2012 NFL Scouting Combine Day 2 Recap
The second day of the 2012 NFL Combine featured quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd provides much better value in the 2012 NFL Draft than Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon.
Quarterback Outlook
Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, and Brock Osweiler all opted not to throw at the 2012 NFL Combine. Arizona quarterback Nick Foles threw at the 2012 NFL Combine and looked solid in the throwing drills.
All 5 quarterbacks remain my top 5 2012 NFL quarterback prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft. Another quarterback that looks like a 2nd round pick is Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.
NFL GM’s loved hearing about Cousins passion for the game of football in the interviews. Cousins also dominated the throwing drills at the Combine. Cousins went from a 3rd round quarterback prospect who could get drafted in round 2 to a 2nd round prospect. Not much else changed at quarterback for the 2012 NFL Combine.
Running Back Outlook
Alabama running back Trent Richardson has already established himself as the top running back prospect prior to the 2012 NFL Combine.
Miami FL running back Lamar Miller ran a 4.38 and a 4.41 40 time. Miller looks like the second running back that will get selected in round 1 after Trent Richardson.
Washington running back Chris Polk may have laid an egg at the 2012 Senior Bowl with his poor workouts. Polk redeemed himself with his 40 time and ability in the pass catching drills at the NFL Combine.
Doug Martin has convinced most he can be a 3 down back. I moved Doug Martin up to a 2nd round talent. The more you hear about Martin, the more you wonder if he cracks the late portion of round 1.
Cincinnati senior running back Isaiah Pead was the Senior Bowl MVP. David Wilson really conducted himself well in the interviews. Pead and Wilson could both be 3rd round talents that end up going late in the 2nd round.
Two other underclassmen that impressed at the combine included Utah State’s Robert Turbin and Oregon flash back LaMichael James. Turbin is seen as more of a blue collar trucking power runner. James is seen as the explosive elusive back that can break tackles in the backfield.
One underclassmen who I felt failed to stand out among the underclassmen was Bernard Pierce. I feel like Pierce has more potential than any of the 3rd round running backs. Pierce did not have the best combine, and it would not surprise me to see Pierce fall to day 3. I hope I am wrong about Pierce because he really deserves to get drafted on day 2.
Wide Receiver Outlook
Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon should still end up getting drafted in the top 5. I feel like Blackmon is vastly overrated compared to Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd though.
The toughest pass defense Justin Blackmon encountered was a Texas Longhorns pass defense that ranked 47th out of 120 teams. This Texas pass defense lost 3 cornerbacks (Aaron Williams, Chykie Brown, and Curtis Brown) to the 2011 NFL Draft. The Longhorns still held Oklahoma State’s high profile receiver to 7 receptions for 74 receiving yards without their 3 shutdown cornerbacks.
No other pass defense that Oklahoma State encountered finished in the top 60 of the 120 FBS teams besides Texas. Floyd on the other hand had some quality tape. Floyd had 13 receptions for 159 receiving yards against a 16th ranked Michigan pass defense. Floyd also had other impressive outings like a game where he caught 6 receptions for 84 receiving yards against a Michigan State pass defense that finished 12th in the nation. Floyd did more of the same against an Air Force pass defense that ranked 6th in the nation by obtaining 6 receptions, 78 receptions, and 1 receiving touchdown. Floyd also caught a receiving touchdown against Florida State in the red zone. Florida State had 3 different corners that could play on an NFL roster along with an 18th ranked pass defense. Floyd weighed in at 6 foot 3 220 pounds and ran a 4.47 flat. Floyd is by far and away the best receiver in this draft. Blackmon will get drafted ahead of Floyd because Blackmon has better production and route running. Plus Blackmon is a 2 time Billetnikoff Award winner.
Alshon Jeffery faced tougher pass defenses than Blackmon or Floyd could ever imagine. Jeffery really blew a golden chance to run a 40 time. Jeffery went from being a top 10 prospect in my pre combine mock to a 2nd round talent that may even fall out of the first round all around.
The scary thing is, the Browns could end up with Blackmon getting potentially Braylon Edwards 2.0 while Jaguars GM Gene Smith may make it out like gangbusters with Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd in round 1 and South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in round 2 if the Redskins trade up for Robert Griffin III.
Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright had a neutral day at the Combine. Wright struggled with his 40 time, but he’s been productive enough on tape for it not to affect his draft stock.
Wisconsin receiver Nick Toon, Appalachin State wide receiver Brian Quick, and Rutgers wide receiver Mohammed Sanu are 3 2nd round receivers who can play the flanker.
One wide receiver who has emerged into a #2 secondary wide receiver is Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill.
Two flanker targets that could be 3rd round picks include Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams and LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle.
Two secondary wide receivers you may find in round 3 include Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt and California wide receiver Marvin Jones.
One more 3rd round wide receiver prospect to keep an eye on is Juron Criner. Criner could be a steal in the late part of the 3rd round.
Outside of the first 3 rounds, my top ranked receiver is Gerrell Robinson. Robinson is a player that I can see developing into a solid #2 secondary target on an NFL roster.
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