Official 2012 NFL Draft Round 1 Thread

[Keith]

Let's use this thread for our running commentary on this evening's festivities.

[HPF Bob]

I see two wild cards to the first round:

1) Who takes Tannehill? There seems to be a lot of teams hoping *somebody else* wants to trade up for Tannehill. Once he's off the board, the rest will follow some predictable patterns.

2) When does the run on d-linemen begin? There's about 7-8 DE/DT/OLB types who will go somewhere in the mid to late first round. Once the run gets started, I think you'll see several go in succession and then the Texans will have to see if one they like is still there or whether that has pushed down some other players (a WR or OT perhaps) that they like better.

The Texans, under Smith, seem to use the first round to take the position most of us expected but not the player most of us expected. We expected an OT a few years ago, but not Duane Brown. We expected a DL last year but not J.J. Watt. So I think the Texans will either go OLB or WR in the first round but it will be a name that wasn't linked to them in mock drafts.

The consensus is that the Texans will go some combination of OLB/WR/OT in the first three rounds and that, to me, makes the most sense. But don't overlook the possibility that they may try to upgrade their secondary, take a nose tackle, a tight end or an interior lineman with one of the first three picks if there's one guy they are just in love with.

[chuck]

The Vikings are on the clock.

I predict the Texans go OLB in the first. Hopefully that guy Glynn Hwyll.

[nunusguy]

2) When does the run on d-linemen begin? There's about 7-8 DE/DT/OLB types who will go somewhere in the mid to late first round. Once the run gets started, I think you'll see several go in succession and then the Texans will have to see if one they like is still there or whether that has pushed down some other players (a WR or OT perhaps) that they like better.

I think right there you've hit the essence of the Texans situation & what their plan will be for the first round tonight as that scenario unfolds.

[Keith]

Pass rushing wins championships.

That, and a healthy Matt Schaub, but you all already knew that.

[coloradodude]

I'm foaming at the mouth in anticipation of our trade up. We were 4th in points allowed. Evidently we need to be at #1.

Defense wins championships.

[HPF Bob]

The Vikings are on the clock.

Not anymore. The Browns traded up to #3. I think that can only mean they are taking Tannehill, which means the end of the Colt McCoy experiment.

[chuck]

Not anymore. The Browns traded up to #3. I think that can only mean they are taking Tannehill, which means the end of the Colt McCoy experiment.

I can scarcely believe that anyone would take Tannehill third or Tannehill over Blackmon but you are almost certainly right.

If anyone finds a link to the Texans' war room I would definitely appreciate your sharing it.

[Warren]

I can scarcely believe that anyone would take Tannehill third or Tannehill over Blackmon but you are almost certainly right.
There's a school of thought that you don't take a receiver that high unless he has freakish tools, which Blackmon doesn't possess.

[chuck]

There's a school of thought that you don't take a receiver that high unless he has freakish tools, which Blackmon doesn't possess.

I don't know, man, I think Blackmon is going to be the best player to emerge from this draft.

Either way it wasn't Tannehill.

[Warren]

the best player to emerge from this draft

I think that's who the Browns may have just gotten. Of course, there's a school of thought that says you don't take a RB that high...

[chuck]

I wonder who the hell the Cowboys are after.

[chuck]

I think that's who the Browns may have just gotten. Of course, there's a school of thought that says you don't take a RB that high...

Blackmon is going to be terrorizing our secondary for the next decade.

[Warren]

You know Jerry couldn't just sit tight with all of these trades going on.

[barrett]

Blackmon is going to be terrorizing our secondary for the next decade.

Can he throw it to himself?

[chuck]

You know Jerry couldn't just sit tight with all of these trades going on.

Hell no. Unfortunately Claiborne can really play. Think about how much better the Texans would be if they had drafted a CB worthy of the pick when they went after Jackson.

[chuck]

Can he throw it to himself?

No, but he will catch damn near all of JJ's deflections. His YAD will be off the charts.

[Warren]

Hell no. Unfortunately Claiborne can really play. Think about how much better the Texans would be if they had drafted a CB worthy of the pick when they went after Jackson.

Yeah, I have to admit I like the pick.

[HPF Bob]

Well, I was wrong about Tannehill and surprised Barron got snatched up so fast. I'm not happy about Blackmon in the division but it seems like the Jags take a WR in the first round every year and they all bust so maybe that's an omen.

I know this. The trades have made a mockery of most mock drafts.

There goes Dontari Poe who might be a bust or might be a go. Worth the money? Nobody knows.
One thing's fo sho. He ain't gonna be Poe no mo.

[chuck]

Well, I was wrong about Tannehill and surprised Barron got snatched up so fast.

I think a lot of teams - including (especially) the Texans - misunderestimate the value of safeties.

[HPF Bob]

Looks like the DL run is starting.

[Roy P]

I still have Nick Perry, Stephen Hill, & Shea McClellin on my draft board. :)

[chuck]

Halfway home, boys. Wade will find a nightmare of an OLB here in an hour and a half or so.

[HPF Bob]

Halfway home, boys. Wade will find a nightmare of an OLB here in an hour and a half or so.

Wade has to be happy. All the sack masters are still there. It's the DTs that are going so far.

Wow. There goes Bruce Irvin. Glad we don't have to worry about that temptation. That also means a better rusher for us falls and the "Plan B" pick for the second round is probably gone. I think this makes it more likely we will take OLB in the first.

[nunusguy]

WOW - Bruce Irvin 15th overall !

[Roy P]

Pete Carrol is out of his freaking mind

[HPF Bob]

The mother/daughter phone commercial (Motorola/Verizon) was kinda cute the first time but it is already annoying.

[chuck]

There goes another Bama corner. Good luck with that, guys.

[HPF Bob]

I may have the wrong Bama defender but wasn't Dre the one with the pot bust? If so, another sterling character choice by the Bengals.

[Warren]

I shuddered when threw out the "Nick Saban personally coaches the secondary" line on ESPN.

[Roy P]

I wonder why nobody seems to recall that Saban coached Kareem or "Man Boobs" for LT..The Bengals drafted him too.

Crap, Shea is gone. :(

[Warren]

I may have the wrong Bama defender but wasn't Dre the one with the pot bust? If so, another sterling character choice by the Bengals.

That's him. He'll fit right in.

[nunusguy]

The BSU kid to the Bears, that seems early - thought the Bears were a 4-3 team ?

[Roy P]

The Bears take one of my guys....The Pats move up for??? DeCastro?

[HPF Bob]

I think it's clear we'll have some good OLBs and OLs to choose from when it gets to us. We might even trade back.

Pats just jumped in front of us. Bengals moved down.

[chuck]

The Pats are going to dick us here.

[HPF Bob]

We've got Blackmon and Kendall Wright in our division now. Maybe we should take another corner.

[HPF Bob]

Browns taking Weeden here?

[Roy P]

Browns taking Weeden here?

The Browns are still stupid.

[Roy P]

If we draft Nick Perry....I am going to be one happy Texan

[HPF Bob]

I think Weeden is a better QB than Tannehill and the only knock on him is his age but could the Browns have waited until the early 2nd for him? Probably.

[chuck]

Broncos traded their pick to NE. Dicking us.

[chuck]

Calvin Johnson is the biggest guy that's been out there all day.

[Roy P]

Broncos traded their pick to NE. Dicking us.

Ahhhh crap...freakin Bilichick

[HPF Bob]

Perry, Branch, Upshaw...

For some reason, I'm thinking Cordy Glenn.

Texans on the clock so it must be time for a commercial.

[chuck]

Aaaaaand to a commercial.

[nunusguy]

He can't take both Perry and Mercilus (Illinois) - we'll one if we want him.
Check that - we can have either.

[Roy P]

OK...that's not to terrible. Wasn't a Hightower fan

[Roy P]

Perry, Branch, Upshaw...

For some reason, I'm thinking Cordy Glenn.

Texans on the clock so it must be time for a commercial.

You know I'm a Bulldawg fan....but "hush yo mouth" - I don't want Glenn when we can have Perry

[Roy P]

He can't take both Perry and Mercilus (Illinois) - we'll one if we want him.
Check that - we can have either.

I'm ok with Mercilus...not my top guy, but one of "My Guys"

[HPF Bob]

Well, McClain was right. Mercilous Mercilus. NFL Network is shocked but I'm not. He sounds like a great fit as long as he's not a one-year wonder. I don't think the Texans believed he'd be there.

[chuck]

That was almost too easy, both the pick selection and the fact that these dickheads would go into a commercial immediately before and after the pick.

[nunusguy]

Well, McClain was right. Mercilous Mercilus. NFL Network is shocked but I'm not. He sounds like a great fit as long as he's not a one-year wonder. I don't think the Texans believed he'd be there.
I seem to remember some guy named Clay Matthews who was also a one-year wonder at USC.
Why did the NFL Network say they were shocked - they want us to take a WR ?

[chuck]

I seem to remember some guy named Clay Matthews who was also a one-year wonder at USC.
Why did the NFL Network say they were shocked - they want us to take a WR ?

Because Maycock is a dumbass. He thought we'd take the TE from Stanford. He was sure of it, in fact. Everyone knew they'd go OLB. Except Maycock. Hell, even McClain knew it would be OLB and he's effectively shut out.

[HPF Bob]

Why did the NFL Network say they were shocked - they want us to take a WR ?

Mayock had his chest puffed and claimed it either had to be Hill or Fleener. Once the pick was announced, he went on a riff about how the offense needs more weapons.

[chuck]

Mercilus is not the most impressive guy I've ever seen on film.

[Roy P]

I seem to remember some guy named Clay Matthews who was also a one-year wonder at USC.
Why did the NFL Network say they were shocked - they want us to take a WR ?

Wow...I could work for the Packers.....Matthews, Raji, and now Perry were all three of the top "My Guys". I hope we can get WR Hill. Amazed AJ Jenkins went so early..I pegged him for 2nd-3rd round type WR.

[TheMatrix31]

If this guy is high-motor and high-character, I'll be happy. Let's see what he can do.

[HPF Bob]

Bronco fans wanted Doug Martin and now the Bucs just picked him with the choice the Broncos traded to them. Much weeping and gnashing of teeth. NYG follows that with David Wilson.

Fleener, J. Martin, Hill, Glenn, Konz, Randle still around as round 2 begins. If you wanted an OL, could be a good time to trade up.

[Warren]

If this guy is high-motor and high-character, I'll be happy.

That seems to be the case:
"plays until the whistle"
"good second-effort production"
"motivated to support his hardworking, Haitian immigrant parents"
"well-liked and respected by his teammates"

[chuck]

Bronco fans wanted Doug Martin and now the Bucs just picked him with the choice the Broncos traded to them. Much weeping and gnashing of teeth. NYG follows that with David Wilson.

Fleener, J. Martin, Hill, Glenn, Konz, Randle still around as round 2 begins. If you wanted an OL, could be a good time to trade up.

I'm surprised at the number of RBs that were picked and the number of OL that weren't.

[chuck]

That seems to be the case:
"plays until the whistle"
"good second-effort production"
"motivated to support his hardworking, Haitian immigrant parents"
"well-liked and respected by his teammates"

He's got seven vowels in his name. But there are only five vowels total. Yet he's missing at least one pure vowel.

Confusing.

[HPF Bob]

He's got seven vowels in his name. But there are only five vowels total. Yet he's missing at least one pure vowel.

Confusing.

But it's the first name that counts. W-H-I-T-N-E-Y. If he didn't have the N, he could join the Cracker Sack Attack. :p

[chuck]

But it's the first name that counts. W-H-I-T-N-E-Y. If he didn't have the N, he could join the Cracker Sack Attack. :p

Good point! I think we can count him as an honorary member.

[nunusguy]

Wow...I could work for the Packers.....Matthews, Raji, and now Perry were all three of the top "My Guys". I hope we can get WR Hill. Amazed AJ Jenkins went so early..I pegged him for 2nd-3rd round type WR.
You liked our pick but preferred Perry ? Why ? Apparently Wade disagrees with you since he had the choice ?
Jenkin was maybe the fastest receiver in the Draft, along with Hill. And Hill and
Randle are both still there - very encouraging.
We are off to a good start, I'm real happy with our first-rounder.
But still trying to get over the Irvin pick in the top half of the first - stunning !

[HPF Bob]

The more I read on Mercilus, the more I like the pick. He hasn't played all that much football so he's got a lot of upside on technique. Very strong, nimble hands despite missing one fingertip. Big wingspan will help swat down passes. Played soccer in high school which means he's already skilled at changing directions quickly and pursuing. He's probably worthless in pass coverage but so was Mario. He's not developed as a run defender either but he projects like a Demarcus Ware at the position and we all know Ware really was asked to do just one thing.

[chuck]

Well! That was a rousing session of bulletin board activity. There were upwards of three or four members participating. Thanks, Ric, for all you did.

[Keith]

Sorry, missed the festivities tonight managing my son's weeknight baseball game. Remember the good ol' days when this draft used to be a 16-hour weekend marathon?

Here's video the official site is hosting from NFLN's coverage of the Texans selection.

http://www.houstontexans.com/media-lounge/videos/NFL-Network-Texans-pick-Whitney-Mercilus-No-26/22624372-7511-4439-ad02-c3b79dec00b2

Personally, I'm thrilled with the pick. I love adding pass rush. This guy's burst is nice. Watching this team play defense on third and long is going to be fun.

I just can't believe the team picks Mercilus, and there is not a single reference in here to Mersilus... aka James Allen. Shameful.

[painekiller]

I was driving throw rural Virginia while the draft was going on. My nephew was giving me a blow by blow. It looked like a stud OL guy might fall into our laps but at the last minute that dream was squashed. I had seen McClain talking about Mercilus, I had no opinion of the guy. I had wanted McClellin, when he was taken earlier I was lost. I had no idea who we would take.

As it stands a solid pick, raw kid with a huge upside. Nice.

Rick Smith is doing a solid job.

[Arky]

I think it goes like this:

mer·ci·less
   [mur-si-lis]

adjective
without mercy; having or showing no mercy; pitiless; cruel: a merciless critic.

Sounds like a good DE/LB name to me....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1 in the books (ESPN grade on the end):

1 Andrew Luck QB Colts 99
2 Robert Griffin III QB Redskins 97
3 Trent Richardson RB Browns 97
4 Matt Kalil OT Vikings 96
5 Justin Blackmon WR Jaguars 95
6 Morris Claiborne DB Cowboys 97
7 Mark Barron S Buccaneers 95
8 Ryan Tannehill QB Dolphins 94
9 Luke Kuechly ILB Panthers 96
10 Stephon Gilmore DB Bills 93
11 Dontari Poe DT Chiefs 92
12 Fletcher Cox DT Eagles 95
13 Michael Floyd WR Cardinals 93
14 Michael Brockers DT Rams 94
15 Bruce Irvin OLB Seahawks 83
16 Quinton Coples DE Jets 94
17 Dre Kirkpatrick DB Bengals 92
18 Melvin Ingram DE Chargers 93
19 Shea McClellin OLB Bears 92
20 Kendall Wright WR Titans 89
21 Chandler Jones DE Patriots 94
22 Brandon Weeden QB Browns 86
23 Riley Reiff OT Lions 93
24 David DeCastro OG Steelers 93
25 Dont'a Hightower ILB Patriots 91
26 Whitney Mercilus DE Texans 89
27 Kevin Zeitler OG Bengals 88
28 Nick Perry DE Packers 88
29 Harrison Smith S Vikings 89
30 A.j. Jenkins WR 49ers 82
31 Doug Martin RB Buccaneers 90
32 David Wilson RB Giants 84

[Warren]

I just can't believe the team picks Mercilus, and there is not a single reference in here to Mersilus... aka James Allen. Shameful.
Wow, I totally missed that. I hang my head in disgrace. My mind was filled with lame Flash Gordon references... like that it would be awesome if next year the Texans drafted LSU's Barkevious Mingo as the almost ideal bookend for Mercilus...

[Nconroe]

I think this is a great pick, 16 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 6'4", 260, junior. Our pass rush should be really good ongoing.

I had to visit a friend in hospital who had surgery last night.

I guess best of WR or OL coming in rnd 2 and 3.

[HPF Bob]

All these "I couldn't be there" stories makes me question whether the NFL made a mistake trying to make the draft a three-day prime time event. I know they'll never go back to a Sat-Sun weekend but I wish they would.

As for Mercilus, it's a great pick because he'll cost so much less than Mario and he doesn't have to start right away. I can't wait to see what he's like after a year of being coached up. He's big enough to be a DE on third downs and a rush OLB on earlier downs. I also like all the forced fumbles. He says he has a knack for knowing when to strip and that's a great quality to have.

Since Martin and Glenn are still there, I wonder if the Texans might not be tempted to trade up in the second round with one of their 4ths to get the guy they want. I could see that happening.

[idymoe]

Wow. At this point, I am really happy with the pick. I did not think he would be available at 26. I also thought Cordy Glenn and J. Martin would be gone. Thought the pick could have been either one of those guys, or Nick Perry when the Texans were on the clock. I thought it was very exciting. I like Perry, but his motor isn't as consistent as Mercilus, from what I've read. Mercilus' back story is awesome, as well. He has overcome a lot, and I'm very happy for him. High motor, try hard guy with skills.

I'd like to ask the legion (:D) of posters here, if they would be onboard with an interior defensive lineman in the 2nd round, if a very good one were there? One site is mocking the Texans taking Ta'amu in the second. Are you okay taking OL and WR in the 3rd and 4th rounds if a really good DL is there at their pick in the 2nd?

Some who might be available:

Ta'amu
Mike Martin
Devon Still
Jerel Worthy
Kendall Reyes
Brandon Thompson
Jared Crick
Andre Branch

[Roy P]

I am going to say we get WR Marvin Jones in the 2nd Round..but I would be just fine with taking Brandon Mosely to play RT and waiting for a WR like Nick Toon in the 3rd round.

[Roy P]

The Packers just took my NT Jerel Worthy to rotate with BJ Raji