4/9/12
From Michael Morris, Jefferson City, Missouri
“Big fan of the site and a huge Chiefs fan. What are your thoughts on the Chiefs drafting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Could they possibly move up to the 7th spot if he is still there? My personal opinion they have too much talent to not make a serious run in the next couple years, but I don’t see it happening with Cassel. Stanford guard David DeCastro would be a nice consolation though.”
I think the Chiefs landing Tannehill is a real possibility. Kansas City is holding a pre-draft visit with Tannehill and they need a long-term franchise quarterback. I agree with you that the Chiefs have built up some talent on their roster, and they addressed their biggest need by signing Eric Winston to fill the void at right tackle. Kansas City does not have a lot of needs on their roster so they can be more aggressive with giving up picks to land Tannehill.
They could groom Tannehill for a season or two behind Matt Cassel depending on how the veteran plays next year. Moving from 11 to seven is not a huge jump, so the compensation should be reasonable. The Jaguars could pick up another second-day pick, and if they miss out on Melvin Ingram, they should be able to land Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd. The trade makes a lot of sense for both teams. It mainly depends on Tannehill convincing the Chiefs’ decision-makers that he is the guy for them to build the franchise around.
From Ben Jackson, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“I’m a huge Ravens fan. For the past month or so, it seems like every single mock draft I’ve seen has had us taking center Peter Konz from Wisconsin. While I think he would be a fine pick, I could also see another team in the 20s taking him before our pick. The guy I really want is Dont’a Hightower, but he could also be gone. Who else could the Ravens consider at #29? Maybe a receiver or edge rusher to replace Jarrett Johnson?”
The projection of Peter Konz to the Ravens has become routine because it makes a lot of sense. Konz can replace Ben Grubbs at guard in the immediate future and slide over to center when Matt Birk is done in the next year or two. Still, you’re right that Konz could be off the board. A team could take him in front of Baltimore and there are plenty of teams that need centers that could move up in the draft in order to land him, so I agree with you that Konz could go earlier in the 20s.
The Ravens could go a lot of different directions if Konz is off the board. I doubt that Hightower will be there for them, but he would be a great understudy to Ray Lewis as he finishes out his career. Hightower has pass rush ability so he also could be an immediate candidate to replace Johnson.
If Konz and Hightower are gone, Baltimore could target an offensive tackle as Bryant McKinnie is no youngster. Ohio State’s Mike Adams might be an option worth considering. The Ravens have the coaching staff and veterans to get the most out of him. If Stanford’s Jonathan Martin falls, he would be a good pick to be their long-term left tackle. They also could look at a receiver like Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill or a safety like Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith. The Ravens could use players at both of those positions.
If they want a pass rushing outside linebacker, they should have a few options there as well in the form of Boise State’s Shea McClellin, Marshall’s Vinny Curry or Oklahoma’s Ronnell Lewis. All of them would be good scheme fits.
From Robert Clifford (@islandboy35)
“Big fan Charlie. What are your thoughts on OLB/DE Cordarro Law from Southern Mississippi. Like the kid and hope a team takes a chance.”
While Cordarro Law sounds like the name of a legal comedy starring George Lopez, he actually is an underrated draft prospect. Law (6-2, 261) was a good pass-rusher at Southern Miss. He really stepped up with a massive game on the road at Houston to help Southern Miss win their conference championship. As a senior, he had 64 tackles with 22 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Law has some natural pass-rush ability. He is quick and athletic, and has some nice moves to get past offensive tackles. Law had a reputation as lacking a work ethic until his senior season. I think he would be best as a 3-4 outside linebacker prospect. I have him going in the fifth or sixth round. A team could develop him as a backup and see if he can become a pass-rusher in the NFL like he was at college.
From Chester Morris, Bakersfield, California
“Considering all the mid to late round running backs that turn into good pro running backs, why should a team take one in the first round?”
That is a good question and it is inarguable that teams can land good running backs after the first round in the NFL Draft. My personal opinion is that the only teams that should really target a first round running back are playoff contenders. A running back in the first round carries a five-year contract. That back could help push a playoff contender over the hump and make them a Super Bowl winner/contender. Teams that need to rebuild their roster shouldn’t take a running back early in the draft. They can take another top talent at another position and target a good back on the second or third day of the draft. By the time the rest of the roster is ready to make a big postseason run, that running back could be slowing down.
By the end of their rookie contract, many backs are nearing the end of the line. Look at the 2005 NFL Draft. Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams all went in the top five. None of them got a ring for their teams, and by the time they were hitting free agency, there was barely any market for the veterans. Reggie Bush (second overall in 2006) was a complementary piece to the Saints’ championship and has been traded away. Darren McFadden (fourth overall in 2008) has dealt with a lot of injuries for Oakland and hasn’t been the offensive force that was expected. When his rookie deal is done, who knows what he’ll have left?
There is the occasional running back who blows by conventional thought because of their overwhelming talent. Trent Richardson could fit that model. Cleveland needs an offensive identity, and he would provide it while making Colt McCoy’s job a lot easier. The Browns have to get some elite talent in order to be competitive with the Ravens, Steelers and Bengals. Tampa Bay hasn’t selected a Pro Bowler in the last five drafts and is the only team in the NFC South that hasn’t taken a Pro Bowler in that time. Richardson could break that streak as early as his rookie season. There are no absolutes in the NFL Draft, but as a rule of thumb it is better to take running backs after the first round.
From Caleb, Seattle, Washington
“First off let me thank you for offering such a great resource for sports junkies for free on the web. On to my main question, do you think there is any chance that the New York Jets could select Jonathan Martin or Riley Reiff with the 16th pick in the draft? Wayne Hunter is an obvious liability and I think it could happen. What are your thoughts on that proposal? ”
I think that right tackle is a dark-horse pick for the Jets in the first round. You’re right that they need to find an upgrade over Wayne Hunter. I doubt that they take Martin with their first-rounder, unless they trade down because he would be a reach at 16. Plus they have more pressing needs at outside linebacker and safety.
The Jets could find good value and a potential starting right tackle on the second day of the draft. Perhaps New York could land Ole Miss tackle Bobby Massie in the second round. They also could look at Iowa State’s Kelechi Osemele or Florida State’s Zebrie Sanders in the second round. In the third, they could consider Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz or Illinois’ Jeff Allen. The best value for New York would probably to go after a right tackle in Round 2 or 3 while landing a defensive upgrade in the first round.
From twitter Zach Szczepanski (@zacsepanski)
“Lions see no possibility to re-sign DE Cliff Avril long-term. Any chance he could be traded draft day for a 1st or 2nd round pick?”
You’re right about Avril’s contract. As Anwar Richardson wrote the Lions are unlikely to sign Avril to a long-term deal. In order to trade Avril, Detroit would have to do a sign and trade with the other team most likely working out a long-term deal with Avril in a time window of a few days, or the deal would be off. If the Lions were to go that route they should be able to land a first-round pick plus some other picks.
While they might get a nice haul, it doesn’t look like the Lions are interested in that. They will pay Avril on the one-year tender and keep their talented defensive line in place. Giving up a young double-digit sacker for an unknown rookie defensive end is too risky. It make take a year or two before a long-term deal is worked out, but I would bet that Avril is in Detroit for the long haul. Avril wants to stay and the Lions want to keep him.
Once again send questions/comments via email [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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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
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