The official '12 NFL Draft Thread - Going Live at 8 EST

[FourBeeDen]

True, but on the flip side it gave us flexibility to not have to necessarily draft a WR. Also, I pick Crabby because I presume he would have more trade value but may be the one that has least endeared himself to the staff. His history of missing camp and then missing the playoffs last year...just doesn't seem like something that would win points with Harbaalke.

Yeah but a trade partner for Crabtree would have to consider the remainder of his contract and their ability to sign him to a longer term. That's another reason it would be easier to trad him prior to the draft. The team that gets him will be able to calculate his cap value and know how much cap room they will have left to sign their picks and how to structure those contracts

 

[mem49er]

Yeah but a trade partner for Crabtree would have to consider the remainder of his contract and their ability to sign him to a longer term. That's another reason it would be easier to trad him prior to the draft. The team that gets him will be able to calculate his cap value and know how much cap room they will have left to sign their picks and how to structure those contracts

Really depends on a team's cap situation, his hit isn't that bad. As I recall, the bonus money would be a hit on us, though.

Michael Crabtree Contract, Salaries, and Transactions

Also, a team is usually more willing to part with a pick from next year, no? Not saying Crabby will definitely be traded, but we are very crowded at RB and WR and I think he's the most likely to not have a "gold helmet."

 

[Southern9er]

It's easy to point at Williams but I really have to start wondering if they're gonna start shopping Crabby.

Thats what I would like to happen, though. I'm a bit curious. To see how crabs performs this offseason with all this competition. I think Williams is a better WR, much better hands...other than the obvious...and has that ST value...crabs doesn't even show up at camp, if his attitude doesn't change he could be gone...

 

[ChrisPozz]

ESPN, NFL Network take different approaches in broadcasting 2012 NFL Draft - Richard Deitsch - SI.com

Schefter: But the solution is very simple. If someone felt it detracted from their experience, they could have unfollowed me or not paid attention to Twitter.

Ding, ding, ding! All the moaning and groaning over it was ridiculous.

 

[mem49er]

ESPN, NFL Network take different approaches in broadcasting 2012 NFL Draft - Richard Deitsch - SI.com

Schefter: But the solution is very simple. If someone felt it detracted from their experience, they could have unfollowed me or not paid attention to Twitter.

Ding, ding, ding! All the moaning and groaning over it was ridiculous.

What about the D-bag that ruins it for those around him, cuz he thinks he's the "Schefter" of the rooom? Not pointing to anyone, just saying. It's a distinct issue when there's info a microsecond before everyone knows, some people feel more important that they "told everyone else."

 

[BINGO]

Early impact from Rounds 4-7
Lamar Miller, Danny Coale, Alameda Ta'amu among early-impact players
Originally Published: May 2, 2012
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

Lamar Miller could have a big impact on offense for the Miami Dolphins.

Last year, one of the incredible stories of the draft was how much production we saw from the fifth round. Take a look -- Round 5 was pretty remarkable when you put it in context. Karl Klug and Pernell McPhee combined for 13.0 sacks as interior linemen. T.J. Yates started and won a playoff game. Denarius Moore had some huge days for Oakland, and Richard Sherman played cornerback at a Pro Bowl level for a solid stretch of the season in Seattle.

Every single one of these guys had obvious holes on draft day. That's the blunt assessment you'll hear from teams drafting in Rounds 4-7. There's plenty of talent, but whether it's health, size, lack of speed or glaring weaknesses in a technical aspect of the game, teams are hoping it pans out, but rarely expecting major impact.

Still, the odds tell us we'll find plenty from this range. So let's take a look at some guys who could play key roles, even as rookies. Remember, there's a lot of projection here, as not one of these guys is currently penciled in to start.




Offense

WR Joe Adams, Panthers
The Panthers got some production out of bigger wideouts Legedu Naanee and Brandon LaFell last year (a combined 80 catches), but the search for a slot-type with return skills could lead to Adams. The Armanti Edwards experiment hasn't begun. Adams is likely to get early reps as the punt returner, and his sub-4.5 speed could be used in the passing game.

OT Bobby Massie, Cardinals
The Cardinals need all the help they can get up front. Currently, journeyman Jeremy Bridges is atop the depth chart at right tackle. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Massie (a guy I had at No. 21 on my Big Board) came out of camp with the starting job.

WR Marvin Jones, Bengals
He has the talent of a second-round pick, but a knee injury probably dropped him on some boards. Still, he has good size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and sub-4.5 speed, and could end up beating out fellow rookie Mohamed Sanu for the No. 2 WR spot across from A.J. Green. That's a good camp battle to watch.

Danny Coale could be productive for the Cowboys.

RB Lamar Miller, Dolphins
Miami doesn't have a home run threat on the roster like Miller, even with Reggie Bush around. It could be a crowded backfield, with Bush, Daniel Thomas and potentially Steve Slaton still around, but Miller can go sub-4.4 and is explosive when he cracks the line. He's not a great pass-catcher (Bush is one of the best we've ever seen as a RB), but Miller is scary after the catch.

WR Danny Coale, Cowboys
He started 54 games at Virginia Tech and his hands are as good as any player in the draft. Guys like Coale look like overachievers because of lack of top-end speed, but he's a master at angles, working the sidelines and corners to become a consistently open target. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he developed into a reliable third option after Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.

WR Travis Benjamin, Browns
He's still a little raw as a pass-catcher, but you simply find a way to get the ball to Benjamin. The Browns don't have a player with his big-play ability. If they can find a way to get him the ball, he could hit some home runs.




Defense

NT Alameda Ta'amu, Steelers
He's not physically gifted, but Ta'amu is the bowling ball you want as a 3-4 NT. He's 348 pounds, can take on blocks and fits the scheme. More importantly, Casey Hampton will be 35 in September. Ta'amu could eat up (literally) plenty of reps early.

CB Josh Norman, Panthers
The Panthers are looking for a No. 2 corner across from Chris Gamble, with Captain Munnerlyn merely an adequate option for now. Norman doesn't have incredible instincts, but he has really good cover and ball skills. Once he gets the system down, he could move up the depth chart quickly.

CB Chris Greenwood, Lions
This is less about Greenwood, who dominated on his level (D-III) and has good size (nearly 6-2, 200), and more about Detroit's secondary. Third-round pick Dwight Bentley could get starts, and if Greenwood can make the team, chances are he could see some time. Detroit needed corners, and it'll be a competition.

DT Jared Crick, Texans
He's not J.J. Watt, but Crick could be used the same way in Wade Phillips' scheme. Undersized for an NFL 4-3 DT, I see Crick using his quickness as a penetrating 3-4 DE (though it's hard to classify positions in Phillips' system in truly conventional terms). I once had a first-round grade on Crick. He landed in the fourth round only because of a laundry list of recent injuries -- though he did start every game in 2009 and 2010. He could be a steal if he can stay on the field.

S George Iloka, Bengals
The Bengals could see good competition at strong safety; the problem for Iloka is that he fits the profile of a free safety. He has good coverage skills and simply shies away from contact on occasions. It's odd, because at over 6-3, 225, he has the physical profile of a strong safety. I said Iloka was a little overrated (as, say, a second-round pick) because of questions about his willingness to tackle, but he could be a steal in the sixth. The guy played throughout all four seasons at Boise St., so he's not going to look lost out there.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Rams run risks, chart new course

When a Rams contingent hopped a private jet a week ago to work out five wide receivers, they were so enamored of Quick, they rated him as 1B of the five, right behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon at 1A. Next came Illinois' A.J. Jenkins, followed by Michael Floyd of Notre Dame and Kendall Wright of Baylor.

Yes, the Rams had Quick and Jenkins rated ahead of Floyd. So in the case of their first two picks, the Rams must trust their talent evaluators and have faith that their coaches can get Brockers and Quick up to speed as quickly as possible.

 

[BINGO]

Rams run risks, chart new course

When a Rams contingent hopped a private jet a week ago to work out five wide receivers, they were so enamored of Quick, they rated him as 1B of the five, right behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon at 1A. Next came Illinois' A.J. Jenkins, followed by Michael Floyd of Notre Dame and Kendall Wright of Baylor.

Yes, the Rams had Quick and Jenkins rated ahead of Floyd. So in the case of their first two picks, the Rams must trust their talent evaluators and have faith that their coaches can get Brockers and Quick up to speed as quickly as possible.

Interesting that they ranked AJJ ahead of Floyd. And Stephen Hill wasn't even on their radar that high on their board. Anyway, though I think highly of Quick as a prospect and he will soon be considered a "mismatched" for our DBs, I think Hill would have better served them at that spot. They got the steal of the draft in Janoris Jenkins and pray to God that the selection of AJJ more than make up for that mistake.

 

[BINGO]

Lamar Miller's role
10:30AM ET
Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins may have gotten a steal on the third day of the draft this year, picking up RB Lamar Miller in Round 4. And judging by some of the comments emanating from the club in recent days, we may not have to wait too long to see the U. of Miami product make an impact at the NFL level. And it won't just be about taking handoffs and trying to find some space in the midst of all the earth-movers up front

"There's a chance down the road, as Lamar gets acclimated, that he might be able to spread himself a ways as a receiver to a certain degree," Dolphins HC Joe Philbin quipped, according to the Palm Beach Post. "I'm not saying make a full position change, but I think there's some flexibility with what you can do with the guy."

The Dolphins have the archetype for such a player already on the roster in Reggie Bush, who is able to contribute as an RB, WR and in the return game. Whether Miller has an extensive role as a rookie will be influenced by Bush's productivity, as well as that of the WRs on the roster.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[BINGO]

Mike Adams on the left or right?
10:01AM ET
Pittsburgh Steelers

In assessing whether the Pittsburgh Steelers will start two rookies on the O-line this season, the decision could have a domino effect on the rest of the front five. First-rounder David DeCastro has been penciled in as the starting RG, and that won't change too much, but as for Mike Adams, his development could push some folks around.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has confirmed that Adams will begin his NFL career on the left side -- according to Steelers.com -- and if he's ready to start by this fall, that pushes incumbent starting LT Marcus Gilbert over to RT. Subsequently, current RT Willie Colon would need a new spot, and he'd likely be in the mix for the OG position opposite DeCastro.

A lot of moving parts here, although it's clear that the Steelers' O-line will be much improved from recent campaigns.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[NinerSickness]

If Adams is a good LT the Steelers are lookin' like the team to beat in the NFL.

 

[Bemular]

I wonder how much Casserly was paid for his comments about our draft picks - Re Jenkins in 2012: "This guys going to be on highlights every Sunday"

Hyperbole aside, Casserly shows some love toward our DP's

49ers Draft Review With Charley Casserly

 

[BINGO]

Cordy Glenn at LT?
3:25PM ET
Buffalo Bills

After the Buffalo Bills landed Georgia O-lineman Cordy Glenn in the second round of the draft, there was some thought that he could be in the mix to start at LT. The Bills lost 2011 starter Demetress Bell to free agency, and didn't make a complementary move to sign another vet.

However, Sean McCormick of Football Outsiders is not so certain that Glenn is the right choice for that pivotal position, in spite of an intriguing comparison bestowed upon Glenn from Bills GM Buddy Nix:

- Tim Kavanagh​

Football Outsiders
Not sure that Glenn is the answer

"The Bills never really acted as if they were interested in re-signing left tackle Demetress Bell, despite him anchoring a line that gave up only 23 sacks and led the league in adjusted sack rate. Some of that indifference can be attributed to the belief that Gailey's scheme and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's quick trigger were more responsible for the low sack numbers than anything Bell did. Chris Hairston, a 2011 fourth-rounder, held up well in limited action, but it seemed obvious that the team would select some competition for Hairston. The Bills netted one of the big steals of the draft when it plucked Georgia's Cordy Glenn off the board in the second round. Problem solved? Not necessarily. Glenn played all over the line in college, and there is real concern that he doesn't have the foot speed to be an upper-tier blindside protector at the NFL level. Nix considers Glenn to be very similar to former Chargers standout Marcus McNeill, though, and obviously the team would be thrilled if that comparison holds up." - Sean McCormick

 

[BINGO]

The other Dolphins rookies
12:14PM ET
Miami Dolphins

When the Miami Dolphins drafted Ryan Tannehill, it was the first time they had dropped a first-round pick on a quarterback since they drafted Dan Marino. So it's no surprise that all of the chatter about Dolphins rookies centers around what role he might have this season.

Of course he's not the only rookie Dolphin. On a team thin on talent, which first-year players will make an impact for the club in 2012? The Palm Beach Post's Ben Volin ranked the rookies and had second-round right tackle Jonathan Martin as the only player he thinks will start immediately. Many thought he would be a first-rounder, and the Dolphins have a hole there, so it makes sense that he would start right away.

More interestingly, Volin put third-rounders TE Michael Egnew and DE Olivier Vernon in with Tannenhill as players he think will make a significant contribution in 2012.

"Egnew needs to learn how to be a complete tight end -- he's working feverishly on his blocking ability and playing with his hand in the dirt," Volin said. "He might not put up Jimmy Graham stats right away -- Charles Clay, for all the talent he showed last year, still only had 16 catches -- but Egnew is a dynamic talent who can be an immediate threat in the middle of the field and in the Red Zone. If the Dolphins didn't have a bit of a logjam at tight end with Egnew, Clay and Anthony Fasano, Egnew might have been classified as an 'Immediate Starter.'"

Volin said the Dolphins plan to use the 21-year-old Vernon as an edge pass-rusher in the nickel D right away. He also seems to agree with the general consensus that Tannehill will have to impress and get some breaks (bad record, bad play by the vets ahead of him on the depth chart) to play before the second half of the season.

As is the case with any team that's light on talent, Dolphins rookies will have a fair shot at playing time right away if they can earn it.

- Tom Carpenter​

 

[BINGO]

More Seattle QB buzz
10:55AM ET
Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks HC Pete Carroll had some fun recently with the inquiring minds that had asked him about his club's QB competition, now that Russell Wilson was added to the Matt Flynn-Tarvaris Jackson derby. The selection of Wilson with a third-round pick has led some to speculate that Jackson's time with the team is through.

It's early May, and the latest iteration of the team has yet to have much meaningful experience together, let alone any sort of competition between the different passers. As Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times writes, there's much yet to be resolved:

"Seattle has not settled its quarterback situation. Not by a long shot. What the Seahawks have done is expand -- and hopefully improve -- the array of options they have with the immediate goal of improved quarterback play in 2012 and a long-term starter down the road. Maybe it is Flynn, who has passed for more yards in his first two NFL regular-season starts than all but one player in NFL history. Or perhaps it's Wilson, an incredible athlete who started for two different colleges in the previous two years in addition to playing professional baseball. And maybe -- just maybe -- it comes from Jackson who is recovered from the strained pectoral muscle that limited him the final 10 games of last season. Maybe he comes in for his second season in Seattle, cuts it loose and starts making plays in the fourth quarter."

ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando has his own idea of how this should shake out by the fall:

- Tim Kavanagh​

Mike Sando
Flynn, Jackson, Wilson

"Going with Flynn as the starter, Jackson as the backup and Wilson as the developmental third quarterback would seem to make the most sense. Wilson would seemingly have to make a big jump for a rookie to project in the No. 2 role right away."

 

[ChrisPozz]

Eric Branch:

Virginia DC Jim Reid said #49ers 7th-round pick Cam Johnson has as much ability as Joey Porter and Jason Taylor, players he coached with Dolphins from 2007-08: "I’m just going to tell you right now, this young man, Cam Johnson, has as much ability as anyone I’ve coached in the NFL."

Virginia DC Jim Reid was entertaining. Here's Reid on #49ers LB Cam Johnson lasting until the seventh round: “They ought to put (#49ers director of college scouting) Joel Patten in jail for stealing a player.”

As a teenager growing up around Washington D.C., #49ers Cam Johnson was in the same AAU hoops program as NaVorro Bowman.

 

[BINGO]

Support for early NFC West draft picks
May, 8, 2012 8:15PM ET
By Mike Sando | ESPN.com

The St. Louis Rams tapped into an SEC power when they selected defensive tackle Michael Brockers from LSU in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

They targeted quite a few players from less notable conferences throughout the remainder of the draft, selecting talent from the Southern, Gulf South, Big Sky, Mid-America, Mountain West and Lone Star conferences (along with the Big East, ACC and SEC, again).

Brian Quick from Appalachian State was one such player. The receiver, selected in the second round, wasn't widely mentioned as a player the Rams would consider early.

"Many will use the small-school component of Quick’s resume to suggest he will have a much larger learning curve to adjust to the NFL," NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell wrote. "Again, another myth tossed around as if it's gospel. Watch any college wide receiver, especially one that played in a spread, and you will see limited routes."

That would include Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, the player linked most strongly to the Rams before the draft.

"In fact, studying both extensively on film, you can make the argument that Quick, who’s significantly bigger than Blackmon, is more naturally athletic," Cosell continued. "Quick is a very fluid and smooth athlete with excellent lateral quickness and deceptive vertical speed due to stride length. It’s not a stretch at all, when you analyze Quick’s physical and athletic attributes, to understand why the Rams selected him early."

Cosell's NFC West review touches on several early choices from the division. He explains why he thinks each selection made sense for the various teams, and why criticism is premature. He seemed to like the selections, although he did not project Seattle's Bruce Irvin or San Francisco's A.J. Jenkins as first-round selections in his mock draft, which listed Rams second-round choice Janoris Jenkins as a top-five talent.

Apologies, up front, for forgetting who passed along the link for Cosell's review. I'm counting on reading a reminder in the comments section. Thanks much.

 

[BINGO]

Which draft pick will make biggest impact
May, 8, 2012 2:14PM ET
By Mike Sando | ESPN.com

Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd was fifth and Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Bruce Irvin sixth on John Clayton's list of 10 new draft choices likely to make the greatest immediate impact. John Clayton's Top 10 Impact Rookies Photo Gallery - ESPN

"Floyd's presence may force defenses into more zone coverages, because it will be hard to double Larry Fitzgerald and match up man-to-man against Floyd," Clayton theorized. "Irvin is probably the draft's best pass-rusher and should put up double-digit sack numbers early in his career."

Let's consider that a launching point for a discussion EDTGO jump-started from his luxury box in the comments section of an earlier item on Arizona's draft thinking.

"Floyd will be starting and will have the best position of the rookies to get stats," he wrote.

Rookie receivers making at least 10 starts from 2009 through last season averaged 46 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. Cincinnati's A.J. Green and Tampa Bay's Mike Williams had the most receptions of the group (65 apiece). Green, Williams and Julio Jones each topped 900 yards. Those three joined Torrey Smith as the only ones with more than six touchdown receptions.

We shouldn't forget about St. Louis Rams second-round receiver Brian Quick. He has a good chance at starting. The Rams thought Quick reminded them of Terrell Owens from a physical standpoint. Owens had 35 catches for 520 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, making 10 starts.

The status for San Francisco 49ers first-round receiver A.J. Jenkins could be tougher to define initially. He could wind up starting if the Randy Moss experiment does not work out. He could also ease into the role, getting fewer opportunities as the 49ers run their offense through other players primarily.

Double-digit sacks from Irvin might be enough to eclipse for impact the projected receiving numbers from Floyd, Quick or Jenkins.

Five rookies since 2009 have collected at least 10 sacks. San Francisco's Aldon Smith, with 14 sacks last season, was the only one to do so as a backup. Von Miller, Brian Orakpo, Clay Matthews and Ndamukong Suh -- all first-round choices, as were Smith and Irvin -- reached double digits in sacks while starting at least 13 games.

Carlos Dunlap had 9.5 sacks in 12 games, none of them starts, for Cincinnati in 2010.

Irvin should benefit from the Seahawks' very specific plans for him. The team got nine sacks in zero starts from Raheem Brock in 2010. Irvin will play a similar role and a similar percentage of the snaps, giving him a very good chance to eclipse Brock's total -- if he's talented enough to produce those numbers. Brock played about 50 percent of the snaps for Seattle in each of the last two seasons.

Who else deserves our consideration?

"Janoris Jenkins has a shot ... assuming he can keep his head on straight," ramm428a wrote.

"Yep," randdles wrote, "Jenkins will get to face five of the top QBs this year, he could make a big impact."

Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin III, Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are among the high-profile quarterbacks Jenkins, a second-round cornerback with first-round talent, will face in his initial season with the Rams. Jenkins will face those quarterbacks by Week 8, giving him a chance to shape perceptions early.

Devin McCourty and Joe Haden are the only drafted cornerbacks to exceed five interceptions as rookies over the past three seasons.

"Michael Brockers could have a huge impact," JohnnyP3180 wrote of the Rams' first-round choice. "Not flashy, but he could make the biggest difference for his team."

That might be true, but as a run stuffer, Brockers probably won't accumulate the stats players often need to draw acclaim. We'll be sure to monitor Brockers' contributions closely regardless.

 

[Yadahell]

San Francisco 49ers – Niner Insider Blog – SFGate.com Why did LB Cam Johnson slide to the seventh round?

 

[BINGO]

More on Kuechly's position
10:52AM ET
Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers added to a hypothetical position of strength by drafting LB Luke Kuechly with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft. As we've noted in prior posts on the subject, the club has Jon Beason and Thomas Davis returning from long-term injuries, but if both are back in good shape this fall, it will be a formidable unit for the Panthers. But the question remains: will it be Beason or Kuechly at MLB?

Fox Sports Carolinas speculates that Beason will draw the MLB assignment given his experience and the massive deal (six years, $51 million) he received last summer, although the Miami product's recovery from a torn Achilles tendon may impact the decision, since his coverage skills could have deteriorated. In any event, Kuechly seems to have the right attitude entering a new situation:

"There are a lot of areas that can be difficult," Kuechly explained. "It's a new system for one, and it's going to be bigger and faster. Everyone comes in wanting to be a starter, but they've got a lot of good guys here. I've got to get in here and start working, start earning the respect of the older guys and then hopefully something good happens from there. ... You've got to be humble because you've got to start over again. You can't come in with an overly big head because you haven't done anything yet. You might have done all right in college, but moving forward it's a different level."

- Tim Kavanagh​