Welcome to the second round. For the first round of this mock draft go here.
The combine has come and gone, the male version of a swimsuit calendar shoot. But donโt get too high or too low about this stuff. Like my friend Bill Smith says, โbeware the workout warrior.โ The site of the past Super Bowl, Indianapolis hosted the 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Combine. Letโs take a look at who moved up the draft boards and who fell after the workouts.
We also had last year’s overall #1 most accurate NBA mock draft. check out the current one here
We also did a combine winners and losers for all positions:
ย 33. St. Louis Rams, Kendall Wright, WR/KR, Baylor
Rams need another vertical weapon, RG3’s running mate who helped him get the Heisman is the most decorated WR in Baylor Bears history. Had a bad forty time, but look how fast he plays. Floyd runs a faster 40, but doesn’t move as fast on field.
34. Indianapolis Colts,ย Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Go here for more on Adams
according to The Scores Report:
Heโs massive at 6-foot-7 and 323 pounds, with an 82 1/2 โinch wingspan and huge 11-inch hands. Despite his size, heโs a good athlete with natural bend and is being viewed as a left tackle at the next level (as opposed to some college prospects that are forced to move to the right side because of limitations in their game). He was suspended the first two games of the 2009 season for violating team rules, was cited in January of โ09 for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (chargers were eventually dropped) after being stopped for running a stop sign, and was part of the group that was suspended for โTattoogate.โ But he has all of the physical tools to become a top 15 pick in April.
35. Minnesota Vikings, Mike Martin, DT, Michigan Wolverines
Had a great combine. Martin, was described by his coach, UM Brady Hoke: โHeโs been blessed with a first step and quickness, heโs not shy. Heโll be physical and so I think heโs got great leverage, can bend and has explosion.โ
Martin really looks up to Suh “I watch film on him quite a bit, his motor, that’s really important for defensive linemen and he’s the best at what he does,” Martin said.
He even worked at Suh’s camp.
“That was a lot of fun, the way I got connected to that is through a friend of his, and I met his sister and we talked over Twitter and email, she told me to show up to the camp, help out, and then Ndamukong and I talked after, he said he’s coming to the Nebraska game at Ann Arbor, so there was a little fun smack talk there. And he gave me a few pointers and tips; which is nice,” Martin said about the experience.
Being at UM, which is just outside of Detroit gives Martin a chance to watch Suh regularly; and numerous chances to further model his game after him.
Go here for more on Martin
36. Tampa Bay, David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
By putting up the best vertical and broad jump of any running back in Indy, supplemented by his very impressive showing in the catching drills and 40 yard dash, Wilson might be the second back taken after Alabamaโs Trent Richardson, who wisely didnโt run in Indianapolis. According to Walter Football.com Wilson, โreportedly was the only prospect to show up in a suit (Armani, to boot) to all of his meetings, while most of his peers wore sweats. He was a professional both on and off the field this weekend.โ
37. Cleveland Browns, LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
Peyton Hillis will not be back with the team in 2012, and the Browns don’t have any other starting tailback/feature back candidates on their roster.
James is averaging a national best 149.6 yards on the ground while running for 1,646 yards; 4th in the country. Despite missing two games with a dislocated elbow.
He’s the school’s all-time leading rusher; just 77 yards shy of 5,000. Just don’t confuse with LeGarrette Blount, which is surprisingly easier to do than you think. James took over for the now Tampa Bay Buccaneers tailback at Oregon when Blount was suspended for his involvement in that brawl in 2009.
For more on James go here
For more on the Browns draft.
Oregon Ducks cheerleaders performing at the Rose Bowl
Here’s more videos of the cheerleaders performing at the Rose Bowl
In the meantime, for volume 1 of our Oregon Ducks cheerleader gallery go here
For volume 2 of our Oregon Ducks cheerleader gallery go here
38. Jacksonville, Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
Has ideal size, but combine showing didn’t help. All these rumors about his weight, and he showed up in Indy pretty light. Still there’s a ton of questions he needs to answer, and his pro day better solve those queries for professional scouts.
39. Washington, Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
Our first stretch of the draft, and it comes courtesy of Daniel Snyder of course. Robinson ran a 4.29, making him the 40 yard dash champion of the 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Combine. From obscurity to up the DB charts.
40. Carolina, Mychal Kendricks, DE/DT, California
The Pac-12 Defensive player of the year had a great vertical leap and broad jump. And he ran the fastest forty (4.41) of any linebacker in 12 years. Welcome to the second round, if not higher, Mr. Kendricks.
41. Buffalo, Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
Josh Chapman served as the backup to All-American Terrence Cody during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and is currently regarded as one of the better nose guard prospects in his class. Chapman talked about how well and how seriously they take stopping the run.
“That’s about being physical up front and basically establishing a new line of scrimmage. And our guys go out and compete every day and want to stop the run. That’s our main goal here, make the team one dimensional,” Chapman said.
For more on Chapman go here
42. Miami,ย Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
Cousins already had the off-the-field/intangibles stock on par with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, now he’s shown off his on-the-field/tangibles chops. When doing a NFL Draft radio spot for 92.3 the Fan, CBS radio Cleveland, I blabbed on and on about how much I love Cousins as a prospect. Especially since I heard him tell it like it is regarding the BCS and bowl system at the Big Ten championship. That type of outspokenness and fearlessness is exactly what you need in a guy leading the huddle.
The only one of the main QB prospects to throw, Cousins is probably the fourth signal caller off the board now, he impressed in the passing drills.
“as this video attests, he’s not just good at football, but good at life.
For more on Cousins.
43. Seattle, Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
Marvin McNutt, Jr. set the school record for career touchdown receptions with an 80-yarder on Saturday.ย He added two more scoring receptions in the second period, giving him 24 for his career; breaking the previous mark of 21, held by former San Diego Charger Tim Dwight (1994-97) and Danan Hughes (1989-92).
McNutt, Jr., who hails from St. Louis, led Iowa receivers with six receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns.ย The receiving yards and touchdown receptions were career bests.ย McNutt is kind of like former West Virginia Mountaineers college basketball star Kevin Pittsnogle- a college star who has a small cult following; partially because of his unique name.
Go here for more on McNutt!
44. Kansas City, Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin
Besides being one of the best interviews in college football, the Wisconsin Badgers Aaron Henry is also a talented prospect at the safety position.
The senior Henry will enter the NFL Draft this spring and as of now ranks as a top-five safety. With a strong showing prior to the draft, he could go as high as the second round, but shouldn’t go any lower than the third or fourth round.The biggest knack on Henry is his tackling. He’s been known to whiff on defenders from time-to-time and doesn’t have the large body-size to to take down big receivers with ease. He’s not a horrible tackler, but it’s not his strong suit.
For more on Henry
45. Dallas, Lamar Miller, RB Miami
The National Football Post ranks Miller the No. 3 running back in this year’s draft class, and the 35th-best overall draft prospect.
Wes Bunting of the NFP describes Miller this way:
“Possesses a good first step, a natural feel between the tackles and exhibits the cut back ability to slice his way up the field. … isn’t a guy who is going to make a ton of NFL defenders miss or break many tackles inside.”
46. Philadelphia, Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
Brewster discussed the value of leadership.
โOne thing we talk about before games is we need that poise.โ
And the confidence comes from doing, and doing under pressure.
โYou can practice as much as you want, but until you get in that game and bullets are flying, you canโt get that experience any other way. Game reps is the best experience you can get. After you go out there the first time, every time after that is just another day at the office,โ he said.
Brewster is a 6-5, 293 Junior from Orlando, FL with three years of starting experience. Heโs a NFL ready talent, but itโs difficult to predict where centers will get taken on draft day. The best at the position donโt often get picked until the third round at the earliest. Therefore โBrewsterโs Millionsโ (yeah, you knew it was coming, an โ80s pop culture reference, I just couldnโt past that up) will likely have to wait to 2012. I doubt heโll forgo his senior season.
Go here for more on Brewster
47. New York Jets, Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego
A big, tall thrower who’s been pro ready for over a year. There are questions about his mobility and the level of competition he’s faced.
48. New England Patriots, Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska
David has a special NFL role model.
โRay Lewis, I just like his style of play and the type of motivator he is. I try to copy him as much as I can, but at the same time do my style, stuff he can do I canโt do and stuff I can do he canโt do. So I just take bits and pieces of that.โ David said.
Go here for more on David
49. San Diego, Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Didnโt run in the combine, so youโd call it a hold in his draft stock price, but it actually increased because the other top tight ends ran the drills and hurt their stock. Heโs like Mitt Romney in the GOP primaries, all you got to do is keep quiet, let all the freak shows shoot their mouths off and you improve yourself by not doing anything.
50. Chicago Bears, Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State
An OG prospect whoโs long arm length and bench press reps propelled him from obscurity to a second day guy.
51. Philadelphia, Brandon Washington, G/OT, Miami
52. Tennessee, Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
53. Cincinnati Bengals, Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
54. Detroit Lions, Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
An excerpt: (from NFL mocks)
Pros
His best attribute his is ability to move well in the passing game โrangeโ and to get to the second level in the run gameโฆHe has Good sizeโฆbig wingspan and huge hands (this is the 40 yard dash for OL)โฆagileโฆathleticโฆmoves his feet well
Cons
Though he has the body type to fill out he needs to continue to add more strength because he can overwhelmed at the snap by powerful defensive linemenโฆraw from a technical standpointโฆdoesnโt have elite awarenessโฆ
55. Atlanta, Michael Egnew, Missouri
The tight endโs measurables looked good, then again you could say the same for former Mizzou TE Chase Coffman (not to be confused with Chase Daniel that was the QB) and that didnโt work out too well
56. Pittsburgh,ย Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
Zeitler figures to be a 2-4 round prospect and his considered a tremendous talent. He’s leaner and meaner than many o-linemen. Often you see some chub sticking out when it comes to the big guys up front, you don’t see any of that with Zeitler.
Coming out of high school, he was ranked the third-best player in Wisconsin and No. 39 offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com, fourth-best player in the state and 22nd-best offensive lineman in the nation by Scout.com
57. Denver, Jeff Allen, Illinois Fighting Illini
The big OT put up good numbers on the bench press and the 40, and resurrected his draft stock. The Illini OL just fell off the map in the second half of the 2011 season, and Allen was one of their leaders, so some of that falls on him. But individually he is finding his groove and could be a round 2-4 pick.
for more on Allen go here
58. Houston, Chris Polk, RB, Washington
An insurance policy for Arian Foster, who will make more in the first game than he made all last season
59. New Orleans,ย Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia
60. Green Bay Packers, Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
You canโt be a first round prospect anymore when you run a 4.89, unless youโre a QB, DL, or OL. And thatโs a problem because Allen plays tight end. Welcome to the Friday club, Mr. Allen.
61. Baltimore, A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois Fighting Illini
Why hasn’t the addition of Anquan Boldin made the Ravens a passing juggernaut? Is Joe Flacco just that “game-managerish” and nothing more. Maybe they need another vertical piece. Jenkins ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, the 4th fastest among all WRs. Now a 4-5 rounder becomes possibly a mid-late second rounder. Had a MONSTER first half of 2012, but kind of disappeared in the second half. The question is, how much of that drop in production was his own fault vs. how much was due to the regression of his quarterback/the fact that he was his team’s only decent receiver?
For more on Jenkins go here
62. San Francisco, Lucas Nix, G, Pittsburgh
63. New England Patriots, Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The Patriots put together some decent make-shift pieces in their d line last year, to make their pass rush at least serviceable, but those pieces aren’t guaranteed to stay in place this offseason. And again, when you have the second to worst pass defense in the NFL, try to get as much help as possible for those over-matched DBs.
58. NY Giants,ย Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
Jared Crick has really torn up opposing offenses in his three years with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ndamukong Suh’s alma mater. Crick is a dominating player in his own right; but he’s not like Suh. Infractions aside, Suh is a beast among beasts, and the search is on for NFL teams to find the next game-changing DL in his mold. Crick’s name comes up often in this specific discussion because well obviously he played with Suh and wears the same uniform. But Crick has his own legacy to build.
“Suh and I are completely different people, completely different players,” Crick said when asked about how the media is quick to label him the next Suh.
“People just kind of see defensive tackle at Nebraska and think oh he must be like Suh, but I’m really not. He’s a great player, but our games are not alike in any fashion. We’re great friends, but we have completely different games,” he continued.
Getting more specific:
“We have different personalities, Suh is at the big time now, but we’re both humble guys. So that’s a similarity. But when we were playing together, he was more the bigger, stronger guy, more the anchor guy, and I was the quicker guy who would have to beat the 1-on-1 in order for the defensive line to succeed, and that’s still true now,” Jared said. For more on Crick go here
For the first round of this mock draft go here.
This mock is listed in the following databases: FF Toolbox, DC Pro Sports Report, Walter Football and Hail Redskins.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. Heโs also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.
