No word is abused as much as "reach" when referring to the NFL Draft. It's a word often thrown around by people who don't know what draft boards around the league look like.

But when the Denver Broncos took San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman off the board at No. 67 overall in the third round, it may have been a bit of a reach, according to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post. Legwold spoke with various NFL executives and found out that Hillman was graded slightly lower than where the Broncos took him.

Still, Hillman is an explosive back that will get an opportunity to contribute this season in Denver. Willis McGahee is approaching the end of his career, and Knowshon Moreno continues to fall out of favor with the coaching staff due to poor play and injuries.

Hillman is a versatile player who should be able to contribute on third down if he shows pass blocking ability. All he has to do is take advantage of the opportunities he is given, and that overused word will be the last word people use to describe him.

Draft picks in the NFL bust for a variety of reasons, but not being able to stay healthy is probably the most common way to derail an NFL career.

Larry English has found that out the hard way.

After being a first round draft pick in 2009, English has started only four games during his three year career, due to a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness. The Chargers were happy with the way a healthy English was performing in OTAs this year, especially considering the abysmal 32 sacks the team had a year ago. But injury reared its ugly head once again, and English will miss some time with a groin injury, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

This injury may not be severe, but it is just another thing holding English back from improvement. The Chargers used a first round pick on Melvin Ingram, so the pressure is on English to improve. If he doesn't, the Chargers may cut him before the season starts. English certainly isn't helping his cause on the injury report.

The list of quarterbacks invited to the Manning Passing Academy each summer usually serves as a watch list for the NFL Draft the following year. Over the past few years, Andrew Luck, Sam Bradford, Jake Locker and many other high draft picks have attended the event as coaches to the high school quarterbacks at the camp.

A full list of invitees has not been released for the 2012 camp, but the short list of quarterbacks going shouldn't come as a huge shock. Matt Barkley, Tyler Bray, Logan Thomas and Tyler Wilson, all of whom are considered to be first round prospects, have been invited to the camp, according to Chris Mortenson.

These four quarterbacks are the biggest names to watch for the upcoming college football season. Barkley is currently the odds on favorite to be drafted first overall. Meanwhile, Bray will be looking to put together a full, healthy season under center, and Wilson will have to play this season with a new coach. Thomas is the wild card. A tremendous athlete, many expect him to rise up draft boards.

Which of the four quarterbacks invited will be the best pro?

Nick Fairley better get ready for a hearing with Roger Goodell.

For the second time in two months, Fairley was arrested in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., this time for suspicion of DUI and attempting to elude the police, according to FOX10 TV. The No. 13 overall pick in the 2011 overall draft was arrested for marijuana possession on April 3.

Drafted by the Detroit Lions to form a dangerous tandem at defensive tackle with Ndamukong Suh, Fairley has battled through injuries and off the field in his brief NFL career. While he has been affective when healthy, Fairley is going to need to stay out of trouble if he hopes to live up to his high potential.

But between Fairley and running back Mikel LeShoure, the Lions have had a fair share of legal issues stemming from the 2011 draft. Fairley could definitely face suspension for multiple games of the 2012 season, and if he doesn't learn from it, could prove to be a player Detroit can't rely on.

Given his talent and how early in his career it is, calling Fairley a bust is outrageous. But will be ever straighten up and be the player he is capable of, or will he let off the field troubles ruin his career?

Star Lotulelei | Defensive Tackle | Utah | 6-4, 325 pounds

Games Watched: Washington and Colorado (2011)

I am currently in the process of constructing my first 2013 NFL Draft Big Board. While I am compiling the list, I will release some of my notes on the players I am breaking down.Rather than a full scouting report, I will be releasing notes on these players. Full scouting reports will be based on games watched this upcoming season.

First Word: Utah's defensive captain, Star Lotulelei, is one his way to becoming a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. A disruptive force at defensive tackle, Lotulelei often finds his way into opposing backfields with his quick burst off the snap and impressive strength. At 6-feet-4-inches tall and 325 pounds, Lotulelei is a space eater that rarely lets a ball carrier escape his grasp. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sneak into the top ten picks by next April. Utah will be a team to watch this fall strictly to track Lotulelei's progress.

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2012 fantasy football season is right around the corner, and here at Mocking the Draft, we are prepared to give you an offseason's worth of coverage. We have started up a weekly podcast to get you ready for your fantasy drafts.

In the first episode, which is two parts, we break down all of the offseason moves around the NFL and how they will affect the fantasy football landscape in the upcoming season.

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments. Suggest topics for upcoming shows, ask questions to be answered on the podcast and let us know how we did.

Also, we are looking for a new name for our podcast. Drop some suggestions in the comments. The best choice will win some sort of underwhelming prize and, of course, receive mention in the next show.

Listen to the full episode below, in which we break down the moves in the AFC. We discuss Peyton Manning's fanasy value, what to expect from Tom Brady this season and much more.

We are going to try and get future episodes on iTunes as well. Hope you guys enjoy it.

2012 Fantasy Football Podcast - AFC Breakdown - Part One

2012 Fantasy Football Podcast AFC Breakdown - Part Two

Intro Music: Cosmonot - The Sea

Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Chicago Bears.

Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall are back together again. But the trade to bring Marshall to Chicago cost the Bears a few draft picks. Once the fans at Soldier Field see the Cutler to Marshall connection, they won't care too much about those extra draft choices.

The Bears went in a direction few saw coming in the first round, drafting linebacker Shea McClellin, who seems to be best suited for a 3-4 defense. He is a versatile player, and it will be interesting to see how the Bears plan to utilize him.

Chicago added another weapon to Cutler's arsenal in wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Once considered a first round pick, Jeffery dropped down boards due to concerns over his work ethic, deep speed and weight. In the second round, though, the Bears have drafted a player with huge upside.

In the later rounds, the Bears adressed the secondary, using picks on a safety and a pair of cornerbacks to round out a solid draft.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions have quietly been putting together a string of impressive drafts, and 2012 appears to be another in a long line of solid drafting to come for the new Lions regime.

The Lions have adopted a best player available philosophy, and in the first round, the best players happened to fill a huge need, as Riley Reiff became the newest member of the organization. The team then added a trio of former Oklahoma Sooners to go with three defensive backs before the draft was over.

Ryan Broyles was added to an offense that already features some of the most dangerous weapons in the league. Matthew Stafford now not only has weapons at his disposal, but the addition of Reiff should help improve his protection.

The defense should also continue to grow. The Lions spent six of the eight selections they had on defensive players.

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It's only May, but all of the talk of Ryan Tannehill not being ready to start in the NFL could be quieting down by the time the season gets underway.

Tannehill has impressed the Dolphins' coaching staff as well as his competition for the starting job, David Garrard and Matt Moore, during his first few practices at Miami's minicamp.

While Tannehill only started 19 games during his college career, his college head coach, Mike Sherman, is the new offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, which should ease his transition to the NFL a bit. He already has an understanding of a solid chunk of the playbook and has apparently been giving tips to Garrard and Moore.

Tannehill has a long way to go before he is ready to start and NFL game, but teams have been less and less patient with the quarterbacks they take early in the draft. Sitting at least part of the season may be ideal for Tannehill's future, but Moore and Garrard may force the Dolphins' hand on this one.

After all, if Tannehill wins the job, he wins the job. There's no way around it.

When the Cleveland Browns traded up to No. 3 overall to draft Trent Richardson, not too many people criticized the pick. There were some questioning the trade, but the pick of Richardson was viewed by most as a slam dunk of sorts.

Jim Brown was not one of those people, apparently.

Despite being considered by many scouts to be the best running back to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson, Richardson is just "ordinary" Brown told ESPN Cleveland.

"When you think of greatness and the great backs, they all had some individual traits that you can identify - quickness, balance, power, speed," Brown said. "I think the kid is a good working back, and if you've got everything else around him he can play his role. But when it comes to outstanding, I don't see anything outstanding about him. It's not said in a cruel manner. He's very efficient, and that's what you want."

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Hakeem Nicks fractured his foot at New York Giants minicamp and is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks by the injury.

While Nicks is not expected to miss any regular season games with the injury, his absence in OTAs and training camp opens the door for rookie wide receiver Reuben Randle to get some important reps and gain the trust of quarterback Eli Manning.

The Giants certainly aren't excited about the prospect of playing without Nicks, but given the rapport he and Manning have already developed, missing the offseason won't have as drastic an impact on him as it might on another receiver.

After losing Mario Manningham to free agency, the Giants jumped at the chance to draft Randle in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. LSU receivers have been hit or miss in the NFL, but Randle's skill set aligns somewhat with that of Nicks. Although, Randle has a long way to go as a route runner.

But I guess that's where those all-important training camp reps come into play.

2012 fantasy football season is right around the corner, and here at Mocking the Draft, we are prepared to give you an offseason's worth of coverage. We have started up a weekly podcast to get you ready for your fantasy drafts.

In the first episode, which is two parts, we break down all of the offseason moves around the NFL and how they will affect the fantasy football landscape in the upcoming season.

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments. Suggest topics for upcoming shows, ask questions to be answered on the podcast and let us know how we did.

Also, we are looking for a new name for our podcast. Drop some suggestions in the comments. The best choice will win some sort of underwhelming prize and, of course, receive mention in the next show.

Listen to the full episode below, in which we break down the moves in the NFC. We discuss Calvin Johnson's Madden Curse, Robert Griffin III's potential fantasy impact in his rookie season and much more. An AFC wrap-up is coming right around the corner.

We are going to try and get future episodes on iTunes as well. Hope you guys enjoy it.

2012 Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode One Part One - NFC

Intro Music: Cosmonot - The Sea

Barkevious Mingo | Defensive End/Outside Linebacker | 6-5, 240 pounds

Games Watched: Arkansas and Georgia (2011)

I am currently in the process of constructing my first 2013 NFL Draft Big Board. While I am compiling the list, I will release some of my notes on the players I am breaking down.Rather than a full scouting report, I will be releasing notes on these players. Full scouting reports will be based on games watched this upcoming season.

First Word: Barkevious Mingo is another in a long line of talented LSU Tiger defenders that will make the jump to the National Football League. Along with Sam Montgomery, Mingo is a part of a lethal LSU pass-rushing tandem. Tiger defenders will be in the backfield all fall putting SEC quarterbacks in the turf. While Montgomery is more of a power player, Mingo will make big money someday for his speed. He turns the corner on a dime and has the closing speed to rack up the sacks.

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To say the Seattle Seahawks have had a muddled linebacker situation this offseason would be putting it lightly.

Seattle entered the offseason severely undermanned at linebacker with a pair of starters hitting the open market. Luke Kuechly and Dont'a Hightower were popular picks for the Seahawks in mock drafts. But then the team brought in Barrett Ruud and re-signed Matt McCoy and Leroy Hill.

Problem solved, right? Well, not quite.

The Seahawks shocked the world by taking Bruce Irvin with their first round, who is a bit of a hybrid player. More importantly, they passed on Dont'a Hightower, and Luke Kuechly was off the board, meaning they would have to stick with what they had at linebacker.

But in the second round, Bobby Wagner was on the board. Wagner dominated the Senior Bowl and was seen as a lock for round two. Seattle didn't hesitate to make him their pick.

Now it appears they may have found their 2012 starter at middle linebacker. Wagner worked with the starters at minicamp this weekend, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. Inside linebackers tend to have a smooth transition to the National Football League. Wagner should be no different. He has the talent and the football instincts to make an instant impact.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to see Wagner contend for rookie of the year honors.

Sam Montgomery | Defensive End | LSU | 6-4, 245 Pounds

Games Watched: Georgia and Alabama (2011)

I am currently in the process of constructing my first 2013 NFL Draft Big Board. While I am compiling the list, I will release some of my notes on the players I am breaking down.Rather than a full scouting report, I will be releasing notes on these players. Full scouting reports will be based on games watched this upcoming season.

First Word: Sam Montgomery forms one of the most dangerous pass-rushing tandems in the country along with his teammate Barkevious Mingo. The two rangy defensive ends bring different elements to the table. Montgomery is an excellent run defender. He holds the point of attack well and seems capable of playing with his hand in the dirt in the NFL. His pass rush is not consistently dominant, but his athleticism and motor allow room for improvement in that area entering his junior season.

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Kawann Short | Defensive Tackle | Purdue | 6-3, 310 pounds

Games Watched: Ohio State and Michigan (2011)

I am currently in the process of constructing my first 2013 NFL Draft Big Board. While I am compiling the list, I will release some of my notes on the players I am breaking down.Rather than a full scouting report, I will be releasing notes on these players. Full scouting reports will be based on games watched this upcoming season.

First Word: Kawann Short is a scheme-versatile interior lineman with tons of athletic ability. He makes plays against the run with ease and seems to be improving a bit as a pass rusher. Short's motor and football savvy will make him an outstanding leader at the next level. If he continues his impressive play, Short should be a first round draft pick next April.

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Brandon Jenkins | Defensive End | Florida State | 6-3, 260

Games Watched: 2011 - Maryland, Clemson | 2010 - Miami

I am currently in the process of constructing my first 2013 NFL Draft Big Board. While I am compiling the list, I will release some of my notes on the players I am breaking down.Rather than a full scouting report, I will be releasing notes on these players. Full scouting reports will be based on games watched this upcoming season.

First word:

Brandon Jenkins is one of a handful of talented players on Florida State's defense next season. Through two seasons with the Seminoles, Jenkins has piled up 21.5 sacks. A strong senior season will ensure Jenkins is drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the New York Giants.

Is the honeymoon over, yet?

For the second time since 2007, the New York football Giants entered the offseason as Super Bowl Champions. That certainly takes some of the pressure of the front office, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to put their draft under the microscope.

New York loves to work the ground game, and first round pick David Wilson was drafted for just that. The former Hockie is a blazing fast, all-purpose back who should make an impact as a rookie.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dream team? Yeah, not so much.

After an offseason loaded with free agent signings, the Philadelphia Eagles were quickly labeled Super Bowl contenders. As they have become accustomed to doing, they failed to meet those expectations. In fact, the Eagles weren't even close, failing to make the postseason due to injuries amongst other factors.

But Philly has been better this year. Quieter, if nothing else. The biggest NFL splashes coming from Philadelphia came in the 2012 NFL Draft, where the Eagles landed a handful of potential impact players. Fletcher Cox was the first prospect drafted by the Eagles, who will be an excellent addition to the front-seven. But it was the selections of Mychal Kendricks, Vinny Curry and Brandon Boykin that really tie this draft together and give the Eagles even more talent on the defensive side of the ball.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Dallas Cowboys.

Morris Claiborne was considered a lock for the top five picks heading into the 2012 NFL Draft. Instead, Claiborne was still on the board at No. 6 overall, and the Dallas Cowboys wasted no time trading up to add an impact player to a pass defense that desperately needed just that.

The rest of the draft was less exciting, and one major need was left unaddressed: the offensive line. The Cowboys managed to add some talent to their roster in the middle rounds, but how long can they go without protecting Romo?

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Washington Redskins.

The Washington Redskins ended a search that spanned decades. They finally found a franchise quarterback. Atleast, they hope they did. Robert Griffin III is the newest Redskins quarterback, and his potential is as high as the expectations being put on him after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick.

But the trade up to acquire Griffin cost Washington a pretty penny. With no second round pick, the Redskins had to wait until round three to fill the rest of the needs on the roster. And unlike Griffin, the rest of the draft was far from a slam dunk.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Oakland Raiders.

The 2012 NFL Draft was the first since the 1960s that did not feature Al Davis making selections for the Oakland Raiders. A new era has begun in the bay area after the long time owner and general manager passed away in the fall.

The Carson Palmer trade left the new regime a bit shorthanded heading into draft weekend. With Oakland's first pick not coming until the third round, the team had to play a bit of catch up. The Raider addressed needs right away, drafting offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom, linebacker Miles Burris and defensive end Jack Crawford.

Wide receiver Juron Criner was Oakland's late round gem. The former Arizona receiver fell all the way to the fifth round before the Raiders scooped him up.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the San Diego Chargers.

Norv Turner and the San Diego Chargers have a well deserved reputation as the biggest underachievers in the NFL. But last season, the Chargers just flat out were not very good. Phillip Rivers appeared to play injured, and the rest of the team did little to pick up the slack as the Chargers stumbled to an 8-8 record and no playoff birth.

The coaching staff survived the offseason, and a decent amount of talent was acquired in the draft, making San Diego a bit of a sleeper in the AFC West. San Diego's front seven was a huge weakness last season, and A.J. Smith addressed it early in the 2012 NFL Draft, selecting Melvin Ingram in round one and Kendall Reyes in round two.

Smith and company continued to address needs late in the draft with two interior offensive linemen and a running back in the final three rounds.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Denver Broncos.

John Elway, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning have been responsible for creating quite the buzz about the Denver Broncos. Granted, Tebow is no longer there to induce his mania, but I think Manning will be able to pick up some of the slack.

When it comes to creating a buzz, however, the 2012 NFL Draft did very little for the Broncos. Denver traded out of the first round, making defensive tackle Derek Wolfe the team's first pick of the draft in the second round. Elway continued the draft by drafting Manning's successor, Brock Osweiler.

The Broncos acquired some solid talent in the later rounds, though. Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson was perhaps the best value pick of Denver's draft in the fifth round.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Matt Cassel is the only player holding back the Kansas City Chiefs from being a sleeper in the AFC next season. Scott Pioli has rounded out his team with talented playmakers on offense to go with one of the best stop units in the conference.

The 2012 NFL Draft started off slow for Pioli and company, but the front office picked up steam, collecting some solid values in the middle and late rounds of the draft. Dontari Poe was a massive risk at No. 11 in every sense of the word. The Chiefs then addressed the offensive line in the second and third rounds, drafting guard Jeff Allen and tackle Donald Stephenson. Neither is a stellar prospect, but they definitely addressed an area of slight concern.

Devon Wylie the prize of this draft for Kansas City. He will become an outstanding slot receiver in the NFL due to his reliable hands, smooth route running and quickness in and out of his cuts. The Chiefs then filled added some depth in the next two rounds with defensive back DeQuan Menzie and running back Cyrus Gray.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the New York Jets.

The New York Jets always have to make an offseason splash. Tim Tebow was the name of that splash this offseason, which came after an underwhelming season for the Jets.

Mike Tannebaum entered the 2012 NFL Draft with one less pick to work with as a result of the Tebow trade. And while the Jets didn't collect a stellar class of draftees, the team filled a few needs last weekend.

Quinton Coples was not an ideal first round selection. He was thought of as more of a 4-3 player, and did not have the strongest senior season, but Rex Ryan will find a way to use him effectively.In the second and third rounds, the selections of wide receiver Stephen Hill and linebacker DeMario Davis were two excellent value picks that filled big needs on New York's roster. In a weak safety class, the Jets managed to find value in the seventh round in South Carolina's Antonio Allen. Time will tell how this class will perform, but it's a middle of the road type of class at this stage.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Buffalo Bills.

It's been an exciting offseason for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills stumbled to the finish line during the 2011 season after roaring out of the gate. But Buffalo made an immediate splash in free agency to get the league's attention, signing defensive end Mario Williams to a blockbuster contract.

They continued to construct a winning roster during the 2012 NFL Draft, drafting Stephon Gilmore No. 10 overall. But it was the later rounds in which the Bills found the most success, drafting Ron Brooks, Zebrie Sanders and Tank Carder on day three of the draft.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Miami Dolphins.

After a failed attempt at signing Peyton Manning, and no luck reeling in Matt Flynn or Alex Smith, the Miami Dolphins entered the 2012 NFL Draft without a franchise quarterback. And the Dolphins addressed the issue early, drafting Ryan Tannehill No. 8 overall, the highest pick the franchise has used on a quarterback since drafting Bob Griese No. 4 in 1967. Tannehill is the first quarterback the Dolphins have drafted in the first round since Dan Marino in 1983.

With the quarterback situation taken care of, the Phins moved on to fill other needs with the remaining eight picks. Miami wisely scooped up Jonathan Martin, who fell to the second round and will fit in nicely on the right side of Miami's line. They also managed to add a defensive end for their 4-3 defense with third round pick Oliver Vernon. One area that wasn't addressed until very late in the draft was wide receiver. Miami took a couple of late-round fliers on some high-upside players, but Tannehill may not be thrilled with the weapons he'll have at his disposal next fall.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the New England Patriots.

Each year in late April, like clockwork, Bill Belichick moves back in the draft order to collect more picks. But this year, Belichick managed to move up in the first round to land talented pass rusher Chandler Jones, who has immediately drawn praise for his engaging personality. With defense being New England's glaring weakness, Belichick used his second first round choice on linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

The run on defense continued through the weekend. Six of the Patriots' seven picks were used on defensive players. Scheme versatile, hard-working players were the familiar themes of the draft for Belichick and the Patriots.

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Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Tennessee Titans.

General manager Ruston Weber and the Tennessee Titans' front office continue to build the team based on a best available player draft philosophy. Despite a drastic need on the interior of the offensive line, the Titans opted to draft wide receiver Kendall Wright with the No. 20 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, passing up on the most talented guard prospect in years, David DeCastro.

In fact, the team did not adress the interior of the offensive line the entire weekend, instead accumulating the best talent on the board with a bit of a focus on the defensive side of the ball. While they didn't address one of their biggest needs, the Titans had an effective draft in many ways.

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