2012 NFL Draft: First 10 Picks

Well folks, the 2012 NFL Draft is almost upon us! There has been a lot of media chatter around this draft, and there are some teams who putting their reputation and future on the line with this draft. I want to look at the first 10 picks of the draft, after which my draft knowledge will have mostly run out. The first 10 is where the big drama happens anyway!

1.     Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck (as of yesterday) has been informed by the Colts that he will be the #1 pick. Not that this comes as a surprise, but it is nice to get the pretend argument between Luck and Griffin off the table. The Colts are throwing all of their eggs in this basket. If Luck washes out in a year or three, it will be devastating to this franchise. No pressure, but he has the potential to be Peyton Manning 2.0.

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

Robert Griffin is a sprinter, a thrower, and a thinker. He seems to have all of the necessary tools to be the most complete quarterback…ever. It seems crazy, but people are already comparing him to Cam Newton mixed with Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb. Those are 3 professional quarterbacks who have won a lot of football games. If Griffin can even be half as successful as his potential, he will be a league average quarterback.

3.     Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings think that they have a keeper in young quarterback Christian Ponder. However, common logic dictates that a quarterback must be on his feet in order to make accurate throws. Kalil is universally regarded as the best lineman in the draft, and he could fill either outside spot on the offensive line for 10+ years. This is not a sexy pick, but it is the kind of pick that helps move a franchise in the right direction.

4.     Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The experts are currently predicting that the Browns take the best RB on the board by a mile, Trent Richardson. Nothing against Richardson, he is one of the best RB prospects to come out of college in a few years. He can run hard, break tackles, outdistance pursuit, catch the football, he is a monster in the gym, etc. However, history says that running backs can be drafter in the 2^nd and 3^rd round and still be sold contributors to a team. I only hope the Browns can run block well enough for Richardson to succeed.

5.     Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Clairborn, CB, LSU

Remember when Tiki Barber retired 4 years ago? Well, his brother is still playing CB for the Bucs. Not to say Ronde Barber is old, but the Bucs definitely need to consider the pass defense when they look at this draft. Clairborn is an incredibly solid pass defender, he can tackle, and he is a high character player who will be a benefit to Tampa Bay as an organization.

6.     St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, OK ST.

Jeff Fisher and the Rams think that Sam Bradford is their QB, both today and tomorrow. Some experts think that one way to develop a good quarterback is to give him a good player to toss the ‘ol pigskin to. This is where Blackmon comes in. He put up video game numbers in college, can run a good route, and has a large frame. While he is not the second coming of Megatron, Blackmon should be a consistent and talented target for Bradford.

7.     Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, SC

Most of the experts are calling Ingram as the pick for the Jaguars. My initial thought for this pick was Coples from UNC, but Ingram is the safer pick. He could be a standup 3-4 linebacker, or a traditional end on a 4-3 scheme. He will provide a disruptive presence for the Jags from day 1, even if they rotate him in and out depending on the situation. In my opinion, Ingram is athletic enough to stay in on all downs, but we will see.

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

With all of the attention afforded to the first 2 picks in this draft, Tannehill has gone relatively unnoticed until the last few weeks. Now, as the draft draws nigh, teams are noticing that Griffin and Luck aren’t the only QB’s with great fundamentals, surprising athleticism, and a bright future. If the Dolphins can groom Tannehill on the sideline for a minute or three, he could be a really solid NFL player.

9.     Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This is the first pick in this draft where the talking heads start to disagree. At this point, Poe has a higher ceiling but more questions than other DT options in this draft. Fletcher Cox, the next DT on the board, is a very solid player who could contribute immediately, but Poe has the opportunity to be a franchise changing defensive player. If there is one thing the Panthers need, it is a better run-stopping, gap-plugging interior defensive lineman.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With the addition of Mario Williams, the DL is definitely an area of strength for the Bills. However, for this team to succeed, the other line needs to be stronger. They grow large people out there in Iowa, and Reiff could be one factor that could help make sure Ryan Fitzpatricks contract is actually worth it.

            That is how I am predicting the first 10 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft to shake down. There are still some really fantastic players on the board. Luke Kuechly, Quinton Coples, Michael Floyd, Dre Kirkpatrick, Stephon Gilmore, and Kendall Wright are all players who could make an immediate impact on the team that drafts them. Let me know what you think, or argue with me about your teams pick! Next year, I will be wiser and do 15 picks.