2012 NFL Draft First Round Grades

2012 NFL Draft First Round Grades

1) Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

Grade: A+

This wasn’t a surprise at all. Luck had long been picked as Peyton Manning’s successor in Indianapolis. I think this pick should give Colts fans hope. The first year or two might be tough ,but I think Luck will shape into a good if not great NFL quarterback.

2) Washing ton Redskins- Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

Grade: A+

Also not a surprise pick. RGIII is talented ,and I think he will have more immediate success than Andrew Luck just based off of the system and personnel he already has to work with. He possesses a unique skill set that I believe will prove to be dangerous in a Mike Shanahan system.

3) Cleveland Browns (from Minnesota Vikings)- Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

Grade: A

The Browns wanted Richardson and swapped four picks with the Vikings. I gave this pick an “A” because I believe Richardson is the most complete and explosive back in the draft. This will help the Browns running game with the departure of Peyton Hillis.

4) Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland)- Matt Kalil, OT USC

Grade: A+

I really like what the Vikings did here. They addressed a serious need for an offensive tackle, and they got a lot of quality picks with this. It was a sure fire win-win for Minnesota.

5) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Tampa Bay)- Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

Grade: A

Jacksonville swapped a couple of picks with the Buccaneers to move up to grab Blackmon. I can’t disagree with the move as Jacksonville struggled to throw the ball last year.

6) Dallas Cowboys (from Washington through St. Louis)- Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

Grade: A

The Cowboys witnessed Claiborne slip a couple spots. They reacted ,and I think they got the number one corner in this year’s draft. They gave St. Louis a second round pick, and I believe they got a good corner that can make an impact from day one.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville)- Mark Barron, S Alabama

Grade: A

I think that Tampa might have wanted Claiborne ,and they had to kind of settle with Barron. This is by no means, a bad pick. I think the Bucs got the best safety in the draft ,and like Claiborne, he can make an impact from day one.

8) Miami Dolphins- Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M

Grade: B-

I think the Dolphins took a chance here. I believe this is more of an investment pick ,as Matt Moore or David Garrard are going to be the starter next year. With this pick the Dolphins are reuniting a college coach and quarterback. That didn’t work out so well for Steve Spurrier and Danny Weurffel, if you remember.

9) Carolina Panthers- Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College

Grade: A

I like where the Panthers went here. Kuechly is a solid linebacker that has great instincts. Carolina needed help within the core of their defense, and I think Kuechly is the guy that can give them that help.

10) Buffalo Bills- Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina

Grade: B

Buffalo grabs Gilmore to help a secondary that wasn’t bad last year, just hurt. I think Stephon Gilmore is an explosive player, who is at the right place at the right time a lot. As far as a corner though, I saw Stephon get beat by receivers he should have covered well. I think he does have a lot upside ,and that he is a fantastic athlete.

11) Kansas City Chiefs- Dontari Poe, DT Memphis

Grade: D

I personally did not like this pick. I think the Chiefs should have gone with the proven SEC talent in Fletcher Cox. I think Dontari Poe is one of those guys that had a great combine that won’t translate well onto the field. We’ll see though, as the Chiefs made a risky pick here.

12) Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle)- Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State

Grade: A

The Eagles saw the Chiefs grab Poe ,and they immediately jumped on the opportunity to grab Cox. Cox is a proven SEC talent with a lot of upside. They swapped three picks and addressed a need for a defensive lineman here. I like this pick.

13) Arizona Cardinals- Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

Grade: A

The Cardinals drafted someone that can help Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald reignite their passing attack. I like Floyd’s athleticism, and his ability to win the jump ball. He should compliment Fitzgerald nicely.

14) St. Louis Rams (from Dallas)- Michael Brockers, DT LSU

Grade: B+

The Rams addressed a need for an interior defensive lineman. Michael Brockers is another proven talent from the SEC. I think the Rams made a good, safe pick here.

15) Seattle Seahawks (from Philadelphia)- Bruce Irving, OLB West Virginia

Grade: F

A lot of people looked at the television and said, “What?” Pete Carroll must see something TREMENDOUS in this guy. Irving has had repeated off the field issues, and he didn’t even finish high school on time. I think this was by far the riskiest pick of the draft.

16) New York Jets - Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

Grade: B

I was surprised that the Jets didn’t grab Melvin Ingram here. I think Rex Ryan sees something in Coples. I was just surprised because his work ethic has been questioned. However, the talent is immeasurable with this pick. Maybe money being thrown in his face will help him out.

17) Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

Grade: B

The second member from the 2011 Tide’s stingy defense to go in the first round. Kirkpatrick isn’t a big playmaker, but he is a solid corner. I think he will do Cincinnati just fine.

18) San Diego Chargers- Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Grade: A

John Gruden called Melvin Ingram, “the steal of the draft.” Ingram is very versatile ,and he is very capable of making a big play at anytime. One of his biggest benefits is he can pretty much line up wherever you need him to on the defensive front. I was really surprised to see him slip this far.

　

19) Chicago Bears- Shea McClellin, OLB Boise State

Grade: A-

I think McClellin will give the Bears a nice edge pass rusher ,and he will compliment Julius Peppers nicely. I like this pick by Chicago ,and I am anxious to see McClellin play in the fierce trenches of the NFC North.

20) Tennessee Titans- Kendall Wright, WR Baylor

Grade: A-

Kendall doesn’t have the best ball skills ,but he is capable of making a big play at anytime. This gives Tennessee a nice weapon to add to Britt and Washington. Its going to be fun to see what kind of vertical play action plays the Titans will be able to come up with off their rushing attack.

21) New England Patriots (from Cincinnati)- Chandler Jones, DE Syracuse

Grade: B

Chandler Jones still has some molding to do. If anybody’s going to do it right, its going to be the Patriots. Bill Belichick sees things nobody else does, so I’m not going to be the one to doubt him.

22) Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)- Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State

Grade: A-

I think Weeden can make some throws Colt McCoy can’t. He is actually older than Colt McCoy. I think the battle between these two will be interesting to see, and I can’t see Weeden being a better fit anywhere else.

23) Detroit Lions- Riley Reiff, OT Iowa

Grade: A-

This is a classic reload pick for the Lions. They made a smart pick taking one of the better tackles in the draft to be an apprentice under an ailing veteran. I like this pick by the Lions.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers- David DeCastro, OG Stanford

Grade: A-

Similar to the Lions pick, the Steelers grab a quality offensive lineman. The difference is that this an area the Steelers needed to address, and I think they made a quality pick.

　

　

25) New England Patriots (from Denver)- Donta Hightower, LB Alabama

Grade: A

The Patriots move up again to take another defensive player. Hightower has good mass and clogs running lanes. He’s also a good pass rusher that will benefit New England.

26) Houston Texans - Whitney Mercilus, DE Illinois

Grade: B+

The Texans addressed a need here with the departure of Mario Williams to the Bills. Mercilus gives the Texans a very good pass rusher.

27) Cincinnati Bengals (from New Orleans through New England)- Kevin Zeitler, G Wisconsin

Grade: A-

The Bengals address a need for an interior offensive lineman with this pick ,and they come up with a good sized Big Ten guy. If the Big Ten produces one thing, its good interior offensive lineman. I like this pick.

28) Green Bay Packers- Nick Perry, DE USC

Grade: A

I like this pick a lot. The Packers grab a great edge rusher to compliment Clay Matthews. This makes their defense much more scary for NFC North quarterbacks.

29) Minnesota Vikings (from Baltimore)- Harrison Smith, S Notre Dame

Grade: C+

The Vikings swapped two picks with Baltimore to grab Harrison. Harrison is really athletic ,but he doesn’t possess tremendous ball skills. Safety was a need the Vikings needed to address. I think this pick kind of sits in the middle.

30) San Francisco 49ers- AJ Jenkins, WR Illinois

Grade: B+

The 49ers have overhauled their receiving corps the last few years with the additions of Gin, Moss, and Manningham. I think this pick strengthens the 49ers receivers. These veterans will also be able to help AJ Jenkins grow into a strong NFL receiver.

　

　

　

31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New England through Denver)- Doug Martin, RB Boise State

Grade: A



I really like this pick. I think Martin was the next best RB besides Trent Richardson. He’s a complete runner, who will compliment LeGarrette Blount nicely.

32) New York Giants- David Wilson, RB Virginia Tech

Grade: B-

I think the Giants were going to select Martin ,but Tampa traded up and nabbed him first. The Giants will settle with Wilson who is another kind of complete runner. Doesn’t lead more towards a speed back or a bruising back, but he sits at a nice medium. I can tell you he is not going to be the bruiser that Brandon Jacobs was.

So there you have it. My evaluations of the first round of a really interesting draft. I think the second round will be just as interesting (if not more). I’m excited to see what Denver does with their picks to support Peyton Manning. St. Louis also has a few early picks that I am anxious to see what they are going to decide.