Blue-Super Bowl Winners

Winning the Super Bowl is obviously the ultimate goal each and every year. Although kicking the absolute crap out your division rivals, is a close second.

The five year recap to the right, may not come as much as a surprise to some of you. Teams like the Patriots and Steelers have been a dominate force in their respected divisions for years now. Still, the bottom half of the ranking board does feature a lot of the same teams we do seem atop the NFL draft order every April. A sign that the best way to improve within the league, starts with the battles against the teams you know the most.

Winning your division has always been a top priority with coaches. With each division winner getting a free ticket to the post-season, it would only make sense to game-plan and build your franchise around the ability to exploit a rivals weakness.

The fact that the St. Louis Rams have only won 4 games within their own division in the last 5 years is down right disgusting. Clearly there are some obvious goals that new head coach Jeff Fisher must correct. The same could be said for the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that has been a doormat in the AFC North.

Surprisingly the Browns along with Rams, Lions, Jaguars, Chiefs and Broncos have all not been able to crack .500 within their own division in the last 5 seasons.

While the recent Super Bowl champs are all near the top of the rankings list, winning the turf war isn’t a absolute must to win the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers did have an impressive 6-0 record in the AFC North back in 2009, but the Giants have won it twice in the last 5 years with a .500 mark in the NFC East.

Fantasy Football:

The following break down is the Fantasy Football stock value report for this years crop of rookie running backs heading into the NFL Fantasy Season.

Trent Richardson is easily the most sought after fantasy rookie for the 2012 NFL season. The Browns clearly got themselves a face-lift and will be starting a high number of the rookies acquired from this years draft class. QB Brandon Weeden, OT Mitchell Schwartz, and LB James-Michael Johnson and Trent Richardson are all being penciled in as starters. The talent added will hopefully gel together to form a group that will move the chains and put T-Rich in many opportunities to rack up fantasy points.

Although, there are two theories when it comes to this former Alabama powerback; 1.) He’ll carry the offense and help players like Brandon Wedden improve that much faster or 2.) He will be smothered in a all-out run blitz that defense’s will force down the the Browns throat, resulting in the team to have to throw the ball with their rookie QB.

It’s easy to over-think the countless possibles in which Trent Richardson will hurt your fantasy line-up, the Browns have never been a team for running up the score, nor do they ever get an easy schedule being in the AFC North. Still, this team is built to run the ball. Peyton Hillis may have been a one year wonder after injuries arouse with the offensive line last year. If healthy, the Browns O-Line can create gaps that even the most average RB can succeed with. Insert a running back like Richardson and the possibilities of a big threat rushing attack are down right scary. All the stats and analyzing in the world may not convince you that Trent Richardson is the real deal, but a long time fantasy writer’s “gut-feeling” should. I would take Richardson early and laugh all the way to the fantasy championship.

Fantasy Value: Very High
Fantasy Stock Value: Through the Roof
Fantasy Draft Projection: 2nd to 3rd round

Everybody loves the potential of Doug Martin, but this season may be a learning experience for newest Tampa RB. Fantasy owners need to keep in mind that the job is Blount’s to lose, and that Martin’s rookie season could involve being a productive change of pace running back that the team will ease into the offense. LeGarrette Blount has 20 pounds on this former Boise St. RB, and despite the “bowling ball” comparisons this rookie may not see carries inside the 20 yard-line. Blount proved he can handle a solid workload, and without his injuries last season, I wonder if we would even be questioning his role in this offense. Blount did regress a little  in 2011, his yards per carry average fell slightly from 5.0 to 4.2, but he still had a couple 100+yard games for the Buc’s who were one of the leagues worst teams.

Doug Martin is an investment fantasy RB. While there is a chance he wins the starting job this season, it may not happen right away, so draft him accordingly. He is an excellent keeper-league player, an insurance piece for Blount owners, and a sleeper heading into training camp. But as far as being a every down fantasy starter, you’re kidding yourself if you reach on him too early. Preseason will be where Martin showcase his skills to the coaches, hopefully convincing them to give him extra touches throughout the season, but at this point he is too risky for anything higher than a 5th round pick.

Fantasy Value: Medium
Fantasy Stock Value: Investment Player- Will pay off down the road.
Fantasy Draft Projection: 5th to 7th round

The Giants were pleasantly surprised with what they found available with the last pick of this years NFL Draft. David Wilson played college ball at Virginia Tech, a smooth runner with an extra gear to help accelerate downhill or around a corner. Wilson has a great frame, solid build and seems to play bigger than his what his measurements have him listed at.

The Giants added weapons to make their SuperBowl winning offense that much stronger at the draft. History has shown that the team rarely uses rookies right out of the gate and tend to groom prospects for optimal production. Still, the Giants running game was not their strong point last season, ranking dead last in rushing yards per game (89.2 ). Need vs. coaching tendencies make Wilson an intriguing fantasy sleeper. Tom Coughlin has a strict method to his coaching style, and is very structured about personal. Some doubt Wilson see’s much action early on, yet with such a boost needed at the running back postion, and with the loss of Brandon Jacobs, will Coughlin break some of his old-school rules and allow David Wilson to touch the ball 15+ times a game? – It’s probably too early to say.

*Preseason and training camp will be a great forecast to how this talented speedy RB will fit into the teams gameplan for 2012. Right now, I would have to project David Wilson’s fantasy stock as “yet to be determined” . I know it’s a cop-out, but he could go either way at this point.

Fantasy Value: Low to Medium
Fantasy Stock Value: Sleeper
Fantasy Draft: Projection: 6th to 9th round

If you are going to find a running back to complement Steven Jackson, speedy breakaway threat Isaiah Pead definitely fits the mold. The Rams really must see something special in this kid, as he has limited features other that straight line bursting speed.  Pead is not your every down running back in the NFL and will need to work on correcting many elements of his game. He is a project that will contribute sporadically in the Rams offense. Unless Steven Jackson get’s hurt, and even if he does, Pead has little fantasy value in his rookie season.

Fantasy Value: Low 
Fantasy Stock: deep sleeper
Fantasy Draft Projection: 11th to 15th round

Continue Reading: LaMichael James, Ronnie Hillman, Lamar Miller and many more!

Fantasy Football:

2012 NFL Draft Grades

The NFL Draft has come and gone. What remains is the future players that are needed to create big plays, clog up holes, and add depth to the rosters of our favorite teams. There will be superstars among the 2012 Draft Selections, along with many busts, but for now they are the new breed of talent to make each NFL team seem that much better.

If you think about it, one group of youngesters are going to have Super Bowl rings in 9 months, and usually the team that can gain the most out of the NFL draft, has the best shot at winning it all.The following is Gridiron Experts 2012 NFL Draft Grades. Follow us on Twitter

Arizona Cardinals  DRAFT GRADE: B+
The Cardinals were unable to make a significant upgrade to their quarterbacking position and instead moved on to Plan B: surround incumbents John Skelton and Kevin Kolb with a better supporting cast. We mocked Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd to Arizona, and they indeed secured the draft’s second best receiver at 13. Floyd is a big-time talent and his presence will really open up the offense by taking pressure off of Larry Fitzgerald.

Third round CB Jamell Fleming filled the team’s next highest priority. GM Rod Graves pulled a major coup by grabbing Ole Miss OT Bobby Massie at pick 112. Massie was thought to be a 2nd-3rd round talent and is likely to start from day one on the Arizona line, which was also reinforced by Washington G Senio Kelemete and Boise State OT Nate Potter. Arizona also added highly-respected San Diego State signal-caller Ryan Lindley as a developmental project.

Atlanta Falcons  DRAFT GRADE: C-
Atlanta lacked a first round pick due to last year’s draft-day deal that became WR Julio Jones. But as luck would have it, the Falcons were still able to add a high quality prospect that filled a huge need. Wisconsin C Peter Konz was expected to be a late first round pick, but fell into Atlanta’s lap at 55. Still focusing on the offensive line, Thomas Dimitroff surprised many by taking Southern Miss OT Lamar Holmes, who was not expected to be chose until the draft’s final day. Konz’s teammate FB Brady Ewing was chosen as insurance for injured FB Ovie Mughelli. Atlanta’s final three selections strengthened the defensive line and secondary.

Baltimore Ravens:  DRAFT GRADE: A-
You have to give credit to Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome. Year after the year the Ravens are able to add abundant talent and keep their club amongst the short list of championship contenders. 2012 was no different as the Ravens traded down out of the first round altogether but were still able to add key components. Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw slid out of round one, but will likely enter the Ravens defensive rotation from day one.

Newsome also stayed true to his team’s needs by bolstering the offensive line with the 60th pick, Kelechi Osemele, and 98th pick Gino Gradkowski. Knowing that the Ray Rice could miss part or all of training camp due to a contract dispute, Newsome also traded back up into round three to grab a talented running back, Temple’s Bernard Pierce. On day three, the Ravens added depth to their beleaguered secondary and added Miami WR Tommy Streeter.

Buffalo Bills  DRAFT GRADE: B
There was a lot of buzz coming from Buffalo this off-season, and for a change, most of it was positive. The Bills were big spenders in free agency, bolstering their D-line by adding the top-rated pass rusher DE Mario Williams and DE Mark Anderson. The draft also brought some significant upgrades to important positions of need. First round CB Stephon Gilmore was the second rated cornerback available on most teams’ draft boards.

Georgia OT Cordy Glenn was mocked in a ton of first rounds, so he was an excellent value at 41. The Bills needed to strengthen their receiving corps, but jumped the gun of third rounder TJ Graham, who was thought to be a 4th to 5th round player. GM Buddy Nix salvaged the draft with four straight fantastic picks that netted Florida State OLB Nigel Bradham, LSU CB Ron Brooks, Florida State OT Zebrie Sanders and TCU OLB Tank Carder.

Carolina Panthers  DRAFT GRADE: A-
The rapid transformation from 2-14 to serious contender is nearly complete after a second consecutive excellent draft. Carolina was able to grab the draft’s top linebacker, Boston College OLB Luke Kuechly, and another perceived first round pick, Midwestern State OT/G Amini Silatolu. Oklahoma DE Frank Alexander will strenghten the Panthers pass rush and fourth round WR Joe Adams provides an instant upgrade and legitimate weapon to start opposite of Steve Smith. Round 5 brought a tremendous value in Coastal Carolina CB Josh Norman, who was ranked the 58th best prospect by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. Overall another great job by the new regime in Carolina.

Chicago Bears  DRAFT GRADE: C+
A lot of people thought that offensive line was Chicago’s top priority. Judging from their draft-haul, the Bears disagreed. Rather than beef up the o-line, instead they chose to upgrade the defensive front with Boise State DE Shea McClellin. When you take into consideration that the Bears have vaunted offenses from Green Bay and Detroit on the schedule twice a year, you can understand their strategy. Still, Jay Cutler continued to be harassed under Mike Martz’s old offense, and it was surprising to see the front five ignored entirely. Having already acquired WR Brandon Marshall from Miami, Chicago’s second selection was another prospect that was considered one of the biggest risers in perceived value, South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery. Cutler finally appears to have a viable receiving corps. The second half of the draft was mainly used to fortify the ailing secondary.

Cincinnati Bengals  DRAFT GRADE: A-
Missing out on the top cornerback, Morris Claiborne, the Bengals spent the 17th pick on Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick to fill a major need in the Cincinnati secondary. Kirkpatrick had seen his stock sore in recent days and became widely thought of as the second rated corner in this draft. Moving down to 27 cost the Bengals a chance at David DeCastro and they instead took Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler over some higher rated offensive lineman. The final eight selections for Marvin Lewis and company stand out as an excellent draft-haul. Penn State DT Devon Still was one time considered a first round talent, and will add quality depth the the Bengals already fearsome d-line. Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu was seemingly drafted by Cincinnati twice, once as a prank in round one, and for real in round three. Sanu was a solid pick and should start right away. Many experts had Orson Charles as the second ranked tight end in the draft. Solid late round picks boosted the secondary, receiving and backfield depth.

Cleveland Browns  DRAFT GRADE:  C
It was widely known that the Browns would focus on offensive skill position players in this draft. Rumors of the Buccaneers moving up to nab Alabama RB Trent Richardson caused the Browns to panic, and swap with the Vikings to acquire his services. Richardson is a big-time running back prospect, and many consider him a superior option than former teammate Mark Ingram. Reportedly the Browns were set to select Baylor WR Kendall Wright with their second selection in round one, only to have him be off the board. Mike Holmgren then used that spot to effectively end the Colt McCoy era by selecting 28 year old signal-caller Brandon Weeden. Cleveland’s next pick was on a solid tackle, California’s Mitchell Schwartz. Inexplicably, despite having eight selections remaining in this draft, the Browns did next to nothing to improve their awful receiving corps. In round 4, they reached for Miami WR Travis Benjamin, but he isn’t expected to make a huge impact. Credit to Holmgren for some really nice defensive additions late in the draft, including Texas LB Emmanuel Acho, Boise State DT Billy Winn and Arizona CB Trevin Wade. Overall, it doesn’t appear the Browns took advantage of the surplus of extra draft picks they had, and the wide receivers are still woefully inadequate.

Dallas Cowboys DRAFT GRADE: C+
The Cowboys are a part of a fiercely intense division that drafts similar to how they play; cut-throat and aggressive. The team is not afraid to go after what they want, and despite being one the leagues most hated teams, you have to admire them for that. Jerry Jones pulled a coup a traded up for an elite cornerback Morris Claiborne, despite the fact that the Cowboys hadn’t even visited with former LSU defensive back. Claiborne is a fantastic fit in a secondary that was woefully thin last season. The move from 14 to six cost Dallas their second rounder. They used the rest of their selections to fill needs mainly along the defensive line and linebacking corps. Overall we applaud the bold move to acquire one of the six elite targets in this draft.

Denver Broncos DRAFT GRADE: D
Denver decided to move back out of the first round and load up on mid-round talent this year…a curious strategy for a club that appears to by “all in” now with aging Peyton Manning. A player like DT Derek Wolfe isn’t flashy, but adds to a serious need on the defensive line. The goal this year seemed to revolve around adding toughness and physicality. The Broncos added meat and potato type talent with the selections of G Philip Blake and DE Malik Jackson also grabbing a excellent tacklier in Danny Trevathan. All were solid value picks that will contribute in one way or another this season.

Yet, the head-scratcher of the day was the Brock Osweiler pick, with players like Rueben Randle and LaMichael James still on the board, the Broncos looked towards the future drafting a quarterback to learn under Manning. No receiving additions were added in this years draft class, something that will most likely hurt them down the stretch next season.

Continue Reading More 2012 NFL Draft Grades

Fantasy Football:

]]> http://gridironexperts.com/2012-nfl-draft-grades/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-draft-woulda-coulda-shoulda-volume-i http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-draft-woulda-coulda-shoulda-volume-i#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:28:40 +0000 Brian Jerzak http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24720 Every fan of the National Football League is a fan of the NFL Draft. We all look at who were the biggest draft steals, but I think it's more fun to look at the big NFL Draft misses in the first round.

Fantasy Football:

]]> NFL Draft: Would’a Could’a Should’a 

Every fan of the National Football League is a fan of the NFL Draft. We all look at who were the biggest draft steals, but I think it’s more fun to look at the biggest NFL Draft misses in the first round.

Here is the first of a four part article highlighting each teams low light in the first round. I went back twenty years and picked not the best, but the worst pick each team made in the first round. The reasons for each bust are as varied as the players themselves. Anything from ineffective play, to injuries to drug suspensions derailed this first group of busts. Just to rub some salt in the wound, I also listed the biggest name taken later in the first round that the team could taken. We start with East Coast bias and each week will move west.

AFC East

New England Robert Edwards 1998 Georgia 18th overall

Edwards started out great. He rushed for over 1,000 yards his rookie season. It was all downhill from there. Edwards injured his knee during a Pro Bowl flag football game and didn’t play another game for the Patriots.

Big Miss: Randy Moss

Miami Yatil Green 1997 Miami Fla 15th overall

Green was on the roster for only three seasons for the Dolphins. Only one of those seasons included any receptions. His career stats are a solid stat line for a quarter of a season, not a career. 18 catches, 234 yards and zero touchdowns. Multiple knee injuries doomed Green’s NFL career.

Big Miss: Tarik Glenn

NY Jets Vernon Gholston 2008 Ohio State 6th overall

This was the first really easy pick. In three seasons with team Gholston made just five starts and didn’t record a single sack as a Jet.

Big Miss: Chris Johnson

Buffalo J.P. Losman 2004 Tulane 22nd overall

Because of how important the position is, Losman gets the nod. He started every game in one forgettable season and didn’t make more than eight starts the rest of his time in Buffalo.

Big Miss: Steven Jackson

NFC East

Dallas Shante Carver 1994 Arizona St. 23rd overall

Carver played four seasons and recorded a total of 11.5 sacks during the triplets hay day. It took him 26 starts to get those 11.5 sacks.

Big Miss: William Floyd

NY Giants Cedric Jones 1996 Oklahoma 5th overall 

They didn’t know it when the Giants drafted Jones, but he was blind in one eye and could only play on the left side. Jones played just five seasons in New York. As a top five pick he recorded just fifteen total sacks.

Big miss:  Marvin Harrison

Philadelphia Bernard Williams 1994 Georgia 14th overall

Williams started all 16 games as a rookie and then ran into a ton of drug problems. He was banned from the league for life after failing 15 drug tests.

Big Miss: Wayne Gandy

Washington Heath Shuler 1994 Tennessee 3rd overall

The Redskins have given me another easy pick. Shuler started 13 games in three seasons for the Skins. His final Redskins stat line reads like this: 13 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He has had more success in D.C. on the House floor than he did in RFK stadium.

Big Miss: Willie McGinest

 

Check out other Volumes: NFL Draft: Would’a Could’a Should’a Volume II

Fantasy Football:

]]> http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-draft-woulda-coulda-shoulda-volume-i/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:51:08 +0000 Gridiron Experts Team http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24464 Gridiron Experts 2012 Mock Draft with reader polls for everyone to add their two cents. The NFL Draft is only days ways and many people very excited about the opportunity to see their favorite team add talent in one of the off-seasons most sought after events.

Fantasy Football:

]]> NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and Gridiron Experts is zeroing in on who we think each team will take. Of course, one trade on draft day and an entire mock draft is thrown out the window. Odds are that at least one of the teams at the top of the draft will move back, and with rumors flying, we thought a Mock Draft that merged with a readers poll would allow everyone to add their two cents.

 

 

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#1 Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck, QB

The Andrew Luck pick is a lock for the Colts first overall. The only vote here should be who will the Colts grab at pick 34 overall? With many team needs, including offensive line help, the Colts better think about getting Luck a new OT to avoid having a “David Carr” NFL rookie season.

But with so many team needs and a lack of offensive line talent, who would you pick at #34?

#2 Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III, QB

The Redskins will get their franchise quarterback, but only time will tell on whether or not they gave up too much to move up only a couple spots in this year’s NFL draft. I know you’re never supposed to throw games in the NFL, but a couple late season losses last year and the Redskins would have saved a world’s wealth in draft picks.

 

#3 Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, OT

The Vikings, in my opinion, will select Matt Kalil 3rd overall. This year’s crop of offensive talent is below average when compared to previous draft classes, so it only makes sense to take the cream of the crop if it’s a pressing need.

Still, passing on Kalil or trading down to gain extra picks is very tempting. The Vikings are probably looking at other offensive linemen as we speak. Moving back would essentially allow the team to pick another first round player, while still gaining the offensive talent they so desperately need.

The Vikings have reportedly narrowed their choices to Kalil, Justin Blackmon, or Morris Claiborne. What are your thoughts on a possible trade, or would you rather pick someone else here?

Update: It looks like the Vikings may pull the trigger on Claiborne, or try to get the Bucs to trade up here to get in front of the Browns to select Richardson. As of now, the pick looks like Claiborne

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#4 Cleveland Browns, Trent Richardson, RB

Trent Richardson is one of the best players of this year’s NFL draft. Cleveland has a huge need at running back after losing Peyton Hillis in free agency, and former teammate Montario Hardesty can’t seem to stay healthy.

I have been preaching all year that the Browns have smart minds in the war-room and that a plan is in place. Gaining a ton of extra draft picks from trading back out of the top of the draft last year has put the team in the prime position they are now. Rumors are that the team would consider doing something again this year, yet eventually you have to make a pick. Having two first round selections is plenty of power in selecting prime talent; if the Browns move back yet again it better be for additional picks this year. No more future picks are needed, elite talent is needed.

I believe the Browns will entertain offers, but remain here at pick 4 and add this years must-have fantasy rookie.

Tell me what you think, vote in the poll and check out Trent Richardson’s Profile Article

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris Claiborne, CB

Do you really care about the Wonderlic score? Claiborne is an elite corner and is the best available player here. Tampa Bay has a need at cornerback and would love to add this shut down blue-chip talent to start week one.

Aqib Talib is in serious legal troubles and on the trading block, while Ronde Barber will be 37 at the start of the 2012 season. It makes too much sense not to draft Morris Claiborne here. If for some reason the Vikings beat them to the punch, Kalil would also be welcomed with open arms.

Claiborne is the best cover corner in the draft and may be a better all around player than former teammate Patrick Peterson, who was selected with the 5th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Update: If the Vikings do indeed select Claiborne, the Bucs could go in a number of different directions, from Stephon Gilmore to Fletcher Cox or even Justin Blackmon. Don’t be surprised if it’s Gilmore, the red hot #2 ranked corner.

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#6 St Louis Rams, Justin Blackmon, WR

It gets really interesting here. The Rams have already come away with a jackpot of wealth, courtesy of the reaching Washington Redskins desire to make RG3 their guy. The taste is still in the mouths of the St. Louis war-room, and the team could easily consider making yet another deal to gain more picks.

If you have been living under a rock, the Rams acquired two 1st round picks and a 2012 2nd rounder just for trading back from the 2nd overall pick, and are now in a prime position to draft an elite wide receiver.

Justin Blackmon would give quarterback Sam Bradford a much needed weapon, and would also help out Steven Jackson as teams would no longer be able to sell out on stopping the run.

The most interesting aspect of needing a receiver in this year’s class is who’s on the top of your board? Blackmon is tops on Gridiron Experts Top 200 Prospect Board, yet many have Michael Floyd and even Alshon Jeffery ranked high.

Check out: Justin Blackmon’s Profile Article here.

What would you do if you were making the call? What’s your NFL Draft Strategy for the Rams at pick 6?

UPDATE: If Blackmon is gone, the Rams are likely to look at Fletcher Cox or Melvin Ingram. Don’t be shocked if they find a way to get Richardson either. Good chance the move down to accumulate even more picks.

#7 Jacksonville Jaguars, Melvin Ingram, DE

Trade Alert: There’s a strong possibility that the Jags are going to trade down in hopes of selecting a wide-out at a more appropriate spot. Inside rumors are that they are smitten with Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill.

The need for a wide receiver was high on everyone’s boards a couple weeks back. Yet, with the additions of Lee Evans and Laurent Robinson, the panic button to spend a high pick on a wide receiver has been turned off.

The team is likely to continue fixing their pass rush problems. As long as I can remember, Jacksonville has needed some kind of monster on their defensive line to draw double teams, and the search may continue this year. 2011 was the first time in 3 years the team cracked the 30 sack mark on defense (31 total). The Jags have been burned by high investment draft picks in the past with players like Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, yet Melvin Ingram has been one of the hottest NFL Draft Stocks as of late.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram? Would you draft someone else? Vote right and comment below!

Update: The Jags are reportedly hot to trot for Justin Blackmon.

#8 Miami Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill, QB

Matt Moore or David Garrard? Gimme a break. The Dolphins have been without a franchise signal-caller for over 12 years now, since the great Dan Marino retired. Clearly drafting a quarterback in the second round is also not working for the Phins. Ryan Tannehill will need time to learn how to read NFL defenses, but he is the best option for the team moving forward. Another thing to consider, Miami’s new offensive coordinator is no other than Tannehill’s head coach at Texas A&M, Mike Sherman. The goal has to be getting Tannehill, no vote on this one.

 

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#9 Carolina Panthers, Fletcher Cox, DT

The Panthers did a fantastic job building their offense in the 2011 draft. Now they’ll look to improve on the defensive side, where the clubs lack of pass rush and sparse run defense are glaring weaknesses. To be competitive in a division where you play two games each against Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, the Panthers will need stronger play along the front of their 4-3.

Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox has seen his draft stock soar, and he’s a perfect fit on the inside of the Panthers D-line where his athleticism would allow him to likely occupy the opposing center and guard. Fletcher Cox, Luke Kuechly, and Mike Brockers are all defenders who could make sense to the Panthers brain-trust.

#10 Buffalo Bills, Riley Reiff, OT

Fans of the Buffalo Bills are really excited about this team, for a change. The club’s fast start last year and huge free agency haul have the Bills Mafia in a frenzy and expecting a contender in 2012. With Buffalo’s glaring need at defensive line taken care of thanks to the signing of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, the team can now concentrate on protection.

Iowa’s Riley Reiff is clearly the second best tackle prospect in this draft, and with the team committing so much money to Ryan Fitzpatrick, protecting him is the top priority for this draft. Reiff should be a starter from day one, protecting Fitzpatrick’s blind side at the left tackle spot. Fan’s will cry for a deep threat wide-out target to help move the chains, but the priority list starts with letting your quarterback drop back into coverage without getting killed. There are plenty of value players that the Bills can add in the later rounds that will help out the offense.

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#11 Kansas City Chiefs, Dontari Poe, NT

When GM Scott Pioli was in New England, he championed the Patriots selection of monster nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Now Pioli will hope to make the same type of impact pick by grabbing the top nose tackle in the 2012 draft class. Memphis NT Dontari Poe combines massive size, strength, and rare athleticism for a 346 pounder. He also has the versatility to play either in the middle in a 3-4, or inside in a 4-3.

Stanford G David DeCastro is another strong possibility at this spot, but it’s unusual to see an interior offensive lineman selected this high. Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly is also an option.

Update: It’s looking less likely that Poe will be the option here. The Chiefs could use a strong nose tackle, but Pioli might not want to take a chance on the risk that some feel Poe represents. Barron, Brockers or Kuechley are strong options.

#12 Seattle Seahawks, Luke Kuechly, ILB

Rumblings out of Seattle would have you believe that the Seahawks are very interested in Ryan Tannehill and won’t hesitate to pull the trigger if he inexplicably dropped to twelve. Don’t buy it. With Tarvaris Jackson, Charlie Whitehurst, and newly acquired Matt Flynn already taking snaps, there’s no way they add another young signal-caller.

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Instead they’ll settle for the top inside linebacker of this draft class, Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly. A tremendous athlete and incredible tackler, Kuechly draws favorable comparisons to James Laurinaitis. He’d be an excellent fit at the MLB spot in Seattle’s 4-3 defense. News of Barrett Ruud being expected to start at the middle linebacker position is a great sign the team is getting their defensive depth chart in check. Ruud played with Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley on the Buccaneers back in 2007-08, he will be a vocal leader moving forward. Adding a player like Kuechly now could be a great way to hit the ground running. Ruud will be 29 in May and will need an understudy.

Other candidates for the spot could be the top rated pass rushers on the board, such as Quinton Coples, Courtney Upshaw, or Fletcher Cox.

If Kuechly is off the board, look for the top remaining DE.

#13 Arizona Cardinals, Michael Floyd, WR

Surprising pick, but as we all saw last year, the Cards offense struggled to consistently move the ball. The team plans on having an open quarterback competition between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, but they will need to surround their signal-caller with better talent if either of them is to have success. When Anquan Boldin was in his prime in the desert, opposing defenses weren’t so easily able to double-team All-Pro wide-out Larry Fitzgerald. Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd is a big-time talent and huge upgrade over anyone currently on the Cardinal’s roster.

Update: Reily Reiff is a strong candidate if Kalil slides.

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#14 Dallas Cowboys, Mark Barron, SS

This selection is popular amongst mock drafters because it just makes too much sense, just like when most of us knew the Cowboys would select Tyron Smith last season. Dallas did well to add ILB Dan Connor and CB Brandon Carr to shore-up other defensive weaknesses. Now they can draft the top strong safety prospect in this draft to fill a void that has plagued the franchise for many years.

Jerry Jones and company are very likely to draft a defender in the first round. Other candidates that could make some sense are defensive lineman Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers or Quinton Coples. The only realistic offensive candidates for the ‘Boys would be along the line, so don’t rule out Stanford guard David DeCastro or Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn.

Update: Brockers and David DeCastro also very likely here.

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#15 Philadelphia Eagles, Quinton Coples, DE

The rumors about going after a quarterback are not rumors, the team is looking towards the future. If Matt Barkley had declared, I’m sure the Birds would have had a great shot at a guy like Ryan Tannehill 15th overall, but with such a high demand, Tannehill will be snatched up much earlier. The price to move up into the top 7 to 10 range on the draft board is too much for a team that is accustomed to picking further back. The Eagles have been aggressive in the past and may move up at the right price, but odds are it will be for a player like Fletcher Cox. Fortunately, there is a high number of big uglies to choose from.

One of Andy Reid’s trademarks is depth along the lines, and Coples fits the Philly defensive scheme well. He has the versatility to play outside run-stopper and to move inside to rush the passer on third downs.

#16 New York Jets, Whitney Mercilus, DE

The Jets are a dark horse team, they’re solid throughout much of their depth chart and have no pressing needs. Adding depth to the offensive line would be nice, some more receiving talent would also be a great addition, but in this mock draft I feel the Jets take the best player available, and Whitney Mercilus at 16 is a solid bargain.

Reportedly the Jets love Ingram and are willing to consider moving up to acquire his services. In this scenario, he’s not available, so they take the next best fit for their defense.

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#17 Cincinnati Bengals, Stephon Gilmore, CB

Easily could be drafted in the top 10, but Mock Drafts aren’t always about best player available, sometimes you have to evaluate the teams needs while making assumptions for what best suits a club. The Bengals had to hear all season how losing Johnathan Joseph made the Texans season and how bad of a decision it was to let him walk. Stephon Gilmore fixes everything with his impressive height and toughness. A three-year starter for the Gamecocks, Gilmore has also gained some deep experience against top competition and should excel in the pros.

Who would you select with the Bengals 17th overall draft pick?

#18 San Diego Chargers, David DeCastro, OG

Kris Dielman’s unfortunate early retirement will cause the interior line to be a major off-season focus for the Chargers. Stanford’s David DeCastro is the top guard prospect we’ve seen in the draft in quite some time, and appears to be about as safe a pick as there is in the draft. He has the look of a perennial Pro-Bowler who could anchor the San Diego line for the next decade.

Other needs that the Chargers could consider here include a pass rusher or in the secondary. Michael Brockers or Courtney Upshaw make some sense, and there’s been some talk of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick being considered as well.

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#19 Chicago Bears, Kendall Wright, WR

From a perpetual area of weakness to strength in one off-season. The trade for Brandon Marshall and this selection of the electric Baylor wide-out will finally give Jay Cutler some formidable receivers to throw to, much to the lament of recently departed offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Both Marshall and Wright are huge upgrades over any receiver on the Chicago roster, and their arrival gives the Bears the offensive firepower to hang with division powers Green Bay and Detroit.

Offensive line is also a major concern for the Bears, so they could select David DeCastro should he fall this far, or take a tackle such as DeCastro’s teammate Jonathan Martin, or Georgia’s Cody Glenn.

#20 Tennessee Titans, Courtney Upshaw, DE

The Titans don’t have a lot of glaring holes, so they’ll be open-minded in their draft approach. Here they get the chance to grab the best available pass-rusher to fortify their defensive line. Upshaw would be an upgrade over Derrick Morgan and would likely start opposite of the newly acquired Kamerion Wimbley.

Other candidates for the Titans to consider include cornerback, where Dre Kirkpatrick is the top available option, or along the offensive line where Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin could make some sense.

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#21 Cincinnati Bengals, Chandler Jones, DE

Having already drafted to fortify their defensive backs, the Bengals would be ecstatic to also be able to add a talented defensive tackle to their formidable defense. Jones is one of the hottest names out there and he’s a good fit for what the Bengals like to do with their defensive line.

Should the Bengals pass on a corner at #17, they’ll grab Dre Kirkpatrick here. Other positions they could consider are offensive line and wide receiver.

#22 Cleveland Browns, Jonathan Martin, OT

Having committed at least one more season to trying to win with QB Colt McCoy, the Browns will now have to surround him with better talent (see Richardson, Trent) and do a better job of protecting him. Stanford’s Jonathan Martin is the consensus top offensive lineman on the board, and his addition (along with Richardson’s) means the Browns walk away from the 2012 first round with a much improved running game.

The Browns are also paper thin at wide receiver and it’s entirely likely that they could really consider one of the hottest commodities in this draft, Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill.

#23 Detroit Lions , Dre Kirkpatrick, CB

In a perfect blend of fit and need, the Lions end their long cornerback drought and select the top player on their draft board. Kirkpatrick is an excellent fit for the Lions scheme and fills a huge need. He had some off the field issues in college, but the charges were eventually dropped. That sort of stuff doesn’t seem to worry the Lions too much, anyway.

#24 Pittsburgh Steelers, Dont’a Hightower, ILB

Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower is a perfect Dick LeBeau player: big, mean, and fast. The Steelers parted ways with longtime ‘backer James Farrior this offseason, so Hightower fills an immediate void. Hightower has the versatility to play inside or outside and projects to be a premium gap-plugger and pass rusher.

#25 Denver Broncos, Michael Brockers, DT

Denver doesn’t have the best track record at selecting defensive tackles, but after a significant addition to their offense in Peyton Manning, they’ll look to fill the biggest need they have on the defensive line. John Fox will be making a big push to improve his defense, and the big tackle from LSU is a huge step in that direction.

Should The Broncos bypass their most glaring need, it’s entirely possible that they could go in a number of different directions. Offensive line is also a big need, as are tight end, secondary, and even receiver.

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#26 Houston Texans, Nick Perry, OLB

What a difference a year can make. The Texans nearly went from worst to first in total defense, thanks to some solid 2011 draft selections, and true team MVP, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. In this scenario, the rich get richer. Houston lost Mario Williams to Buffalo, so grabbing an elite 3-4 outside linebacker like USC’s Nick Perry gives Houston arguably the top linebacking corps in the league. Not to mention the devastating Trojans 1-2 punch of Perry and Brian Cushing.

Gary Kubiak likes to utilize a lot of two tight end sets. It would not be a surprise to see the Texans nab the top tight end prospect in this draft, Stanford’s Coby Fleener. They also lost the entire starting right side of their offensive line, so an elite tackle or guard are also priorities. Other areas of concern in Houston include nose tackle and depth in the linebacking corps. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter both remain sub-par receiving options, so Stephen Hill would also be a fantastic fit.

#27 New England Patriots, Shea McClellin, DE

The Pats’ defensive front continues to be an area of concern. Bill Belichick loves versatile pass-rushers, who are capable of playing in the complex New England scheme that incorporates elements of the 3-4 and the 4-3. Boise State’s Shea McClellin has the intelligence and versatility that make him an excellent fit for the Patriots.

There’s always the possibility that the Pats could trade out of this spot, but the most likely scenario is they stay here and move out of their own pick (#31).

#28 Green Bay Packers, Kendall Reyes, OLB/DE

The Packers have one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in Clay Matthews, but they are a little thin on the other side. The Green Bay defense went from a strength to a major concern in 2011. They had problems in the secondary and their pass rush ranked fifth from the bottom. Reyes would be an excellent fit in the Green Bay system, and would help restore some balance to a team that was far too one sided last year, as we saw in the playoffs.

Ted Thompson subscribes to the “best player available” approach to the draft. If they feel a defensive lineman fits their system, they’ll likely select him, regardless of needs. Other areas that could be options are along the offensive line and in the secondary. Running back is also a need, but unlikely in round one.

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#29 Baltimore Ravens, Peter Konz, C

Offensive line is the biggest need for the Ravens, and it just happens to turn out that the top center prospect in this draft falls into their laps. Baltimore re-signed long-time center Matt Birk, but lost guard Ben Grubbs to free agency. Birk is nearing the end of the line, so Konz could be an immediate upgrade at both center or guard.

The Ravens are always in the market for more pass rushers, and they do an excellent job selecting them in the draft. Should a lineman or linebacker that fits their system slide to this spot, Ozzie Newsome won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith or an offensive tackle could also both be candidates for this selection.

Drafting Peter Konz makes the most sense for the Ravens, but who do you really want?

#30 San Francisco 49ers, Amini Silatolu, OG

Silatolu is the classic Division II “diamond in the rough” type of NFL prospect. He’s favorably compared to other small school lineman like Larry Allen, Mike Iupati and Jahri Evans. Silatolu measured out well and had a good performance at the NFL combine. He’s a mauler who projects to be the type of mean and tough guard that fits well with what the 49ers like to do on offense.

Should the Niners bypass their line, they have been linked to Stanford tight-end Coby Fleener, a player that head coach Jim Harbaugh recruited and coached in college.

#31 New England Patriots, Stephen Hill, WR

The most likely scenario for this pick is for the New England Patriots to trade down. With Bill Belichick and company already acquiring a pass rusher at  27, they could easily trade down with a receiver-hungry team and stockpile future draft picks- a now common ploy of the Patriots draft manifesto.

Stephen Hill is one of the hottest commodities on the market and he’s not expected to make it out of round 1. It wouldn’t be inconceivable for the Patriots to actually draft Hill. Other candidates for this pick include DE Jerel Worthy and Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith.

#32 New York Giants, Coby Fleener, TE

Late last season, both Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard suffered ACL injuries. With the recovery times of both of them possibly leading into the regular season, the Giants are rather thin at the position. They’ll jump at the chance to grab the draft’s top tight end prospect, Stanford’s Coby Fleener. Fleener is a light-blocking, dependable receiver who would make a nice addition to New York’s high flying pass attack.

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:52:39 +0000 DC http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24301 Everyone knows the NFL draft is the fastest way to improve a franchise. All it takes is some clever wheeling & dealing before a .500 team is stronger and better prepared for the upcoming season. Every year there are teams that have a complete flip flop in the NFL standings, and usually a major factor in such a quick recovery is thanks to an excellent NFL draft.

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]]> Super Bowl Odds
Green Bay Packers 13/2
New England Patriots 8/1
San Francisco 49ers 10/1
Denver Broncos 12/1
Houston Texans 12/1
New Orleans Saints 14/1
Philadelphia Eagles 14/1
Baltimore Ravens 16/1
New York Giants 16/1
Chicago Bears 20/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 20/1
Dallas Cowboys 22/1
San Diego Chargers 22/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Detroit Lions 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Carolina Panthers 35/1
Cincinnati Bengals 40/1
Seattle Seahawks 40/1
Arizona Cardinals 50/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 50/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 50/1
Buffalo Bills 60/1
Oakland Raiders 60/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75/1
Indianapolis Colts 100/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 100/1
Minnesota Vikings 100/1
Cleveland Browns 150/1

Pre NFL Draft Super Bowl Odds

Everyone knows the NFL draft is the fastest way to improve a franchise. All it takes is some clever wheeling & dealing before a .500 team is stronger and better prepared for the upcoming season.

Every year there are teams that have a complete flip flop in the NFL standings, and usually a major factor in such a quick recovery is thanks to an excellent NFL draft.

The list to the right are the latest odds to win the Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Notice that the Saints are still high at 14 to 1, a bet I’m sure gets zero action these days.

Although getting in Pre-NFL Draft is not a bad idea. These odds will change within a week or two after the dust has settled from the Draft. I’m guessing sportsbooks evaluate the NFL draft as well, and research what additions were gained through adding talent that can play right away.

Teams like the Falcons, Cowboys and Jets are all 25 to 1. A great return on teams that either just missed the playoffs or made it and put up 2 points on the score board. Yeah you heard me Atlanta, I had a couple bucks on you and I’m holding a little grudge.

Still no love for the Browns at 150 to one, even the Colts are given better odds and their future QB has never thrown a pass in the NFL -Damn

 

 

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/ryan-tannehill-draft-profile http://gridironexperts.com/ryan-tannehill-draft-profile#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:55:58 +0000 Jody Smith http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24239 Perhaps the biggest benefactor in Tannehill's rise up the mock-draft database is the NFL's new rookie wage-scale. As we saw last year with the surprising selections of Jake Locker and Christian Ponder, clubs will not be a afraid to take a first round chance on a potential quarterback of the future. With the wage-scale, the penalty isn't nearly as severe or expensive if a team swings and misses on a prospective signal-caller.

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]]> Ryan Tannehill

School:  Texas A&M
Position:  Quarterback
Measurements:  6′ 3 7/8″ 221 lbs.
Projection:  Top 15 Overall

In One Word: Cerebral
Fantasy Value: Draft n’ Stash
Resembles: Alex Smith
Mock Predictions: Dolphins (8th)

Overview

Ryan Tannehill‘s NFL stock is on the rise and he’s now solidly projected to be a top ten pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Along with having the prototype size/frame to be an NFL QB (nearly 6′ 4″ and 221 lbs with a frame that could still add bulk), solid accuracy and arm, and excellent athleticism (Tannehill was a wide receiver the first half of his college career).

Perhaps the biggest benefactor in Tannehill’s rise up the mock-draft database is the NFL’s new rookie wage-scale. As we saw last year with the surprising selections of Jake Locker and Christian Ponder, clubs will not be a afraid to take a first round chance on a potential quarterback of the future. With the wage-scale, the penalty isn’t nearly as severe or expensive if a team swings and misses on a prospective signal-caller.

Of course, for any college QB to be considered for the first round in the NFL, he has to have a solid pedigree and Tannheill is no exception to that rule. As a former wide receiver, he has excellent athleticism and speed (4.6040 yard dash at A&M’s pro-day). It’s almost unheard of, but while an Aggie, Tannehill was both the team’s leading pass-catcher and passer during his career.

While his stint as an NCAA quarterback was brief, it was productive. In his first start, he set a school-record with 449 passing yards. Along with excellent accuracy and timing, Tannehill was a respected leader in the huddle who showed solid decision-making skills and physical toughness.

Although his versatility is a huge asset to his professional stock, Tannehill is relatively inexperienced as an NCAA quarterback….he played 30 games as a wide-out before finishing his collegiate career with a season and a half under-center. Like nearly all incoming rookies, he’ll still need some time to develop his down-field awareness, read-progression and mechanics.

As stated, Tannehill has all the measurements and statistics to be a solid QB at the next level…if a team is willing to draft him with the expectations that he be given a year or two to develop. If put in a good position, where he can learn and grow, Ryan Tannehill could make a solid and winning NFL signal-caller.

His current value places him solidly in the top half of round one and we think many of the QB-needy teams will snag him. Should he get past the Browns (at 4) and Dolphins (8th), he could wind up in Kansas City (11), Seattle (12), or if he slips to 15, Andy Reid has shown some interest in a developmental passer to succeed Michael Vick.

The move to the Dolphins at eight might make the most sense. Not only has Miami failed to land a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired 13 long seasons ago, the Phins new offensive coordinator is none other than Mike Sherman, Tannehill’s head coach throughout his career in College Station. Sherman has seen first hand what Tannehill can do, and the transition would be a smooth one for both.

 

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/ryan-tannehill-draft-profile/feed 2 http://gridironexperts.com/2012-nfl-mock-draft http://gridironexperts.com/2012-nfl-mock-draft#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:23:48 +0000 Jonathan Taylor http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24013 Gridiron Experts plans to throw a few different types of Mock Drafts at you over the next 3 weeks leading up to the Draft day. This Mock draft, written by Jonathan Taylor, focuses on players to fill need, which is a great method of logic when trying to predict who will go where.

Fantasy Football:

]]> 2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

This Mock Draft was created on: March 31st.
Check out our Top 200 NFL Draft Prospect Board

Gridiron Experts plans to throw a few different types of Mock Drafts at you over the next 3 weeks leading up to the Draft day. Jonathan Taylor’s Mock Draft focuses on players to fill need, which is a great method of logic when trying to predict who will go where.

 

#1 Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
This was a pretty easy choice, with Manning gone the Colts have shown full commitment to their #1 choice who can only be Luck. Heisman Trophy winner RGIII puts up a good case but Luck is one of the most polished prospects ever to come out of college. He is so consistent that he started to bore people during his final college season which has lead to bogus questions about NFL quality arm strength.

#2 Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Redskins gave up a huge amount to acquire this pick from the Rams, however I believe that they did the right thing. RGIII would undoubtedly be the #1 pick in most NFL Drafts in history, Griffin is not just a one year wonder, he has stats career stats totalling 10,366 passing yards, 78 touchdowns and only 17 interceptions. He also has 2,257 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Don’t let these numbers fool you however RGIII is primarily a pocket passer who scrambles only when it is the best option available. Check out RG3 Profile Article

#3 Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Minnesota have several needs across the board, one of the most pressing is protecting young quarterback Christian Ponder’s blindside. Luckily for them Matt Kalil is very likely to still be on the board when they pick. Kalil is a legitimate blue-chip prospect who should anchor the left side of the Vikings offensive line for many years. Kalil has several years of solid production at the college level and looks impressive against any opposition he has faced, he was also the reason that highly promising Cowboys’ tackle Tyron Smith played at right tackle for the whole of his USC career.

#4 Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
In my opinion Trent Richardson is the best non-quarterback in the draft. Richardson has all the traits that you look for in a running back, he is fast, strong and a great receiver. Cleveland has a huge need at running back now after losing Peyton Hillis in free agency to Kansas City, Richardson really take the pressure off of whoever is starting at quarterback for Cleveland and would give the fanbase real hope that the franchise is turning around. Check out Trent Richardson’s Profile Article

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Maurice Claiborne, CB, LSU
Morris Claiborne is the best available player here, Tampa Bay also have a need at cornerback. This is because Aquib Talib is in serious legal troubles and Ronde Barber will be 37 at the start of the 2012 season. Claiborne is the best cover corner in the draft and may be a better all around corner than former teammate Patrick Peterson who was selected with the 5th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

#6 St Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
St Louis made a great move in acquiring two future 1st round picks, a 2012 2nd rounder and still being in a position to draft the player that they were targeting originally. Justin Blackmon would give quarterback Sam Bradford a much needed weapon and would help Steven Jackson as teams would no longer be able to sell out on stopping the run. Blackmon has been one of the most productive college receivers in recent years putting up very impressive stats which included putting together a streak of 14 consecutive 100 yards receiving games. Check out Justin Blackmon’s Profile Article

#7 Jacksonville Jaguars – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
The Jaguars have a huge need at defensive end across from Jeremy Mincey, they also avoid drafting players with questionable character. Melvin Ingram is a hard working talented young defensive end who has shown that he can get to the quarterback recording 19 Sacks in two years.

#8 Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The city of Miami finally has a new quarterback to cheer for. After the Dolphins failed to acquire Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn or Alex Smith and could not strike a deal with St Louis to move up to 2nd to take RGIII, Dolphins fans must have been thinking the worst for their team. A Matt Moore/ David Garrard tandem will probably feature for most of the season for Miami whilst Tannehill learns to read NFL defenses and becomes more familiar with the offense. Going into 2013 though the Dolphins will be in a good position as Tannehill possesses all of the attributes of a starting QB in the NFL and as long as the Dolphins can support him and give him confidence he should develop into a very capable starter.

#9 Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Quinton Coples was at one time regarded by most draft analysts as a top 5 lock, since then questions have been raised about Coples’ motor which have resulted in his draft stock taking a slight hit. Carolina have a huge need at defensive end opposite Charles Johnson, they need a more consistent pass rush if they want to win more games next season and make a push for the playoffs in a division that is more open than ever after the Saints being penalised for Bountygate, Atlanta trading many top picks to improve what was already a strong area and Tampa Bay’s strong youth contingent being highly inconsistent.

#10 Buffalo Bills – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Despite locking up current #1 wide receiver Stevie Johnson to a 5 year contract, Buffalo still have a huge need at wide receiver. Michael Floyd has been rehabbing his draft stock since his arrest for drunk driving in March 2011. Since returning from his suspension Floyd has worked hard to prove that he was not a gamble of a selection. After returning from suspension and playing in all 13 Notre Dame games his senior year, Floyd left the fighting Irish holding four new school career records.

#11 Kansas City Chiefs – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
Current Kansas City starting nose Kelly Gregg is 35 years old. Last year he showed that he is on the decline and that he is no longer as effective at stopping runs through the interior of the defensive line. Dontari Poe wowed everybody at the NFL Scouting Combine, he showed an unbelievable combination of size, strength and speed that was thought impossible when he posted 44 reps on the bench press and the ran the 40 yard dash in 4.98 seconds despite weighing in at 346 pounds.

#12 Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll admitted that he would like to add some youth and speed to his linebacking corps. Kuechly is a top linebacker who only falls to pick 12 due to the perceived lack of value in run stopping linebackers, he projects to be a key defensive player in the NFL and should make at least one Pro Bowl.

#13 Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
One of the main reasons that Peyton Manning turned down Arizona was their train wreck of an offensive line. Recently resigned offensive tackle Levi Brown allowed 11 Sacks and 40 quarterback pressures last year and can’t be allowed to start on the left hand side again. Reiff is a fantastic talent who is technically very sound.

#14 Dallas Cowboys – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Some analysts are saying that David DeCastro could be the best offensive lineman in this draft class. DeCastro showed in his Junior year at Stanford that he is a tough, no-nonsense guard, at the Scouting Combine he cemented this belief showing excellent fluidity in the drills and good strength benching 34 reps of 225 pounds. Dallas need to replace the aging Kyle Kosier on a line that would be extremely promising with DeCastro next to Tyron Smith.

#15 Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Jason Peters recently ruptured his Achilles’ tendon which will result in him missing the 2012 NFL season, Todd Herremans is solid at right tackle but a more natural guard. This has left the Eagles with a big need for an offensive tackle. Jonathan Martin is best suited at right tackle at the NFL level, fortunately for Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick is left handed so Martin would be protecting his blindside. Martin is used to the pressures of protecting a highly rated quarterback after protecting Andrew Luck’s blindside for the past three years.

#16 New York Jets – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
This is one of the more controversial selections in this mock draft, many draftniks believe that Jeffery’s draft stock has taken a tumble into the 2nd round of the Draft. However, the Jets have just made a huge investment in Mark Sanchez and have spent a considerable amount on bringing Tim Tebow to New York to back up Sanchez. It would be foolish for New York not to address their need for a starting wide receiver opposite Santonio Holmes. Alshon Jeffery answered questions about his speed at his Pro Day, running in the 4.4-4.5 range. Despite a down year for Jeffery in receptions and yardage he still managed to catch 8 touchdowns despite South Carolina’s quarterback troubles.

#17 Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Cincinnati surprised everybody last year by getting to the playoffs despite starting a rookie quarterback and a rookie number one wide receiver. They were unfortunate to lose Leon Hall to injury before the end of the season and struggled thereafter due to lack of depth. Dre Kirkpatrick is a highly talented cornerback who until recent legal issues was viewed as an equal prospect to Morris Claiborne. He is certainly the best player available here and he fits need for the Bengals.

#18 San Diego Chargers – Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
San Diego are still looking for an impact pass rusher from the outside linebacker position. Larry English has failed to live up to expectation and it is now time for them to look for a possible replacement. Courtney Upshaw is a tweener prospect, he does not appear strong enough to play at defensive end or explosive enough to play at outside linebacker. Despite this Upshaw has delivered a solid pass rush from both of these positions during his time at Alabama. Upshaw could be the steal of this draft class or he could be a huge bust, he is the ultimate risk reward type prospect.

#19 Chicago Bears – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
There is not much tape available on redshirt sophomore Brockers. In the limited tape he does have he appears to be a disruptive force from the interior of the defensive line although he does appear to get less effective as he fatigues. The addition of Brockers to a defensive line already containing Julius Peppers and Henry Melton would give the Bears a fearsome defense that needs an edge if it is to stop Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford or Adrian Peterson.

#20 Tennessee Titans – Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia
With free agent guard Jake Scott looking into other destinations, Tennessee has a need at guard. Cordy Glenn has seen a considerable rise in his draft stock in the last 6 months which has been boosted by his versatility, Glenn can play at any guard or tackle position although his best fit is at guard. With Glenn plugged in at left guard this offensive line would quietly become one of the best in the NFL.

#21 Cincinnati Bengals – David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Cincinnati have yet to resign free agent Cedric Benson, this suggests that they are looking to upgrade the position this April. David Wilson only has one year of production as a starter at the college level. Despite this he has shown that he is explosive and always a danger to go to the house. In his only year as a starter Wilson ran for 1,709 yards and 9 touchdowns, he is also a dangerous kick return man and has returned 2 kicks for touchdowns during his time at Virginia Tech.

#22 Cleveland Browns – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Janoris Jenkins would have been a lot higher than this in the draft had it not been for serious off the field concerns which resulted in him leaving Florida for North Alabama. As expected, Jenkins dominated against the lesser competition this year at North Alabama and he has put himself in a good position to be drafted in the 1st round. Cleveland need a reliable cornerback across from Joe Haden and can’t afford to pass up on such a huge talent on a defense that desperately needs it.

#23 Detroit Lions – Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Defensive end is not a need for the Detroit Lions, as we have seen from past drafts though Detroit strictly draft the best available player. In this case it is Whitney Mercilus who lead the nation in sacks this year with 16.0. Mercilus would form a hugely destructive defensive end rotation with Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch, he would also complete the Lions defensive line, giving them one of the most feared defensive lines ever in the NFL.

#24 Pittsburgh Steelers – Devon Still, NT, Penn State
34 year old nose tackle Casey Hampton is on the decline in his career and the Steelers need to find a successor. Devon Still is currently a little light for a nose tackle but he has the frame to add more bulk, the Steelers have a habit of easing their rookies into the starting squad which would be ideal for Still in this scenario. If Pittsburgh can find a successor for Hampton then they can continue to dominate defensively for many years to come.

#25 Denver Broncos – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Peyton Manning needs more targets. Denver currently have Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker at wide receiver. The addition of Hill along with the recent free agent signings of tight ends Joel Dreesen and Jacob Tamme should give Manning more than enough weapons for him to lead the Broncos deep into the post season and take a shot at winning a much coveted Super Bowl ring.

#26 Houston Texans – Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Houston recently traded DeMeco Ryans to Philadelphia mainly due to his $5.9m salary in 2012. Due to this the Texans now need a linebacker to replace Ryans. Dont’a Hightower is an outstanding linebacker who led Alabama’s defense with 85 total tackles in 2011. Hightower would form an elite inside linebacker tandem with Brian Cushing.

#27 New England Patriots – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Dan Koppen has suffered several injuries and does not look to be coming back to New England whilst Dan Connolly is nothing more than a serviceable backup. Peter Konz is the top center in the draft, he has been well coached by the Wisconsin staff and he looks as though he will be able to start from the beginning of the season with few problems.

#28 Green Bay Packers – Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
The Packers’ biggest need is a disruptive outside linebacker to play across from Clay Matthews, with such a player teams would find it a lot more difficult to throw against this 32nd ranked pass defense. Perry has shown that he has the ability to get to the quarterback consistently after recording 26 Sacks in 3 years at USC.

#29 Baltimore Ravens – Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Ed Reed will turn 34 the first week of the regular season, whilst he still has the skills and mental strength to continue playing the game hi body is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Mark Barron is viewed by many as a strong safety prospect however he displays the attributes that would allow him to play free safety in the NFL. With a year of Ed Reed tutorage Barron could become the next great young safety in the NFL.

#30 San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
San Francisco’s recent acquisitions of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham show that the team is looking for players to fill it’s pressing need at wide receiver. Without numerous drops the 49ers would likely have gone to the Super Bowl in the place of the Giants and would have had a good chance of winning the game. Kendall Wright has suffered a hit to his draft stock recently after he was timed much slower than expected in the 40 yard dash. With a starting trio of Crabtree, Manningham and Wright with Vernon Davis at tight end this offense would become very hard to stop.

#31 New England Patriots – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
With all of the picks New England have in the first half of the draft they can afford to go best player available here. Fletcher Cox is a great interior pass rusher who could cause huge problems from the interior of the Patriots’ defensive line next to Vince Wilfork.

#32 New York Giants – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Coby Fleener has the ideal height, speed, strength combination that is looked for in modern day tight ends. Fleener would add another threat for Eli Manning to throw to and would be a mismatch against most linebackers.

 

Second Round

#33 St Louis Rams – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
#34 Indianapolis Colts – Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
#35 Minnesota Vikings – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
#36 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
#37 Cleveland Browns – Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
#38 Jacksonville Jaguars – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
#39 St Louis Rams – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
#40 Carolina Panthers – Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
#41 Buffalo Bills – Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
#42 Miami Dolphins – Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall
#43 Seattle Seahawks – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
#44 Kansas City Chiefs – Kelechi Osemele, OT/G, Iowa State
#45 Dallas Cowboys – Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
#46 Philadelphia Eagles – Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
#47 New York Jets – Bobbie Massie, OT, Ole Miss
#48 New England Patriots – Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
#49 San Diego Chargers – Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
#50 Chicago Bears – Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
#51 Philadelphia Eagles – George Iloka, FS, Boise State
#52 Tennessee Titans – Jared Crick, DE/T, Nebraska
#53 Cincinnati Bengals – Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
#54 Detroit Lions – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
#55 Atlanta Falcons – Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
#56 Pittsburgh Steelers – Brandon Washington, OG, Miami
#57 Cleveland Browns – Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
#58 Houston Texans – Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
#59 Green Bay Packers – LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
#60 Baltimore Ravens – Ronnell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
#61 San Francisco 49ers – Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
#62 New England Patriots – Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
#63 New York Giants – Chris Polk, RB, Washington

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/2012-nfl-mock-draft/feed 5 http://gridironexperts.com/brandon-marshall-and-the-windy-city-dilemma http://gridironexperts.com/brandon-marshall-and-the-windy-city-dilemma#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:18:22 +0000 Chris Strong http://gridironexperts.com/?p=23821 The Chicago Bears have formally begun to reinvent their team for the upcoming season. Bears fans have long waited for the organization to make much anticipated acquisitions to add to the struggling offense. So, when new Bears GM Phil Emery made a play to establish his new found authority by going out and getting pro-bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins, it looked as if the Bears would be getting a number one wide receiver as well as uniting Marshall with former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. It was a match made in heaven, but now the deal appears to be one-sided for Chicago as bad-boy Brandon is up to his usual antics again and is on the verge of a possible suspension. The biggest question now is how concerned should the Chicago Bears be about their newest team member?

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]]> The Chicago Bears have formally begun to reinvent their team for the upcoming season. Bears fans have long waited for the organization to make much anticipated acquisitions to add to the struggling offense. So, when new Bears GM Phil Emery made a play to establish his new found authority by going out and getting pro-bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins, it looked as if the Bears would be getting a number one wide receiver as well as uniting Marshall with former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. It was a match made in heaven, but now the deal appears to be one-sided for Chicago as bad-boy Brandon is up to his usual antics again and is on the verge of a possible suspension. The biggest question now is how concerned should the Chicago Bears be about their newest team member?

The move to get the Miami wide-out was a bold one from Chicago. By trading two third round picks in a deal that will strengthen the Chicago receiving core, the Bears hope to one up their NFC North foes from Wisconsin this season. But as fate would have it, the deal has been hindered by an incident at a New York City nightclub that may see Mr. Marshall sit the bench for several games. It was a woman named Christin Myles who claimed Marshall left her with a black eye and some vision problems after he struck her in the face with a closed fist. She is seeking damages and expects Marshall to be held “criminally responsible” for his actions.

This incident, along with many others that concern the former Dolphin receiver couldn’t have come at a far worse time for him. Marshall says he is not afraid about being suspended by the NFL and is looking to forward to moving to the Windy City. The real problem however is if Marshall does in fact earn a suspension, the Bears need to begin thinking of how to solve their wide-receiving woes.

Are the Bears being duped in this situation? That answer is likely to come in the months following, while police officers and league officials examine the situation. The Bears are hoping this unfortunate incident will blow over and Marshall will become the wide-out they know (and we know) he is capable of being. As evident as it may be, if Marshall is suspended, the Bears will be in a rut come the regular season. For years, they have been itching to find Jay Cutler some receiving weapons to help him out. Marshall is in fact an answer to that problem. Of course if he’s sidelined; the Bears are back to square one offensively.

The Bears didn’t waste any time in the free agent market. This trade is the first and biggest of Phil Emery’s new role, replacing fired general manager Jerry Angelo. Emery, along with the rest of Chicago is hoping Marshall can be the first Bears receiver to have the first 1,000-yard receiving season since Marty Booker back in 2002. Marshall hopes the suspension is waived as he recently stated he hopes to finish his NFL career as a Chicago Bear.

The Bears are taking an enormous risk at the moment and hope to be right about their decision in taking Marshall because if things don’t pan out on a positive note, then fingers are going to be pointing at new appointed GM Mr. Emery.

What do you think? Could the Bears acquisition of Marshall be one-sided if he earns a suspension?

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