Players I Like from the 2012 Draft
This article looks at players I like from the 2012 SFL Draft. I’m not necessarily looking for value picks but more of the players that were selected that I think are good players and can have good careers in the SFL whether or not they were good value selections. So the goal of the article is to focus on the talent of the player not the place where they were selected. OK here we go starting with the AFC East.
LT-Lamar Holmes- 23 years old- Ole Miss, 6’6”, 333 lbs.
70 SPD | 98 STR | 53 AWR | 75 AGI | 78 ACC | 84 PBK | 81 RBK
Analysis: I thought he was a top 3 OL in this draft. The physical attributes are off the charts and I think he fits well at LT if the Bills are going to play him there. He doesn’t need to be the greatest blocker to have instant success. I think the Bills did themselves a huge favor by selecting him here.
LT-Mike Adams- 23 years old, Ohio St., 6’7”, 320 lbs.
65 SPD | 96 STR | 58 AWR | 72 AGI | 75 ACC | 86 PBK | 86 RBK
Analysis: Adams was one of my top 3 OL like Holmes was. He’s got the makes of being a great OL in this league. If he stays at LT he should be able to play right away. If he moves to another position along the line, he might need to wait a season until the AWR gets higher. But I’m confident he’s going to be good long-term.
CB-Dwight Bentley- 23 years old, UL Lafayette, 5’10”, 182 lbs.
94 SPD | 66 STR | 58 AWR | 91 AGI | 98 ACC | 68 CTH | 56 TAK
Analysis: Bentley may not be everyone’s taste because he’s only 5’10 but he has really good physical attributes including strength. He will take some work to get his awareness up but long-term he could be an ideal nickel corner. The Dolphins have been bit of a revolving door for CB’s, but maybe Bentley will be different.
HB-Doug Martin- 23 years old, Boise St., 5’9”, 210 lbs.
94 SPD | 78 STR | 59 AWR | 91 AGI | 92 ACC | 78 CAR | 79 BTK
Martin is a highly athletic HB who I suspect is going to be the day 1 starter for the Patriots. He has big play capabilities and that upside is what the Patriots are looking for. He’s a smaller big but he’s a bigger smaller back if that makes sense. I too think he has good upside.
CB-Johnny Patrick- 23 years old, Louisville, 6’0”, 6’0”, 186 lbs.
93 SPD | 56 STR | 63 AWR | 90 AGI | 93 ACC | 67 CTH | 63 TAK
Analysis: CB’s are always in high demand and this draft was no different. The Patriots secured one that has starter potential in Johnny Patrick. He’s an overall solid CB with the ability to be 95 SPD and 95 ACC. He may not have been a highly publicized player but he could be a good one for a team looking to excel even beyond Tom Brady’s career.
LG-Senio Kelemete- 23 years old, Washington, 6’4”, 307 lbs.
61 SPD | 92 STR | 52 AWR | 72 AGI | 77 ACC | 86 PBK | 85 RBK
Analysis: He’s a raw prospect but he’s got great upside due to his excellent physical attributes. His blocking skills are fairly advanced too and you are looking at a prospect who will be an inexpensive contract for four years which for the Jets is a huge deal. I suspect he will be a starter in this league by year 2.
WR-Alshon Jeffery- 22 years old, South Carolina, 6’3”, 218 lbs.
95 SPD | 28 STR | 62 AWR | 92 AGI | 97 ACC | 81 CTH
Analysis: With most GM’s easing their worry about low strength WR’s, Jeffery stands out as an elite WR with great physical attributes to go along with a 6’3” frame. The Ravens are not unfamiliar with this type of receiver. They drafted a similar WR in Dwayne Jarrett and recently signed him to a 82 million dollar deal. So we know where the Ravens stand on these types of players.
CB-Jordan Bernstine- 23 years old, Iowa, 5’11”, 205 lbs.
95 SPD | 55 STR | 54 AWR | 94 AGI | 98 ACC | 61 CTH | 55 TAK
Analysis: Bernstine is a speed CB who has elite level agility and acceleration. It’s not easy to find CB’s like Bernstine with that acceleration level and so if you are GM who value it, a player like him becomes a significant target. It may take him a year to build up the awareness, but he will be a starter in the Ravens secondary in year 2.
WR-Morris Claiborne- 23 years old, LSU, 5’11”, 192 lbs.
93 SPD | 51 STR | 65 AWR | 90 AGI | 95 ACC | 73 CTH | 72 TAK
Analysis: Claiborne is an all-around good player. There’s not a weak attribute in his game. His awareness, catch, and tackle are all above average as well. He doesn’t strike me as an elite prospect but he will a significant contributor and has Pro-Bowl potential depending on the defense. With some additional speed points he can be even better.
WR-Greg Childs- 23 years old, Arkansas, 6’3”, 217 lbs.
93 SPD | 50 STR | 51 AWR | 97 AGI | 92 ACC | 78 CTH
Analysis: The Bengals have traditionally bucked the trend of the young, physically elite WR. Instead favoring veterans with high catch. Childs is an entry into the former. I think Child’s has significant potential with his agility and acceleration. Additionally, he has good height. If he can get good QB play he could be a future star.
LG-Johnny Troutman- 23 years old, Penn St., 6’4”, 325 lbs.
63 SPD | 93 STR | 47 AWR | 75 AGI | 79 ACC | 80 PBK | 78 RBK
Analysis: Troutman is an under the radar prospect with tons of upside for the Browns. Yes, his awareness is horrible but his physical attributes including his height and weight is really good. If the Browns put a training camp or two in him, he could be excellent in time.
WR-Brian Quick- 22 years old, Appalachian St., 6’4”, 220 lbs.
92 SPD | 49 STR | 52 AWR | 97 AGI | 92 ACC | 81 CTH
Analysis: I had a chance to simulate a few games with Brian Quick at WR and I really like what I saw. He’s a big target with great route running abilities. I can’t guarantee that he will be that same type of player in the SFL but if he is the Texans will love him. The Texans have been a bit of a revolving door at the WR position so Quick was a good pick at a needed position.
CB-Richard Crawford- 23 years old, SMU, 5’11”, 192 lbs.
93 SPD | 55 STR | 55 AWR | 86 AGI | 93 ACC | 58 CTH | 55 TAK
Analysis: If there was a team that could afford to take a draft off it would be the Colts. Last season’s draft was filled with talent. In addition to the obvious Johnny Baldwin, you had the unbelievable value of ROLB-Doug Hague and the rising QB star Ryan Mallett. The Colts took some shots on CB’s late in the draft and I think Crawford has a chance to be a good nickel CB. The speed and acceleration combo can easily get to 95 plus and though his agility is not ideal, it can still work.
CB-Josh Norman- 23 years old, Colgate, 6’0”, 197 lbs.
93 SPD | 52 STR | 52 AWR | 88 AGI | 95 ACC | 63 CTH | 53 TAK
Analysis: The value may not be there as much with Norman but he’s still a good CB who has potential #2 CB upside. I’d love to see higher awareness as that will limit him early but he has the tools needed in this league to be good. And because of his low awareness he will definitely get his second year progression.
CB-Casey Hayward- 23 years old, Vanderbilt, 6’0”, 187 lbs.
98 SPD | 66 STR | 59 AWR | 98 AGI | 97 ACC | 64 CTH | 75 TAK
Analysis: Hayward is an amazing talent. He has elite level physical attributes and really good catch and tackle as well. He was a 2nd overall pick so he should be good. He has the talent to start right away but I’m not sure what the Titans GM intends to do. Rookies tend to give up catches more so than veterans, but Hayward will almost certainly also make some great plays too.
WR-Josh Gordon- 22 years old, Baylor, 6’3”, 225 lbs.
96 SPD | 29 STR | 49 AWR | 97 AGI | 95 ACC | 73 CTH
Analysis: Gordon is another in the long line of tall speed receivers. He also was a high draft pick but unlike Hayward he lacks some polish. His low awareness and catch will take some time to improve but he will still be productive for the Titans in 2012. He really does seem to be a receiver in the mold of Robert Meachem so we know the potential that is there.
QB-Chandler Harnish- 22 years old, No. Illinois, 6’0”, 223 lbs.
72 AWR | 97 THP | 86 THA
Analysis: The Broncos drafted their QB of the future and the present when they drafted Harnish. He’s at a great starting point in all three major QB attributes and he’s a younger draftee at 22 years old. I believe it’s the Broncos intention to make him a week one starter which is totally reasonable given his attributes.
FS-Tashaun Gipson- 22 years old, Wyoming, 6’1”, 207 lbs.
92 SPD | 59 STR | 50 AWR | 95 AGI | 94 ACC | 63 CTH | 71 TAK
Analysis: Gipson was a great find by the Broncos GM. He has elite level athleticism at a position that doesn’t have that across the board. He’s a bit of a project at 50 AWR, but I think he can progress quickly because of his catch and tackle. He’s a for sure starter in this league even if the Broncos choose not to start him in year one.
SS-Mark Barron- 23 years old, Alabama, 6’2”, 230 lbs.
90 SPD | 67 STR | 59 AWR | 85 AGI | 91 ACC | 69 CTH | 80 TAK
Analysis: Barron is an old school SS with excellent athleticism. The Raiders are known to value the safety positions and Barron will be a really good one. He looks to me like a player who has multiple Pro-Bowls in his future assuming he can stay healthy.
CB-Stephon Gilmore- 22 years old, So. Carolina, 6’1”, 190 lbs.
93 SPD | 48 STR | 57 AWR | 93 AGI | 95 ACC | 67 CTH | 72 TAK
Analysis: The annual joke by the Chargers GM is always about how he takes his first look at the draft class right before the draft. This was a good year not to do that. Gilmore was taken very high in the 2012 draft and he should be an excellent CB for many years to come. He has the ideal size, speed, and acceleration combo plus good hands and an ability to tackle well. The Chargers are noticeably regressing at the position so getting a high quality CB was a must and they did exactly that.
LOLB-Mychal Kendricks- 23 years old, California, 5’11”, 239 lbs.
85 SPD | 77 STR | 55 AWR | 86 AGI | 88 ACC | 83 TAK
Analysis: Kendricks is close to on par with any OLB in this draft class. Nevermind the fact that he was a 4th round pick, he has star potential written all over him. My guess is that he is an immediate starter in Dallas. There are plenty of good seasons to come for the Cowboys whether or not the GM chooses to stay long-term.
DT-Fletcher Cox- 22 years old, Miss. St., 6’4”, 295 lbs.
70 SPD | 90 STR | 58 AWR | 73 AGI | 77 ACC | 77 TAK
Analysis: Every once in a while you find an elite level athletic DT in the draft. Cox is one of this year’s candidates. He has the potential to be a 70 plus speed, 90 plus strength, 80 plus agility and acceleration DT. That’s really impressive. And it’s not like he has horrible awareness and tackle. Now the trick might be to get production out of him from a position that sometimes is inconsistent in doing so despite the talent level.
CB-Jamell Fleming- 22 years old, Oklahoma, 5’11”, 206 lbs.
93 SPD | 63 STR | 54 AWR | 89 AGI | 93 ACC | 64 CTH | 70 ACC
Analysis: I ran some simulated games with Fleming at CB and he actually performed pretty well. He is a complete CB in that he doesn’t have any one attribute that is terrible. I tend to think that he’s the type of CB that will thrive in the SFL but I guess that remains to be seen. I also like Bolden another rookie on the Eagles at the same position and wonder how the playing time will work out with two quality rookies on the same team.
CB-Dre Kirkpatrick- 22 years old, Alabama, 6’2”, 185 lbs.
92 SPD | 53 STR | 63 AWR | 92 AGI | 88 ACC | 71 CTH | 66 TAK
Analysis: Kirkpatrick may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I still think he will be a decent factor as a starting CB. He lacks the ideal and maybe necessary acceleration to be elite, but in every other category he’s pretty good and he is a tall 6’2”. I imagine he will be a top 3 CB in Washington and so he will have opportunities in 2012 to show his talent.
CB-Trumaine Johnson- 22 years old, Montana, 5’11”, 190 lbs.
93 SPD | 66 STR | 56 AWR | 94 AGI | 96 ACC | 64 CTH | 75 TAK
Analysis: Johnson is another in the crop of good CB’s taken in this year’s draft. He really doesn’t have any major weaknesses and his agility and acceleration will eventually be elite. He lacks maybe high end speed for the position but he should be a pretty solid starter in the league.
FS-Brandon Hardin- 22 years old, Oregon St. 6’3”, 207 lbs.
90 SPD | 64 STR | 54 AWR | 90 AGI | 90 ACC | 54 CTH | 80 TAK
Analysis: All the mock drafts had Hardin on the radar. It seemed clear he was an excellent talent and yet for some reason when the actual draft came around nobody wanted to draft him. I’m sure the GM’s who didn’t do workouts just assumed he had a poor skew but in the end it turns out he is as advertised pre-draft. He’s going to be a really good if not elite level FS. Sure he doesn’t have great hands but he’s got a ton going for him including being 6’3” with 90 speed, agility, and acceleration. Plus he has tremendous tackle at 80. He’s a clear starter in this league and probably more.
MLB-Audie Cole- 23 years old, N.C. State, 6’5”, 248 lbs.
80 SPD | 83 STR | 58 AWR | 82 AGI | 86 ACC | 83 TAK
Analysis: One of my favorite prospects in the 2012 draft is Audie Cole. I get that he is not the fastest MLB but his 6’5”, 248 lb. frame along with 83 strength and 86 acceleration just makes me think he can be really good. Now I don’t know what the plans are for him in Chicago he could easily be at 83 SPD in a season and so I think the sky could be the limit if he can get his awareness up.
MLB-Luke Kuechly- 23 years old, Boston College, 6’3”, 245 lbs.
84 SPD | 82 STR | 70 AWR | 84 AGI | 86 ACC | 90 TAK
Analysis: Kuechly was the top pick in the 2012 draft and he is sure to be an impact player from day one. His high level awareness and tackle are a significant part of elevated skill set. He also brings elite level physical attributes to the table. The combination is why the Lions made him the top pick.
TE-Michael Egnew- 23 years old, Missouri, 6’5”, 252 lbs.
87 SPD | 68 STR | 51 AWR | 85 AGI | 87 ACC | 75 CTH
Analysis: The Lions got elite level speed and acceleration with Egnew and he’s not a short TE at 6’5”. This represents a significant upgrade for them and Egnew is a part of the recent draft classes with elite level physical talent. He was the second TE of the board in the 2012 draft but it could be argued he’s right up there with the first TE in terms of talent, maybe just not as ready in year one.
WR-Travis Benjamin- 23 years old, Miami, 5’10” 175 lbs.
95 SPD | 72 STR | 50 AWR | 99 AGI | 96 ACC | 77 CTH
Analysis: I think there is a place for a short WR with elite level agility in this league. In fact, I think they can have a high ceiling of production in certain offenses. Benjamin is that type of guy. He will be very difficult to cover even if his height limits his route running tree a bit.
DT-Kendall Reyes- 22 years old, UConn, 6’4”, 300 lbs.
69 SPD | 96 STR | 52 AWR | 77 AGI | 75 ACC | 73 TAK
Analysis: Reyes is a smaller bruising DT with great athleticism. If the Packers felt like DT was a need, Reyes was an excellent pick. He’s a slightly less athletic version of Fletcher Cox but still a very similar player. It will be interesting to see the impact of Reyes from a production standpoint in the 2012 season.
HB-David Wilson- 22 years old, Virginia Tech, 5’10”, 205 lbs.
93 SPD | 77 STR | 59 AWR | 91 AGI | 91 ACC | 81 CAR | 77 BTK
Analysis: Wilson is a quality RB with great attributes. The Falcons GM has gone to some length to point out how similar he is to Doug Martin, drafted by the Patriots, earlier in round 1. They are both very similar backs. The Falcons displayed a run first philosophy last season with the combination of Steven Jackson and Chris Brown. It’s hard to imagine a run first attack with Peyton Manning at QB but when called upon I think Wilson will be a good one.
CB-DeQuan Menzie- 23 years old, Alabama, 5’11”, 202 lbs.
95 SPD | 58 STR | 56 AWR | 93 AGI | 98 ACC | 50 CTH | 63 TAK
Analysis: Menzie is another shorter athletic CB with really good upside. He’s similar to players drafted before and after just some different strengths. I liked Menzie personally so I’m interested to follow his progress this season and beyond.
RT-Matt Kalil- 23 years old, USC, 6’7”, 315 lbs.
65 SPD | 94 STR | 65 AWR | 70 AGI | 72 ACC | 87 PBK | 93 RBK
Analysis: Kalil is a straight plug and play player at RT. I’m confident that’s what the Panthers were looking for with their top pick. Now, he doesn’t have elite acceleration, but he has everything else and much of that everything else is elite. His success will depend on Stanton a bit but overall he’s a good pick.
QB-Russell Wilson- 23 years old, Wisconsin, 5’11”, 204 lbs.
66 AWR | 91 THP | 83 THA
Analysis: Wilson was a significant target for me in this draft and the Panthers selected him a few picks before I would have. Yes he’s a scrambler but if you have the necessary activity points that wouldn’t be an issue. Now it looks like Wilson’s short-term ceiling is a backup but since the GM’s last name is Mellon, there is a good chance Wilson will see the field in the future with another team.
QB-Andrew Luck- 23 years old, Stanford, 6’4”, 234 lbs.
67 AWR | 90 THP | 89 THA
Analysis: Pre-draft some of the talk was about how uninspiring Luck’s attributes were. Even a guy like Hornish was miles ahead of him. But the Saints were on the clock in the first round they didn’t hesitate to draft him and the workout may give us a clue as to why. His workout was pretty good and the final numbers present a guy who knows what he is doing and could play from week one.
QB-Kirk Cousins- 24 years old, Michigan St. 6’3”, 213 lbs.
68 AWR | 93 THP | 89 THA
Analysis: Cousins is a bit like Luck. Going into this draft they were both lower pre-workout than some other QB’s yet when the real numbers were revealed, they were both higher ranked. Cousing has all the talent to be great but his career window will be a bit less given his age of 24 at the time of the draft. I would lay a lot of money that Cousins will not end his career with the Bucs and that he will be used as an asset to get other talent to Tampa.
DT-Derek Wolfe- 22 years old, Cincinnati, 6’5”, 286 lbs.
80 SPD | 86 STR | 49 AWR | 79 AGI | 76 ACC | 75 TAK
Analysis: Wolfe comes into the league as the second fastest DT in the league only behind Ty Warren, a converted DE. Wolf has good strength and great agility to go along with slightly above average acceleration. I have no doubt the Buccaneers will find ways for him to be effective whether that is as a traditional DT or perhaps a hybrid DE.
ROLB-Keenan Robinson- 23 years old, Texas, 6’3”, 245 lbs.
84 SPD | 66 STR | 55 AWR | 85 AGI | 85 ACC | 75 TAK
Analysis: Is Robinson a top tier OLB in this class? No. But he can be a starter in this league. He has good size and good athleticism. He needs a little work in a couple of areas but don’t underestimate his abilities. I think the Cardinals will use him and need him down the road. One subtle advantage to Robinson will be that amazingly cheap contract.
P-Bryan Anger- 21 years old, California, 6’4”, 207 lbs.
49 AWR | 92 KPW | 87 KAC
Analysis: Everybody needs a punter but nobody except the Seahawks wants to use a high draft pick on them. The Rams grabbed a good one in this year’s draft in Bryan Anger. His 92 kicking power and 87 kicking accuracy are good attributes to be the guy in year one which he will be. Given a couple of seasons he could move into the elite status for punters in the SFL.
TE-Coby Fleener- 23 years old, Stanford, 6’6”, 251 lbs.
88 SPD | 78 STR | 59 AWR | 85 AGI | 86 ACC | 78 CTH
Analysis: I think Fleener was the best TE in this class with his 6’6” height and 88 speed he just stands above the rest. He is an elite TE right out of the gate. One of the challenges with TE’s is to get them enough targets in the Madden offensive scheme. Choosing the right playbook can help but it still feels a little bit random. However, when the ball is thrown his way he’s going to have advantage over opposing defenses.
ROLB-Demario Davis- 23 years old, Arkansas St., 6’3”, 231 lbs.
83 SPD | 83 STR | 55 AWR | 83 AGI | 87 ACC | 76 TAK
Analysis: Going into the draft Davis had the potential to be one of the top 10 picks in the draft. It didn’t pan out that way due to a poor skew, but he still has tons of talent and I believe the 49ers intend to throw him into a starting role immediately and I think he can handle it as well. He’s got great strength and still above average speed to go along with really good acceleration. I don’t think the 49ers GM needs to hesitate in playing him right away. He should do fine.
CB-Josh Robinson- 21 years old, UCF, 5’11”, 199 lbs.
95 SPD | 52 STR | 52 AWR | 94 AGI | 95 ACC | 69 CTH | 67 TAK
Analysis: The Seahawks GM is never shy in pulling the trigger on a CB in round 1 and Robinson was the choice in 2012. He’s an athletic CB with great speed, agility, and acceleration. Plus he has good hands and can tackle. He’s a complete CB who just lack awareness. The other positive on Robinson is the fact that he is young. Being only 21 allows him to have a longer career than other CB’s.
These are some of the players I really liked in this draft. There are probably others but I will be interested to see how many of these players go on to have meaningful careers in the SFL. We are now just about to start preseason and it’s time to see them on the field.
