Top Five NFL Draft Picks

1. Indianapolis Colts:

Need: Quarterback…

           Pick: Andrew Luck; QB Stanford (Height 6’4’’, Weight 235, 40 time 4.73). Stanford led the FBS in Red Zone Efficiency in 2011 (64 penetrations / 63 scores, meaning Stanford scored 98% of the time when entering the Red Zone). Of those scores, 50 of 63 were TD’s (24 rushing 26 passing) these numbers are reflective of Luck’s superior play. It should be noted, that he took the vast majority of snaps from under center and has clearly mastered the two intangibles: Accuracy and Reading Defenses, necessary for successful QB play in the NFL. Luck has also demonstrated a fearless pocket presence as he keeps his eyes down field despite pressure (he once hit a receiver, in stride, 50 yards down the field while he was being dragged to the ground by several defensive linemen).  Some analysts say Luck is the best QB to enter the draft since 1998, the year Payton Manning was selected. Others say, not so fast my friend, you can & should go all the way back to 1983, again with a touch of irony, to another Stanford QB, John Elway. No matter how you spin this all indicators say it is a great selection!

2. Washington Redskins:

Need: Quarterback

Pick: Robert Griffin III; QB Baylor (6’2’’, 220, 40 time 4.52) Led Baylor to a 10-3 season that featured wins over Texas 48-20 & Oklahoma 45-38. A rare, OK;…. a really rare feat for Baylor! RGIII is an impressive all round athlete, (great feet, great arm, & highly intelligent, graduated from Baylor in December of 2010 in Political Science and is currently working on his masters degree) excellent leader, and extremely confident individual! These characteristics are needed and will clearly will serve him well on the next level. That said, some concerns! He throws the ball better on the run then from the pocket, this indicates he prefers to leave the pocket early and get to his “on the move”comfort level. Given the speed of NFL defenders, this can and will result in injury. His size is only adequate (Griffin is not Cam Newton physically) and given his preferred style of play, durability could be an issue. RGIII needs to understand the nature of NFL defenses and integrate this knowledge into his style of play. From day one, he needs to demonstrate that he understands  he is no longer in the Big 12 and adjust his skill set to what NFL defenses bring to the table. Griffin took most of the snaps in the gun and worked with a simple playbook at Baylor. In Washington, he will be under center most of the time and have a much more complex system to lead. Finally, he will need to improve his ability to read defenses and demonstrate a willingness to stay in the pocket as he goes through his progressions. A very good pick… yet, given the work that needs to be done, somewhat of a gamble, with the second over all pick in the draft!

3 Cleveland Browns (From the Minnesota Vikings)

Need: Quarterback

            Pick: Trent Richardson; RB Alabama (5”11’’, 224, 40 time 4.52) Trent played behind Mark Ingram for two seasons at Alabama, yet one would be misspeaking if he were  to say he was overshadowed by Ingram. In fact, many analysts thought that Richardson was flat out better than Ingram. Long time SEC observers say he possess speed, power, & size the like which has not been seen in the conference, since the days of Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker. This guy is the total package! He has demonstrated the ability to run inside or outside with power and/or acceleration. He can run over you or away from you, pick one! Richardson is also a terrific receiver! He has soft hands coupled with good hand eye coordination and has been asked to run a variety of routes (wheel, screens, swing, etc..) at Alabama. He is a fierce blocker, but will need to learn the intricacies of NFL blitzes. At Bama, he would attack the first thing he saw penetrating, this guy is willing, but will need to experience a learning curve to effectively protect his QB. Richardson’s off season training has been exemplary and his work in the weight room has been described as legendary. This guy, like Andrew Luck, is as close as one gets to a lock, prior to actually seeing the door closed & secured!

4 Minnesota Vikings (From the Cleveland Browns)

Need: Left Tackle

Pick: Matt Kalil; Left Tackle USC (6”6’’, 295, 40 time 5.05) Big brother Ryan plays for the Carolina Panthers & Dad (Frank) also played in the NFL. Kalil has great balance, good feet, mental toughness, excellent technique, and a frame that can get much larger. He shows good patience as a pass blocker as he waits for defenders to commit and then finishes them off with his excellent length and upper body strength. He is also an excellent run blocker as he keeps good pad level and has the leg drive necessary to move defenders from the point of attack. Kalil has limited experience in pulling as USC did not require him to do much pulling. He does have experience with the trapping game and has the potential to excel in both of these areas given his athleticism! Kalil also played on SC’s special teams and blocked 4 FG attempts in 2011. He will have to improve his lower body strength to deal with bull rushers and his footwork will need to be fine-tuned to deal with NFL speed off the edge. That said, Kalil is a smart pick for the Vikings, as with minimal work, he should be an highly effective to an All-Pro left tackle for the next 10 years.

5 Jacksonville Jaguars (From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

            Need: Wide Receiver

            Pick: Justin Blackmon; WR Oklahoma State (6’1’’, 211, 40 time 4.54) Blackmon is a Physical receiver, who consistently overwhelmed and defeated press coverage by escaping via sideline release or on slants / crosses into the middle of the field. He has strong hands and has demonstrated the ability to catch the ball in a crowd. He runs well after the catch and can break tackles and/or make defenders miss in the open field. Blackmon has the required upper body strength to be an excellent down field blocker and on occasion, has demonstrated that ability. That said, he needs to play every down! He has lost focus in games, evidenced by dropped passes or missed blocks, that given his talent level, he should have easily executed. Blackmon has some character & injury issues. He was arrested for misdemeanor DWI and has had to deal with a high ankle sprain, both occurred during the 2010 season.  Finally, while blessed with very good speed, it is unlikely that he possess the foot over foot, straight head speed to run away from NFL secondary’s. His succeeding at a high level will be subject to his work ethic and his consistent focus both in practice and on game day. While this is true for any athlete, if Blackmon is to arrive where at the level of Jacksonville using the 5th pick of the NFL Draft, he needs to step-up! I think he will and I like the pick!