2012 Draft Standard

8/2/2019 2012 Draft Standard

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2012 Dra Prospective2012 Draft Standard


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Table of Contents

Leer from the Editor

Team briefs

NFC WestSan Francisco 49ersArizona CardinalsSeale SeahawksSt. Louis Rams

NFC North

Green Bay PackersDetroit LionsChicago BearsMinnesota Vikings

NFC SouthNew Orleans SaintsAtlanta FalconsCarolina PanthersTampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC EastNew York GiantsDallas CowboysPhiladelphia EaglesWashington Redskins

AFC West

Denver BroncosOakland RaidersSan Diego ChargersKansas City Chiefs

AFC NorthBaltimore RavensPisburgh SteelersCincinnati BengalsCleveland Browns

AFC SouthHouston TexansTennessee TitansJacksonville JaguarsIndianapolis Colts

AFC EastNew England PatriotsNew York JetsBualo BillsMiami Dolphins

Top 150

Positional Rankings

Quarterbacks & Running BacksWide Receivers & Tight EndsOensive Tackles & GuardsCenters, Fullbacks & SpecialistsDefensive Tackles & EndsLinebackersDefensive Backs

Mock Dra


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Letter from the editor

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Dra Standard. This labor of love is the product of an insatiable appetite to

talk, debate and discuss the NFL Dra and the understanding that there are many more people just like me.

As a connoisseur of both collegiate and profession football the dra is the natural culmination of the two, and as

evident by the media explosion over the past few year, the need for high-quality information relating to the dra

is craved. Combine that with the ever changing landscape of technology, and the idea that all things are going all-

digital, this digital magazine was born. Complete with team proles and needs, positional rankings and the wildly

popular rst-round mock dra.

I look forward to your comments, suggestions and criticism, because like the dra itself, everyone has a dierent

opinion. With that said, I hope you enjoy the 2012 Dra Standard.

Todd Kleinheinz


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The 49ers return all 11 starters from last years highly ranked defense, but, the oensive stats were clear, #8 in rushing oense and #29 in passing.

QB: The 49ers were part of the Peyton Manning free agent odyssey, but when he chose Denver they quickly turned back to Alex Smith. Smith is comingo his best season as a pro, and was given some new weapons to work with, Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. They traded up in the second roundlast year for Colin Kaepernick, and former Harbaugh prodigy, Josh Johnson, signed as a free agent. QB wont be on the radar in the top half of the dra,if at all.

RB: Frank Gore is a tough runner and one of the few bell-cow backs le in the ever-changing world of the NFL. However, he will be 29 at the start ofthe season and has a lot of miles on his legs (as well as shoulders, back, etc). He is a strong inside runner, capable in the receiving game and outstandingas a blocker. He was also the recipient of a new contract prior to last year, so the Niners are commied to him, at least in the short term. Backup KendallHunter is a shiy change-of-pace, but isnt believed to be a back that can carry the load. Anthony Dixon is another big back but he hasnt proven to begreat in short-yardage situations. Brandon Jacobs, formerly of the NY Giants was signed in the oseason, and one would think that Dixon would be theodd man out. The fullback is Bruce Miller, who as a rookie showed well aer making the transition from college defensive end. The Niners will look fora big, strong RB in the dra, most likely in rounds 2-4 who can be the heir to Gore.

WR: Michael Crabtree, Moss, and Manningham make up a noticeable trio at WR. However, Crabtree has never lived up to his dra status, Moss is35, and Manningham only had 39 catches last year for just over 500 yards. And while Kyle Williams was geing beer as the year went on, the lastingimpression everyone has of him is the botched punt in the NFC Championship game. So while Crabtree will work the short to intermediate routes,Moss will be asked to be the deep threat and Manningham will be asked to work outside the numbers. So needless to say, the Niners will be looking toupgrade at WR, which is good considering the dra is deep there this year. And with the 30th pick in the rst round the Niners could look to make thatimprovement on day one.

TE: Vernon Davis is one of the best tight ends in the game and backup Delanie Walker is a very underrated pass catcher as well. Davis has been the bestvertical threat for them the last couple years, and his versatility creates mismatches. Walker is only signed through 2012 and may look to become themain TE for someone else in 2013. This opens the door for the possibility of Harbaugh disciple Colby Fleener being taken at the end of round one.

OL: The line boasts three previous 1st round picks ( Joe Staley, Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati) and as the stats indicate, they excel in the run game.Jonathan Goodwin will once again man the center position and Daniel Kilgore will be asked to step in for the departed Adam Snyder. Goodwin is theonly one with signicant age (33), and a swing interior lineman could be looked at in the rst three rounds. Alex Boone is the top backup at tackle, dodepth here could be addressed late.

DL: Justin Smith was the teams MVP last year and is still a force on the edge of their 3-4 defense. Ray McDonald, on the other side, is underrated. Andanchoring the middle at nose tackle is Isaac Sopoaga, who locks down the middle against the run, but doesnt provide much inside rush. Ricky Jean-Francois is the primary backup, but upgrading at NT when given the chance is important. It just doesnt seem like this is the year, but geing depth atthe end positions is, and could be looked at in the middle rounds.

LB: Last years rst round dra pick, Aldon Smith, transitioned from college DE to pro OLB and showed his pass-rush abilities as a rookie, picking up 12sacks. This year hell be asked to shoulder more of the load and play all three downs. Ahmad Brooks and his seven sacks was resigned and will start op-posite Smith. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman form the best inside ILBs in the NFL. Parys Haralson is the primary backup on the outside, and LarryGrant is the primary backup on the inside.

DB: The other direction the Niners could go in the rst round is CB. The resigning of Pro Bowl corner Carlos Rogers nails down one side, but TarrellBrown (penciled in currently as the starter) or Chris Culliver (more suited as a nickel back) could be upgraded if the right player is available.. The safe-ties are Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson, both hard hiers and capable cover guys.

istorical Note: 2011

San Francisco 49ers

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the San Francisco 49ers select. .

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Even with the addition of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, thefuture #1 wideout isnt on the 49ers yet. But they could change with theaddition of Randle.

They could also look at. . . Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama.


5/45

Arizona Cardinals

QB: Kevin Kolb, who came over in trade from Philadelphia last season, was thought to be the answer to their QB problems. But he struggled, wasknocked out with a concussion and is still feeling the aects. Enter John Skelton who led the team to a 5-2 record but is still a project at the position. TheCards enter camp with this being their biggest question mark, and the one that without an answer will leave them struggling to compete. However, theopen training camp competition could produce an answer, and with the talent around, they could make a playo push. I doubt the Cards look at QB thidra, but they will (early) in 2013 if things crash and burn this year.

RB: When healthy, Beanie Wells is the type of feature back every team would like to have. However, it is the health issue that is keeping him from beingan elite back. Last year s draee, Ryan Williams, tore up his knee in training camp and missed the entire season, but they are hoping that he is back andcan take some of the load o Wells. LaRod Stephens-Howling is the change-of-pace back. The fullback is Anthony Sherman. Not much reason for theCardinals to look at RBs early, perhaps late for depth, but thats all.

WR: Larry Fitzgerald is still one of the very best in the game. Including last year when the QB position was a mess. Andre Roberts emerged last seasonas a serviceable starter. Early Doucet may move to the outside, allowing Roberts to move inside and utilize his speed and quickness. Stephen Williams,

Jaymar Johnson and DeMarco Sampson are the young backups, but WR is still a top three priority for the Cardinals, especially if an elite talent like Mi-chael Floyd presents himself in the rst round. The Cards will stick to their board, but WR could be a pick in the top three rounds.

TE: Rob Housler was a third rounder last year, and is looking like the guy the team wants as the starter. The Todd Heap experiment didnt work out, andJe King is really only a blocker. Without a deep TE class, this simply is not a point of concern of the Cards right now.

OL: The Cardinals resigned Levi Brown, but that doesnt mean they are enthusiastic about it. His play improved as the year went on, but a younger,more able replacement is a top priority. Jeremy Bridges, DAnthony Batiste and D.J. Young will all bale for the right tackle position. Daryn Colledgewill occupy one guard position, and his play must improve, and the other will be Adam Snyder, who was signed from San Francisco. Lyle Sendlein willanchor the center spot. Any three of the inside spots can be improved, and a with a deep guard class look for the Cards to do just that in the middlerounds.

DL: The Cardinals placed the franchise tag on defensive end Calais Campbell, so he will be expected to duplicate his 2011 form. Darnell Docke is stillan above average player and will provide a quality bookend on the other side. Dan Williams is the nose tackle, and needs to stay in shape. David Carteris the primary backup inside and Nick Eason backs up on the outside. They could look to grab one of the elite DEs in this dra, or simply look for depthlater on.

LB: Daryl Washington is very solid on the inside. As is Paris Lenon who recorded over 100 tackles. Outside linebacker Sam Acho produced well in hisrookie year (seven sacks in 10 starts) and OBrien Schoeld should be able to win the other spot in camp, which would give the Cardinals two solid passrushers. But since neither is elite, the Cards could opt to grab one of the premier pass rushers in the early part of the dra, but only if one falls to them.Dont look for them to reach, and if need be, go into 2012 with Acho and Schoeld.

DB: Patrick Peterson was a top 5 pick last year, but didnt really show what he could do until later in the year. Opposite him is either A.J. Jeerson orGreg Toler, who is coming o an ACL injury. Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson, are the safeties, but neither is a young pup. Rashad Johnson is the top

backup at safety but more depth and a future starter could be seen as a need in this dra.

In the rst round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Arizona Cardinals select. . .

Riley Rei, OT, Iowa

Kevin Kolb didnt produce like they thought, and part of the problemwas that he was geing knocked around so much. Rei could help withthat. They really could look to address any position on the line, but theOT seems like the most logical place to start.

They could also look at. . . Michael Brockers, DT, LSU.


6/45

Seattle Seahawks

QB: Ma Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in his only start last season for Green Bay, that was enough to get him a free agent contract fromSeale. Pete Carroll has said that Flynn will bale Tavaris Jackson, but its hard to imagine giving Flynn that kind of money with out the rst shot at thestarting gig. So

RB: Marshawn Lynch picked up a new contract aer rushing for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lynch has the ability to be an elite back, itshis mental makeup that has always been an issue. If hes past that, the Seahawks could be set for awhile. Even though Lynch is signed and ready, theSeahawks need to nd a young back to develop. Leon Washington, Kregg Lumpkin and Tyrell Suon are the backups and none of them scream feature

back. Michael Robinson serves as the blocking fullback.

WR: Injuries are rarely good, but in the Seahawks case a silver lining can be seen. Because Sidney Rice missed time, it allowed rookie Doug Baldwin toourish and lead the team in catches (51). Mike Williams was a feel-good story last summer, but he is just too slow and not good enough. Ben Obomanuand Golden Tate look like serviceable receivers, but neither is elite. Receiver could be a direction the Seahawks want to go, but probably later consider-ing their other needs.

TE: Zach Miller was brought in last year to be the receiving TE the team needed, however, it didnt work out. The backups dont look like elite receivingthreats either, so right now it is up to Miller to improve in 2012. The TE dra class isnt very deep, so although the Seahawks could look for someone, thevalue probably just wont be there.

OL: Both oensive tackles went down with injuries last year. Russell Okung should be ready to start the year healthy, but James Carpenter (ACL) wontbe. Breno Giacomini, who lled in last year at RT will get the change to start the season with the job. This would open up the possibility of Carpentermoving to guard when he returns. Le guard John Mo also missed time, but is expected back. Max Unger will start at center. Guard Deuce Lutui,who played for Coach Carroll at USC, and tackle Frank Omiyale, were brought in for depth. Health will remain the key issue for this unit. As for thedra, clearly depth is important, but not early for the Seahawks.

DL: Red Bryant, who was resigned in the oseason, is a stud at DE. Chris Clemons is the other DE, and provides the pass rush. The defensive tackles arenewcomer Jason Jones and veteran Brandon Mebane. Alan Branch is the primary backup on the inside, but provides very l ile in the form of a pass rushThere is plenty of room for depth, and a young pass rusher, possibly in the rst round, could be the direction they go.

LB: K.J. Wright has a chance to be a very good linebacker, but hes all the Seahawks have right now. The Seahawks lost MLB David Hawthorne in freeagency, and only have Barre Ruud as a bandaid right now. Adrian Moten is the leader of a group for the other outside linebacker spot, but this isclearly a priority in the dra. If Luke Kuechly, the LB from Boston College is there. Could be a perfect t.

DB: There was a lot of discussion in 2010 when Pete Carroll took Earl Thomas in the rst round, instead of Taylor Mays who he coached at USC. Threeyears later Thomas looks to be on the verge of being an elite safety, and Mays is riding the bench for his second team in three years. Guess Carroll gotthat one right Kam Chancellor is the other safety, and may be moved to OLB if that remains a huge area of concern. But if they are able to keep him inthe secondary, Seale has two young, elite safeties. Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman are the corners. They resigned Marcus Trufant, who willlikely be the nickel back. Walter Thurmond and Roy Lewis are the primary backups. With such a young core group, the Seahawks may opt to leave thesecondary alone and concentrate on the front seven.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Seahawks select. . .

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly becomes an instant starter for the Seahawks, and will helpcover up many of the issues that the Seahawks defense had in 2011.They could look at a pass rusher, but Kuechly is too talented to pass up

They could also look at. . . Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina.


7/45

St. Louis Rams

Je Fisher and the boatload of dra picks the team got from Washington for the #2 overall pick will no doubt be the two biggest additions for the Ramsthis year.

QB: It was thought that Sam Bradford was ready to make the jump from good QB to elite QB last year. But that didnt happen. Clearly the team still be-lieves in him, or they could have stayed with the #2 overall pick and taken Robert Grien III, but Fisher, and most, believe that Bradford still can becomea top 15 QB. Tom Brandstater, is the backup right now, but a veteran will most likely be brought in during training camp to serve as not only competi-tion for Brandstater, but also as a teacher for Bradford. The Rams like what they have in Bradford and wont shake his condence any by draing ayoung QB.

RB: On a two win football team, Steven Jackson stil l rushed for over 1100 yards and a 4.4 yard average. But, he will be 29 when the season starts and hispunishing style has piled up just as much on him as it has his opponents. He will still be called on to be the main guy, but the Rams would be servedwell by adding another RB. And without a proven, serviceable backup, it is a priority rather then just a luxury.

WR: The Rams have a young group of receivers that duplicate many of the same traits. Brandon Gibson, Danny Amendola, Greg Salas and Steve Smith

are at best possession receivers who can work over the middle and move the chains. The Rams lack a star on the outside that can be Bradfords go-to guyThat could change if Justin Blackmon falls to #6 in the dra this year, and if thats the case, the position will be upgraded immediately. But I would stilllook for the Rams to dra another receiver, possibly a true deep threat, in the mid to late rounds.

TE: Lance Kendrick was draed to be Bradfords safety blanket, but that didnt pan out last year. They will look for a bounce-back eort from Kendrickthis year, and if that happens, Bradford could see a spike in his production. Michael Hoomanawanui is the primary backup, and can be an asset in thepassing game.

OL: The oensive line is a mess. Rodger Saold took a step back last year, but will remain at right tackle. Jason Smith has been a huge bust for the Ramsbut is still on the team. Bob Dahl, and Bryan Maison will play guard and Sco Wells was signed away from Green Bay to add some stability to thecenter position. Robert Turner was signed away from the Jets and will be asked to backup the guards, but depth at the tackle position is needed. Withplenty of ammunition in terms of dra picks, thanks to the Redskins, the Rams could look to move back into the end of the 1st round should they see anoensive lineman sliding.

DL: Robert Quinn and Chris Long are the two defensive ends, and both are strong pass rushers and should give the Rams plenty of push without theneed to blitz. Kendall Langford, Darrell Sco and Trevor Laws will form a solid rotation at the defensive tackl spots. None are elite pass rushes, but all

will help solidify the rushing defense, which was horrible last year. William Hayes and Eugene Sims are the backups on the outside. DT is a position ofneed, and should be addressed somewhere in rounds 3-5.

LB: Jo-Lon Dunbar was signed to play one outside linebacker position, and with his speed, he should be able to improve an abysmal statistical defense.The other outside position is wide open, and should be address in rounds 2-3. James Laurinaitis is one of the elite middle linebackers in the NFL andprovides a solid middle of the eld for the Rams. With lots of holes to ll, middle linebacker is one of the few positions of strength for the Rams.

DB: Cortland Finnegan was brought on board to help establish some stability at the corner position. Finnegan played for Fisher during his days inTennessee and can help establish Fishers system quickly on a defense that will no doubt have major turnover from last year. Bradley Fletcher will playthe opposite side. Quintin Mikell didnt perform as expected aer being signed as a free agent last season, but he enters camp as the starting free safety.Darian Stewart is the other starter, but neither of these guys should feel secure. Safety could be addressed in the dra.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the St. Louis Rams select. . .

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

The Rams may very well have draed Blackmon had they stayed at#2, but they picked up a bunch of future picks, and still get their maintarget.

They could also look at. . . Riley Rei, OT, Iowa.


8/45

Green Bay Packers

The Packers were thisclose to an undefeated season in 2011, but to look at their defense, you have to wonder how that was possible.

QB: Aaron Rodgers is at the top of his game, and arguably at the top of the entire NFL. The real question is will the Packers look to dra a replacementfor Ma Flynn who bolted to the Seahawks as a free agent. The Packers have a history of draing QBs late and having them blossom (Aaron Brooks,Ma Hasselbeck, Ma Flynn), so dont be surprised if they do it again later in the dra.

RB: Its hard to imagine such a potent oense with such a big question mark at running back. James Starks will be called upon to do most of the heavyliing, and Alex Green can be used as a change-of-pace back. But the real intrigue is with Brandon Saine, who could be another gem the Packers. Re-gardless, the Packers wont hesitate to grab a RB if the right one presents himself.

WR: Greg Jennings is Rodgers go-to guy, and when he wasnt in the lineup, the oense spuered. Jordy Nelson has improved each year, and is a veryreliable, over the middle receiver. James Jones is the primary backup and Randall Cobb is the wildcard that could be a homerun hier in certain four-wide formations.

TE: Jermichael Finley was the top oseason priority and they got him signed, which is great news for Rodgers and the oense. He is one of the very eliteTEs in the league and his value can not be understated. D.J. Williams, Andrew Quarless and Tom Crabtree are the backups, but dont count on all fourmaking the team. So draing one is out as well.

OL: Sco Wells defected to the Rams, but was immediately replaced by former Colt Je Saturday. Saturday should have no trouble adjusting to theGreen Bay system, and will be a strong leader on the line. Josh Sion and T.J. Lang are penciled in as the starting guards. First rounder, Bryan Bulagadeveloped at right tackle throughout the year and will once again be the starter. But the biggest question mark is at the most important line position, letackle. Second-year player Derek Sherrod is in the mix, but he doesnt seem to be at the level needed to protect the blindside of Rodgers. So tackle could

be the place to go in the rst round for the Packers, if the talent they like is there.

DL: Ryan Picke and Jarius Wynn are slated to be the starters on the outside of the line, with BJ Raji in the middle. Raji who at times looked unblockablein 2010 seemed like he was unable to shed blockers in 2011. He will need to get back to the dominating presence in the middle if the defense is to get outof the statistical cellar. Tony Hargrove, Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson are the primary backups, but this too is a position that could be used early in the dra

LB: The Packers no doubt need help rushing the passer opposite Clay Mahews, and that very well may be the direction they go in the rst round of thedra. Erik Walden is currently the starter, but clearly an upgrade may be available. Desmond Bishop is serviceable but A.J. Hawk has never lived up tothe expectations that came with him on dra day. With that said, dont be surprised if D.J. Smith takes over for Hawk. Robert Francois and Brad Jonesare the primary backups.

DB: Charles Woodson is a Hall of Famer, but he showed signs of slowing down last year. Tramon Williams is on the other side, and he too showed adecline in 2011. For the Packers defense to get beer they need these two players to play like they did during their 2010 Super Bowl run. Sam Shieldsis the nickel back, and he too needs to improve, or hell nd himself replaced quickly. There is lile doubt that the Packers will use multiple picks onsecondary personnel.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Packers select . . .

Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

The pick here is OT or defense, and with more holes to ll on defense,they should look here rst. David will give them an OLB to playopposite Clay Mahews that will need to be accounted for at all times.

They could also look at. . . Mike Adams, OT, Ohio St.


9/45

Detroit Lions

The Lions have a 4000 yard passer, the best wide receiver in the game a defense that ranked 30 against the run. There should be no big surprise wherethe Lions will focus their dra aention.

QB: Mahew Staord looked like the #1 overall pick the Lions were hoping for when they called his name three years ago. He threw for over 5000 yardsand 41 TDs. Clearly the sky is the limit for the Lions oense as long as Staord is running it. Shaun Hill is the backup, but a developmental, late-roundQB could be in the cards for the Lions this year.

RB: Jahvid Best is still less the 100% aer another concussion ended his 2011 season and Mikel Leshoure lost his whole rookie season aer suering aruptured Achilles tendon in training camp. So the running game has some question marks. The Lions did re-up Kevin Smith, who performed well whenhe was signed in the middle of last season. But the Lions may have to roll the dice here. If they believe Best and Leshoure and come back fully, RB wont

be a dra priority. However, if they have any suspicion that either, or both, cant, then a back needs to be on the list of priorities.

WR: Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL, and one of the top ve players in all of football. Nu said. Titus Young should have an increased

role this year and push current starter Nate Burleson. But aer that, it is prey thin. So could a WR be on the minds of the Lions? Considering how deepthe WR class is this year, the answer is yes. So look for the Lions to grab a receiver in the middle rounds.

TE: Brandon Peigrew hasnt been the dominating presence over the middle that the Lions were hoping for when the draed him in the middle of therst round, but he is a nice safety blanket and red zone target. Tony Scheer comes in in the two TE set and is another option in the passing game.

OL: The interior of the oensive line, Dominic Raiola (C), Stephen Peterman (G) and Rob Sims (G), is a prey unknown trio, but a solid one. The prob-lem is at the tackle position. Je Backus will turn 35 at the beginning of the season, so an infusion of youth to protect Staords blindside is a must. Onthe right side, Gosder Cherlius has shown improvement, but not nearly enough to consider moving him to the le side. Draing late like the Lions aredoing this year will allow the dra to unfold in front of them, and should one of the top tier tackles fall they can pounce.

DL: How the Lions could be so bad against the rush is a mystery when you consider Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are in the middle. At least Fair-ley will be this year, he rotated in with Corey Williams in 2011. Sammie Lee Hill is also a load in the middle, and a nice rotational player. On the outside,Cli Avril was franchised, so hes currently on a 1-year deal. While Kyle Vanden Boschs motor has slowed down in the last couple of years. Lawrence

Jackson has shown some ashes when given the chance, but not enough to warrant a starting spot, at least not yet. An early edge rusher may be thechoice here.

LB: Stephen Tulloch was brought back to play the middle, and that was a good choice considering the other options staring the team in the face. DeAn-dre Levy and Justin Durant are on the outside, but then it gets real thin. Again, this could be the place the Lions look to in the dra.

DB: Chris Houston is at one corner spot, and with Eric Wright moving on to Tampa that leaves Alphonso Smith as the other. Or possibly Aaron Berry,but his play would have to dramatically improve over last year. Regardless, the corner spot needs to be addressed. Louis Delmas and Amari Spievey arethe current starters, but Spievey struggled mightily last year. Erik Coleman and John Wendling are the backups.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Lions select. . .

Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina

There is a bigger need at CB, but unless they want to take a chance onDre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins, both with major character concerns,the pick here is Coples, which is farther then many think he will fall.

They could also look at. . . Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama.


10/45

Chicago Bears

QB: Jay Cutler was 7-3 before geing hurt last year, and now he has his buddy Brandon Marshall in town. This can only have a positive aect on Cutlerand the Bears oense. Jason Campbell was brought in to be the backup and if forced to play, the Bears are hoping his veteran leadership will allow theteam to stay competitive, which didnt happen when Caleb Hanie was under center last year. Josh McCown and Nathan Enderle are #3 and #4, so QBisnt a issue for the Bears.

RB: Ma Forte is unhappy with his contract, which is bad news, because when healthy and motivated, Forte is one of the best all around backs in theleague. The Bears signed Michael Bush in free agency, as not only a backup to Forte, but an insurance policy should Forte holdout at all during campin protest of being slapped with the franchise tag. There are other backs on the roster, but none should feel comfortable, because the Bears could make astatement and look for their next feature back early in the dra.

WR: The Bears biggest addition probably has already been made, and that was the acquisition of Brandon Marshall. When his head is screwed onstraight, which is in question at times, he is a true #1 WR in the NFL. This will allow Devin Hester to be the deep threat, which is what he is best at. EarlBenne is Cutler s college teammate, and their familiarity is obvious. Benne doesnt have Hesters speed (but who does) so he will have to live working

the middle of the eld, which is exactly what Cutler needs. Dane Sanzenbacher is a move-the-chains slot-type guy and Devin Thomas and Eric Weemsround out the group. But this is a group that could be in ux on dra day. If the Bears see value at WR anywhere in the dra, they will pull the trigger.

TE: The tight end position has been lacking for the last couple years with Mike Martz calling the plays, but now that he is gone, the Bears could lookto rejuvenate the position. Too bad this is a weak dra class, but if they want, they can grab one of the top three guys in round two and give Cutler hissecurity blanket.

OL: Gabe Carimi was a rst round pick last year, but was hurt for much of the year. Hes expected back, and sloed to be one of the starters at tackle.The other tackle position is currently assigned to JMarcus Webb, but he needs to improve quickly or that position needs to be addressed and upgraded.Lance Louis will move back to his more comfortable right guard spot and former tackle, Chris Williams, will be on the le side. Roberto Garza will bethe center. Chris Spencer and Edwin Williams are the primary backups. The line is OK, not terrible so the Bears may look to dra elsewhere early, butthey have to remember, keeping Cutler upright and healthy is concern #1.

DL: Julius Peppers had 11 sacks and showed the enthusiasm we saw out of him in his younger days in Carolina. Clearly he has plenty le to anchor theBears defense. Israel Idone, the starter on the other side, beneed the most since Peppers was the focus and that le him one-on-one much of the timeThe inside of the defensive line is a nice combination of pass rush (Harry Melton, 7 sacks) and run stuer (Ma Toeaina). The reserves are also a verytalented group, led by ends Corey Wooon and Chauncey Davis and defensive tackle Stephen Paea.

LB: (Brian) Urlacher and (Lance) Briggs arent as good as they once were, but they are still prey darn good. Nick Roach is the other outside linebacker,and although he did well in 2011 he could be moved to a backup roll if the Bears opt for an OLB in the 1st round. The remainder of the linebackers arefairly nondescript and depth is a priority regardless.

DB: Veteran Charles Tillman is the #1 corner in Chicago but beyond him there are some questions. Tim Jennings was the starter in 2011, but wasnt verygood. D.J. Moore played well as the third corner, but moving him to the outside may expose some of his technical deciencies. Health is a concern forMajor Wright and coverage ability is a concern for Craig Steltz, so both safeties could use an upgrade.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Bears select. . .

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has major character concerns, but his lockdown coverage abilitmay be too much for the Bears to pass up. Especially in the pass-happyNFC North.

They could also look at. . . Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama.


11/45

Minnesota Vikings

QB: The Vikings used a rst round pick in 2011 on Christian Ponder, and while he struggled, the certainly wont take a QB early this year. Although Icant help but wonder what would have happened if they end up with one of the top two picks, opposed to #3. Joe Webb and Sage Rosenthal are the

backups, but since neither was able to win the starting spot when given the chance, neither will have a major impact on the position this year.

RB: Adrian Peterson ripped up his knee, and although the reports are that he is shooting for being ready at the beginning of the season, someone shouldget in his ear and tell him the best thing to do is make sure hes 100% before coming back. While the Vikings could use his leadership on and o the eldhe wont be much of a help if he comes back too early and ends of not nishing the season. Toby Gerhart and Lex Hilliard are the backups. There would

be no reason to dra a back if they knew Peterson was going to be back and 100% early in the year, but thats not the case. They probably still wont draa back, but thats puing a lot of faith in an unproven running game, the healing speed of Peterson and plenty of pressure on Ponder.

WR: Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins are the starting wide receivers and even though the hot rumors are that the Vikings will dra an oensivetackle, wouldnt Justin Blackmon look good to the Vikings. They probably wont go that way, but the will need to invest in the receiver position at somepoint in the dra. Devin Aromashodu and Stephen Burton provide some deep threat depth, but the Vikings need a sure-handed receiver that can help

move the chains on 3rd down. Overall they have plenty of speed, but they need beer hands.

TE: A pair of former Notre Dame tight ends, Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, will bale for the starting spot, but look for the Vikings to be in plenty oftwo tight end formations. Rudolph and Carlson are both big targets that can catch the ball. Both can extend defenses and both can be red zone targets.The problem is, Ponder needs to be able to nd them when the opportunity arises.

OL: Charlie Johnson and Phil Loadholt are the tackles, but Ma Kalil would be an instant upgrade for the Vikings and a welcomed addition by ChristianPonder. DeMarcus Love and Patrick Brown provide some depth, but they can still be upgraded. Chirs DeGeare and Geo Schwartz will probably be thestarting guards, but again, this can be upgraded. Joe Berger who started much of last year, is the backup guard. John Sullivan is the center, and a solidone at that. There is a clear need to upgrade, and the Vikings probably will in round one, but they need to consider a further upgrade later in the dra aswell.

DL: The right side of the defensive line, with tackle Kevin Williams and Jared Allen is All Pro caliber. The le side is solid as well. Starters Brian Rob-inson and Letroy Guion are overshadowed by their more popular and eective counterparts, but the entire line is a source of strength. Everson Grienand Christian Ballard are solid backups and Fred Evans in the middle does the same.

LB: Jasper Brinkley starts in the middle with Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson on the outside. While this group doesnt get many sacks, they aresure tacklers and allow utilize their speed to move sideline to sideline. Larry Dean and Solomon Elimimian are the backups on the outside and MarvinMitchell on the inside. This group could use beer depth.

DB: Antoine Wineld and Asher Allen are the starters with Chris Carr and Zack Bowman baling for the #3 spot. All will get plenty of action playing inthe pass-happy NFC North. Safeties Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymon could also be upgraded. The Vikings need to compete and with a solid defen-sive line geing pressure on the QB, the real duty falls on the DBs to shutdown the receivers. Look for the Vikings to upgrade here throughout the dra.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Vikings select. . .

Ma Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings could go one of three ways, but the smart choice would beto protect the QB they just spent a rst round dra pick on last year.

They could also look at. . . Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU


12/45

New Orleans Saints

Its too bad you cant dra a head coach. Because considering what the Saints are going though, they wouldnt be a bad idea. But you reap what you sowregardless of if everyone else was doing it. Thats a lesson that should have been learned as a kid. As it is, the Saints arent slated to dra until roundthree, so well see how much of a player they really are on dra day.

QB: Drew Brees set the NFL mark for passing yards in a single season, and now hes a free agent and wants to be paid like a record-seing QB. Problemis, the Saints arent ready to do that. And although things will most likely work themselves out, not having Brees in camp early to work with the teamwhile Sean Payton is suspended is an issue. Chase Daniel is the backup, and if at any point he becomes the starter, the Saints may as well look to 2013.With that said, could the Saints use this year as a rebuilding year and possibly look to dra a QB? They could, but I doubt it will be until later.

RB: The Saints traded up to get Mark Ingram and while he ran ok, he needs to run the ball beer. The Saints need to get away from a full-edged com-miee. Darren Sproles had an incredible year, seing the mark for most yards from scrimmage and will remain an intricate part of the oense. PierreThomas and Chris Ivory are solid backups, but the Saints need to have a hierarchy at RB, not a avor-of-the-week. Jed Collins is the fullback. No need tocluer the backeld with another dra pick.

WR: Marques Colston was an oseason priority and he got signed to a new deal, which is good because his chemistry with Brees is important to the en-tire Saints oense. Lance Moore moves up to the #2 spot with the departure of Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson remains the deep threat. AdrianArrington will get plenty of opportunity to show he deserves more snaps as well. Not a big need but the Saints could consider a mid-round WR.

TE: Jimmy Graham splashed on to the scene and quickly became one of the best tight ends in the game. His size and speed make him a natural red zonetarget and he is still learning the position. The Saints have a couple other bodies on the roster to serve as blocking tight ends (Mike Higgins and DavidThomas), but Graham is the main man, as well he should be.

OL: Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans were the best pair of guards in the league, but losing Nicks to free agency will only be a small step back, if at all, thanksto the signing of Ben Grubbs. Brian De La Puente scrapped his way through the year at center and will need to improve his run blocking quickly. JermonBushrod will be at one tackle spot and Charles Brown at the other. With limited dra picks the Saints probably wont go aer a tackle, but an upgradecould be used later in the dra.

DL: Cameron Jordan will be expected to make a signicant jump in his second year, and veteran Will Smith will play on the opposite side. Smith will be31 at the start of the season, so a replacement should be a consideration, even if it is in the third round or later. Sedrick Ellis will start along newly signedBrodrick Bunkley on the inside, and both have the skills to be tough in the run and push the pocket. So while the defensive tackles will be ne for thisyear, the Saints need consider adding some youth to this position.

LB: Curtis Loon was signed to anchor the middle which will no doubt be vacated by the soon-to-be suspended Jonathan Vilma. And this was a greatsigning for the Saints. Loon is a sure tackler and 4 years younger then Vilma. Martez Wilson should be able to push either Will Herring or Sco Shanleour of their previous starting OLB position. Speed and depth will remain an issue for the Saints linebackers, so this area of concern can be addressed inthe later rounds.

DB: Patrick Robinson moves into the starting lineup opposite Jabari Greer, but passed that, only Johnny Patrick remains. Roman Harper and MalcolmJenkins return as the safeties and sooner or later the Saints have to nd a replacement for Harper because he remains a liability in pass coverage.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Saints select. . .

First round pick sent to as part of the Mark Ingram trade last year.


13/45

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons traded away their rst round pick this year to move up and grab Julio Jones last year. It was a nice move and Jones played very well. But the0-3 record in the playos the last three years is what is hanging over the head of this organization.

QB: How dierent would the NFL world be if Bill Parcells and the Dolphins draed Ryan #1 when he came out of Boston College? Its probably beerfor the Falcons not to imagine such a scenario. Ryan will be give more latitude with a new oensive coordinator this year, and renewed emphasis on thedeep passing game, which should excite the entire Falcons oense. Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson wear the baseball hats and carry the clip-

boards.

RB: Michael Turner remains a quality back, but his workload has to be a growing concern for the Falcons. Jacquizz Rodgers may see added touches thisyear, but will not be called upon to replace Turner should anything happen. That designation goes to Jason Snelling, but he isnt the 200-carry a year guythey envision as the future. The Falcons could look to invest in the running game, but their window wont be open for very long, so they should look tocapitalize now on their current roster of stars.

WR: Many thought Roddy Whites catch numbers would go down with the addition of Julio Jones, but he still managed to haul in 100 passes, and itcould have been more had he not dropped some very catchable balls throughout the season. Jones is #2 Harry Douglas is #3. And thats about it. TheFalcons will need to add depth, a slot guy that can work over the middle like Devon Wylie out of Fresno St. would be great t.

TE: Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in NFL history, and remains a tremendous red zone target. But he is geing older and a replacement needs tobe found. The Falcons dont have any other tight end receiving options, so a mid round TE to learn under Gonzalez would be nice.

OL: Sam Baker was called a reach in the rst round when he was draed, and hes showing why. He hasnt put together a full, solid year since enteringthe league. Tyson Clabo on the right side is a country-boy strong but he can get o balance against stronger speed rushers. Garre Reynolds and VinceManuwai are currently penciled in as the guards and Joe Hawley should move to his more natural center position. Mike Johnson and Will Svitek are theprimary backups, but this whole unit needs work.

DL: A rotation on the inside with Corey Peters, Jonathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry is adequate, but not menacing. John Abraham and Kroy Biermannwere resigned, although their play last year certainly didnt make that a slamdunk. Lawrence Sidbury show some ashes coming o the bench, andcould be in line for a breakout year if either of the starters spuer. This side of the line can also use a rebuild.

LB: Sean Weatherspoon is the stud up of the group and about to become a household name. Stephen Nicholas is on the other side and Akeem Dent willbe asked to take over for Curtis Loon in the middle. Lofa Tatupu returns to the NFL, but there are questions as to what he has le aer not playing in2011. The Falcons will need to make sure Dent is a capable replacement for Loon, and add depth throughout the dra and even with undraed freeagents.

DB: Thomas DeCoud and William Moore are one of the beer safety tandems in the league, but they will need to get help on the outside to ensure theFalcons defense improves. Dunta Robinson is about to be called a free agent bust. On the other side, Brent Grimes garnered the franchise tag. Corner canalso be addressed throughout the dra.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Falcons select. . .

First round pick sent to Cleveland as part of the Julio Jones trade last

year.


14/45

Carolina Panthers

QB: Cam Newton came into the NFL with questions about being a one-year wonder in college, about if he was smart enough to digest a complicatedplaybook, about his perceived ability to run too quickly. Well, Cam took the criticism, broke Peyton Mannings rookie record for yards and accounted for35 TDs, all on the way to being named Rookie of the Year. Not a bad rst pick for the Panthers. Cam will have to continue to improve and develop, but itwould seem that the Panthers have their signal caller for a long, long time to come. At one point, not too long ago, Jimmy Clausen was the highly toutedone. Now he is just the backup.

RB: DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are the one-two punch in the Panthers running game, and with the addition of Mike Tolbert, it can now bea one-two-three punch. Clearly no reason to go out and add to the running back spot this year.

WR: Steve Smith was resigned and his rapport with Newton was vital to the development of the young QB. This was as much why he was resigned aswas his on-eld talent. Brandon LaFell was draed last year to be the receiver on the opposite side, and while he was OK, this is still an area of concernfor the Panthers. Cam needs more weapons and less reason to run, exposing his body to more hits. Look for the Panthers to add at least one during thedra.

TE: Greg Olsen will continue to be utilized as a major part of the passing game. The Panthers also employee Gary Barnidge and Ben Hartsock, butmainly as blockers. If the Panthers can add a pass catching TE, they will

OL: Ryan Kalil is one of, if not the best, center in the NFL, and he anchors a line that is strong in both the running and passing game. Jordan Gross andJe Otah are dominant, but Otah needs to stay healthy in order for the Panthers to make the jump to playo contenders. Mike Pollak and Geo Hangartner will play at the guard spots. Byron Bell is a nice swing player who can play either tackle or guard. And the Panthers added Bruce Campbell from theRaiders in a trade for Mike Goodson. Campbell can also play either guard or tackle spot. This would appear to be a position of strength, and one thatwont need to be addressed in the upcoming dra.

DL: Charles Johnson cashed in with a big contract last summer, and rewarded the Panthers by leading the team in sacks with nine. The problem is thatnine sacks led the team, and there wasnt much help on the other side. Greg Hardy and Eric Norwood were outstanding college players, but their passrushing ability hasnt translated to NFL success just yet. It still could, but the Panthers wont wait much longer for it. It is a complete rotation in themiddle of the defensive line with Sione Fua, Andre Neble, Frank Kearse and Terrell McClain. With a top 10 pick, the Panthers could add a DT that canstart from day one, and I think they will.

LB: Jon Beason should be able to return from injury and James Anderson at one outside spot is secure. But the other outside backer position is open forcompetition and depth is a clear issue. Watch for Kion Wilson to be the player to take it over if Thomas Davis cant return from injury.

DB: Like many teams, the Panthers seem to have half the eld covered. Chris Gamble is a pro bowl caliber corner, but Captain Munnerlyn and DariusButler leave a lot to be desired. Brandon Hogan, who opened some eyes during camp last year, may sneak into the starting spot if Munnerlyn and Butlerfumble it away. Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey are the starters, but Haruki Nakamura and Reggie Smith were both brought in to push them, andpossibly take their job. Defensive backs are a second tier need for the Panthers.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Panthers select. . .

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

Head Coach Ron Rivera went oense in his rst year as the head coachbut now it looks like he turns to the defensive side of the ball early.

They could also look at. . . Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis.


15/45

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were the big spenders in free agency, addressing their biggest needs with some of the biggest names on the market such as WR Vincent Jack-son, OG Carl Nicks and CB Eric Wright.

QB: Josh Freeman took a big step back in 2011, but the addition of Jackson, who can stretch the eld, should allow him to rebound in 2012. Dan Orlo-vsky and Bre Ratli are the clipboard carriers. This team will rebound only as much as Freeman improves.

RB: LeGarree Blount said he wouldnt be happy if the Bucs draed Trent Richardson. Lucky for him it looks like the Browns will take Richardsonahead of the Bucs, because Blounts fumble issues, and lingering o eld trouble dont mesh well with new head coach Greg Schianos buon-downstyle. Blount is a talent, but hes at his best when he is against the wall and needs to prove it, he needs to get back that hunger and hold on to the ball.Mossis Madu is the backup but the Bucs will most likely address running back at some point of the dra, and if for some reason Trent Richardson isavailable, Blount should be prepared to be unhappy.

WR: Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams will be the starters and the addition of Jackson will no doubt help Williams rebound from a poor 2011. Arreli-

ous Benn should win the slot position and Preston Parker and Dezmon Briscoe provide the depth. A speed receiver could be on the menu, but only inthe later rounds.

TE: Kellen Winslow still can catch the ball, but breaking away seems to be the tough part. Look for Luke Stocker to get more snaps, and perhaps startmoving Winslow out of the picture.

OL: Carl Nicks is one of the best guards in the NFL and he improves the line just by his presence. He will line up at le guard between new center Jer-emy Zuaha and le tackle Donald Penn, who can be a solid if motivated and in shape, two questions that came up in 2011. Davin Joseph will man theright guard spot and Jeremy Trueblood will play right tackle. Ted Larsen is the primary backup at guard and Jamon Meredith and Demar Dotson are thtackle backups. But a young tackle that can challenge Trueblood and provide beer depth could be in the oering.

DL: Gerald McCoy an be a beast, he just needs to stay healthy and show it. Brian Price will play inside next to McCoy. Roy Miller and Frank Okam areprimary backups. Amobi Okoye will also provide depth and could challenge for some signicant playing time. Adrian Clayborn and DaQuan Bowerswill provide the rush o the edge, both rookies last year have room to improve, but the foundation is there. Michael Benne and Daniel Teo-Nesheimare the primary backups.

LB: Mason Foster will start in the middle and must improve on his 2011 season. He has the talent to do it, he needs to stay disciplined and play withinthe scheme. Quincy Black and Dekoda Watson will start, but Adam Heyward and Rennie Curran will push Watson for playing time, and could overtakehim with a good training camp. This is also a spot that can be addressed early in the dra.

DB: Eric Wright and Ronde Barber are expected to start, as talented Aqib Talib cant stay out of trouble o the eld. The good news is that the drasbest cornerback, Morris Claiborne, will probably fall to them at #5. EJ Biggers and Myron Lewis are the backups. Cody Grimm will start at strong safetyand Ahmad Black will probably start at strong safety, but hell have to beat out Larry Asante. In addition to Claiborne, the Bucs could also add anothercorner or safety later in the dra.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Bucs select. . .

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The defensive backeld fo the Bucs needs a major makeover, and luckyfor them, the best player to start that makeover falls to them at #5.

They could also look at. . . Riley Rei, OT, Iowa


16/45

Dallas Cowboys

One game, thats what it came down to last year. The last game of the season, Cowboys vs Giants. Winner goes to the playos, loser goes home. Fiveweeks later the Giants were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and the Cowboys were working on their golf game. Oh what could have been.

QB: Tony Romo has the weapons, he showed the toughness, he has the backing of his coach and owner, now he just needs to get it done. But its hardto get it done when you are geing bones broken every week. Kyle Orton is the younger version of Jon Kitna, a veteran who wont threaten Romo, whowont have the fans calling for him, and who if needed, can go in and win some games with the amount of talent that the Cowboys have.

RB: In hindsight the injury to DeMarco Murray can be seen as the point in which the Cowboys season went o the tracks. Murray is a true feature backthat can run inside and outside, as well as be used in the passing game. Rumors of Felix Jones being on the trading block may or may not be true, butif they are true, expect Jerry Jones to pull the trigger just prior, or during, the dra in order to get additional picks this year. With plenty of talent at therunning back position coming out in the dra this year, dont be surprised if the Cowboys look that way, especially in rounds 3-5 where they can target a

big back like Robert Turbin or a scatback like Je Demps.

WR: Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are the starters, and very good starters at that. The real question is who is going to be #3? Thats usually not a big

concern, but Laurent Robinson had 11 TDs last year, and he le for Jacksonville. And that player probably isnt on the roster right now, so watch for theCowboys to address this in the middle of the dra. Perhaps going with TY Hilton, Florida International, or Tommy Streeter, Miami.

TE: Jason Wien catching 60 passes can be added to death and taxes on the list of things you can count on happening. He remains a favorite of TonyRomo and will continue to work the middle and create mismatches for defenses. He just needs to be utilized a lile more in the red zone. A lack of depthand concern at other positions will keep the Cowboys from addressing the TE position, but they will have to do it soon.

OL: Tyron Smith played his rookie year on the right side, but will now ip over to the le. Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau were signed to playinside at guard and currently the center is Phil Costa, but his struggles, specically on National TV shown a spotlight on the need for a quality center.The other options are Bill Nagy and Kevin Kowalsi, but neither is elite. 14 would be a lile high for the dras top center, Peter Konz, but if the Cowboystrade back for some reason, he could be a real possibility.

DL: Jay Ratli lead a group of defensive linemen (Kenyon Coleman, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher) that are strong against the run, but struggle toget to the QB. That duty is usually le up to DeMarcus Ware, but some interior pressure would really help. But if Josh Brent continues to impress, hecould be moved to the nose tackle and Ratli bumped outside. This would improve two positions on the line. Otherwise draing one of the top defen-sive linemen is a strong possibility.

LB: DeMarcus Ware is rockstar on the outside. And his partner, Anthony Spencer, was surprisingly strong against the run, but it was the pass rush,which the Cowboys draed him for, that was his issue. But Spencer remains the starter, and a solid one. The Cowboys now have two Penn St. insidelinebackers, Sean Lee and Dan Connor. Lee is the star of the two, but Connor can still provide a presence in the run-stopping game. Bruce Carter, a 20112nd rounder, will push Connor and most likely be the starter by year s end.

DB: The Cowboys spent big on corners, and it was necessary. Brandon Carr was signed away from Kansas City to play opposite Mike Jenkins. Jenkinshowever needs to stay healthy in order to improve the worst pass defense in Cowboys history last year. Gerald Sensabaugh and Brodney Pool are thecurrent starters, but if Mark Barron, the top rated safety from Alabama is there when the Cowboys pick, he could instantly move into the starting lineupThe addition of Carr lessens the need for DBs, but the Cowboys still need to acquire depth in the upcoming dra.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Cowboys select. . .

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The defense gave up four 4th quarter leads last year, they need to dobeer. And with this pick, anywhere on the defense, besides OLB, ispossible.

They could also look at. . . Michael Brockers, DT, LSU.


17/45

New York Giants

The Super Bowl Champs dont have a long list of needs, but in order to stay at the top the New York Giants need to tinker just enough.

QB: While a big part of the oseason had Manning in the headlines, it wasnt the two time Super Bowl champ, it was the older brother. Talk of Eli sur-passing Peyton may still be premature, but dont tell that to the Giants fans who saw him li his second Lombardi Trophy and throw for a shade under5000 yards. As for a dra question, will they replace David Carr with a younger late round pick? Perhaps, but much like a tree falling in the woods, withEli as the trigger man and coming o a Super Bowl title, will anyone notice?

RB: Ahmad Bradshaw will be ying solo this year as Brandon Jacobs le as a free agent. Bradshaw is capable of carrying the load, he just needs to makesure he has the holes to run though. The Giants have the luxury of bouncing around their dra board if they like, and if a change-of-pace back is avail-able to them, look for them to grab him. The Giants need to remain balanced oensively and keeping Bradshaw fresh would be one way to do that.

WR: Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz helped make Manning into the nearly 5000 yard passer. Each had over 1000 yards, and both will once again becalled upon to be elite weapons in the Giants oense. Domenik Hixon is coming o an ACL injury but will most likely be the leading candidate to

replace the departed Mario Manningham. Other options include Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan but both have had issues with consistency. Probablynot a priority, but a slot receiver late in the dra could be worth a shot.

TE: Martellus Benne was signed in the oseason and will look to replace the production of Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum, both of whom blew outtheir knees in the Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Benne was somewhat of a disappointment in Dallas, but a new team could help Benne becomethe red zone target everyone thought he would become. Bear Pascoe is l isted as a TE, but will lineup as a fullback on occasion. Hes a blocker no maerwhere he lines up.

OL: David Baas anchors the oensive line that will no doubt under go a lile shuing. The hope is that William Beay will return from his injury andbe the starting right tackle. David Diehl could play guard, but was pushed into duty at le tackle, and performed well, which is why hell start camp asthe starter. Kevin Boothe and Chris Snee are the guards. And while this group helped Eli become elite, they need to do a beer job at opening up therunning game. They also need to secure depth, as they saw last year, keeping a line together for a full season probably isnt going to happen. So capablereplacements are essential.

DL: There has already been some chirping that Osi Umenyiora isnt happy a backup, but the facts are facts. The performance of Jason Pierre-Paul andJustin Tuck on the outside, along with tackles Chris Canty and Linval Joseph make up the best front four in all of football. If Osis pride will allow, he cancome o the bench, stay fresh and still be a dominant force. While there appears to be zero need to add defensive linemen, the Giants routinely look forthem to bolster their line. Which is how they developed such a great line in the rst place.

LB: Keith Rivers comes over from Cincinnati for a 5th round pick, and this could turn out to be a steal if Rivers adjusts to the Giants scheme and buysin. Mathias Kiwanuka has completed his transition to OLB from college DE. Michael Boley will play the other OLB and Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones andClint Sintim will bale for snaps, but even that group is solid.

DB: Terrell Thomas is coming o a lost season due to a torn ACL, but he should start opposite Corey Webster. Prince Amukamara also lost his rookieseason to a knee injury, but should be back to become the nickel back. Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips are the starting safeties. The front seven of theGiants make these guys look good. Dont be surprised if the Giants look to bring in some competition at safety.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Giants select. . .

Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

The Giants dont have many holes to ll, but another young corner inthe pass-happy NFC East couldnt hurt.

They could also look at. . . Colby Fleener, TE, Stanford.


18/45

Philadelphia Eagles

QB: Once again, Michael Vick was not able to complete a season. This has continued to be the knock on him, and while the rumors of the Eagles tradingup to get Ryan Tannehill have been heard, that doesnt seem like the actions of a team looking to make a run at the Super Bowl. Vick needs to cut downon his turnovers, learn to throw it away when needed, and preserve himself when outside the pocket. Now can he do that? If he doesnt this team will berallying around Mike Kaa sooner rather then later.

RB: LeSean McCoy rushed for over 1300 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns. Having him involved as much as possible will help keep Vick upright andon the eld. Dion Lewis is the primary backup, but another back, preferably a big back, should be looked at in the 2-4 rounds. The ability to convert onshort yardage and inside the red zone will be a priority, and a hey back to do that would come in handy.

WR: DeSean Jackson is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL, and with a newly signed contract, he should pay dividends quickly. JeremyMaclin will start opposite Jackson and while not as ashy as DeSean, he is just as important. He runs smooth routes, catches nearly everything thrownto him and helps move the chains consistently. Jason Avant and Riley Cooper will bale for the #3 spot on the depth chart, but both will see action. Avanas the slot man, and Cooper (63) the prototypical red zone target.

TE: Brent Celek is the mentor and Clay Harbor is the mentee. Both are talented, catch-rst tight ends, but both can block when called upon. Celek is get-ting up there in age, and the transition to seeing more of Harbor may come this year.

OL: Demetrees Bell will play le tackle, replacing the injured Jason Peters. But with the le-handed Vick, the right tackle will protect his blindside andthat duty falls to Todd Herremans. Evan Mathis and last year s rst rounder, Danny Watkins, will play guard and Jason Kelce will be responsible for thesnaps. So while the line appears to be formidable, they need depth. An injury to any of the starts would cause panic in Philadelphia, so adding depth toprotect Vick and open holes for McCoy is a top priority.

DL: Jason Babin and Trent Cole cause headaches for oenses. The two combined for 29 sacks in 2011 and will be asked to duplicate their disruption, ifnot their statistics. But the defensive ends werent the problem. It was the middle of the line that let running backs gouge them time and time again. Cullen Jenkins and Mike Paerson need to vastly improve on what happened in early 2011, and play more like they did down the stretch. Situational passrusher Brandon Graham is also a force, and although used sparingly he could be an X-factor for the Eagles defense.

LB: It was thought early on that the Eagles would target a middle linebacker early in the dra, but that became a moot point when they traded for DeM-eco Ryans. Ryans is a sure tackler and will bring instant credibility to the middle of the Eagles defense. Jamar Chaney, Brian Rolle and Akeem Jordenwill bale for the two outside spots. Casey Mahews remains the primary backup, but depth is needed. Not as early as once thought, but still needed.

DB: Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were two of the players brought on board when the Eagles were deemed the Dream Team,and perhaps that pressure contributed to the poor season. Both Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie are top level corners and they should be able toneutralize most receivers. Asante Samuels remains on the team, but I wouldnt make that in pen until aer the dra. If the Eagles need assets to move upin the dra, Samuels could be it. Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman are somewhere between average and slightly above average, but neither is elite. Whichleads many to speculate that Mark Barron the safety out of Alabama is the object of their desire.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Eagles select. . .

Devon Still, DT, Penn St.

The Eagles may be one of the teams that makes a move up or down ondra day depending on who they are targeting, but if they stay still thecould upgrade the middle of their line quickly.

They could also look at. . . Mark Barron, S, Alabama


19/45

Washington Redskins

QB: Well, the Redskins didnt try and hide their feelings for Robert Grien III trading away multiple rst round picks is sure sign that they like a guy.And Grien is a guy that the coaches and fans will love as well. In fact the only people who wont love this pick are Rex Grossman and John Beck. Bothwill be the unhappy campers wearing the Redskins baseball hats and signaling in plays from the sidelines.

RB: Roy Helu looked good in 2011 and he should improve in 2012. Helu is the tough strong, one-cut runner that Mike Shannahan likes. But Shannahanalso likes multiple backs which is why we will see plenty of Evan Royster. Even Tristan Davis could see some playing time. And dont forget how muchShannahan likes late round RBs.

WR: Without dra picks the Redskins used their money to upgrade the receiver position. Pierre Garcon was signed to start opposite Santana Moss. JabaGaney and newbie Josh Morgan will be the backups. Also, Leonard Hankerson who has a lot of potential is also in the mix. All will work to develop aquick chemistry with RGIII because whoever becomes the favorite will be the one geing the playing time.

TE: Fred Davis and Chris Cooley form one of the beer tight end groups in the league. Both will be utilized plenty in the Redskins oense that will callfor Grien to work quickly. Neither are outstanding blockers, but both can be a great resource for a rookie QB just learning the ropes of the NFL.

OL: Trent Willaims and Jamaal Brown are the tackles, but Brown is geing up there in age a younger tackle would be helpful. James Lee and WillieSmith are the backups. Kory Lichtensteiger and Chris Chester are the starting guards, with Maruice Hunt as the main backup. And at center is WillMontgomery with Erik Cook as his backup. And while the Redskins would love to upgrade some of these spots, they just dont have the dra choicesearly. They will need to nd guys they can develop and will take over in a year or two.

DL: Barry Coeld will anchor the middle of the defensive line and Adam Carriker will look for a fresh start as he takes over at the le defensive endposition. On the right side Stephen Bowen and Kendric Golston will bale for the starting spot. Jarvis Jenkins and Kentwan Balmer provide depth, butmore is needed.

LB: Ryan Kerrigan had a strong rookie year, and will look to expand on it in 2012. Brian Orakpo has elite pass rush skills, but needs to stay health inorder for the Redskins to improve on defense. London Fletcher was brought back to play the middle, and Perry Riley will play next to him on the insideThe depth is lacking at linebacker with only Rob Jackson and Markus White on the roster. With one the few picks they still have, the Redskins could lookto address this late.

DB: DeAngelo Hall has had an up and down career and is currently a starter for the Redskins along with Cedric Grin. Neither is elite and the depthwith Leigh Torrence and Josh Wilson could be upgraded as well. Tanard Jackson was signed from Tampa Bay and if he can regain his form the safetyposition could be improved on a defense that already was in descent shape. Madieu Williams and Brandon Merriweather are the backups.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Redskins select. . .

Robert Grifen III, QB, Baylor

You dont trade multiple dra picks for any other position but QB, andyou beer already know who is going to be there. The Redskins do, andwill make Grien their pick.

They could also look at. . . no one.


20/45

Denver Broncos

The Broncos may have been the most talked about 8-8 team ever. But with good reason. They picked up one of the all time great QBs and traded one ofthe all time hyped players.

QB: Peyton Manning instantly makes this team beer, but I also dont think it closes the door to draing a QB in the middle rounds. Peyton only has afew years le, and if you are going to dra a developmental QB, what beer to develop him then by watching Manning up close and personal? CalebHanie is the current backup, but dont count on it staying that way.

RB: Willis McGahee found the fountain youth and rushed for nearly 1200 yards last year. Can he duplicate that eort at age 31? Maybe, maybe not, butwith teams focusing on Manning, the running game should be able to open up and gash some teams. Knowshon Moreno remains on the team, but inju-ries have derailed him the last two years and he cant be counted on as a primary backup. The Broncos will not only have to make sure McGahee staysfresh, but they will have to replace the rushing yards that Tim Tebow accounted for. Or perhaps not. Perhaps those will just turn into passing yards forManning.

WR: DeMaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are the starters, and while DeMaryius looks like a star waiting to burst, Decker is the possession receiver thatManning relies on heavily. Andre Caldwell and Jason Hill have bounce around the NFL, but will play pivotal roles in Denver. Manning as the ability toturn ordinary receivers into valuable commodities, and Caldwell and Hill may be the next two recipients of such. And while the need isnt desperate,they Broncos should look to tap into this very deep wide receiver class.

TE: Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreesen will be the new, younger versions of Dallas Clark. Tamme spent the last few years in Indianapolis so hes familiarwith Manning and his relationship with Clark. Tamme will look to duplicate it, and has the pass catching ability to do so. Early on, look for these two to

be main targets of Manning as he builds strength in his arm and condence in his new receivers.

OL: Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin anchor the tackle positions, and will be two of the most watched players in all the NFL as they aempt to keepManning and his injured neck healthy. Chris Kuper, Zane Beadles and JD Walton arent nearly as stout as their outside teammates, but will be just asimportant. The Broncos could very well invest in an interior oensive lineman.

DL: Robert Ayers and Elvis Dumervil are the defensive ends and are relied on to provide an outside pass rush (which they can) an remain strong againsthe run (which they havent been). Ty Warren and Kevin Vickerson are the starters while Ryan McBean and Mitch Unrein are in the rotation. This isclearly a need position, specically against the run. Look for the Broncos to jump at the chance to grab one of the premier defensive linemen early, anddont be surprised if they take another late. They need to improve in the middle.

LB: Von Miller was the #2 pick in the dra last year and rewarded the Broncos by winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year asward. Wesley Woodyardwill get a shot at unseating DJ Williams at one of the OLB spots this year and Joe Mays will man the middle. Nate Irving is the backup and will get sometime in the middle this year too. Depth at linebacker is a need, but not a big one entering the dra.

DB: Champ Bailey will return for another year of shuing receivers down, but who is on the other side will be answered during training camp. TracyPorter signed in the oseason and will get rst crack at starting at corner. Quinton Carter will play free safety and a bale between Mike Adams andRahim Moore will play out this summer. Plus, John Fox may look to bolster this area of the team and dra secondary help.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Broncos select. . .

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

The Broncos need help in the middle, and while Thompson isnt one ofthe most talked about defensive tackles, he is one of the mostproductive and disruptive.



21/45

Oakland Raiders

For the rst time in half a century, Al Davis wont be calling the shots for the Oakland Raiders. This could open up a whole new dimension but withoutmany dra picks or cap space, we may need to wait until 2013 to see how the Raiders aack the dra.

QB: Carson Palmer will get a full training camp and preseason with the Raiders, and that in itself should help increase the chemistry between him andthe receivers, not to mention help build an oense that was tossed together midseason last year aer the Raiders traded for Palmer. Palmer may not bewhat he once was, but he is the best QB the team has had in quite a while. However, he needs to stay on the eld, the current backup is Terrelle Pryorand behind him is Rhe Bomar. And without dra picks to work with, you probably wont see the Raiders make a move for a QB.

RB: Darren McFadden is one of the best backs in the league.when healthy. And thats the problem, he hasnt been healthy for a full season since enter-ing the league. Michael Bush bolted to the greener pastures of Chicago leaving Taiwan Jones, as the primary backup. The Raiders seem to be teetering onthe edge here, hoping for the best, but not preparing for the worst. But that isnt all their fault. The previous regime saddled the current one with this.

WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore are the starters, and speedster Jacoby Ford will be the deep threat and slot receiver. The problem once

again, is that the Raiders are relying on a lot of the unknown, in particular DHB who has had issues with drops and both Moore and Ford are under-sized. So while the spirit of Al Davis big arm, fast receivers lives on, the reality is, that may be the only game they can play this year. Which isnt horriblconsidering Moore and Ford would make up half of most countries Olympic relay team. With one of the few picks, the Raiders may look to tap into thewide receiver market for a possession receiver who can work the middle and move the chains.

TE: Kevin amed out and was cut, and the tight end position will now be manned by Brandon Myers and David Ausberry. Neither has a lengthy re-sume, but both come from big programs (Iowa and USC) know for producing quality tight ends, so this could be the place Carson Palmer looks to whenthings break down.

OL: Stefan Wisniewski moves to the middle and Cooper Carlisle and newly signed Mike Brisiel will anchor the guard spots. Khalif Barnes will play rightackle and Jared Veldheer the le. Although pieced together, this line should be an improvement over years past and help keep Palmer healthy and openup holes for McFadden. Depth is needed wherever it can be found, especially for Carlisle who will be 34 this season.

DL: Richard Seymour and Lamarr Houston are two pillars of the Oakland defense, but they cant do it alone. Tommy Kelly, Desmond Bryant and MaShaughnessy need to provide a spark and for the line that will need to create pressure with the front four and take pressure o the secondary. Headcoach Dennis Allen comes from a 3-4 background, but right now its unclear if he has the personnel to run it this year. There is no true nose tackle on the

team, so that transition may need to wait until next year.

LB: Aaron Curry nally looked like the top dra choice everyone thought he was going to be a few years back. He will now have the opportunity to playon the outside and get aer the passer. Rolando McClain will play the middle and will need to be more disciplined on and o the eld. He freelancestoo oen which lead to cut backs and big runs by the opposition. Hes talented but a loose cannon, which doesnt project well to a defense that needs toimprove against the run. Phillip Wheeler will play the other outside position. And thats nearly it. Do depth is needed.

DB: Chimdi Chekwa and Demarcus Van Dykea are the holdovers from last year, and that doesnt inspire a whole lot of condence considering they gaveup 31 TD passes last year, and will now face Peyton Manning twice a year. Shawntae Spencer, Ronald Bartell and Patrick Lee were all signed and havetheir shot at the starting corner positions, which will no doubt be one of the bales to watch during training camp. Tyvon Branch and Michael Hu arethe safeties, but both could be moved if the right replacement is found.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Raiders select. . .

No 1st round pick due to Carson Palmer trade.


22/45

San Diego Chargers

QB: Philip Rivers took a step back in 2011 but he remains in the elite category of NFL QBs. He needs to stay upright, which should be the Chargers #1priority in the dra, because without Rivers, this team has lile chance for success, and the AFC West, although tougher, is still there for the taking.Charlie Whitehurst returns aer a brief stint in Seale, but he isnt the answer, otherwise the Chargers would have never let him go in the rst place.Although not important, the Chargers could look for a developmental QB later in the dra.

RB: Ryan Mathews is ready for a breakout year, otherwise hes going to be considered a bust. As the clear-cut #1 back and without Mike Tolbert to takeaway touches, Mathews should breakout. LeRon McClain joins the Chargers, and everywhere he goes, he just clears the way for 1000 yard rushers.He will also be used in short yardage and goal line situations, which doesnt bode well for fantasy football owners, but as for the Chargers, this is greatnews. Curtis Brinkley is the primary backup, but wont cut into the carries much. The Chargers could look to upgrade the position in the middle rounds

WR: Robert Meachem is ready to be a legit #1 receiver and the signing of Eddie Royal will allow Rivers to spread the ball around, which he hasnt beenable to do the last couple of years. Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown will also contribute in the passing game. With all these weapons, the passing gamecan bounce back from a down year. There will be no need for the Chargers to even bring their WR list to the dra.

TE: Antonio Gates may not be what he once was, but hes still a threat down the middle and in the red zone. Randy McMichael will help in the two TEset, and occasionally in the passing game. And should anything happen to Gates, McMichael can step right in. Again, another position that is solid.

OL: Jared Gaither joined the team during midseason in 2011 and showed enough to earn a new contract and the starting le tackle spot. Tyronne Greenreturns at le guard and Nick Hardwick returns at center. So while there were plenty of questions about the line at the end of the year, some of theanswers have returned and are in place. However, the right side still needs some work. Louis Vasquez steps in at r ight guard and Jeromey Clary at righttackle. If the Chargers feel they can upgrade at the tackle position early, with possibly Jonathan Martin, the oensive tackle from Stanford, they shouldstart rebuilding and solidifying their line for the future.

DL: Luis Castillo returned aer being let go at the end of the season, but his starting spot isnt guaranteed by a long shot. Corey Liuget was picked inthe rst round last year and appears ready to take over. Antonio Garay and Cam Thomas will rotate at the nose tackle position and Vaughn Martin willanchor the other end position. Jacques Cesaire provides depth and is a good run stuer. Again, not much of a position of need, but should the value bethere the Chargers could add a lineman.

LB: The strength of the Chargers linebackers is inside with Donald Butler and Takeo Spikes. Demorrio Williams provides depth and can keep the35-year-old Spikes fresh. It is on the outside that the Chargers need to improve. The pass rush wasnt there, and the ability to set the edge was lackingtoo. Antwan Barnes picked up 11 sacks, but hes only suited as a situational pass rusher, which means the Chargers sti ll need to nd someone to bringconsistent pressure o the edge. Larry English was the guy they envisioned doing that, but injuries have kept him on the sidelines more then on theeld. Recently signed Jarre Johnson will play on the outside as well, and he may be the guy to bring some consistence to the position. Should a playerlike Courtney Upshaw be available, the Chargers will be intrigued.

DB: Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer were both high dra choices, but the production just isnt there any more. Marcus Gilchrist and ShareeceWright are the backups, but they too leave plenty to be desired. Safety however is in beer shape with Eric Weddle and newly signed Atari Bigby. Sowhile the backend of the secondary is solid, the outside needs help. Look for the Chargers to address corners in the dra, probably more then once.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Chargers select. . .

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Rebuilding the defense would appear to be more important, but thedepth of defensive players will allow the Chargers to grab on of the top3 oensive tackles and still address the defense.



23/45

Kansas City Chiefs

QB: Ma Cassel is the starter, and he needs to stay healthy in order for the Chiefs to have a shot. Brady Quinn came over from Denver in hopes of get-ting fresh start, although the commitment to Cassel is there and Quinn may never get the chance to show what made him a rst round dra pick. Withthat said, the Chiefs future QB may not be on the roster. They could go get one in the dra.

RB: Jamaal Charles hopes to return to full strength, and the Chiefs need him to if they are going to make a run at the division. Thomas Jones will be 34when the season starts, and just doesnt have much le. Dexter McCluster is the change-of-pace back and provides a lile something extra for defensesto prepare for. Peyton Hillis got out of a terrible situation in Cleveland for both he and his the Browns. The Chiefs are hoping Hillis recommits to beingthe downhill, between the tackles player that he was in 2010. With all that, the Chiefs probably will stay away from RB on dra weekend.

WR: Dwayne Bowe is a franchise receiver but he must nd pay dirt more oen then he did in 2011. Part of that could have been due to the QB situation,but reestablishing his connection with Cassel will be important if the Chiefs want to get o to a good start in 2012. Steve Breaston will stat on the otherside and last years rst rounder, Jonathan Baldwin, will be called on to step up as well. The Chiefs will most likely look for a middle round receiver, butheir top three should be ready to go.

TE: Tony Moeaki returns from injury and the addition of Kevin Boss give the Chiefs two legitimate tight end receiving options. Jake OConnell and SteveManeri are the blockings tight ends. So this is another position that the Chiefs can bypass on dra day.

OL: Branden Albert and newly signed Eric Winston form solid bookends on the oensive line. Rodney Hudson slides from guard to center and JonAsamoah and Ryan Lilja will start at the guard positions. David Mims is the backup at tackle but depth on the interior is needed, which bodes well forthe Chiefs since they can until later in the dra to address these areas of need.

DL: Jerrell Powe is the current starter at nose tackle, but this very well may be the place the Chiefs choose to upgrade in round one if Dontari Poe isavailable. Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson are the ends, but their lack of elite pressure will lead the Chiefs to consider any position on the defensive linein the rst round, and early in the dra. Amon Gordon and Allen Bailey are the primary backups along the line.

LB: Tamba Hali is an elite pass rusher, and Derrick Johnson is a top 5 inside linebacker. Justin Houston will play on the outside opposite Hali and Bran-don Siler and Jovan Belcher will bale to play along side Johnson. Although another ILB could help improve the team, they probably wont go that wayearly on.

DB: The Chiefs will now see Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Carson Palmer six times this year, puing an emphasis on the secondary. Stanford Rouand Brandon Flowers are the starting corners, and Javier Arenas will play in the nickel packages. Eric Berry returning at safety will be important andKendrick Lewis will play the other safety position. Aer that, the secondary becomes prey thin. The need for secondary depth is there, but may not beimportant enough to address in round one.

In the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Dra, the Chiefs select. . .

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The signing of Eric Winston will allow the Chiefs to ip over to thedefensive side of the ball early in the dra. Poe can be plugged in themiddle right away.

They could also look at. . . Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.


24/45

Baltimore Ravens

QB: Joe Flacco believes he is one of the elite QBs in the NFL. The same topic of conversation came up last year concerning Eli Manning. Eli went out andwon his second Super Bowl, puing those questions to rest. Flacco may need to do that same thing. Hes taken the Ravens to the playos in each of hisfour years, twice to the AFC Championship. But both times hes come up short, and the rumblings are starting to percolate. Flacco is in the top half ofNFL QBs, but if he wants to take the next step he needs to get to the big game. Curtis Painter was signed to be the backup and Tyrod Taylor is #3. Likemost NFL teams, an injury to Flacco would be devastating to the teams hopes. Still, there is no reason to believe the Ravens will take a QB, outside of a 6or 7 round yer.

RB: The only thing in question regarding Ray Rice was if he was a goal line back. In 2011 he got that out of the way and showed he can carry the ball inshort yardage and goal line situations. Rice is a work horse back and rarely comes of the eld. His receiving and blocking are good enough to keep himon the eld for every down. The issue for the Ravens is, with Rickey Williams gone, who will be the backup? Right now it is Anthony Allen. Behind himis Damien Berry who has never had an NFL carry. So dont be surprised if the Ravens grab a RB in the dra. They could still opt for a veteran, like CedriBenson if he remains unsigned, but the Ravens could nd a quality back in the middle of the dra. Vonta Leach is the fullback, so FB is solid.

WR: Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are the starters, Boldin being the possession guy and Smith being

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2012 Draft Standard