2012 NFL Draft Grades: Breaking Down the Biggest Reaches in the Top Half

The NFL draft always produces a couple of picks that boggle the mind, and this year's draft is no different. Some of the picks that have been made just don't make a whole lot of sense.

The first round is almost a wrap. Most of the picks didn't come as a surprise, as we knew the Indianapolis Colts were going to be drafting Andrew Luck and the Washington Redskins were going to be drafting Robert Griffin III.

Here's a look at a few picks I didn't see coming, and I can't say I approve of them.

Note: Check out B/R's live draft blog for a complete recap and rundown of picks.

Philadelphia Eagles Draft DT Fletcher Cox at No. 12

The Eagles were originally slated to draft 15th in the first round, but they moved up a couple of spots so they could get their man.

Fletcher Cox was widely considered to be the top defensive tackle in the 2012 draft class, and the Eagles definitely needed a defensive tackle. Cox is a guy they'll be able to stick right in the middle of their defensive line, and it will be his job to hold down the middle while Philly's rushers attack from the edges.

I don't have a problem with the fit. What I'm not crazy about is the price the Eagles paid to get Cox. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles gave the Seattle Seahawks the No. 15 pick and picks from the fourth and sixth rounds.

I'm not sold that the Eagles truly needed to trade up, as they may have been able to land Cox at No. 15. If not him, they surely could have landed Michael Brockers, who has a much higher ceiling than Cox.

Grade: B-

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft S Mark Barron at No. 7

Two weeks ago, not a whole lot of people were talking about Mark Barron. Most considered him a first-rounder, but there wasn't any kind of buzz about him being a game-changing star.

That all changed in the week or so leading up to the draft, and the Buccaneers apparently bought into it. 

I can see why the Buccaneers would go for Barron. They play in a division with some pretty dangerous passing attacks, and Barron is a guy who doesn't get enough credit for his skills in coverage. But as far as safeties go, he's not Ed Reed. For the kind of bang they're going to get for their buck, the Buccaneers took Barron way too high.

It could have been worse. The Bucs were originally slated to pick fifth. Had they used the No. 5 pick on Barron, they would have made an even bigger reach.

Grade: C+

Miami Dolphins Draft QB Ryan Tannehill at No. 8

I knew this pick was coming. The "draftniks" had been linking Ryan Tannehill to the Dolphins for months, and goodness knows quarterback was an area of need in Miami.

But that doesn't mean I have to like this pick. 

Tannehill is the most overrated prospect in the 2012 draft class. He's a quarterback who's going to have to ride the pine for a few seasons, and I didn't see him do anything during his days at Texas A&M worthy of excitement. Experts like Todd McShay want us to see a star when we look at Tannehill, but I just don't see it.

I'll say this much: At least the Dolphins didn't trade up to get Tannehill. That was my biggest fear, and it would have led me to give them an "F."

They're getting off easy.

Grade: C-

Seattle Seahawks Draft DE/OLB Bruce Irvin at No. 15

Remember when the Seahawks drafted James Carpenter in the first round last year and everyone got really, really confused?

The same thing happened when they drafted Bruce Irvin with the No. 15 pick. The Seahawks likely could have gotten Irvin much later in the draft, but they decided to pick him over guys like Quinton Coples and Melvin Ingram.

Irvin has talent, no doubt about that. He's a well-above-average pass-rusher and a very good athlete. However, he's a classic "tweener," and he comes with major character concerns. He's a guy who had to spend some time in jail, and he was arrested just a day after West Virginia's pro day in March (see CBSSports.com).

Not exactly a guy worth reaching for. Nice one, Seahawks.

Grade: D