NFL Draft 2012: Early Word on Drafts Top Picks

We are coming into full swing of off-season works for all NFL teams across the country. 

During this time, we get our first look at the season's upcoming rookies, hoping to catch a glimpse of what they could possibly do this season. For the most part, a lot of the concentration is on the top two picks of the draft as they both look forward to starting from opening kickoff. 

Andrew Luck, first pick of the draft for the Indianapolis Colts, and Robert Griffin III, last season's Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick of the Washington Redskins, both have enormous pressure on them heading into their rookie campaigns. 

Luck has the daunting task of trying to lead the Colts back to AFC supremacy after the disastrous year in 2011 and the departure of multiple-time MVP winning, recording setting Quarterback Peyton Manning to the Denver Broncos this past off-season. 

Griffin will be attempting to right the ship that is the Redskins' recent misfortunes.  Head coach Mike Shanahan and the Redskins traded away their next couple of drafts in order to move up to the number two pick in the 2012 draft to select Griffin.  If that isn't pressure, it's hard to tell what is.

However compelling Luck and Griffin's off-seasons may be, they are not the only rookies under pressure in the early stages of team workouts. 

Here is what the word on the street is about the top draft picks from the 2012 draft.

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Top pick of the draft Andrew Luck comes into Colts camp under immense pressure to perform.  Most of this pressure comes externally, however, as fans have grown accustomed to watching Peyton Manning slinging a football around for over a decade. 

Now, they must sit back and hope for the best from one of the most highly praised draft picks in the modern era.

However, even with all the hype surrounding the Stanford protege coming into his rookie season in Indianapolis, the transition has been slow going for Luck and the Colts.

Word on the street says:

Besides the fact that Luck has already been handed the starting spot by Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, not to mention the fact that Luck's name will forever be synonymous with Stanford football,  Luck hasn't been around for much of the Colts' early off-season workouts due to having to finish his schooling before he can join the team.

Although his time with the Colts this off-season has been limited due to school, Luck has already impressed the coaching staff with his insight for the game and comfort running a huddle, even though this is his first taste of big league experience. To impress a coaching staff that is accustomed to seeing Peyton Manning run the offense is something to be proud of for the future of the franchise.

Luck has a tremendous amount of pressure on him already.  However, if he keeps up the quality work he has done thus far, Luck's success could grow by leaps and bounds earlier than expected. 

Robert Griffin III, QB Washington Redskins

If there is one person that has garnered more attention than the number one overall pick, Luck, it's the second overall pick, Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins. 

Since being drafted by the Redskins, Griffin has had numerous magazine covers and multiple endorsement deals; his face is everywhere the NFL is mentioned.  Needless to say, Griffin has gained quite a reputation for being media friendly and is just a few short weeks into his professional career.

However popular Griffin is off the field, he is just as popular with his teammates and coaches on it.

Word on the street says:

Griffin has gained respect from his peers on the field during the Redskins mini-camp drills last week.

In a report by Sporting News, Redskins veteran wide receiver Santana Moss inserted a bit of praise on the young gunslinger, stating:

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            "He's been doing everything that we expect. He's looking sharp. He don't look like a rookie right now," Moss began.

"

Moss is one of the most highly respected receivers in the league, who has also seen his fair share of quarterbacks come and go with his career taking him primarily through the New York Jets and Redskins organizations.  Gaining his respect is a big stepping stone for Griffin's potential success in Washington.

Griffin getting Moss on his side is crucial as Moss' word could go a long way with the rest of the organization due to his veteran leadership and years of experience. 

RG3 has some good hype surrounding him early in the off-season, but by all reports, he is meeting, even exceeding, those expectation.

Ryan Tannehill, QB Miami Dolphins

This year's drafted quarterbacks have a lot of pressure on them.

First, Luck is trying to fill the shoes that Peyton Manning left. Then, Robert Griffin III is trying to lead Washington out of the bottom of the NFC . 

Now, we have Ryan Tannehill trying to make Miami forget that they once had one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in Dan Marino and have yet to find anyone to replace him since.

Thirteen years and 16 quarterbacks later, the Dolphins are still in search of a strong replacement for Marino.  Miami took a gamble in drafting Tannehill, something many experts wrote off as another experiment that will ultimately fail. 

Although Tannehill is still learning the ropes in the NFL, his teammates are quite impressed with his learning curve thus far into team drills.

Word on the street says:

Even Matt Moore, the guy who Tannehill is fighting a starting spot with, is impressed by the young guy.

In this report on ESPN, Moore had some high praise for his competition saying:

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"He's quiet right now, but you can tell he's definitely a quality, quality player. I'm looking forward to getting to see him play more."

"

Having the coaching staff praise you is one thing, but when your competition is giving you that kind of praise, Tannehill must be doing something pretty well so far. 

Trent Richardson, RB Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns dealt a number of draft picks to the Minnesota Vikings to move up one slot in the draft to ensure they could draft their man, Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

Logically speaking, the Browns had a lot of holes to fill, so picking the best available prospect was the best way to go.  Unfortunately for Richardson, one famous former Browns running back doesn't quite see what the front office sees in him.

Word on the street says:

Football great Jim Brown has recently commented on how he feels Richardson will fit into the Browns' struggling system. 

Not only did Brown sound off on Richardson the day he was drafted by Cleveland, but he also took aim at Browns resident Mike Holmgren.

On Richardson, Brown stated:

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"I think the kid is a good working back, and if you've got everything else around him he can play his role. But when it comes to 'outstanding,' I don't see anything outstanding about him.

"

Brown has been a little bitter since Holmgren relieved him of being an "executive adviser," but if one of the great running backs in NFL history is questioning your talents, Richardson has to be motivated to prove Brown wrong.

Morris Claiborne, CB Dallas Cowboys

Dallas desperately needed secondary help entering the draft.  In order to meet that need, the Cowboys drafted LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne in hopes that he could produce the same success that former teammate, Patrick Peterson, did last year for the Arizona Cardinals.

Going into the selection, the Cowboys knew that Claiborne was recovering from wrist surgery to repair damaged ligaments.  However, Claiborne felt confident in his rehab progression to hope to return to team activities for the team's mandatory mini-camp June 12.

Unfortunately, that no longer seems likely.

Word on the street says:

Now, it is looking less and less probable that Claiborne will be anywhere near 100 percent until at least late July, right in the swing of Cowboys training camp.

Claiborne, obviously, is disappointed that his rehab isn't progressing as well as he would have liked, but he is remaining optimistic about being able to go this summer.

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"I don't like it, but I know it's what's best for me in the long run and what's best for the team,"

"

Give Claiborne credit for not rushing into action knowing he isn't ready to go. He very well could call it good in order to gain respect from his peers and the coaching staff, but he is playing it safe.

In the end, the Cowboys should be grateful he is taking the time he needs to heal, because if he were to rush back, there's no telling how detrimental it could be to the Cowboys' defensive prospects were he to hurry back.

He may just be a rookie, but he's showing veteran savvy.