Early rounds getting crowded

Plenty of shuffling as pro days, film study help draft boards take shape

Originally Published: March 28, 2012
By Todd McShay | ESPN.com

Quarterbacks have dominated draft talk recently after the pro day workouts of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, and things were no different as I laid out my latest mock draft, which includes the first two rounds.

I have three quarterbacks in the top 10 overall at this point and five in this projection. I believe seven will ultimately come off the board before the second round is over, but I couldn't find the right fits at this point for Michigan State's Kirk Cousins and Arizona's Nick Foles.

Teams likely will trade up or pull the trigger earlier than anticipated on second-round quarterbacks, but, for these purposes, I didn't veer too far from primary needs so as to give a sense of how teams might attack the draft early with combo plans for the first and second rounds.

With that in mind, here's how I see things with less than a month to go until the Indianapolis Colts go on the clock.

* = draft-eligible non-seniors


Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-14 | Top needs: QB, WR, 3-4 NT, TE, 3-4 DE

Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford

An outstanding pro day workout, which confirmed Luck's ability to make all the throws and quieted questions about his arm strength, has cemented his status as the top overall prospect and the best choice for the Colts as they begin the post-Peyton Manning era.

Washington Redskins (from STL)

Record: 5-11 | Top needs: QB, ILB, ROT, RB, S, CB

Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor

Griffin also had a strong pro day, and his athleticism and intangibles make him a perfect fit for the offense of coach Mike Shanahan. The Redskins have been searching for answers at quarterback for years, and they have found them in Griffin.

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 3-13 | Top needs: OT, WR, CB, S, MLB, DT

Matt Kalil*, OT, USC

The most complete tackle I have evaluated in my time scouting prospects, Kalil has the athleticism to excel as a pass-blocker and the mean streak to be a force in the running game.

Cleveland Browns

Record: 4-12 | Top needs: RB, WR, ROT, QB, OLB, DE

Justin Blackmon*, WR, Oklahoma State

With the top two quarterbacks on the board already gone, Blackmon's size, hands and physical style offer the Browns a playmaker who can help current QB Colt McCoy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 4-12 | Top needs: CB, RB, SS, OLB, OG, TE

Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama

This is a tough call because you could make an argument for taking LSU CB Morris Claiborne here and grabbing one of the second-tier running backs with the 36th pick. Richardson is a special prospect, though, and he could be just what QB Josh Freeman and the Bucs need to jump-start an offense that finished 30th in the league in rushing last season.


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Todd McShay

Scouts Inc.
  • ESPN College Football and NFL Draft Analyst
  • Joined ESPN in 2006
  • Played quarterback in high school and was a backup QB for the University of Richmond.

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