Todd McShay Mock Draft: Analyzing McShay's Biggest First-Round Hits and Misses

ESPN's Todd McShay recently released his most recent 2012 NFL mock draft. As is the case with any mock draft, some picks were absolutely dead on, while a few others seemed dead on arrival.

Much like the esteemed Mr. McShay, I'm just another guy who watches way too much football (although, I don't have one of those fancy ESPN Ferraris). But here's my take on the first-round picks that McShay hit out of the park and a few more that he grounded back to the pitcher.

A baseball metaphor...now I feel dirty.

MISS: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (Cleveland Browns, 1.4)

McShay's take:

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With the top two quarterbacks on the board already gone, Blackmon's size, hands and physical style offer the Browns a playmaker who can help current QB Colt McCoy.

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Why the pick is a miss: I don't have any issue with Blackmon the player after he racked up over 3,300 receiving yards the past two seasons. However, this year's receiver crop is deep. The Browns would be better served choosing Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who is head and shoulders better than any other player at his position this year.

HIT: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (Buffalo Bills, 1.10)

McShay's take:

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Floyd is a bit of a reach here, but no more so than OTs Mike Adams and Jonathan Martin. It's a tough call on the Bills' top two needs in this scenario, and they could look to trade down in a situation like this. They could also pull the trigger on a value pick such as Coples.

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Why this pick is a hit: After Floyd's excellent pro day, this pick may not be much of a reach at all. In fact, there are some pundits who believe that the 6'3" Floyd, not Blackmon, is the top wide receiver prospect in the 2012 draft class.

MISS: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina (Arizona Cardinals, 1.13)

McShay's take:

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The Cardinals have bigger needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver, but coach Ken Whisenhunt learned the value of playmaking linebackers during his days in Pittsburgh. Ingram is strong and explosive and shows a knack for making big plays, and he would give Arizona needed depth along the front seven.

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Why the pick is a miss: As McShay states, the Cardinals have a need along the offensive line, and it's vital that they protect their significant investment in quarterback Kevin Kolb. This is no knock on Ingram, but with Stanford beefeaters David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin still on the board, the Cardinals need to go offensive line here.

HIT: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (Cincinnati Bengals, 1.21)

McShay's take:

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Gilmore is rising fast thanks to a combination of size (6-0 1/2, 190), quick feet and ball skills, and even the Bengals likely will pass on [Janoris] Jenkins in favor of Gilmore.

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Why the pick is a hit: McShay is absolutely spot-on that the Gamecocks standout's draft stock is on the rise, and the NFL Network's Mike Mayock believes that Gilmore is easily the second-best cornerback prospect in this year's draft class:

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“Trust me, six-foot corners with long arms are rare, especially when they run 4.4 with his movement skills,” Mayock said of Gilmore. “I’ve got him as the No. 2 corner for a reason. I think he’s a Top 10 to Top 15 pick. Not a lot of people have him that high, but I saw it again today.”

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MISS: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State (Cleveland Browns, 1.22)

McShay's take:

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Adams is a little risky because of his lack of consistency and killer instinct, but he has the size (6-7¼, 323), agility and long arms that teams look for in left tackles. The Browns have a need at tackle, and Adams has plenty of upside.

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Why the pick is a miss: The Browns do have a need along the right side of the offensive line, but the team also needs offensive playmakers in the worst way imaginable. Many draftniks have Adams pegged as a second-round pick after a so-so combine, so Cleveland selecting him here would be something of a reach.

HIT: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1.24)

McShay's take:

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Hightower has nailed the pre-draft process and is solidly in the first round, and, with his ability to control the interior against the run, he's a perfect fit for Pittsburgh's 3-4 system. There are few 263-pounders who run like Hightower.

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Why this pick is a hit: With the exception of the first two picks in the 2012 draft, you may not find a more unanimous pick in mock drafts than Hightower to Pittsburgh, especially given the hole left in the middle of the Steelers defense by the release of James Farrior.