After a crazy first day that included an NFL Draft record with 16 picks traded, we saw a second day that included some of the biggest steals in draft history where teams got first rd talent for a 2nd-3rd rd pay scale. The third day we saw a lot of teams filling needs, adding depth to their rosters, and also getting possible starters as there were plenty of gems left in the 4th-7th rounds. And now, to reveal the top winners, steals, and questionable picks of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Top 2012 NFL Draft Winners
Cincinnati Bengals GRADE: A
As a Ravens’ fan I was hoping the Bengals would go kicker in the 1st rd, punter in the 2nd, but instead Cincinnati messed around drafted potential starters with almost every pick. It started with Bama boy, CB Dre Kirkpatrick (17th pick) and Wisconsin grinder G Kevin Zeitler (27th pick), who will be in the lineup from day one. Then they went and got potential starters in the later rounds with…
2) Devon Still, DT, Penn State (6-5, 303)
3) Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers (6-2, 211)
4) Orson Charles, TE, Georgia (6-3, 251)
5) Marvin Jones, WR, California (6-2, 199)
5) George Iloka, S, Boise State (6-4, 225)
6) Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State (5-10, 213)
And surprise, surprise… There are reports that the Bengals also landed undrafted rookie free agent ASU Bad Boy (and a player i was hoping the RAVENS would get as an undrafted free agent) Vontaze Burfict, who can be a MONSTER for Cinci if he cleans his act up… Now of course I’m hoping all of these guys are busts. #RavenBIAS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers GRADE: A-
The Bucs immediately get better on offense and defense with this year’s draft class. Highly coveted monster safety Mark Barron (7th pick) fills the Bucs biggest need at DB. The consensus was that the Bucs would go with Claiborne but I’m sure Bucs fans are just fine getting the Bama boy Barron. The Bucs then went and got RB Doug Martin (31st pick) who has been compared to a Ray Rice style RB, and they picked LB Lavonte David (58th pick) to help add speed and pop to the LB corps. CB Keith Tandy (174th pick) was somewhat of a steal at a position that the Bucs need help at with an aging CB Barber and troubled CB Talib. With all the off-season acquisitions and these talented draft selections, the Bucs might be a problem for opponents in 2012.
Pittsburgh Steelers GRADE: A-
I can’t stand the fact that the Steelers got steals/starters for their first 4 picks in Stanford Guard David DeCastro (24th pick), Ohio State big man T Mike Adams (56th pick), Swag U aka Miami aka The U’s tackling machine LB Sean Spence (86th pick), and Casey Hampton Jr. in Washington’s double team killer NT Alameda Ta’amu (109th pick). Granted they seemed to all just fall in the lap of the Steelers, with the exception of the 10 spot trade up for Ta’amu, I still have to give kudos to Pittsburgh for pulling the trigger on these picks. Again, fingers crossed for all busts. #RavenBIAS
Honorable Mention – New England Patriots
I don’t have much to say except for “the rich get richer” must be the Patriots’ motto. The Patriots pull two swindling trade-ups in the first round. The first was for the third member of the Jones Brothers (UFC Champ Jon Jones and Baltimore Ravens DT Art Jones) Syracuse pass rusher DE Chandler Jones (21st pick), and then they go up to grab Bama boy, hard hitting LB Dont’a Hightower (25th pick). I see you Coach Belichick, I see you.
Now let’s look at a few steals and reaches in this year’s draft…
Top Steals of the 2012 NFL Draft
Indianapolis Colts
Coby Fleener TE STANFORD (34th pick) – A true pass catching TE, Fleener joins his college QG and #1 overall pick Andrew Luck in Indy. Fleener was by far the best TE in the draft, going past NYG with their TE situation was a surprise, but Lucky for Indy Fleener was still available.
Baltimore Ravens
Courtney Upshaw OLB/DE ALABAMA (35th pick) – Upshaw was a top 15 talent that slid down the board and into the second day due to teams uncertainty of where to play him. The Ravens get an instant impact player opposite T-Sizzle in the 2012 BCS National Championship game’s defensive MVP. #RAVENS
New York Jets
Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech (43rd pick) – Hill was a first round consideration that slid into the second due to his production in college. To his defense, in GA Tech’s offense, not even Jerry Rice in his prime could put up big numbers, but the Jets get a big body speedster that can stretch the field opposite Santonio Holmes. Now the question remains in NY: Who will be throwing them the ball? Sanchez or Tebow? My guess, Tebow will be 3-4 weeks into the season.
Other Notable Steals
Dallas Cowboys – Morris Claiborne CB LSU (6th pick) – Not so much of a steal, but really more of a boss move by Jerry Jones trading up to snag this CB.
Atlanta Falcons – Peter Konz C Wisconsin (55th pick) – Immediate starter on the interior offensive line at C or G.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Adams OT Ohio State (56th pick) – 1st rd Talent that slid with character concerns.
San Francisco 49ers – LaMichael James RB Oregon (61st pick) – Home run hitter, good change of pace from Gore and Jacobs.
New York Giants – Rueben Randle WR LSU (63rd pick) – Big and physical WR to fill Manningham’s shoes.
Cincinatti Bengals – George Iloka S Boise State (167th pick) – 3rd rd projection nabbed in the 5th, Iloka is a rangy 6’4, 225-lb. safety, with a LB body and DB skills.
Top Reaches of the 2012 NFL Draft
Seattle Seahawks
Bruce Irvin OLB/DE West Virginia (15th pick) – I’m only going to call this a reach because Seattle had an opportunity here to trade back and acquire more picks. Most people have serious questions about this pick, but I am a fan of Bruce Irvin. An athletic freak and speed rusher. Irvin had questions on being an every down player in the NFL, partially to blame on WV’s awkward 3-3-5 defense. I like Irvin with the Seahawks, but with the character and position concerns, Pete Carrol could have got him later.
St. Louis Rams
Brian Quick WR Appalachian State (33rd pick) – A big body WR from a small school. Quick should end up starting for St.Louis but with other higher-rated WRs still on the board like Hill from GA Tech, Jefferey from S Carolina and Randle from LSU, I’m not sure why St. Louis didn’t pull the trigger on one of them.
Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith S Notre Dame (29th pick) – Big rangy safety and a smart player. The Vikings trade up with the Ravens to get the Golden Domer Harrison Smith. I would like to think that the Vikings could have gotten Smith with their early 2nd rd pick. I am also a fan of Harrison Smith, but to trade up into the 1st Rd for him was a stretch.
I can’t wait to see the impact some of these kids will have on their teams. I know who I’ll be targeting come Fantasy Football draft time. And that’s a wrap for the 2012 NFL Draft… Love it or hate it, feel free to debate it…
KB on Twitter @Hereaux_KB
Fantasy Couch on Twitter @FantasyCouch
