2012 NFL Draft Grades & Re-Draft

HigginsJ

As we have reached the mid-point of the season I think it's time to have a look back at the draft and see what would have been. I have offered a grade for the players picked and a suggested alternative where the pick was poor. I have tried to stick to team needs if suggesting an alternative.

Obviously the re-draft picks are based on what we know now.

Feel free the argue the grades I have given or the player who should have been drafted instead.




1- Colts - Andrew Luck - A+ - Well this is working out well. Luck is living up to expectations and the Colt's surely couldn't be happier.
Re-Draft - No brainer Luck again

2. Redskins - RGIII - A+ - Electric playmaker. They need to protect him from big hits as he does not have the frame to handle it
Re-Draft- RGIII

3. Browns - Trent Richadson - B - Looks to be a cornerstone for the future for the Browns. Injuries are a bit of a worry but he is genuine 3 down superstar.
Re-Draft - Trent Richardson

4. vikings - Matt Kalil - A - Looks to be capable of being the next Joe Thomas/Jake Long. These 1st 4 picks look long term pro-bowlers
Re-Draft - Matt Kalil

5. Jaguars - Justin Blackmon - F - Disappointing so far. DUI in the offseason. Injuries and a lack of production.
Re-Draft - Chandler Jones - A much needed pass rush upgrade for the Jags.

6. Cowboys - Morris Claiborne - A+ - Looks to have the skill set to be the next Revis.
Re-Draft - Morris Claiborne

7. Buccaneers - Mark Barron - B - Barron has been very good. A big hole looks to have been filled for the Bucs.
Re-Draft - Mark Barron

8 - Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill - B+ - Hands up if you thought this was a good pick. Now put them back down you liar. Tannehill has been superb. Looks to be the franchise QB the fins have long been looking for
Re-Draft - Ryan Tannehill

9. - Panthers - Luke Kuechly - B - Kuechly is going to be a solid pro for a long time. Solid tackler and good in coverage.
Re- Draft - Luke Kuechly

10. - Bills - Stephon Gilmore - D - Struggled in coverage and has bit on a few double moves. Rookie mistakes and time to improve but you want an early impact from a top 10 pick.
Re-Draft - Casey Hayward

11. - Chiefs - Dontari Poe - E - Was not expected to make an impact straight away and has lived up to those expectations. Has the physical tools to be a star but long way to go.
Re-Draft - Derek Wolfe

12. Eagles - Fletcher Cox - C+ - Part of the Eagles line rotation. Seems to be a good fit
Re-Draft - Fletcher Cox

13. Cardinals - Michael Floyd - D - Has struggled for playing time but has shown ability.
Re-Draft - Mitchell Schwartz - Lets try and keep a QB upright to make use of Larry Fitz

14. Rams - Michael Brockers - C - Much like Fletcher Cox looks a good fit and will develop
Re-Draft - Michael Brockers

15. Seahawks - Bruce Irvin - B - Being used well by the Seahawks as a situational pass-rusher. Will never be a do it all type player but if he generates sacks, who cares
Re-Draft - Bruce Irvin

16. New York Jets - Quinton Coples - C - Part of the D-line rotation for the Jets. Has not been able to establish himself as 1st choice.
Re-Draft - Doug Martin - The Jets badly need a do it all RB. Martin has been superb

17. Bengals - Dre Kirkpatrick - ? - Injured all season.
Re-Draft - Janoris Jenkins - Lets give them a CB who can get on the field

18. Chargers - Melvin Ingram - D - Not getting much playing time. A disappointing show so far.
Re-Draft - Courtney Upshaw

19. Bears - Shea McClellin - C - Has been coming along nicely. If he keeps progressing this will be a nice pick.
Re-Draft - Shea McClellin

20. Titans - Kendall Wright - C - Could well be the best WR in what looks like a weak class.
Re-Draft - Kendall Wright

21. Patriots - Chandler Jones - A+ - Anti patriots bias aside Jones has been fantastic. Clearly set to be RDPOY
Re-Draft - Chandler Jones (no brainer)

22. Browns - Brandon Weeden - B - Recovered well from Week 1. Has been let down by his WR's dropping lots of nice passes.
Re-Draft- Russell Wilson - Weedon has been good. Wilson beat out Matt Flynn and beat Tom Brady.

23. Lions - Reily Reiff - F - Can't break into a mediocre O-Line.
Re-Draft - Harrison Smith - Badly needed upgrade to the secondary

24. Steelers - David DeCastro - ? - Injured in pre-season.
Re-Draft - Dont'a Hightower

25. Patriots - Dont'a Hightower - A+ - Much like the Jones pick the patriots have hit gold with this selection
Re-Draft - Dont'a Hightower

26. Texans - Whitney Mercilius - D - Not played very much. Shows talent so will see in the future
Re-Draft - Alshon Jeffrey - A WR opposite Dre is still needed. Jeffrey has been solid for Bears.

27. Bengals - Kevin Zeitler - B+ - Has played really well and currently the 2nd best rookie O-lineman after Kalil
Re-Draft - Kevin Zeitler

28. Packers - Nick Perry - C - Played well in spots. Slowly improving.
Re-Draft - Alfred Morris

29. vikings - Harrison Smith - A+ - Well worth trading back into 1st round for the vikes. Good in coverage and has a nasty streak that will endear him to fans (if not his accountant!!)
Re-Draft - Harrison Smith

30. 49ers - AJ Jenkins - F - Possibly the worst pick of the 1st round. Fit but just cant get on the field.
Re-Draft - Stephen Hill - Not a star but has shown flashes

31. Buccaneers- Doug Martin - A+ - A true 3 down running back who does it all.
Re-Draft - Doug Martin

32. Giants - David Wilson - D - Damn you Bucs. Doug Martin was going to be the Giants pick. Wilson has struggled since fumbling on his 1st touch. Has shown flashes (some big kick returns & 40yd td run) so all is not lost
Re-Draft - Jonathan Martin - Sure the Giants O-line is playing well but Martin could have started at RT where is he doing nicely for the Dolphins.

Justin10

I would have Ingram over Upshaw all day long.

Surprised Smith is doing well for Vikings, pre season he was horrible.

eagle eye

I've seen some ridiculous threads on there but this one is the worst of all time imo. Regrading a draft class after a couple of months is just going way way overboard.:D

Paully D

Enjoyed reading that Higgins, cheers.

I'd have to give the Browns and Richardson an A for sure.

With regards to Jenkins and the 49ers, they're by far and away the hardest team for a rookie to break into - see stats here. They have a total of 14 rookie snaps (as of the first week in October, so it obviously has changed a bit now but the 49ers will still be bottom). Falcons were next worst with 19 before the next was Steelers with over 6 times that at 115. I think even if Hill went there he wouldn't be getting too much of a look in either. Any rookie that went in there apart from the elite guys would struggle for snaps IMO.

HigginsJ

eagle eye wrote: »

I've seen some ridiculous threads on there but this one is the worst of all time imo. Regrading a draft class after a couple of months is just going way way overboard.:D

Appreciate the feedback. It was done for bit of fun & I tried not to be too negative because as you said we are only half way through the season. However I do think it is possible to judge players at this early stage.

I hated the Tannehill pick at the time and everyone was surprised at the Irvin pick but 6 months later and they look like two solid picks.
Blackmon and Reiff were thought as excellent picks but dont look so rosy now.

Alot can change in a short space of time and there is alot of time for Blackmon, Poe, Reiff etc. to become excellent players but for now they look pretty poor picks.

And in a league where everyone has this "what have you done for me lately" attitude GM's and Headcoaches don't get too many chances to miss on high draft picks.

Red Crow

eagle eye wrote: »

I've seen some ridiculous threads on there but this one is the worst of all time imo. Regrading a draft class after a couple of months is just going way way overboard.:D

What a stupid post.

SantryRed

I don't think you canreallyblame Blackmon.

davyjose

eagle eye wrote: »

I've seen some ridiculous threads on there but this one is the worst of all time imo. Regrading a draft class after a couple of months is just going way way overboard.:D

I've seen websites do next years draft -- the day after the draft!!! Now that's stupid. This was a good read IMO.

HigginsJ

SantryRed wrote: »

I don't think you canreallyblame Blackmon.

Obviously Blackmon is not in the perfect scenario to succeed at the moment but he is not blameless. His on-field performances have not been great. From what I have read his route running (one of his main strengths entering the draft) has been poor.

Not everyone is going to have an AJ Green rookie year but he is only 9th in receiving yards (splitting Stephen Hill and Alshon Jeffrey) & he has yet to score a TD.

His stats are 18 catches, 193 yards, 0 TD's in 7 games from the number 5 overall pick is a poor return. He & Gilmore do not stack up well when you compare them to the rest of the guys taken in the Top 10.

eagle eye

HigginsJ wrote: »

Appreciate the feedback. It was done for bit of fun & I tried not to be too negative because as you said we are only half way through the season. However I do think it is possible to judge players at this early stage.

I hated the Tannehill pick at the time and everyone was surprised at the Irvin pick but 6 months later and they look like two solid picks.
Blackmon and Reiff were thought as excellent picks but dont look so rosy now.

Alot can change in a short space of time and there is alot of time for Blackmon, Poe, Reiff etc. to become excellent players but for now they look pretty poor picks.

And in a league where everyone has this "what have you done for me lately" attitude GM's and Headcoaches don't get too many chances to miss on high draft picks.

That comment 'worst of all time' was said tongue in cheek hence the smiley at the end.

I don't think its a very good idea at all though to regrade this early. QBs hit the wall during their second year.
Offensive and defensive tackles never get over their first season and don't make it back near the same level.
Cornerbacks just look at McCourty in New England. After his first year everybody said we had found a lockdown corner.

WRs are not going to look good when they have a QB under pressure who doesn't have time to deliver them the ball.

And then you have teams who are in good shape and want their new guy for the long term and choose to develop him first.

I think you have to give it at least 24 months before its a worthwhile exercise.

Stev_o

Rochey18 wrote: »

I would have Ingram over Upshaw all day long.

Surprised Smith is doing well for Vikings, pre season he was horrible.

Ingram has yet to record a single sack for the Chargers. Upshaw I would agree is a bust far too slow.

eagle eye wrote: »

I've seen some ridiculous threads on there but this one is the worst of all time imo. Regrading a draft class after a couple of months is just going way way overboard.:D

EE give it a break will you, people are trying to discuss a topic and your trying to to kill it? If you have a problem with it ignore the thread no need to derail it.

Son Of A Vidic

eagle eye wrote: »

Offensive and defensive tackles never get over their first season and don't make it back near the same level.

So you're saying that they all will never reach the level they played at in their first season? I don't agree with that at all EE. As a fellow Pats fan, remember when the legendary Matt Light started protecting Brady? Christ, I never thought he would become the player he did after his hit and miss first season. Nate Solder is following a similar pathway. Because right now, he is really shaping into a formidable guardian for Brady.

Leslie91

Stev_o wrote: »

Ingram has yet to record a single sack for the Chargers. Upshaw I would agree is a bust far too slow.

EE give it a break will you, people are trying to discuss a topic and your trying to to kill it? If you have a problem with it ignore the thread no need to derail it.

Upshaw a bust?, have not been watching him but interesting to hear somebody say we shoulda picked him at #18 over Ingram. Ingram has been ok, probably what you'd expect from that pick. He's not been on the field as much as we'd like. I reckon he's not the smartest player in the league and so is struggling with scheme and role. He's also made some boneheaded plays.

Is that Chandler Jones guy playing OLB or DE because sounds like he is the guy we should have drafted.

Paully D

Stev_o wrote: »

Ingram has yet to record a single sack for the Chargers. Upshaw I would agree is a bust far too slow.

Upshaw's doing OK. He has got his weight down now and is improving each week. He hasn't done much against the pass but he's been quite good against the run and was probably our best defensive player against the Cowboys. He'll continue to get better as the weeks go on and will become a solid player for us.

RGIII

Nice to see the 'worst pick of the draft' Irvin, is performing better than all the pass rushers bar Jones picked after him.

Ares

I really don't know why you've given Riley Reiff an F. You've quite clearly looked up his stats and went yeah a straight f without probably seeing a single bit of play of his all season.

The reality is that the Lions are trying to ease him in gradually because he's a young tackle. For clear running situations he comes onto the field and does a great job at run blocking, he gets down the field really quickly.

I wouldn't classify this as an F whatsoever, he's getting more snaps by the week and he'll definitely be starting next season.

Shea McClellin is in the exact same situation for the Bears and he's 'progressing nicely.' Absolute **** tbh.

HigginsJ

Ares wrote: »

I really don't know why you've given Riley Reiff an F. You've quite clearly looked up his stats and went yeah a straight f without probably seeing a single bit of play of his all season.

The reality is that the Lions are trying to ease him in gradually because he's a young tackle. For clear running situations he comes onto the field and does a great job at run blocking, he gets down the field really quickly.

I wouldn't classify this as an F whatsoever, he's getting more snaps by the week and he'll definitely be starting next season.

Shea McClellin is in the exact same situation for the Bears and he's 'progressing nicely.' Absolute **** tbh.

Fair enough. I would think that only being able to get on the field in the Lions "Jumbo" package is pretty disappointing but it is just my opinion, not fact. I thought he would have been able to win the starting RT job and that's why he gets a bad grade from me.

McClellin is doing nicely. 2.5 sacks from limited playing time so he has shown a nice skill set for me.

davyjose

eagle eye wrote: »

That comment 'worst of all time' was said tongue in cheek hence the smiley at the end.

I don't think its a very good idea at all though to regrade this early. QBs hit the wall during their second year.
Offensive and defensive tackles never get over their first season and don't make it back near the same level.
Cornerbacks just look at McCourty in New England. After his first year everybody said we had found a lockdown corner.

WRs are not going to look good when they have a QB under pressure who doesn't have time to deliver them the ball.

And then you have teams who are in good shape and want their new guy for the long term and choose to develop him first.

I think you have to give it at least 24 months before its a worthwhile exercise.

Can we at least judge Blaine Gabbert yet?:pac:

eagle eye

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

So you're saying that they all will never reach the level they played at in their first season? I don't agree with that at all EE. As a fellow Pats fan, remember when the legendary Matt Light started protecting Brady? Christ, I never thought he would become the player he did after his hit and miss first season. Nate Solder is following a similar pathway. Because right now, he is really shaping into a formidable guardian for Brady.

No I meant some don't come back the second year anywhere near the same. Some obviously get better in year two. Either way there is now way you can regrade this early with any accuracy.

Son Of A Vidic

eagle eye wrote: »

No I meant some don't come back the second year anywhere near the same. Some obviously get better in year two. Either way there is now way you can regrade this early with any accuracy.

Fair enough, I misinterpreted what you meant earlier.