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2012 NFL Draft Prospects Preview: South Carolina vs. Arkansas

Posted by Brad On November – 4 – 2011

Alshon needs a big game versus Arkansas

South Carolina is battling for SEC East supremacy.  Arkansas can stand in their way as the 7-1 Razorbacks have shown an insane ability to score points.  South Carolina’s defense has played as good as any in the country given their offenses inability to sustain drives. 

This game features several intriguing matchups with the best of them coming between Stephon Gilmore and the talented Arkansas WR corps.  This game is also of major importance to Alshon Jeffery as he seems to be taking a step in the wrong direction.  Jeffery needs to post big numbers despite being the only option on offense.  If South Carolina wants to stay in this game they will have to score more than they have in the previous two weeks.

Guys to keep an eye on:

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina #1

Jeffery’s 2011 season has been underwhelming to say the least.  He has been hampered by the lack of quality quarterback play and running game after Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season.  Still, someone of Jeffery’s talent and physical stature should make a bigger impact on the game than he has.  This week against Arkansas Jeffery needs a big game.  Arkansas is not known for their dominant defense and their DB’s have been unable to stop the passing game.  Jeffery needs a big game as he has yet to break the 100-yard mark this season.

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina # 5

Gilmore is a physical corner that excels in press man coverage.  If he gets his hands on the receiver, he can shut down his side of the field.  He doesn’t possess blazing speed but makes up for it with solid technique.  He is rising up draft boards with a solid 2011 season.  He has 3 INT’s and 31 tackles in eight games.  Gilmore will be challenged by a bevy of receivers at Arkansas.  A matchup to watch will be versus Jarius Wright.  Wright has the speed to give Gilmore fits and is slippery off the line of scrimmage.

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina #6

Most people forget that Ingram was an impact player in 2010 when he 9 sacks.  Several emailers have expressed concerns with him being a one-year wonder.  But he is far from that.  Ingram’s impact in 2011 has him soaring up draft boards.  He came into the season as a 4th-5th round prospect but may now find day of the 2012 NFL Draft.  Ingram will have to pressure Tyler Wilson and make him move around the pocket.

Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina, #98

Devin Taylor had a slow start to the 2011 season but he has picked up his performance recently.  He has had a sack in each of the last two games and has three on the season.  Taylor’s freakish size and athleticism make him intriguing to NFL scouts.  Taylor will have join Ingram in pressuring Tyler Wilson.

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas #8 (Junior)

The junior quarterback is only a one-year starter as he sat behind Ryan Mallett but he is emerging as a supreme arm talent.  Wilson has prototypical size at 6’3” and 225 pounds and displays a little Brett Favre in his game.  Wilson is a gun-slinger that isn’t afraid to fit it into tight spots.  He can make throws from any position on the field and has the arm strength to throw off balance.  Wilson probably would be wise to stay in school for his senior season because he could be a top-10 pick with another year under Bobby Petrino.  This week will give him a chance to show off his talents against a good defense and an NFL first-round corner in Stephon Gilmore.

Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas #4

Wright has emerged from this deep receiving corps as the one with the most NFL potential.  He lines up all over the field and takes advantage of matchups.  At 5’10 and 185 pounds, he’s probably headed to the slot in the NFL and could give NFL teams the same matchup nightmares.  Wright has 44 receptions for 709 yards and 7 TD’s through eight games.  Wright may get a look early on day two of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jerry Franklin, LB, Arkansas, #34

Franklin has solid instincts and good size for an NFL linebacker which should allow him to find his way into 3rd-4th round range.  Franklin seems to have taken a step backwards from a great 2010 season and will have to show over the remainder of season an ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage if he wants to maintain his status as a 3rd-4th rounder. 

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas #3

Joe Adams can flat out fly.  His 2011 season hasn’t been as productive from a TD perspective as previous seasons but he is showing a little more refinement to his game.  In the past, he seemed to rely on his blazing speed to get behind the defense.  This season he has worked on running crisper routes and been more consistent catching the football.  Adams will see his biggest test of the season with a very good South Carolina secondary.

Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas #85

Greg Childs health has put a major damper on a promising collegiate career.  Once considered a top prospect at the WR position he has yet to find the same success in 2011.  He has 9 receptions for 109 yards and no TD’s on the season.  Childs mix of size, speed, and previous production will still intrigue a team to draft Childs early on day three.

Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas #91

Bequette missed three games of the 2011 season but his motor never stops.  He is probably an early day three guy that offers some upside as a pass rusher.  He doesn’t possess great speed off the edge but makes up for it with his motor and size.

Andrew Luck Has His Critic

Posted by Brad On November – 3 – 2011

It’s always tempting to play devil’s advocate.  Apparently, Phil Simms is interested in challenging the status quo.

Everyone you talk to cites Peyton Manning or John Elway when speaking of Andrew Luck as a prospect.  The prospect of Andrew Luck as an NFL prospect has swept NFL Draft Nation coining “Suck for Luck” campaigns in cities with football bottom feeders.  One would be hard pressed to find a reputable talent evaluator that doesn’t believe Andrew Luck is the next coming.

Phil Simms second career has been a tad more controversial and contrarian than his first as an NFL quarterback.  Simms seems to be making a living at this point on shock value.  His latest comments came Tuesday on Sirius Radio, when Simms said the following about the anointed one, Andrew Luck:

“I think the hype is a little too much,” Simms said.  “I feel bad for him in that respect. I mean, [how’s] he going to do to match what they say he can do? There’s a lot to him. I think his best quality, by far, is that he’s big and strong and he’s going to be able to move and run in the NFL. There’s no question. I mean, this guy is strong. The throwing? He manages a game. I see all that.

“But the one thing I don’t see, I just don’t see big-time NFL throws. I don’t care what anybody says. I’ve watched a lot of him. He never takes it and rips it in there. And you can say what you want but, man, you’ve got to be able to crease that ball every once in a while. We see it every week in these games. Hey, he can develop it but even in the USC game, you know, he’s very careful with it, guides it a lot. That’s what I see.

“There’s not a lot of rotation on the ball and there’s not a tremendous amount of power. Not that you need to have that power arm. I’m not saying you’ve got to have that exclusively but, man, it sure helps when you can do that because there’s four or five plays a game it is about arm strength. And sometimes quarterbacks who don’t have it, they pass those plays up. Why? Well, they go, ‘I don’t know if I can make that throw,’ so they throw it short. That’s why I’m a little more reserved in my judgment than everybody else.”

Phil Simms’ knowledge of the NFL and especially quarterbacks is to be respected.  Simms is a Super Bowl MVP and two-time Pro Bowler.  His credentials as a player are unprecedented.  His credentials as an analyst are starting to be questioned.  He traded barbs with Steve Young, nearly came to blows with Desmond Howard, and is now calling Andrew Luck a “game manager.”  With every NFL retiree looking to score a gig on TV, one has to wonder whether Simms contrarian viewpoints are his vein attempts to stay relevant.

I can understand and even dismiss a dad wanting to fight an analyst for calling his son the worst QB in the SEC.  I get saying Peyton Manning won’t allow the Colts to draft Luck (I wouldn’t want to compete with Peyton for a job at CBS either).  What can’t be tossed aside is a half-hearted attempt to play devil’s advocate with the Chosen One, Andrew Luck.

It’s a given, Andrew Luck doesn’t possess John Elway’s arm.  What he does possess is Peyton Manning’s.  He also just happens to possess an equal football mind to Manning’s.  And by the way, he moves like Aaron Rodgers.  I didn’t win a Super Bowl and I don’t make millions on TV.

The blind squirrel isn’t finding the nut on this one, Phil.

Your Midseason All-Rookie Team

Posted by Micheal Profetta On November – 2 – 2011

With college teams well into their conference schedules and the NFL season officially at the halfway point, the top 2012 NFL Draft prospects and every NFL teams’ greatest needs are beginning to come into focus. In other words, it’s time for draftniks to get serious.

On that end, Mr. Brad Clark (who is probably absorbing college game tape as you’re reading this) has got you covered with his daily prospect updates here at NFL’s Future. With Brad doing the heavy lifting, I thought I’d take the opportunity to revisit the 2011 NFL Draft with my midseason NFL All-Rookie team. As most of you could have guessed back in April, it hasn’t been a banner season for rookie running backs, safeties or tight ends, but a promising crop of young QBs and potential record-breaking seasons from a few pass-rushers make for exciting early returns on the 2011 NFL Draft class overall.    

 

Cam is making a joke of NFL defenses

Quarterback

Cam Newton Carolina   Newton is making fantasy football owners who took a flyer on him in the late rounds look like geniuses (*pats self on the back*) with 2,393 passing yards (more than some dudes named Rodgers and Brady) and seven rushing touchdowns (more than McFadden, Foster, Gore and MJD, to name a few). Beyond the unprecedented rookie numbers, Newton has kept a bad Carolina team competitive in every contest, while exhibiting great leadership and legit accountability after losses…you know, just like we all predicted he would.

Andy Dalton gets honorable mention here for the simple fact that he has the Bengals in the playoff hunt, but  no rookie has been more valuable to his team (statistically or otherwise) than Newton.       

Fullback

Bruce Miller San Francisco   The NFL fullback is dead. Long live the NFL fullback. Miller has made a seamless transition from college defensive end to NFL fullback while stirring memories of Tom Rathman in ‘Frisco. Serving as Jim Harbaugh’s “Owen Marecic”, Miller’s snot-bubble blocking has been instrumental to the success of the 49ers’ grinding ground attack. This seventh-round steal could garner serious Pro Bowl consideration this season.

Runningback

DeMarco Murray Dallas   Can I pick Cam Newton here, too?

Murray gets the nod over oft-injured and inconsistent competition like Mark ingram and Daniel Thomas solely on the merits of his franchise-record 253 yard outburst against the Rams. Yeah, that’s how bad this year’s crop of rookie runners is. (So bad, in fact, that I gave Indianapolis’ Delone Carter some consideration here…simply because he’s one of the few Colts who has played like he still gives a crap.)

For all of you old-schoolers who love a downhill running game, just wait until next season, when Trent Richardson will bring home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award for the Browns, Seahawks, Broncos, or whatever team is smart enough to grab him in the top ten of the 2012 NFL Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «Your Midseason All-Rookie Team»

2012 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen

Posted by Brad On November – 2 – 2011

Could arguably the top guard in the NFL hit free agency?

It’s never too early to start talking about NFL free agency.  If your team is like mine and you have already packed in the season seven games in, here is your hope.  Our seven part series highlighting the top free agents by position should give you some hope.  Here’s a look at the offensive linemen:

The Offensive Linemen

Carl Nicks, OG, New Orleans Saints

Carl Nicks is one of the premier guards in the league.  It’s very possible that the Saints won’t be able to pony up the money necessary to keep him given the money they gave G Jahri Evans last offseason.  The Saints would have two of the highest paid guards in league on the same team.  If Nicks hits the open market plenty of teams will be lining up to pay him a king’s ransom.

Demetrius Bell, OT, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has scoured the NFL to find a LT since trading Jason Peters to the Eagles.  Demetrius Bell has emerged into a very good, young LT.  The problem for the Bills will be dishing out big contracts to Ryan Fitzpatrick (done), Stevie Johnson, and Bell.  It will be tough for the Bills to get all three under contract but they have to find a way to ink the 27-year old LT.

Ben Grubbs, OG, Baltimore Ravens

Grubbs may get a contract sooner rather than later from the Ravens.  After inking Marshal Yanda last offseason, Ozzie Newsome will look to keep the core of this unit intact.  I don’t see a chance Grubbs leaves Baltimore.

Chris Myers, OC, Houston Texans

Myers has found a perfect fit in Houston and has been a standout.  In all likelihood, he will stay in Houston but could find more money elsewhere.  The Texans can’t afford to disrupt the continuity of this offensive line for the protection of Matt Schaub and Arian Foster.  About a 10% chance Myers isn’t back in Houston.

Scott Wells, OC, Green Bay Packers

Much like Myers in Houston, Wells has found the perfect system to fit his style of play.  In reality, Wells isn’t nearly as valuable to any other team than the Packers and stays in Green Bay.  

Levi Brown, OT, Arizona Cardinals

Levi Brown needs to move to the right side.  He is not a starting caliber LT in the league.  Arizona’s OL is among the worse in the NFL but Brown is playing out of position.  He could be a good RT in Arizona or elsewhere.  The Cards probably re-sign him because he’s the best option with the hopes of getting a LT in the draft.  Brown shouldn’t command much money given his limited ability to play the right side.

Jeff Saturday, OC, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have to re-sign Jeff Saturday.  Saturday and the Colts are synanomous at this point and he needs to protect Peyton Manning for one last run.  Saturday probably won’t command many years or much money on the open market so it makes sense that he stays in Indy.

Nick Hardwick, OC, San Diego Chargers

Hardwick has lost a step but still brings enough to be considered a solid center option.  Hardwick could be lost in the shuffle in San Diego as they attempt to re-sign bigger priorities.  Hardwick will be a nice, rather inexpensive option for a team in need of a veteran center.  Chicago could come calling very early on in free agency. 

Best of the Rest

Nate Livings, OG, Cincinnati Bengals

Jeremy Zuttah, OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd McClure, OC, Atlanta Falcons

Khalif Barnes, OT, Oakland Raiders

Roberto Garza, OG, Chicago Bears

Barry Richardson, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

John Sullivan, OC, Minnesota Vikings

Jacob Bell, OG, St. Louis Rams

Trai Essex, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jake Scott, OG, Tennessee Titans

Adam Snyder, OT, San Francisco 49ers

Dan Koppen, OC, New England Patriots

The “Suck for Luck” Power(less) Rankings Week 8

Posted by Brad On November – 1 – 2011

The Colts remain the leaders in the "Suck for Luck" Power(less) Rankings

As we pass the midpoint of the season, the “Suck for Luck” rankings will be dwindling by the week.  For this week’s rankings we have five teams that are considered legitimate contenders to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are just a bad football team.  The struggle is to find one thing that they do well.  They rank at the bottom of the league in every major statistical category.  The schedule features two games with Jacksonville and one with Carolina.  I doubt they win any of those games and are looking at the very real possibility of drafting Andrew Luck.

Previous Week:  1

Miami Dolphins

Bad teams find ways to lose.  Miami is a bad team and they are finding ways to lose.  Coming off a defeat to the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins blew a lead against the New York Giants.  Their schedule doesn’t do them any favors but my gut is telling me they sneak out a win and lose out on their chances at drafting Andrew Luck.  Believe it or not, Miami has been competitive in every game aside from the Jets.  With the reality of a lame duck coach the players are going to struggle to block out all the distractions.  My prediction is 1-15 for the Dolphins.  In most years, that would be good enough to secure the number one pick but the Colts are 0-16 bound.

Previous Week:  2

Denver Broncos

How do the 2-5 Broncos jump the 1 win teams in Arizona and St. Louis?  The schedule isn’t going to get any easier for Denver.  Denver could realistically end the season with two wins.  Tim Tebow is not ready to start in the NFL nor does it appear the coaching staff is interested in him as a long-term answer.  At best this is a three win team that could be drafting in the three spot.

Previous Week:  7 Read the rest of this entry » «The “Suck for Luck” Power(less) Rankings Week 8»

2012 NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Posted by Brad On November – 1 – 2011

Any chance Welker leaves New England? We don't think so.

It’s never too early to start talking about NFL free agency.  If your team is like mine and you have already packed in the season seven games in, here is your hope.  Our seven part series highlighting the top free agents by position should give you some hope.  Here’s a look at the wide receivers and tight ends:

The Wide Receivers

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

There’s a better chance the Pats trade Tom Brady than letting Wes Welker go in free agency.  The dynamic slot receiver is Tom Brady’s favorite target and the goal of the Pats is to keep Tom Brady happy.  They do so by re-signing Welker.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

KC would be nuts to let Bowe leave via free agency.  At the beginning of the 2011 season, I would have thought the Chiefs would have looked at a fire sale but given where they are at now, they probably look to retain the talented receiver.  Bowe is going to want top dollar but he’s a legitimate number one receiver.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

Jackson is looking for a big payday which may not come in Philadelphia.  Jackson is a homerun threat but doesn’t possess the size necessary to be a true number one receiver.  The organization refused to cave on his offseason demands and may play hardball with Jackson.  Jackson is perfect for Philly’s system but he won’t be at the top of every team’s priority list because of all the things he’s not going to do.

Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

We will see what San Diego really thinks of Jackson this offseason.  They have hesitated to pay Jackson at the level he is looking in the past because his off-the-field activities and injuries.  This offseason they will be forced to either re-up Jackson or let him leave via free agency.

Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills

Ryan Fitzpatrick just received a big payday and it could be Stevie’s turn next.  Johnson and Fitzpatrick are key to the Bills passing attack and I don’t think they will let him walk.  

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will have some tough decisions to make in the offseason.  The largest one looming is what to do with Reggie Wayne.  Wayne will turn 34 next season and he’s definitely lost a step.  With Robert Mathis also looking for a new contract the Colts could be forced to let Wayne walk.  They have very little quality depth at the position which could force them to re-sign Wayne.  This one’s 50/50 at this point.

Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

When healthy, Colston is a major threat for defenses to game plan for.  Colston will be 29 next season and he hasn’t proven he’s able to stay healthy over the course of a 16 game season.  The Saints would love to retain Colston but at what cost will remain the question.  They also have Robert Meachem potentially hitting free agency.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Garcon is the youngest of the three Colts receivers due to hit free agency.  He may also be the most talented.  Garcon will be 26 next season and will intrigue a bunch of teams if the Colts decide to go in a different direction.  Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers and Tight Ends»

Mike Gundy Expects Justin Blackmon to Enter the 2012 NFL Draft

Posted by Brad On October – 31 – 2011

Blackmon's dominant 2011 season has his coach thinking he will enter the 2012 NFL Draft

Count Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy among those that would be shocked if Justin Blackmon stayed at Oklahoma St. for his senior season. Speaking to the media on Sunday following a 59-24 win against Baylor, Gundy had this to say about his star wide receiver:

“If he wants to come back, he’s certainly welcome. We will have a party,” Gundy told the media on Sunday. “But I can’t imagine that he would be back again. He has somewhat solidified himself as a top-five pick (overall). If it were my son and he were a top-five pick, I would encourage him to move on.”

Blackmon is having a fantastic 2011 season that has some believing he will be the top wide receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft.  He has 74 receptions for 834 yards and 10 TD’s in eight games this season.  His team appears to control their own destiny as they sit behind Alabama and LSU who are matched up this weekend.

Blackmon’s competition for the top WR spot in the 2012 NFL Draft figures to be Alshon Jeffery and Michael Floyd.  Jeffery has yet to break the 100-yard plateau and Floyd has some off-the-field issues he will have to explain to NFL teams.  Given the amount of teams that need playmakers at the wide receiver position it is conceivable that Blackmon could crack the top-5 in the 2012 NFL Draft.

 

2012 NFL Draft Stock Up, Stock Down

Posted by Brad On October – 31 – 2011

Is Chris Polk taking his place as the number two RB in the 2012 NFL Draft class?

Week 9 of the college football season gave us some spectacular finishes and the quarterback matchup we have all been waiting for.   With 9 weeks in the books here’s a look at the 2012 NFL Draft prospects that saw an increase or decrease in their NFL Draft stock.

RISING

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Chris Polk was one of the lone bright spots for UW against Stanford and he continued his impressive season this week against Arizona.  The junior ran the ball 34 times for 144 yards and 4 TD’s.  More impressive than his rushing attempts were his catches.  He caught 4 passes for 100 yards and a TD.   He doesn’t have elite speed but makes up for it with a good burst and vision.  Polk is putting together an impressive junior season and may be working his way into the first-round.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – Matt Barkley, QB, USC

I chose to combine these two because they equally impressed in a tight game that may have National Championship implications.  For Luck, he needed some tape where he was challenged and put in work in crunch time.  For Barkley, the head to head comparison with the number one pick was a positive experience.  Landry Jones looked solid this week as well but Barkley may be solidifying himself as the number two QB in this class.  Both QB’s were efficient, threw the ball into tight spots, and were the clear cut leaders on their respective teams.  Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Draft Stock Up, Stock Down»

Week 8 Picks Against the Spread

Posted by Brad On October – 30 – 2011

Week 8 picks against the spread

The NFL’s Future writers take their stab at picking the NFL week 8 games against the spread.

Profetta’s Picks

Indianapolis at Tennessee (-8.5)

The Colts hit rock bottom against the Saints. Things can only get better. The Titans are reeling and the Colts have owned them in recent years, so this could be where Indy gets their first win.

Just kidding. Peyton Manning isn’t playing. Titans big.

Prediction: Titans 30, Colts 13

 

Jacksonville at Houston (-9.5)

The Jags may have found an identity on Monday night. Their stifling defense/grinding run game formula should keep this game close.

Prediction: Texans 20, Jaguars 16

 

Minnesota at Carolina (-3.5)

Jordan Gross keeps Jared Allen in check and Cam Newton feasts on a Vikings’ secondary that could be without Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook. Christian Ponder has looked okay, but Newton has looked really, really, really okay.

Prediction: Panthers 34, Vikings 27

 

New Orleans (-13) at St. Louis

Drew Brees vs. A.J. Feeley. I repeat, Drew Brees vs. A.J. Feeley. Make that two teams hitting rock bottom against the Saints in consecutive weeks.

Prediction:  Saints 41, Rams 3 Read the rest of this entry » «Week 8 Picks Against the Spread»

2012 NFL Mock Draft October 30 Update

Posted by Brad On October – 30 – 2011

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (Junior)

The Colts are looking at the reality of turning the page on the Peyton Manning era in Indy in the next couple of seasons.  With a healthy Manning in place, the Colts won’t be picking this high again until Manning is out of town.  In that vein, they select the heir apparent (in more ways than one) to Manning in Andrew Luck.  The question now becomes, how long does Luck sit and learn from Peyton?

2.  Miami Dolphins – Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma (Junior)

The hottest debate leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft will be who is the number two QB behind Luck?  The answer in this version of the 2012 NFL Mock Draft is Landry Jones.  I have flip-flopped between Jones, Barkley and RGIII and probably will until after the Pro Day workouts.  They all have flaws and it will come down to system fit.  With Tony Sparano half-out in Miami, we don’t know the system yet so I opted for the best physical tools of the three.

St. Louis needs to find a protector for Sam Bradford

3.  St. Louis Rams – Matt Kalil, T, USC (Junior)

The Rams have major issues on their offensive line including the LT spot that Jason Smith will vacate.  Keeping Sam Bradford healthy is the number one priority in STL.  I toyed with the idea of Morris Claiborne here but came (quickly) to the realization that Bradford needs to stay upright more than they need a DB.  Matt Kalil is a franchise LT that is a low-risk pick and could be a Joe Thomas-type tackle, so he’s the logical selection for our 2012 NFL Mock Draft.

4.  Minnesota Vikings – Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford (Junior)

Vikings fans have to be excited with what they saw out of Christian Ponder in his first NFL start.  Protecting Ponder should be the goal of this offseason.  Charlie Johnson is a serviceable tackle but is a better guard.  Steve Hutchinson may be a cap casualty as his play has steadily decreased over the last several years.  Moving Johnson inside to LG and Martin manning the LT spot is a natural fit and a sure way to keep Ponder healthy.  Martin will quickly become AP’s friend as he’s a terrific run blocker as well.

5.  Arizona Cardinals – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St. (Junior)

Probably not worst case scenario for the Cardinals but they would have loved for one of the tackles to slide to them at five in our 2012 NFL Mock Draft.  The Cardinals got themselves in trouble by selecting Levi Brown based on need over BPA.  In this case, the pick comes down to Blackmon, Coples, or Claiborne.  The Cardinals are going to equip Kevin Kolb with the pieces to succeed.  If a top tackle is not available, Blackmon becomes the next objective.  Kolb has underperformed due to three reasons; lack of protection, lack of weapons (outside of Fitzgerald), and lack of skills.  Two of those three can be fixed.

6.  Seattle Seahawks – Matt Barkley, QB, USC (Junior)

The marriage of Pete Carroll and Matt Barkley has come full circle.  Carroll ducked out of SC before the major sanctions hit leaving his star QB without hopes of postseason glory.  Carroll is hoping his former star recruit can bring a little postseason glory to Seattle.  The Seahawks QB situation is in dire need of a long-term fix.  Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are not starters and Josh Portis is a long way from developing to that level.  With Barkley available at 6, it makes to much sense to leave out of our 2012 NFL Mock Draft. Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Mock Draft October 30 Update»

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