NFL Draft Net

At one point during the second round, could have been right around when Mitchell Schwartz went to the Browns,  Mel Kiper Jr. looked like he was going to throw his prep materials over his shoulder. This was a fine example of no matter how much you prepared, and no matter your opinion on the players left standing, the NFL teams have plans of their own. What brings this to mind is some of the talent that was passed by on night number two of the 2012 NFL Draft. Some, like Vontaze Burfict and Alfonzo Dennard, are not too surprising given that they have things other than talent ruling their draft stock. But some, like Bobby Massie and Lamar Miller, have you wonder what teams did or did not see in them when selecting a different option at the same position. I have heard somewhere that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Holds true here as well.

Below you will find our Top 15 still standing.
1. Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
2. Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
3. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)
4. Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
5. Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
6. Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State
7. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
8. Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington
9. Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
10. Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
11. Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy
12. Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
13. Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska
14. Billy Winn, DE, Boise State
15. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

Inevitably, there is first round talent that falls into the second round every year. Team needs, character, and value at positions dictate a draft that doesn’t always make sense. Going into round two Friday, there is an abundance of talent left on the board. Some thoughts…

The Rams are set up to have a solid round two with three picks in the top 13. They addressed the need on the defensive line in the first round. They can still address other needs with potential first round talent with the likes of Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin on the offensive line, Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, or Alshon Jeffery at WR, or take a gamble on Janoris Jenkins at CB. Lavonte David could fill a need at linebacker as well. Things are good in St. Louis.

Courtney Upshaw found himself on the wrong end of a number of 3-4 pass rushers selected in the first round. He will provide a huge value to someone in the second. Could it be the Colts who are moving to a 3-4?

Jerel Worthy was tied to the Broncos in many first round mock drafts. Is it possible they still land him in the second? Devon Still is another available possibility.

Those in need of help on the offensive line can cash in on the above mentioned Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin, as well as Peter Konz, Amini Silatolu, Jeff Allen, and Bobby Massey.

Andre Branch and Vinny Currey provide value for those still looking for pass rushers.

While he was border line first round material due to blocking, Coby Fleener is still available for someone looking to upgrade at Tight End, or copy the Patriots two TE attack.

Subscribe free for 2013 by RSS or EMAIL. Find on Twitter @NFLDraftNet

Spend the weekend talking about it at Sports Jabber.

We are a day out of the 2012 NFL Draft and mock drafts are wrapping up. We have updated the first two round here, having a look at how teams adjust after their first pick.

1.3 Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

So the Vikings have put this pick up for sale. They are reminding teams that they are interested in Blackmon, Claiborne, and Kalil…and trading down. So, if anyone wants one of those players, they should probably trade with them. Problem is, need in the pass and run game dictates that they take Kalil, so teams are not going to buy it if they are interested in Blackmon or Claiborne. If they do stray, Claiborne would fit a big need nicely.

1.19 Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Bears could make this pick a corner, but they would rather be proactive in a pass rush against Aaron Rogers and Matthew Stafford rather than reactive with a corner.

1.28 Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Some may find this as a reach and the Packers rarely reach. With the run on pass rushers, this sure would be a nice fit though.

1.31 New England Patriots: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Pats bonus pick. Wright is talented enough to go higher, but some may feel he is too small to be a lead WR. The Patriots will maximize his talents regardless of size

PICKS 1-16 | PICKS 17-32 | ROUND 2 |

Subscribe free by RSS or EMAIL. Find on Twitter @NFLDraftNet

There is little suspense and drama at the top of the 2012 NFL Draft. The first two picks (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III) are locked in for the most part, and except for some late smoke screens, it appears that the number three pick is wrapped up too (Matt Kalil). The fun begins at number four where the Browns could go a number of directions. They can take a solid runner in Trent Richardson, a receiving threat in Justin Blackmon, or a corner in Morris Claiborne that they can pair with Joe Haden. There is even a chance that the annual late gaining QB is selected in Ryan Tannehill. Pick number four is where the fun begins, but there are plenty of picks that are up in the air. Let’s have a look around the web at some mock drafts and see what sticks out…

Looking at mock draft databases, it reinforces the though even more that the top few picks of the draft seemed wrapped up. Over at Sports Jabber’s Mockdraft Database, the last 44 mocks that have been updated read the same for the top three (Luck, Griffin III, Kalil).

Rob Rang at CBS Sports shuffles some picks up by giving the Browns Ryan Tannehill. This was a hot projection for a while, but has tapered off in recent weeks. It could still certainly happen. One thing for sure is that the Browns set themselves up nice with that trade with the Falcons last year that landed them another first rounder.

Many mock drafts follow suit on the next few picks with Richardson, Claiborne, and Blackmon coming off the board. This makes the Jaguars pick at #7 another turning point in the draft that can take it in a few different directions.At CNN/SI, Peter King throws a curve at the Jacksonville pick by projecting that they select Stephon Gilmore. Vinny Iver sees them going with Fletcher Cox to stuff up the middle of the defensive line. At NFL.com, Chad Reuter agrees with Gilmore, while the other mockers are looking at Melvin Ingram for the Jags.

Of the NFL.com mockers, Reuter has the most picks that don’t appear to be with the mainstream. For example, Michael Floyd to the Bills (we did that a few weeks ago), Chandler Jones to the Bengals at #17, Riley Reiff to the Jets, Nick Perry to the Chargers, and Andre Branch to the Lions.

Like Don Banks projects at CNN/SI, Coby Fleener could show up in San Francisco. This is suggesting more of a dual tight end threat rather than replacing Vernon Davis.

It’s Insider content, but Todd McShay does a rundown with a few different scenarios for each team. The Rams, Chiefs, Jets, Cowboys, Patriots (327), and Ravens all have five scenarios. Stuff could happen. Mel Kiper plays GM for each team for three rounds as well. If you don’t have Insider, go get it at Amazon with an ESPN The Magazine subscription.

Evan Silva at Rotoworld has the Rams passing on Justin Blackmon and going with Fletcher Cox. The Dolphins reap the benefits of Blackmon.

The NFL Draft Dog has the Cowboys going with David DeCastro and letting Mark Barron go to the Eagles.

The Giants always seem to be in a position where someone can fall to them. Scott Wright at Draftcountdown.com has Jonathan Martin doing it this year.

Our 2012 NFL Mock Draft will be updated to three rounds and the return of commentary this week as we had into the final stretch.

Keep up with the prospects leading up to 2013 with us too! Subscribe free by RSS or EMAIL. Find on Twitter @NFLDraftNet

Two weeks until the big NFL Draft show of 2012. We have updated our first round NFL Mock Draft as well as our Top 25 Big Board today. The second and third round of the mock draft, as well as some commentary, will be coming later in the week. There appears to be little excitement at the top of the draft with the picks looking like they are set. The fun will begin one the Browns pick or trade at the number four spot. With this update, we have changes in the top ten picks in Jacksonville, Carolina, and Buffalo. As picks move around, the dominoes fall to 18 changes all together in the first round.