2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analzying Russ Lande's NFC East Picks in His Latest Mock

Mock drafts are so hard, it's easier to just criticize someone else's. But you don't want to be too harsh on them; they get enough flack in the comments section.

That's why, when Russ Lande of Sporting News gave us his take on the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, it seemed like a good opportunity to analyze some informed analysis. Here is my take on his NFC East picks.

6. Washington Redskins—Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Russ says: "Coach Mike Shanahan has always built his team around big, athletic quarterbacks with strong arms, and Tannehill fits that mold perfectly."

My slant: Lande assumes no trades in his mock. If he did, we'd assume there would be one to move up and get Robert Griffin III.

But if the Redskins were to go after Tannehill, it would make a world of sense, considering what the Redskins—namely head coach Mike Shanahan—look for in a quarterback.

The Redskins have had the second-most starting quarterbacks since 2000 (15), only behind the Miami Dolphins (16). They would love to get a long-term answer finally. It's interesting to me that he was projected out of the first round earlier, and his stock actually improved despite not working out at the combine.

The fact that he also only played 19 games in college should be cause for pause for a team taking him in the top 10. 

14. Dallas Cowboys—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Russ says: "Jerry Jones has long shown a willingness to gamble on players with character concerns. With their dire need for a cornerback, the Cowboys take a shot with Jenkins, who was dismissed by Florida after three arrests in two years."

My slant: The Cowboys need a cornerback worse than just about any other position. They also don't really care much about character concerns, especially if that player is highly athletic. For these three reasons, the pick is a slam dunk.

There are other positions that perhaps the Cowboys could use more gravely—especially if they lose outside linebacker Anthony Spencer in free agency—but a cornerback with ball skills like Jenkins would be a nice pick (pun intended) for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles—Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia

Russ says: "The Eagles' offensive line was not dominant in 2011, and Glenn has the physical talent to start at guard or right tackle as a rookie."

My slant: 3rd-and-short. No three words have given the Eagles more fits in the Andy Reid era than those. They took measures to fixing the problem by adding Danny Watkins in the 2011 draft, and adding another solid interior offensive linemen could go a long way.

One of the big problems the Eagles faced early in the season was their inability to protect quarterback Michael Vick. Though protection improved over the course of the year, I'm sure the Eagles would like to be able to run the ball on 3rd-and-short for once.

Adding Glenn would allow them to do just that. He has both the toughness and athleticism you look for in an interior linemen.

32. New York Giants—Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Russ says: "After losing Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum to ACL injuries in the Super Bowl, the Giants currently have no depth at tight end. Allen is the type of receiving tight end the Giants have lacked since they traded Jeremy Shockey."

My slant: We've seen a lot of mock drafts taking a tight end for the Giants. It makes a world of sense since they don't have a tight end. Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum are both anticipated to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Most mocks have Georgia tight end Orson Charles going to the Giants, as he was one of the better seam-stretching tight ends in college. Allen is more in the mold of a traditional Giants tight end, in that he can give the Giants far more as a blocker—at least from the start—than Charles can.

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