NFL Draft Recap
This year’s 2012 NFL Draft held little surprises for the top two picks. But the other three that fell in the top five were shuffled around a bit, and some who were predicted to land in those spots didn’t make it at all. So who ended up where, and what does it mean for the teams that chose them?
#1 — Andrew Luck to Indianapolis Colts
No big surprise that Andrew Luck was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts, since that’s all Colts’ management talked about in the week leading up the draft. Luck will play out exactly as the Colts (and the rest of the world) expect him to — big things will happen from this kid and his is a name that’s going to get the Colts back on the map.
#2 — Robert Griffin III to Washington Redskins
When the Redskins traded with St. Louis for the #2 spot in this year’s NFL draft, it was known that it was because they wanted either Luck or Griffin — and for good reason. This team is desperate for a good quarterback and Griffin has proven that he can be just that. He’ll have to watch his turnovers and become a bit more polished if he ever hopes to turn into the franchise player that Luck will, but he’s definitely got tons of potential. And the fact that he’s already got the cool nickname of RG3 doesn’t hurt him either.
#3 — Trent Richardson to Cleveland Browns
It was thought that the Cleveland Browns would take Richardson as they’re looking for someone who can get them on the board with field goals and touchdowns. What wasn’t known was that the Browns had a master plan to trade up with the Minnesota Vikings, who originally held the #3 spot, in order to get him. It was definitely a good move on the part of the Browns. Richardson will be a solid player for them and definitely has a great career ahead of him.
#4 — Matt Kalil to Minnesota Vikings
Taking the fourth spot from the Browns, the Vikings still managed to get the one they went into the draft wanting in Kalil. Kalil’s biggest asset is his huge physical presence and that’s going to help him, and the Vikings, enormously in his left tackle position. If he wants to become one of the best he needs to become a bit more polished, but Kalil will add a lot to this team from the get-go.
#5 — Justin Blackmon to Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars surprised everyone when they not only took Justin Blackmon, but traded up from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to get him. Not to discredit Blackmon’s wide receiver talents, he could end up as a starter WR. But many, including us, thought that Morris Claiborne, who was ultimately chosen sixth in the draft, would be in the top 5 — especially with the Jaguars sitting in the spot.
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