2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 - Safety Mark Barron, DE/OLB Andre Branch

[PatsFans.com Article]

2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
By: Derek Havens

The first edition of my 2012 NFL mock draft. In this version the Dolphins get a quarterback, offensive lineman are a hot commodity and the Patriots get some help on defense. ...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[Ivan]

If it fell this way i would take Nick Perry-OLB at #27 and then take the gamble on Stephen Hill at #31.

 

[Rob0729]

If it fell this way i would take Nick Perry-OLB at #27 and then take the gamble on Stephen Hill at #31.

Stephen Hill?!? Yikes! I think he would be a bust in this offense. Does he run any route other than a go route? Does he know how to read defenses? Can he understand the Pats' playbook? He has a lot of talent, but he plays in the simplest type of offense imaginable and basically does one thing in it.

 

[Ivan]

Stephen Hill?!? Yikes! I think he would be a bust in this offense. Does he run any route other than a go route? Does he know how to read defenses? Can he understand the Pats' playbook? He has a lot of talent, but he plays in the simplest type of offense imaginable and basically does one thing in it.

It's hard to know what his football IQ is because of the offense he played in but his intangibles are supposed to be good. I realize it's a gamble and a project but if he only gave them the real deep threat that would be more than enough for now because that threat alone would put the fear of god in defenses knowing that it's 6 if he gets free downfield.

I generally prefer to go with players have proven themselves in college over raw potential with first round picks but every now and then i think it's worth a shot, and this is one of those times. If they can fill the pass rushing OLB spot with the #27 then i think they can use the #31 for a gamble, if they only had one first then i would be more inclined to stick with the surer thing. these types of debates are common leading up to the draft, and i think it's the same kind of argument when you look at Dontari Poe and Devon Still, Poe has exceptional athletic ability for a guy his size but really didn't produce that much or dominate in college, whereas Still is preoven but doesn't have the same athletic upside Poe does, so teams have to decide to gamble on what they can get out of a player or go with the guy who has proven it already at the collegiate level.


Last point, Hill is clearly a gamble andd i would change my mind on it if it came out that he has a low football IQ or a poor work ethic, but if the kid has great intangibles and a good football IQ then i would take the shot at a gamebreaking talent.

 

[PatsFan2]

I begining to warmup too Ivan we might have the Luxury now to take a chance. Seriously what if we could get a poor mans Calvin Johnson is that a bad consolation? Their is alot to like about Stephen Hill though there are questions about his football IQ but Size and Speed are something you Cannot Teach. I think the Patriots are in position to take a chance one of these Drafts they are going to get it right at WR. What we woud ask him to do early on is not too difficult to grasp just run down the Field...Hill could get by in this League on that alone...Remember a young Randy Moss all he did was out run and out jump people.

 

[IcyPatriot]

2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
By: Derek Havens

The first edition of my 2012 NFL mock draft. In this version the Dolphins get a quarterback, offensive lineman are a hot commodity and the Patriots get some help on defense. ...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

I'm okay with it as long as Mark Barron is not a "Party Starter".

 

[PatriotReign]

Safety is a need but this year's crop isn't that good. I'd wait until next year to fill that need.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Fletcher Cox is the pick if the draft falls this way. No doubter. I like Barron. But, a good DL is too good to pass up. Barron could fall to 31. GB, SF AND NYG don't really need a safety. I'd be ok with Branch at 31. Cox and Branch to get after the qb. That's what we need. Athleticism on the front 7. Not just fatties or smart guys.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Fletcher Cox is the pick if the draft falls this way. No doubter. I like Barron. But, a good DL is too good to pass up. Barron could fall to 31. GB, SF AND NYG don't really need a safety. I'd be ok with Branch at 31. Cox and Branch to get after the qb. That's what we need. Athleticism on the front 7. Not just fatties or smart guys.

Cox is a top 10 talent in my book.

Branch on the other hand is intriguing. He is clearly the most sudden of all the potential OLB prospects and that translate well to the NFL, IE: Sheard last year.

However assuming Brockers, Cox, and Still are off the board by the time we pick, Reyes could start looking interesting to BB. Reyes has a second round grade in my book and I am not sure he projects as anything more than Deaderick is now, but he does provide 3-4 and 4-3 versatility and you can never have enough athletes on the D line.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Cox is a top 10 talent in my book.

Branch on the other hand is intriguing. He is clearly the most sudden of all the potential OLB prospects and that translate well to the NFL, IE: Sheard last year.

However assuming Brockers, Cox, and Still are off the board by the time we pick, Reyes could start looking interesting to BB. Reyes has a second round grade in my book and I am not sure he projects as anything more than Deaderick is now, but he does provide 3-4 and 4-3 versatility and you can never have enough athletes on the D line.

I have a hunch Brockers or Still falls to our pick. I have Denver taking a TE now that they have Manning. Fleener. If Alshon Jeffrey and Kendall Wright run better at their pro days. That could be two more offensive players gone before we pick. Could someone trade up for 4th qb? To get there before Cleveland picks early in Round 2.