2012 NFL Draft Order: Robert Griffin III and Players Who Will Go Too Early

It's to be expected during any given NFL Draft that teams will reach for players and focus too much on "need" rather than going for the best available player.

Expect more of the same in 2012, especially with these college football stars up for grabs.

Robert Griffin III

I have faith in Robert Griffin III's pro potential, just not as much as the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins seem to. Both appear likely to sacrifice bundles of draft picks to move into the top three to assure themselves a quarterback of the future.

Problem is, as impressive as RG3 has been, as both a football player and a person, there are reasons for NFL teams to be worried about his NFL future, and not just because of some supposed Heisman curse. At 6'2 and 220 pounds, he's a bit small for an NFL quarterback, with a knee that was reconstructed following an ACL tear during his sophomore season.

From a purely football perspective, RG3's current skill set from the spread offense in which he played at Baylor isn't a particularly good fit for the offenses currently run in Cleveland and DC.

And as tempting as it may be to compare RG3 to Cam Newton, let's hold off for a moment and remember that last year's No. 1 overall pick is bigger, stronger and (dare I say it?) more athletically gifted than the most recent Heisman Trophy winner. 

Justin Blackmon

It's not that I don't think Justin Blackmon will be a terrific player in the NFL or that he won't catch a bajillion passes for a gazillion yards and however many touchdowns fake numbers may warrant.

Rather, I'm a bit skeptical about taking receivers so early in the draft, especially ones who aren't exactly overwhelming physical specimens. Receivers are a dime a dozen in the NFL, with stars like Jordy Nelson and Victor Cruz available later on in the draft, if not outside the draft entirely.

Again, nothing against the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner from Oklahoma State, but if you're a team with a top-five pick, you'd best spend it on a player at a position of greater importance. Just ask the Detroit Lions, who ran through the likes of Mike Williams and Roy Williams before finally landing the brilliant but injury-prone Calvin Johnson.

Brandon Weeden

Keeping things in the state of Oklahoma, Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden is bound to get a look between the second and third rounds of the draft.

Which would be all well and good, given his size (6'4", 218 pounds) and productivity (4,727 yards, 37 touchdowns, 13 interceptions in 2011), except for the fact that he's 28. Of course, his age could be something of an asset. He'll be more mature than the average rookie, having spent five years at Oklahoma State after five years as a pitcher in the minor leagues.

But, again, he's already old in a league where youth truly reigns supreme, not to mention that he had arm problems during his baseball days. He'll be a pretty good backup quarterback for someone, but a second- or third-round pick is too much to give up for a guy who's going to spend his career holding a clipboard.

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