2012 NFL Draft: AFC South Round One Recap
Last night the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft was completed and boy was it ever one for the books. I’ve never seen so many trades. I was sitting with my mouth open the entire time, watching as top ten and fifteen talents dropped past the twentieth pick. The AFC South certainly looks different after the first round of the NFL Draft. Let’s take a brief look at the names we’ll be seeing out there this next season and my jerk reaction grades.
Indianapolis Colts- QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Surprise, surprise. The Indianapolis Colts took the guy that everyone has known they would since the middle of this past season. No surprises here.
GRADE: A
Jacksonville Jaguars- WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
All kinds of trading rearranged the top ten picks and as a result the Jaguars were able to move up and take WR Justin Blackmon with the fifth pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Pretty interesting to see that happen. I expected the Jaguars to pursue a receiver, but I didn’t think Justin Blackmon would drop to them. Gabbert sorely needed a big number one receiver and the Jaguars get Blackmon at a fair price. If Blackmon is the guy the Jaguars hope he is, they did a great job with their pick.
GRADE: A-
Tennessee Titans- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
The shocker around the Titan Sized staff. We all were taken back by this pick. There was still a good deal of defensive talent left on the board and the top rated OG in David DeCastro. The Tennessee Titans chose to go with a receiver, and a smaller one at that. We had spoken of the Titans being able to go BPA with this pick and they did by their books. I’m not an early fan of it but hope to see it grow on me.
GRADE: B-
Houston Texans- DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
The Texans take yet another defensive player in the first round and one that could have a lot of upside. Mercilus has to get better with his form and techniques but I love this pick for the Houston Texans, just as much as I loathe them for taking him.
GRADE: A
Chase Maher will be posting a in-depth look at the Titans pick but here’s how I feel the AFC South did in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. I expect the second and third round today to be more appealing to my tastes. We’ll see!
Don’t forget to join us again tonight as we have another Titan Sized NFL Draft Chat room for rounds two through three.
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