5/6/12
From Ron Taylor, Salt Lake City, Utah
“What are your thoughts on the Broncos’ draft? I’m mildly disappointed. “
I can see why you feel that way. They didn’t really take any players who bring a lot of excitement with them, but I think they put together a solid draft class.
I really like Derek Wolfe. He was my favorite sleeper prospect in the draft, and I think he’ll be a good defensive tackle for Denver. My inclination was for him to be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense.
There shouldn’t be the expectations for Wolfe to be a stud right away. He needed some time at the college level and that could be the case in the NFL.
I think that Brock Osweiler is a good developmental quarterback. He has lots of potential with John Elway, Peyton Manning and Mike McCoy to learn from. That should help make up for his lack of starting experience.
I think the most important part of Osweiler’s development is Manning staying healthy and in the lineup. That will give the Broncos time to bring Osweiler along slowly.
Aside from those two picks, Denver did OK. I’m not a big Ronnie Hillman fan. I think Omar Bolden could be a steal if he stays healthy and returns to his pre-injury form. Malik Jackson has potential, and Danny Trevathan is a very underrated linebacker. At worst, he’ll be a good special teams player.
Overall, I think the Broncos did well. It would have been nice to see them add two quality defensive tackles since they are so weak up the middle.
From Brad Meyers, Racine, Wisconsin
“I thought the Packers had a great draft class. I think you should’ve had them landing the best draft class instead of the Steelers.”
The Packers were on the short list. The reason why I went with the Steelers was the potential foundation they put in place for the next decade on their lines.
I think Green Bay had a superb draft and once again Ted Thompson proved that he is one of, if not, the best general manager in the NFL. The Packers stayed patient and landed a good edge rusher at the end of the first round in Nick Perry.
I wasn’t a big fan of Jerel Worthy, but as a five-technique in the Cullen Jenkins role, I think Worthy could thrive. Casey Hayward was another one of my favorite sleeper prospects. Green Bay’s defense has thrived off creating turnovers and Hayward is a ballhawk that will be a perfect fit.
In my 2013 mock draft, I’ve had the Packers picking 32nd overall, so you can tell that I think highly of what they did in the draft and the team they’re fielding next season.
From Lance Smith, Boston, MA
“The Patriots got a steal in Alfonzo Dennard. I think that was one of the best picks in the entire draft. He was considered a first rounder for a long-time and never lower than a second day guy. To get him in round 7 was awesome.”
Dennard going to New England was an interesting pick, and he could turn into a tremendous steal. First of all, Dennard has to avoid jail time after his arrest the week before the draft for assaulting a cop. Secondly, he is going to need some time to adjust to the Patriots’ scheme.
Dennard played a lot of press-man coverage for Nebraska where he jammed receivers at the line of scrimmage. Dennard would drop into zone or stay in man coverage with the receivers.
At the Senior Bowl, Dennard was forced to play off of the line of scrimmage, and he was out of his comfort zone. Dennard really struggled to flip his hips to turn and run with receivers. He also had a hip injury during the week.
With the Patriots, Dennard is going to have to become reliable at lining up in a variety of places. After he does that, Dennard can compete for playing time. I agree that the pick has the makings of steal, but Dennard is not a sure thing from a legal or football perspective.
From James Conklin, Ferndale, Michigan
“Who would you compare Ryan Broyles to and how do you think he will fit in the Lions passing game? “
That is a good question. It can be tough to come up with good player comparisons some times, but Broyles reminds me of a smaller version of Isaac Bruce. I’m not saying that Broyles will have as good a career as Bruce, but their playing styles are similar.
Right now, it is tough to say how exactly Broyles will fit in the Lions’ offense. I think that he could replace Nate Burleson in the long term. Broyles could line up on the outside with Titus Young in the slot.
Broyles and Young could be good complements to Calvin Johnson. The duo won’t bring a lot of size to the table, but they should rip off yards in chunks with receptions in the intermediate to deep part of the field. Matthew Stafford throwing to Johnson, Young and Broyles could turn into an aerial attack similar to the Greatest Show on Turf that the Rams used to have.
From Glenn Stuart, Edinburgh, Scotland
“I have a question about the Redskins draft. Everyone focuses on the Griffin and Cousins picks. What do you think about the other players the Skins drafted? “
Nice to have a question from Scotland. Ten years ago I lived in Edinburgh for a year, and I miss the city and Scottish friends. One day, I hope to go back and visit.
As for the Redskins, I think they had some quality picks on the third day. I believe the Cousins pick was a mistake, but they landed some nice scheme fits after that.
Keenan Robinson is a tough linebacker who has speed and athletic ability. He didn’t really play up to his potential as a senior for Texas. Robinson looked better as a junior, but he should provide nice depth for Washington. Robinson could be a good understudy for London Fletcher.
I really liked the pick of guard Adam Gettis from Iowa. He is a perfect fit in the Redskins’ zone-blocking system. Gettis is super fast and athletic, so he will be able to move off the line of scrimmage in the moving wall of zone-blocking plays. Gettis and third-round guard Josh LeRibeus could form a nice duo for Washington.
Honestly, I didn’t watch running back Alfred Morris as much as many of the other running back prospects. However, he has speed and quickness. Morris could be a nice complement to Roy Helu.
I would have liked the Redskins’ draft better if they had taken Utah State running back Robert Turbin instead of Kirk Cousins in the fourth round.
From William Johnson, Waco, Texas
“Outside of the first round there seemed like a lot picks that were reaches. At point do you think teams started going off the board and as a result pushed players like Lamar Miller, Orson Charles, Bobby Massie, Ronnell Lewis and Brandon Boykin into the fourth round?”
That’s a good question.
Aside from Bruce Irvin through, the first two rounds were comprised of first- or second-round picks. In the third round, it felt like teams really started to go off the board and reach for players. Houston’s DeVier Posey, Buffalo’s T.J. Graham, Jacksonville’s Bryan Anger, Miami’s Olivier Vernon, Chicago’s Brandon Hardin, Cleveland’s John Hughes and New Orleans’ Akiem Hicks were all reaches in my opinion.
That being said, I had one NFL general manager tell me that after the second round, his team was drafting players based on who it liked/wanted the most. Some teams are more strict to their boards than others. When teams deviate away from the board and pick a player based on their preference that is when you get some surprising picks who could be considered reaches.
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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NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
