2012 NFL Draft - 4th Round Analysis

Breaking down and analyzing every fourth round draft pick.

2012 NFL Draft

Fourth Round Analysis

2012 NFL Draft Team Analysis - AFC
EAST Buffalo | Miami | New England | NY Jets
WEST Denver | Kansas City | Oakland | San Diego
NORTH Baltimore | Cincinnati  Cleveland | Pittsburgh
SOUTH Houston | Indy | Jacksonville | Tennessee

2012 NFL Draft Team Analysis - NFC
EAST Dallas | NY Giants | Philadelphia | Washington
WEST Arizona | San Francisco | Seattle | St. Louis
NORTH Chicago | Detroit | Green Bay | Minnesota
SOUTH Atlanta | Carolina | New Orleans | Tampa Bay    

Round-By-Round Picks & Analysis Round 1 | Round 2
Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 
 
1 96 St. Louis Rams

WR Chris Givens, Wake Forest (Jr.) 6-1, 198
Overall Pick No. 96 CFN Overall Ranking: 74

In a draft class that’s missing blazing speed up top, Givens brings the heat with sub-4.4 wheels that translates to the field. A good route runner and not just a deep threat, he’s not afraid to block and he has no problems going across the middle even though he doesn’t quite have the body for it. While his bread will be buttered at the next level as a possible home run hitter, it would be nice if he could find the weight room and decide to put in the work to potentially be a go-to target. The bust potential is huge and he has to prove he wants to become great. Outside of his speed he doesn’t have elite tools and he’ll likely spend his career as a one-trick pony who works as a No. 3 receiver.
CFN Projection: Third Round

2 97 Miami Dolphins from San Francisco from Indianapolis)

RB Lamar Miller, Miami (Jr.) 5-11, 212
Overall Pick No. 97 CFN Overall Ranking: 30

CFN Analysis: Fast, fast, fast, he was expected to be a 4.4 speedster before the offseason workouts, and then he ripped off a 4.36 in a workout to cement his place as one of the fastest of all the top backs. With good size, the right frame, and excellent athleticism, he looks the part of a franchise back. It’s all there, including the quickness to be a devastating kickoff returner if he’s looking to find a role right away outside of the offense. While he was a good collegian, he was underutilized and could be just scratching the surface and could be a whale of a value at some point in the middle of the second round. Can he stay healthy? Part of the reason he didn’t get the ball enough was because he couldn’t handle the load. He won’t power over anyone and he doesn’t play nearly as fast or as quick as he times. Even so, all the tools are there to become a terrific piece of a puzzle, especially if he’s a part of a good rotation.
CFN Projection: Second Round

3 98 Baltimore Ravens  (from Minnesota)

OG Gino Gradkowski, Delaware 6-3, 295
Overall Pick No. 98 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: An undersized, underpowered guard, he’s athletic and he’s a tremendous fighter, but he isn’t going to blast anyone at the next level. He’ll always give an honest day’s work and he’ll do whatever is needed to improve and become a factor, but he doesn’t have much room to get any bigger. The brother of former Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is a football player, but there’s a hard ceiling on what he can do.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

4 99 Houston Texans  (from Tampa Bay through Philadelphia)

C Ben Jones, Georgia 6-3, 303
Overall Pick No. 99 CFN Overall Ranking: 97

CFN Analysis: A versatile leader who did a great job with an always changing and always banged up Georgia O line, he could move to guard in a pinch but has a nice future in the middle. A mauler, he beats people up and is great for the power running game, but he’s not necessarily the type of blocker who’ll blast his man off the ball. His strength is making the right line calls and sniffing out what’s coming; he’s a true quarterback for the line. There’s little quickness or athleticism to his game, and he can be beaten off the ball by an explosive defensive tackle, but he’s an NFL center who can handle himself well right away and be a mainstay.
CFN Projection: Third Round

5 100 Cleveland Browns

WR Travis Benjamin, Miami 5-10, 172
Overall Pick No. 100   CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: He doesn’t have the size, but he’s a blazer with the speed to blast the top off a defense. However, he’ll need plays designed for him. He doesn’t have the size to be a major part of an offense and can be erased by just about anyone who gets a hand on him, but can he be too quick for defenses? He’s can be used in a variety of ways and he has the phenomenal speed that can’t be coached, but he’s a luxury pick and a toy for an offensive coordinator to play around with.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round

6 101 Denver Broncos (from Jacksonville from Tampa Bay)

CB Omar Bolden, Arizona State 5-10, 202
Overall Pick No. 101 CFN Overall Ranking: 143

Really, really strong, cranking out a phenomenal 25 reps on the bench at the Combine showing that he could end up seeing time as a safety. Physical, he uses that strength to bully receivers and he’s never afraid to come up with a big stop and a tackle, while he also has the quickness and athleticism to match up well against the speed targets. Smart, he doesn’t make a slew of mistakes and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. So what’s the problem? He can’t stay healthy. He tore up his knee early in his career and was always nicked and banged up. With his toughness and style, there’s a chance he won’t have a long shelf life.
CFN Projection: Third Round

7 102 Washington Redskins

QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State 6-3, 214
Overall Pick No. 102 CFN Overall Ranking: 35

CFN Analysis: A rock-solid prospect with a low ceiling but no bust potential, he has the right height, a great head, and all the intangibles to be a leader of an offense for a long, long time. A good conductor who knows what everyone is supposed to do, and good at making the right read, he’ll be ready right out of the box with a solid throwing motion that won’t need much tweaking. Vocal, he’s comfortable at being the spokesman for the team with the right blend of attaboy and vinegar to motivate the troops. The problem is that he might be Chad Pennington – great in the locker room and limited on the field. Not a power pitcher, he’s more of a finesse thrower and doesn’t throw the best of balls. Ultra-accurate in drills, he can play and he has starting ability, but there’s a limited upside. He’ll be a piece of the puzzle rather than the reason a team succeeds.
CFN Projection: Second Round

 8 103 Carolina Panthers (from Miami)

DE Frank Alexander, Oklahoma 6-3, 270
Overall Pick No. 103 CFN Overall Ranking: 234

Very long with a big frame and great size, he’s got the body to go along with the pass rushing ability. When he gets around the edge and he’s able to get to the quarterback it’s over. He’s a terrific closer and has a great final step with the ability to work in several alignments and produce. However, he’s not a great athlete and doesn’t stand out physically in any one way. While he was productive and was a top-level Big 12 sacker, he doesn’t quite have enough to be a specialist at the next level and has a very, very short ceiling. If he makes it, it’ll be as a backup.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round

 9 104 Carolina Panthers

WR Joe Adams, Arkansas 5-11, 179
Overall Pick No. 104 CFN Overall Ranking: 137

The straight-line speed might not be elite considering his size, but he’s smooth as glass with elite quickness and the ability to break down and destroy defenders in the open field. On-field fast, he can take the top off a defense and produced at a high level as a punt returner. The versatility will be a key to his career with the skills to be a dangerous No. 3 target and a game-changer on special teams. There’s a concern that he only caught three touchdown passes last year even though he was a part of the Arkansas high-octane puzzle, and there were way too many drops. Not physical in any way, he’s slight and should get pushed around by an NFL defensive back. There’s a chance he’ll never be able to get off the line.
CFN Projection: Third Round

10 105 Buffalo Bills

OLB Nigel Bradham, Florida State 6-2, 241
Overall Pick No. 105 CFN Overall Ranking: 76

Bradham looks the part, like most Florida State linebackers do. Rocked up, there’s no room to add any more good weight to add to an almost-perfect physique, so this is it. He might get to 245 pounds, but he’s never going to be a huge option for the end. While he jumped well at the Combine and he flies off the ball, he’s not particularly fast. Coming up with the intimidating kill shot from time to time isn’t a problem, but he doesn’t do it on a regular basis and he’ll miss some shots. He is what he is as far as potential, and that’s not a bad thing. Intensity and want-to aren’t a problem, and he has the right attitude to the point of being overaggressive; he’ll do what’s needed to be in the league for a long time.
CFN Projection: Third Round

 11 106 Seattle Seahawks

RB Robert Turbin, Utah State (Jr.) 5-10, 222
Overall Pick No. 106 CFN Overall Ranking: 105

Well past the problems from a torn ACL – healed up after sitting out a full season – he showed all the flash and speed he had before the injury with a terrific 2011. Extremely fast, athletic, and strong with 28 reps on the bench, he has the look of a featured NFL runner. A home run hitter, working in the Utah State spread offense he was always seemingly able to crank out the big plays needed to make the offense go. He has to be in the right system, and his numbers are a bit inflated because of the Aggie offense, but he could be a huge steal by someone like Washington or Houston who needs a back to make one cut and go. If he can stay healthy he’ll be a productive part of a rotation.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

12 107 Kansas City Chiefs

WR Devon Wylie, Fresno State 5-9, 187
Overall Pick No. 107   CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: Fast, fast … FAST. He has rare sub-4.4 speed who can work in the slot or as a returner with phenomenal athleticism and quickness. He’s too small, he’s not going to do much to get to the ball, and he’ll be beaten up, but he’s a pinball athlete who can get the ball in a variety of ways who makes things happen. He can’t stay healthy and he might be nothing more than a specialist, but in the right offense he could be a great luxury for an offensive coordinator.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

13 108 Denver Broncos (from New York Jets)

C Phillip Blake, Baylor 6-2, 312
Overall Pick No. 108 CFN Overall Ranking: 179

Tremendously steady, he was a key part of an explosive Baylor offense as the leader of the strong line. While he’s big and versatile, with the ability to move to guard if needed, he’s also quick and is great at making things happen on the move. Looks-wise, he’s what an NFL coaching staff wants with the bulk and the strength – few prospects in the draft have his base strength. Even so, he doesn’t use his tools to be a blaster of a run blocker and spent his career in a finesse attack and he didn’t have to do much with any power. Valuable as a key reserve, he’ll find a job, but he needs to be in a zone-blocking scheme or a passing attack to be at his most valuable.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round
 
14 109 Pittsburgh Steelers (from Washington from from Oakland)

DT Alameda Ta’amu, Washington 6-3, 348
Overall Pick No. 109 CFN Overall Ranking: 85

Massive, he’s a huge-bodied interior presence who managed to get in decent shape but stayed large. A leader and a huge character guy, he’s an anchor who can fight through a line like a wrecking ball. While it’s a bit of a stretch to call him an interior pass rusher, he’s able to make things happen in the backfield even though he’s glacier-slow. The key will be his weight – he could pack on bad weight in a huge hurry if he’s not careful. Purely a nose tackle, he could be a nice value pick in a deep class of tackles if he can become best friends with the strength and conditioning coach. However, he became committed as his career went on and he appears to have the drive needed.
CFN Projection: Second Round

15 110 San Diego Chargers

TE Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette 6-6, 238
Overall Pick No. 110 CFN Overall Ranking: 78

Purely a receiving tight end, he’s a blossoming wide receiver who’ll be put in an H-Back hybrid role. Really, really, REALLY fast, he’s a sub-4.5 runner and he knows how to use his size and his athleticism to destroy his man. While he’s not going to huge anyone just because he’s too lanky, he’s going to do everything asked of him and he’s going to bust his tail to make sure he works with the coaching staff. As long as everyone knows what he’s going to be, and as long as there aren’t expectations for big blocks for the ground game, he could be a terrific target who’ll exploit one-on-one coverage. Some offensive coordinator will be ecstatic in the middle of the draft to get the Ragin’ Cajun.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

16 111 Chicago Bears

TE Evan Rodriguez, Temple 6-2 244
Overall Pick No. 111 CFN Overall Ranking: 220

Originally a fullback, he worked out at tight end this offseason and showed he could be like a poor man’s Aaron Hernandez. He’s not all that tall and he’s built a bit like a blocker, but he’s an athletic receiver who moves well, times fast, and has the look of a possible sleeper target who can be a key part of a passing game. He’ll block, but he’s not going to blast away on anyone. In this class, though, he’s one of the better hitters. There are warning signs after some off-the-field issues, and he might not be good enough in any one area to be a strong starter, but he’s a good enough receiver to find a home as an H-back.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

17 112 Arizona Cardinals

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss (Jr.) 6-6, 316
Overall Pick No. 112 CFN Overall Ranking: 125

With a world of talent and upside, he was a superstar recruit for Ole Miss and was expected to be a dominant presence and a mainstay for the front five. While he was good, and he grew into a nice starter, he wasn’t the dominator many expected him to become. With a great body, the right length, and excellent strength, he has the tools and the ability to become a long time starter on either side. Most of the tweaks aren’t that major and he just needs a little fine-tuning with the upside to get even stronger and better if he can light the fire. Getting better leverage on a regular basis is a must, and he has to improve against the craftier pass rushers, but there’s plenty to get excited about for one of the bigger boom-or-bust picks among the top 75 prospects.
CFN Projection: Third Round

18 113 Dallas Cowboys

OLB Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest 6-4, 249
Overall Pick No. 113 CFN Overall Ranking: 86

Supposedly a speed rusher, he came up with a painfully slow Combine hovering close to a 4.9 at one point. However, he moved well in the shorter drills and came up with 25 reps on the bench. Smart, tough, and athletic on the field, he’s a leader who’s excellent against the run and he doesn’t screw up. Instinctive, he seems to be able to sniff out plays and outguess blockers on his way to the ball, and he provides a big stick when he gets there. The problem is that he’s decent at everything and not necessarily great at any one thing. He’ll be a good all-around defender, but he doesn’t have star potential and might have a hard ceiling that’ll be hit right away.
CFN Projection: Third Round

19 114 Seattle (from Philadelphia)

DT Jaye Howard, Florida 6-3, 301
Overall Pick No. 114 CFN Overall Ranking: 217

A phenomenal prospect coming out of high school, he seemed like a sure-thing NFL star out of the box with the size, the athleticism, and all the tools to be special. Smooth, he moves well and he has big-time pass rushing potential depending on the scheme. However, he was just okay at Florida but not special. He gets shoved around way too easily, and despite his 300-pound size he might be just a pass rusher. With his combination of uncoachable skills he’ll be a nice prospect, but he’ll be frustrating. The production won’t match the skills unless the right coach finds the switch.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round

 20 115 Tennessee Titans

CB Coty Sensabaugh, Clemson 5-11, 189
Overall Pick No. 115   CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: There’s good upside with terrific uncoachable speed – hanging around the sub-4.4 range – and with good fighting ability when it comes to the bigger receivers and he’s a good leader who won’t dog it. However, he’ll get pushed around and he didn’t do much over his career when the ball was in the air. He could be great in nickel and dime packages and will have to be a special teamer in some way as a possible returner, but with his speed he can be used in a variety of ways.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

 21 116 Cincinnati Bengals

TE Orson Charles, Georgia (Jr.) 6-3, 251
Overall Pick No.116 CFN Overall Ranking: 32

Like a wide receiver playing tight end, Charles is a nice route runner with great hands. He has the potential to be a go-to target who can make midrange plays to go along with moving the chains, and he’s just good enough of a blocker to not be a liability. Rocked up, he looks the part with a strong, muscular frame, but he doesn’t really do too much for the ground game. He’ll fight to make a block, and he cranked out 35 reps on the bench at the Combine, but he’s not going to flatten his man. His worth is as a target and with a little bit of route-running refinement and work he can be a featured playmaker in an attack who can take the heat off a No. 1 target. The speed is there and the strength is in place, and now it’s just up to the quarterback to get him the ball.
CFN Projection: Second Round

22 117 San Francisco 49ers (from Detroit)  

OG Joe Looney, Wake Forest 6-3, 309
Overall Pick No. 117 CFN Overall Ranking: 185
Versatile, his biggest worth is as a producer either at center or guard no matter what the system. Smart and a leader, he’s a high-character guy with the right attitude and the right make-up to find a home somewhere on a line. While he’s not a top athlete, he knows how to use his weight and his leverage to frustrate his man throughout a game. But can he get healthy? He suffered a broken foot this offseason and had to fight through a slew of bangs and bruises throughout his career. Hitting the weight room and redefining his body is a must, and he projects to be a good backup at a few positions rather than a top starter at any one spot, but he’s the type of guy coaches want to have on their team.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

23 118 Minnesota (from Atlanta from Cleveland)

WR Jarius Wright, Arkansas 5-9, 182
Overall Pick No. 118 CFN Overall Ranking: 82

Joe Adams was the Hogs’ most dangerous all-around playmaker because of his return ability, but Wright was the best receiver on a devastating passing attack. While he’s a pipsqueak, he’s an excellent all-around route runner and isn’t afraid to go across the middle. Fast, he has 4.4 wheels and is great at getting separation and is even more dangerous in the open field when he gets to make one cut and go. Not physical at all and without any ability to get bigger, this is it, but it might be enough. Smart and with the want-to and character to own a niche as a No. 3 receiver in a high-powered offense, there’s no bust potential.
CFN Projection: Third Round

24 119 Washington Redskins (from Pittsburgh) 

OLB Keenan Robinson, Texas 6-3, 240
Overall Pick No. 119 CFN Overall Ranking: 80
A superstar prospect for a Texas program that gets nothing but superstar prospects, Robinson put together a nice career. While he’s not fast by the stopwatch, he moves well on the field with smooth moves and nice athleticism. With his size, and strength – cranking out 27 reps on the bench – he looks the part and can do it all. He’s good against the run and terrific against the pass, however, he’s not going to beat anyone up and he’s far better when he gets to run around than when he has to deal with a smashmouth attack. A good-character guy and a natural leader, he’s the type of person every coach wants, but he doesn’t quite have the game to fit every system.
CFN Projection: Third Round
 
25 120 Cleveland Browns (from Denver)

ILB James-Michael Johnson, Nevada 6-1, 241
Overall Pick No. 120 CFN Overall Ranking: 135

Arguably the best pure middle linebacker in the draft, he’s built for the position and has the technique and toughness to handle himself as a rock in the middle of a 4-3. With great character and a solid work ethic, he has everything in place to be a quarterback up of a defensive front and he’ll do whatever is needed to make a play. While he’s not a flier, and he’s not going to blow anyone up, he has good enough range to get by and he’s a solid athlete. The problem is that he might not be for everyone. He can try to work on the outside – and played there at times at Nevada - but he’s going to be far more productive if he’s stuck in the middle.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

26 121 Houston Texans

WR Keshawn Martin, Michigan State 5-11, 188
Overall Pick No. 121 CFN Overall Ranking: 191

Fast and shifty, he’s a terrific returner who could hang on a roster purely as a special teamer. With tremendous quickness, he could light up an NFL defense as a No. 3 or 4 target who’s used to make things happen on the inside. Wiry and thin, he’s not going to block anyone, but that’s not his job. Get him on the field, let him be athletic, and watch him make the big plays needed. Plenty of work will be needed on the finer points of being a receiver, and he might need a little while before he can produce for an attack, but he’s ready out of the box as a kick and punt returner and he’ll grow into an offense with time and energy.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

27 122 New Orleans Saints

28 WR Nick Toon, Wisconsin 6-1, 215
Overall Pick No. 122 CFN Overall Ranking: 93

Extremely safe, there’s a high floor and he’s not going to bust, but there isn’t any one thing he does to stand out. He has a nice blend of size, speed and athleticism, and he can be used in every system and be a smooth producer right out of the box. Hands aren’t a problem, he’s tough, and he’s able to work across the middle and work his way deep. Physical, he’ll block but he’ll also get banged up; he’ll always have to fight through a slew of dings. Some team will be happy to get him in the middle of the draft knowing exactly what it’ll get, but again, there aren’t any elite tools to be anything more than a decent complementary receiver.
CFN Projection: Third Round

123 Philadelphia (from Green Bay)

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia 5-10, 182
Overall Pick No. 124 CFN Overall Ranking: 81

Boykin is what a pure cornerback should look like. He’s not all that big to be put at safety, and might seem a bit smallish, but he’s rocked up and can really, really move. A phenomenal athlete, he can jump out of the stadium and can run like a top-shelf NFL prospect. Fast, quick, and smooth, again, he looks the part. Throw in his excellent return skills and he’ll be a valuable prospect in a variety of ways. However, while he has the tools, they don’t necessarily translate to the field with mediocre tackling skills, little physical ability against the bigger receivers, and injury issues. He’s not quite built to take a beating and he doesn’t have any room whatsoever to get any bigger. If nothing else, he’ll be an elite return man who can be used a bit in various defensive packages, but for where he’s going to be taken, he needs to cover someone.
CFN Projection: Third Round
 
29 124 Buffalo Bills  (from Baltimore)

CB Ron Brooks, LSU 5-10, 190
Overall Pick No. 124 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: Really, really fast, he’s a sub 4.4 blazer with decent size to fit in a variety of roles. A great special teamer, he can find a role as a gunner and use his athleticism as part of a nickel and dime package on defense. Not strong, he’s going to get pushed around and he never really got a chance to show what he could do as a cog in a phenomenal LSU secondary. There’s a chance he could blossom with more responsibility in the pros.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round

30 125 Detroit Lions (from San Francisco)

OLB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma (Jr.) 6-2, 253
Overall Pick No. 125 CFN Overall Ranking: 63

Part end, part linebacker, he bulked up in a big way to get up to 253 pounds to show he could possibly fit a variety of systems, but he’s maxed out on his frame. Ridiculously strong, he put up 36 reps on the bench and showed he has the raw tools to potentially be a rock against the run. He’s a big hitter who’s excellent at coming up with a big stop, and he doesn’t miss a tackle. While he’s still an unfinished product and isn’t the greatest of athletes, there’s little bust potential as long as he can jack up the intensity level a few notches. He might not be a pure pass rusher and he’ll be far better against the run than the pass, but he’s quick enough to get by and he’ll be a rock when his job is to see ball, hit ball.
CFN Projection: Second Round

31 126 Houston Texans (from New England from Tampa Bay)
 
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska 6-4, 279
Overall Pick No. 126 CFN Overall Ranking: 92

Extremely athletic, but extremely light for the interior, he’s a 3-4 defensive tackle who could even be moved out to the end in a 4-3 if needed. Last year he was growing into a top-shelf prospect, but he was never right and was knocked out after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. Always moving, always working and always fighting, he has great hustle and a terrific motor. A pure football player, he’ll always play though bumps and bruises, for good and bad. While he’ll never be a top pass rusher and he’s not a great athletic – he’s a true tweener – he’ll be a productive part of any rotation and could be a steal once he gets to 100% again.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

32 127 New York Giants

TE Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati 6-4, 267
Overall Pick No. 127 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked

CFN Analysis: A very big blocker, he’ll be used as a hitter in two tight end schemes. He has decent hands but isn’t a natural receiver and will only be used as a short-to-midrange target, if at all. There’s big upside with a nice mix of size and athleticism, but he’s a project who’ll need time and seasoning He has the NFL size and look, but he’ll have to find a role and he’ll have to show he can do something at a high level early on.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

33 128 Minnesota Vikings  (compensatory)

TE Rhett Ellison, USC 6-4, 251
Overall Pick No. 128 CFN Overall Ranking: 188

Part tight end and part fullback, he’s a strong blocker who can be utilized in a variety of roles. Line him up at H-Back, in the backfield, or as a true tight end; he’ll do whatever it takes to make a team. While not much of a receiver, he wasn’t used much in the USC offense and he never stretched the field. While he’s a good blocker, he’s not quite built to be a true NFL fullback on a full-time basis. There are plenty of reasons to not draft him, and he might be more of a luxury item, but he’ll find a role for anyone who makes the pick.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round

34 129 Oakland Raiders (compensatory)

OLB Miles Burris, San Diego State 6-2, 246
Overall Pick No. 129 CFN Overall Ranking: 95

He’s really strong and he looks the part of an NFL linebacker with the versatility to move around and play in a variety of spots. Extremely strong – lineman strong – he blasted out 31 reps at the Combine and was one of the stars of the leaping drills. A true football meathead, in a good way, he’s the type who appears to love mixing it up and making the tough, physical play on a regular basis, and he doesn’t take a play off. While he’ll miss tackles going for the kill shot, he plays under control. A likely mid-round steal of a prospect, he’ll move around where needed and will do whatever a coaching staff asks of him. Don’t be shocked if he’s a 100-tackle playmaker on a regular basis.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

35 130 Baltimore Ravens (compensatory)
 
S Christian Thompson, SC State (FS) 6-0, 211
Overall Pick No. 130 CFN Overall Ranking: 169

He might have a small-school stigma, but he’s a former Auburn Tiger with the speed and athleticism to have played at an SEC level. What went wrong? He didn’t go to class enough, but he has resurrected his career and has all the talent and the upside to find an NFL home. While he’s not all that big, he tore off a 4.49 at the Combine and moved like a corner. Not just a finesse defender, he can hit a little bit, too, and is a willing tackler. Faster than quick, he’ll have trouble with the shiftier receivers and plays small. A good football player who can run, he should be a whale of a special teamer early on and should find a home in nickel and dime packages.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

36 131 New York Giants (compensatory)

OT Brandon Mosley, Auburn 6-5, 314
Overall Pick No. 131 CFN Overall Ranking: 133

While he’s going to be a right tackle, he’s a good athlete with nice feet and the aggressiveness to complete a block. He has to hit the weight and he gets shoved around a bit, but he doesn’t get knocked around too often and he consistently held his own against the power rushers. While the pumped up tight end went through the SEC wars, he’s still a work in progress with technique and polish both needing to be addressed. There’s potential, but there’s a concern that he might be maxed out after a good but not great 2011 and with a body that probably won’t add much more weight in time to be effective. It’s going to take a few years to become a starter, but there’s a chance he could grow into decent part of a line.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

37 132 Green Bay Packers (compensatory)

OT Mike Daniels, Iowa 6-0, 291
Overall Pick No. 132 CFN Overall Ranking: 174

There’s a lot not to like. He’s short with a bad frame, and after putting on a little bit of weight he has no room whatsoever to get bigger. Concussions are an issue and might not last all that long if he’s needed for a long stretch as a starter, and he can’t be relied on for a full season. However, even though he doesn’t have the right-looking body, he’s a tremendous athlete who cuts on a dime and flies around like as pass rushing end. Great in the locker room, he’ll make himself better and he’ll be exactly what a coaching staff wants in a backup interior defender. There’s a buyer beware tag because of his injury issues.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

38 133 Green Bay Packers (compensatory)

S Jerron McMillian, Maine 5-11, 203
Overall Pick No. 133 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked
CFN Analysis: Part corner and part safety, he has the versatility to work in a variety of ways. With good size, nice speed, and great athleticism, he’s an ideal nickel back and can become a strong cover-2 defender. A special teamer, he’ll find a role right away and won’t complain about having to do the little things. He’s not a blazer and can’t be used as a corner on a regular basis, and he has average defensive skills, but he’ll be around for a while as a special teamer.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

39 134 Minnesota Vikings (compensatory)

WR Greg Childs, Arkansas 6-3, 219
Overall Pick No. 134 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked
CFN Analysis: With a nice blend of size and speed, he has the look of an NFL receiver and can be a tough, physical target if he’s used in a complementary role. He’ll block and he won’t have a problem getting dirty for the running game and doing all the little things needed to spring a big play. However, he’s not a blazer and he’s not a polished route runner and needs some technique work. The bigger concern is his inability to come back and shine after getting hurt. He was a good receiver, but he never got better and was just a guy in the Hog receiving corps instead of the star.
CFN Projection: Free Agent

40 135 Dallas Cowboys (compensatory)

S Matt Johnson, Eastern Washington 6-1, 216
Overall Pick No. 135 CFN Overall Ranking: Unranked
CFN Analysis: With good size and toughness he can serve as a factor against the run in a strong safety role. He has decent enough athleticism to be used in nickel and dime packages, and he has just enough coverage skills to be solid in a cover-2 scheme, but he needs work as a tackler and needs to be surrounded by speedsters. He’ll have to be a special teamer to make a team.
CFN Projection: Free Agent