2012 NFL Draft: Latest News, Buzz and Rumors from Around the League

With the 2012 NFL draft less two weeks and two days away, let's take a look at all the latest news and rumors from around the league, including the draft future of Vontaze Burfict, options for the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 15 overall and what position the Detroit Lions are likely to look at early in the draft. 

Burfict to Go Undrafted?

It wasn't more than four months ago that Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict was considered a Top-15 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Now, with little more two weeks before the draft's start, Burfict may hear 253 names heard without a mention of his own. 

According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Burfict could go undrafted.

"Arizona State middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict has fallen as far as any player in the draft in last 12 months," McGinn tweeted. "It's possible he won't even be drafted."

McGinn likely isn't just giving his opinion, either. He's well-connected with NFL decision-makers and talent evaluators and is probably echoing most of sentiments he's heard in those circles.

It might take some NFL team that loved something about his sophomore year film to take a chance on Burfict before the draft concludes. It's been a monumental free-fall for the middle linebacker.

McClellin Compares to Clay Matthews?

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews has developed into one of the game's best edge pass-rushers, and at least one draft analyst sees a comparable prospect to Matthews in Boise State's Shea McClellin. 

According to Greg Cosell, a noted NFL film guru, McClellin has some similar aspects to his game.

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He was a smooth change-of-direction athlete with excellent balance and body control. My sense is he will get better in the NFL with a chance to be a dynamic edge pass rusher. He’s not as purely explosive as Clay Matthews, but I see some similarities as McClellin matures and develops.

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It's possible the Packers could take McClellin at No. 28 to team with Matthews at outside linebacker. The New England Patriots also appear to be a fit at the end of the first round. 

Luck to Visit Washington

The Washington Redskins are a lock to draft their next franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick later this month, and they're making to sure to cover all bases when it comes to whom that selection may be. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is visiting with the Redskins Tuesday.

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Griffin is in Washington on Tuesday and meeting with the Redskins, and Luck is scheduled to arrive in the area Tuesday night to meet with the team, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

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There's still no reason to think anyone but Robert Griffin III will be the Redskins' pick, but you can never be too sure about a selection this important. If the Indianapolis Colts decide to throw a curveball by taking Griffin III with the No. 1 pick, Washington will be well-versed on the next player on the draft board. 

Lions Looking at an Early CB?

The Detroit Lions struggled down the stretch in 2011 as depth in the secondary eroded, later becoming exposed by passing offenses such as the Packers and New Orleans Saints in back-to-back losses to finish the season.

The 2012 draft may be the way Detroit looks to fix that problem. Tim Twentyman of the Lions official website wrote that he would be "surprised if a cornerback wasn’t picked in the first two rounds" and that the team's 14-year run of avoiding cornerback in the first round (Terry Fair, 1998) "could end this year." 

Several players, including Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina), appear to be real options in the first round. Twentyman also listed Josh Robinson (UCF) and Trumaine Johnson (Montana) as second-round possibilities.

Regardless of whether the pick comes in the first or second round, expect the Lions to add a cornerback early in the draft this month.

Defensive Tackle the Favorite for Philly at No. 15?

The Philadelphia Eagles are a team with many options at No. 15 overall in the first round, but defensive tackle could be the current leader in the clubhouse.

According to Ray Didinger of CSNPhily.com, defensive tackle has always been his prediction for the Eagles' first pick.

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"I’ve thought all along the Eagles would draft a defensive lineman, probably a tackle, at 15. Two reasons: One, they could use a stud DT, especially one with pass rush ability, to rotate with Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson. Two, it looks like there will be some very good defensive tackles still on the board at 15 and the Eagles under Andy Reid have gone that way quite a lot, taking Corey Simon (2000), Patterson (2005) and Brodrick Bunkley (2006)." 

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Didinger's two points are both solid. Another defensive tackle would ensure the interior defensive line is stacked with good football players, and several first-round quality defensive tackles should be available.  

Fletcher Cox (Miss. State), Dontari Poe (Memphis), Devon Still (Penn State) and Michael Brockers (LSU) are all options for the Eagles at No. 15 overall. Recent history suggests this is the path Andy Reid will go.