2012 NFL Draft: Latest Rumors and Notes from Around the League

Let's take a look around the NFL for the latest rumors and notes surrounding the 2012 NFL draft, including the Steelers' look at a running back, the Browns' plans at No. 4 overall and a tough NFL comparison for Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler. 

Steelers to Look at RB in Draft?

The 2012 playing status of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall remains up in the air following a torn ACL he suffered in Week 17 last season.

While Pittsburgh expects the former first-round pick to play in 2012, the possibility lingers that he may wind up on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start next season.

If the Steelers feel any inclination that Mendenhall is going to be limited moving forward, the draft may be one place to safeguard the position. Using another first-rounder on a running back seems like a reach, but the team could call on a mid-round pick to split carries with Ike Redman while Mendenhall recovers.  

Talib's Trial to Change Bucs' Draft Plans?

According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the unresolved legal issues for Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib won't be decided before April's draft, as his trial was moved back to late June.

That uncertainty surrounding the team's top cornerback may influence how they use their No. 1 pick next month. LSU's Morris Claiborne has been a hot name for the Bucs, and any fear about losing Talib to suspension and/or jail time could be erased by taking the draft's No. 1 cornerback.

They may still be looking hard at Alabama's Trent Richardson, too.  

Heckert Not Forthcoming with Opinion on No. 4 Pick

Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert left the door open for picking Morris Claiborne at No. 4 overall, saying it would be "tough to pass" on picking the LSU cornerback.

However, he also said he doesn't think the Browns will take a defensive player with their first pick in April.

This kind of non-descript talk is exactly what NFL GMs do this time of year, as teams are holding their cards tightly to their chest in an attempt to keep other front offices out of the loop. While I wouldn't blame the Browns for taking Claiborne to create the NFL's premier young cornerback tandem, Colt McCoy and Co. need all the help they can get on the other side of the ball.  

Osweiler Draws Tough Comparison

As a college quarterback preparing for the NFL draft, there are plenty of names you want to be compared to. It's the usual suspects—Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. Aaron Rodgers. 

Simply put, Charlie Whitehurst is not one of them. 

According to NFL films guru Greg Cosell, Whitehurst is exactly who he'd compare Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler to. 

Talking on a Yahoo! Sports podcast, Cosell said Osweiler "did not have a strong arm" and had a "tendency to push the ball." Finally, he said Osweiler simply "did not make enough big throws that translate to the NFL."

Given Cosell's sparkling reputation for grading out football players, expect many NFL teams to share his opinion come draft day. He is likely a fifth-rounder at best.

DeCastro Desert-Bound?

The Arizona Cardinals have long been tied to offensive tackles and pass-rushers in the first round of the 2012 draft, but it appears they may have their eyes on a different target for the No. 13 overall pick. 

According to Mike Jurecki of XTRA 910 in Arizona, the Cardinals may like Stanford guard David DeCastro over teammate Jonathan Martin, an offensive tackle.

Based simply on draft grade, DeCastro beats out Martin and all other offensive line prospects, save for maybe USC tackle Matt Kalil. The Cardinals need help at both tackle and guard, so it makes sense for the team to pick the better player.

DeCastro could be a 10-year starter inside for the team he's drafted to, which gives him a lot of value at No. 13 overall.