2012 NFL Draft: Colts Building Offense, Buccaneers Doing Work, and More

Rounds 2 and 3have come and gone and we're starting to find some clarity in regards to what teams are trying to do with their selections. 

Here are five things I took away from Friday evening. 

The Colts Are Building Their Offense First

I understand if Colts fans feel like they've been a bit led on up to this point. For the past couple months they've listened to their new head coach talk about building a tough, tenacious defense—and have watched as their general manager apparently builds up the offense. 

Personally, I love what Ryan Grigson is doing. Tabbing tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen seems like a nod to how the Patriots have exploited defenses with their own athletic tight ends, creating mismatches all over the field. Throw in T.Y. Hilton, the speedy (clocked at 4.34 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day) receiver, and Andrew Luck starts his NFL career with a fighting chance. 

Bold or Insane? Jaguars Take A Punter In the Third Round

One need look no further than last year's NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl to see how valuable a punter can be. Steve Weatherford constantly shifted field position, giving the 49ers and Patriots deep holes to dig out of drive after drive.

With that said, taking a punter in the third round, even one with a leg like Cal's Bryan Anger, seems like an incredible misapplication of resources. This is the kind of pick that could get general manager Gene Smith fired. 

The Broncos May Have Gotten Their Post-Manning Quarterback

Peyton Manning will realistically give the Broncos three or four years—at most. Broncos GM John Elway tabbed Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler as the apparent successor for whenever Manning steps down. 

The 6'7" Osweiler is extremely raw, but I really like his upside. He is the definition of a developmental prospect who will actually be given a chance to develop, rather than being asked to jump in and lead a team his rookie year. Unlike Ryan Tannehill in Miami, he will be allowed to learn and grow on the practice field and in the classroom. 

Who Is Running the Bengals and What Have They Done With Mike Brown?

Ever since the Bengals fleeced the Raiders in the Carson Palmer trade, Cincinnati has quietly put together a quality free agency period followed by an excellent start to the 2012 draft. 

From Dre Kirkpatrick to Kevin Zeitler to Devon Still to Mohamed Sanu, the Bengals continue to bring in talented prospects without throwing away picks to do so. 

Maybe Marvin Lewis finally locked Brown in a closet. Whatever's going on, the Bengals should be an improved team from the one that bowed out in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs in 2011. 

Tampa Bay Is Doing Work

In taking Mark Barron, Doug Martin and Lavonte David, the Bucs have gotten three tough, physical, versatile guys. New head coach Greg Schiano is slowly putting his mark on this team, and it is clear he knows what he wants and intends to get it. 

This is a team that was talented enough to come within a whisper of the playoffs just two years ago. They fell apart last year for a number of reasons, one of which was an apparent acceptance of mediocrity. Schiano is instilling a different attitude and he'll be helped by getting three guys who eat, sleep and breath football.