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A look at the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft- Part One
by Conor Philpott

The first round is done and dusted; after the first two picks things got a little interesting. I will look at those picked and give a grade based on the pick, taking in any trade ups or trade downs that may have happened.

1. Andrew Luck- Quarterback - Indianapolis Colts

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 Love the pick, after Peyton Manning left, Luck was the logical choice to replace him. Great arm, very good mobility and seems to be an intelligent guy. A lack of weapons and outstanding players could hurt him but, I think he could excel.

 Grade: A+

2. Robert Griffin III- Quarterback - Washington Redskins

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Washington have put a lot of faith into the man known as "RG3", trading up from number 6 prior to the draft and giving up 3 first round picks. He is in a better situation than Luck, and the comparisons between the two are inevitable. I think RG3 is like a more accurate Michael Vick, so should do very well.

 Grade : A+

3. Trent Richardson- Running Back- Cleveland Browns

The Browns traded up a spot, to nab the best running back in the draft. I like Richardson, very productive player, who is a great pass catcher and rusher. The Browns got played a bit by their trade partner the Vikings, and they give up quite a bit. Still a solid pick.

Grade :A

4. Matt Kalil- Offensive Guard - Minnesota Vikings

A very good pick. The Vikings got the guy they wanted and picked up a 4th, 5th and 7th rounder (they subsequently traded a 4th rounder though) for the 3rd overall pick from Cleveland. Great business, great player.

 Grade: A+

5.  Justin Blackmon - Wide Receiver Jacksonville Jaguars

Nice move if you're a Jags fan. They moved up two spots (taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick) for a 4th round pick. Good business. Blackmon is a very tall, reasonably fast receiver and seems to be a solid route runner. It means the Jaguars are giving quarterback Blaine Gabbert a chance at success.

Grade: B+

6: Morris Claiborne - Cornerback - Dallas Cowboys

"How bout  'dem Cowboys!" Dallas moved up to grab this year's best cornerback swapping first round picks and giving up a second to the St. Louis Rams. I think Claiborne could be a very solid player, he can be soft in the tackle area, but he is a very good football player. I think he can transition well to the NFL, and despite his poor Wonderlic (form of IQ test) exam score, he won't have many problems dealing with schemes.

Grade: B+

7. Mark Barron - Safety- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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I'm a Bucs fan and after some initial animosity to the pick, I begin to see
the bright side of it. The Buccaneers play in a division with some great
receivers and tight ends and Barron is capable of hitting big guys like Tony
Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham. The "Red Barron" is a hard hitter, and good at
stifling running backs and receivers. Good instincts and good movement.

 Grade: A

8. Ryan Tannehill - Quarterback - Miami Dolphins

People predicted it over the last few weeks. He is not ready to start in the NFL though, he is more of a project. Tannehill needs to work on his accuracy and footwork but has a decent arm and good scrambling ability. Could learn a lot in a season or two and evolve into a starter. Matt Moore should take the reins at the moment.

Grade: B

9. Luke Kuechly - Linebacker- Carolina Panthers

This was the man I wanted the Buccaneers to go after if they traded down. I really like this pick for the Panthers. Last year they showed they had an explosive offence with Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith. Injuries hurt them on defence last year but with Jon Beason and Thomas Davis returning, the Panthers have a very good linebacker corps. I thought they might look towards the defensive line but this is a solid pick.

Grade: A

10. Stephon Gilmore - Cornerback - Buffalo Bills

The second best Cornerback in the Draft. He sometimes has stiff hips (trouble changing direction), but if you look at the list of guys he has covered in College and how many of them are now top receivers, you realise this guy is very good. Decent tackler, he is very versatile and even appeared in an offensive role during his College tenure.

 Grade: B+

11. Dontari Poe - Defensive Tackle - Kansas City Chiefs

I don't like the pick. I think Poe is somewhat overrated due to his superb performance at the NFL combine but if you look at some footage from his college years, it doesn't wow you. With so many other outstanding Defensive lineman available, I think the Chiefs picked the wrong guy.

 Grade: C

12. Fletcher Cox - Defensive Tackle - Philadelphia Eagles

Many had him as the best Defensive tackle in the draft and some were surprised he didn't go top 10. The Eagles swapped Firsts with the Seahawks and gave up 4th and 6th round selections. Think he could be a very solid lineman for the Eagles who need to plug up the middle of the defence.

Grade: B+

13. Michael Floyd - Wide Receiver - Arizona Cardinals

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Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald wanted to take Floyd and it seems like he got his wish. Maybe it's because teams were using double and triple coverage to try and take Fitzgerald out of the game but either way it seems like a decent pick. Floyd is tall, fast and has pretty good hands. The Cardinals may not have a great Quarterback but Kevin Kolb or Jon Skelton should look all right with Beanie Wells at running back and some good receivers.

Grade: B+

14.  Michael Brockers - Defensive Tackle - St. Louis Rams

A solid pick, the Rams traded back with the Cowboys (who picked Claiborne) and picked up a second rounder. The Rams have 3 second rounders this year (their own, one they picked up from Washington in the RG3 trade and Dallas' one) and 2 first rounders over the next few years, from the Washington trade. I like Brockers, one of the better Defensive players in the draft

Grade: B

15. Bruce Irvin - Defensive End - Seattle Seahawks

According to most draft specialists, this guy didn't have much of a hope of getting into the first round. Seattle picked up a 4th and 6th in their trade with the Eagles but I don't like the pick, considering the Seahawks had the pick of Defensive End talent, I think this is somewhat surprising and feel the Seahawks have done a poor job here.  

Grade: C

16. Quinton Coples - Defensive End - New York Jets

A decent pick, his grade slipped a bit prior to the draft but I think he is better than Irvin the first defensive end picked. His weakness is probably his lack of elite speed, but he is strong, can fit into a lot of schemes and capable of getting after the QB.

Grade: B

The second half of Round One continues here

To discuss this further with our members, please visit the 606v2 forum here

(c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission
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