2012 NFL Draft Talk with New Era Scouting's Scott Porter

2012 NFL Draft Preview - Part I

Beginning with today's Daily Darsh, I'll be taking a closer look at the 2012 NFL Draft with Scott Porter of newerascouting.com. Scott is a former Iowa Hawkeye and an avid fan of the Denver Tebows. He is also a fan of the Portland Trail Blazers, but we are unsure whether he is well endowed like Greg Oden. More importantly, he knows what the hell he's talking about.


First, Scott did an early mock of the top 15 picks in the first round. I just felt like adding some useless comments to feel important. Remember that all underclassmen have not declared yet (Damn you Matt Barkley)

2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0 - 1/8/12   

1. Colts- Andrew Luck QB, Stanford. Luck is a franchise QB that is way too good to pass on. Manning is coming off an injury at his age and is due a big roster bonus. It will be interesting to see if they keep him around. Luck is the pick either way.

My comments: No argument here. Can’t see Irsay passing on Luck.

Luck vs. Griffin could heat up as we get closer to draft day.

2.  Redskins (from Rams) – Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor. Redskins will give up a lot to get Griffin. They have a huge void at QB and Griffin's value is rising each day.

My comments: As I’ve said before, I’d give up everything to get Luck or Griffin. This is great for the Redskins and the Rams have to be happy as they get more picks to fill their multiple holes.

Matt Kalil is the top offensive lineman in the draft.

3. Vikings- Matt Kalil OT, USC. The Vikings' offense really struggled in the passing department for much of the season. Ponder has shown flashes and Percy Harvin ended the season very well. They need to get their young QB some help on the OL to give him more time to throw the ball down the field.

My comments: Matt Kalil is without a doubt the best offensive lineman in the draft, but I feel the depth is there at tackle in this draft where the Vikings can address a bigger need at #3 overall – the secondary. Morris Claiborne could be the pick here.

4. Browns- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama- Cleveland will try hard to move down in this slot. Richardson is a rare RB with size and speed. Hillis coming off an injury riddled season makes you wonder if he is still in the Browns plans.

My comments: The Browns will either try really hard to move down or to move up to get one of the top quarterbacks. I’m not a huge fan of Richardson, but the Browns definitely need to replace Peyton Hillis. 

5. Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU- Claiborne has great size and speed. Ronde Barber is likely done and if anything, he probably has one year left. Aqib Talib cannot stay out of trouble. The Buccaneers defensewas terrible this year and they have a young DL.

My comments: I can’t disagree here. The Buccaneers are just bad all around and the fans need something to excite them, especially with rumors of the Buccaneers going after retreads Mike Sherman, Brad Childress, and according to Chris Mortensen, possibly Marty Schottenheimer.

6. Rams- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State- The Rams have needs all over the field, but they need a playmaker at the WR spot in the worst way. The Rams drafted Greg Salas and Austin Pettis last year but they need that one go to guy for Sam Bradford.

 

My comments: This is the best case scenario for the Rams. However, there is a chance Blackmon is snapped up by a team before the Rams’ pick..i.e. the Browns.

Can Alshon Jeffrey leapfrog Justin Blackmon?

7. Jaguars- Alshon Jeffrey WR, South Carolina. The Jags need a weapon for Gabbert. They have the NFL's leading rusher and a young OL. It seems they take a WR every year pretty early in the draft. Time to take care of this position for a change and then focus on suring up the defense.
   

My comments: I’m higher on Jeffrey than I am on Blackmon. This is a great pick for Jacksonville as Gabbert needs help in the worst way possible…that is if Gabbert is the man in Jacksonville. He’ll start next season, but if he doesn’t show significant progress, it could be safe to say that the Jaguars whiffed on the former Mizzou Tiger. 

8. Dolphins- Devon Still, DL, Penn State- So far Jared Odrick has been a bust. Randy Starks is coming off a very good season but Miami is looking for a dependable DL. A trade down is very possible. Some team could move to grab an offensive lineman for value here.

My comments: I could see the Dolphins reaching for Ryan Tannehill to groom him behind Matt Moore. 

9. Panthers – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - Kirkpatrick has very good speed and size. He is still a bit raw but he has all the tools in the world. Carolina may lose Chris Gamble this offseason. Either way they need another young cornerback to help slow down opposing teams passing game.

My comments: Out of all the Alabama players, I feel Kirkpatrick has the most potential. The Panthers defense’ has to be the priority now in Carolina as the offense seems to be in more than capable hands with Kirkpatricks’s former rival Cam Newton. 

10. Bills- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa- The Bills appear to be a team that really wants to air the ball out. Bringing back Fred Jackson will help the offense a lot. They need their franchise OT. Reiff is a guy they can build around as they look for their franchise QB.

 

My comments: Do the Bills have any other choice but to draft an offensive lineman for Ryan Fitzpatrick? I truly feel bad for the Bills because I think we all saw this season that Fitzpatrick is not the franchise quarterback they paid him to be. 

Maybe Romeo can play offensive lie for the Chiefs.

11. Chiefs- Jonathan Martin , OT, Stanford- Kansas City is still trying to fix that OL up. Branden Albert hasn't lived up to his hype. Martin can come in and play right away.


My comments:  On the verge of making, Romeo Crennel permanent head coach, I see the Chiefs going with a defensive player in the first round  – maybe Quinton Coples from UNC. Tyson Jackson hasn’t done anything in his time in the pros. 

12. Seahawks - Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama. The Seahawks gave up on bust Aaron Curry. They are hoping Upshaw proves to be the player they thought Curry could be.

My comments: I have a feeling I’m not going to really enjoy this draft – too many Alabama players.  I could see the Seahawks going with Michael Floyd, reuniting him with Golden Tate, to get Tarvaris Jackson (still the worst quarterback in the NFL) more help. 

13. Cardinals- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. The Cardinals passing game really struggled this year largely in part because they have no other options opposite Fitzgerald. We do not know what the future of Kevin Kolb is in Arizona but it is obvious they need another WR there. We all saw what Fitzgerald could do when he had Boldin along side of him.

My comments: With Todd Haley possibly being rehired as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, I can’t really disagree here.

14. Cowboys- Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska. The Cowboys need secondary help in the worst way. Look for them to move Mike Jenkins to S and draft Dennard here.

My comments: It seems like the Cowboys draft a corner in the first round every year. 

Dennard would be the 300th CB draftd by the Cowboys in the first round

15. Eagles- Vontaze Burfict- Eagles have been looking for a steady ILB for years now. Burficit can be that 12 year player that fills a need for them. He has a ton of talent but his character could slide him a bit. This would be the perfect place for him and the perfect situation.

My comments: The most glaring weakness of the “Dream Team” was the linebacking core. Burfict would really help Stewart Bradley along in Philly. 

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Five Players who could rise into the first round over the next several months.


1. Chris Polk RB ,Washington: Polk continues to rise up boards. He shows great vision and speed. He also illustrates the ability to break tackles and keep a play going. With teams looking for two RB's don't be surprised if he runs a nice 40 and sneaks into the late part of Round 1.

Chris Polk is an unknown on the national scale due to playing at Washington.

2. Donta Hightower LB, Alabama: I am really surprised this guy doesn't get more draft attention. He has been very solid for Alabama the past two years. I think his stock will continue to climb. I would almost be surprised if when all is said and done he doesn't go top 20. Right now I see a lot of people still have him in round 2.

3. Ryan Tannehill QB, Texas A&M: Everyone expected this to be a very heavy QB class early on. With Jones and Barkley staying that opens it up for a guy like Ryan Tannaehill to climb into round 1 much like Christian Ponder did last year. There are a ton of teams needing QB.

Tannehill, a former WR, has the tools to be a dual threat in the pros.

4.  Jayron Hosley CB, Virginia Tech: Most people have Hosley as a 2nd rounder right now. His play making skills and ability to be a dymanic return men make him a possibility late in round 1.

5. Kendall Wright WR, Baylor: Wright had a termendous year. I expect another WR to climb into the late 1 stage. Possible that it could be Wright or Rutgers WR Mohammed Sanu. Both should work out well. Wright is coming off of an incredible season. He could come in and play the slot for a team looking to add a weapon on offense late in the first round and eventually take over as a possible #1 or #2 WR.

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Finally, the Top 5 draft prospects in tomorrow's National Championship game between LSU and Alabama.


1. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: Claiborne has the ability to be an elite CB in the NFL for many years.

2. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: They say RB's are a dime a dozen in the NFL, but Richardson is at a different level. His size, speed and vision at the RB position doesn't come around every year.

Trent Richardson follows Mark Ingram's footsteps.

3. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Dre is a bit raw still but has all the physical tools to be a #1 franchise CB in the NFL.

4. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama: Upshaw has been very dependable the last two seasons. He looks to be the next in line of great LB's to come from a Nick Saban coached team.

Upshawn, along with Hightower lead the Tide defense.

5. Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama: Expect his stock to keep climbing. He supports the run and pass well and has proven he can make plays on the football.

Jason Kidd got RICKY RUBIOED!