrong.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -  Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

His former DB coach is in Tampa, Aqib Talib is on the trading block, and he’s the last of the sure things.  All that makes me feel comfortable that I will have 15 points and perfect through the first five picks.

6. St. Louis Rams - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

This is where I begin to separate from the competition.  Everyone (or just about) with have the same five I had to begin the draft.  Justin Blackmon makes a ton of sense here but I don’t see him being the pick here.  Jeff Fisher has a history of taking DT’s high and it continues in his first season in St. Louis.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

Everyone assumes Gene Smith will be Gene Smith and Melvin Ingram will be the pick.  My calls this week would suggest differently with one saying Jacksonville will take Blackmon if he makes it to them. Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Mock Draft : Huddle Report Warm-Up»

The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us.  With less than ten days until  Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.

Today we look at offensive tackles in the 2012 NFL Draft:

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Height: 6064  Weight: 306

Kalil is the cream of the crop in this tackle class.  I wouldn’t put him in Joe Thomas territory but he will sit right outside it.  He’s athletic with the polish to handle the NFL’s best edge rushers.  Weighing in at 306 at the Combine helped because of questions about the bulk to overpower in the run game.  He’s an immediate starter that will be drafted in the top 5.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  Top 5

Final Grade: 7.1

2. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Height: 6070  Weight: 323

Mike Adams may be the most frustrating prospect in this draft.  He has all the physical tools (minus lacking a little in the strength dept).  His consistency, mental focus, and general want-to seem to be lacking at times.  This became more evident with yesterday’s report of a failed drug test at February’s Combine.  All that said, I think he has the skills to be a starting left tackle in the league.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1-2

Final Grade: 6.4

3. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Height: 6055  Weight: 313

The former defensive end has made the transition into a top tackle.  Most are really high on Reiff because of his combination of athleticism and work ethic.  I, however, see significant holes that make me believe he will have to play RT in the NFL.  That said, his athleticism and solid technique will allow a team to take him in the first round.  He’s an end of day one guy for me.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.2 Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft: Final Offensive Tackle Rankings»

The 2012 NFL Draft is creeping up on us with the countdown officially set at 6 days.  With that in mind, we wanted to collaborate with our avid, informed reader’s on NFL’s Future to put together a mock draft.

The mock draft will be a pick a day with the final tally culminating at 6:00 a.m. EST the following day.  After the pick is in, that player will be off the board and the next selection will be up before 9:00 a.m. EST.  At the end we will put the mock together in anticipation of April 26th.

Thus far Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Melvin Ingram, Ryan Tannehill, Fletcher Cox, Michael Floyd, David DeCastro, Luke Kuechly, Riley Reiff, Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers, Courtney Upshaw, Stephon Gilmore, Mark Barron, Kendall Wright, Quinton Coples, Cordy Glenn, Stephen Hill, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont’a Hightower, and Jerel Worthy are off the board and the Denver Broncos are up.  So get voting:

The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us.  With less than ten days until  Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.

Today we look at the centers in the 2012 NFL Draft:

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Height: 6051  Weight: 314

Peter Konz is a versatile center prospect with the ability to kick over to guard.  He anchored a very solid Wisconsin line in 2011 as he emerged as the clear cut top center prospect in this draft.  He possesses the size, power, and intelligence to step into a starting job immediately.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  1

Final Grade: 6.1

Philip Blake, C, Baylor

Height: 6023  Weight: 311

Blake is another versatile center prospect with the ability to play guard.  He started 38 games at Baylor (12 of them at RT).  Blake has ideal girth and strength to match-up with wide bodied nose tackles.  A pure man, power player that should come off the board before more well-known prospects in Ben Jones and Michael Brewster.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  3

Final Grade: 5.6

David Molk, C, Michigan

Height: 6011  Weight: 298

David Molk really helped himself by checking in just under 300 at the Combine.  Molk is an ideal ZBS pivot that plays with intelligence and surprising strength for his size.  In the right system, Molk could wind up a steal in this draft.

2012 NFL Draft projection:  3-4

Final Grade: 5.6 Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft : Final Center Rankings»