NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Robert Griffin III from Baylor holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Griffin was selected #2 overall by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
49 Total Updates since April 27, 2012
about 1 year ago Update 0 comments
The 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft was full of surprises as draft boards were shattered with unexpected picks. Wide receivers bookended the top and bottom selections in the 2nd round, starting with St. Louis' choice of Brian Quick and ending with the New York Giants drafting Rueben Randle from LSU.
Players like Jonathan Martin, Stephen Hill and Janoris Jenkins were pegged as likely 1st-round picks by many experts, but fell into the 2nd round.
More analysis of all the selections in the 2nd round can be had here. A complete list of player picked in the 2nd round is below.
33 - St. Louis Rams - Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
34 - Indianapolis Colts - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
35 - Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
36 - Denver Broncos - Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati
37 - Cleveland Browns - Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California
38 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
39 - St. Louis Rams - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
40 - Carolina Panthers - Amini Silatolu, OT, Midwestern State
41 - Buffalo Bills - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
42 - Miami Dolphins - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
43 - New York Jets - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
44 - Kansas City Chiefs - Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois
45 - Chicago Bears - Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
46 - Philadelphia Eagles - Mychal Kendricks, MLB, California
47 - Seattle Seahawks - Bobby Wagner, OLB, Utah State
48 - New England Patriots - Tavon Wilson, S, Illinois
49 - San Diego Chargers - Kendall Reyes, DT/DE, Connecticut
50 - St. Louis Rams - Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
51 - Green Bay Packers - Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
52 - Tennessee Titans - Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
53 - Cincinnati Bengals - Devon Still, DT, Penn State
54 - Detroit Lions - Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
55 - Atlanta Falcons - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
56 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
57 - Denver Broncos - Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
58 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
59 - Philadelphia Eagles - Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
60 - Baltimore Ravens - Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa State
61 - San Francisco 49ers - LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
62 - Green Bay Packers - Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
63 - New York Giants - Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Check out SB Nation's Mocking The Draft for more news on the draft picks and here are our previous NFL Draft grades for day one and day two.
about 1 year ago Article 0 comments
Which picks were surprises and which ones already look like misses? SB Nation recaps the results from the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
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The NFL Draft is at the halfway point so it's time for another set of entirely-too-early NFL Draft grades.
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With the 63rd pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the New York Giants selected LSU Tigers wide receiver Rueben Randle. Randle is the 55th rated prospect in the draft and the sixth-rated wide receiver, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Randle started two years at LSU and also saw significant playing time during his freshman year. He posted career highs of 53 receptions, 917 yards, 17.3 yards per reception and eight touchdowns in 2011. Randle's measurables are excellent, but his lack of production relative to other receivers in the class kept him from projecting as a first-round pick before the draft. He did improve in each year, however, and played on a two-quarterback team with two quarterbacks who were not particularly great passers. Randle checks in at 6'4" and 208 pounds, so he fits the ideal body type for a wide receiver.
Many expected Randle to be drafted much higher than this. The Giants get a dynamic playmaker who could thrive with Eli Manning throwing him the ball. New York selected running back David Wilson in the first round.
For more on Randle, head over to LSU Tigers blog And The Valley Shook.
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With the 62nd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Vanderbilt Commodores cornerback Casey Hayward in Round 2. Hayward checks in as the No. 16 cornerback, according to Mocking the Draft.
The Packers picked up Nick Perry with their only pick in the first round. In the second, Green Bay grabbed Jerel Worthy before picking Hayward.
Mocking the Draft has taken a look at Hayward's strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths: Hayward is an instinctive cornerback who is light on his feet and does well in zone situations. He sits on routes and makes most of his plays. Closes on the ball nicely. Ball skills are good. Hayward times his jumps well and has good body control to break up the pass.
Weaknesses: A work in progress in man coverage. Often needs help over the top and doesn't have especially good speed. Needs to stay more compact and not give up position working up the sideline.
For more on Hayward, visit Vanderbilt blog Anchor of Gold. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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Former Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James was selected in the second round on Day Two by the San Francisco 49ers. James becomes the No. 61 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. James is the 92nd-rated prospect in the draft and the eighth-ranked running back, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about James before the draft.
Final word: James has good athleticism and competes on every snap. He was perhaps the most dangerous open field running back in college football at attacking the perimeter while at Oregon. James was very consistent with his production, in three years he totaled 4,923 yards rushing and scored 52 rushing touchdowns. He is aggressive when attacking the outside and cutback lanes. Overall, I feel in time James will have an impact on a NFL team such as ex-Eagles running back Brian Westbrook with their comparable styles.
James joins a crowded backfield with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, a second-year player. He is the second offensive player selected by the 49ers in this draft, following their first-round selection of A.J. Jenkins, a wide receiver from Illinois.
For more information about LaMichael James and the Oregon Ducks, check out Addicted to Quack. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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The Green Bay Packers aren't known as a team that does a lot of trading on draft day but already they've moved up twice in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Packers traded up with the New England Patriots for the 62nd pick in the NFL Draft.
The Packers plan to take Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward with the 62nd pick.
They also traded up eight spots in the 2nd round to select Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy.
The Patriots traded their 2nd round pick for the Packers 3rd and 5th round picks, which are the 90th and 163rd picks in the draft.
This is the third Patriots trade of the draft after they moved up twice in the 1st round to grab DE/LB Chandler Jones and LB Dont'a Hightower.
For more on the Packers, visit Acme Packing Company. And for more on the Patriots, visit Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more NFL draft results.
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With the 60th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Iowa State Cyclones offensive tackle/guard Kelechi Osemele. Osemele entered the draft as the No. 40 overall prospect on the board and the third-ranked guard, according to Mocking the Draft's rankings.
Osemele was a four-year starter at Iowa State, where he was asked to play multiple positions during his college career. He was named first-team All-Big 12 in his senior season. He's a huge lineman at 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds, and he could play either tackle or guard in the NFL. He has experience at both positions and has been projected by most as a guard in the pros, but could play right tackle as well.
The Ravens traded out of the first round and used the 35th pick in the second round to select Alabama defensive end Courtney Upshaw. Osemele helps fill the void left by Ben Grubbs' departure in free agency.
For more on Osemele, head over to Iowa State Cyclones blog Wide Right and Natty Lite.
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With the 59th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Marshall Thundering Herd defensive end Vinny Curry. Curry is the 35th-rated prospect in the draft and the fifth-ranked defensive end, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Curry before the draft.
Strengths: Incredibly quick off the line and possesses a good first step. Specializes in getting around the corner, but has enough strength to not be a detriment in the running game. Plays with good leverage, and some toughness. Is similar to Cliff Avril of the Detroit Lions.
Weaknesses: Has a hard time getting off blocks at the line of scrimmage and especially has a hard time against length. May have to switch to linebacker in the NFL.
Overall, Curry has a lot of potential as someone that can get into backfield and create pressure. He could really solidify his draft stock if he adds some bulk and improves his play against the run. Any team looking to create pressure will no doubt look Curry's way.
Curry joins first rounder DT Fletcher Cox and second rounder LB Mychal Kendricks on the Eagles.
For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft. For more on the Eagles, head to Bleeding Green Nation.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded down in the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and they'll trade up in the 2nd round. The Bucs moved up to the 58th pick in the draft in a trade with the Houston Texans. The Texans picked up the Bucs 3rd and 4th round picks in exchange for their pick.
The Bucs target is Nebraska LB Lavonte David. Tampa must have liked him quite a bit if they were willing to surrender extra 3rd and 4th round picks to do the deal.
The Bucs moved down in the 1st round from the 5th to the 7th pick and selected Alabama safety Mark Barron, the top safety in the draft. Adding pieces to their defense was one of the keys to this draft and they've found two potential starters with their first two picks.
Check out Bucs Nation for more on the Bucs. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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With the 58th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Lavonte David. David was the 29th-rated prospect in the draft and the No. 2 outside linebacker available, behind only Courtney Upshaw, according to Mocking the Draft.
David was selected as the No. 40 pick in SB Nation's NFL bloggers mock draft by the Carolina Panthers. It seems that there are some issues with his size, but our experts thought he'd do just fine in the NFL.
David played the 2011 college season around 225 lbs but has since bulked up to 233 lbs as measured at the combine. The added weight didn't affect his speed the slightest (4.56) and so, just like Davis he is being questioned as to whether he is a safety in the NFL. Like Davis, Lavonte will put on a little bulk and settle in at WLB whenever Davis is not able too, whether that is this fall or another season or two. In the meantime he will also be another boost to our special teams unit.
On the field David brings the speed to cover TE's out of the backfield, a talent sorely missing in 2011 without Davis or MLB Jon Beason. He shows a talent for penetrating the line and making tackles for losses both in short yardage and end runs. David has great football instincts, is physically strong and is a sure tackler, making him the kind of impact player Ron Rivera seeks from the WLB position.
David joins first rounder S Mark Barron on the Bucs.
For more on the Cornhuskers, be sure to visit Corn Nation. For more on the Bucs, head over to Bucs Nation.
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With the 57th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler. Peyton Manning was signed in free agency, so the Broncos are hoping to set themselves up for the post-Manning era before it's even really started.
Osweiler is the 62nd rated prospect in the draft and the fifth-rated quarterback, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
The Broncos traded out of the first round completely and used their first second round pick on DT Derek Wolfe.
Osweiler only has one year as a full-time starter behind him, but he put up solid numbers on an average team with 4,036 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Osweiler before the draft.
He's a tall, strong-armed athletic passer with a quick release and a lot of room to grow. What keeps Osweiler from being an elite-level quarterback prospect is a lack of experience and some accuracy issues. It's concerning that Osweiler didn't take a hold of Arizona State's quarterback job until the latter part of the 2010 season. Because of his lack of experience, he has some technical flaws and often works just the first read. With the right coaching and enough reps, though, Osweiler could develop into a very good NFL quarterback.
For more on Osweiler, head over to Arizona State Sun Devils blog House of Sparky.
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With the 56th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio St. Buckeyes offensive tackle Mike Adams. Adams is rated as the fifth-best prospect at his position and as the No. 50 player overall, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings. Adams' stock sustained some damage a week before the draft when it was reported that he'd tested positive for marijuana during the NFL's annual scouting combine.
The Steelers are building their line up again, selecting David DeCastro, from Stanford, in the first round and Adams in the second.
In terms of Adams' on-field skills, Matthew Fairburn thinks the former Buckeye has the tools to be a starting left tackle at the next level. The former Buckeye will need to answer some questions about his motor, however.
Final Word: Mike Adams looks the part of a franchise left tackle. He has outstanding size, decent arm length and moves very well. It's tough to grade Adams because he is wildly inconsistent and looks lost on the field at times. He also never really displayed a mean streak during the games I watched.
I think Adams could be coached up to be a pretty solid left tackle in the NFL. He had to play his senior year blocking for the erratic Braxton Miller, so some of the inconsistency and perceived confusion is excusable. Still, I would like to see him put together a full game and become more of a nasty blocker. Adams is worth a shot in the mid to late first round.
For more on Adams, be sure to check out the SB Nation blog Land-Grant Holy Land. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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The Atlanta Falcons selected Peter Konz, a center out of Wisconsin, with the 55th pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Konz bolsters a Falcons offensive line in need of better and younger depth. Once regarded as a potential first-round pick and the best center in the draft, Konz in the 55th spot is a mild upset, but one the Falcons will certainly appreciate.
From the scouting report at Mocking the Draft:
Final word: Many consider the running backs at Wisconsin a product of the system. But the key to that system, is a great offensive line. With that in mind, the tackles at Wisconsin often get much of the credit. But it's Konz who was the key to the Wisconsin run game. Whether he was working straight ahead or on a pull, the run play often came directly behind Konz. Has had a few nagging injuries through his career from blood clots in 2009 to a dislocated ankle in 2010.
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With the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have selected former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Ryan Broyles. Broyles was thought of as a 1st round talent heading into his senior season at Oklahoma, but suffered a torn ACL mid-season, which caused his stock to drop.
In his time at Oklahoma, Broyles was absolutely prolific. He had 15 touchdowns in his sophomore year, 14 in his junior year, and 10 in just nine games in his senior year before he tore his ACL. Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Broyles before the draft.
Strengths: Possesses exceptional hands and routinely catches the ball outside his frame. Tough for a player of his size. Doesn't mind getting hit when working the middle. Has returned punts. Broyles is at his best playing out of the slot when he can work over the middle, underneath.
Weaknesses: The big, obvious negative that holds Broyles down is his size. He can have trouble getting open over the top, isn't a jump ball target and won't break many tackles. Has an injury history (torn ACL in 2011, broken collarbone in 2009) and character issues (arrested for stealing gas as a freshman).
Broyles joins first rounder OT Riley Reiff on the Lions.
For more on Lewis, head over to Oklahoma Sooners blog Crimson And Cream Machine. For more on the Lions, head over to Pride Of Detroit.
about 1 year ago Update 1 comment
With the 53rd pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Penn St. Nittany Lions defensive tackle Devon Still. Still is the 13th-ranked prospect in the draft and the top-rated defensive tackle, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Still before the draft:
Strengths: Still is a powerful defensive tackle who is rarely knocked off the ball. Strong throughout his frame. As a senior, Still kept his pad level low off the snap, which allows him to drive offensive linemen backward. Good short area quickness. Showed much better awareness in the run game as a senior. Was able to more quickly sniff out the ball and decipher where the play is developing. Possesses a frame that can carry more weight. Experienced playing multiple techniques. Has told reporters he started to put more film room time in as a senior. Isn't a soft body lineman. Fast hands. Long arms. Has high upside because of his frame and natural strength.
Weaknesses: Had a tendency to play too tall, especially prior to his senior season. Doesn't get very creative with his pass rush and mostly relies on his upper body strength. Doesn't play hard through double teams. You'd expect him to rely more on his natural power to beat double teams. Has a hard time getting skinny to split the double. Needs to learn how to protect his legs better against blockers. Torn left ACL in 2007 and a broken left ankle in 2008. Turf toe injury at Penn State's bowl game limited him some at the NFL Combine.
Still joins first round pick CB Dre Kirkpatrick on the Bengals.
For more on Still, head over to Penn State Nittany Lions blog Black Shoe Diaries, and check out the video below.
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With the 52nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected North Carolina Tar Heels outside linebacker Zach Brown. Brown is the 47th rated prospect in the draft and the third-rated outside linebacker, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
In the first round, the Titans picked up Kendall Wright to bolster their receiving corps.
Brown had an extremely productive senior season for UNC with 105 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions. Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Brown before the draft.
Brown has an excellent first step to get to the edge in a hurry. Elite speed for the position and most ball carriers won't be able to pull away in the open field. Will be attractive for a team looking for a linebacker who can cover athletic tight ends. Has covered the slot receiver at times. Good hands.
For more on Brown, head over to UNC Tar Heels blog Carolina March.
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On day two, former Michigan St. Spartans defensive tackle Jerel Worthy was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Worthy was chosen with the No. 51 overall selection in this year's draft. Worthy is the 46th-rated prospect in the draft and the sixth-ranked defensive tackle, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings
Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about Worthy prior to the draft:
Strengths: One of the quicker defensive tackles in this year’s class. When he gets a good first step, Worthy excels at firing through the gap and getting into the backfield. Uses his hands really well. Will be able to play early in his career because of his strong technical knowledge.
Weaknesses: Was a non-factor early in his senior season which brings up questions about his effort. Is easily neutralized if his first step fails. Doesn’t have quite enough power to handle double teams and will get lost in the wash.
Worthy joins Nick Perry, a pass rusher from USC, who the Packers drafted in the first round. The two combined should improve a defensive front seven that struggled in 2012.
For more information about Jerel Worthy and the Michigan State Spartans, check out The Only Colors. For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft. You can learn more about Worthy by watching the video below.
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The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most active trading teams on draft day, and they're proving that again as Andy Reid and the Eagles have traded with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers receive the 51st overall pick in the draft, while the Eagles drop eight spots to No. 59 and pick up the 129th pick in the draft.
The Eagles also made a trade in the first round, moving up from the 15th to 12th pick in order to secure DT Fletcher Cox with their first round pick.
The target for the Packers is DT Jerel Worthy out of Michigan State, who was considered a first round talent in some mock drafts. Worthy seems like a solid value for the Packers at the 50th pick.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more NFL draft results.
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With the 50th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams selected Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead. Pead is the ninth-rated prospect at his position, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
St. Louis used its first-round pick on Michael Brockers and had selected Brian Quick and Janoris Jenkins in the second round. St. Louis then traded down, swapping with the Bears, before taking Pead.
The 5'10", 197-pound running back doesn't have great size, but he is very skilled. Pead's quickness and receiving ability could make him a solid third-down back at the next level, according to Dan Kader.
Strengths: Pead had good acceleration when planting his foot in the ground and bursting up field. Shows off excellent agility to stop and cut without a wasted motion. When he's past the line, Pead can often beat defenders on an angle. Maintains good balance on contact. Receiving skill makes him a good third down option. Caught 87 passes for 721 yards at Cincinnati.
Weaknesses: Gets too reliant on getting outside the tackle box and isn't fast enough to always get to the corner first. Not an especially strong runner. Pead needs to carry the ball higher so it doesn't get knocked out. Will need to add considerable strength at the next level. Less-than-ideal as a blocker, but he gives good effort.
For more on Pead, be sure to check out the SB Nation blog Down The Drive. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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With the 49th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers select Connecticut Huskies defensive tackle Kendall Reyes. Reyes is the 68th-ranked prospect in the draft and the ninth-rated defensive tackle, according to Mocking the Draft's rankings.
Reyes was a four-year starter with the Huskies, earning first team All-Big East honors in his junior and senior seasons. He posted career-high marks as a senior with 46 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about Reyes prior to the draft:
Strengths: Faced extra blockers as a senior and still showed his ability to disrupt the pocket and get into the backfield. Is a fluid athlete who can shoot gaps nicely. Given his agility, his best fit in the NFL could be at 3-4 end.
Weaknesses: Often raises his pad level as the play develops. Will have to become more aggressive with his hands instead of relying on angles and openings. Needs to be more alert when the ball is being run between the tackles.
The Chargers stay with defense in the second round, after picking South Carolina outside linebacker Melvin Ingram in the first round on Thursday.
For more on Reyes, head over to The UConn Blog; for even more, watch the video below.
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With the 48th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have selected former Illinois Fighting Illini free safety Tavon Wilson. Wilson was thought of as a Day 3 pick going into the NFL Draft, and the Patriots' selection of him in the 2nd round really came out of nowhere. He did not work out at the NFL Combine.
Wilson was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2010. His stats from 2011 actually look much better, but he didn't receive any honors, perhaps because the Illini were so disappointing in the Big Ten. He had 81 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumbles recovered and a defensive touchdown for Illinois.
He ran an impressive 4.52 40-yard dash at his pro day and is thought of as a safety-cornerback tweener.
Earlier in the draft, the Patriots traded up twice in the first round to get defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont'a Hightower, respectively.
For more on Wilson, head over to Illinois Fighting Illini blog Hail To The Orange and New England Patriots blog Pats Pulpit.
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With the No. 47 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected Utah State Aggies inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner is ranked as the No. 3 middle linebacker by Mocking the Draft.
Wagner tallied 147 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks as a senior in 2011. He does have his fair share of strengths and weaknesses, according to Mocking the Draft:
Strengths: Had an incredibly productive career, and he held up well against top competition. Possesses a powerful frame. He closes in a hurry and does a nice job of getting off blocks. Doesn't get over-active, though, and overrun the play. Locates the ball quickly. Experienced inside and outside. Great straight-line speed. Four-year starter, two-time team captain.
Weaknesses: In pass coverage, Wagner reads the quarterback more than the wide receiver and the route and can get fooled. Isn’t overly fluid and has some trouble changing direction. While Wagner is certainly fast (4.46 40 at his pro day), he's a little stiff in the hips.
Seattle stunned even the experts in the first round when they picked Bruce Irving, a defensive end out of West Virginia.
For more on Wagner, visit our Utah State page.
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With the No. 46 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected California Golden Bears linebacker Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks was the 81st-rated prospect in the draft and the No. 5 inside linebacker, according to Mocking the Draft.
Kendricks might not have ideal height for an NFL linebacker, considering he stands just 5-foot-11, but he uses that leverage advantage as a positive and, according to a recent scouting report from Dan Kadar, he should be able to excel in the NFL.
Strengths: Kendricks is a stout, powerfully built linebacker who thrives on contact. Darts through gaps really well and is an underrated pass rusher. Has natural leverage. Solid tackler who doesn't let the ball carrier get away upon contact. Makes plays all over the field. Solid speed. Should be able to play 4-3 Mike or Will or the 3-4 Ted.
Weaknesses: Has a hard time getting off blocks once he gets engaged. Will struggle in coverage against taller and faster pass catchers. Will be slow to react on pass plays. Wasn't the primary signal caller on Cal's defense.
The Eagles selected DT Fletcher Cox in the first round with the No. 15 pick.
For more on Kendricks and the Golden Bears, be sure to visit California Golden Blogs.
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With the 45th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Jeffrey is the 34th-rated prospect in the draft and the fourth-ranked wide receiver, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Jeffery before the draft.
Jeffery had an outstanding sophomore season at South Carolina where he had 88 receptions, 1,517 yards, and 9 td catches. His production fell off in 2011, mainly due to inconsistent play from the QB and their improved running game ... Overall, Jeffery has the skillset to be a good compliment receiver right out of the gate. He will be valuable in the red zone because of his length, good hands, and leaping ability. He can turn into a solid number one receiver in time with better techniques in route running and the use of his hands to get off of the line faster.
The Bears had selected defensive end Shea McClellin in Thursday's first round.
For more on Jeffery, head over to South Carolina Gamecocks blog Garnet and Black Attack.
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The St. Louis Rams, for the third time in the 2012 NFL Draft, have conducted a trade. The Rams traded the 45th overall pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the 50th overall pick. The Bears' target is South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery.
The Rams are clearly putting a priority on adding more picks. They traded the second overall pick in the draft to the Washington Redskins for a second-round pick and two future first-round picks. They also picked up another second-round pick trading back with the Dallas Cowboys to the 14th pick.
The Rams selected DT Michael Brockers in the first round and WR Brian Quick in the second round.
For more Draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft grades, Round 2 mock draft and the complete first-round NFL Draft results.
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With the No. 44 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Illinois offensive tackle Jeff Allen. Allen is the 12th-rated prospect at his position, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Allen stands out from an intangibles perspective. He served as a team captain for the Fighting Illini last season, and has the versatility to pay on either the left or right side of the line. Whether he can remain motivated at all times remains to be seen, according to Dan Kadar.
Strengths: A team captain with a lot of experience playing right and left tackle and can play either side. Good athleticism and quickness for the position. When his technique is sound, Allen uses his hands nicely.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always play physical and will need to be motivated on the field by coaches. Seems to absorb contact instead of being the person initiating it.
For more on Allen, be sure to check out the SB Nation blog Hail To The Orange. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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On Friday, former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Stephen Hill was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the New York Jets. Hill was chosen with the No. 43 overall selection in this year's draft.
Prior to the draft, Hill was projected as the No. 11 receiver in the talent pool. Here is what Mocking the Draft has to say about him:
Speed: Hill's timed speed is excellent, and a major reason most have fallen over themselves to laud him. But there is some concern because he's a long strider. For the unaware, that means it takes Hill some time to get up to top speed. He's not a sudden, explosive athlete in the short area. Will make defenders miss after the catch because of his speed, not his elusiveness.
Final word: As expected, Hill began ascending up draft boards of Internet websites during the workout process. He's a physical marvel with size and speed. But game film shows an inexperienced route runner with sometimes questionable hands. While he's more Torrey Smith than Darrius Heyward-Bey, there will be some risk in drafting Hill early.
The Jets had traded with the Seahawks to claim this spot in the draft order. In the first round, the Jets had selected defensive end Quinton Coples.
For more news and information regarding Stephen Hill and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, please visit From the Rumble Seat. For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft. You can learn more about Hill by watching the video below.
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The New York Jets have traded up with the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Jets now own the 43rd overall pick in the draft, which is the 11th pick in the second round. The Seahawks now own the 47th overall pick in the draft. The Jets gave up the 154th and 232nd picks in the draft to move up.
The target is Stephen Hill, wide receiver out of Georgia Tech.
The Jets have had one pick thus far in the draft, picking up North Carolina DE Quinton Coples with the 16th overall pick in the first round. They were also rumored to be interested in trading up to select Trent Richardson, but that was nearly impossible considering the cost to move up from No. 16.
The Jets are one of the most active trading teams so it's no surprise that they're moving up.
For more Draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft grades, Round 2 mock draft and the complete first round NFL Draft results. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more NFL draft results.
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On two, former Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Jonathan Martin was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Martin was chosen with the No. 42 overall selection in this year's draft. Martin is the 15th-rated prospect in the draft and the second-ranked offensive tackle, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings
Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about Martin prior to the draft:
Final word: Martin displays good agility, has the strength to take on power rushers and he moves outside nicely in pass protection. Coming out of Stanford's pro-style scheme, Martin has good football intelligence. Good at making adjustments throughout the game. Solid athlete. Three-year starter at tackle.
While Martin is very good in a lot of areas, he’s not elite anywhere. Needs to keep his feet moving, especially through contact. Will sometimes give up the inside gap while trying to maintain the edge. Hasn’t been used much on the move.
Miami picked QB Ryan Tannehill in the first round.
For more information about Jonathan Martin and the Stanford Cardinal, check out Rule of Tree. For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft. You can learn more about Martin by watching the video below.
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With the 41st pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn is rated as the fourth-best prospect at his position, and No. 25 player overall according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Matthew Fairburn praised Glenn's physical tools, but mentioned that the 6'5, 348-pound prospect may be a much better fit for guard at the next level unless he clears up some technical issues
Strength: Cordy Glenn's strength is a big reason why he is considered a first round prospect. He is powerful at the point of attack and is especially strong in his lower body. He is a powerful blocker in tight areas.
Technique: As previously mentioned, Glenn is not a natural knee bender and gets too upright when run blocking. He relies a lot on his physical attributes, which while solid, are not enough to consistently hold off NFL pass rushers. Glenn has strong hands in pass protection as well.
In the first round, the Bills selected cornerback Stephon Gilmore
For more on Glenn, be sure to check out the SB Nation blog Dawg Sports. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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Former Midwestern State guard Amini Silatolu was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. Silatolu was chosen with the No. 40 overall selection.
Silatolu was projected as the No. 4 overall guard in this year's draft, according to Mocking the Draft. A combination tackle and guard at Midwestern State, the senior was a two-time All-American in 2010 and 2011. He is the highest-drafted Division II player since Jermane Mayberry was selected in the 1996 NFL draft.
Silatolu earned a grade of 84.7 at the NFL's annual scouting combine in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-4, 311-pound 23-year-old put up 28 reps on the bench press, ran a 4.87 second 20-yard shuffle and a 5.43 40-yard dash. He has quickness, particularly for an athlete of his size, but has a lack of experience at guard and no notable explosiveness. He is expected to require a bit of work before he is ready to become an NFL starter.
In the first round, Carolina selected LB Luke Kuechly with the No. 9 pick.
For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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With the 39th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams select North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins is rated as the third-best prospect at his position and the No. 27 player overall, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
The Rams, who have a bevy of picks, took Michael Brockers in the first round and Brian Quick with the 33rd pick, the first in the second round.
According to Dan Kadar, Jenkins is a tremendous pure cover corner with great ball skills in either man or zone coverage. Jenkins' biggest questions concern his less-than stellar reputation:
Final Word: The big knock on Jenkins is his character issues. Some teams will completely have him off their board. He was kicked out of Florida following a second drug-related arrest. Also arrested for a bar fight at Florida. At North Alabama he was suspended a game for throwing a punch at an opponent. Suffered a torn labrum in 2010.
But if you get past the non-football things with Jenkins, he's a great football player. He did well against A.J. Green and Julio Jones in 2010 and tends to play bigger than his size. However, the character issues will likely push him far down the draft board.
For more on Jenkins, be sure to check out the SB Nation blog Alligator Army. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft. Also be sure to check out Jenkins' draft profile via SBN's YouTube Channel below.
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Former Clemson Tigers defensive end Andre Branch was selected in the 2012 NFL draft on Friday by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars selected Branch in the 2nd round with the No. 38 overall pick. Branch was considered by many to be the No. 3 defensive end in the draft.
The Jaguars make this pick after selecting Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon in the first round.
Here is what Mocking the Draft has to say about Branch:
Final word: Branch was the leader of a talented Clemson defense in 2011. He's one of the better speed rushers in this year's draft, but doesn't offer a lot as a power rusher. Because of that, he'll need to be put in the right scheme that can take advantage of his abilities. He should be able to transition nicely to linebacker because of his range. Branch played the Bandit position at Clemson, which asked him to play with his hand down and in the two-point stance.
In the first round, Jacksonville selected WR Justin Blackmon with the No. 5 pick.
For more information about Andre Branch and the Clemson Tigers, please visit Shakin the Southland. For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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Former California Golden Bears offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz was selected in the second round on Friday by the Cleveland Browns. Schwartz becomes the No. 37 overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. Schwartz was the seventh-ranked offensive tackle in this year's class, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.
Here's what Mocking The Draft had to say about Schwartz before the draft.
Strengths: Displays good power to neutralize stronger defensive ends and is quick enough to move to the outside against speed guys. Seems to have a great understanding of the game and knows how to pick up blitzes.
Weaknesses: Has a tendency to get high in his stance, which negates his power advantage. Range in pass protection is questionable. Needs to keep his legs moving more in the run game.
In the first round, the Browns selected Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden.
For more information about Schwartz and the California Golden Bears, check out California Golden Blogs. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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The Denver Broncos needed help on the defensive line, and they used their second-round pick, No. 36, to draft Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe.
Wolfe helps fill a big need along the Broncos' defensive line. Denver struggled against bigger guards and centers last season, which left them vulnerable to the run and compromised their pass rush on occasion.
Here is what Wolfe's NFL Combine profile had to say about his skill set:
Wolfe is a big interior lineman, and plays very instinctively to be a factor in the run game. He is a slow-moving, non-explosive athlete, but this doesn't define his games and he finds other ways to be a factor. He can get overpowered by double teams, and will need to continue to develop his technique to not get erased there. Based off his frame and potential, he has late-round value in the draft.
Denver acquired the 36th pick in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday night.
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With the 35th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Courtney Upshaw, an outside linebacker from Alabama. Upshaw, who's 6-foot-1 but weighs 273 pounds, was a key cog for the unstoppable force that was the Crimson Tide defense last year. He's ranked as the top outside linebacker and 11th player overall by Mocking the Draft.
Here's what the good people at Mocking the Draft had to say about him:
Pass rush: Upshaw gets low coming off the line of scrimmage. As a pass rusher, Upshaw gets most of his pressure standing up cutting around the corner. Shows a strong rip move to work to the inside. Is better, though, using a bull rush to close the pocket. Difficult to block. Possesses a good burst off the line of scrimmage, but doesn't have an elite first step. Has a nice variety of moves. Often lined up on the weak side and didn't have to deal with extra blocking from a tight end.
Pursuit: Relentless. When Upshaw gets held up on blocks, he doesn't stop on the play. He's always moving his hands or legs to close on the ball. Is a fundamentally sound tackler who uses good technique and has long arms. Sinks his hips and fires through the ball carrier. Has experience playing on special teams.
Final word: If there is an NFL team looking for the next LaMarr Woodley, they have it in Upshaw. For a 3-4 team, Upshaw could make an immediate impact on three downs. He's a powerful pass rusher who is hard to block for any period of time. As a senior, Upshaw had 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He often came up big in Alabama's biggest games, eating defensive MVP honors in the national title game against LSU. A 4-3 team will probably look at Upshaw as an end, a position he's being used at during Senior Bowl practices. He may not have the mobility required in a 4-3 linebacker.
This was the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft for the Ravens. They traded away their first-round pick.
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Former Stanford Cardinal tight end Coby Fleener was selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Fleener was chosen with the No. 34 overall selection in this year's draft. Fleener is the 33rd-rated prospect in the draft and the second-ranked tight end, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings
Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about Fleener prior to the draft:
Final word: Throughout the offsesaon process, Fleener has become everyone's favorite tight end. He's got impressive size, great straight-line speed. His strengths are evident. But Fleener is more of a receiving tight end than anything else. He's a little behind as a blocker and not overly elusive after the catch. Fleener is probably be the first tight end drafted, but he'll need to be put in the right situation to be fully utilized.
The Colts selected Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
For more information about Coby Fleener and the Stanford Cardinal, check out Rule of Tree. For lots more on the 2012 NFL draft, please visit Mocking the Draft.
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With the 33rd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams selected wide receiver Brian Quick out of FCS Appalachian State. Mocking the Draft has Quick rated as the 10th wide receiver and 77th player overall in their prospect rankings.
Though he comes from a small school, Quick has an NFL body, at 6-3 ½, 222 pounds. Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about him:
Strengths: Has the size to play outside in the NFL. Will be good at beating the jam, though he didn't see a lot of press coverage in college. Flashes decent hands but will drop some catchable passes. Maintains good balance running his routes. Just scratching the surface of his ability.
Weaknesses: There main area of concern for Quick is that he may struggle to separate from coverage in the NFL. Needs room to get up to speed. Isn't especially quick in his movements. Will have to be taught a full NFL route tree. Still raw and only played one year of high school football.
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The Baltimore Ravens traded out of the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and now find themselves drafting 35th in the second round. Several reports have linked them to Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw, one of the best players still available in the draft. Many had him rated as a first-round pick, so he'd be considered good value there.
If the Ravens do hope to draft him, they'll be hoping he slips past the St. Louis Rams (33) and Indianapolis Colts (34th).
SB Nation's Round 2 mock draft had Upshaw going 38th to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mocking The Draft has him as the 11th overall prospect in the draft, by far the best available player. He's not expected to stay on the board very long, whoever takes him.
For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, check out Mocking the Draft or head on over to SB Nation's dedicated draft hub.
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The 2012 NFL Draft enters its second round on Friday night, and one of the team that traded out of the spotlight in Round 1 is going to figure heavily in Round 2.
The St. Louis Rams have a league-high three picks in Round 2, two earned as cascading spoils from the trade that sent the No. 2 overall pick (and Robert Griffin III) to the Washington Redskins. The first pick of the second round, No. 33 overall, was the Rams' own pick, and they snagged the No. 39 pick in the trade with the Redskins; the No. 45 pick was obtained on Thursday, in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys that got the Rams out of the top 10 in the first round.
Four other teams -- the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots -- all have two picks each in the second round.
Here's the full draft order for the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
1. (33) Rams
2. (34) Colts
3. (35) Ravens (From Vikings)
4. (36) Broncos (From Buccaneers)
5. (37) Browns
6. (38) Jaguars
7. (39) Rams (From Redskins)
8. (40) Panthers
9. (41) Bills
10. (42) Dolphins
11. (43) Seahawks
12. (44) Chiefs
13. (45) Rams (From Cowboys)
14. (46) Eagles
15. (47) Jets
16. (48) Patriots (From Raiders)
17. (49) Chargers
18. (50) Bears
19. (51) Eagles (From Cardinals)
20. (52) Titans
21. (53) Bengals
22. (54) Lions
23. (55) Falcons
24. (56) Steelers
25. (57) Broncos
26. (58) Texans
27. (59) Packers
28. (60) Ravens
29. (61) 49ers
30. (62) Patriots
31. (63) Giants
Here's the third-round order.
1 Indianapolis
2 St. Louis
3 Minnesota
4 Denver
5 Houston
6 Washington
7 Jacksonville
8 Buffalo
9 Miami
10 Miami
11 Kansas City
12 Seattle
13 Houston
14 NY Jets
15 San Diego
16 Chicago
17 Arizona
18 Dallas
19 Tennessee
20 Cincinnati
21 Atlanta
22 Detroit
23 Pittsburgh
24 Cleveland
25 Philadelphia
26 New Orleans
27 New England
28 Baltimore
29 San Francisco
30 Cincinnati
31 NY Giants
32 Oakland
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The New York Jets will target a wide receiver in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, according to a report by Brian Costello of the New York Post. Without much depth behind Santonio Holmes, the Jets could use a playmaker to aid Mark Sanchez (or Tim Tebow) at quarterback.
Several talented prospects are still available, even with Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright and A.J. Jenkins off the board. The likes of Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu or Rueben Randle, all of whom are 6'2 or taller, would give the Jets a much needed infusion of size in the red zone. Hill is the best available of the four if SB Nation's Mock Draft is any indication, though whether he will fall to the No. 16 pick of the 2nd round remains to be seen.
The Jets picked up North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples in the 1st round of the draft Thursday. He could potentially be the difference making pass rusher that New York has been looking for, assuming he doesn't turn into Vernon Gholston.
For more on the Jets draft, check out the SB Nation blog Gang Green Nation. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, check out Mocking the Draft or head on over to SB Nation's dedicated draft hub.
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The 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft is complete, and as usual there were a number of players most of us had pegged as first rounders that ended up falling. SB Nation's Mocking The Drat has released its list of the best players still available and there's still a number of talented players out there.
I took a look at SB Nation's final mock draft before the first round and pulled out the players we had going in Round 1 that fell to Round 2 in the real thing:
21. Georgia OL Cordy Glenn (Bengals)
25. Stanford TE Coby Fleener (Broncos)
26. Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill (Texans)
28. Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy (Packers)
30. Midwestern State G Amini Silatolu (49ers)
32. Stanford OT Jonathan Martin (Giants)
Of those, Hill seems like the most likely to go off the board first. The Rams, picking 33rd overall, are a candidate to select Hill.
For more Draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft grades, Round 2 mock draft and the complete first round NFL Draft results.
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Could the St. Louis Rams trade down for the third time in the 2012 NFL Draft? They hold the 33rd overall pick, the first one in the second round, and already they're getting calls from potential trade partners, according to a report.
The first pick in the second round has become a little more valuable since the NFL changed the draft schedule to Round 1 on Thursday and Round 2 and 3 on Friday. That extra day gives the team holding the first pick of the second round time to shop the pick around.
The object of some teams' affection is Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill, whom many teams had rated as a first round pick. Other players, like Courtney Upshaw, could draw interest at the top of the second round.
The Rams are in great shape entering day two as they own the 33rd, 39th and 45th picks in the second round of the draft. They're free to do just about anything, whether that's moving up or down.
For more on the Rams, visit Turf Show Times and SB Nation St. Louis. For more Draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft grades, Round 2 mock draft and the complete first round NFL Draft results.
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The 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone after a record setting number of trades. Catch up with what you missed on Thursday night.
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The second night of the 2012 NFL draft will feature the second and third rounds, broadcast again on both ESPN and NFL Network.
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The trades in the first round of the NFL Draft ruined every mock draft. Now we turn our mocking attention to the second round of the NFL Draft, which kicks off on Friday night.
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about 1 year ago -T Kyle King Read More