Your team's 2012 draft (1 Viewer)

[Hooper31]

SEATTLE:

Here are the players contributing from this year's draft class in Seattle. Its hard as a Seattle fan not to get excited about the future. They nailed the draft since Pete Carroll and John Schneider have taken control of the franchise. This draft was PANNED by nearly every pundit except Greg Cosell who had the wisdom to say "We'll see". Can you evaluate a draft any sooner than three or four years after the fact? Perhaps not, but we should have a much better idea half way through a season compared to no games at all like most draft grades.

1.15 DE Bruce Irvin

Leading rookies in sacks with 7. Huge contributions playing only passing downs.

2.15 LB Bobby Wagner

Leading the team in tackles from the mike.

3.12 QB Russell Wilson

Leading rookies in passing TDs with 15 and wins with 6. Given the notoriety of this class, that says a lot.

4.11 RB Robert Turbin

Regularly giving starter Lynch breaks in every game. Much better receiver than expected.

4.19 DT Jaye Howard

No contribution so far, but on the roster.

5.19 LB Korey Toomer

No contribution so far, but on the practice squad



6.02 CB Jeremy Lane

Becoming a leader on special teams as a gunner. Lost count of how many punts he's downed inside the 20. Also has prototype size for what Seattle wants to do at CB.

6.11 S Winston Guy

No contribution so far, but on the roster.

7.18 J.R. Sweezy

Started two games at the start of the year filling in for injured Moffitt and Carpenter.

7.25 DT Greg Scruggs

Two sacks filling in for injured Jason Jones.

Grade? How can we call this anything but an A so far?

 

[cheese]

Might do a write-up later, but the Bengals draft is mixed up. The best player we got is UDFA Vontaze Burfict. If all the players were tossed back in a hat today, he would be a first round pick. That is a good thing, considering our real 1st rounder, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, has been nonexistent in every possible way.

 

[snellman]

Vikings Draft has been Major contributors so far. Will put more detail into this later tonight.

 

[Hooper31]

The best player we got is UDFA Vontaze Burfict.

I guess at the time the red flags were just too overwhelming to take that chance. Ran a 5+ forty yard dash and tested positive for pot at the combine. Not a shocker that it was the Bengals took the flyer on him after the draft. Am I correct in my perception that Cincinnati takes more chances than other teams with players like Burfict?EDIT: I'm a poor spellur.

 

[Rick James]

Hard to tell for the Falcons. Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin) was drafted in the 2nd round and is starting at right guard.

The rest of the class was filled with un-sexy line of scrimmage guys. We'll see in ~2 years if any of them are worth anything.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Pretty ironic that this is one of Reid's better drafts

1.12 Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Good player. Probably best DL on the team, a lot of upside.

2.14 Mychal Kendricks, ILB, California

Good player. Great speed, 4th on team in tackles, huge upgrade over what they had.

2.27 Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

Incomplete. Too much depth at DE, hasn't played.

3.25 Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

Incomplete. QB wasn't a need position as they had 2 backup-quality players already. Unlikely he is a long term starter, but there's a chance.

4.28 Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Good player. Nice slot corner. Great value.

5.18 Dennis Kelly, OT, Purdue

Reach. Big body and that's about it. Starting at G due to injuries.

6.24 Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa

Practice squad. Fit the mold of what the team needed of a big WR, but couldn't see the field over UFA Damaris Johnson (who's even smaller than the WRs they have).

6.30 Brandon Washington, OG, Miami

Cut and signed with STL.

7.22 Bryce Brown, RB, Kansas State

Good player. Gambled on potential and hit. Has had big runs, and has played well all around (nice block on the Maclin TD yesterday).

 

[jdubs952]

1 32 David Wilson Running Back Virginia Tech

Give him the ### #### ball. I hope to see much more of him after the bye. The team's most talented runner.

2 63 Rueben Randle Wide Receiver LSU

Still looks like good value.

3 94 Jayron Hosley Cornerback Virginia Tech

Gambles but has flashed (also has gotten beat) I like him as a player.

4 127 Adrien Robinson Tight End Cincinnati

Project

131 Brandon Mosley Offensive Tackle Auburn

Trying to move him inside. Another project.

6 201 Matt McCants Offensive Tackle UAB

CUT

7 239 Markus Kuhn Defensive Tackle NC State

Getting reps and looks like a solid player. Weighs 300 lbs, but looks like he weights like 275. Not bad for a 7th round pick (he's a little older though)

 

[Dippa]

Hard to tell for the Falcons. Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin) was drafted in the 2nd round and is starting at right guard. The rest of the class was filled with un-sexy line of scrimmage guys. We'll see in ~2 years if any of them are worth anything.

The 1st and 4th rounders this year were part of the deal for Julio though. I liked the Konz and Massaquoi picks, but I agree, we'll see.

 

[Hooper31]

1 32 David Wilson Running Back Virginia TechGive him the ### #### ball. I hope to see much more of him after the bye. The team's most talented runner.

How much of this is trust in terms of ball security and blitz pickups? Are these issues?

 

[jdubs952]

1 32 David Wilson Running Back Virginia TechGive him the ### #### ball. I hope to see much more of him after the bye. The team's most talented runner.

How much of this is trust in terms of ball security and blitz pickups? Are these issues?

It's coughlin. Bradshaw had a back breaking fumble this week. Good news is that if you look at Bradshaw's rookie year, he didn't get the carries until the Buffalo game. Wilson will get his shot, but once he does, he should and will be the starter. if they are so concerned w/ keeping Eli upright, they would have never put David Diehl back at RT over Locklear.

 

[Rushmore]

The best player we got is UDFA Vontaze Burfict.

I guess at the time the red flags were just too overwhelming to take that chance. Ran a 5+ forty yard dash and tested positive for pot at the combine. Not a shocker that it was the Bengals took the flyer on him after the draft. Am I correct in my perception that Cincinnati takes more chances than other teams with players like Burfict?EDIT: I'm a poor spellur.

Don't be so hard on yourself; Nobody's Purfict :rimshot:

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Browns 2012 NFL draft

1st round 3rd pick

RB Trent Richardson *starter from game-one

575 rushing yards at the halfway point with 5 rushing TDs plus 31 receptions for an additional 240 receiving yards with 1 receiving TD

Stud running back who was recently selected to ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team.

1st round 22nd pick

QB Brandon Weeden *starter from game-one

2,088 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 12 INTs (four in his first game), 14 carries for 63 rush yards

High interceptions (2nd in the NFL) but four came in his first NFL start where he looked lost and over-matched but he came back strong the very next week and was making consistent progress up until his last start when it appears he took a bit of a step back. Honorable mention on Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team

2nd round 37th overall pick *starter from game-one

ORT Mitchell Schwartz

Named starter on ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team. Started out rough but quickly has come up to speed. Really stood out against the Giants in New York when he did a job about JPP and Justin Tuck, etc. Part of O-line that ranks fifth in NFL in not allowing sacks.

3rd round 87th pick #rotational player and has started some games

DT John Hughes

Pick was widely panned at the time it was made but Hughes has become a very valuable situational role-player on the defensive line as starting DT Phil Taylor got injured in a weight lifting accident where he tore his pectorial muscle and missed the first six games of the season and only recently has come back. Stout against the run and looks like a keeper but as a back-up and rotational player, not as a starter.

4th round 100th pick #gets infrequent playing time

WR Travis Benjamin

Super-speedy but undersized player who has suffered injuries. Deep threat, not starting, gets sporadic PT.

4th round 120th pick #injured but recently became starter

LB James-Michael Johnson

Injured his oblique in the final preseason game on the brink of the season where he was scheduled to be the starter for LB Scott Fujita. Recently has become healthy and is just now starting on the strong-side of the Browns linebacking corps. Too early to tell if he'll stick but he's looked 'ok' so-far and he's got a golden opportunity since Fujita seems like he's reached the end of his career. JMJ looked very strong against the pass in camp and preseason, he can rush the passer and he's been strong against the run too. Probably not a star but could turn into a solid starter for a long time.

5th round 150th pick #placed on practice squad but was called up after injury to OG Jason Pinkston

OT Ryan Miller

Ryan looked ok in camp and in preseason and I thought he'd get a shot to play OG but the coaches put him in as a back-up at ORT but Schwartz looked so good they placed Miller on the practice squad. He was called up when starting OG Jason Pinkston was rushed to the hospital with a life threatening blot clot on his lungs which ended his season. I think Ryan could challenge to start at OG next year.

6th round 204th pick #IRed in camp

LB Emmanuel Acho

Placed on IR and wasn't bad but wasn't flashing as much as JMJ or undrafted free agent LBers who made the team. Has another shot next year.

6th round 205th pick *suprise steal who has started and is currently starting

DT/DE Billy Wynnn

Looks like the steal of the Browns draft so-far. Has looked far better than anyone expected. Very valuable starter since both of the Browns starting DTs have gone down with injury, Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. Not only strong against the run but adds a shocking pass rush. Looks like a long term player who will be starting in the future but is providing great depth and very valuable rotation play but starting and playing well right now as a rookie.

7th round 245th pick #got one start early in year and looked bad, currently backup

DB Trevin Wade

Got a shot and looked bad. Strictly special teamer at this point.

7th round 247th pick #practice squad didn't make final roster

FB Brad Smelly

Looked good in camp and preseason, especially catching the ball but needs to build up his body before he has a chance to make it as an NFL FB where he would need to be a lead blocker.

**supplemental pick**

2nd round

WR Josh Gordon *starting and playing at high level

Suprise pick and even bigger sleeper suprise talent. Gordon is one of the best rookie WRs of the entire 2012 NFL draft class with 19 receptions for 417 yards and 4TDs. Very raw but contributing and starting as he learns and hones technique of playing WR in the NFL. Very young, 21 years old the youngest player on the team, and has had some maturity issues both in college and a bit in training camp but has made huge strides. Not quite playing at a true #1 NFL WR level but is a legitimate deep threat and opens up things for stud RB Trent Richardson. Could make another huge developmental leap next year after he is over his rookie season and the very young and talented rookies on offense also have gotten over their rookie growing pains.

Undrafted Free Agents have also been solid with LB LJ Fort starting for Fujita early and LB Craig Roberstson playing solid role as a cover LBer.

Overall easily thee best rookie class for the Cleveland Browns since their return back in 1999.

 

[BlueBlazer05]

1.23 Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Seeing a good amount of snaps as a 6th O-lineman in certain packages. The RB's have made some nice gains when he's been on the field. Love his effort and tenacity. I feel like he should be starting somewhere on the line, but the Lions are sticking with continuity amongst their starting five.

2.22 Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma: Rode the bench for the first several games. Has shown potential as a possession guy out of the slot the past few games, but it's still too early to make any judgments on him.

3.22 Dwight "Bill" Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette: Looked really good in the preseason. Once the real games began, it was tough sledding. Allowed a high percentage of completions and had his fair share of pass interference penalties. Now on IR with a shoulder injury, which hurts his development.

4.30 Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma: Special teamer.

5.3 Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Temple: Special teamer.

5.13 Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion: Started the season on PUP, had a chance to get back, but was ultimately placed on IR. He's a project anyways coming from a D-III school, so it would've been a stretch for him to do much this year, especially with missing most of camp.

6.26 Jonte Green, DB, New Mexico State: Horrific on defense and special teams in the beginning, but has improved a bit since then. Has played on D more than expected due to the numerous injuries in the Lions secondary.

7.16 Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma: Special teamer.

No UDFA's of note other than Kellen Moore who's typically inactive anyways.

All in all, not much immediate help from the 2012 draft class. Combine that with virtually no free agent help (Jacob Lacey? Please.), and you can see why Detroit is struggling this season. Hopefully, Reiff will be the left tackle of the future. I think Broyles can be a good player, but I'm still not sold that taking a slot receiver coming off an ACL injury in the 2nd round was the right move. Bringing in three mid-to-late round small school corners is probably not the recipe to shoring up a weak secondary either, though I did like the Bentley pick. Our late round guys in general were supposed to be good special teams players, but look how that's worked out.

 

[cheese]

The best player we got is UDFA Vontaze Burfict.

I guess at the time the red flags were just too overwhelming to take that chance. Ran a 5+ forty yard dash and tested positive for pot at the combine. Not a shocker that it was the Bengals took the flyer on him after the draft. Am I correct in my perception that Cincinnati takes more chances than other teams with players like Burfict?EDIT: I'm a poor spellur.

I think that's fair to say. If you're going to point that out though, I think it's fair to also say they have a pretty good track record of getting some guys back on track on and off the field (Henry, Pacman, Benson to name some). Burfict is on his way to topping that list. It's pretty funny though how they are only interested in these guys when no investment is required. Cincy is always lining up for UDFA's and bargain basement players who have red flags, but when a dope like Jerome Simpson requires actual investment he will never even see an offer from the Bengals.

 

[FUBAR]

Browns 2012 NFL draft

1st round 3rd pick

RB Trent Richardson *starter from game-one

575 rushing yards at the halfway point with 5 rushing TDs plus 31 receptions for an additional 240 receiving yards with 1 receiving TD

Stud running back who was recently selected to ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team.

1st round 22nd pick

QB Brandon Weeden *starter from game-one

2,088 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 12 INTs (four in his first game), 14 carries for 63 rush yards

High interceptions (2nd in the NFL) but four came in his first NFL start where he looked lost and over-matched but he came back strong the very next week and was making consistent progress up until his last start when it appears he took a bit of a step back. Honorable mention on Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team

2nd round 37th overall pick *starter from game-one

ORT Mitchell Schwartz

Named starter on ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team. Started out rough but quickly has come up to speed. Really stood out against the Giants in New York when he did a job about JPP and Justin Tuck, etc. Part of O-line that ranks fifth in NFL in not allowing sacks.

3rd round 87th pick #rotational player and has started some games

DT John Hughes

Pick was widely panned at the time it was made but Hughes has become a very valuable situational role-player on the defensive line as starting DT Phil Taylor got injured in a weight lifting accident where he tore his pectorial muscle and missed the first six games of the season and only recently has come back. Stout against the run and looks like a keeper but as a back-up and rotational player, not as a starter.

4th round 100th pick #gets infrequent playing time

WR Travis Benjamin

Super-speedy but undersized player who has suffered injuries. Deep threat, not starting, gets sporadic PT.

4th round 120th pick #injured but recently became starter

LB James-Michael Johnson

Injured his oblique in the final preseason game on the brink of the season where he was scheduled to be the starter for LB Scott Fujita. Recently has become healthy and is just now starting on the strong-side of the Browns linebacking corps. Too early to tell if he'll stick but he's looked 'ok' so-far and he's got a golden opportunity since Fujita seems like he's reached the end of his career. JMJ looked very strong against the pass in camp and preseason, he can rush the passer and he's been strong against the run too. Probably not a star but could turn into a solid starter for a long time.

5th round 150th pick #placed on practice squad but was called up after injury to OG Jason Pinkston

OT Ryan Miller

Ryan looked ok in camp and in preseason and I thought he'd get a shot to play OG but the coaches put him in as a back-up at ORT but Schwartz looked so good they placed Miller on the practice squad. He was called up when starting OG Jason Pinkston was rushed to the hospital with a life threatening blot clot on his lungs which ended his season. I think Ryan could challenge to start at OG next year.

6th round 204th pick #IRed in camp

LB Emmanuel Acho

Placed on IR and wasn't bad but wasn't flashing as much as JMJ or undrafted free agent LBers who made the team. Has another shot next year.

6th round 205th pick *suprise steal who has started and is currently starting

DT/DE Billy Wynnn

Looks like the steal of the Browns draft so-far. Has looked far better than anyone expected. Very valuable starter since both of the Browns starting DTs have gone down with injury, Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. Not only strong against the run but adds a shocking pass rush. Looks like a long term player who will be starting in the future but is providing great depth and very valuable rotation play but starting and playing well right now as a rookie.

7th round 245th pick #got one start early in year and looked bad, currently backup

DB Trevin Wade

Got a shot and looked bad. Strictly special teamer at this point.

7th round 247th pick #practice squad didn't make final roster

FB Brad Smelly

Looked good in camp and preseason, especially catching the ball but needs to build up his body before he has a chance to make it as an NFL FB where he would need to be a lead blocker.

**supplemental pick**

2nd round

WR Josh Gordon *starting and playing at high level

Suprise pick and even bigger sleeper suprise talent. Gordon is one of the best rookie WRs of the entire 2012 NFL draft class with 19 receptions for 417 yards and 4TDs. Very raw but contributing and starting as he learns and hones technique of playing WR in the NFL. Very young, 21 years old the youngest player on the team, and has had some maturity issues both in college and a bit in training camp but has made huge strides. Not quite playing at a true #1 NFL WR level but is a legitimate deep threat and opens up things for stud RB Trent Richardson. Could make another huge developmental leap next year after he is over his rookie season and the very young and talented rookies on offense also have gotten over their rookie growing pains.

Undrafted Free Agents have also been solid with LB LJ Fort starting for Fujita early and LB Craig Roberstson playing solid role as a cover LBer.

Overall easily thee best rookie class for the Cleveland Browns since their return back in 1999.

Their draft looks good but how much of that is due to a lack of talent on the team before the draft?

 

[MAC_32]

Browns 2012 NFL draft

1st round 3rd pick

RB Trent Richardson *starter from game-one

575 rushing yards at the halfway point with 5 rushing TDs plus 31 receptions for an additional 240 receiving yards with 1 receiving TD

Stud running back who was recently selected to ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team.

1st round 22nd pick

QB Brandon Weeden *starter from game-one

2,088 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 12 INTs (four in his first game), 14 carries for 63 rush yards

High interceptions (2nd in the NFL) but four came in his first NFL start where he looked lost and over-matched but he came back strong the very next week and was making consistent progress up until his last start when it appears he took a bit of a step back. Honorable mention on Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team

2nd round 37th overall pick *starter from game-one

ORT Mitchell Schwartz

Named starter on ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team. Started out rough but quickly has come up to speed. Really stood out against the Giants in New York when he did a job about JPP and Justin Tuck, etc. Part of O-line that ranks fifth in NFL in not allowing sacks.

3rd round 87th pick #rotational player and has started some games

DT John Hughes

Pick was widely panned at the time it was made but Hughes has become a very valuable situational role-player on the defensive line as starting DT Phil Taylor got injured in a weight lifting accident where he tore his pectorial muscle and missed the first six games of the season and only recently has come back. Stout against the run and looks like a keeper but as a back-up and rotational player, not as a starter.

4th round 100th pick #gets infrequent playing time

WR Travis Benjamin

Super-speedy but undersized player who has suffered injuries. Deep threat, not starting, gets sporadic PT.

4th round 120th pick #injured but recently became starter

LB James-Michael Johnson

Injured his oblique in the final preseason game on the brink of the season where he was scheduled to be the starter for LB Scott Fujita. Recently has become healthy and is just now starting on the strong-side of the Browns linebacking corps. Too early to tell if he'll stick but he's looked 'ok' so-far and he's got a golden opportunity since Fujita seems like he's reached the end of his career. JMJ looked very strong against the pass in camp and preseason, he can rush the passer and he's been strong against the run too. Probably not a star but could turn into a solid starter for a long time.

5th round 150th pick #placed on practice squad but was called up after injury to OG Jason Pinkston

OT Ryan Miller

Ryan looked ok in camp and in preseason and I thought he'd get a shot to play OG but the coaches put him in as a back-up at ORT but Schwartz looked so good they placed Miller on the practice squad. He was called up when starting OG Jason Pinkston was rushed to the hospital with a life threatening blot clot on his lungs which ended his season. I think Ryan could challenge to start at OG next year.

6th round 204th pick #IRed in camp

LB Emmanuel Acho

Placed on IR and wasn't bad but wasn't flashing as much as JMJ or undrafted free agent LBers who made the team. Has another shot next year.

6th round 205th pick *suprise steal who has started and is currently starting

DT/DE Billy Wynnn

Looks like the steal of the Browns draft so-far. Has looked far better than anyone expected. Very valuable starter since both of the Browns starting DTs have gone down with injury, Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. Not only strong against the run but adds a shocking pass rush. Looks like a long term player who will be starting in the future but is providing great depth and very valuable rotation play but starting and playing well right now as a rookie.

7th round 245th pick #got one start early in year and looked bad, currently backup

DB Trevin Wade

Got a shot and looked bad. Strictly special teamer at this point.

7th round 247th pick #practice squad didn't make final roster

FB Brad Smelly

Looked good in camp and preseason, especially catching the ball but needs to build up his body before he has a chance to make it as an NFL FB where he would need to be a lead blocker.

**supplemental pick**

2nd round

WR Josh Gordon *starting and playing at high level

Suprise pick and even bigger sleeper suprise talent. Gordon is one of the best rookie WRs of the entire 2012 NFL draft class with 19 receptions for 417 yards and 4TDs. Very raw but contributing and starting as he learns and hones technique of playing WR in the NFL. Very young, 21 years old the youngest player on the team, and has had some maturity issues both in college and a bit in training camp but has made huge strides. Not quite playing at a true #1 NFL WR level but is a legitimate deep threat and opens up things for stud RB Trent Richardson. Could make another huge developmental leap next year after he is over his rookie season and the very young and talented rookies on offense also have gotten over their rookie growing pains.

Undrafted Free Agents have also been solid with LB LJ Fort starting for Fujita early and LB Craig Roberstson playing solid role as a cover LBer.

Overall easily thee best rookie class for the Cleveland Browns since their return back in 1999.

Their draft looks good but how much of that is due to a lack of talent on the team before the draft?

It would be strong regardless, quicker ROI because of the lack of talent on the roster before this draft. Josh Cooper, Craig Robertson, and LJ Fort have also contributed so success reached even beyond the draft thisyear, a welcomed change. I'll eat crow for my distaste with the John Hughes pick, but my bigger gripe wasn't about him as much as it was ignoring WR in that 75-150 pick range. Had Gordon not gotten busted with weed again that would be a huge issue again on this team and would have over shadowed successfully mining for gold in Hughes. A guy like Sanu or Criner there instead of Hughes then picking up Hughes later is still the better move. I understand their intent all along was to scoop up Wright, but when they got sniped it became evident they had no plan B, on a team as desperate for WR talent as this one that's unacceptable. Benjamin may develop into a good role player, but he has physical limitations preventing him from ever being a consistent outside starter. He was not the answer to our WR problem.

All that said what's most encouraging about this crop is if Weeden does flame out there is a stronger foundation in place to rebuild from, some missed picks and there wouldn't be.

 

[Lavachebeadsman]

Morris Claibourne is my favorite Cowboy since DeMarcus Ware. He might not have had a great game yesterday but the kid can play and has some heart, which is something that defense has been lacking.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Good writeup of the Vikings' draft. It was terrific.

Vikings 2012 Draft Class Looking Even Better After Wright’s Debut Posted by Mike Wobschall on November 12, 2012 – 7:44 am Football fans know it can be foolish to cast final judgment on a draft class too early. Just 10 games into the season, it’s clearly far too early to grade each NFL team’s performance in the 2012 NFL Draft. But it’s also clear that just 10 games into the season, the Vikings got a lot of things right last April. On Sunday, it became even clearer. Matt Kalil continues to hold down the left side of the offensive line, Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson have helped the secondary improve, Blair Walsh set a team record for touchbacks and is now 23 of 24 on FGs, and Robert Blanton, Rhett Ellison and Audie Cole continue to contribute on special teams and in other phases of the game. But now there’s a new contributor. Jarius Wright, a receiver the Vikings drafted in the 4th round (118th overall) last April, made his regular season debut on Sunday and hit the ground running with 3 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD. On the Vikings fifth offensive play, Wright dashed through the Detroit Lions secondary and QB Christian Ponder threw a shoulder fake to the left before lofting a pass toward Wright down the middle of the field. Wright hauled in the pass while falling to the ground and was tackled at the 1. Just moments later, Ponder found Wright in the end zone for a 3-yard TD to give the Vikings an early 7-0 and to give Wright his first NFL score. Let’s keep things in perspective: it was one game and Wright had just one catch after hauling in two during the first series. But let’s also enjoy this moment, because Wright infused excitement and athleticism into a passing game that was missing its most explosive component – Percy Harvin. The Vikings 2012 draft class has looked good all season. But after Wright’s debut on Sunday, it looks even better.

The two 1sts are absolute studs.Blair Walsh was a "WTF" pick but has proven quite quickly that he is a stud kicker and was a steal.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Browns 2012 NFL draft

1st round 3rd pick

RB Trent Richardson *starter from game-one

575 rushing yards at the halfway point with 5 rushing TDs plus 31 receptions for an additional 240 receiving yards with 1 receiving TD

Stud running back who was recently selected to ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team.

1st round 22nd pick

QB Brandon Weeden *starter from game-one

2,088 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 12 INTs (four in his first game), 14 carries for 63 rush yards

High interceptions (2nd in the NFL) but four came in his first NFL start where he looked lost and over-matched but he came back strong the very next week and was making consistent progress up until his last start when it appears he took a bit of a step back. Honorable mention on Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team

2nd round 37th overall pick *starter from game-one

ORT Mitchell Schwartz

Named starter on ESPN's Matt Williamson's All-Rookie team. Started out rough but quickly has come up to speed. Really stood out against the Giants in New York when he did a job about JPP and Justin Tuck, etc. Part of O-line that ranks fifth in NFL in not allowing sacks.

3rd round 87th pick #rotational player and has started some games

DT John Hughes

Pick was widely panned at the time it was made but Hughes has become a very valuable situational role-player on the defensive line as starting DT Phil Taylor got injured in a weight lifting accident where he tore his pectorial muscle and missed the first six games of the season and only recently has come back. Stout against the run and looks like a keeper but as a back-up and rotational player, not as a starter.

4th round 100th pick #gets infrequent playing time

WR Travis Benjamin

Super-speedy but undersized player who has suffered injuries. Deep threat, not starting, gets sporadic PT.

4th round 120th pick #injured but recently became starter

LB James-Michael Johnson

Injured his oblique in the final preseason game on the brink of the season where he was scheduled to be the starter for LB Scott Fujita. Recently has become healthy and is just now starting on the strong-side of the Browns linebacking corps. Too early to tell if he'll stick but he's looked 'ok' so-far and he's got a golden opportunity since Fujita seems like he's reached the end of his career. JMJ looked very strong against the pass in camp and preseason, he can rush the passer and he's been strong against the run too. Probably not a star but could turn into a solid starter for a long time.

5th round 150th pick #placed on practice squad but was called up after injury to OG Jason Pinkston

OT Ryan Miller

Ryan looked ok in camp and in preseason and I thought he'd get a shot to play OG but the coaches put him in as a back-up at ORT but Schwartz looked so good they placed Miller on the practice squad. He was called up when starting OG Jason Pinkston was rushed to the hospital with a life threatening blot clot on his lungs which ended his season. I think Ryan could challenge to start at OG next year.

6th round 204th pick #IRed in camp

LB Emmanuel Acho

Placed on IR and wasn't bad but wasn't flashing as much as JMJ or undrafted free agent LBers who made the team. Has another shot next year.

6th round 205th pick *suprise steal who has started and is currently starting

DT/DE Billy Wynnn

Looks like the steal of the Browns draft so-far. Has looked far better than anyone expected. Very valuable starter since both of the Browns starting DTs have gone down with injury, Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. Not only strong against the run but adds a shocking pass rush. Looks like a long term player who will be starting in the future but is providing great depth and very valuable rotation play but starting and playing well right now as a rookie.

7th round 245th pick #got one start early in year and looked bad, currently backup

DB Trevin Wade

Got a shot and looked bad. Strictly special teamer at this point.

7th round 247th pick #practice squad didn't make final roster

FB Brad Smelly

Looked good in camp and preseason, especially catching the ball but needs to build up his body before he has a chance to make it as an NFL FB where he would need to be a lead blocker.

**supplemental pick**

2nd round

WR Josh Gordon *starting and playing at high level

Suprise pick and even bigger sleeper suprise talent. Gordon is one of the best rookie WRs of the entire 2012 NFL draft class with 19 receptions for 417 yards and 4TDs. Very raw but contributing and starting as he learns and hones technique of playing WR in the NFL. Very young, 21 years old the youngest player on the team, and has had some maturity issues both in college and a bit in training camp but has made huge strides. Not quite playing at a true #1 NFL WR level but is a legitimate deep threat and opens up things for stud RB Trent Richardson. Could make another huge developmental leap next year after he is over his rookie season and the very young and talented rookies on offense also have gotten over their rookie growing pains.

Undrafted Free Agents have also been solid with LB LJ Fort starting for Fujita early and LB Craig Roberstson playing solid role as a cover LBer.

Overall easily thee best rookie class for the Cleveland Browns since their return back in 1999.

Their draft looks good but how much of that is due to a lack of talent on the team before the draft?

How much is due to lack of talent?In other words you are asking how many of these guys who made the Browns and are starting for Cleveland would get the same opportunity if selected by another NFL team who wasn't as strapped for talent. Fair question.

I'll say that the Browns top-three picks would have been starting even if they weren't taken by the Browns.

RB Trent Richardson would be starting for any NFL team who took him in the top-ten picks.

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

ORT Mitchell Schwartz may or may not have been starting from game-one but he would be starting somewhere. He was widely considered the top right tackle prospect in this year's NFL draft class. Many of the top drafted rookie O-Linemen are starting so its no stretch to say he'd also be starting somewhere else.

DT John Hughes isn't starting now and wasn't originally drafted to be a starter since the Browns have two of the best starting defensive tackles in the NFL in DT Phil Taylor and DT Ahtyba Rubin. He was meant to be part of a rotation and depth and he'd have that role no matter where he went.

WR Travis Benjamin isn't starting but gets some PT and he was the second fastest player in this year's draft and that speed caught the eyes of everyone in camp and preseason. He would have flashed no matter where he went with that sort of raw speed and would probably have some limited PT no matter where he wound up.

LB James-Michael Johnson flashed big time in camp but got injured in the last preseason game on the brink of the season where he was scheduled to start. He would have flashed anywhere but likely would not have gotten the opportunity to start since he originally got that opportunity when Fujita was injured but then again if he was drafted by another team he may or may not have gotten injured in the final preseason game and he 'could' have had a similiar opportunity to start if a vet got injured and he flashed. His talent would be the same.

ORT Ryan Miller isn't starting and was on the practice squad and only got called up due to an injury but he's still not starting so his situation would be the same no matter where he went. Not starting, backup, practice squad guy.

LB Emmanual Sanders, IR. No difference no matter where he would go.

DT/DE Billy Wynn. Temp starter but will likely be a rotational backup behind Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin after the BYE week. This kid is a legit sleeper but will be a backup so he'd be a legit sleeper and backup or even starting no matter where he went if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Both Wade and Smelly haven't done much and would likely have the same outcome no matter where they went.

SUP PICK WR Josh Gordon was not pressed into the starting lineup until injuries hit. He was taken on the basis of his raw physical skills and the plan was to groom him and wean him in gingerly but that plan went out the window when the team needed to start him. Injuries happen on every team so he would have had the same skills and may or may not have had the same opportunity to start early but he'd eventually get a shot.

I don't see a whole lot of variance in whether or not the above group would look as good or worse of possibly even better if they landed on other clubs but I do agree that JMJ and likely Josh Gordon would not have gotten as much work early on if taken by stronger clubs but they would have the same talent even if they were on the bench.

 

[MAC_32]

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Problem with the above - no other teams would have taken him anywhere near round 1 so he would not have gotten that shot. Yes, him being drafted in round 1 made him being the starter a certainty, but we were the only team to consider him that. Others would be developing him. And citing the yardage record as an accomplishment is flawed. His YPA, turnover ratios, qb rating, and clutch play ability (red zone and third/fourth down) are poor. Yards don't score points and win games.

 

[bulger2holt]

Rams

1-DT Brockers. Man child. Huge run stuffer that pushes the picked. Was injured early with a foot problem. Healthy now and playing great

2-WR Quick. 6'4 220 and all the tools. Just needs to learn. This is the first time he's ever used a playbook.

2-CB Jenkins. Huge upside and playmaker. Likes to gamble. A few rookie mistakes, but should be one of the top corners in the league eventually

2-RB Pead. Extremely quick. Probably more of a 3rd down specialist. Every team needs this type of player. Sproles and Jaquizz Rodgers type of player

3-CB Johnson. Looks like a decent CB. Never have enough of those

4-WR Givens. Looks like DeSean Jackson's clone. Already has 5 50+ receptions in a limited role. Great value and should see more time

5-OG Watkins. Injured. But looks like a promising road grader. Has a chance to start in 2013

6-K Zerlein. Huge leg. He kicks 50 yarders like they are extra points

7-RB Richardson. Looks like a huge steal. The kid has game. Very explosive. Possible Shady McCoy type of player

This draft may turn the Rams into a playoff caliber team. Add the 4 first rounders in the next 2 drafts and the Rams will be legit.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Problem with the above - no other teams would have taken him anywhere near round 1 so he would not have gotten that shot. Yes, him being drafted in round 1 made him being the starter a certainty, but we were the only team to consider him that. Others would be developing him. And citing the yardage record as an accomplishment is flawed. His YPA, turnover ratios, qb rating, and clutch play ability (red zone and third/fourth down) are poor. Yards don't score points and win games.

Seatlle signed Matt Flynn to a free agent contract and then hedged their bets by taking an undersized rookie in the third round. The kid outplayed Flynn and he is starting.Their was chatter that Weeden would be taken by a club at the end of the first round who had a shaky starter but we'll never know. Even if he went in round two he'd flash that arm in camp no matter where he went and would very likely be starting somewhere even if not taken by Cleveland.

 

[MAC_32]

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Problem with the above - no other teams would have taken him anywhere near round 1 so he would not have gotten that shot. Yes, him being drafted in round 1 made him being the starter a certainty, but we were the only team to consider him that. Others would be developing him. And citing the yardage record as an accomplishment is flawed. His YPA, turnover ratios, qb rating, and clutch play ability (red zone and third/fourth down) are poor. Yards don't score points and win games.

Seatlle signed Matt Flynn to a free agent contract and then hedged their bets by taking an undersized rookie in the third round. The kid outplayed Flynn and he is starting.Their was chatter that Weeden would be taken by a club at the end of the first round who had a shaky starter but we'll never know. Even if he went in round two he'd flash that arm in camp no matter where he went and would very likely be starting somewhere even if not taken by Cleveland.

Kansas City, Arizona, and Jacksonville are the only ones I can think of, maybe Buffalo or Minnesota by the end of the month. That doesn't say much. He'd be a dead man behind Arizona's line (Philly too), Kansas City is just an utter disaster, and Jacksonviklle wouldn't have picked him because their GM drafts starters (ANGER THE PUNTER!) before backups, but somehow he saw Gabbert as a starter. He might have had a fighter's chance in Buffalo or Minnesota after a few more L's has their front offices looking ahead though.

 

[snellman]

Good writeup of the Vikings' draft. It was terrific.

The two 1sts are absolute studs.

Blair Walsh was a "WTF" pick but has proven quite quickly that he is a stud kicker and was a steal.

 

[Gopher State]

Good writeup of the Vikings' draft. It was terrific.

Vikings 2012 Draft Class Looking Even Better After Wright’s Debut Posted by Mike Wobschall on November 12, 2012 – 7:44 am Football fans know it can be foolish to cast final judgment on a draft class too early. Just 10 games into the season, it’s clearly far too early to grade each NFL team’s performance in the 2012 NFL Draft. But it’s also clear that just 10 games into the season, the Vikings got a lot of things right last April. On Sunday, it became even clearer. Matt Kalil continues to hold down the left side of the offensive line, Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson have helped the secondary improve, Blair Walsh set a team record for touchbacks and is now 23 of 24 on FGs, and Robert Blanton, Rhett Ellison and Audie Cole continue to contribute on special teams and in other phases of the game. But now there’s a new contributor. Jarius Wright, a receiver the Vikings drafted in the 4th round (118th overall) last April, made his regular season debut on Sunday and hit the ground running with 3 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD. On the Vikings fifth offensive play, Wright dashed through the Detroit Lions secondary and QB Christian Ponder threw a shoulder fake to the left before lofting a pass toward Wright down the middle of the field. Wright hauled in the pass while falling to the ground and was tackled at the 1. Just moments later, Ponder found Wright in the end zone for a 3-yard TD to give the Vikings an early 7-0 and to give Wright his first NFL score. Let’s keep things in perspective: it was one game and Wright had just one catch after hauling in two during the first series. But let’s also enjoy this moment, because Wright infused excitement and athleticism into a passing game that was missing its most explosive component – Percy Harvin. The Vikings 2012 draft class has looked good all season. But after Wright’s debut on Sunday, it looks even better.

The two 1sts are absolute studs.Blair Walsh was a "WTF" pick but has proven quite quickly that he is a stud kicker and was a steal.

Helps that A P is have a career year, but good draft

 

[sho nuff]

Packers:

Round 1: Nick Perry...started and was doing pretty well against the run but not showing the pass rush yet. Now has a hurt wrist and is on I/R. Something to build on, but there are questions about whether he really fits at OLB and some talk by fans thinking he should move to DE.

Round 2: Jerel Worthy...has shown some promise with getting a push up the middle. Rotational guy on their line right now. Missed the last 2 games and is now back practicing after a concussion.

Round 2: Casey Hayward...after a slower start...has come on with Shields and Woodson hurt and has played quite well. (4ints and a forced fumble in the last 5 games)

Round 4: Mike Daniels...rotational guy on the D line. Nothing special at this point but good to keep the bigger names fresh and has played pretty well recently including a sack the last game against Arizona.

Round 4: Jerron McMillan...playing pretty well while Woodson is out.

Round 5: Terrell Manning...very limited play thus far.

Round 7: Andrew Datko...practice squad tackle

Round 7: BJ Coleman...practice squad QB.

Pretty good draft with a chance to be a great one if Hayward keeps up this effort and does not fall back as Shields has (and if Worthy can keep it up and Perry can come back next year to bring something).

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Good writeup of the Vikings' draft. It was terrific.

Helps that A P is have a career year, but good draft

I don't get how that helps.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Problem with the above - no other teams would have taken him anywhere near round 1 so he would not have gotten that shot. Yes, him being drafted in round 1 made him being the starter a certainty, but we were the only team to consider him that. Others would be developing him. And citing the yardage record as an accomplishment is flawed. His YPA, turnover ratios, qb rating, and clutch play ability (red zone and third/fourth down) are poor. Yards don't score points and win games.

Seatlle signed Matt Flynn to a free agent contract and then hedged their bets by taking an undersized rookie in the third round. The kid outplayed Flynn and he is starting.Their was chatter that Weeden would be taken by a club at the end of the first round who had a shaky starter but we'll never know. Even if he went in round two he'd flash that arm in camp no matter where he went and would very likely be starting somewhere even if not taken by Cleveland.

Kansas City, Arizona, and Jacksonville are the only ones I can think of, maybe Buffalo or Minnesota by the end of the month. That doesn't say much. He'd be a dead man behind Arizona's line (Philly too), Kansas City is just an utter disaster, and Jacksonviklle wouldn't have picked him because their GM drafts starters (ANGER THE PUNTER!) before backups, but somehow he saw Gabbert as a starter. He might have had a fighter's chance in Buffalo or Minnesota after a few more L's has their front offices looking ahead though.

Their are teams who had needs at QB after, Luck, RG III, and Tannenhill went off the board.Obviously Cleveland but if Kendall Wright were still on deck and the Browns passed on Weeden with the 22nd pick and took Wright as originally planned they still may have been able to land him in the second round but lets say they didn't. What other teams had a QB need at that time?

I agree with you that the following teams had needs at QB

1. KC

2. ARI

You also put in Jacksonville but I don't think at the time of the draft that they would have taken a QB with a high draft pick, not round one or two but lets keep them.

3. JAX

Who else?

At the time I think these clubs had a QB need:

4. NYJ

I'm not sold on Sanchez and they made a move for Tim Tebow. I think that says it all on their interest in someonee ANYONE at QB.

5. PHI They took Foles so they obviously had an interest in a QB to groom and possibly challenge Vick. Right now they certainly are in dire need. Last year Vick sorta broke down a few times both physically and emotionally so their were/are red flags IMHO.

6. BUF When an owner openly says DURING THE SEASON that he is going to draft a QB, well that is all I need to know they have a QB need and had questions last April.

7. SEA Obvious need, they took a QB and are starting him.

8. SF Alex Smith seems to be renting not buying the starting gig in SF.

9. DEN Peyton is 36 and his neck/spinal surgeries are at four and counting.

Weeden would be starting or challenging to start in 8 of 9 situations outside of Cleveland based on QB just from last years draft. Add in new situations of a possible QB need:

- SD Phil Rivers has struggled the last two seasons.

- OAK They took Terrelle Pryor in the Sup draft because Palmer is 33 and he's been beat up.

- HOU Schaub is fine but last year when he went down that team went in the tank. They could use someone behind Matt.

- NE Brady is 34 and he'll eventually hang them up and he has missed an entire season. Do they trust Mallett?

- TB Freeman is going great now but last year he was coming off a shaky season.

- MIA Right now Tannenhill is coming off of his worst game. How will the rook react to first criticism and will he be able to increase his league-low 5 passing TDs?

Weeden is working with a WR group that has undeveloped talent and has to be considered sub-par by anyone's standards and has been decimated by injuries. He has a talented but rookie RB and a talented but rookie right tackle and a free agent left guard. His coach is a lame duck, his starting FB played soo poorly he was not just benched but is inactive for games. Weeden's defense is bad, plain and simple, bad. The Baltimore game shows evidence of that where they gave up two TDs in the first quarter before making adjustments but had put Weeden in a hole. They've killed him in at least three/four other games and the special teams have also given up big plays to put him in catch-up mode.

Put him on a team where he had one established go-to vet WR and a solid or better than average defense that Wilson or Tannenhill or Alex Smith, etc have and his W/L percent goes up as does his completion percentage etc.

Their was more QB at the time he went off the board in last year's draft and he's got more talent than he's been able to show. Sure he's got deficencies and their is no guarantees of what may have happened but I think the odds are that if he went to a different team his chances of starting would be high so its likely he would be starting and he may have been playing better and likely would have a better record since no other NFL team is starting as many rookies as the Browns so they aren't making as many rookie mistakes.

 

[Heatman]

Good writeup of the Vikings' draft. It was terrific.

Helps that A P is have a career year, but good draft

I don't get how that helps.

He just said it wrong. Kalil is helping AP have a career year.

 

[Warrior]

Washington Redskins

1.02 - Robert Griffin III.

A-

The rest of the draft, along with next year's, does not matter. If Griffin is a failure, the Redskins are completely screwed. If he's a success, he completely revitalizes the entire franchise. So far, he's been spectacular and looks like a stud QB as much as you can possibly look halfway through his rookie season.

 

[MAC_32]

QB Brandon Weeden would likely be starting for any NFL team who took him in the first round. Their are FIVE ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS starting this season. The first time in NFL history that has happened. The rookie draft scale has allowed teams to take a shot with a rookie QB and make them a starter faster than in the past. Also the dire need for starting QBs is evident with so many rookie starting QBs. All five of the rookie QBs have looked good and all of them have had some down games. Weeden is on a pace to break the ALL-TIME Club record for passing yards in a single season, not just of the rookie starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Brown history but of ALL of the quarterbacks in Cleveland history. Pretty remarkable considering the list of starters include Hall of Fame and League MVPs, Pro Bowlers, etc. Many said that if Weeden were a couple of years younger he would have been a top ten pick. He has the raw talent to start in the NFL.

The need in the league and the raw talent that Weeden possess would mean he would be starting somewhere if he wasn't taken by the Browns.

Problem with the above - no other teams would have taken him anywhere near round 1 so he would not have gotten that shot. Yes, him being drafted in round 1 made him being the starter a certainty, but we were the only team to consider him that. Others would be developing him. And citing the yardage record as an accomplishment is flawed. His YPA, turnover ratios, qb rating, and clutch play ability (red zone and third/fourth down) are poor. Yards don't score points and win games.

Seatlle signed Matt Flynn to a free agent contract and then hedged their bets by taking an undersized rookie in the third round. The kid outplayed Flynn and he is starting.Their was chatter that Weeden would be taken by a club at the end of the first round who had a shaky starter but we'll never know. Even if he went in round two he'd flash that arm in camp no matter where he went and would very likely be starting somewhere even if not taken by Cleveland.

Kansas City, Arizona, and Jacksonville are the only ones I can think of, maybe Buffalo or Minnesota by the end of the month. That doesn't say much. He'd be a dead man behind Arizona's line (Philly too), Kansas City is just an utter disaster, and Jacksonviklle wouldn't have picked him because their GM drafts starters (ANGER THE PUNTER!) before backups, but somehow he saw Gabbert as a starter. He might have had a fighter's chance in Buffalo or Minnesota after a few more L's has their front offices looking ahead though.

Their are teams who had needs at QB after, Luck, RG III, and Tannenhill went off the board.Obviously Cleveland but if Kendall Wright were still on deck and the Browns passed on Weeden with the 22nd pick and took Wright as originally planned they still may have been able to land him in the second round but lets say they didn't. What other teams had a QB need at that time?

I agree with you that the following teams had needs at QB

1. KC

2. ARI

You also put in Jacksonville but I don't think at the time of the draft that they would have taken a QB with a high draft pick, not round one or two but lets keep them.

3. JAX

Who else?

At the time I think these clubs had a QB need:

4. NYJ

I'm not sold on Sanchez and they made a move for Tim Tebow. I think that says it all on their interest in someonee ANYONE at QB.

5. PHI They took Foles so they obviously had an interest in a QB to groom and possibly challenge Vick. Right now they certainly are in dire need. Last year Vick sorta broke down a few times both physically and emotionally so their were/are red flags IMHO.

6. BUF When an owner openly says DURING THE SEASON that he is going to draft a QB, well that is all I need to know they have a QB need and had questions last April.

7. SEA Obvious need, they took a QB and are starting him.

8. SF Alex Smith seems to be renting not buying the starting gig in SF.

9. DEN Peyton is 36 and his neck/spinal surgeries are at four and counting.

Weeden would be starting or challenging to start in 8 of 9 situations outside of Cleveland based on QB just from last years draft. Add in new situations of a possible QB need:

- SD Phil Rivers has struggled the last two seasons.

- OAK They took Terrelle Pryor in the Sup draft because Palmer is 33 and he's been beat up.

- HOU Schaub is fine but last year when he went down that team went in the tank. They could use someone behind Matt.

- NE Brady is 34 and he'll eventually hang them up and he has missed an entire season. Do they trust Mallett?

- TB Freeman is going great now but last year he was coming off a shaky season.

- MIA Right now Tannenhill is coming off of his worst game. How will the rook react to first criticism and will he be able to increase his league-low 5 passing TDs?

Weeden is working with a WR group that has undeveloped talent and has to be considered sub-par by anyone's standards and has been decimated by injuries. He has a talented but rookie RB and a talented but rookie right tackle and a free agent left guard. His coach is a lame duck, his starting FB played soo poorly he was not just benched but is inactive for games. Weeden's defense is bad, plain and simple, bad. The Baltimore game shows evidence of that where they gave up two TDs in the first quarter before making adjustments but had put Weeden in a hole. They've killed him in at least three/four other games and the special teams have also given up big plays to put him in catch-up mode.

Put him on a team where he had one established go-to vet WR and a solid or better than average defense that Wilson or Tannenhill or Alex Smith, etc have and his W/L percent goes up as does his completion percentage etc.

Their was more QB at the time he went off the board in last year's draft and he's got more talent than he's been able to show. Sure he's got deficencies and their is no guarantees of what may have happened but I think the odds are that if he went to a different team his chances of starting would be high so its likely he would be starting and he may have been playing better and likely would have a better record since no other NFL team is starting as many rookies as the Browns so they aren't making as many rookie mistakes.

I see more excuses than anything here, he has shown flashes but a lot of bad too. I am glad he is getting the rest of the season but i am also glad the new guys aren't guaranteeing him the job next year. There is a lot still needed to improve. The 20th best qb in the league won't cut it

 

[Premier]

The Bucs have had their best draft since they took Brooks and Sapp in '95.

Rd 1: Mark Barron. Huge hitter. Starter since day 1, but he's only been the third-best rookie. Along with McCoy being healthy and a guy quickly coming up on the list, he's the reason the Bucs run D has so rapidly improved.

Rd 1: Doug Martin. Don't really have to say much here. You know about him.

Rd 2: LaVontae David. My god this guy has been an animal. All over the field. 30 tackles the past 2 games. Best defensive player on the team and finally starting to get DROY talk. His instincts are incredible. Gonna be a franchise-caliber linebacker.

UFA: Leonard Johnson. Became a starter 3 games ago. Now has 3 picks in those games and iced the game Sunday with a pick-6. Had at least nickel back potential long term.

There were some other guys drafted but they haven't had an impact and honestly it doesn't matter after that list. Phenomenal draft.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

SEATTLE:

Here are the players contributing from this year's draft class in Seattle. Its hard as a Seattle fan not to get excited about the future. They nailed the draft since Pete Carroll and John Schneider have taken control of the franchise. This draft was PANNED by nearly every pundit except Greg Cosell who had the wisdom to say "We'll see". Can you evaluate a draft any sooner than three or four years after the fact? Perhaps not, but we should have a much better idea half way through a season compared to no games at all like most draft grades.

1.15 DE Bruce Irvin

Leading rookies in sacks with 7. Huge contributions playing only passing downs.

2.15 LB Bobby Wagner

Leading the team in tackles from the mike.

3.12 QB Russell Wilson

Leading rookies in passing TDs with 15 and wins with 6. Given the notoriety of this class, that says a lot.

4.11 RB Robert Turbin

Regularly giving starter Lynch breaks in every game. Much better receiver than expected.

4.19 DT Jaye Howard

No contribution so far, but on the roster.

5.19 LB Korey Toomer

No contribution so far, but on the practice squad



6.02 CB Jeremy Lane

Becoming a leader on special teams as a gunner. Lost count of how many punts he's downed inside the 20. Also has prototype size for what Seattle wants to do at CB.

6.11 S Winston Guy

No contribution so far, but on the roster.

7.18 J.R. Sweezy

Started two games at the start of the year filling in for injured Moffitt and Carpenter.

7.25 DT Greg Scruggs

Two sacks filling in for injured Jason Jones.

Grade? How can we call this anything but an A so far?

Just saw this article showing how good the Hawks draft was and although drafts looks different at different points in time, Seattle's draft looks very good right now.Go to the link for the full read >>>

My link

Rookies worth watching

In Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, the Seahawks obtained three uniquely talented players with their first three picks in April’s NFL Draft who filled specific needs.