NFL Draft

Day 2 QB’s

Rounds 2 and 3 saw 3 QB’s get Drafted.I’m gonna take few minutes and give my thoughts on these three picks and how I think these players will do in the NFL.

Round 2 Pick 25 57 overall Broncos Pick Brock Osweiler QB Arizona State- This is a little bit of an interesting pick.The Broncos have other needs that are more important and they could have filled in the 2nd round but the Broncos took at Brock Osweiler as the QB of the future. Peyton Manning probable has 3 or 4 good years left and Oswelier can sit and learn from one of the best to ever play the game.Brock Osweiler is a big strong QB with a big arm and can make the throws that you want a starting QB but is still very raw.

Round 3 Pick 12 75th Overall The Seahawks pick Russell Wilson From Wisconsin. This might be a good pick I’m not really sure.Seattle just isnt really a good team but Russell Wilson will probable be in the starting discussion during camp. He probable wont start this year but I think he will in two or three if he can develop and learn.He’s an athletic QB with the skills that you want and he’s a leader and he showed that at Wisconsin and NC State.Has the tools to be a very good QB.

Round 3 Pick 25 88th Overall The Eagles pick Nick Foles from Arizona.Pretty good pick,The Eagles needed to get someone to back up Michael Vick and maybe compete for the starting spot if he starts to struggle. Nick Foles at time showed the ability to be a very good QB and solid Potential.I think Foles will be the starting QB for Philly in 3 or 4 years and will be pretty good.

I like all Three of these pick and I think they all have the chance to be starters and solid NFL QB’s

2012 NFL Draft 1st Round Recap

Blackmon to the Jags is one of the highlights of Thursday's First Round.

1. Indianapolis- Andrew Luck QB Stanford-Great pick, Andrew Luck looks like a franchise QB and can be the face of the Colts for the next Decade plus.

2. Washington (from St. Louis)- Robert Griffin III QB Baylor- This is a really great pick. The Redskins need A QB more then anything and they got in my mind the best guy for their system in RGIII. He is a leader and a dynamic play-maker and should be a great NFL QB but the Skins need to get Some Weapons to help him out.

3. Cleveland (From Minnesota)- Trent Richardson RB Alabama- There is really only one word I can use to Describe Trent Richardson BEAST. He is a Franchise RB and a star in the making. Peyton Hillis is no longer in town, so Richardson will get most of the carries from day one and I believe he is more then ready to carry the load.

4. Minnesota (From Cleveland)- Matt Kalil OT USC- There were rumors that the Vikings might not take Kalil but the truth is they really need to improve the O-Line to block better for Peterson and Ponder and Kalil is the best OT in the Draft.Good Pick

5. Jacksonville (From Tampa Bay)- Justin Blackman WR Oklahoma St- The Jags desperately need to Improve at WR to give young QB Blaine Gabbert some playmakers to throw to.They have a good young Defense and needed to improve an Offense that played terrible last season and picking Blackman is the first step in what I believe can become a good team and a playoff contender.

6. Dallas (From St. Louis via Washington)- Morris Clayborne CB LSU- Dallas is a good team but their CB play was horrible last season and is by far their biggest need.Morris Claiborne is probable not gonna be a star  but is an upgrade and should be a very good starter for the Cowboys.

7. Tampa Bay (From Jacksonville)- Mark Barron S Alabama- Tampa Bay fell apart last season after having a good year in 2010 which caused a head coaching change bringing in now former Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano and picking Mark Barron #7 is another step in the right direction. Barron had a good career at Alabama and is by far the best Safety in this class.Barron will improve a Tampa D that was really bad last season.

8. Miami-Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M-Miami didn’t really have a choice here but to pick Tannehill. He is a good looking prospect but they could have traded down and still got him.

9. Carolina-Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College- Luke Kuechly is by far my favorite Defensive player in this years draft. He is a Tackling Machine and a leader that will add to a Panthers D that already has some good pieces and looks pretty promising.

10. Buffalo- Stephan Gilmore CB South Carolina- Buffalo started out last season on fire but the wheels fell off as the season went on and Defensive Back play was one of the reasons. Gilmore will be an improvement but The Bills need to add a few more pieces to make their D really good.

11. Kansas City- Dontari Poe DT Memphis- Dontari Poe looked like a very good DT last season but not a Top 10 pick in my opinion. I hope he works out because I liked how he played in College but this is the 1st guy picked this year that I think has bust written on him.

12. Philadelphia (From Seattle)- Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St- Fletcher Cox is the best DT in this Class and will improve on a decent Philly D-Line.

13. Arizona- Micheal Floyd WR Notre Dame- Arizona has some other needs they could have addressed here but they couldn’t pass up on the chance to team Micheal Floyd up with Larry Fitzgerald and who could blame them. Floyd is a great Receiver and with Fitz getting double teams and being covered by teams best DB’s this will open Floyd up for big plays and should Improve their offense and help QB Kevin Kolb out A lot who will be entering his 2nd season as the starter in Arizona.

14. St Louis- (From Dallas)- Michael Brockers DT LSU- St. Louis really needed to improve their D-Line and Brockers may be the guy for the job. With Chris Long getting the Double teams and teams having to game-plan around him this will open Brockers up to make Plays and get Pressure on the QB.

15. Seattle (From Philadelphia)- Bruce Irvin OLB West Virgina- This pick made my Jaw drop, Seriously. Bruce Irvin is a pure pass ruing specialist no two ways about he is really bad in Run Defense but obviously the brass in Seattle saw something in Irvin that a lot of people didn’t or maybe they just want to stop the pass and don’t care about Run Defense.

16. New York Jets- Quinton Coples DE North Carolina- This pick can go one of Two ways. Either this works out and Coples is a Great DE and proves doubters wrong (which is what the Jets hope) or He is a major bust and cant handle the NFL competition ( which is what I think will happen). He showed flashes of brilliance in college but he also showed that he takes plays off, Doesn’t give 100% every down, gets blocked too easily and doesn’t have the want to that it takes to be a great NFL DE.

17. Cincinnati (From Oakland)- Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama- Cincinnati showed that they have a great up and coming Offense this past season and are know focusing of the D with their 1st pick in the Draft which has a few holes and Dre Kirkpatrick will help fill one of the biggest needs at CB.

18. San Diego- Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina- San Diego needs help on D bad and Melvin Ingram will certainly help in making their Defense better.

19- Chicago- Shea McClellin OLB Boise State- Good pick here, Chicago fills a big need with a good player and I think this pick will improve Chicago’s D a lot.

20. Tennessee- Kendall Wright WR Baylor- The Titans already have a good young QB and a few Offensive Play-makers but they really needed to add another and Kendall Wright has the speed and big play ability that they are looking for.

21.New England  (From Cincinnati)- Chandler Jones DE Syracuse- Great pick her. Jones is a big Powerful DE with Speed and agility. He looks like a  perfect fit for what the Pats want to do and is an Improvement to a Defense that had some terrible games last year and gave up too many big plays.

22. Cleveland (From Atlanta)- Brandon Weedon Oklahoma St.-I’m not a fan of this pick but I see what their trying to do but they have lots of other needs and taking a QB in the 1st round will not help you at all if you do not have play-makers and a good O-Line to protect him.

23. Detroit- Riley Reiff OT Iowa- Really good pick here. The Lions need Mathew Stafford to be on the field and Reiff will help him do that.

24. Pittsburgh- David DeCastro G Stanford- The Steelers have a good O-line Already but David Decastro was too good for them to pass up.

25. New England (From Denver)- Dont’a Hightower ILB Alabama- Decent pick but I dont know how Hightower will fit in to what the Pats what to do on D.

26. Houston- Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois-Great pick here. The Texans already have a great young D and Whitney Mercilus will have the Chance to fly around the field and make plays which will only make them better.

27.  Cincinnati (New England Via New Orleans)- Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin-Very good pick the Bengals needed to Improve their O-Line to protect Their young QB Andy Dalton better and Zeitler should get the job done.

28. Green Bay- Nick Perry OLB USC- I think this is a really good pick, Packers need a OLB to go opposite Mathews and Fellow USC product Perry is a good pick here. Perry has potential and I think Mathews work ethic and leadership will rub off on Perry and make him better.

29.Minnesota (From Baltimore)- Harrison Smith S Notre Dame- Minnesota absolutely had to do something about their DB situation and Harrison Smith is a big upgrade and should do really well in Minnesota.

30. San Francisco- A.J. Jenkins WR Illinois- Good player with loads of talent but could have gotten him in the 2nd round.

31. Tampa Bay (From Denver via New England)- Doug Martin RB Boise St.- Legarrette Blount isn’t an every down back and will do better as a #2 back coming off of the bench. which is what he will be able to do with Martin being a more complete back.

32. New York Giants- David Wilson RB Virgina Tech-With Brandon Jacobs moving on the Giants needed to pick a RB here and Wilson is a good one,Really good pick.

2012 NFL Draft: Potential Sleepers and Late Round Steals

Everybody knows that the first round picks in every Draft are the most talked about and get the most attention, but there are hundreds of examples of late round picks that have been very good, Pro Bowlers, or Hall of Fame NFL Players ( Tom Brady Round 6, Matt Birk Round 6, Shannon Sharpe Round 7 and Donald Driver Round 7) Just to name a few.

Every year it seems that there is a few sleeper picks that become good to great players and here are some players that I think can be next.

Bradie Ewing FB Wisconsin: Bradie Ewing comes out of a scheme that uses several types of blocking concepts, ranging from gap to man and pulling, which comes as an advantage for Ewing in transitioning to the next level. One of the negatives in Ewing’s game is his lack of great agility. He’s a straight-line athlete that does not open his hips up and runs well, which is visible when he’s running routes in space.The final characteristic of Ewing’s game I want to touch on is his power. Ewing’s power is visible when engaging with defenders as he displays strong hands and good “pop,” which is very important for a blocker. He will probable be a 5th or 6th Round pick but as the ability and the tools to be a consistent Pro Bowler.

Devier Posey Wide Receiver Ohio State: Devier Posey was a non factor for the Buckeyes this past season having missed 10 games due to suspension after being overpaid for work he did in the summer. When Posey was on the field, he was limited by inexperience and a coaching staff that seemed ready to pull him at any time, which would make it hard for any player to get going. Posey didn’t follow that up well with a strong pre-draft performance in the Senior Bowl or combine, but he does have the size and hands to be a good NFL receiver. With good coaching and the right situation Devier Posey can be a very good starter in the NFL.

Nate Potter OT Boise State: Nate Potter has been One of the best O-linemen in College Football the last couple of years. Potter was a second-team AP All-America in 2011. He had another excellent season protecting quarterback Kellen Moore. Throughout the season, Potter put a string of dominant games together keeping Moore free of pass pressure. Potter is extremely light on his feet and is able to get back in his drop quickly. He mirrors pass-rushers well and is quick shuffling his feet. Needs to Improve run blocking.there is talk that a few teams are interested in Potter and he should be available in the 3rd round or later.

Tank Carder ILB TCU:Tall but short arms which may hurt when trying to tackle bigger backs,pretty good speed and moves really well. Really sound in coverage. Team leader on the defense and has some play calling responsibilities solid form tackler. Non-stop motor and hustle. Good short area quickness. Attacks the line of scrimmage well. Needs to get stronger and improver pass rushing. Tank Carder was a very good college line backer but that doesnt always translate but think he can be a good starter in the right system.

Kourtnei Brown DE Clemson: Brown is big at 6’5” and 256 pounds, strong with 26 reps of the 225-pound bench press and quick with 4.47 and 7.44 times in the shuttle and cone drills. He’s also extremely quick around the edge and creates solid pressure on the quarterback. Brown does have a nose for the football when it’s out and has been an impact player for Clemson for four years despite only starting for one. He’s a high character guy and won’t create problems off the field and is a hard worker. Brown will probably go undrafted because of lack of production but with A LOT of time and coaching I feel he can be very solid DE.

These are my Five players that I feel can be sleepers and turn into good if not great NFL Players.

Coby Fleener 1st Rounder?

For My 1st Post back with nfldraftmock I will be looking at One of My favorite Prospects in this years class Coby Fleener.

Coby Fleener is one of the more intriguing prospects to me in this years draft. He is a big athletic play making tight end that will be an asset to any passing team. Runs great routes and has great hands, Show the ability to make the difficult catch. not afraid to go across the middle and take some contact.Looks like a 2nd round pick but a team  might fall in love with his playmaking ability and take him in the 1st round.

Some teams that I think could be Draft him are:

San Francisco- The 49ers already have a Pro Bowl Tight End in Vernon Davis But Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves too use two tight ends, He knows how to get the best out of Fleener from the four seasons that Jim Harbaugh was His Head coach at Stanford and will be able to design plays that will get Fleener open.Plus he will give Alex Smith another playmaking target which he needs if the 49ers want to win a Super Bowl.

New York Giants- The Giants need a Tightend pretty bad but they also have other needs and probable wont take him in the 1st round  and dont pick again until 63 so they wont get him unless they trade up in the 2nd round which is always a possibility.

Indianapolis- Colts are another possibility they got rid of a lot of their roster and Tight end is a need but they have so many holes that they might not pull the trigger on Fleener but he might do great if the take him and put him back with Luck could make a great QB-TE combo

Denver-  Broncos need a Tightend but at 25 it may be a little early for Fleener but I think he would be a good pick here.Manning does have a history with good pass catching Tightend's so this makes sense.

The Lions and Browns both could be landing spots but both teams have bigger needs and  22 or 23 could be too early to pick Fleener but you never know.

I think Coby Fleener is a late 1st round prospect on his pass catching alone. But he is also a solid run blocker and can get better if he bulks up a little bit. So in my opinion Coby Fleener is a 1st round round pick but we will see on Thursday if an NFL team Agrees with me.

2012 NFL Draft Mock

The NFL Draft is now just a couple days away, we are going to release one of our final mock drafts as we inch ever closer to the most exciting day of the NFL offseason.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford -

Analysis: The Colts have already announced that Luck will be the pick, so no drama before the first pick this year. If Luck is as good as we all believe him to be, the Colts should be contending for the playoffs again within a few short years.

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

Analysis: Similarly to the Colts and Luck, it’s well known that the Redskins will be selecting RG3 after surrendering four premium draft picks to move up from #6 to #2 in order to acquire his services. RG3 should bring explosiveness back to Washington and gives a young franchise quarterback to build around for the first time in a long time.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, LT, USC -

Analysis: For some reason, the Vikings always have to make things so difficult on draft day. The team is reportedly considering Kalil, Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne, yet what they really want to do is trade down, however it’s unlikely to happen. Therefore, I still believe in the end, Kalil will be the pick.

4. Cleveland Browns, Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland -

Analysis: The Browns have been a little coy with their interest in Richardson. Reports claimed the Browns were split on Blackmon and Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, however, Richardson is the best player on the  board here and is one of the few elite prospects in the draft and the Browns simply cannot afford to pass on an elite offensive player, especially when it fills the glaring need the team has at running back.

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

If they were given a choice the Bucs would love to get their hands on Richardson, yet it seems unlikely. As long as Claiborne is still there the team will be happy, if he’s not, things are going to get very interesting.

6. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St -

Analysis: The 2012 Draft could not have gone better for the Rams, first they move down and pick up two extra first round picks and a high second round pick this year, giving them three of the first 39 selections. St. Louis is blessed to already have selected it’s franchise quarterback with the first pick of the 2010 Draft in Sam Bradford so quarterback, so the team had no interest in RG3. Now they complete the perfect Draft by adding the playmaking wide receiver this offense has lacked since the departure of Torry Holt. Blackmon and Bradford will fit perfectly together and don’t be shocked if Blackmon catches 80 passes this year and clears 1,000 yards.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quenton Coples, DE, North Carolina -

Analysis: The Jaguars should strongly consider Michael Floyd here, yet with the addition of receiver Laurent Robinson in free agent, the Jags will try to hold off until round two to find a quality wideout in a fairly deep draft. Coples is easily the most talented  pass rusher in the draft but has some character concerns. Yet, the Jags need a dominant edge rusher to take their defense to the next level and Coples has the talent to do exactly that for them.

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

Analysis: Even with the no.8 pick, Tannehill feels like a bit of a reach, however he has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback with a little development. The Dolphins will have a unique insight on him, as their current offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was Tannehill’s head coach, so his adjustment to a pro offense will be much easier than expected if he goes to Miami. This pick just makes too much sense not to happen. The Dolphins need to take a risk and hope it pays off. They will not win anything with guys like Matt Moore and David Garrard starting at quarterback.

9. Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State -

Analysis: Cox has been flying up the draft boards and some even have him going as early as no.6 to the Rams, however when he’s available with this pick, the Panthers literally sprint to hand in their card with Cox’s name on it. He is an absolute beast who is an elite interior rusher and solid against the run, he also has position versatility and will drastically improve the Panthers weak defensive line.

10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Analysis: The Bills have been putting off adding an elite left tackle for years but Reiff is too good to pass up at this point. The Bills strongly consider Michael Floyd at this point but go the big man instead.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina -

Analysis: Some scouts think Ingram is the top pass rusher in the draft and he certainly is one of the impact defenders that will be available. The Chiefs make a ton of sense for him as he can play opposite of pro bowler Tamba Hali, giving the Chiefs an outstanding pass rush duo.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Luck Kuechly, LB, Boston College -

Analysis: Seattle Head Coach Pete Carrol loves linebackers and there is not another middle linebacker in this draft quite like Kuechly, he will be a starter from day one with the Seahawks and may even win defensive rookie of the year.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame -

Analysis: The Cardinals have to be excited that Floyd falls to them in this spot. They finally get their replacement for Anquan Boldin and get some hopeful for quarterback Kevin Kolb.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Mark Barron, S, Alabama -

Analysis: The Cowboys have needed some safety help for quite some time and Barron is by far the best safety in this class. Barron is the best player available at this point and adding him along with free agent corner Brandon Carr from KC should give the Cowboys an enormous upgrade in the secondary. This pick also breaks the heart of the Philadelphia Eagles.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis -

Analysis: The Eagles were hoping for Barron but will settle for Poe, a big athletic defensive tackle that oozes potential.

16. New York Jets – Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse -

Analysis: The Jets really wanted to nab Poe, however Jones will be a great addition to their defense. They have a big need at outside linebacker opposite Calvin Pace as the Jets struggled to pressure the quarterback last season. Jones was considered a late-first round pick at one point, but has been moving up lately and is a perfect fit for the Jets scheme.

17. Cincinnati Bengals, David DeCastro, OG, Stanford -

Analysis: DeCastro does not fill a glaring need for the Bengals but he is the best player available, so the pick is easily justified. The Bengals will be getting one of the few sure things in this draft and if guard were a position of value, DeCastro would easily be a top-10 pick. Yet, guard is not a premium position, so he falls to the Bengals at no.17, who get a guy who will be a pro bowl type player for the next decade.

18. San Diego Chargers – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU -

Analysis: Even though the Chargers did just re-sign Luis Castillo, they have a big need on their defensive front. They do not have a dominant player along their defensive line and Brockers would fit great in San Diego cause of his size and versatility.

19. Chicago Bears, Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois -

Analysis: The Bears defense is built on speed and pressuring the quarterback. Defensive end Julius Peppers is one the best in the league at getting after the quarterback, yet the Bears lack another premium edge rusher, so they reach into their own backyard and nab Mercilus, who posted 16 sacks last season in the Big Ten, which routinely produces some top notch NFL offensive lineman.

20. Tennessee Titans, Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina -

Analysis: Gilmore has the talent to come off the board much earlier, so the Titans are very fortunate for him to fall in their lap, he can help the fill the huge void left at corner by the departure of pro bowler Cortland Finnegan.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrtick, CB, Alabama -

Analysis: The run on corners begins here as the Bengals add a talented cover man in Kirkpatrick. The Bengals already have solid veterans to play opposite of Leon Hall in Nate Clements and Terrance Newman, however they find a long-term solution in Kirkpatrick.

22. Cleveland Browns – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech -

Analysis: The Browns continue to add offensive playmakers in an effort to upgrade their offense. They consider taking Brandon Weeden here, but since they hold the 37th pick, they elect to gamble and hope he falls to them there. If not, there are other quarterbacks worth drafting and developing in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Hill is an amazing talent and will give the Browns the big play threat they have been lacking in the passing game.

23. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford -

Analysis: The Lions were hoping a cover corner would fall to them, yet they also need a long-term replacement for left tackle Jeff Backus and Martin is the ideal fit. He is a great value in this spot and the Lions would be fortunate  if he falls into their lap on Draft day.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama -

Analysis: Following the release of long-time starter at inside linebacker James Farrior, the Steelers find his replacement in Hightower, who will be the rare Steeler draft pick that gets on the field relatively quickly.

25. Denver Broncos –  Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State -

Analysis: The Broncos are in desperate need of help along the interior of their defensive line and Worthy can provide it for them. He is stout against the run, can play multiple positions and has some interior pass rush skills.

26. Houston Texans – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor -

Analysis: For years the Texans have failed to add a complementary no.2 wide receiver to relieve some of the pressure off of Andre Johnson, so they finally take the plunge here with Wright, who is a very talented receiver, who is tremendous in yards after the catch.

27. New England Patriots – Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State -

Analysis: Patriots fans will rejoice if Head Coach Bill Belichick decides to pull the trigger on McClellin, who is a versatile defender in the mold of Mike Vrabel, who will finally give the Pats the edge rusher, they have desperately need for so long.

28. Green Bay Packers – Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC -

Analysis: The last time the Packers selected an outside linebacker out of USC (Clay Matthews), it worked out pretty well, so why not give it another shot with Perry, who is a gifted athlete with the ability to pressure the quarterback of the edge. He will take some pressure off Matthews and help upgrade a pass rush that was dismal in 2011.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Courtney Upshaw – DE, Alabama -

Analysis: The Ravens always do well in the Draft because they take the best player available and in this spot it’s Upshaw, who is not the greatest athlete but is a tough, hard-nosed football player, who would fit beautifully in Baltimore.

30. San Francisco  49ers – Reuben Randle, WR, LSU -

Analysis: Even though the team added wide receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, they still need to get better at the position, however Hill and Wright are gone, so the 49ers turn their attention to Randle, a solid receiver who will add a young talented wideout to the 49ers receiving core.

31. New England Patriots – Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame -

Analysis: The Pats continue to fill big needs defensively, as they take the second-best safety in the draft here, hoping they can plug him in right away next to Patrick Chung, in an effort to upgrade a porous pass defense.

32. New York Giants – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State -

Analysis: The Giants need a right tackle to replace former starter Kareem McKenzie and Adams has all the tools to be a successful right tackle right away, yet has the potential to become a starting left tackle in the future.

Legedu Naanee Now A Miami Dolphin.

Miami Dolpin fans are currently among the most dissatisfied fans in the National Football League, following an offseason of disappointment in which the team was hoping to sign star quarterback Peyton Manning, yet failed miserably. The team also was unable to attract free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, who was the backup quarterback in Green Bay.

As if striking out on the two best quarterback options in the free agent market wasn’t enough, the Dolphins also traded Brandon Marshall due to disciplinary issues, so while some Dolphin fans were certainly dreaming of  a Manning-Marshall connection, it looks like they may have to settle on the dynamic due of Matt Moore and the newly added Legedu Naanee, who according to a published report by Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post, signed a one-year deal to join the team Tuesday morning.

The 28-year old wide receiver is a physically gifted player, who was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. At 6-2 225 pounds, the former quarterback turned receiver, has 107 career receptions for 1, 213 yards and four touchdowns. Naanee, (career stats found here http://pfref.com/pi/share/DEc9B), signed with Carolina last offseason following four years in San Diego and posted career-highs with 44 catches for 467 yards and one touchdown in his only season with the Panthers.

Even with Naanee in the fold, the Dolphins are still ultra thin at receiver, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are the only other players with veteran experience and neither of them are considered more than a no.3 receivers, therefore the position will need to be addressed early on in the draft.

Naanee is a talented enough to be an average starter at receiver but he is no replacement for Brandon Marshall and any comparison suggesting so is ridiculous, hence the Dolphins have some big shoes to fill at receiver, in addition to trying to find a franchise quarterback.

Miami has the no.8 in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft next thursday, meaning they will have plenty of options at their disposal. Currently, the team isrumored to have a strong interested in Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who scouts believe has the talent to eventually become a franchise quarterback with a little seasoning. However, the Browns also appear to have their eye on him at no.4, so there it’s entirely possible that the Dolphins will miss out on him just as they did Flynn and Manning.

If that were to happen, one would think the Dolphins would seriously consider drafting Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd with their pick. Floyd is a dynamic receiver, who caught 271 passes for 3,686 yards and 37 career touchdowns in four season in South Bend. Floyd may be considered a reach at no.8, yet the Dolphins are in desperate need of skill players on offense and Floyd has no.1 receiver potential.

Fantasy Take: Naanee could end up being the Dolphins no.2 wide receiver this season and if so should get plenty of targets. Now who will be throwing him the ball? Tannehill, Moore or David Garrard? None of those options excite from a fantasy perspective, therefore, Naanee will likely be no better than a fourth or fifth fantasy receiver. Strictly a depth option. Should not be drafted.

NFL Draft Mock 2012: Part I 1-16.

Will Tannehill end up as a Cleveland Brown or Miami Dolphin?

Every year the NFL Draft is one of the most exciting events in sports, the fortunes of every team are affected, Super Bowls are won and jobs are lost on draft night. It is a truly amazing spectacle and as we are counting down the days, so while we wait, lets take a look at how at our newest Draft Mock to see how things could play out on draft day.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford:

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Luck is a no brainer here. Yes, RG3 has steadily risen up the draft boards and some scouts are even speculating that he will be better than luck. However, I Luck is still the best quarterback in this class. He’s a great athlete, has accuracy, intelligence, intangibles, everything you want and need from a franchise quarterback. It may take a few years but Luck will get the Colts back on track.

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

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: RG3 proved himself as a passer last season, throwing for over 4,200 yards and 37 touchdowns. He is an electrifying player with his feet too and should give NFL defenses fits for years to come.

3. Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, LT, USC -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: For a team that’s in desperate need of tackle help, the Vikes sure don’t seem sold on Kalil, why? No idea. Kalil is clearly an elite prospect, he has the ideal build for a left tackle, he has great feet and he should be able to start from day one. If the Vikings are unable to trade out of this spot, I would expect Kalil to be the pick.

4. Cleveland Browns, Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: According to Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback, the Browns front office is split on whether to draft Tannehhill or Alabama running back Trent Richardson. King states Mike Holmgren favors Tannehill, therefore with that in mind, NFL Draft Mock is going to project Tannehill to this spot. This would be the turning point of the draft as the Browns take one of the last potential franchise quarterbacks available. There are a number of questions surrounding Tannehill mostly because he only started 18 games at quarterback in his college career. He was a receiver until his junior season, when he took over the helm for Jarrod Johnson at Texas A&M. Yet, in 18 starts, Tannehill completed 62.5% of his passes,  threw 42 touchdowns compared to just 21 interceptions and went 13-5 as a starter. He has prototypical size and athleticism, as well as experience in a pro style offense. However, in the Draft you have to take risks and the Browns take one here. Holmgren, Head Coach Pat Shurmer and Tannehill will all succeed or fail as a one, if Tannehill busts, all three will find themselves on the unemployment line.

5. Tampa Bay Bucs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: The Bucs jump for joy when Richardson falls to them at the no.5 spot. Richardson is one of the elite players in this draft and scouts believe he is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. This pick will add to an offense that already boasts quarterback Josh Freeman and newly signed free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson, to form a talented to trio to build upon.

6. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Ok ST -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Fantasy Owners would love for  this pick to happen. It would finally give quarterback Sam Bradford a legitimate no.1 receiver type in Blackmon, who had 123 catches last season for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns. If Blackmon ends up in St. Louis 80 plus catches is certainly possible.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: The Jags need help in quite a few areas but the value with Claiborne is too much to pass up at this point. Rashean Mathis is aging and the Jags don’t have much firepower in the secondary, so adding the top cover corner in the draft would be a solid addition for the defense.

8. Miami Dolphins – Quenton Coples, DE, North Carolina -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis : The Dolphins are the team hurt the most by the Browns decision to draft Tannehill, cause if not, he would likely fall to Miami at no.8. Michael Floyd may be an option here for a team in desperate need of playmakers on offense, the team will also certainly try to trade down. Yet, in this spot, with Cameron Wake talking about a holdout and a lack of legitimate pass rusher opposite him, the Dolphins invest in Coples, who had 18 sacks in his last two season in college.

9. Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss ST -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Cox has been flying up the draft boards recently and for good reason. He has elite interior pass rushing skills, which are invaluable in today’s NFL. Cox also has position versatility, with the ability to play DT in a 4-3 or be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense, either way he will impact the game rushing the passer. The Panthers desperately need help in the interior of the D-line, so Cox is the ideal pick.

10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, Left Tackle, Iowa -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: The Bills have had a need to fill at left tackle since Jason Peters departed to the Eagles, now Demetress Bell has also left for Philadelphia, it’s time for the Bills to finally invest in a long-term solution.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Ingram is an absolute beast, yet the biggest thing hurting his draft stock, is the lack of a truly defined position. The debate amongst scouts has been where best to play Ingram, bur if Ingram goes to Kansas City, position will not be a problem. Head Coach Romeo Crennel is a defensive guru and Ingram would be the perfect complement to pro bowler OLB Tamba Hali. In his last two season as South Carolina, Ingram registered 19 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly – LB, Boston College

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Kuechly and Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll are a match made in heaven. The Seahawks need a run and hit linebacker because they still have not replaced Lofa Tatupu and Kuechly is the guy for the job. He was highly productive in college, averaging 177 tackles in three seasons, while also notching seven career interceptions and two forced fumbles as well as 35 tackles for loss. He is a true three-down linebacker. He is a plug and play guy that will start right away, could even win defensive rookie of the year.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Michael Floyd – WR, Notre Dame -

NFL Draft Mock Analysis: Ever since the Cardinals traded Anquan Boldin they have been trying to replace him and unfortunately, it has not gone well. Early Doucet and Andre Roberts have been ok but neither appears to be worthy of starting. So, the Cards tab Floyd to take from pressure of star receiver Larry Fitzgerald, while also providing quarterback Kevin Kolb another prime target, as he tries to prove he is capable of being the team’s franchise quarterback.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brockers, DE, LSU -

Analysis: Jerry Jones loves physical specimens and Brockers is definitely that at 6’5 322 pounds. He also makes sense in the Cowboys 3-4 defense, as he can be an elite five-technique that will also provide some interior pass rush skills. Dontari Poe is also a candidate here, yet in my opinion, Brockers fits the scheme a little better.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Analysis: Reportedly, the Eagles are very high on Brockers, so if he’s there at 15, he may well be the pick. However, in this scenario he is not, therefore the Eagles finally get a solution to their safety problem by drafting Crimson Tide standout Mark Barron, who started his final three years with Alabama and finished his career with 12 interceptions, 34 passes defensed, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He’s an impact player and a great tackler, which is an area the Eagles struggled mightily in last season. So while Brockers may be their choice, Barron will fill a bigger need.

16. New York Jets – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis -

Analysis: Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan remembers when he was in Baltimore how dominant Haloti Ngata was and in some way Poe has similar characteristics. He is a very big man at 6’3 346 pounds, yet he is a pretty nimble athlete and has outstanding quickness for his size. He is very raw and posted just five sacks to go along with 21 1/2 tackles for loss. Yet, teaming Poe and 2010 first rounder Muhammad Wilkerson will give the Jets a potentially dominating defensive line.

NFL Draft Analysis: Why need should never trump value.

For this post, we are going to take a little trip back in time to the 2007 NFL Draft. Remember those days, when we believed JaMarcus Russell could actually play professional football, ah yes, the glory days. (Humor is intended)

The Russell reference is for context, the real issue covered in this post will be the great draft debate: Drafting for need or value? Fortunately, the 2007 draft provides the perfect context to review why drafting for need is such a misguided strategy.

Infamously, the Raiders were wooed by the potential of Russell as a franchise quarterback, following an impressive three-year career with LSU, where he went 21-4 as a starter. His college career was highlighted by an MVP performance in which he completed 21 of 34 passes for 332 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, for the victorious Bayou Bengals in the 2007 Sugar Bowl.

On that night in New Orleans, in what turned out to be his final college game, Russell made it look effortless as he repeatedly gashed the Notre Dame defense, time and time again en route to the 41-14 victory. Yet, one game does not a career make.

However, the Oakland Raiders became enamored with Russell due to his measureables (as they always did under Al Davis) and incredible arm strength. Despite his youth in immaturity, they made him the first pick in the Draft and the he rest as they say is history.

Russell went 7-18 as a starter in three years with Oakland, completing only 52% of his passes for his career to go with 18 career touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 25 fumbles and a career passer rating is 65.2. To say the least he was abysmal failure.

This was such a critical error in judgment that the Raiders are still paying dearly for it. Had Russell not been such a colossal bust, the team would never have needed to trade for Carson Palmer, sacrificing two premium picks, including their first-round pick this season, in order to get him.

In addition to that, think for a moment about whom the Raiders could have drafted; Calvin Johnson and Adrian Peterson, the 2nd and 7th overall picks, respectively, come to mind. Imagine Megatron out in Oakland, it would have been a perfect fit.

Davis loved the vertical passing game, which is why he fell in love with Russell, who had so strong an arm he could throw the football over 50 yards from his knees, yet Calvin is the ultimate deep threat, with his previously unseen combination of size, speed and strength, Johnson is nearly un-coverable and that’s no exaggeration.

Last season in week 15, the Raiders saw up close what Johnson can do. Detroit trailed 27-21 with 2:14 to play and had the ball at their own 2-yard line. Sounds impossible right? Not for Calvin. Lions quarterback Matt Stafford threw a bomb and between a myriad of defenders, Johnson hauled in the 48-yard bomb. He then caught a 21-yard pass and finally a 6-yard touchdown, in what turned out to be the winning score.

In a matter of minutes, with the game and possibly their season on the line, the Lions put the game on Johnson’s shoulders and he did not disappoint. On the final drive, he caught three passes for a total of 75 yards, almost single-handedly, sealing the Raiders fate in the process.

For the game, Johnson posted nine receptions for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Think Raiders management was wishing they had selected Johnson right around the time he was catching the winning touchdown, dealing them a crushing blow from which they never recovered. Oakland ended up tying Denver for first in the NFC West, yet lost the tiebreaker. If only they had Megatron, things might have been different.

There is another very interesting aspect to this story, as the Lions General Manager at the time was Matt Millen, who was as bad a drafter as any GM in league history, drafted receivers Charles Rodgers (2nd overall in 2003), Mike Williams (7th overall in 2004) and Mike Williams (10th overall in 2005), in three consecutive drafts, so when ’07 rolled around, few expected another one in the first round.

At the Time, Roy Williams was a pro bowler and fellow wide out Mike Furrey was coming off a 1,000 yard season, therefore many wanted Millen to draft safety Laron Landry or defensive end Gaines Adams, players who could fill more direct needs, provided he was able to trade down. Now, we may never know if Millen wanted Johnson or could not find a partner to trade down, but even though he was criticized for drafting a fourth receiver in five years, he picked Johnson, no.2 overall and again, the rest was history.

Johnson is now the most dominant receiver in the game. It was a rare stroke of genius by Millen, who could have easily justified drafting to fill an immediate need; he already had two 1,000-yard receivers. Yet, he stuck to his board. Johnson was the clear no.1 on most draft boards that season, so Millen took the best player available. Simple right?

Not always.

Some teams simply get caught up in trying to fill every need, which is impossible. Intelligent football people understand teams will always have needs to be filled. In the free agency era, no team is without weaknesses. The last two Super Bowl Champions barely qualified for the playoffs, so every team is flawed. The key is simply adding as many good football players you can get your hands on.

Yes, need does come into play at times, you can’t pick a quarterback every year in the first round, for instance. But for the most part, teams should not focus on position and just draft the best player each time they pick, every position is going to have a need at some point, due to player departure, ineffectiveness or injury. Thus need based drafting is silly and misguided.

Millen still has one of the worst draft records in league history; nevertheless, the Lions would NOT have turned back into a playoff team without Johnson as the foundation to build around. For all the poor draft picks in that era from 2001-2008, Millen at least gave Detroit a hall of fame player before he finally departing.

Trust me, Millen could have easily messed up the pick, but for once he kept it simple, he picked the guy that he knew to be the best player in the draft and it turned out to be the best decision he made as Lions general manager. If only the Raiders had made the same decision, it may have been them in the playoffs last season instead of Detroit.

Just another reminder of why in the NFL Draft, need should never trump value.

Browns Interested in Quarterback Brandon Weeden?

Every year around this time, NFL teams are getting their draft boards ready because with the NFL Draft only weeks away,  final boards are being put together, causing many players to rise or fall, as their Draft value  is solidified.

Due to the importance of the position, quarterbacks always seem to be on the rise as the Draft nears, as teams without franchise quarterbacks are desperately seeking to acquire one. Following the Redskins trade with the Rams to secure Robert Griffin III and the no.2 overall pick, Ryan Tannehill was the big mover, as he went from an expected mid-to-late first round pick, to a potential top-five selection, with the number of potential franchise quarterbacks dwindling fast.

Teams such as Cleveland, Miami, Arizona and Seattle could all use upgrades at the position. Yet, the Cardinals seem content to roll with either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, while similarly, the Seahawks starter will likely emerge from the competition between incumbent starter Tavaris Jackson and free-agent signee Matt Flynn from Green Bay.

Right now, it seems the teams most interested in landing Tannehill are Cleveland and Miami. The Browns hold the no.4 pick, therefore, they want Tannehill at that spot, he should be there for them. He makes sense in Cleveland, cause the Browns utilize the west coast offense, which is what Tannehill ran in college at Texas A&M, where current Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was his head coach.

Its hard to say if the Browns interest in Tannehill at no.4 is genuine or a smokescreen, but my take on the situation is the Browns are interested, just maybe not enough to use a top-five pick on him. With that in mind, I also don’t see Miami trading up into the top-five to acquire Tannehill. Essentially, the two teams are playing a game of chicken waiting for someone to blink. If the Browns want him at no.4 they can take him, if not, he should fall to Miami at no.8.

Scouts around the league are in agreement that Tannehill has the potential to be a starting quarterback, yet he has limited experience, starting only 19 games in college. He posted impressive numbers with the Aggies, throwing 42 touchdowns compared to 21 interceptions for his career and completed 61.6% of his passes this season, his only full-year as a starting quarterback.  He has good size and athleticism, above average arm strength and accuracy, plus still has room to develop.

Considering Tannehill’s potential, it would not be at all surprising if Cleveland pulled the trigger at no.4, they need a franchise guy and it’s unclear if Colt McCoy can be it. Drafting Tannehill would allow the Browns to keep McCoy on the field for now, giving them a better idea what kind of player he is, while Tannehill develops.

On the other hand, the Browns are desperately in need of some skill players, such as running back Trent Richardson and wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Fortunately, the Browns have plenty of flexibility because they hold the 22nd and 37th picks in the draft as well, so they could potentially pass on Tannehill, allowing Miami to select him at no.8, then pick Richardson, who would fill an immediate need and instantly add a playmaking threat to the offense. The Browns could then address quarterback with one of their next two selections.

While there is no consensus no.4 quarterback in this draft now, the candidates include Brandon Weeden, Nick Foles, Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousins. Foles and Cousins are seen solidly in the second, Weeden and Osweiler both merit first-round consideration.

From my perspective, Osweiler is way too risky to pick in the first round, thus Weeden is clearly the fourth quarterback prospect and is comparable to Tannehill in the eyes of some. In two years as a starter at Oklahoma State, he threw 71 touchdowns compared to just 26 interceptions, while completing 69.7% of his passes.

Talent-wise, Weeden is worthy of being selected in the first round, what might hold him back is his age. He will enter the NFL next season as a 28-year old rookie, which is not ideal. However, quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner and Rich Gannon blossomed late and won MVP awards, so whose to say Weeden can’t follow in their footsteps.

When it’s all said and done, we may just see three quarterback taken in the first round, but when it comes down to it, quarterbacks drive success in this league, so one with first-round talent would be hard to pass up on, thus it would not  come as a shock to no one, if a guy like Brandon Weeden comes off the board a little earlier than expected.

Packers and McClellin are a perfect fit

Across the NFL it’s pretty widely known that the Green Bay Packers are looking for pass rushers. Last season, their pass rush, which was so dominant in 2009 and 2010, was one of the worst in the league and it might have cost the team a second Super Bowl title. As Always, General Manager Ted Thompson will look mostly to the draft to improve the club, therefore, the Packers will be taking a long, hard look at all the pass rushers available when they select with the no.28 overall selection in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

By nature, Thompson and the Packers are very conservative, particularly in the first round. With the amount of money and investment that goes into the first round pick, Ted normally plays it safe, meaning he prefers experienced players (seniors) with no character issues. Ironically, the only junior Thompson has drafted in the first round while in Green Bay, was Aaron Rodgers, but we all know that drafting quarterbacks is a completely different ballgame.

One complication for the Packers when pursuing pass rush help, is that the player not only needs talent but also has to fit into the 3-4 scheme, meaning many of the guys that played 4-3 defensive end in college, are going to have to shift to outside linebacker in the 3-4, or just play in nickel situations as an edge rusher. However if you’re picking a guy in the first round, it’s always been my belief that he should be a three-down player.

With that thought in mind, one player, Shea McClellin of Boise State, is a perfect fit for the Packers, not only because he can fill their need for a pass rusher, but he fits into their defensive scheme, their culture and he’s everything Thompson looks for in a first-round selection. McClellin was highly productive in college, registering 20.5 career sacks and 33 tackles for loss, as well as 130 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions, he also scored one defensive touchdown in his four-year career with the Broncos. So he’s a finished product with tons of playing experience and a knack for making plays.

In today’s NFL, there are no truly dominant defenses. Take even the 49ers, the best defense in the league last season, and even they gave up 32 points to the Saints in the Divisional Playoff, showing that elite offenses can still score against even the best of defenses. The key is not being dominant; it’s about taking away the football. San Francisco did that better than anyone last year, which was a big reason for their success on that side of the ball.

Besides forcing turnovers, the other thing that makes defenses successful is a good pass rush, because often times turnovers are a direct result of the defense applying pressure on the quarterback.

Not only can McClellin get after the quarterback, he’s not too bad in coverage either, as his four career interceptions can attest to. He plays the run well and is very durable, missing only three games in four years due to a leg injury his freshmen season. Not only that but he’s also  the kind of high character guy, Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy love.

So let’s review, McClellin can rush the passer, play on his feet, put his hand in the ground, play the run, cover, is durable, has off the charts intangibles and is experienced. He’s also relentless and has a motor to match that of current Green Bay outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Frankly, defensive coordinator Dom Capers should be jumping for joy, if he ends up with Matthews and McClellin as edge rusher, cause the possibilities would be endless.

McClellin had been projected as a second or third round selection when the draft process started, yet he’s been flying up draft boards recently and has positioned himself as a potential first-rounder. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr currently has him rated as the 36th best player. Yet, I don’t take much stock into rankings, cause it only takes one team believing he’s a first-round pick, to make it a reality.

Scouts absolutely love this kid and in my opinion if he’s available at no.28 for Green Bay, they should absolutely take him. He’s the complement to Matthews they’ve been searching for and he’s also the pass rusher/defensive playmaker the defense so desperately needs. So while some Packer fans want Thompson to take a risk and trade up, they should hope he plays it safe and picks McClellin, because sometimes the best moves are the ones you never make, and the safe play turns out to be the right one.