An Early Look at 2012 Draft Class

The 2011 NFL draft is now in the books, and what better to do but look at next years class. Next year will most definitely have contain a large group 'elite' prospects. It will probably be headlined by the talented group of quarterbacks in next years class. With a lot of teams still searching for that 'franchise' quarterback it is definitely set up for at least 3 or 4 to be taken in the first round. The offensive side of the ball is sure be headlined by Stanford junior Andrew Luck, who was the consensus no. 1 overall pick if he were to of declared for the draft this year. Other potential first-round picks include USC's Matt Barkley, who made tremendous strides in his sophomore year under Lane Kiffin, Arizona's Nick Foles, and Oklahoma's Landry Jones, who is also a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

While the QB class will be the position that will be most closley watched by scouts and analysts, the rest of the offensive class has some promising prospects as well. The wide receiver class is sure to see a lot of front loaded talent as well. The no. 1 wide-out coming into the year will most likely be Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina, but Oklahoma State redshirt junior Justin Blackmon will surely have something to say about that before the end of the year. Look for offensive line prospects Matt Khalil of USC, and Iowa's Reilly Reiff to fight for that no. 1 ranking through out the year.  The running back class will be a little weak at the top, with no 'Adrian Peterson' in the class. It will surely be headlined by Alabama's Trent Richardson, who could be in for a monster year without Mark Ingram stealing some carries.

After some analysis here are the top 5 players at each position for next year:


Quarterbacks
1. Andrew Luck QB/Stanford
2. Landry Jones QB/Oklahoma
3. Matt Barkley QB/USC
4. Nick Foles QB/Arizona
5. Kirk Cousins QB/Michigan State


Running backs 
1. Trent Richardson RB/Alabama
2. LaMichael James RB/Oregon
3. Andre Ellington RB/Clemson
4. Cyrus Gray RB/Texas A&M


Wide Receivers
1. Alshon Jeffrey WR/South Carolina
2. Justin Blackmon WR/Oklahoma State
3. Michael Floyd /WR/Notre Dame
4. Ryan Broyles/WR Oklahoma
5. Juron Criner WR/Arizona


Tight End's

Big Board

1. Patrick Peterson CB/Louisiana State

2. Da'Quan Bowers DE/University of Clemson

3. Marcell Dareus DE/DT/Alabama

4. Nick Fairley DT/University of Auburn

5. Von Miller OLB/Texas A&M University

6. A.J. Green WR/University of Georgia

7. Blaine Gabbert QB/University of Missouri

8. Prince Amukamara CB/University of Nebraska

9. Cam Newton QB/University of Auburn

10. Robert Quinn DE/University of North Carolina 

11. Julio Jones WR/University of Alabama

12. J.J. Watt DE/University of Wisconsin

13. Mark Ingram RB/University of Alabama

14. Corey Liuget DT/University of Illinois

15. Aldon Smith OLB/Missouri

16. Tyron Smith OT/University of Southern California

17. Jimmy Smith CB/University of California

18. Torrey Smith WR/University of Maryland

19. Nate Solder OT/University of Colorado

20. Muhammad Wilkerson DT/Temple

21. Akeem Ayers OLB/University of California Los Angeles

22. Ryan Kerrigan DE/University of Purdue

23. Gabe Carimi OT/University of Wisconsin

24. Anthony Castonzo OT/Boston College

25. Rahim Moore SS/University of California Los Angeles

Post Combine Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers- Blaine Gabbert QB/University of Missouri
The need for the quarterback is prevalent and with Newton not showing enough to move ahead of Gabbert, he should be able to pick up steam to become the number 1 pick this April.

2. Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus DT/Alabama University
The Broncos are ecstatic that Dareus was able to drop off the number 1 pick into their laps. The Broncos are mainly going to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Corner becomes less of a need with the resigning of Champ Bailey

3.Buffalo Bills- Cam Newton QB/Auburn University
The Bills are not able to resist getting Newton here. He comes back after a solid pro day and the Bills fall in love with him. He does have all of the tools to become a star in this league, like he so clearly wants. He should be able to sit and watch behind Fitzpatrick while he picks up the system

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Da'Quan Bowers DE/Clemson University
The Bengals have struggled on the defensive line for many years now, and with this pick they should be able to get some fear in other quarterbacks. Bowers has all the potential in the world to become a pro bowl defensive end, hopefully Cincinnati can bring out that potential in him.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller OLB/Texas A&M University

Miller came into the combine being on the cusp on being drafted in the top 5 picks, and with a strong showing at the combine he should be penciled into at least the fifth spot in the rest of the mocks to come out. There is the possibility of quarterback here, but none of the available prospects are of the right value.

6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green WR/University of Georgia

The Browns finally get another play making receiver to make up for the departure of Braylon Edwards a few years ago. Green can come in and help McCoy turn into a solid starting quarterback, and should become one of the better combinations in the NFL. Could possibly change if Sidney Rice does not return to the Vikings.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Peterson CB/Louisiana State University

The 49ers have three main needs; nose tackle, quarterback, and corner back. With this pick they go with the highest rated player on the board with Peterson. He should be able to come in on the other side of Clements and create a solid corner tandem.

8. Tennessee Titans-Nick Fairley DT/Auburn University

The Titans have a need at quarterback with the departure of Vince Young, but none of the quarterbacks that are available are worth the value. With this pick the Titans get the interior lineman that could help out Tony Brown. Albert Hanesworth esque? 

9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara CB/University of Nebraska

Dallas is a team that does not have very many needs, so they are able to draft for depth. They have two solid corners now but with the inconsistency of Jenkins, and with Newman having sub par year the 'Boys get there lock down guy for the future.

10. Washington Redskins- Julio Jones WR/Alabama

With this pick the Redskins get the premier receiver they've lacked for years. They still need to address the quarterback position, but there are solid prospects to look at later i.e. Colin Kaepernick.

11. Houston Texans- Aldon Smith DE/OLB/University of Missouri

The Texans need a lot of help on the defensive side of the football. There unit was ranked last in pass yards against, and there run defense was not much better. Smith gives the Texans another rush linebacker since Cushing is going to be moving inside with pro bowler DeMeco Ryans.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Jake Locker QB/University of Washington

The Vikings get their guy. It is time to show what Leslie and Musgrave to develop this kid because he will need the work. He still has some issues with the accuracy but I think that he can still develop into a very good NFL quarterback. The Vikings look for offensive line help later in the draft.

13. Detroit Lions- Tyron Smith OT/University of Southern California

The Lions are a group that is getting better and better with each year of expeience, and this year could be the one where they finally explode. With the pick of Smith they get the franchise left tackle that they need, which gives them the ability to move Backus down to guard where he should have been all year long. 

14. St. Louis Rams- Corey Liuget DT/University of Illinois

The Rams are upset here that Jones did not fall down to them, but how could he of after an amazing showing in the combine. With this pick they sure up the defensive side of the ball, and a position that was probably their second highest need.

15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram RB/University of Alabama

With free agency coming up the Dolphins are going to lose either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams, so they draft there replacement here. Ingram does not have the break away speed but he has the lateral agility and balance where I feel he can be a solid running back.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars-J.J. Watt DE/University of Wisconsin

The Jaguars have a lot of needs but with the pick of Watt they pencil in, in my opinion, the safest pick of the draft. Watt has a tremendous work ethic and motor and I feel that he turns himself into a very good defensive end at the next level.

17. New England Patriots- Cameron Jordan/DE University of California

The New England line is a unit that is not getting any younger, on either side of the ball. With the pick of Jordan he provides immediate depth, and can even push for a starting job on the edge. Jordan has all of the ability that one could need to become a solid defensive end at the next level.

18. San Diego Chargers- Gabe Carimi OT/University of Wisconsin

Carimi is the best run blocker in this class, which can allow the Chargers to take care of two problems with one pick. Carimi will be limited to the left side since he does not have the foot quickness or the fluid hips a left tackle needs. 

19. New York Giants- Mike Pouncey OG/University of Florida

The Giants are a team that I do not really see a lot of "needs" per say. The only weak spot to there offense was the offensive line, and with this pick they solidify all the interior positions. Pouncey is not as good of a prospect as his brother but should be able to hold down the center position for years to come.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Robert Quinn DE/University of North Carolina

Last year the Bucs solidified the interior of their defensive line, now its time for the edge. With Quinn they get a top 5 talent who was not able to play this year due to involvements with agents. The Bucs are quietly building one of the best young teams in the league.

21. Kansas City Chiefs- Torrey Smith WR/University of Maryland

In my opinion the Chiefs have one of the best young cores in the league, there one big area for concern is a solid #2 receiver. With this pick they get that and then some. Smith is a speedster who would be the perfect complement to the big physical Bowe.

22. Indianapolis Colts- Nate Solder OT/University of Colorado

If the Colts want to ensure that Manning is around for the coming years of his contract then they are going to have to address the offensive line. Solder has all the potential in the world to become a great tackle, so maybe knowing he's protecting the best quarterback of all time will help it come out.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Harris CB/University of Miami

With the pick of Harris here the Eagles have successfully gotten another corner to play opposite of Samuels. Harris is a good cover corner who likes to be physical at the line, which is just what the Eagles are looking for.

24. New Orleans Saints- Muhammed Wilkerson DT/Temple

Being from the A-10 conference Wilkerson did not get the publicity that he truly deserves. He's a tremendous athlete who can stop the run, as well as get to the quarterback. He will come in and provide as a solid 3-4 end, which the Saints desperately needs. 

25. Seattle Seahawks- Ryan Mallett QB/University of Arkansas

Mallett has all of the ability in the world to be a franchise quarterback, but with his recent off the field issues he will see a minor drop to where he is drafted. Seattle could not be happier to find the signal caller of the future who can sit and learn behind Hasselbeck for a few years.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Titus Young/WR Boise State

The Ravens have all of the tools set for the future. They have a very good quarterback, a premier running back, and a world class defense. With the pick of Young they get the deep threat that Flacco so desperately needs to become an elite signal caller in this league. 

27. Atlanta Falcons- Ryan Kerrigan DE/Purdue University

The Falcons only glaring need is on the defensive side of the football where they could stand to upgrade 2-3 current positions. With the pick of Kerrigan they get a player who will be a tremendous fit opposite Abraham. Kerrigan is stout against the run, but is also athletic enough to get to the passer.

28. Brooks Reed OLB/University of Arizona

The Patriots defense was one of the youngest groups in the league last year, so why not give them some more youth. Reed is a tremendous athlete who will come in and be the edge rusher that the Patriots have been looking for. This pick could easily be used as trade bait for the Patriots to acquire more picks....like they need any.

29. Chicago Bears- Anthony Castonzo OT/Boston College

Without a doubt the safest bet in the draft is that the Bears will select an offensive lineman with their first pick, and luckily they get a pretty darn good one. Castonzo will come in and be the franchise left tackle that the bears are looking for, which will allow them to keep J'Marcus Webb at right tackle, and keep Williams inside where he belongs.

30. New York Jets- Rahim Moore SS/University of California Los Angeles

Rex Ryan and the Jets seem to do a whole lot of talking, but they cannot seem to back it up with consistent play. The main reason is that top tier defense of theirs is not as good as they think. With the pick of Moore they can replace Leonhard with a play making safety in Moore, that will help them dramatically. Look for them to address the rush linebacker position as well.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams CB/University of Texas

Last year the Packers were able to show exactly how to beat the Steelers, spread them out. With the selection of Williams they get a tough corner who can come in and provide the much needed depth that the Steelers need. While Williams may never be a 'star' per-say he has the ability to be a very good corner at the next level.

32. Green Bay Packers- Justin Houston OLB/University of Georgia

The Packers are going to come into the 2011-12 campaign with one of the deepest rosters in the league. With that luxury they are going to be able to draft by the best player available strategy rather than the 'need' formula. With Houston they get a dynamic rusher to play opposite of Matthews which can only help him get to the quarterback, and help stay healthier.