2012 NFL Draft Big Board: Can Anyone Challenge QB Andrew Luck for No. 1?

This article is an initial look at ranking the players for the 2012 NFL Draft in terms of ability, otherwise known as a “Big Board”. While each team will be busy creating their individual big boards, taking into account team needs, mine will strive be neutral and rank players according to their ability and potential, not the importance of the position. Therefore, do not expect a gaggle of quarterbacks, offensive tackles and defensive ends in the top ten.

The criteria for selection are simple. A player must either be a senior or have declared for the draft to make the list, and as stated earlier the value of the player’s position will not be taken into account.

Enjoy!

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50. Zebrie Sanders (OT): Florida State. 6'6", 307 lbs

Sanders is an athletic tackle who has played on both sides of the offensive line at Florida State. He is a solid run blocker who has the ability to pass protect with some work on his technique. He looks to be a potential starting right tackle.

49. Coby Fleener (TE): Stanford. 6'6", 244 lbs

Fleener is the most well rounded tight end in the 2012 draft. He is an athletic receiver who can stretch the middle of the field and pick apart zone schemes. However, unlike most tight ends this year he is a passable blocker who is good at the second level and as he ages and bulks up he should be able to become a decent in-line blocker.

48. Bruce Irvin (DE/OLB): West Virginia. 6'3", 245 lbs

Irvin lacks the size to be a full-time hand-in-the-ground defensive end, but as a nickel pass rusher he has the potential to make a splash in his rookie season. He is a natural pass rusher with deceptive power and a quick burst off the line who could be a second day steal in the draft.

47. LaMichael James (RB): Oregon. 5'9", 195 lbs

James will never be able to carry the load as a feature back in an NFL roster, but there is no more dangerous offensive weapon in this draft. James has the breakaway speed, cutting ability and vision to be a lethal part of an offense as a returner, third-down running back and receiver in the mold of Darren Sproles of the New Orleans Saints.

46. Mohamed Sanu (WR): Rutgers. 6'2", 215 lbs

Sanu may take a few years to be a consistent performer at the next level, but the talent he demonstrates at the college level will make him a second round pick. His size is reminiscent of Hakeem Nicks, as are his safe hands, good burst out of breaks and ability to make yards after the catch.

45. Brandon Thompson (DT): Clemson. 6'2", 310 lbs

He will drop to the second day because of his limitations as a pass rusher, however he can collapse the pocket with the bull rush and clog the middle against the run with his power and strong base. He should be able to contribute immediately as a 4-3 nose tackle to complement a penetrating 3-technique.

44. Chris Polk (RB): Washington. 5'11", 222 lbs

Despite his success at Washington, Polk will fall in the draft because of his lack of speed and acceleration. This is likely to consign him to a role as the between the tackles grinder as part of a running back by committee. Nevertheless, his vision, tackle breaking ability and receiving prowess should make him a NFL starter early in his career.

43. Jared Crick (DE/DT): Nebraska. 6'6", 285 lbs

His injury plagued final season in college football has damaged Crick's draft stock, and may see him drop out of the first round. However, since his game was never built around athleticism to begin with, he should be able to make an impact as a rookie as a 3-4 defensive end. His length should allow him to control offensive tackles at the line of scrimmage.

42. Brandon Washington (OG): Miami. 6'4", 320 lbs

Washington has played both offensive tackle and guard at Miami, but will have to kick inside to start in the NFL. However, as a guard he has the power and athleticism to be a dominant run blocker and a solid pass protector, and he even could play right tackle at a pinch.

41. Chase Minnifield (CB): Virginia. 6'0", 185 lbs

Minnifield looks to be one of the best zone cornerbacks in the draft this year. He has exceptional athleticism and plays off man and zone coverage well. His ball skills also are top notch. However, with the popularity of press coverage in the modern NFL his poor skills in that regard will probably drop him into the second round and down this big board.  

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40. Amini Silatolu (OG): Midwestern State. 6'3", 324 lbs

Silatolu is the most talented small school player entering the 2012 Draft. Although like most of his kind he has poor technique, he is a dominant run blocker who can overpower opponents in-line, at the second level or as a pulling lineman. He is also a talented pass protector who played left tackle at college. It would not be unlikely if three years from now he was the best guard from this talented draft.

39. Janoris Jenkins (CB): North Alabama. 5'10", 182 lbs

The bottom line on Jenkins is that if he focuses on football and avoids distractions he will be a number one cornerback in the NFL. Although he is short, he is very good as a zone and off man corner because of his great burst, and has even shown some ability in press coverage in Division II this year.

38. Luke Kuechly (LB): Boston College. 6'3", 237 lbs

Kuechly may have lead college football in tackles the last two years, but his lack of athleticism, strength and size are severe limitations. He struggles to get off blocks and will not be able to cover scat backs and receiving tight ends in man coverage. These limitations make will stop him from ever being a good starter in the NFL.

37. Whitney Mercilus (DE): Illinois. 6'4, 265 lbs

Mercilus had a stunning 2011 season as he led the NCAA in sacks. However, there are fears that he was a one year wonder, and his lack of top level athleticism and prototypical bulk for the position raise questions. He was effective in college because of his good burst off the line, power and long arms, but without an arsenal of pass rush moves and lateral agility he may never be able to be a sack artist against NFL left tackles.

36. Fletcher Cox (DE/DT): Mississippi State. 6'4", 295 lbs

Cox is a tweener defensive tackle who could play as a penetrating 3-technique or a 3-4 defensive end. He has a quick first step to penetrate as a pass rusher and the length to control the edge as a defensive end. Although his technique needs work he is a potential second round pick who could become a penetrating 3-4 defensive end in the mold of Darnell Dockett.

35. Alfonzo Dennard (CB): Nebraska. 5'10", 205 lbs

Dennard is likely never to become a top cornerback because of his short stature, lack of ball skills and inability to be anything other than a press corner. He lacks ideal speed and will struggle against receivers big enough or skilled enough to beat him at the line. Nevertheless, as a number two cornerback he should have a long career on the outside.

34. Vontaze Burfict (LB): Arizona State. 6'3", 250 lbs

Burfict has the measureables, athleticism and skills to be the second coming of Ray Lewis, and if he lands on a team who can keep him under control and focusing on understanding football he will be a dominant player for many years. He is fluid in coverage, is an intimidating sideline to sideline tackler and is a good blitzer. He may find his niche as a playmaking 3-4 middle linebacker beside a veteran who can make the defensive calls.

33. Dwight Jones (WR): UNC. 6'4", 225 lbs

Jones is a raw, big wide receiver who should develop into a marquee player. He has deceptive deep speed, great burst off the line and out of breaks and make extra yards after the catch. Although he needs refining in his route running, catching and the complexities of the position, these should all come with experience.

32. Kelechi Osemele (OG): Iowa State. 6'6", 347 lbs

Osemele played left tackle for the Cyclones, but would be wise to move inside when he is drafted. His wide frame makes him a hard man to beat to the quarterback, and his immense power lets him manhandle defenders in the run game. He will not be a downfield blocker in his career because of his lack of speed, but in close quarters he could become the cream of the crop.

31. Mark Barron (S): Alabama. 6'2", 218 lbs

Barron is a prototypical in the box safety who is a good tackler and has impeccable instincts. However, he lacks the speed and agility to drop and cover deep zones, and against shifty slot receivers and running backs would be totally out of his depth. 

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30. Andre Branch (DE/OLB): Clemson. 6’5”, 260 lbs

Branch is an athletic and agile pass rusher with great burst off the line who could be picked late on the first day, especially by a 3-4 defense that needs a marquee pass rusher.

29. Zach Brown (LB): UNC. 6’2”, 230 lbs

Brown was a top ten player at the start of the season, but his play on the field has underwhelmed. Fortunately for him, his track speed, fluid movements and great burst should make him a star at the combine and will probably help him regain a first round grade for 4-3 defenses looking for a outside linebacker to cover tight ends and make plays all over the field.

28. Kendall Wright (WR): Baylor. 5’10”, 190 lbs

Wright is the sole receiver in this big board with true deep threat speed, and his ball skills, acceleration and running ability should make him a first rounder. There is good reason why he is often compared to Pittsburgh Steelers receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

27. Mike Adams (OT): Ohio State. 6’8”, 320 lbs

Adams may never have dominated college football, but his outstanding athleticism and size will have coaches dreaming big. If he can shore up his technique he should be a long time starter at left tackle, but he is a real boom or bust prospect.

26. Nick Perry (DE/OLB): USC. 6’3”, 250 lbs

This USC grad is the prototypical small defensive end that will likely convert to a 3-4 defense as a pro. He has great speed and burst off the line, and though he is a one-trick pony as a pass rusher now, he should blossom into a sack artist as he develops his game.

25. Quinton Coples (DE): UNC. 6’6”, 285 lbs

Coples may not be a top five pick anymore because of his disappointing final season at college, but he still has the size and athleticism to be an All-Pro if he commits to the game as a defensive end in any scheme. He can contain the run with his power and long arms or rush the passer with his first step, lateral quickness and bull rush.

24. Cordy Glenn (OT/OG): Georgia. 6’5”, 248 lbs

Glenn is a rare offensive lineman who could play either guard or tackle, and this should make him a high pick. As his size would suggest, he can overwhelm defenders at the point of attack in the run game, but he moves much better in pass protection than a man of his size should. He was able to deal with edge rushers at college, so even if he fails as a right tackle he should develop into a mauling guard.  

23. Courtney Upshaw (OLB): Alabama. 6’2”, 265 lbs

Though Upshaw is strictly a 3-4 outside linebacker, he is the most polished in the 2012 draft. He played the position in college, and like Von Miller is a true linebacker who has experience diagnosing the run and dropping into coverage. He also has good burst off the line and is a solid – but not elite – pass rusher prospect.

22. Lamar Miller (RB): Miami. 5’11”, 212 lbs

Miller had success this season, even behind a poor offensive line. He has a second gear, great cutting ability and burst, but most importantly he shows the ability to run effectively inside and outside the tackles. There are fears that his slight frame will limit his ability as a featured runner, but in tandem with a larger back he would help create an elite running game.

21. Dre Kirkpatrick (CB): Alabama. 6’3”, 193 lbs

Kirkpatrick’s recent arrest has dropped him out of the top 15, but he still has the potential to be an elite zone cornerback. His length allows him to press effectively at the line of scrimmage and cover a lot of space in coverage. Although he lacks the deep speed and agility to be a top, man coverage cornerback, he excels in zone concepts and is also elite in run defense, and would be able to dominate in a zone-heavy defense.

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20. Dontari Poe (NT): Memphis. 6’5”, 350 lbs

Poe is a gargantuan nose tackle prospect who is the most talented to hit the draft in years. He has the bulk and strength to take on double teams at the line and hold his ground and should have a long career at the heart of a 3-4 defense. He should never develop into a great pass rusher, but his ability to collapse the pocket should make life easier for his teams edge rushers and frustrate opposing quarterbacks.

19. Orson Charles (TE): Georgia. 6’3”, 241 lbs

Charles will not be picked this high in the draft, but his skills are reminiscent of the great receiving tight ends. He is athletic, runs good routes and has a knack for getting open. While he will never be a great blocker, he has the skills to be a constant mismatch for an offense, and the success of tight ends in the NFL this season shows how valuable this is for an offense.

18. Stephon Gilmore (CB): South Carolina. 6’1”, 193 lbs

Gilmore is a talented cover corner who can also return kicks and make plays in the running game. He is best in press coverage where he can use his length and strength to jam receivers at the line, but he also shows the fluid hips and athleticism to run downfield with receivers. He has the potential to follow a team’s best receiver all game with tight coverage and make plays.

17. Jonathan Martin (OT): Stanford. 6’6”, 304 lbs

The star of Martin has surprisingly been fading fast for an athletic pass protector with the skills to be a top finesse left tackle. He is long armed, moves well and performed well keeping Andrew Luck clean in college. Some scouts question his toughness and power, but a pass heavy offense would accept these run blocking deficiencies in return for his ability in the passing game.

16. Devon Still (DT): Penn State. 6’5”, 310 lbs

Still broke out in his senior season showing power and burst to consistently put pressure on the offense. He could play at defensive end in a 3-4 or 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. He has technical deficiencies that need cleaning up, but teams who want a powerful defensive front will covet his dominant physical make-up.

15. Melvin Ingram (DE/OLB): South Carolina. 6’2”, 276 lbs

Ingram is one of the few 3-4 outside linebacker prospects that has the size to play full time as a 4-3 defensive end. He has great flexibility that indicates an ability to play in coverage, and his mixture of burst and speed has allowed him to be the star sack artist on a talented Gamecocks defensive line.

14. Michael Floyd (WR): Notre Dame. 6’3”, 224 lbs

Floyd exploded this season to be one of the toughest players to cover in college football. He may be raw as a route runner and lack deep speed, but he is explosive out of his breaks for a man of his size, can bully defensive backs with his bulk and has good hands. He should be a number one wide receiver in the NFL who can succeed even against double teams.

13. David Wilson (RB): Virginia Tech. 5’10”, 205 lbs

Wilson is the back in this draft most reminiscent of CJ2K. He has speed to burn, great burst and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. He will dominate running outside, but it is his ability to make yards inside that has scouts praising him as a possible late first round pick.

12. Alshon Jeffery (WR): South Carolina. 6’4”, 229 lbs

Jeffery was very quiet this season after dominating the SEC in 2010. For this reason he is no longer the premier receiver in the 2012 draft, but he still provides the most upside. He lacks elite speed, but his ball skills, leaping ability and size makes him a less athletic version of Calvin Johnson. If he continues to develop he will be one of the steals of this draft.

11. Dont’a Hightower (LB): Alabama. 6’4”, 260 lbs

Hightower is the best inside linebacker prospect in the last two years, and other than his lack of speed he has no real weaknesses to his game. He is a solid tackler who can dominate play inside the box, has great awareness in zone coverage and is a good blitzer. His lack of speed will limit him in man coverage and his injury history is troubling, but in a 3-4 defense he should dominate in a similar role to Bart Scott or Navorro Bowman.

The Top 10

10. Michael Brockers (DT): LSU. 6’6”, 306 lbs

Brockers may be young and inexperienced, but in a draft with few talented defensive tackles that can penetrate from the three-technique he should be a high pick. He shows the potential to be a good pass rusher who can split double teams and beat blockers one on one, however his greatest skill could turn out to be his run defense. He plays with great leverage and has the power to overwhelm offensive linemen to stop plays in the backfield. The fact that he was dominant in college despite his lack of great technique only furthers his allure.

9. Reily Reiff (OT): Iowa. 6’6”, 300 lbs

Reiff has risen sharply up draft boards this year to become a top ten pick, mainly in part because of the polished technique he has shown this season. This has been combined with his athleticism (he was a tight end early in his college career) to make a very good prospect that could play either left or right tackle. He can deal with both speed and power in pass protection, and in the run game his athletic nature allows him to be especially effective at the second level, although he can still maul defensive ends.

8. Peter Konz (C): Wisconsin. 6’5”, 315 lbs

He may stand a bit too tall for a traditional center, but Konz excels in all other roles his position requires. He is a good pass protector who has great technique and a solid anchor, and in the run game his long arms and use of leverage allows him to control the point of attack. He also has a fine grasp of line calls and shotgun snaps. Konz’s size and skills would also allow him to play guard earlier in his career to stagger his introduction to the pro game.

7. Justin Blackmon (WR): Oklahoma State. 6’1”, 215 lbs

Blackmon has had one of the greatest ever college careers for a wide receiver, and he is moving to the NFL with a very refined game, making him an early favourite for offensive rookie of the year. Apart from occasional lapses in concentration he can make any catch because of his great body control and leaping ability. He also runs routes very well and has a knack for being open. He may lack deep speed, but his size allows him to be effective in a catch and run offense.

6. Robert Griffin III (QB): Baylor. 6’2”, 220 lbs

Griffin is a very talented running quarterback who also showed passing skills greater even than Cam Newton in his Heisman season. He has great deep accuracy, good arm strength and touch. Although some question his ability to read defenses and run a pro-style offense, his playmaking ability and the success of Newton in the NFL will make him a coveted prospect who could even challenge Andrew Luck for the first overall pick if the cards fall his way.

5. David DeCastro (OG): Stanford. 6’5”, 310 lbs

DeCastro has slowly moved up draft boards this season as he has consistently shown that he is the complete prospect for his position. He is impeccable in pass protection where his awareness and technique set him apart. In the run game his use of leverage and power allows him to be dominant, and his athleticism makes him very effective on the move.

4. Matt Kalil (OT): USC. 6’7”, 295 lbs

Kalil is the best tackle prospect since Joe Thomas because of his athleticism and technique. He is best in pass protection where long arms, lateral agility and a great anchor allows him to deal with anything a rusher can throw at him. He is more of a finesse blocker, leading some doubters to question his lightness. However, Tyron Smith weighed even less at USC, and was able to bulk up while retaining his athleticism. In short, Kalil is one of the few can’t miss prospects in this draft.

3. Trent Richardson (RB): Alabama. 5’11”, 224 lbs

Richardson is another great prospect who seems almost guaranteed to be a success from the time he steps on the field. He is a great runner, receiver and blocker who can succeed inside with his vision, burst and power or outside with his speed and cutting ability while carrying the ball 30 times a game. He is the only running back this year that seems destined to be a featured back in the NFL.

2. Morris Claiborne (CB): LSU. 6’0”, 185 lbs

Although everyone was enamoured by Patrick Peterson’s size and athleticism last year, Claiborne is in fact the better cornerback. He is very athletic as he can run downfield with receivers, follow them through their breaks and break on the ball quickly. He is also very adept at pressing them at the line. His real advantage comes in his understanding of the game. He is already proficient in zone coverage and does a great job of maintaining correct position in man coverage. Additionally, he is great in run support and can be a dangerous kick returner.

1. Andrew Luck (QB): Stanford. 6’4, 235 lbs

Luck would have been the first pick of the 2011 Draft if he had declared for it, so it is no surprise that he is the best player available after another fine season at Stanford. He is not blessed with a cannon arm, but it is strong enough to move the ball around the field. He has great accuracy, touch and vision, and is making throws most pro quarterbacks would be proud of on a consistent basis.

He has also shown real aptitude leading an offense from the line of scrimmage by reading defenses to create mismatches and avoid pressure. A further string to his bow is his surprising athleticism. Luck can outrun some linebackers, and therefore is dangerous on the move in a way similar to Aaron Rodgers. In all, Luck is the best prospect since Manning, and maybe even John Elway, and he could very easily shatter Newton’s new rookie passing records if he is given the reins in his first season.