Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

All of the rankings for the upcoming draft have been updated.  There will be future updates as more games are reviewed, coaches spoken to and individual workouts incorporated.  PFDN’s top 32 is heavy on defensive linemen (10), offensive linemen (7) and linebackers (5).  The top 32 list is light on running backs (only Trent Richardson makes the grade) and tight ends (0).  Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener are good, but they just miss the cut.  Of course, the two most talented quarterbacks (Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin) are high on the top 32 list.  Ryan Tannehill has to be studied more, but so far he comes up short.

A couple of talented Alabama defenders from the nation’s best defense also were left off the top 32.  Mark Barron is a fine safety, but PFDN questions his coverage and ball hawking skills.  He can be a little slow to react to pass plays.  In addition, Barron will misplay some balls when he is in position to break-up the pass.  Dont’a Hightower is a big and physical inside linebacker.  However, does he have the quickness and pass coverage skills to play all three downs in the NFL?  PFDN is not convinced that he does.  Barron and Hightower are graded to be solid 2^nd round selections, at this point. 

The nation’s leading sack artist in 2011, Whitney Mercilus, is also absent from the top 32.  He is the ultimate one-year wonder.  Is he truly a late bloomer like Clay Matthews proved to be?  He needs to be studied more and his individual workouts will be interesting to see how explosive he is. The Top Values and Biggest Risks lists will be added in February.  Scouting reports will also be continuously added starting in mid-February.