With the 2012 NFL Draft starting tomorrow night, Here is a printed dialogue of Nick, Gary, and Mike discussing some popular questions and topics surrounding the draft.
Nick Montalti:
The draft tomorrow night will really begin with the Minnesota Vikings. What do they do with that pick?
Gary Connolly:
Possibilities = Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon, trade down
Most likely will be Kalil
Nick Montalti:
Three appears to be a coveted position. Minnesota has so
Many needs trading back would make sense
Nick Montalti:
They do need to protect their prized back
Mike Chapman:
I think Minnesota is just setting up smokescreens by planting rumors of trading back and whatnot. Although it would make sense, I think Kalil is the pick for the Vikings at 3.
Nick Montalti:
The Vikings play in possibly the toughest division in the NFL. They’re clearly rebuilding. They should consider trade offers. A team could move up and snag Richardson then.
Mike Chapman:
It obviously depends what they would get in return. I don’t think they can rely on trading back too much. It has to be a great offer for them to even consider. My thought is that if they do pick here, they take Kalil because he would fill a pressing need.
And not only would he only fill a need, he is one of the top players on the board. Too many teams have been hurt my drafting for need, rather than best available. Kalil would be the best of both worlds.
Nick Montalti:
Agreed there. They need to keep Ponder upright and Peterson healthy if they have any chance of success
Gary Connolly:
So where does Richardson go? Cleveland?
Nick Montalti:
The browns need a big playmaker. Richardson is that guy. It’s going to be tough for him, however. The Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals have excellent defenses.
Mike Chapman:
Let me just say that the Vikings secondary is also horrendous and they might grab Morris Claiborne here. I think so many people have talked about Kalil, but the Vikes had one of the worst secondaries in the league last year. Wonderlic aside, Claiborne is terrific corner. Because the Wonderlic directly translates to the playing field, right?
Mike Chapman:
As far as the Browns, I think Richardson makes too much sense. Cleveland is in dire need of a RB and overall playmaker, and like Nick said, he would fill that void. Poor Cleveland needs something to root for right now.
Nick Montalti:
Well the wonderlic proved correct for Vince Young. Ryan Leaf did really well and look how well that panned out.
Gary Connolly:
Richardson is a cant miss player, even for cleveland, he would be handed the ball 15-20 times per game instantly
Nick Montalti:
The browns had a capable back. Peyton Hillis suffered the Madden Curse last year. He and the Browns had a tumultuous season last year.
Gary Connolly:
Ok this questions might be kind of cliche but who will have a better career, luck or rg3
Mike Chapman:
I was never a believer in Hillis anyway. I stayed away from him in fantasy drafts not only because of the inevitable Madden Curse, but because I just wasn’t a believer in him having another great season. Seriously though, how did Arkansas lose any games with a backfield of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Hillis? That is insane.
Nick Montalti:
Luck has the best chance to succeed immediately. He plays in a weak division and still has Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark to throw. RGIII in the NFC East is not favorable.
While the Redskins upgraded some talent, it’s still going to be tough for him.
Gary Connolly:
It’s so had for me to answer that. Luck is everything you want in a pocket passer, and can move pretty well too. Griffin adds that extra element of explosiveness and if you’ve listened to him talk, he has a great head on his shoulders and he really understands the game
Tougher than it will be in Indy?
Nick Montalti:
Indy can only go up from where they are now.
People have said Mike Shanahan’s system is not favorable to RGIII
Gary Connolly:
You could say the same for Washington. Rex Grossman was their quarterback
I want to argue RG3, and I think it an argument you can make, but ultimately I do see Luck having the better career
Mike Chapman:
I like both, but I’m going with the popular choice in Luck. He would have been the number one pick in the 2011 draft above Cam Newton. RG3 is a dynamic, one-of-a-kind athlete and more importantly a very good QB. My only thing is that he wasn’t anywhere near the top of draft boards before this past season. In fact, he was projected more as a WR by many. I don’t like the RG3 fit in Washington, but perhaps they adjust their system more to him. Although Shannahan can be pretty stubborn in doing that. I think Luck will have a better career as Indy builds around him, although RG3 has more weapons to work with right out of the chute.
Nick Montalti:
I’m a big fan of RGIII. People are expecting a Cam Newton type season out of him.
Gary Connolly:
I’m a bag fan too, and I think he’ll be a successful QB, but he won’t do what Newton did last year
Mike Chapman:
Newton is a different type of player, though. RG3 is more of a passer than Newton. Cam is so much bigger than everyone, so he can just run over people. I don’t think anyone can match his numbers from last year when he had, what, 14 rushing TDs?
Nick Montalti:
RGIII will operate in a run first offense, which is opposite of Luck.
Gary Connolly:
Ok I have some questions tweeted to @SportsRP on twitter we should touch on. Patriots draft needs, Colts draft needs, and the question that I think is on the back of everyone’s mind…. Who will be the best kicker in this draft
Let’s start with the Patriots, and obviously it starts with defense
Nick Montalti:
Patriots will trade back as they do every single year.
They could use a big time first round outside linebacker in the first round.
Yes, that was redundant.
Gary Connolly:
McClellan from Boise State would be a great pick for them but I’m not sure he is going to stay on the board that long
Mike Chapman:
They desperately need a pass rusher. They have two late first round picks. They’ll undoubtedly trade one, maybe two. Belichick loves guys who fit his system. Shea McClellin out of Boise State would be a perfect fit. Little known guy who perfectly fits the Patriots mold. He can play DE, OLB and even a little ILB. It may even make too much sense. If I’ve learned one thing from watching the Pats draft every year, it’s that you never know what they’ll do. However, BB has been the most successful drafter in the NFL in his tenure with the Pats
Nick Montalti:
They should bundle all those picks and move up and grab a top linebacker.
Gary Connolly:
Will never happen. Not the Patriot way
Mike Chapman:
Yeah I just can’t see that happening. They never trade up, only back to stockpile picks
Gary Connolly:
I see New England taking a 1st round linebacker, and then trading down with their other first round pick, I could honesty see the Patriots not making a single offensive pick in this draft.
Nick Montalti:
They need a RB and a offensive tackle wouldn’t hurt, considering Matt Light’s retirement.
Gary Connolly:
Maybe a running back somewhere, but that’s it.
Mike Chapman:
I think they’ll focus largely on the defense, notably pass rush and secondary. However, I could see them grabbing an OT, especially with the recent retirement of lifelong Pat anchor of the O-line. Bill also loves taking tight ends.
Gary Connolly:
The Colts have Luck at 1 obviously, but they are probably the team with the most work to do in the draft. What comes after Luck?
Nick Montalti:
He needs more tight ends. Obviously Gronk and Hernandez are not enough.
Mike Chapman:
Yes, I agree with Gary. Although they drafted Vereen and Ridley last year, with BJGE’s departure and Kevin Faulk only getting older, I could see them making a move on a RB if someone slips to them.
Nick Montalti:
Ridley has flashes of talent.
Mike Chapman:
Nick, just pointing out the facts. Bill loves drafting TEs. Drafted one last year when they already had both those guys on the roster.
Nick Montalti:
Woodhead is good for 15 touches a game.
Bill is like Brett Favre. He loves his Tight Ends.
Mike Chapman:
Their problem is that the RBs they have on the roster now are all too similar. They need someone who can consistently run between the tackles and pound the rock.
Nick Montalti:
I feel like Tim Hightower would be a good fit there.
Gary Connolly:
Ridley could be that guy
Nick Montalti:
Hightower obviously being a free agent signing, not a draft pick. Fills the void at that position.
Mike Chapman:
I don’t see Ridley being that guy. The Pats did host Hightower and Ryan Grant this past week. They are likely to sign one of those guys.
Gary Connolly:
Let’s talk about the Colts draft needs after Luck
Mike Chapman:
…everything.
Nick Montalti:
I’m interested to see what the Packers do. Starks it not an every down back.
Colts need… What Mike said.
Gary Connolly:
Could you see them making moves? Or will the just draft with what they have and start the Luck era with what they have/get in the draft
Nick Montalti:
A WR, DB, Safety, O-Lineman.
Did the Colts make any significant offseason signings?
Gary Connolly:
Because that late 1st round pick we talked about owned by New England could be a place of interest for Indy
Mike Chapman:
I know Nick said they have Dallas Clark, but didn’t they cut him? Tamme also signed elsewhere. So they could use a TE. But I think a lot of their building has to start on the defensive side of the ball, especially with Chuck Pagano coming in as head coach, a defensive mastermind.
Gary Connolly:
They kept Reggie Wayne
Nick Montalti:
Clark did, in fact, get cut.
What makes sense is drafting Luck’s tight end from stanford.
Mike Chapman:
How about trading back into the Pats pick to get Stanford TE Colby Fleener? Makes a lot of sense. Luck showed he loves throwing to TEs in college
Apparently Nick reads my mind.
Gary Connolly:
I think we’re all on the same page here
That’s a move that makes a lot of sense
Nick Montalti:
I feel the signing of Tom Zibkowski, who played under Pagano, feels a void at safety for them.
Colts don’t need a RB, they has UConn’s own Donald Brown
Gary Connolly:
Staying on the topic of Uconn…
kickers
Nick Montalti:
Going back to Richardson for a minute, the rumor mill is swirling with the Jets looking to trade up to Pick 4.
Gary Connolly:
Is Teggart the best Kicker this year?
I could see the Jets doing that but I’m not so sure the Browns want to part with that 4th pick. The offer would have to be right.
Nick Montalti:
Thought that was noteworthy.
Mike Chapman:
Great segue, Gary. Dave Teggart won’t get drafted, but he’ll probably get a shot. I’d say he’s top 3, probably behind Walsh from Georgia and Bullock from Texas A&M.
Nick Montalti:
Too bad the Raiders don’t need a kicker. They usually take them in the first 2 rounds.
Mike Chapman:
I don’t think the Jets have much wiggle room this year. That include Rex and GM Mike Tannenbaum. If they screw up again they could both be on the outs.
Gary Connolly:
Walsh showed he lacks the clutch kick in his bowl game
Maybe he should get drafted by Baltimore
Mike Chapman:
I don’t think you can judge on one game. The kid has talent. Wiggs from Purdue also has a big leg.
Nick Montalti:
As far as I know, Cundiff is still employed.
Mike Chapman:
Will Billy Cundiff jokes ever get old? Probably not, I’m guessing.
Gary Connolly:
Ok so Larry Fitzgerald has said he wants the Cardinals to get a big WR. Any chance Floyd or Blackmon makes it to 13?
Mike Chapman:
Aside from Mark Barron, no one has been skyrocketing up draft boards more than Michael Floyd. I think the Cards might have to trade up if they want to grab him. Some teams even prefer Floyd over Blackmon, so it should be interesting.
Gary Connolly:
Another name to keep an eye on at WR is Muhammad Sanu from Rutgers. Don’t think he will go inside the top 20 but late first, early second round I could see him having a big impact as a rookie
Mike Chapman:
I agree, Gary. I was working the UConn/Rutgers football game this past year and Rutgers was warming up right near me. Sanu’s hands were the size of oven mitts and he was making it look so easy. He obviously produced in games this year, too and was a big part of their offense. I think he projects well as a solid number 2 receiver in the NFL down the road
Gary Connolly:
Maybe even more than a number 2
Mike Chapman:
Time will tell. Two sleepers I see in this draft are Virginia Tech RB David Wilson and Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles. Wilson left school early in order to support his family and was a stud in his two years at VT. Broyles had an incredible career at OU but ended his career with an injury, hampering his draft stock. I think we may look back on this draft and see Wilson and Broyles has two significant steals.
Gary Connolly:
I agree if it wasn’t for injury we could see Broyles much higher on draft boards. He certainly has the talent and potential of a 1st round pick. If he continues to heal from his ACL injury and gets drafted into the right situation I agree he will be a huge steal in the draft
Mike Chapman:
There have also been rumors lately that the Rams may try to trade Steven Jackson around the time of the draft. You guys think they do that and try to somehow grab Richardson?
Gary Connolly:
I could see it. Rams are clearly trying to put together a young talented team and Richardson fits that to a tee. Have to wonder what Jackson’s trade value would be tho with his age getting up there and his history with injuries
Nick Montalti:
I feel that the Rams would have a tough time dealing Jackson. They would over value him. They’d absolutely target Richardson then.
Gary Connolly:
I would almost be surprised at this point of there isn’t a trade for the 3rd or 4th pick by a team trying to land Trent Richardson.
Nick Montalti:
I’d like to see a team at the end of the first, like Denver or Green Bay, to trade up for him. I dont know if they have the leverage though.
Mike Chapman:
I can’t see Denver or Green Bay doing that due to having Manning and Rodgers. GB doesn’t run much and Denver is completely revamping their offense from last season’s run-first (and second) attack. I see those teams filling more pressing needs than RB.
Nick Montalti:
I agree 100%. Especially in a pass happy league.
Gary Connolly:
Whoever ends up with Richardson is going to have a major upgrade at RB, I think we can all agree. So who are your top 5 players in this draft that you think will have the biggest impact in the NFL?(Not necessarily who will be the top 5 picks)
Nick Montalti:
I’m going to avoid Luck and RGIII in my top 5.
Mike Chapman:
Yeah. Last year proved that more than ever with three QBs throwing for 5,000 yards.
It obviously depends on which team these players go to. I’ll go for the five guys who I think will have the best NFL careers. In no particular order: Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon, David Decastro, Luke Kuechly and Dont’a Hightower. And I couldn’t limit it to five, so I’m throwing Matt Kalil in. Showing the big guys some love.
Gary Connolly:
I’ll put my top 5 as 1. Luck 2. Richardson 3. RGIII 4. Blackmon 5. Claiborne. I think all 5 of these are can’t miss players and are going to perform just as expected. There isn’t anybody I see being more productive then any of them. Although, this is the NFL, and as we see year after year, you just never know.
Nick Montalti:
I’d go Clairborne, Richardson, Blackmon, Kalil and Luck
although, i like the Defensive guys Coples and Ingram
Gary Connolly:
Surprised neither of you have RGIII in your top 5. It will certainly be an interesting draft, with a ton of talent.
Nick Montalti:
I feel RGIII will have a tough time his rookie year.
Mike Chapman:
Most rookie QBs too. I think there are only a couple locks in this draft. I think there will be a lot of teams moving around.
Gary Connolly:
Any last closing thoughts?
Mike Chapman:
I love how the draft is set up now with the first round on Thursday, and rounds 2 and 3 on Friday. This way it’s not all bunched together, plus we don’t have to wait any longer. Other than that, it should be one of the more interesting drafts in recent memory.
Gary Connolly:
I’m not high on Stephen Hill.
Nick Montalti:
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Floyd go over Blackmon
Mike Chapman:
I agree. Hill looks to be somewhat of a project. He has a ton of physical tools, but right now is pretty one-dimensional. He has potential to be a nice deep threat, one who can go up over everyone on jump balls. However, I think it may be another case of scouts drooling over athleticism rather than speed. I also think Dontari Po is HIGHLY overrated in the same regard.
Gary Connolly:
Tim Tebow
Just figured we couldn’t talk about football without mentioning that name
Mike Chapman:
And with the mention of Tim Tebow, I now officially close this discussion.