4/3/12
From twitter Bo (@chifan414)
“Are there any offensive tackles who will go in rounds 2-3 who can be a left tackle in the league? Or do they all project as right tackles?”
That is a good question. Every year there are teams that need left tackles but are unable to land one in the first round. In the 2012 NFL Draft, Detroit, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Baltimore could all fit that description. Like most years, there aren’t many left tackle prospects after the first round this year.
The best left tackle fit on the second day of the NFL Draft could be Illinois’ Jeff Allen. He is a good athlete with quickness. Allen looks like he could have the skill set to stay on the blind side in the NFL. A mid-round sleeper who could be a left tackle if he is developed properly is Troy’s James Brown. He showed some potential at the Senior Bowl. Outside of those two, the majority of tackles look like they would be a potential liability on the left side and would perform better at right tackle.
From twitter Justin Wall (@jwalluww)
“I heard a rumor about Miami trading up to No. 3 for Texas A&M quarterback Tannehill, completely absurd. Any truth to this?”
Even though Tannehill’s stock has been on the rise that seems awfully high for him, but that rumor has picked up some steam after Tannehill impressed teams at his Pro Day. Leading up to the draft, if it becomes clear that the Browns are likely to take him, at that point the Dolphins would have to think of trading up with the Vikings if they’ve want to land Tannehill. Miami has some ammo to move up after trading Brandon Marshall to Chicago.
However, the Dolphins can sit at No. 8 and still hope to land Tannehill. Cleveland is the only team in the top seven that could potentially take Tannehill, but it sounds like the Browns are more inclined to take Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon. Miami would have some worries that Jacksonville would trade down from No. 7 for a team that wants Tannehill, but if the Dolphins play it cool, there is a real possibility they could land Tannehill without trading up. Plus, there isn’t a clear candidate for another team to jump ahead of Miami and take Tannehill.
From Shawn Reimer, Lightbridge, Canada
“I would just like to say that I am huge fan of your site. I also have a question for your Draft Mail Bag. Do you think that at pick 27 of the first round the New England Patriots would consider drafting Peter Konz, C from Wisconsin? The Pats currently have a big need at center and a player like Konz could be the final peace in a new younger Patriots offensive line. Not to mention Konz has the size and versatility that Bill Belichick looks for in the linemen.”
You definitely can’t rule out the Patriots taking an offensive lineman early in the draft. Konz would be a nice long-term starter who they could land late in the first round. The problem with New England drafting Konz would be the team neglecting its defense.
The Patriots need defensive linemen along with help at corner and safety. New England already addressed its offense with Brandon Lloyd and by re-signing Wes Welker. The defense is really what is holding the team back, so using both first-rounders to upgrade the stop unit looks like a better route to getting an immediate impact and improving a weakness that could prevent a potential return to the Super Bowl.
Furthermore, there are a number of teams that could use a center so Konz may not make it to 27.
From Sal Salito, Sussex, New Jersey
How does trading for Tim Tebow change the Jets draft?
I don’t think the Tebow trade will have a big impact on the Jets’ draft. They still need a pass rusher, a running back and a wide receiver. Perhaps Tebow’s ability to fake a run and air out a deep ball will have them target receivers who have the speed to burn defenders downfield. New York wants a ground and pound offense, so getting a running back for that style is critical.
Right now, I think the Jets’ draft will target a pass-rusher in the first round with a running back and wideout to follow on the second day. The team should be able to land a quality runner and receiver in the second and third round, respectively.
From twitter Rickie Hodges (@snoophodge) and Cal (@icemanCal)
Could Ronnell Lewis be a fit for the Raiders? Where do you see Mitchell Schwartz going? Any chance he falls to the Raiders at 95?”
There is no chance that Lewis makes it to Oakland’s first pick at the end of the third round. Oakland can’t trade up from that pick because it is a compensatory pick. In Lewis’ interview with Walter Football, he revealed that he would make pre-draft visits to Dallas, San Diego and the New York Jets. Lewis also has received interest from the Patriots and Packers. At worst, he looks like an early second-round pick.
The Raiders could target a pass-rusher at the end of round three. Walt has the Raiders taking Troy’s Jonathan Massaquoi in his mock.
As for Schwartz, I’ve been projecting him to go in the third round for a while now. I do think there is a chance that he falls to the Raiders, but I would say the odds favor him getting drafted before Oakland is on the clock.
From Jared Campbell, Katy, Texas
“I hate seeing the mock drafts of the Texans taking a wide receiver in the first round! There’s much better value with a linebacker or offensive linemen. I think Joe Adams from Arkansas in the third would be a way better alternative. What do you think?”
I think the wide receivers in the first round would bring a good value to Houston. The Texans may be able to land Baylor’s Kendall Wright or Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill and either would be a nice addition to the team’s offense. Sources have indicated that wide receiver is Houston’s only real need. They also feel that the Texans’ zone-blocking system allows them to plug in offensive linemen and have success. Outside of left tackle, the value of taking a lineman in the first round is diminished for Houston.
Depending on how the draft falls, there could be a good linebacker available for the Texans, and if he is the best player available, I think they could easily take him. However, the team likes its young pass-rushers in Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin. With J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing, Houston has a nice group of pass-rushers.
Receiver is the bigger need as Andre Johnson is aging, and the Texans don’t really have a real difference-maker behind him. Wright may be the ideal pick if he makes it to their pick. Sources have indicated that aside from receiver, Houston will be going with the top talents available because the team doesn’t feel that it has any other needs.
From Arthur Gulinello, South Boston, Massachusetts
“Dear Charlie, I have enjoyed Walter Football for a year and a half after my brother Paul turned me on to the site. I’m a big Patriots fan and the last couple of weeks what I’ve heard up here is that the Patriots need a five technique defensive end more than anything else. They have still not replaced Richard Seymour. Are there any good five technique candidates for New England in this draft?”
There are a lot of five-technique candidates for the Patriots to consider in the first and second round. LSU’s Michael Brockers would be perfect, but he may not get to New England’s picks. In the first, the team could consider Devon Still from Penn State or Jerel Worthy from Michigan State. On the second day, the Patriots could target Cincinnati’s Derek Wolfe, Clemson’s Brandon Thompson or Boise State’s Billy Winn.
There are a lot of good five-techniques in this draft. Here is a link to our rankings of [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag Archive:
2013 NFL Draft Mailbag - June 16
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - May 20
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - May 15
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - May 6
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - April 24
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - April 16
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - April 9
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - April 3
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - March 25
2012 NFL Draft Mailbag - March 15
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2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
