Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

PFDN evaluates the performance of the more promising senior and eligible underclassmen prospects for the next draft:

QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, Senior: The over-aged (Weeden will be a 29-year old rookie next season) quarterback prospect had statistically an excellent game.  He completed 47 passes in 60 attempts (78%) for 438 yards (7.3 yards per attempt) with 2 touchdown passes and no interceptions.  Weeden operates exclusively out of the shotgun.  His footwork is average and his overall athletic ability does not pose much of a threat to defenses.  He displayed a fine release with an efficient throwing motion.  The former minor league pitcher has a good enough arm for the NFL, but it is not special.  His completion percentage was boosted by the short and safe throws that Weeden relied on against the Aggies.  Weeden connected on a couple of well-thrown crossing pattern strikes over the middle to Justin Blackmon.  However, his fairly deep fade passes down the sideline were not put on target to give his receiver a good chance to make a play.  Weeden enjoyed fine protection for most of the game.  He lost accuracy on short passes when he had to shuffle his feet due to some pressure.  The Cowboys’ quarterback missed some opportunities to take advantage of one-on-one coverage downfield in the 1^st half.  He settled for the check-down too quickly.  PFDN does not care for over-aged rookie quarterbacks who are not special athletes (Weeden is no Roger Staubach).  He projects to be a backup at the next level despite the gaudy statistics.

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, Redshirt Junior: The 2010 Biletnikoff Award winner helped lead the 2^nd half comeback with some clutch catches over the middle on 3^rd down.  Blackmon finished the game with 11 receptions for 121 yards (11.0 per) and 1 touchdown.  He would have had another touchdown, but he carelessly dropped the football at the 2-yard line and a touchback resulted.  Blackmon should learn his lesson to secure the football until he hits pay dirt.  The Oklahoma State star also gave good effort when run blocking.  He is a fine combination of size (6’ 1” and 210 lbs), sure hands and good speed.  Blackmon did not face press coverage against Texas A & M or the Aggies’ best defender, cornerback Coryell Judie.  Judie injured a hamstring in practice and did not play.  Blackmon is not a sophisticated route-runner, but he has the skill-set to develop into a lead receiver for an NFL team.  Blackmon is not as big, strong or as explosive as Dez Bryant, but he is awfully good.  He will be selected in the 1^st round of the 2012 NFL Draft should he declare early.

S Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, Senior: Martin displayed his versatility by coming up fast in run support (6 tackles) and making a fine pass break-up.  He has excellent range and is quick to get a jump on passes.  Martin was not fooled by a Ryan Tannehill play-action pass on a 1^st down play in the 2^nd quarter to Jeff Fuller going over the middle.  Martin did what every good safety should do.  He quickly put himself in position to help his cornerback break-up the pass.  Martin was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty later in the game on another pass play.  It was a questionable call and highlighted that Martin does not hesitate to lay some lumber on receivers and running backs.  Markelle Martin showed why he is one of the better safeties in the 2012 NFL Draft.

RT Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State, Senior: Adcock showed his versatility by playing right tackle and then left tackle after an injury to Jonathan Rush.  Adcock drew one false start penalty and was solid sealing the edge in run support.  However, his technique needs work and he lacks power.  Adcock lunges and leans too much.  He did not display the ability to sink his hips and generate power.  He looked vulnerable to being off-balance too much.  Adcock benefits from the quick passing attack of Oklahoma State’s offense.  However, he still was beaten off the edge due to less than ideal footwork a couple of times to surrender sacks.  Levy Adcock showed some flaws in his game on this afternoon.

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A & M, Senior: The former A & M receiver flashed potential, but also made some mistakes against Oklahoma State.  Tannehill completed 28 passes in 47 attempts (60%) for 309 yards (6.6 per attempt) with 2 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions.  He also had a 65-yard scoring run, which showed why he was able to play wide receiver.  Tannehill is a fine athlete with some speed.  The Aggies’ quarterback operates out of a pro-style offense.  He is comfortable under center and dropping back to pass.  PFDN finds Tannehill intriguing because of his raw talent and this is his first full season playing quarterback in college. 

He has a smooth delivery and a fine arm.  Tannehill can throw the ball while on the run and escape pressure.  He can zip the seam pass with good timing and did not look to run at the first sign of a pass rush.  Tannehill needs to improve his accuracy, as he missed some completions with high throws or leading his receiver too much.  He did a good job of holding onto the football when he was tackled.  His first interception was due to his receiver fell down and this enabled the cornerback to beat him to the ball.  Tannehill’s 2nd interception was due to him telegraphing his pass and throwing under duress into coverage.  It was a poor decision and is something that he has a chance of improving on with more time at quarterback.  His 3^rd interception he threw into tight coverage again and the deflected pass was picked-off.  Overall, Tannehill clearly is far from being a polished quarterback.  However, he looked like a potential Rich Gannon-type of quarterback if given some time to develop.  

WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A & M, Senior: The Aggies’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions played with a strained hamstring sustained in practice.  Fuller again showed his red zone prowess with a couple of short touchdown grabs.  He finished the game with 6 receptions for 55 yards (9.2 per).  Fuller beat Markelle Martin on his first touchdown grab (17 yards).  He went over the middle and used his big body and strong hands to snag the high pass despite tight and physical coverage.  Fuller is not a burner even without a strained hamstring.  He looks to be a possession receiver at the next level who can catch the ball in traffic.  His wide catching radius really helps his quarterback out.  Fuller had one easy drop in the game which is atypical.  Fuller has build-up speed and will have to work on his release when playing against more aggressive cornerbacks in the NFL.  Fuller did not show dangerous run after the catch ability. 

RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A & M, Senior: Gray was bottled-up against the Cowboys and finished the game with only 35 yards on 13 carries (2.7 per).  He added 3 receptions for 9 yards (3.0 per).  Gray prefers to run outside, but struggled to turn the corner against Oklahoma State.  He showed patience in setting his blocks up on inside runs, but did not explode through the cracks of daylight to make something happen.  Gray flashed the ability to cut sharply and juke his way past a tackler on a short reception to pick-up a 1^st down.  He is solidly built with a low center of gravity, but he was not difficult to tackle in this game.