NFL Draft 2012 Live: Pick-by-Pick Analysis of Every Second Round Selection
Follow along here live as we give you a pick-by-pick breakdown of the entire second round of the 2012 NFL draft:
No. 1 (33): St. Louis Rams: WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State
An interesting selection, especially with all the talented receivers still on the board. However, Quick has a lot of upside and could be a No. 1 guy down the road if the Rams handle him right early on.
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No. 2 (34): Indianapolis Colts: TE Coby Fleener, Stanford
The Colts reunite Fleener with former quarterback Andrew Luck, giving Indianapolis their new Peyton Manning and Dallas Clark combination on offense for 2012. Smart pick, even if Courtney Upshaw would have gave the Colts a building block on defense.
No. 3 (35): Baltimore Ravens (From Vikings): LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Really good fit for Upshaw. He'll take the place of Jarret Johnson, who started forever in Baltimore but bolted to San Diego this offseason. The former Alabama star won't be given a heavy load on an already talented defense, either.
No. 4 (36): Denver Broncos (From Buccaneers): DT Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
Denver hits the nail on the head in terms of positional need, but some will consider Wolfe a reach at No. 36 overall. Others had Wolfe as a fringe first-rounder, so overall the value fits. It's a hard pick to knock given how little the Broncos currently have at defensive tackle.
No. 5 (37): Cleveland Browns: T Mitchell Schwartz, California
Right tackle is an area of need for the Browns, so Schwartz should be considered a plug-and-play pick here at No. 37. There may not be a ceiling for Schwartz to play on the left side, but with All-Pro Joe Thomas in Cleveland, the Browns shouldn't need the former Cal tackle to do anything but hold down the right side.
No. 6 (38): Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Andre Branch, Clemson
Receiver and defensive end were the Jaguars two biggest needs coming into this draft, and taking Branch after Justin Blackmon in the first round crosses off both for GM Gene Smith. There's a stigma around the league regarding Clemson players, but Branch is good value for Jacksonville here at No. 38 overall.
No. 7 (39): St. Louis Rams (From Redskins): CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
The troubled cornerback finally has a home. St. Louis used one of its three second-rounders on Jenkins, who has top-10 talent on the field but red flags galore off it. At this point in the draft, head coach Jeff Fisher could take the risk. If he can keep Jenkins clean, Fisher probably has a Pro Bowl cornerback on his roster.
No. 8 (40): Carolina Panthers: G Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
Some compared Silatolu to Larry Allen, the Cowboys Hall of Fame guard, during the pre-draft process. While he'll come into the NFL as a raw prospect, there's enough talent here to think Silatolu can start right away for the Panthers. I would have liked Carolina to go defense again here, but getting a potential Pro Bowl caliber player in the second round is good value.
No. 9 (41): Buffalo Bills: G/T Cordy Glenn, Georgia
An absolute steal for the Bills, who rolled the dice by taking Stephon Gilmore in the first round despite a major hole on the left side of the offensive line. Getting Glenn in the second round fills that hole, even if some think the former Georgia offensive lineman is better suited to play inside. Good versatility, good value.
No. 10 (42): Miami Dolphins: T Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Dolphins get the former blindside protector of Andrew Luck at Stanford to hold down the right side of the offensive line in Miami. A fringe first-round talent, Martin gives Miami bookend tackles with Pro Bowl potential. Plug-and-play guy opposite Jake Long.
No. 11 (43): New York Jets (from Seahawks): WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech
Many considered Hill a late first-rounder after he tore up the NFL combine. That never materialized, but the Jets stopped his fall when they gave a few mid-round picks to the Seattle Seahawks to move up and take Hill at No. 43 overall. With few options outside Santonio Holmes at receiver, the Jets needed to make a move for a pass-catcher in the second round.
No. 12 (44): Kansas City Chiefs: G Jeff Allen, Illinois
Thought Kansas City could have went with David DeCastro in the first round, but they get a starting quality guard here with Allen. The Chiefs can plug him in at left guard and feel good about their offensive line moving forward. Smart pick.
No. 13 (45): Chicago Bears (from Rams): WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
Jeffery will team with offseason pickup Brandon Marshall to give the Bears a pair of physically imposing receivers. Offensive line is still an issue, especially at left tackle, but I won't knock the Jeffery selection. If Jay Cutler gets protection next season, he'll have a career year.
No. 14 (46): Philadelphia Eagles: LB Mychal Kendricks, Cal
The Eagles go defense again at No. 26 overall, taking one of the draft's underrated defensive players in Kendricks. He's undersized, but there's a lot to like about Kendricks playing in Philadelphia behind one of the game's best defensive lines. Really solid choice for the Eagles here.
No. 15 (47): Seattle Seahawks (from Jets): LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State
Wagner is a big, fast linebacker who tested well during the pre-draft process and should compete right away for a starting job in Seattle. His ceiling is high, and the value in the middle portion of the second round is good.
No. 16 (48): New England Patriots (From Raiders): S Tavon Wilson, Illinois
Few had Wilson rated near the second round, but the Patriots must like his versatility to play cornerback and safety. Wilson marks the first pick outside Mike Mayock's top 100, so it's only natural to call this selection a reach.
No. 17 (49): San Diego Chargers: DT Kendall Reyes, UConn
Another value pick for the Chargers on the defensive side of the ball. Reyes will be a defensive end in San Diego's 3-4 front, but that's a position he played at times at Connecticut. The Chargers have likely gotten two starters defensively in this draft.
The Rams might be getting their final touches from workhorse back Steven Jackson, so taking another player at the position makes sense for them here. While Pead may never be the three-down back Jackson was, he is an instant homerun threat.
No. 19 (51): Green Bay Packers (from Eagles): DL Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
Some had a first-round grade on Worthy, but his motor ran hot and cold at Michigan State. If the Packers can keep his motor running hot, Worthy can be one of the draft's top defensive linemen. First-rounder Nick Perry and Worthy are solid choices for Green Bay.
No. 20 (52): Tennessee Titans: LB Zach Brown, UNC
Super athletic and near the top for 4-3 outside linebackers, but Brown avoids contact and may be a severe liability against the run in the NFL. Tennessee needs to toughen him up to handle the pro game.
No. 21 (53): Cincinnati Bengals: DT Devon Still, Penn State
Really good pick for the Bengals, who get a first-round quality defensive tackle in Still at No. 53 overall. Like Worthy, Still's motor ran hot and cold at times at Penn State. When he's on his game, few were better in the trenches in college football over the last two seasons.
No. 22 (54): Detroit Lions: WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
Broyles is coming off an ACL injury but should be ready for the 2012 season. Before the injury, many considered him a first-round quality pass-catcher. The Lions are loading up on receivers, much like their division rivals over in Green Bay have done so successfully the past few years.
No. 23 (55): Atlanta Falcons: C Peter Konz, Wisconsin
Injury red flags dropped Konz down the board, but the Falcons get a young anchor inside with the former Wisconsin center. If he can stay on the field and negate his 6-foot-5 frame, Konz gives the Falcons a 10-year starter up front.
No. 24 (56): Pittsburgh Steelers: T Mike Adams, Ohio State
Failed a drug test at the combine and suffered through some inconsistency at Ohio State, but few human beings at his size are as athletic and fleet of foot. The Steelers could afford to take a risk on Adams here given his ceiling to be a starting left tackle at the next level.
No. 25 (57): Denver Broncos: QB Brock Osweiler, Arizona State
Peyton Manning has a limited NFL shelf life, so the Broncos cover their bases by getting a developmental quarterback here in the second round. Give Osweiler 2-3 years behind Manning and the Broncos could have a real player once Manning moves on. Solid move, even if it came a little higher than the board dictates.
No. 26 (58): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Texans): LB Lavonte David, Nebraska
David is undersized but made a lion's share of plays at Nebraska. The Bucs will need to protect David with big defensive lineman up front if they plan on starting him right away. Should be an outside linebacker at the NFL level.
The Eagles take a page out of the Giants' book with another pass-rusher at defensive end here. If Curry can put it all together at the next level, Philly is going to be hard to block up front for the pass-happy teams in the NFC.
No. 28 (60): Baltimore Ravens: G/T Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
Osemele played left tackle at Iowa State, but we're guessing the Ravens want him inside at the next level. Baltimore has a number of question marks along the offensive line, and Osemele should be a guy the Ravens feel comfortable playing early on at a number of positions.
No. 29 (61): San Francisco 49ers: RB LaMichael James, Oregon
The 49ers continue to load up in the backfield with James. Going into 2012, San Francisco will have a mix of James, Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Brandon Jacobs carrying the rock next season. Good value, but interesting pick.
The Packers may be the biggest winner in this draft so far. Heyward is a cornerback by trade but I'm guessing Green Bay will move him to safety. If he catches on quick, Heyward could be the answer for Nick Collins' departure.
No. 31 (63): New York Giants: WR Rueben Randle, LSU
Taking Randle at the end of the second round is a good value for the Giants. Many thought he could be a late first-rounder, but the former LSU receiver should make a fine replacement for free-agent departure Mario Manningham.
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