Is Tannehill a top ten prospect?

Is Tannehill a top ten prospect?

The 2012 NFL Combine is almost upon us all. The anticipation of 40-times and cone drills is nearly unbearable. Thus, it is time for the mock which is dubbed uncanny — a pre-Combine edition.

TFY contributor Brent Sobleski stepped up to the plate and predicted the first two rounds of the NFL draft.

Round 1

# Team Selection Position/College
1 Indianapolis Andrew Luck QB/Stanford
Analysis: Despite all of the posturing by Colts’ owner Jim Irsay and his current quarterback, Peyton Manning, it’s hard to imagine Indianapolis going in a different direction even at this juncture. It’s been Andrew Luck all along.
2 St. Louis Matt Kalil OT/USC
Analysis: The slot has already been discussed as a likely trade spot for a team to leap up and grab quarterback Robert Griffin III. Matt Kalil isn’t a consolation prize. He’s a franchise left tackle to protect Sam Bradford’s blindside. Roger Saffold can simply slide inside to guard or move to right tackle if Jason Smith is eventually cut.
3 Minnesota Morris Claiborne CB/LSU
Analysis: Minnesota will sit at No. 3 and wait to see which top talent slides to it. Age and inconsistency have plagued a secondary the Vikings have already invested heavily, but Mo Claiborne is hard to surpass to replace Antoine Winfield
4 Cleveland Robert Griffin III QB/Baylor
Analysis: Colt McCoy proved he wasn’t the answer at quarterback last year in the Cleveland, and the Browns need a tremendous talent boost among their annually awful offense. It all starts with the quarterback, and Cleveland hopes RGIII will be there without having to trade up to acquire his services.
5 Tampa Bay Riley Reiff OT/Iowa
Analysis: Greg Schiano was a surprise hire by Tampa Bay, but there is nothing surprising in how he built the Rutgers program. Defense and toughness in the trenches is where Schiano will start, and Riley Reiff fits the bill perfectly.
6 Washington Michael Floyd WR/Notre Dame
Analysis: Michael Floyd may not be the top rated WR in this class by many, but he is an ideal fit in a west coast offense. His physicality, route running and size make him a better option for the Redskins’ offense than his peer, Justin Blackmon.
7 Jacksonville Justin Blackmon WR/Oklahoma State
Analysis: Jacksonville, now under the supervision of the offensive minded Mike Mularkey, should jump at the opportunity to finally acquire a legitimate top target (something the team has lacked since Jimmy Smith). Blackmon will certainly help in Blaine Gabbert’s maturation under center.
8 Carolina Quinton Coples DE/North Carolina
Analysis: Coples, simply put, is an enigma. He has all the tools to be a dominant end, yet he never put it all together at North Carolina. His overall talent and positional value keep him hovering around the top ten, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slide on draft day.
9 Miami Ryan Tannehill QB/Texas A&M
Analysis: Miami desperately wants to upgrade its quarterback position. The team hired Mike Sherman to be its offensive coordinator. Sherman coached Ryan Tannehill in college and recently compared him to Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. It could all be a massive smokescreen, but the possibility is just too logical.
10 Buffalo Jonathan Martin OT/Stanford
Analysis: Demetrius Bell, the Bills’ starting left tackle, is looking for a big payday. Bell may not receive the compensation he’s searching for in Buffalo. His replacement last year, Chris Hairston, was severely outmatched. Jonathan Martin is a strong run blocker with enough athleticism to play the blindside at the next level.
11 Kansas City Trent Richardson RB/Alabama
Analysis: Over the past two seasons, new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll rode Peyton Hillis and Reggie Bush as both posted career numbers. Jammal Charles is expected to return, but it’s hard to pass on a talent like Trent Richardson at this point if there is even some uncertainty at the RB position.
12 Seattle Courtney Upshaw OLB/Alabama
Analysis: The Seahawks shall be searching for an QB, but they’re slotting isn’t favorable. Instead, the team can take the next step with an unit which already ranked ninth overall in total defense. Courtney Upshaw would bring toughness, pass rush ability and versatility to Pete Carroll’s front seven. 
13 Arizona Mike Adams OT/Ohio State
Analysis: Both of Arizona’s starting offensive tackles from last year’s squad are free agents. Neither may be retained by the Cardinals. Mike Adams is a bruising tackle with all the natural gifts to immediately start at left tackle.
14 Dallas
 Dre Kirkpatrick CB/Alabama
Analysis: Dallas is in dire need of an upgrade within its secondary. The Cowboys lost multiple leads throughout the season, in part, to their 23rd ranked passing defense. Kirkpatrick is a tremendously talented cornerback who will have to answer multiple questions about potential off-the-field concerns.
15 Philadelphia Michael Brockers DT/LSU
Analysis: Michael Brockers is a raw prospect, but he has the length and ability to stuff the run which will help solidify a Philadelphia interior that played soft at times. The Eagles also have the opportunity to develop Brockers behind the likes of Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson. Derek Landri and Trevor Laws are both free agents.
16 NY Jets Nick Perry DE/USC
Analysis: Since NYJ head coach Rex Ryan implemented his attacking defense, the Jets have not had a constant edge rushing presence in their version of the 34. The team’s last attempt to address the problem in the draft was Vernon Gholston. Obviously, the team is still looking for the answer.
17 Cincinnati (from Oakland) Peter Konz OC/Wisconsin
Analysis: Both starting guards are free agents in Cincinnati. Peter Konz can play both guard and center at a high level. Kyle Cook has been consistent at center, but he also could be upgraded.  Konz is the physical type of lineman Cincinnati usually covets.
18 San Diego
 David DeCastro OG/Stanford
Analysis: David DeCastro is very highly rated, but he does possess some holes in his game. The Chargers won’t complain since the team’s entire offensive line is in question. DeCastro immediately upgrades one of the guard positions.
19 Chicago Kendall Wright WR/Baylor
Analysis: Chicago has been searching for a large target to compliment the wide receivers already on the roster. Kendall Wright doesn’t fit that mold, but his explosive ability is hard to deny for a team which doesn’t possess a legitimate top target of any size or shape.
20 Tennessee Janoris Jenkins CB/North Alabama
Analysis: The uncertain fate of Cortland Finnegan helps make this selection. Janoris Jenkins has top ten ability, but he developed a few bad habits against inferior competition. The former Florida Gator would help build one of the better young secondaries in the NFL alongside Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner.
21 Cincinnati Lamar Miller RB/Miami
Analysis: The Bengals and running back Cedric Benson have yet to sit down and negotiate a possible return. Benson, a free agent,  is already on the wrong side of 30 years. Lamar Miller could provide added insurance or start out of the gates.
22 Cleveland (from Atlanta) Dwayne Allen TE/Clemson
Analysis: Cleveland lacks offensive play makers, period. The team is in need of wide receivers, but tight ends are currently en vogue around the league. Dwayne Allen can provide match-up problems for opposing defenses while rotating among the Browns’ numerous two-tight sets.
23 Detroit Stephon Gilmore CB/South Carolina
Analysis: Ndamukong Suh and Detroit’s defensive line gets all of the attention, but the Lions’ secondary has been woeful in recent years. A defense is built from front to back, but cornerbacks still need to cover at least a little bit. Stephon Gilmore would be a step in the right direction. Gilmore has all the physical ability to be a No. 1 cornerback in the league, but he’s struggled with inconsistency.
24 Pittsburgh Brandon Washington OG/Miami
Analysis: Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin already decided to move Marcus Gilbert from right to left tackle. Willie Colon restructured his contract. Maurkice Pouncey is the rock in the middle. Brandon Washington is a massive yet athletically gifted guard/tackle who should fit in nicely with the Steelers revamped offensive line.
25 Denver Devon Still DT/Penn State
Analysis: Broderick Bunkley was a nice surprise for Denver in 2011, but he is a free agent. The Denver defensive interior was very thin on the depth chart past Bunkley. Devon Still is arguably the most well rounded defensive tackle in the class and should start immediately.
26 Houston Alshon Jeffrey WR/South Carolina
Analysis: It was easy to see the difference in Houston’s offense when Andre Johnson wasn’t available. Johnson has been a workhorse, but he needs a running mate. Kevin Walter has never proven to be that guy. Alshon Jeffrey should pair with Johnson to become a scary combination.
27 New England (from New Orleans) Melvin Ingram DE/South Carolina
Analysis: Is there a more perfect prospect for Bill Belichick to mold? Ingram has the ability to play defensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker. The South Carolina product should add a consistent pass rush, something New England lacked over the past few seasons.
28 Green Bay Whitney Mercilus DE/Illinois
Analysis: Whitney Mercilus led the nation in sacks last year with 16. Clay Matthews III had a down season, in part, due to Green Bay’s lack of a true bookend. Mercilus may be better with his hand in the dirt at the moment, but some scouts believe he can be an outside linebacker in the Packers’ version of the 34.
29 Baltimore Dont’a Hightower LB/Alabama
Analysis: Ray Lewis can’t play forever. He just can’t. Eventually time will catch up with the future Hall of Fame linebacker. Dont’a Hightower is ideal replacement as a thumping mack linebacker in the middle of Baltimore’s imposing 34 defense.
30 San Francisco
 Rueben Randle WR/LSU
Analysis: Too much of the blame fell on Alex Smith’s shoulders after the NFC championship game. The quarterback didn’t necessarily cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl, but a lack of play makers on the outside surely did. Rueben Randle quietly went about his business this year at LSU. He has the size and surprising initial burst off the line to become a top target in the NFL.
31 New England Fletcher Cox DT/Mississippi State
Analysis: Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love, Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren surrounded Vince Wilfork in Super Bowl XLVI. Those names don’t exactly invoke Richard Seymour. Or even Ty Warren. Fletcher Cox has the length and versatility to mold into a top 34 DE.
32 NY Giants
 Luke Kuechly LB/Boston College
Analysis: A former Boston College assistant coach once described Luke Kuechly’s instincts for the football as “Ed Reed-like.” Despite the Giants tremendous run to another championship, a gaping hole exists at MLB (sorry, Chase Blackburn). Kuechly is smart, productive and a Boston College product — everything Tom Coughlin loves.

Round 2
# Team Selection Position/College
33 St. Louis Mohamed Sanu WR/Rutgers
34 Indianapolis Dontario Poe NT/Memphis
35 Minnesota Zach Brown LB/North Carolina
36 Tampa Bay Alfonzo Dennard CB/Nebraska
37 Cleveland Vinny Curry DE/Marshall
38 Jacksonville Mark Barron S/Alabama
39 Washington Brandon Weeden QB/Oklahoma State
40 Carolina Brandon Thompson DT/Clemson
41 Buffalo Chandler Jones DE/Syracuse
42 Miami Coby Fleener TE/Stanford
43 Seattle Nick Foles QB/Arizona
44 Kansas City Josh Norman CB/Coastal Carolina
45 Dallas Cordy Glenn OG/Georgia
46 Philadelphia Vontaze Burfict LB/Arizona State
47 NY Jets Alameda Ta’amu DT/Washington
48 New England (from Oakland) Kelechi Osemele OG/Iowa State
49 San Diego Joe Adams WR/Arkansas
50 Chicago Mike Brewster C/Ohio State
51 Philadelphia (from Arizona) David Wilson RB/Virginia Tech
52 Tennessee Lavonte David LB/Nebraska
53 Cincinnati Bobby Wagner LB/Utah State
54 Detroit Bobby Massie OT/Mississippi
55 Atlanta Cam Johnson DE/Virginia
56 Pittsburgh Josh Chapman NT/Alabama
57 Denver Brock Osweiler QB/Arizona State
58 Houston Jerel Worthy DT/Michigan State
59 New Orleans Kevin Zeitler OG/Wisconsin
60 Green Bay
 Jayron Hosley CB/Virginia Tech
61 Baltimore Stephen Hill WR/Georgia Tech
62 San Francisco Andre Branch DE/Clemson
63 New England Leonard Johnson CB/Iowa State
64 NY Giants Orson Charles TE/Georgia