SB Nation Tampa Bay 2012 NFL Mock Draft

10:51

Ryan:

Welcome one and all to SB Nation Tampa Bay's first ever mock draft! We have with us writers and editors JC, Will, Brad, Daniel, and I. Our crack staff will be making picks for tonight's NFL Draft based on what we think each team will do, so without further ado, we have the Indianapolis Colts on the clock...

10:52

Will:

With the number 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Jacory Harr... oh wait a second, wrong card. Ahem. The Indianapolis Colts select Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck (QB).

10:52

Ryan:

Big shocker there.

10:53

Ryan:

Fill in the blank: Best QB prospect since _________.

10:53

Brad:

The Colts have pretty much already given him a locker.

10:53

JC De La Torre:

Bubby Brister

10:53

10:53

Brad:

Best QB prospect since PEYTON MANNING. WHAT?!

10:53

JC De La Torre:

Christal Chandelier

10:53

Will:

Jamarcus

10:54

10:54

Ryan:

All valid answers. I would have gone with Akili Smith

10:54

Brad:

Remember when Alex Smith got drafted No. 1 overall and then Aaron Rodgers slipped to, I believe, undrafted free agent or something?

10:54

JC De La Torre:

Is there any truth to the rumor that Luck is a long lost Manning brother?

10:55

Ryan:

Not a rumor.

10:55

Brad:

Yes, all truth.

10:55

Ryan:

I take that as the absolute truth.

10:55

10:55

Ryan:

You heard it here first at SB Nation Tampa Bay, Andrew Luck is a long-lost Manning brother.

10:56

Brad:

Are we at the Bears pick yet? The Bears select Mike Ditka. Again. For an encore career.

10:56

Ryan:

Ok, with the 2nd pick in the draft, the Washington Redskins take Baylor QB/savior Robert Griffin III.

10:56

JC De La Torre:

Imagine being Cooper Maning.

Archie: I'm a hall of famer...
Peyton: I won the NFL MVP
Eli: I won two Super Bowls
Cooper: Uh...I fixed Ms. Agnus' appendix

10:57

Brad:

RG3's 40 time was in the negatives, right?

10:57

JC De La Torre:

I believe they broke the space time continuum.

10:57

Ryan:

I believe he turned the world's rotation backwards, Superman-style.

10:57

Brad:

So technically, he's still running the 40-yard dash?

10:58

JC De La Torre:

But Lois Lane is safe and sound...

10:58

Will:

I just dropped my cheat sheet and he caught it before it hit the floor.

10:58

10:58

Will:

Oops!

10:59

10:59

Ryan:

Ok, I believe the Minnesota Vikings are up

10:59

JC De La Torre:

3?

10:59

Brad:

4.3?

10:59

JC De La Torre:

S?

10:59

Ryan:

They do have a history of not getting the pick in on time

10:59

Brad:

With the first REAL pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings recognize success starts on the line and select OT Matt Kalil out of USC.

10:59

11:00

JC De La Torre:

The smoke has finally cleared...

11:00

Ryan:

Danny needs to make sure Christian Ponder's head doesn't get slammed into the Metrodome's turf too often

11:00

Brad:

They may go with CB Morris Claiborne, but they had one of the worst O-line's in 2011, allowing an 8.8% sack rate.

11:01

Ryan:

Claiborne is an option, but they can probably find CB's later in the draft.

11:01

JC De La Torre:

Draft is deep with corners...

11:01

Ryan:

It is a pretty deep draft for corners and receivers

11:02

11:03

11:03

11:03

Brad:

Cleveland had a roster last year?!

11:03

JC De La Torre:

Bloody hell! >:-(

11:03

Ryan:

If McCoy can hand the ball off to him before he gets sacked, it's a good pick

11:04

Brad:

If the Browns aren't terrible for another 20 years, it's a good pick.

11:04

11:06

JC De La Torre:

With the 5th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select....Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU.

Claiborne fills an immediate need for the Buccaneers while giving the Bucs a tremendous athletic talent. With Aquib Talib is having legal issues and Ronde Barber is running from Father Time, the Bucs desperately needed a quality playmaker in their secondary. Facing Brees, Ryan and Cam twice a season requires a strong secondary

11:06

Will:

At least we won't have to try to pronounce Ogbonnaya anymore

11:06

Ryan:

Absolutely. He was as explosive as Adrian Peterson in college

11:06

11:06

Ryan:

And Claiborne comes off the board.

11:07

Brad:

I'm pretty sure the Bucs need to pick Andrew Friedman.

11:07

Will:

Such a legitimate draft so far... so disappointing.

11:07

Ryan:

They filled their need at WR with free agency and now are fixing the secondary with Claiborne.

11:07

JC De La Torre:

I did strongly consider Kueckly here but figured the Bucs would play it safe

11:07

Brad:

OH YOU JUST WAIT, WILL.

11:07

Will:

Gulp.

11:07

JC De La Torre:

Vontaze Burfict still on the board.

11:07

Ryan:

I thought the days of ILB's going at the top of the draft were supposed to be gone.

11:08

11:08

Ryan:

What happened to Burfict? He came into this past season as the top-rated LB and fell off the map

11:09

JC De La Torre:

I think it might be drugs. Don't know that as fact but it has all the tell tale signs.

11:09

Brad:

With the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, yonder St. Louis Rams pick WR Justin Blackmon. The Rams had about 0.05 passing touchdowns in 2011, but now they Will at least have an elite wide receiver, waving his hands in the end zone, as QB Sam Bradford gets sacked.

11:10

Will:

But they have Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce!!

11:10

Ryan:

Don't forget Ricky Proehl

11:10

11:10

JC De La Torre:

Logical pick here. I hate logic. Frak Spock!

11:11

Brad:

And Marshall Faulk makes a good pass-catching target -- FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE!!!

11:11

Ryan:

True story: In my keeper fantasy football league, I dropped Eli Manning in Week 2 and picked up Sam Bradford as my backup QB. In related news, I did not do well in my fantasy football league last year.

11:11

JC De La Torre:

Ricky Proehl...HE WAS OUT OF BOUNDS! The Scams should have never beaten the Bucs in the 99 NFC title game. DAMN YOU RICKY PROEHL! DAAAAAAAAMN YOOOOU!

11:12

11:12

JC De La Torre:

I'm not bitter...

11:12

Ryan:

1999 feels like it was yesterday...

11:12

Brad:

I was 12 in 1999.

11:12

JC De La Torre:

2000-zero-zero party oops out of time...

11:13

Will:

With the No. 7 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the cuddly Jacksonville Jaguars select DT/DE Fletcher Cox.

When asked what his team most needed to address in the draft: general manager Gene Smith was quick to respond. "Talent," he said. The Jaguars, though, have made it clear they would like to trade down from No. 7 and acquire extra picks.

11:13

Ryan:

When did that song come out?

11:13

JC De La Torre:

I think the early eighties...it was before Purple Rain

11:14

JC De La Torre:

Jags love Cox

11:14

Ryan:

I think we should talk about other things and ignore the Jags, same as their fan base.

11:14

11:14

Will:

That's Fletcher Cox not Feltcher Cox for those scoring at home.

11:14

Brad:

Can he block/catch for QB Blaine Gabbert?

11:14

J De La Torre:

Nah, their owner has the coolest mustache since Magnum.

11:15

11:15

JC De La Torre:

Can he throw for Blaine Gabbert?

11:15

Brad:

http://nbcsportsmedia4.msnbc.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/111214_shahid_khan.nbcsports-story-612.jpg

11:17

11:17

Ryan:

With the 8th pick, the Miami Dolphins select QB Ryan Tannehill.

Owner Stephen Ross gave his front office one mandate: find a franchise QB. So when I hear reports that he is interfering with football decisions, I can believe it.

11:18

Will:

RIP South Florida football.

11:18

Ryan:

By the way, this pick has to be a QB. The only other option is Quiton Coples, but Miami will go DE in round 2 or 3

11:18

Ryan:

If the Dolphins don't get a franchise QB, fans will revolt.

11:19

Brad:

So at what week does QB Matt Moore demand a trade?

11:19

11:19

JC De La Torre:

But is Tannehill a franchise QB or another Brady Quinn?

11:19

Ryan:

Moore will keep his head down and play

11:20

Brad:

Three or four teams wanted Kyle Orton by the end of the season; someone will want Matt Moore at some point.

11:20

Ryan:

It almost doesn't matter to most people. It is obvious the Fins need a QB and if they weren't sold on Tannehill, they would have signed Matt Flynn.

11:20

11:20

JC De La Torre:

Miami should have gotten Flynn.

11:20

11:20

Ryan:

$$$

11:20

11:21

Ryan:

Seahawks offered more

11:21

11:21

JC De La Torre:

Maybe Jeff Ireland is afraid of pulling the trigger on a QB...

11:21

11:21

Will:

With the 9th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select OLB/DE Melvin Ingram.

The Panthers could use some help on the OL, and there are options still available, but the coaching staff has to recognize that in order to push Cam Newton to the next level, he's going to need the ball for longer parts of the game.

11:22

Ryan:

A good selection. Panthers need defensive help. Badly.

11:22

11:22

Brad:

PTL? Pay the lady?

11:22

11:22

11:23

11:24

11:24

Ryan:

I still can't believe they convinced Mario Williams to sign with them.

11:24

JC De La Torre:

They should have their Theetan levels checked

11:26

Will:

Just get him away from Miami as fast as possible.

11:26

11:27

Ryan:

It's hard to wrap my head around the idea of Buffalo winning a bunch of games this year, but it's looking more and more likely.

11:27

11:28

Brad:

With a beard like that, anything is possible.

11:28

Brad:

ANYTHING.

11:28

Ryan:

That is a manly beard.

11:28

JC De La Torre:

With the 11th selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Michael Brockers, DT, LSU.

KC has a desperate need at DT and Brockers is one of the more talented defensive tackles in this year's draft.

11:29

11:30

11:30

Ryan:

Where did this guy come from? Was he particularly productive at LSU?

11:30

JC De La Torre:

Hey, PFT had Brockers going 5th overall to the Bucs in a mock draft earlier this month.

11:31

JC De La Torre:

Scott Pioli is not prone to take risks and Dontari Poe has some terrible tape. He is a Mamula.

11:31

Will:

Seems like a reach to me gentleman.

11:31

Ryan:

Poe has bust written all over him.

11:31

JC De La Torre:

They desperately need a DT and it was between Brockers and Worthy. I went with Brockers...

11:31

Will:

He has Twinkies written all over him.

11:31

11:31

Ryan:

He hasn't even been selected yet, but I'm making that declaration now.

11:32

Ryan:

Always better to err on the side of the SEC.

11:32

11:32

Brad:

With the 12th selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select DE Quinton Coples. Because DE Whitney Mercilus only has one year of tape and plus his last name is too scary.

11:32

Ryan:

Sound reasoning.

11:32

11:32

Brad:

SEAHAWKS REASONING.

11:32

11:32

Brad:

Yes. Yes he was.

11:36

Will:

With the 13th pick in the 2012 the Arizona Cardinals select Riley Reiff (OT).

Coach Ken Whisenhunt on the possibility of drafting an O-lineman with the No. 13 pick in next weekend's NFL Draft: "You have to trust your process and draft the player that best fits your team." The only thing that hurts Kevin Kolb's feelings more than flirting with Peyton Manning, is 340 pounds of defensive lineman flesh.

11:37

Brad:

lol

11:37

11:37

JC De La Torre:

Poe may not be a bust...who knows? He just has bad tape. He was a workout monster, though.

11:37

Ryan:

Gotta keep Kolb upright so he can throw interceptions at regular intervals.

11:38

JC De La Torre:

Reiff is a solid pick there.

11:38

Brad:

Fumbles won't get the job done.

11:39

JC De La Torre:

The SteerBoys are up...

11:39

11:39

Will:

I can totally see them taking Michael Floyd in a moment of weakness though.

11:40

Ryan:

With the 14th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Dallas Jerry Joneses select S Mark Barron.

It has been pretty clear for quite some time that the Cowboys needed to upgrade their secondary and the decorated Barron should step in immediately to help on run support and pass coverage.

11:40

11:40

Will:

Arizona just seems like one of those teams though.

11:41

JC De La Torre:

Nice! I like Barron a lot....he's a good fit with Dallas.

11:42

Ryan:

I agree. They need to upgrade their secondary and it Will be either Barron or a CB

11:42

11:43

Ryan:

I could see either Stephen Gilmore or Janoris Jenkins going in that spot as well.

11:44

Ryan:

It'll be interesting to see how far Jenkins slides. If he had stayed on the straight and narrow, he might have gone top 10 with Claiborne.

11:44

Brad:

With the 15th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Green Men select CB Stephen Gilmore.

There are more glaring needs on the Eagles' roster, but Gilmore is arguably the second-best corner in the draft. Adding another DB can also help their safety deficiency just by allowing others to shift around.

11:44

JC De La Torre:

He would have gone ahead of Claiborne

11:45

Ryan:

I personally agree with you based on talent.

11:45

JC De La Torre:

Wow, Jon Gruden is getting FAT!

11:45

Brad:

I imagine the Eagles would prefer a DT here, but the best are already off the board.

11:46

Ryan:

Gilmore has been a fast riser. I'm sure he would step right in and contribute.

11:46

Will:

I think they would trade back under these circumstances.

11:46

Ryan:

Eagles filled their LB void with the trade for DeMeco Ryans.

11:46

Brad:

Very possible.

11:47

Will:

One of their LB voids... at least 2 more to fill though.

11:47

Ryan:

I hear Jeremiah Trotter is available.

11:47

Will:

And Brian Dawkins? Reunited and it feels so...

11:48

JC De La Torre:

Good value I think

11:49

11:49

Ryan:

SEC! SEC! SEC!

11:49

11:49

Brad:

What's an SEC?

11:49

Ryan:

Sorry, I get carried away.

11:50

11:50

11:50

Brad:

I can't remember. I fell asleep at halftime.

11:50

Ryan:

Yes, it was the first loss an SEC team has suffered in the National Championship

11:50

Ryan:

It was quite embarrassing for the conference.

11:50

11:51

11:51

Ryan:

I like the pick. He's not the fastest, but he's strong and had a productive career in the SEC.

11:52

Ryan:

He passes the game film test even if his hips didn't rotate the fastest at the Combine.

11:52

JC De La Torre:

He's an intriguing prospect. I thought he was sensational in college but does he skillset translate to the pros? It's interesting...

11:52

Ryan:

What I'm trying to say is, he can't be worse than Vernon Gholston.

11:53

JC De La Torre:

And hey, the SEC has provided the last five National Champions before some finally knocked them off...so I think it's doing okay...

11:53

Ryan:

I'm not worried about the conference.

11:54

Ryan:

Although Alabama did sell it's soul to the devil himself, Nick Satan.

11:54

Ryan:

^ Not a typo.

11:54

JC De La Torre:

Speaking of Bama, With the 17th selection in the NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals secondary looks like a retirement home in St. Petersburg, they desperately need an infusion of young talent.

11:55

Ryan:

Big, physically-gifted corner.

11:55

11:56

Ryan:

He should pair nicely with Leon Hall.

11:56

JC De La Torre:

I believe Hall's coming back from an ACL injury too....

11:56

Brad:

Bengals had the 18th worst pass defense according to Football Outsiders. They only allowed 21 passing touchdowns and kept yardage totals low, but yeah, they need help.

11:58

Will:

Never underestimate the power of Gingers.

11:59

Ryan:

With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select...David DeCastro, G, Stanford.

Marcus McNeill is gone and the Chargers allowed Kris Dielman to play with a concussion, so he's now retired. DeCastro Will go a long way to rebuilding the line and can step in immediately and provide Pro Bowl-caliber play.

12:00

Will:

Very nice pick for the Bolts.

12:00

JC De La Torre:

I like it. De Castro is a good talent

12:00

Ryan:

By the way, I'm more offended by the Chargers allowing a concussed player to play than by the Saints' "Bountygate." With all of the head trauma and concussion issues, that should have been a bigger deal.

12:01

Brad:

Agreed.

12:01

JC De La Torre:

Didn't the Browns do that, too? Colt McCoy?

12:01

Will:

Ryan: "Kill the head and the body Will follow"

12:01

Brad:

Have we had unusually few offensive line picks so far?

12:02

Ryan:

I wonder who the Chargers were playing when Dielman got hurt.

12:02

12:03

Ryan:

Absolutely. It's impressive how Harbaugh rebuilt the program.

12:03

Brad:

With the 19th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select local product DE Whitney Mercilus.

Mercilus had only one good year statistically -- and only year as a starter -- but his talent appears to be real and the Bears defense should work with his quickness. DE Nick Perry is going to be tempting here, but the upside on Mercilus is too luscious.

12:04

12:04

Ryan:

Hometown kid. Always a heartwarming story.

12:04

12:04

JC De La Torre:

Man, good pick, I was looking at him for Tennessee.

12:04

Brad:

*bowing*

Thank you, thank you.

12:05

12:05

Will:

^ Very true

12:05

Brad:

Some people might argue the Bears need to get an o-lineman here, but the d-line needs personnel, the o-line needs execution.

12:06

12:07

Ryan:

The defense Will get old pretty quickly. It's a good thing to stock up on pass rushers.

12:07

Brad:

I think Dom Dicecco can be a great starting MLB -- not an Urlacher -- but good for many years.

12:07

Ryan:

Especially in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford.

12:07

JC De La Torre:

With the 20th selection in the 2012 NFL annual selection meeting, the Tennessee Titans select Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Tennessee got little production from their defensive ends last season, they desperately need an Edge rusher. Mayock calls him the best defensive player in the draft. The Titans are thrilled to see he's still available.

12:08

Ryan:

Mayock said that?

12:08

12:08

JC De La Torre:

Yep, he said within three years, Jones will be the best defensive player from this draft.

12:08

12:09

Ryan:

Mayock is one of the few universally respected "gurus." When he talks, I listen.

12:10

12:11

Ryan:

I like Perry, although I sometimes question the talent level of the Pac 12.

12:11

12:11

JC De La Torre:

Don't take Calvin Johnson in your fantasy draft....he was just named Madden cover guy

12:12

Brad:

No thanks.

12:12

12:12

12:12

JC De La Torre:

LOL

12:12

Will:

With the 21st pick in the 2012 draft, the Cincinnati Gingers pick WR Michael Floyd.

Marvin Lewis on how he finds his draft board's ideal fit: "One of the projects I give (assistants) is to rank the top 50 offensive prospects from our standpoint and what fits our needs offensively." The Bengals might (and should ) consider Cordy Glenn here out of Georgia, but I think with Floyd being on the board at 21 the Bengals won't be able to resist pairing this NFL ready receiver with A.J. Green.

12:12

12:13

Brad:

Michael Floyd falling to No. 21 is pretty scandalous.

12:13

JC De La Torre:

Floyd was still out there? Wow...I got to stop watching ESPNU

12:13

Will:

Someone had to pick him...

12:14

JC De La Torre:

I thought the Lions were 21?

12:14

Ryan:

He could also go the Bears if he's available.

12:14

Brad:

Will that be the Bengals' rationale? "Someone had to pick him..."

12:14

Ryan:

Someone's gotta catch Cutler's passes.

12:14

Brad:

BRANDON MARSHALL, YO!

12:14

Ryan:

Ahh yes!

12:14

Brad:

And Devin Hester, duh.

12:15

Ryan:

Well, the operative word is "catch" the passes.

12:16

Brad:

Catch passes? That's like when the punter kicks it, right?

12:16

Brad:

Yeah, Hester can handle those no problem.

12:16

Will:

You can't get reamed for picking such a hyped player late in the round.

12:17

Ryan:

Speaking of special teamers, anybody remember when ESPN was asking whether Dante Hall would make the Hall of Fame?

12:17

Brad:

Geez, no.

12:17

Brad:

Well, when you've got to fill 24 hours...

12:18

Ryan:

My point is, they've been talking about Hester going to the Hall.

12:18

Ryan:

Being the best kick returner ever, blah, blah, blah.

12:18

Will:

He returned the opening kick of the SB!

12:18

12:19

Ryan:

When he retires, people will forget about him.

12:19

Brad:

Hester probably should go in the HOF. He's not just the best. He's three times better as the second best.

12:19

Ryan:

That comment applies to both Hester and Brock Osweiler, by the way.

12:19

JC De La Torre:

Wow...Brock Osweiler?

12:19

12:19

12:20

Will:

FSU has scarred Danny with fancying bad QBs.

12:20

JC De La Torre:

What, Cade McNown was unavailable?

12:20

Brad:

teeheehee

12:22

Ryan:

Osweiler has such a bad throwing motion for someone who is so tall. 3/4 to side-arming the throw. He'll have passes batted down at the line of scrimmage and he's 6'7"!

12:22

Ryan:

He is athletic, though.

12:22

Will:

On a realistic note, the Browns have 13 picks in the draft, so perhaps Osweiler is in their future... but maybe later in the draft.

12:23

Ryan:

Anything can happen nowadays with QBs, though.

12:23

12:23

Brad:

Didn't Tebow throw sidearm in college too? Now he's a Top 3 QB.

12:23

12:23

12:23

Brad:

1. Peyton Manning
2. Jay Cutler
3. Tim Tebow

12:23

Ryan:

I stand corrected.

12:24

12:25

JC De La Torre:

With the 23rd selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Detroit Putty Tats select Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With the loss of Eric Wright, the Lions need to begin the process of rebuilding their secondary. With leaders already resident on the team and strong coach, Jenkins has a chance to right the ship and contribute his absolutely amazing untapped talent.

12:25

Ryan:

Terrific pick.

12:25

Will:

I think Tim Tebow's throwing motion is more accurately described as the jack in the box.

12:26

Ryan:

JC and I mentioned it earlier, Jenkins is in Claiborne's class -- perhaps above it -- from a talent standpoint.

12:26

JC De La Torre:

Absolutely...if he can get off the Chronic he'll be a good player in this league

12:27

Ryan:

He also needs to keep his child support payments under control.

12:27

Brad:

I think he's also probably the best defensive talent available right here.

12:28

12:28

12:28

Will:

Aka the new "All Madden Team"

12:28

Ryan:

Jason Cole from Yahoo! wrote a good article about Jenkins and potential baby mama drama.

12:28

Ryan:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--cb-prospect-janoris-jenkins--personal-life-still-causes-concerns-with-nfl-teams.html

12:28

Brad:

You don't really know what you're getting with [insert Detroit Lions player's name]

12:29

Brad:

^ coaches should be included there too

12:30

12:31

Ryan:

With the 24th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelmen select Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama.

Hightower Will be expected to step in and replace James Farrior. He had a productive, albeit injured, career with Alabama.

12:31

Brad:

Another solid pick. Guys, we're great at this.

12:31

JC De La Torre:

Dont'a....forget about me...Dont'a dont'a dont'a oh!

12:32

JC De La Torre:

Sorry, I'm stuck on the 80's tonight...

12:32

Ryan:

Lots of 80's references tonight from JC.

12:32

Brad:

Whelp, now I know what will be stuck in my head during the real draft.

12:32

JC De La Torre:

LOL

12:32

JC De La Torre:

EAR Worm!

12:33

Ryan:

The timeline doesn't show it, but those two comments about the 80's appeared at the same time.

12:33

JC De La Torre:

It's like they were Back to the Future...

12:34

12:34

JC De La Torre:

I do think its a perfect pick for Pittsburgh

12:36

Brad:

With 25th selection of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Denver Mannings select DT Dontari Poe. He's still available, right?

The offense should be impressive this year, what with QB Peyton Manning turning offenses into gold, but if they can add a strong DT to their already impressive defense, they could be in BEST TEAM EVAR territory.

12:36

Jc De La Torre:

Indeed he is.

12:36

Ryan:

I am impressed that we've had no repeat selections.

12:37

Will:

Their defense is going to be ridiculous...

12:37

JC De La Torre:

We're per fes shonals here

12:37

Brad:

I believe I originally selected Mike Ditka with the No. 2 overall pick.

12:37

Ryan:

So he would technically be a repeat pick

12:38

Brad:

BUST!!!!!

12:39

Will:

I made cookies for the draft tonight... but they are all gone

12:40

Ryan:

Forrest Gump: I brought you chocolates...I ate some.

12:40

JC De La Torre:

Superb pick.

12:40

Brad:

Perry's still on the board, right?

12:40

Ryan:

He is.

12:43

12:44

Ryan:

I like the pick. It looks like the Kevin Walter experiment will finally come to an unceremonious end.

12:44

12:44

Brad:

Will they regret not taking Perry to terrorize Luck for 6 years?

12:45

Ryan:

They could try to trade up in round 2 to get a pass rusher.

12:45

Brad:

Yeah, it's still pretty deep.

12:45

Ryan:

Besides, their defense survived last year without Williams. Wade Phillips always gets good production from his unit.

12:46

Ryan:

Unless he's the head coach, that is.

12:46

12:46

12:46

Will:

And with the 27th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots decide against trading their first round pick for the first time since 1904 and select SS Harrison Smith.

The Patriots biggest need is clearly in their secondary and the Hooded One loves drafting players that he can mold. With the Packers picking right behind them, and their need at safety with the release of Nick Collins, the Patriots pull the trigger on Smith.

12:47

JC De La Torre:

Harrison Smith is a fantastic Belichickian pick

12:47

Brad:

Well put.

12:47

Will:

That word sounds so dirty.

12:48

12:48

Will:

All chicks are mysteries to me

12:48

12:48

Ryan:

Should make a good Meriweather replacement. They've been looking for one ever since they drafted Meriweather.

12:48

12:49

Will:

Oh Danny, don't worry!

12:49

Brad:

The Patriots have a running back platoon situation that's working really well, IMHO.

12:49

12:49

Will:

They don't have BGE anymore though.

12:49

Brad:

It keeps the RB salaries depressed and gets all the production they need.

12:49

Ryan:

The Law Firm closed its practice?

12:50

12:50

12:50

Brad:

That Pats' methodology with RBs allows them to lose whomever. They just slot in a specialist to replace them.

12:50

12:50

12:51

Ryan:

They make him sound like a top 10 pick.

12:51

12:51

Brad:

I really would prefer to have the hated Packers take a punter, but Perry is a good pick there. He could be deadly in a 3-4 defense.

12:52

12:52

12:52

Ryan:

Perry lining up opposite Matthews will be a nightmare for offenses.

12:52

Brad:

^ this

12:52

12:53

12:53

JC De La Torre:

With the 29th pick in the NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech.

Anquan Boldin isn't getting any younger and the Ravens can definitely use someone to stretch the defense, opening up things underneath for Torrey Smith and Ray Rice out of the backfield.

12:53

Brad:

A lot of people are calling for Perry to go at No. 19 to the Bears.

12:54

12:55

Brad:

No promises. :)

12:55

12:55

Will:

Very nice pick for the Ravens... do or die for Flacco this year!

12:55

Ryan:

With the 30th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia.

Glenn offers the 49ers some flexibility on where to place him on the offensive line. No matter where he ends up on the line, he is expected to be productive and isn't far behind David DeCastro in terms of talent.

12:56

12:56

12:56

Brad:

They had a surprisingly bad OL in 2011, so this is a good move.

12:56

12:57

Ryan:

They need help along the offensive line much more than anywhere on their defense, although they could look to a CB later in the draft.

12:58

12:58

12:58

Brad:

Makes sense.

12:58

Will:

With the 31st pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Belicheckians select from the University of Miami, one half of the dynamic duo Smash-and-Dash, RB Lamar "Dash" Miller.

Sure you can be logical and say Kendall Reyes (DT) is a great fit here, but this is the Patriots we're talking about! Miller would enter camp and share running back duties with only Stevan Ridley. And while some pundits may have you believe Miller is a "sideways" runner rather than a north to south guy, go back to the tape! He's got first-round talent.

12:59

12:59

12:59

Ryan:

A great talent for the Patriots.

12:59

Brad:

I still wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots waited a round or two to grab a RB.

1:00

1:00

Ryan:

Not typically their style to grab a RB early, but with the rookie salary scale, they can take advantage of a very talented RB. He definitely has that extra gear.

1:01

Will:

I agree they might... but Miller has the talent that they thought they had in Laurence Maroney, and remember, they picked him up in the first round.

1:01

Brad:

Fair enough.

1:01

1:01

Ryan:

RS Sophomore means he has fewer miles on his legs

1:03

1:03

Will:

He's the only true elite every down back left.

1:03

Ryan:

Finally, with the 32nd pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford.

Fleener provides a seam threat a TE and gives the Giants some flexibility. They can go with dual seam threats in Victor Cruz and Fleener, or they can move Cruz outside to replace Manningham.

1:03

Brad:

Who was NE's last "every down back"?

1:04

Will:

Maroney? Corey Dillon?

1:04

Ryan:

Gotta be Dillon.

1:04

Ryan:

Before that...Robert Edwards?

1:04

Brad:

Dillon, I'd say.

1:04

Will:

You could argue a young Kevin Faulk.

1:05

1:05

Will:

Marsha?!

1:05

1:05

1:06

Brad:

So it's agreed then. The Giants picking Fleener makes sense, but is not as interesting as the history of New England's running backs?

1:06

1:06

1:06

Ryan:

The Giants agree.

1:06

1:07

Will:

I would say they've been looking to fill that spot ever since Kevin Boss left... but that doesn't make sense.

1:07