Andrew Luck, Quinton Coples and Matt Barkley: The 2012 NFL Draft awaits
The NFL Draft really blew up the last couple of years -- it switched its first night to prime time, it became a mainstream media discussion point (thank you, Tim Tebow) and is univerally now regarded as "the way you make your team better" (to an extent, it was always regarded in this way -- what's the point of a draft in any sport if not to make your team better? -- but when you look at drafts by the Bengals and Dolphins and Bills recently, you start to understand the big picture more).
People love the NFL Draft, for an assortment on reasons -- and one sub-section of the world populace that really f'n loves it is college football announcers. Specifically, they love to talk about the pro potential of a dude in a game they're calling, as if they know anything (absolute most frustrating announcer thing in the world: guy with no coaching experience or scouting experience projecting a prospect). Below are 10 guys you'll hear "... 2012 NFL Draft ..." around the name of fairly often on Saturdays this fall. Two of the first four are obvious, but they're grouped together for cool purposes.
Andrew Luck and Jonathan Martin, Stanford / Matt Barkley and Matt Kalil, USC: Get this -- based on how the draft order shakes out, it's possible that the first four picks off the board will be two QBs from the same conference and an O-Lineman for each QB. Nuts, right? There are conspiracy theorists in the world who believe that Pete Carroll only got Tarvaris Jackson to tank this season, thusly getting him Luck or Barkley in April 2012. Kalil is the brother of Ryan Kalil, a darn fine OT for the Carolina Panthers. Luck speaks for himself. Wherever he goes, give him a few dudes and they're a playoff team in three years or so.
Quinton Coples, UNC: Butch Davis left a lot of talent on the table when he got forced out of Chapel Hill. A lot of people think Coples will be the first defensive player off the board in April '12. I personally haven't seen enough of him to tell you he's Von Miller No. 2 (to use an analogy from the most recent draft), but he seems like he's got a (cue scout speak) "motor."
Jayron Hosley, VT: Seen this dude play here and there on the television, and he looks very good (9 INTs last year). Here's the thing I don't understand, probably because I'm not a scout and have never coached football aside from two day camp touch leagues: why aren't CBs more valued? If you have terrible CBs, you get absolutely torched and end up giving 25 PPG or something. That's trash. Patrick Peterson went top-five last year, and I feel like (again, I'm dumb) a CB should go top-three or top-five every year. Hosley is apparently similar to Brandon Flowers (so says the Internets). Maybe he could be the guy.
Bruce Irvin, WVU: DE who could go beast mode this year. If WVU's offense clicks like people think it will click, a lot of opposing teams are going to need to throw to catch up. Irvin had 14 sacks last year. He could hit 20 in the right situation. That will, if nothing else, generate buzz.
Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina: Guy is an absolute torch down the field, with good height and solid hands. He's gonna be hurt a little because Stephen Garcia is inconsistent as a QB, and frequently in Steve Spurrier's doghouse -- and by "hurt," I mean "his numbers will suffer slightly." NFL guys will drool over this dude. You put him on the Rams in September 2012 and that's a 10-win team. Take that to the bank! OK, not really, I'm having a rough month fiscally...
Landry Jones, Oklahoma: This one'll be interesting. Mel Kiper has him as a top-10 talent. Barry Switzer, admittedly biased (he coached at OU forever), has him as a potential No. 1 overall. Some dudes at Sports Illustrated think he's a fourth-rounder. His decision-making is sometimes questionable and he doesn't have a true cannon or true legs, I 'spose. If they come out and have a ridic season -- thrash FSU, etc. -- his stock will probably skyrocket. It also helps that Sam Bradford had a nice little rookie year.
Jerel Worthy, Michigan State: I love this dude. He hasn't even hit the full impact of his potential yet. Sparty brings back most of the offensive parts from an 11-win season, but loses some dudes on the D. Worthy can step up big this year and skyrocket his stock. He's big, but he appears to be able to play in space. If you're not a fan of Kirk Cousins or B.J. Cunningham or the oddly roided-up mascot, then check Spartan games for this manchild.
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