The Trade
Carolina Receives:
Cleveland's 2012 1st round pick [from the Falcons] (#22)
Cleveland's 2012 2nd round pick (#36)
Cleveland's 2012 4th round pick [from the Falcons] (TBD)
Cleveland's 2013 2nd round pick (TBD)
Cleveland Receives:
Carolina's 2012 1st round pick (#9)
The Draft
Round 1, Pick #22 - Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State University
Jerel Worthy is a monster, and he's proven it on the field. I think that Poe will be gone by this point, as well as Brockers, but Worthy is definitely a 'worthy' pick. He destroyed the Wisconsin offensive line last season, showing that he can beat some of the best, most NFL prepared offensive lines in college football. John Settle definitely knows how good Wisconsin's offensive line is, after his years as running back coach there.
Worthy isn't as big as Poe, but he's strong. He isn't as raw, with as much upside as Brockers, but he's already starting worthy. Worthy demands double teams, or else he can disrupt the pocket early and often. There was a reason the guy was named an All-American last season. Beside of Ron Edwards, we could have a strong
Round 2, Pick #4 - Chase Minnifield, CB, Virgina
Chase Minnifield has been in my last two mocks, honestly because I keep turning towards him. He's smart, well taught, and has a great lineage. The comparisons to Asante Samuel are all over the place, and Sean McDermott knows how valuable that a guy like Asante Samuel is to his blitz happy offense. Beside of, and learning from, Chris Gamble, Chase Minnifield could actually be a star in the making.
I would prefer this pick be Janoris Jenkins, I'm not going to lie, but I think that the Patriots will take Jenkins in the late 1st round, as the Patriots have a desperate need for a CB, and never shy away from guys with potential character problems.
Round 2, Pick #8 - Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
We already have a Miami LB on the roster, and how has that worked out for us? Sean Spence is an instant starter in the NFL, and maybe one of the top five LBs in the draft. He's smart, he's fast, and he is a true student of the game. The guy can recognize plays instantly, and doesn't use any unnecessary movements closing on the ball. Thomas Davis could potentially back Spence up, if his knees prove able to handle some the small playtime as that, but Spence could definitely learn from the likes of Thomas Davis, making him a real stud.
Spence compares very closely to Thomas Davis, Spence is 5'11, Davis was 6'0. Spence weighs 231lbs, Davis weighs 240. Spence definitely wasn't a safety in college, but both players are very fast, and play very similarly.
Round 4, Pick #8 - Markelle Martin, FS, OK State
Markelle Martin stands out because of his flash in the big-time games. His last two bowl appearances (one of which was against Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal) have been incredible. The guy is incredibly fast, can close on the ball quickly, and has the big-hit ability that have shown in flashes from Sherrod Martin. Markelle may sit for a year behind Sherrod, but he could learn the defense as he goes, and be an incredible asset to Special Teams where he started his career in college.
Markelle Martin didn't participate in the Combine because of a knee injury, and that injury could allow him to drop to us in the early 4th round.
Round 4, Pick TBD - Joe Adams, WR/OW, Arkansas
Joe Adams provides an instant upgrade to Punt Returner and Kick Returner, replacing Armanti almost immediately. Joe also gives us a flexible option in the slot receiver spot by being a similar sized guy as Armanti, but while playing his natural position. Joe also took hand-offs out of the backfield, giving another wrinkle to the offense for Cam, Chud, and the rest of the offense.
I had originally hoped that Chris Rainey would be here, but I think he'll go near the end of the 3rd, and if not, he'll definitely be gone by the later end of the 4th.
Round 5, Pick TBD - Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
Nate Potter has actually drawn comparisons to Nate Solder. Seriously. But, he needs to work on a few things before he can get into the NFL. Sometimes, he gets caught flat-footed and just lets guys bull-rush around him. (Byron Bell?) But he has the potential to be a very, very good player if he works on the things he needs to work on. I think he could immediately replace Byron Bell if his OTAs and Training Camp go as well as they should, but, competition could only make Byron Bell better.
Round 6, Pick TBD - Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
Ryan Broyles suffered a pretty serious knee injury while playing at Oklahoma, but if not, his stock would've soared come the Combine. The guy is the All-Time leading receiver with 347 catches. He's small, like Joe Adams, but he could be a great WR if he fully recovers and learns the game. Steve Smith could teach this guy a lot. Ryan Broyles also played for a winning program in college, with a very prestigious tradition, so he's a guy that could fit the mold that Cam is looking for, a guy that wants to win.
Round 6(or 7), Compensatory Pick TBD - Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
I don’t know if Derek Anderson will be back, and I think Pickles will be off the team next season, so that leaves a hole to be filled in the late rounds. Russell Wilson is cut from the same mold as RGIII, he’s only shorter, which drops him into the late rounds. He had a fantastic season at Wisconsin, and played very well at NC State before he graduated. Drafting Russell Wilson will allow the back-up QB to be similar to the starting QB, so that whenever Wilson has to step in, the offense doesn’t change at all.
Round 7, Pick TBD - Drew Butler, P, Georgia
I know some people don't think we should draft a Punter, but you have to ask yourself if the punter is going to be there as a UDFA, and if he's good enough to use a final draft pick on. Drew Butler is that good. He's not Quinn Sharp, but he's definitely good. With Jason Baker having the most punt returns for TDs among active punters, we need to start looking elsewhere. A guy that averaged 44yards+ punting last season definitely could fit that mold.
Edited by RufftownRepresent, 29 February 2012 - 12:00 AM.





