2012 NFL Draft - Thurs. April 26th

[CalamityX11]

Just to make sure the draft starts at 6pm PST right?

starts 8pm ET for us eastern folks.... so i figure 5ish your time no?

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Trent Richardson - RB - Player

ESPN's Bob Holtzman reported on SportsCenter Thursday that he "does sense some concern" amongst Browns brass that they could be leapfrogged for Alabama RB Trent Richardson.
The most likely team to blow by the Browns would be the Buccaneers, probably at the price of the No. 5 overall pick and a third-rounder. Holtzman is live at Browns headquarters, and he's clearly got well-placed sources inside the facility. Per Holtzman, Cleveland would lean toward LSU CB Morris Claiborne if it lost out on Richardson. It wouldn't take Justin Blackmon.
Related: Browns, Buccaneers
Apr 26 - 12:33 PM

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Courtney Upshaw - DL - Player

According to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini, the Jets will not consider taking Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw at the No. 16 overall pick.
"Not happening, not at 16," Cimini says. Though Upshaw makes some sense on the surface for a pass rusher-needy Jets team, he's not the dynamic kind of talent Rex Ryan is looking for. By all accounts -- reinforced by a Thursday afternoon report from ESPN's Sal Paolantonio -- the Jets much prefer Melvin Ingram.
Related: Jets
Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter
Apr 26 - 12:28 PM

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Fletcher Cox - DL - Player

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora confirms that the Eagles "really covet" Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox.
Reports out of Philly since early in the draft process have hinted the same thing. While the price would undoubtedly be "steep," the Eagles may try to execute a trade up into the top seven or eight picks in order to acquire Cox before the Panthers go on the board. The cost to do so might be a second-round pick. The Eagles have two second-rounders (46, 51), so ammo isn't an issue.
Related: Eagles
Source: NFL.com
Apr 26 - 12:21 PM

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Michael Floyd - WR - Player

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora "hears" that the Chiefs "love" Michael Floyd and may be primed to take him with the 11th pick.
Kansas City's offense under new OC Brian Daboll is similar to the system in which Floyd played under Charlie Weis. La Canfora also reports that the Cardinals believe Floyd is "special," and could even trade up to pair Floyd with Larry Fitzgerald and slot receiver Early Doucet. Concludes La Canfora, "I don't see Floyd getting beyond the 11th or 12th spot in this draft."
Related: Chiefs, Cardinals
Source: NFL.com
Apr 26 - 12:12 PM

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Brandon Weeden - QB - Player

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora suggests that the Browns may wind up trading back into the first round to select Brandon Weeden at No. 31.
The hypothetical deal would be with New England, and it should be noted that the Boston Globe proposed this exact trade in its final mock draft Thursday morning. Belichick is usually looking to trade down, and securing Weeden at No. 31 after drafting Trent Richardson at No. 4 and a receiver at No. 22 would allow Cleveland to upgrade its offense quickly and potentially immensely.
Related: Browns
Source: NFL.com
Apr 26 - 12:07 PM

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Morris Claiborne - DB - Player

According to NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, the Vikings "seem focused" on Morris Claiborne over Matt Kalil at the No. 3 pick, and plan to target left tackles at the top of the second round.
The priority is to trade out of the third spot, but the Vikings have to be prepared if they can't. Per Lombardi's NFL Network colleague Jason La Canfora, "a few GMs" who draft in the top-ten picks expect the Vikings to end up passing on Kalil. Most of the mock drafts released early Thursday had Kalil slotted to Minnesota at No. 3. That pick remains obviously undecided. Potential early second-round left tackles include Ole Miss' Bobby Massie, Stanford's Jonathan Martin, and red flag-filled Mike Adams of Ohio State.
Related: Vikings
Source: Mike Lombardi on Twitter
Apr 26 - 11:50 AM

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Ryan Tannehill - QB - Player

ESPN's Chris Mortensen stated on Mike & Mike Thursday morning that he "really believe(s)" the Dolphins will draft Ryan Tannehill at No. 8.
Mort made sure to point out that he doesn't believe the pick will be made due to pressure from Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. SI's Peter King also hinted strongly on Twitter Thursday that he anticipates Tannehill becoming a Dolphin.
Related: Dolphins
Source: ESPN.com
Apr 26 - 11:35 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Janoris Jenkins - DB - Player

SI's Peter King doesn't anticipate North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins going in the first round, but he does name five teams that might be "tempted" to select Jenkins, perhaps if he falls into the second.
The teams named by King are the Patriots, Rams, Panthers, Bills, and Cowboys. Per King, some teams around the league have "gotten comfortable" with Jenkins' off-the-field red flags over the last couple of weeks. None of them is going to invest a premium pick, but Jenkins too talented to last for too long.
Related: Cowboys, Rams, Bills, Panthers, Patriots
Source: SI.com
Apr 26 - 11:17 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Dont'a Hightower - LB - Player

ESPN Dallas reports there is a "strong possibility" that the Cowboys would target Alabama ILB Dont'a Hightower if they execute a trade down, and out of the No. 14 overall pick.
ESPN's Ed Werder reported early Thursday that the Cowboys have had trade talks with the Chargers, who sit at No. 18. Hightower is an inside linebacker and that's not a need position for Dallas, but he is versatile and in some circles even considered a more explosive pass rusher than college teammate Courtney Upshaw. Trades down aren't executed nearly as often as teams would like, but the Cowboys are hoping to pull one off after seemingly giving up on Mark Barron.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Justin Blackmon - WR - Player

SI.com's Peter King expects the Rams to draft Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon with the No. 6 overall pick.
King expects the Vikings to stay put and select Matt Kalil at No. 3, the Browns to go with Trent Richardson at No. 4, and Mo Claiborne to be the Bucs' pick at No. 5. The Browns have moved on from Blackmon as a consideration at No. 4, and he's not going to Tampa. St. Louis will definitely have a chance to get him.
Related: Rams
Source: SI.com
Apr 26 - 10:40 AM

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Michael Floyd - WR - Player

According to Sporting News' Russ Lande, most NFL teams are comfortable with Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd's past character concerns.
"I think the concern is the driving while intoxicated, and from everybody that I've spoken to that's dealt with this kid, interviewed him, met with the coaches at the school, they don't think there's any issue," Lande told ESPN 710 Seattle. "They say he's a good kid, he's a smart kid, this is not going to be an issue going forward." Floyd is a smart, hard-working player, but it remains to be seen whether teams are "comfortable" enough to draft him in the top 15.
Source: ESPN 710 Seattle
Apr 26 - 10:18 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Mark Barron - DB - Player

ESPN's Ed Werder reports that the Cowboys do not anticipate Alabama S Mark Barron being available at the No. 14 pick.
"The sense I get among the Cowboys right now, is that they understand that Mark Barron is unlikely to be available to them," Werder stated. "... They seem somewhat content with that." Per Werder, Dallas has been a bit "scarred" since drafting Roy Williams so early years ago, and the team has moved its sights toward a "playmaker on defense," either a front-seven player or a corner.
Related: Cowboys
Apr 26 - 10:08 AM

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Trent Richardson - RB - Player

Citing a club official, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported Thursday that there is a "zero-point-zero percent chance" the Jets will trade up in the draft for Alabama RB Trent Richardson.
Even with Richardson ranked No. 1 on the Jets' draft board, the cost is simply too much. Sal Pal named South Carolina LB Melvin Ingram and Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd as the two likeliest targets if the Jets stand pat at No. 16. If both Ingram and Floyd go before their pick, Paolantonio reported that New York would strongly consider Stanford OG David DeCastro, and use him at right tackle.
Related: Jets
Apr 26 - 9:46 AM

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Matt Kalil - T - Player

A source tells the Buffalo News that the Bills' interest in trading up for USC LT Matt Kalil is "legitimate," and gives the team a "good chance" to secure this year's top offensive tackle.
NFL Network's Charley Casserly reported this first last night, and it has also been confirmed by Profootballtalk.com. In this scenario, the Bills would wait for the Vikings to go on the clock at three to get serious about proposals of compensation. Buffalo is willing to surrender pick Nos. 10 and 41 in order to move up for Kalil. Minnesota may ask for a late-round "sweetener," but this looks like a draft-day deal that has strong potential to happen.
Related: Bills
Source: Buffalo News

 

[Ray_Dogg]

ESPN's Bob Holtzman reported Thursday morning that the Browns have narrowed their selection at No. 4 overall to Alabama RB Trent Richardson and LSU CB Morris Claiborne.
This is notable because Cleveland-area reporters believed Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon would still be in the hunt for the fourth pick leading up into Thursday. The Browns appear to have moved on from Blackmon, and will take Claiborne if someone leapfrogs them for Richardson. If the Vikings sit tight at No. 3 and take Claiborne or Matt Kalil, Richardson will be Cleveland's pick.
Related: Browns
Apr 26 - 9:10 AM

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David DeCastro - G - Player

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Cowboys are targeting four players at the No. 14 pick -- Stanford OG David DeCastro, Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox, Alabama SS Mark Barron, and LSU DT Michael Brockers.
It's notable that Memphis NT Dontari Poe is not among the targets. We anticipate Cox and Barron going in the first 13 picks, which would leave Dallas to decide between DeCastro and Brockers if Jerry Jones can't trade out of 14.
Related: Cowboys
Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Apr 26 - 8:50 AM

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Michael Brockers - DL - Player

ESPN's Ed Werder reported Thursday morning that the Cowboys "have had conversations" with the Chiefs and Chargers about draft-day trades.
As Werder also noted, Jerry Jones has been Cowboys owner for 23 drafts, and Dallas has made a trade involving its first pick "75 percent of the time" during that span. Trading with the Chiefs would be an upward movement, possibly geared toward Alabama SS Mark Barron. If Dallas traded back, it could look more toward LSU DT Michael Brockers or mammoth Memphis NT Dontari Poe.
Related: Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys
Apr 26 - 8:37 AM

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Luke Kuechly - LB - Player

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, "there was a rumor going around" that the Bengals had talked to the Seahawks about trading up for Boston College LB Luke Kuechly.
The Bengals have ammo for a maneuver, and Kuechly played high school ball in Cincinnati. The Bengals are known for drafting hometown kids. More recent signs point to Kuechly potentially being drafted before No. 12, however, which obviously would nix such a trade. The Seahawks are known to be interested in trading down. They've been linked to Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower.
Related: Bengals, Seahawks
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
Apr 26 - 8:24 AM

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Justin Blackmon - WR - Player

The Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers "will" draft Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon if he's available at the No. 9 pick.
The Observer believes the Panthers' fallback option would be North Carolina DE Quinton Coples, though we're skeptical of that. Blackmon falling to No. 9 isn't an inconceivable scenario, particularly if Matt Kalil makes it to the Rams and the Jaguars opt for their usual "best available player" strategy at No. 7. The Dolphins could take Ryan Tannehill, leaving Blackmon at No. 9.
Related: Panthers
Source: Charlotte Observer
Apr 26 - 8:13 AM

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Dre Kirkpatrick - DB - Player

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are not expected to consider Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick if he's available with the 19th pick.
This just adds a bit more fuel to the growing belief that Kirkpatrick is in for a draft-day fall. Kirkpatrick would seem to be an excellent fit for Chicago's Cover-2 scheme, and the Bears aren't exactly rich at cornerback. If he's there and they don't want him, Kirkpatrick's fall would continue into the 20s.
Related: Bears
Source: Chicago Tribune
Apr 26 - 7:59 AM

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Luke Kuechly - LB - Player

NFL Network's Mike Mayock predicts that the Bills' pick at No. 10 overall will be Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly.
Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan agrees. Mayock's projection is especially notable because he's nailed the last four Bills initial picks (Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Maybin, C.J. Spiller, Marcell Dareus) in pre-draft mocks. The Bills are interested in a trade up or down, but if they stay put they are tentatively expected to draft for defense; either Kuechly or Alabama S Mark Barron.
Related: Bills
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Apr 26 - 7:49 AM

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[Ray_Dogg]

Peter Konz - C - Player

The Carroll County Times confirms that the Ravens displayed "consistent interest" in Wisconsin G/C Peter Konz throughout the pre-draft period.
Konz was a visitor at Ravens headquarters, and they kept tabs on him from January through late April. SI's Tony Pauline has reported that Konz will be the Ravens' primary fallback option if Boise State LB Shea McClellin isn't available at the 29th pick. Konz would likely start at left guard in Baltimore.
Related: Ravens
Source: Carroll County Times
Apr 26 - 7:30 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Stephen Hill - WR - Player

The NFL Draft Advisory Board told Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill in January that he had "no chance" to be drafted in the first three rounds.
Hill could begin laughing at them as soon as today, as he's a projected late first-round to early second-round pick. Hill received the second lowest of five advisory grades that a player is capable of getting. The reasons for Hill's grade are obvious; he had 49 career catches and ran three routes in college. But he shredded the Combine and will also shred their projection.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Apr 26 - 5:49 AM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Kendall Wright - WR - Player

In addition to the Rams, the Patriots reportedly held an 11th-hour private workout with Kendall Wright on Baylor's campus this week.
Wright is tentatively expected to be drafted somewhere in the 20s. The Pats pick at Nos. 27 and 31. "You see him running by a corner every game," one AFC scout told the Boston Globe, discussing Wright. "If you would have asked me to guess (his forty time), I would have conservatively guessed 4.45. I would have thought he easily would have run a 4.3. But for him to run to run what he did, I was completely shocked. It kind of reminded me of when Chad (Ochocinco) came out of Oregon State, he ran like a 4.6 after running by people at the Senior Bowl. He played a lot faster than what he timed."
Related: Patriots
Source: Boston Globe
Apr 25 - 10:09 PM

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Chandler Jones - DL - Player

Both NFL Network's Mike Mayock and Michael Lombardi agreed on Path to the Draft Wednesday night that Syracuse DE Chandler Jones is the best defensive player in the 2012 draft.
"I'm gonna make a statement," said Mayock. "Three years from now, I'm gonna say Chandler Jones is the best defensive player to come out of this draft." Chimed in Lombardi, "I think what Mike Mayock said is right. He is the best defensive player in the draft." Mayock recently bumped Jones to No. 9 overall in his top-100 rankings, and to No. 1 among defensive ends. Lombardi went so far as to suggest Jones could be a top-ten pick.