Top Ten Players of Each Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference

The college football season is right around the corner. As the season approaches, I will be breaking down the best players of each conference. Each Thursday a new conference will be unveiled and the order will be alphabetical. The players will be ranked 1-10 (1 being the best). Note: This is before the start of the 2012 season, therefore players may get hurt and some will get better or worse. This is simply analyzing the best players in each conference, not which players will get drafted the highest in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Atlantic Coast Conference

1. Logan Thomas-Virginia Tech-Quarterback 
According to Rivals.com, Logan Thomas was the #1 tight end recruit in 2009 but now he has become the number one quarterback in the ACC and very well could end up a top 10 NFL draft pick. Thomas is a towering 6’6  and weighs in at about 254 lbs, yes this is very Cam Newton-esque (who was also thought to have been more of a tight end than a quarterback until he reached the NFL). Thomas has a cannon for an arm and started to come into his own late in the season for the Hokies. Thomas is a dual threat who can keep defenders honest. His ability to avoid sacks makes him that much more dangerous, especially when it’s crunch time. Thomas chucked the ball over 3,000 yards in 2011 included a 300+ yard game against Miami (FL) while having a 19-10 TD-Int ratio. Thomas added 11 rushing touchdowns to his stat line to go along with his 469 rushing yards. As the Virginia native matures his interceptions will decrease and look for him to lead the Hokies to another double-digit win season.

2. Sammy Watkins-Clemson-Wide Receiver
Going into the 2011 season, freshman Sammy Watkins wasted no time in taking over the ACC and putting points on the board for Clemson. Watkins is 6’1 and can flat-out fly, making him lethal against weak secondaries. Over the course of his freshman year he managed to help lead the way to a 7-0 start while breaking 11 freshman records along the way. Although his route-running is sub-par as of right now, his quickness and explosiveness makes up for the raw skillset. He racked up 1,219 receiving yards on 82 catches and had 836 yards on only 33 kick returns. Watkins could be starting the 2012 season on the sidelines if he happens to get suspended due to possession of marijuana. Watkins absence would be pivotal in the season opener against Auburn; at that point fans might realize just how much he means to the team. Watkins is a top three wide receiver in the country and he is only  going to be a sophomore.

Freshman Records Broken By Watkins: 
Receptions (Single-game)
Reception Yards (Single–game)
Reception TDs (Single-game)
Total Tds (Single-game)
Total Points (Single-game)
All-Purpose Yards (Single-game)
Kickoff Return Yards (Single-game)
Reception Yards (Season)
150-Yards Receiving (Season)
100-Yards Receiving (Season)
Reception TDs (Season)

3. David Amerson-North Carolina State-Cornerback
A quiet player who puts up big numbers. The ACC is home to the nation’s top cornerback, David Amerson. The 6’3 corner had 13 interceptions in his sophomore campaign, but takeaways aren’t the only plus side to his game. Amerson tallied 59 tackles last season for the Wolfpack and he also showed up when the lights were the brightest: 2 picks and a touchdown against Louisville in the Belk Bowl. This guy is a corner who can be left on an island, cover the best WR in the country and can get you points on defense.

4.Xavier Rhodes-Florida State-Cornerback
Physicality seems to have become a lost art from the cornerback position, but Rhodes brings it. His lack of ball skills (1 interception in 2011) is made up by bumping WR’s and delaying their routes. Rhodes has fought through his share of injuries while at Florida St. but he is still respected by opposing quarterbacks. The tight defense he presents makes other teams shy away from him and he does not get burnt by his opposition. Xavier Rhodes hurt his knee in the Champs Sports Bowl but played through the injury and held Michael Floyd to only 41 yards. Rhodes is a one of a kind and is not afraid to get up in the face of the receivers.

5.Ray Ray Armstrong-Miami (FL)-Strong Safety
Four years ago, Ray Ray Armstrong was one of the top defensive recruits in the country and he has only scratched the surface of what he can do. Armstrong is big enough to make all of the tackles and is fast enough to cover all areas of the field. His versatility really helps the team defense because he can push up to help the run game or drop back into coverage. The Miami safety was suspended for the beginning of the 2011 season (like many of his teammates) but he still managed to get 34 tackles in only seven games played. Armstrong will be the leader of what should be a very good Hurricane defense.

6.Brandon Jenkins-Florida State-Defensive End
Jenkins is just another exciting player on the Seminole defense. There is a lot to like about this kid: his motor, balance, explosiveness and his versatility.  Jenkins lead the Noles in both tackles for loss and sacks in 2011 and plans to do it again in 2012. Jenkins can get to the quarterback quick and in a variety of ways. If his tackling skills are polished he could very well be one of the top pass-rushers in the country.

7.Jonathan Cooper-North Carolina-Guard 
The Tarheel’s Cooper is the first offensive lineman to reach the list.  Cooper is an experienced lineman (35 starts) who was an All-American his freshman year and continued to get better. Although he could improve his run-blocking, Cooper is still dominant in the trenches. Cooper has great technique and is very naturally when moving along the line; clean footwork and great pass protection makes up for lack of strength.

8. Tajh Boyd-Clemson-Quarterback
Built like a fullback but throws effortlessly, the Clemson quarterback threw the ball 499 times last year and accumulated 3,828 passing yards. Boyd and Sammy Watkins were a dynamic duo and were 7-0 right out of the gate. At many times the Clemson defense would let up points and Boyd was forced into shootouts with opposing teams. He always keeps his cool and manages to make the right decisions, between his throwing skills and ability to move around the pocket he was able to assemble some key drives throughout the season. Boyd completed 59% of his passes and look for that to improve with the maturation of his receiving corps. He is a bonafide baller and can get his team wins.

9. Oday Aboushi-Virginia-Offensive Tackle
Yet another big man is getting some love on the top ten list. This time Oday Aboushi will be getting recognized. The senior tackle stands in at a staggering 6’6, 310 and is downright mean. Aboushi is strong and blocks through the whistle but lacks some explosiveness. His long arms allow him to keep separation against pass rushers and he has a lot of range for a guy that is 310 lbs. He is a consistent starter and is a great collegiate LT, penalties are at a minimum when he is blocking.

10.  Kenny Tate-Maryland-Safety/Linebacker
Just what football coaches love…hybrid players. Kenny Tate will be returning to the University of Maryland for his 5^th season. Early in his career, Tate was the starting safety for the Terrapins but is now the starting outside linebacker. Before a season-ending knee injury in 2011, Tate had 35 tackles I only four games played and also recorded two interceptions. His play matches the new Maryland uniforms, eye-popping. Tate makes plays all over the field and is a difficult guy to account for when facing him. The best feature about Tate is that he has the ability to lineup almost anywhere on the field, if he comes back 100% from his injury, he will be one of the best playmakers in the nation.

Just Missed:

Jeremiah Attaochu-Georgia Tech-OLB
Andre Ellington-Clemson-RB
E.J. Manuel-Florida State-QB
Bjoern Werner-Florida State-DE
Seantrei Henderson-Miami (FL)-OT

College Basketball Programs on the Rise

Each and every season teams are forced to rebuild due to players entering the NBA draft, transferring and even graduation. There are very seldom instances in division one, where teams have the majority of their starters for a four-year stint. Nowadays teams are fighting for the top recruits and all that is on the recruits’ mind is which college will give them the best opportunity to showcase their skills for the next level. Kentucky has proven that you can go out and win with a bunch of freshman; you do not need four years to create chemistry, just unselfish players. Lower-tiered schools have gotten better at recruiting and the players are starting to go there because they stand out. While bettering their chances of getting drafted early go down by going to a mid-major, the overall competition of the NCAA throughout the country has increased, the division one platform has turned into a level playing field and smaller programs will be making a splash in the future.

Providence College Friars

The Friars have been the bottom-dwellers of the Big East Conference along with Depaul for some time now. Just as the Friars seem to get their act together the Big East starts to fall apart. With one of the top recruiting classes in the country and possibility of bringing in transfers, PC could be a fun team to watch. Ricardo Ledo, an ESPNU top 20 recruit, has signed with Providence as well as the #24 prospect Kris Dunn. Ledo is an explosive 2-guard who can score from anywhere on the floor; there is no stopping him once he starts heating up. Ledo has the ability to break the double team and can make shots in traffic… just what you need to win in the Big East. The Friars also have commitment from 6’5 swingman Josh Fortune who lead his AAU team to finish 5^th in nationals. As for Kris Dunn, he is a highly touted point guard prospect, the second-best one in the nation behind UNC-commit, Marcus Paige. Dunn will be able to learn under veteran guard, Vincent Council, which will be better for the Friars in the long run. He is quick, confident and has the ability to make people around him better.

Vincent Council will be happy to finally get some offensive weapons.

Ledo and Dunn are recruited incomers, Providence is also being looked at as a transfer destination by Michigan forward, Evan Smotrycz and Wake Forest center, Carson Desrosiers.  Getting either of these two athletes would be a huge asset to a team that lacks size like Providence. Smotrycz is a guy that won’t do a whole lot on the stat sheet but he will make all the hustle plays and he has a great basketball I.Q. Carson Desrosiers is a 7-foot center who is a great interior defender and could help the Friars on the defensive end.

Final Thoughts: With Syracuse and Pittsburgh playing in the ACC and West Virginia moving to the Big 12 as early as next season, the Big East won’t pose the same competition as it used to. Providence should be a team that is playing in March Madness; UCONN is not eligible for post-season play, there will be a dogfight at the top of the Big East standings. After Louisville and Georgetown it is anyone’s game. Next year, PG Vincent Council will be a senior and he will lead this team. Last season he was fourth in the nation in assists and he will make all of the underclassmen better. Soon-to-be sophomores LaDontae Henton and Bryce Kofane will continue to get better and Ledo will be a great weapon for Council to utilize.

Memphis Tigers

The Memphis Tigers have been competing with the elite teams in the country since John Calipari and Derrick Rose were there back in 2007. The Tigers do not play in a power-6 conference but they have still be able to maintain a high level of play. The Memphis organization has begun to build consistency and a great recruiting resume, which will make them one of the top programs in years to come; not to mention they will need to be at their best since they are joining the Big East in 2013. Joe Pastner is one of the younger coaches in the nation and he gets his players to bring their A-game every night. Memphis will be losing their leading scorer, Will Barton, to the NBA Draft and also their leader in Wesely Witherspoon who was a senior this past season. Don’t write Memphis off just yet, they have commitments from power forward Shaq Goodwin (#31 recruit according to ESPNU Top 100) and small forward Damien Wilson, who is a 4-star recruit. Goodwin is a big-bodied athletic forward, which Memphis likes, who can run the floor and finish in traffic as a power forward.  Damien Wilson is a 6’6 slasher that can get to the hoop at will and can do a variety of things with the ball in his hand.

Shaq Goodwin was the #2 HS player in Georgia, behind Tony Parker.

Bringing in Goodwin and Wilson will immediately help Memphis make a successful transition to the Big East. These are two types of players that fit in the Big East style of play, rough, tough and with attitude. Goodwin and Wilson won’t have to completely rebuild the program, they will playing with Will Barton’s brother, Antonio and Tarik Black if he does not declare for the NBA draft.

Final Thoughts: The Memphis Tigers have a surplus of athlete and will be swarming with talent next season. Shaq Goodwin fills one of the Tiger’s biggest needs with his presence on the glass. One of their leading 3-point shooters in Antonio Barton will be returning and Tarik Black has matured as a leader. With all that is going for the program of Memphis with top recruits coming in and moving to the Big East there is a lot of positive energy in Memphis. Look for the Tigers to scratch and claw their way to March Madness and have an immediate impact in the big east.

Bold Predictions For All 30 Ball Clubs

At the beginning of the of the 2011 season, if you would have said that Curtis Granderson was going to hit 40+ home runs and Ian Kennedy would reach 20+ wins people would have called you crazy. But those uncanny things happen each year; those players finished with 41 home runs and 21 wins respectively.

This year is going to be a big year for the MLB, more teams are starting to assemble superstar squads while other teams are calling up prospects getting ready for the future.  There will be something that happens to each team that no one has thought of, these will be my bold predictions of the 2012 season.

AL West

Seattle Mariners– Ichiro clubs out a career-high 17 home runs. He has always had pop in his bat but never used it because he was a leadoff hitter. Now he is batting third and knocking some runs in. Also, Jesus Montero will start less than 20 games at the catcher position.

Los Angeles Angels– Mark Trumbo struggles to get implemented/ keep his spot in the lineup (1B, 3B, DH, OF). He won’t even hit 19 home runs and he won’t be able to keep his average above .240. On a positive note, Kendrys Morales will stay healthy for the most part and knock out 26 home runs while C.J. Wilson gets a team-high 24 wins.

Texas Rangers– Mike Napoli ends up getting moved, again, at the trade deadline. Neftali Feliz has an impressive 13-8 record as a starter. Joe Nathan gets hurt (not bold) and Alexei Ogando becomes the closer getting 33+ saves.

Oakland Athletics– Yoenis Cespedes scorches 37 doubles and leads the team with 22 home runs and 89 RBI. Pitcher, Brandon McCarthy, makes the All-Star team and finished the season with 14 wins and a 2.96 ERA with a sub-1 WHIP. Manny Ramirez also takes the DH spot from Jonny Gomes after serving his 50-game suspension and he hits 13 dingers.

AL Central

Detroit Tigers– Alex Avila struggles on offense while the rest of the Tigers do not. Austin Jackson finally proves that the Tigers made the right choice in trading Curtis Granderson for him and company. Jackson steals 34 bases and hits a career-high .294.

Cleveland Indians– Josh Tomlin leads this team in wins with only 12.  Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore miss over a combined 210 games. Ubaldo Jimenez still can’t find his groove in Cleveland.

Minnesota Twins– Bottom-dwellers of the AL Central and the league for that matter, which ends up being the worst division in the MLB.  Mauer does play, and hits .318, but it doesn’t help the team. Ben Revere ends up taking Denard Span’s CF spot and steals 51 bases.

Kansas City Royals– Royals finish second in division with 88 wins. Eric Hosmer wins the AL MVP despite not making the playoffs. He bats: .330, 29 long-balls and 117 RBI. Mike Moustakas hits 26 home runs and Tim Collins makes the All-Star team as a setup man.

Chicago White Sox– Jake Peavy finally makes a comeback, dealing out a team-leading 14 wins. Matt Thornton finishes the season as the closer but not a good one and Konerko is the only player on the team to bat over .300.

AL East

Boston Red Sox (World Series Champs)– Mark Melancon was brought in to be a setup man but he ends up leading the club in saves (28).  Salty hits 23 home runs but Ryan Lavarnway will takeover as catcher by the end of July. Defensive prodigy Jose Iglesias gets called up and sent back down because he doesn’t know how to use a bad and Crawford is still irrelevant by the end of the season.

New York Yankees– Ivan Nova becomes the most consistent pitcher. Curtis “The Grandy Man” Granderson hits only 23 home runs while Jeter and A-rod combine for 26. Cano finishes third in MVP voting behind Hosmer and A. Gonzalez.

Toronto Blue Jays– Ricky Romero wins AL Cy Young Award, getting 227 K’s and 18 wins with 26 quality starts. Yunel Escobar hits .310 with 84 RBI and 22 steals. Kyle Drabek doesn’t make his way into the rotation either.

Tampa Bay Rays– Ben Zobrist hits 24 home runs while snatching 26 bases and he will start  games at 2B, 1B, LF, RF and DH. Desmond Jennings hits a shocking 26 HR and B.J. Upton gets traded to Houston.

Baltimore Orioles– Mark Reynolds moves to 1B, Brian Roberts comes back and Robert Andino plays most of the year at 3B. Jake Arietta wins only 9 games but has a 3.20 ERA. Adam Jones gets traded so Baltimore can stockpile on prospects… I don’t know why they want to though.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks (Lose in World Series)– Trevor Cahill shows he misses pitching at the Coliseum and gets rocked. Ian Kennedy doesn not have the same type of season as last year. Tyler Skaggs gets promoted early and leads the team in strikeouts and ERA. Justin Upton hits 34 HR and steals 28 bases.

San Francisco Giants– Freddy Sanchez hits only .263, no one on the team hits over 23 home runs and Lincecum has a 3.49 ERA. Brian Wilson is lights out this year but he will have no save opportunities, only gets 31 saves.

Colorado Rockies– Dexter Fowler becomes a superstar. Jamie Moyer gets 13 wins, Tulowitzki wins NL MVP and Jordan Pacheco hits 24 home runs from the hot corner. Helton and Giambi both announce they will retire at end of season, freeing up first base for 3B prospect Nolan Arenado who will move to 1B.

San Diego Padres– Carlos Quentin hits only 16 home runs. Cameron Maybin leads the team with 26 bombs and 38 steals. Edinson Volquez and Corey Luebke both tie with 15 wins but the Padres still struggle.

Los Angeles Dodgers– Dee Gordon hits well over .300 but Andre Ethier becomes the team’s MVP. Ethier his .328 and knocks in 108 runs while Kemp struggles to hit 25 home runs and doesn’t even reach 100 RBI. Kershaw wins Cy Young by a landslide.

NL Central

Houston Astros– Jordan Lyles leads the team in wins with 13 and Jordan Schafer robs 23 bases. Unfortunately, a bunch of prospects get called up too early and end up having terrible numbers.

Chicago Cubs– Anthony Rizzo is a disappointment, hitting less than five home runs. Marmol gets traded along with Matt Garza (separate deals), leaving Jeff Samardzija to have the best season as a Cubs pitcher in 2012.

Cincinnati Reds– Aroldis Chapman eventually becomes the closer and strikes out over 100 as a reliever. Votto has a bad year after signing a monster contract, 20 HR and bats only .289. Chris Heisey leads the team as a platoon OF with 27 HR.

Milwaukee Brewers– Mat Gamel provides some pop with Prince Fielder gone. Braun has another 30/30 season, K-Rod gets traded and George Kottaras becomes everyday starting catcher.

Pittsburgh Pirates– McCutchen becomes elite, hitting 31 home runs and getting 34 steals, he earns the highest WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Erik Bedard doesn’t even start 21 games and James McDonald gets 197 K’s.

St. Louis Cardinals– Jon Jay has a breakout season and Wainwright gets 18 wins. David Freese loses his spot in the lineup and Matt Holliday only hits 18 homers. Jason Motte blows a bunch of saves and Fernando Salas takes over.

NL East

New York Mets– Jason Bay is back and hits 22 home runs.  David Wright knocks 19 out of the park before getting traded to the Chi-Sox in exchange for Gavin Floyd and Alexei Ramirez.

Atlanta Braves– Michael Bourn hits an abysmal .268 but still steals 59 bases and scores 99 runs. Jason Heyward stays healthy all season and knocks out 38 home runs and wins the Home Run Derby.

Miami Marlins– Hanley Ramirez is runner-up for the NL MVP Award, hitting 33 home runs and knocking in 114. Ricky Nolasco rings up 132 batters and gets 16 wins. Miami Marlins win the division. Oh yeah, Giancarlo (formerly Mike) Stanton leads the MLB with home runs, dropping 48.

Philadelphia Phillies– As Chase Utley comes back, Jimmy Rollins gets hurt, leaving Freddy Galvis in the lineup and moving him back to his natural shortstop position. Hunter Pence is the unsung hero and hits a quiet 30 home runs.

Washington Nationals– Bryce Harper is called up right after the All-Star break but is not successful in his first half-season. Ian Desmond gets traded and Strasburg gets shut down early for precautionary reasons. Washington finishes third in division.

Top 5 Fantasy Players at Each Position (Outfield & Pitching)

Outfield

Jose Bautista-Toronto Blue Jays
Analysis: Last season Joey Bats proved me wrong. I thought he would be a one-year wonder but then he went out and slugged 43 homeruns. His average draft position is 6, very good for average unlike many power hitters. Eligible at 3B and OF, he is going to hit 50 homeruns in the near future. Don’t pass on him.

Matt Kemp-Los Angeles Dodgers
Analysis: Kemp took the league by storm last year. Was only 13 batting average points away from winning the NL triple crown. This year he projected himself to have a 50/50 season (home runs/steals), now I don’t think that will happen but I do still think he is the best Centerfielder and a late first round fantasy pick.

Jacoby Ellsbury-Boston Red Sox
Analysis: Last season he provided the Bo-Sox with some pop. He cranked out 32 home runs, a .321 average and 39 steals. If the Red Sox would have made the playoffs he would have won the MVP award easily. I don’t think he will mimic these power numbers, but still expect .300+ average and 35+ steals.

Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers
Analysis: I feel that Prince Fielder’s departure could have a slight affect on the Hebrew Hammer; he is still going to get his though. This is a guy that can get you 30 HR and 30 steals every season for the next 5 years. Also hits for average, one of the few five-tool players left in the MLB.

Andrew McCutchen-Pittsburgh Pirates/Justin Upton-Arizona Diamondbacks
Analysis: These guys are both very similar, like Ryan Braun they are both 5-category players (Home runs, Batting Average, Fielding, % Steals and RBI). Upton is younger than McCutchen and provides more pop but if you are in a strikeout league (negative batter-stat) than McCutchen is a better selection. McCutchen will score a lot of runs and now he is starting to get into his “power prime” (26 years old). McCutchen could potentially have a 30/30 season whereas Upton may hit 34 dingers and have 100+ RBI. Both are fantastic picks, especially in keeper leagues. Both can also be selected in the third round of most 12-team fantasy leagues.

Starting Pitchers

Clayton Kershaw-Los Angeles Dodgers
Analysis: Kershaw has always been a personal favorite of mine. He lead the league in ERA last season (2.28), dealt 5 complete games- 2 shutouts, had 21 wins and a sub-1 whip. That is Cy Young worthy if you ask me. Kershaw will keep getting better, look for his strikeout count to raise from (248) to possibly 260 this season.

Justin Verlander-Detroit Tigers
Analysis: It is tough to put the reigning Cy Young/ AL MVP winner second, but I don’t see how he can improve his numbers. The thing that ”scares” me is that Verlander is a power-pitcher. Meaning he will always go back to his fastball when he is in trouble. Don’t overanalyze my use of the word “scared,” he is still a first round pick, he will still get 220+ strikeouts, and with that lethal Tigers offense mixed with a horrendous AL Central he could post 25 wins.

Roy Halladay-Philadelphia Phillies
Analysis: Still hasn’t had a bad season that I can remember. Last year he had a 2.35 ERA, 19 wins, 220 strikeouts and 8 complete games. Halladay will never let you down and always comes up in the clutch. We all remember the historic no-hitter he threw in his postseason debut. Oh yeah, he also threw a perfect game in the regular season. No risk with taking him at any draft pick number.

Cliff Lee-Philadelphia Phillies
Analysis: Another guy that will get you a ton of innings while keeping his ERA and WHIP down. If you are in a dynasty league that might affect Cliff Lee’s draft stock because he is 33, but, he has a variety of pitches he can use to get batters out. He may be the smartest pitcher in the game and he should have yet another season with an ERA under 2.5 and K-9 around 8.5.

Jered Weaver-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Analysis: Last year he started 33 games and still managed a 2.41 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Also, he had an incredible streak of innings without allowing an earned run. Weaver has great mechanics, look for him to reach the 20-win mark and get over 200 strikeouts.

Closers
Craig Kimbrel-Atlanta Braves
Analysis: The Braves have been a good team for a long time. Kimbrel solidifies the back end of a really good bullpen. His K/9 is nearly 15 and he should get you over 40 saves.

Jonathan Papelbon-Philadelphia Phillies
Analysis: Maybe he just needed a change of scenery. I expect him to reach his full potential in Philly. Will get you a ton of strikeouts as well as saves.

Mariano Rivera-New York Yankees
Analysis: Yes he is up there an age, but he is the game’s most efficient closer. He still has a mean cutter and he sits the best hitters down repeatedly. Won’t blow more than 4 saves, can’t go wrong with him.

Heath Bell-Miami Marlins
Analysis: Yes, everyone is hopping on the Marlins’ bandwagon but he has tallied up the most saved in the last 3 seasons combined. Tough division but once the Marlins have a lead going into the ninth, chalk it up as a win.

Jose Valverde-Detroit Tigers
Analysis: A lot of fantasy leagues (ESPN, CBS, Yahoo!) have him ranked low and I cannot see the answer as to why. Last season, Valverde did not blow a save until the later part of the second half. Detroit is going to be a powerhouse, Valverde has no one jeopardizing his closer role, expect him to get 45+ saves.

Top 5 Fantasy Players at Each Position (Infield Only)

Catchers

Carlos Santana-Cleveland Indians
Analysis: One of the best power-hitting catchers in the game today; potential 30 HR. Can also place him at 1B on your team, a ton of RBIs and draws many walks.

Brian McCann-Atlanta Braves
Analysis: Career .286 hitter, fantastic hitter when runners are in scoring position. Doubles machine.

Alex Avila-Detroit Tigers
Analysis: Playing on what is to be said the best offense in the AL.  Last year hit .295 with 19 Hr. Avila is believed to be batting third, resulting in many runs scored being in front of Prince and Miggy.

Buster Posey- San Francisco Giants
Analysis: In only 45 games last season, Posey pumped out 4 HR and 21 RBI.  He also has potential for double-digit steals. If you are in a Field % league like I am, he is a great pick.

Matt Weiters- Baltimore Orioles
Analysis: Can hit any pitch anywhere he wants. Has potential for 25 HR and a .285+ average. You can wait on him a little bit; taking catchers early is risky.

First Base

Miguel Cabrera-Detroit Tigers
Analysis: Moving to third boosts his fantasy value even more. 30+ HR, 120+ RBI and a .295+ seems like an accurate projection. There is no pitching around him now that Prince is in town.

Albert Pujols-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Analysis: Probably the greatest hitter of my generation when its all said and done. They might name the waterfall after him at Angel Stadium.  40 homeruns, 115+ runs batted in seems right, should draw a lot of walks too.

Prince Fielder-Detroit Tigers
Analysis: He is in the middle of the batting order on a deadly lineup. There is no reason for him to not get 35+ homeruns and 120+ RBI.

Adrian Gonzalez-Boston Red Sox
Analysis: Can hit opposite field resulting in doubles, can hit for average (.338 last season). Also has potential for 35 homeruns at Fenway Park. Another superstar in a deadly lineup, just don’t expect steals from him.

Joey Votto-Cincinnati Reds
Analysis: Plays in a hitters ballpark, had very quiet but outstanding numbers last year. He hit .309 with 29 homeruns, 101 runs scored and 103 RBI. I expect him to mimic that; best first baseman in the National League.

Second Base

Robinson Cano-New York Yankees
Analysis: He is the only first baseman I see that could possibly go in the first 15 picks. Incredible balance between average and power, will get a lot of RBI in that Yankee lineup as well.

Dustin Pedroia-Boston Red Sox
Analysis: As the years go on, his steals numbers goes up. Snagged 26 last year, also rakes at Fenway Park. I’d take him as early as the middle of the third round because 2B is weak. Won’t be disappointed, will hit .300+, around 25 HR and steal over 20 bases.

Ian Kinsler-Texas Rangers
Analysis: Great 5 tool player. Awesome power numbers for a second baseman. Had a down year for average last season but look for that to improve this year. Could have a 30/20 season. Easily.

Howard Kendrick-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Analysis: Kendrick leads the Angeles in plate appearances year-in and year-out; he still manages to have a great batting average. Versatility is key for fantasy sports, he can play 1B, 2B and OF.

Brandon Phillips-Cincinatti Reds
Analysis: Great all-around player offensively. Closest you can get for a sure thing for draft position. Will help greatly in every category.

Third Base

Jose Bautista-Toronto Blue Jays
Analysis: Last season Joey Bats proved me wrong. I thought he would be a one-year wonder but then he went out and slugged 43 homeruns. His average draft position is 6, very good for average unlike many power hitters. Eligible at 3B and OF, he is going to hit 50 homeruns in the near future. Don’t pass on him.

Adrian Beltre-Texas Rangers
Analysis: Typical power hitter. Safe to say he’s going to hit over 30 long-balls, over 100 runs-batted-in barring injury. Beltre might be a little over-ranked because he has been injury prone in the past, but 3B is a very thin position.

Evan Longoria-Tampa Bay Rays
Analysis: Longoria had crazy numbers once he started playing last season. His past injuries scare me; had a couple minor foot surgeries in the offseason. If healthy, he could be the AL MVP by the end of the year.

Ryan Zimmerman-Washington Nationals
Analysis: Just signed to a new contract, one of the top all-around 3B in MLB. The Nationals are improving offensively, giving Zimmerman a chance to be comfortable and a lot of RBI opportunities.

David Wright-New York Mets
Analysis: Another third baseman that has been injury-riddled. Wright has been a fan-favorite for years and the fences being moved in can help him out a lot. Not a homerun guy, but should have a great average and possibly see him reach the mid-90’s for RBI.

Shortstop

Troy Tulowitzki-Colorado Rockies
Analysis: Best power-hitting shortstop in the league. He is a freak of nature and will post monster numbers. Nothing unusual.

Jose Reyes-Miami Marlins
Analysis: Injured a lot in New York, but I feel Ozzie Guillen will bring the best out of Jose Reyes. Don’t expect more than 12 homeruns, but I would expect 35+ steals and well over 90 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez-Miami Marlins
Analysis: Hitting Coach Eduardo Perez said that Hanley Ramirez is in MVP form. Could be the best player fantasy-wise because he can play 3B and SS. I would be willing to draft him in the middle of the second round, don’t let this guy get away. Expect a lot of homeruns and triple-digit RBI numbers.

Starlin Castro-Chicago Cubs
Analysis: Last year, Castro’s heads were in the clouds and he still managed great numbers. I’m assuming the front office of the Cubs will have a talk with him and he will keep improving his numbers. Great for dynasty leagues: only 21 years old and numbers improved in each of his first two seasons. Career averages: .304 BA, 16 SB, 54 RBI, 173 hits.

Elvis Andrus-Texas Rangers
Analysis: Not even 23 years old and already has 1,880 plate appearances. He racked up 37 steals last year but I’m afraid people will reach on him via lack of talent in the SS department. If he goes early, you could wait on Dee Gordon and might end up with the same production.

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2012

The beauty of fantasy sports is finding the perfect sleeper. Finding a diamond in the rough can be the difference between a fantasy championship and a disappointing season. Today we will explore the biggest potential steals of the 2012 MLB fantasy draft. Keep this list to yourselves because you don’t want your fellow draft-mates to take your guy.

Catcher-Jarrod Saltalamacchia-Boston Red Sox
Salty will be the everyday catcher now that Jason Varitek has retired. This was a highly touted prospect when we acquired in exchange for Chris McGuiness and Roman Mendez. Playing in Fenway and in the loaded Red Sox lineup, Salty will have many RBI chances and could hit around 22 home runs, which is good for a catcher. The only downfall to this sleeper is that he does not hit for average (.244 career batting average).

1^st Base-Ike Davis-New York Mets
Davis is probably the only bright spot for this New York Met ball club.1^st base is typically a power position but this is a deep position. Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez and Prince Fielder will most likely go in the first round but if your first choice is taken you can wait on players like Gaby Sanchez, Paul Goldschmidt and Ike Davis. Davis battled through foot/ankle injuries last year and ended up getting shelved for most of the 2011 season, however, he managed to put up 7 home runs and knock-in 25 RBI’s in only 36 games played. Citi Field moved in all of their outfield walls 15 feet this offseason, raising Davis’ potential home run numbers. I could see him putting up 32 home runs, 90+ RBI and hit in the upper .280’s.

2^nd Base-Jemile Weeks-Oakland Athletics
Weeks exploded on to the scene last season. Once he was called up by the Athletics organization he became their leadoff and one of their best offensive weapons. Personally I do not like drafted 2^nd basemen before the 6^th round unless I am getting Robinson Cano. Weeks will be on the board for quite a while, I would take him around the 13^th round. This year he will be one of the better speed guys in the MLB (projected 35), could post a .300 batting average and could score a lot of runs pending the improved A’s lineup with a suspended Manny Ramirez, Dominican sensation Yoenis Cespedes and Chris Carter finally getting called up.

3^rd Base-Mike Moustakas-Kansas City Royals
Two years ago Mike “Moose” Moustakas was arguably the best hitter in the minor leagues. In 2010 (AA-AAA) Moustakas posted a .322 average, 36 home runs, 124 runs batted-in and 51 walks (10 intentional). Last year, Moose was called up to the Royals and didn’t do to great. In 2012, look for the Royals to have a good offensive year. Moustakas will most likely be hitting 5^th, behind Eric Hosmer. With this prospect-studded lineup, Moose will have a lot of men on base to hit in. Third base is a very thin position for fantasy and if you can find a power guy there in the later round you will be all-set. Ned Yost said Moustakas is in amazing shape and is chiseled, even stronger than last year. I am projecting him at a .290 batting average, 26+ homeruns, and somewhere around 85 for runs batted-in.

Shortstop-Dee Gordon-Los Angeles Dodgers
Shortstop is the thinnest position in fantasy baseball, no question about it. Troy Tulowitzki will get drafted within the first ten picks, Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez (eligible at 3B and SS) will be gone before the end of the second round in a 12-team league. After those three shortstops are gone, there are slim pickings.  You still have players like Elvis Andrus of the Texas Rangers, Starlin Castro and Emilio Bonifacio, The latter of the six that were spoken of will go in the early rounds as well. Andrus, Castro and Bonifacio all provide great steal numbers and a really nice batting average. Instead of taking a shortstop early, I suggest you wait on Dee Gordon. Gordon won’t get many RBI’s and will probably have less than 6 home runs but, he will make up for it in steals and runs scored. Gordon will be hitting in front of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier so he will be scoring a lot of runs and he has 50+ steal potential.  In 56 games last season, Gordon had 24 steals, which is nearly 1 steal for every two games, he also posted a .304 average. Translate those numbers to a full season and you will have the best sleeper in your league.

Outfield-Chris Heisey-Cincinnati Reds
This kid can straight yack, last year he averaged one home run per every 15 at-bats. The downfall to Heisey is his batting average (.253 last season) and the fact that the Reds have 4 outfielders; Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce have definite spots. Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey fighting for LF. I would take Heisey on my team, you should be able to get him with your last pick of the draft in a twelve team league. He would be great to put in your lineup if you need a home run or a couple RBI; no risk, potential high reward.

Outfield-Delmon Young-Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are in a terrible AL Central division right now. They just brought in Prince Fielder to hit behind Miguel Cabrera. With that being said, there will be no way for opposing teams to pitch around OF/DH Delmon Young and he should have prime RBI numbers. Last year Young started getting into his own and reminded people why he was the first overall pick in the 2003 draft. This year I expect nothing less than 24 home runs, 81 RBI and a .284 BA.

Starting Pitcher-James McDonald-Pittsburgh Pirates
As of right now, James McDonald is the third guy in the Buc rotation. Last year he started over 30 games (17 quality starts), had a 4.21 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 142 punch-outs and 78 BB. Although these numbers don’t seem impressive, J-Mac has shown bright spots and resilience. When he is down in the count he comes back and gets batters out. McDonald can be the last SP you take and he could help your team out a great deal. I project him around 190 k’s, 12-14 wins and a 3.6-3.8 ERA.

Closer- Jonathan Broxton-Kansas City Royals
A couple years ago, Broxton was arguably the best closer in the MLB for the LA Dodgers, then, he wet the bed and was signed as a setup man for the Royals. I think taking Broxton is a very smart pick. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not telling you to go out and get Broxton as your first closer. What I’m saying is take a chance on him, he can become a closer due to Joakim Soria’s injury (Tommy John surgery in near future). Also Broxton can get you a lot of strikeouts for a closer; three 90+ strikeout seasons including one with 114.

A Wild Day #2 of March Madness

Greg Anthony said it best in the commercial we’ve all seen a million times, “It’s not March Monotony… it’s March Madness!”

The first two days (technically second round) of March Madness have been quite wild. After Thursday’s games it seemed as if most people’s brackets were going to be in-tact and it lead us to thinking that this wasn’t going to be an upset oriented (only two) second round. Friday, on the other hand, served us a platter of upsets and shockers even some of the experts couldn’t stomach.

The day started off with the (6) Cincinnati Bearcats beating the (11) Texas Longhorns, which ended up being a closer game than what the first half showed, 65-59. Yancy Gates really showed his leadership ability and took control at the end.

The next game on the scorecard was: (11) NC State vs. (6) San Diego State, which was said to be a predictable upset. The reason being, NC has been playing well as of late and CJ Leslie would be very hard to defend. Leslie was locked-down somewhat, but they Aztecs could not stop Richard Howell who had 22 points.  The Wolfpack won 79-65.

We all knew (8) Creighton vs. (9) Alabama would be an intense game. The Bluejays of Creighton had an incredible offense throughout the season, 1^st in the country in field goal %, 2^nd in assists and 7^th in points per game. The Alabama defense was a nightmare matchup because Trevor Releford has proven to be a premiere defender at the PG position and JaMychal Green is a fantastic interior defender. The Crimson Tide lead for most of the game but then Doug McDermott rallied his team and took over late in the game.  Trevor Releford took a 3-pointer at the buzzer but was short; Creighton won 58-57.

Expected teams to win, that did were:

(3) Georgetown over (14) Belmont 74-59
Analysis: Georgetown was too strong inside and the Hoyas could score at will. Kerron Johnson played his heart out for the Bruins but they just didn’t have enough.

(1) UNC over (16) Vermont 77-58
Analysis: Tyler Zeller took over immediately, had a double-double before halftime. Four McGlynn and UVM really had no shot.

(7) Florida over (10) Virginia 71-45
Analysis: Bradley Beal, Kenny Boynton and Patrick Young played outstanding. They out-hustled UVA and unfortunately, the Cavaliers couldn’t throw a rock into the ocean.

(3) Florida State over (14) St. Bonaventure 66-63
Analysis: This game was quite a scare the whole 40 minutes. The Seminoles squeaked out a win, however, they did not have an answer for Andrew Nicholson. I am scared for FSU because they looked terrible and were lucky to come out with the W.

(1) Michigan State over (16) LIU Brooklyn 89-67
Analysis: Draymond Green isn’t joking around this year, he got a triple-double and LIU had no answer for him. I did not expect them to either, that is why they were a 16 seed.

(2) Kansas over (15) Detroit) 65-50
Analysis: The Jayhawks played like a 2 seed should in the tournament. Thomas Robinson was a workhorse in the paint and Elijah Johnson shot lights out. Detroit got in early foul trouble and even though they were coming down with rebounds, they couldn’t finish.

The “Upsets” That Took Place Were:

 (9) St. Louis over (8) Memphis 61-54
Analysis: Both teams played well, the Billikins were more poised than the Tigers of Memphis. It was a hard fought game and Memphis looked like they should’ve won, but, they couldn’t hit their free-throws at the end. St. Louis could.

(12) South Florida over (5) Temple 58-44
Analysis: It was a little ridiculous that USF needed a play in game to get to Temple, but they were a matchup nightmare for the Owls. Temple struggled to hit clutch shots at the end and USF was bigger and stronger on defense.

(10) Xavier over (7) Notre Dame 67-63
Analysis: Tu Holloway got into the guards of ND’s heads. He was clutch late in the game and Notre Dame seemed like they didn’t know what to do with a lead.

(10) Purdue over (7) St. Mary’s College 72-69
Analysis: The Boilermakers played like a team out of a power-six conference. They did not commit “dumb” fouls, plays heads-up defense and played like a team. St. Mary’s had a good run, but many people had Purdue winning, and they did.

The Shockers That Made You Rip Up Your Bracket

(13) Ohio over (4) Michigan 65-60
Analysis: Clark Kellog’s son, Nick, did is father proud. Not on the stat sheet, but in the game, he never let the moment get too big for him. Ohio made all the right plays and made key shots whereas Michigan was playing one-on-one style basketball. Trey Burke took some questionable threes at the end when Michigan did not need a three at the time.

(15) Norfolk State over (2) Missouri 86-84
Analysis: Missouri played solid, Norfolk State played better. Frank Haith’s Tigers shot 52% from the field, made 13 three-pointers and only had 8 turnovers.Norfolk State were strong where Missouri was weak; Norfolk was big and great at rebounding. Give credit to the Spartans, they out-rebounded Missouri and kept their intensity up all game. Kim English and company just didn’t seem to have “it” this game. Kyle O’Quinn certainly had “it”, he scored 26 and snagged 14 boards, not to mention he had a crucial play during crunch time. He caught a teammate’s air ball, tipped it in, and got fouled.  He played like a kid with a dream, and that’s what March Madness is all about.

(15) Lehigh over (2) Duke 75-70
Analysis: In 2010, Lehigh hung around with Kansas for quite a while. They ended up losing 90-74 but the game had everyone on the edge of their seats. This time, against Duke, Lehigh not only stuck around, they had the lead for virtually the whole game.  The Mountain Hawks played with more heart and CJ McCollom dropped 30 points on the Blue Devils. Lehigh got into the bonus early and hit their shots from the charity stripe, leading to a Cinderella story that could be in the making.

This Is Why We Watch March Madness
Although some of the games started out slow, everyone was on the edge of their seats by the ending. I still cannot find a good reason why we still fill-out brackets, all it seems to do is raise the collective blood pressure of America. There will be no perfect bracket this year, but I don’t think anyone will be mad when you see how hard these kids are playing. March Madness has a certain vibe to it, there is a great amount of fun and teams respect each other so much. Just think, this was only the second day, we have a lot more in-store for this post season.

Most Intriguing March Madness Match-ups.

March Madness is known for having mid-majors go deep into the tournament and Cinderella stories. The NCAA Election Committee did a pretty solid job on creating the most interesting scenarios. For example, Florida State and North Carolina could meet in the final four; not only is it a great ACC storyline, but will the Seminoles prove they are better than the Tar Heels once again, or will Jon Henson and Harrison Barnes redeem themselves when it counts most? The majority of the country will be on the edge of their seats from tip-off, till the final buzzer of the last game goes off. The first two rounds are pure pandemonium, anything can happen in this tourney.

Most Interesting First Round Match-ups

Baylor (3) vs. South Dakota State (14)
I am not looking for an upset here, but this game could very well go down to the wire. Not many people know of this South Dakota State Jackrabbits team, but they are one group of resilient guys. Nate Wolters is a fantastic point guard and he makes everyone on this SD State team better. Aside from Wolters, the Jackrabbits are really good from beyond the arc. Sixteenth in the country is where they finished as a team, shooting 39.3% from 3-ball. Baylor is arguably the most athletic team in the country, their size, speed, length and depth could have them going deep in this tournament.  The Bears are an unbeatable team when they get out and run with the ball, but their defensive woes cause me to scratch my head. When Baylor plays a zone there is no way you are getting to the hoop, but their coach, Scott Drew, insists they play a man which results in losing games because they can not get through the ball screens that teams throw at them. I have Baylor winning this match-up, not by much, but Baylor is a team that can either win every round or lose early on and I won’t be surprised either way. Perry Jones III should dominate against South Dakota State.

Wisconsin (4) vs. Montana (13)
I officially put the Wisconsin Badgers on upset alert. The Badgers are not good playing away from home and they are a team that lives and dies by the three. In this case, I feel that they die from the three-pointer, unfortunately eliminating them from the tournament. The one guy that might be able to save them is veteran point guard, Jordan Taylor. Taylor does not turn the ball over, hits his free-throws, and makes smart decisions, but in order to move on in the tournament he will need to score points. The Badgers only average 63 points per game and they shoot an abysmal 42%. The Montana Grizzlies have been an up-and-coming team for a while now. Wayne Tinkle is a great coach and will have this Grizzly team read to give Wisconsin their all. Montana shoots a staggering 47% from the field and averages 7 more points per game than Wisconsin. Look for junior guard Will Cherry to explode in this match-up. Will Cherry vs. Jordan Taylor could determine the outcome of this game. I have Montana upsetting Wisconsin in a last second thriller.

Kansas (2) vs. Detroit (15)
I have realized that I have mentioned the Detroit Titans a lot in my previous March Madness articles, but they deserve the recognition. I have not been impressed by Bill Self’s Jayhawks all season and Detroit is a team that I feel could upset them. The Jayhawks are not a deep team; four starters are averaging over 32 minutes a game. Detroit is very similar to the Baylor team, they are lanky, can run the floor, great defensively and can bail themselves out of a bad possession with an alley-oop. Ray McCallum gives Detroit an edge over Baylor with fantastic point guard play, and I would like to add that Kansas lost to Baylor this season. This game will be determined off the glass, whoever rebounds more will win this game. I feel the Titans are able to stop the fast, efficient offense that the Jayhawks present. Call me crazy, but I have the Horizon League Champs upsetting Kansas in a nail-biter.

Most Intriguing Second Round Possibilities

Kentucky (1) vs. Connecticut (9)
Uconn poses the biggest threat to John Calipari’s squad. If Uconn ends up beating Iowa State then they could very well go on and beat Kentucky. In this Wildcat/Huskie match-up, you have a total of 4 lottery picks (Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones for UK, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond for Conn). The reason why this match-up is very difficult to decipher is because you have the two most athletic centers in the country and Jeremy Lamb will be able to lock-down, and vice versa. This year Connecticut lacked leadership this season, you could tell they really missed Kemba Walker. Shabazz Napier tried to take on the leader role and showed some bright spots, but he needs to know when it is crunch time, you feed the ball to Lamb. The Huskies shot themselves in the foot this season when it was crunch time; there would be instances where they were down by 4 points with 1:00 left and they would be stagnant on offense and run the clock out on themselves. Albeit all of these struggles, they still did pretty well in a tough Big East Conference, they could beat Kentucky. Calipari’s teams have been known to choke and they are very young (have one senior on the team). Anthony Davis is the most versatile player in the country but he will need help from fellow freshman, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the glass. Although I love Uconn and I feel that they are way better than what they’ve showed this season, it is really hard for me to pick against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round. Uconn might not even get out of the first round. Kentucky wins in a low scoring match-ups against Jim Calhoun’s squad.

Syracuse (1) vs. Kansas State (8)
The breaking news today was that Syracuse’s best defender, Fab, Melo, will not be playing in the NCAA Tournament due to ineligibility.  Syracuse is already one of the worst rebounding teams in the field of play and without Fab they will be even worse. The only regular season game ‘Cuse lost was against Notre Dame; Melo did not play. The Orange is not that deep at the center position, but still defend the perimeter with ease and can generate offense in a numerous amount of ways. James Southerland needs to step up and find his rhythm early for Syracuse to succeed. On the other hand, Coach Frank Martin, always has his kids prepared for big games. From an athletic perspective, Kansas State matchups up favorably with ‘Cuse. Jordan Henriquez is a lanky, shot-blocking center who will be able to hold down the paint along with Jamar Samuels. Will Spradling and Rodney McGruder are two quick, defensive guards who will be able to force Scoop Jardine to turn the ball over.  I am being conservative in this selection by taking Syracuse. I just feel like Kansas State will be worrying about the matchup against the Orange and could fall to Southern Miss.

My Bracket:

Why Missouri Wins

I feel that the Tigers got robbed and should have been awarded a 1 seed. They are my favorite to win it all; this was the most efficient team in the country and they have a number of player combinations they can throw at you. The Tigers shoot 50% from the field and they can wear you out by swinging the ball back-and-forth. The dribble-drive penetration by the guards is outstanding, then, they kick it back out and nail the three-ball 39.5% of the time. Kim English is a fantastic leader and first year head coach, Frank Haith has had his team bringing their A-game all year long. Mizzou lost their leading rebounder in Lawrence Bowers due to a torn ACL, but they just keep finding ways to win. I don’t sense anyone beating Missouri mainly because of the versatility of the team as a whole; when Frank Haith puts out his four-guard lineup (Kim English, Marcus Denmon, Matt Pressey, Phil Pressey). There isn’t any  team in the nation can match-up with that speed and efficiency. The Missouri Tigers will have proven once again that they deserved to be a number 1 seed, they will be the National Champions.

What is with this Madness? (March Madness Bracket Evaluation)

First of all, I would like to say that I feel the committee botched the seeding in this year’s tournament.  It seems that as the years pass by, the conference records and conference tournaments mean less and less. I feel that the mid-majors are getting way too much credit and winners of power six conferences (Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, ACC and SEC) are getting shafted. One major thing that stuck out to me is that Kentucky is the #1 overall seed in the country and they are put in jeopardy of a second round upset to UCONN; they are in the same region as: Duke, Indiana and Baylor. I thought they were supposed to have the “easiest” road because they were the #1 team in the country. Ayways,  on we go, lets take a look at some of the seeding.

Seeds I Disagree With

South Bracket 
-Wichita State (5) 
Yes, Wichita State won the regular season Missouri Valley Conference, but I strongly disagree with the committee awarding the Shockers with a 5 seed. Out of 5 losses, 3 of them were to tournament teams (Alabama, Temple and conference opponent Creighton) and the other two coming from Drake and Illinois State (MVC Tournament). Wichita has two signature wins against: Colorado and UNLV whereas Creighton has beaten a very good Northwestern team, San Diego State and wont the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. I whole-heartedly feel Creighton deserves a 5 seed as opposed to their 8 and Wichita should be either an 8 or 9 seed.

West Bracket
-Missouri (2)
-Murray State (6)
I do not disagree with the committee’s decision to make Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad a #1 seed, but Missouri deserves a 1 seed somewhere in this bracket. Kim English and company had a 30-win season, won the Big 12 Tournament and they also beat Kansas and went into Baylor to beat the Bears. I feel that this team got robbed of a 1 seed.

The Murray State Racers also had a 30-win season and somehow ended up as a 6 seed. Yes they are a mid-major, but they were ranked very high throughout the season and all of a sudden they receive a six seed. The Racer’s one loss came to mediocre Tennessee St. team, they lost by four, but then they met again in the Ohio Valley Conference and Murray State came out on top with the OVC title. If I had done the seeding, I would have Murray State as a 4 seed. Although I disagree with the seeding, they still have a favorable matchup against Davidson (13).

East Bracket
I am completely fine with the seeding in the East Bracket. The only thing that caught my attention was the fact the Cincinnati Bearcats made it to the Big East Tournament, and went through Georgetown and Syracuse to get there. But after going back and looking, Cincy has some really questionable losses (Presbyterian, Marshall and they got completely manhandled in the brawl game against Xavier). The only thing I would have changed about this bracket is that I would have swapped Cincinnati (6) with Wisconsin (4). Wisconsin had games where they just didn’t show up, and they only have one quality road win, but it was against Ohio State and they won by three.

Midwest Bracket
-Michigan (4)
-Creighton (8)
-California vs. Souther Florida (12)
-Detroit (15)
I wish that I could cut this region off of my bracket because I feel that it is just terrible. I have not heard a good reason to explain why there are two play-in games in the Midwest Region and there are zero play-in games in the East. The Michigan Wolverines, in my eyes, are a very weak and vulnerable 4 seed. They didn’t have any solid road wins and they were very inconsistent. They only had one bad loss, which was to Arkansas. I feel the committee gave them a four seed was because they had a 13-5 record in a very tough conference. Other than that I feel like they should be an 8 or 9 seed; they didn’t beat anyone surprising, and they ranked 202^nd in the country in scoring, 311^th in rebounding and 83^rd in field goal percentage.

You already know what I think about Creighton, they beat some really good teams and they kept every game close for the most part. They should have been rewarded for going out and beating power six schools like Northwestern and Iowa. Not to mention, they also beat a extremely talented and athletic San Diego State team who has a 6 seed in their region.

It really perplexes me that there is a play-in game for the 12 seed. USF is a pretty darn good team coming out of the Big East, which is arguably the best conference. If you are going to have four play-in games, make the worst teams in the field fight for the 16 seeds. I wouldn’t argue USF being a 12 seed, but Cal should be either 13 or 14. I feel they put Cal and USF in this game because it would look bad if a power 6 school were such a bad seed. I am guessing the committee just wants the Golden Bears and Bulls duke it out.

Detroit could have been the team to take that 12 seed from either California or South Florida. The Titans did not face many good teams, however, they beat Butler twice, beat St. Johns and lost to Notre Dame by only 4. Ray McCallum’s team won an automatic bid by winning the Horizon League Tournament and beating Valparaiso by 20 in the championship game. Detroit certainly passes the eye test for me, they play great and I believe can compete with top schools in the country. I can’t complain about a 15 seed because they went 22-13 in a weak division, but there are worse teams in the field. Detroit was given a nightmare matchup against Kansas, I guess we will see if they play like a 15 seed.

Note to Next Year’s NCAA Tournament Hopefuls

If you choose to lose game, make sure you lose them to conference opponents. Now it seems as if the committee cares far more about out-of-conference games than as opposed to beating a ranked team that is in your conference. Actually, just make it easy one yourselves and try to win every game, then you have nothing to worry about; unless of course you get tossed into a play-in game as a thirty win team. Although the seeding seems bad this year and possibly years to come, nothing can be done to take away the greatness of March Madness, make sure you enjoy it this season.

Download the NCAA Tournament Bracket it out here: //a.espncdn.com/i/ncaa/12mens_bracket.pdf

Mock Draft 2.0 (Pre-Free Agency, Pre-Pro Day)

The draft is about a month and a half away and free agency does not start till next week, however, it is never a bad time for a mock. This draft does not include free agency signings and player’s stock could rise or drop due to college pro-days that will take place over the course of this month. It still looks like Andrew Luck will be the number one overall pick but there have been many changes and new players added since Mock Draft 1.0.

1.Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
It is inevitable, Andrew Luck is going first overall. The most highly touted NFL QB prospect since John Elway. Luck has everything; arm strength, accuracy, instinct, knowledge of the game (Father ex-NFL QB), desire to win and he can be the face of a franchise that needs to move on.

2.Washington Redskins-Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
Many signs lead to feeling that the Redskins will move up ahead of the Browns to acquire the biggest playmaker in the draft. They should put together a big enough package to swap picks with the Rams (Maybe this year’s 1^st/4^th round picks and a 2^nd round pick next year). Shanahan has built some pretty darn good teams with versatile QB’s. Griffin could bring life to the nation’s capital and Daniel Snyder said he is going to bring in a top free agent WR. All signs point to RG3.

3.Minnesota Vikings-Matt Kalil-OT-USC
Christian Ponder and Joe Webb got pounded last year; Ponder was sacked 30 times alone. The Vikings biggest need is protection to keep their QB alive and to help AP continue his success. LG Steve Hutchinson is 34 and wearing down, the only other lineman worth mentioning is Phil Loadholt. The USC tackle has great strength, can stand up defenders and can pancake blitzers. Matt Kalil is the best LT coming out since Joe Thomas and he has good genes (brother of CAR C Ryan Kalil).

4.Cleveland Browns-Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
Claiborne is one of the many defensive superstars to come out of LSU. He will have an immediate impact playing on the opposite side of former top 10 pick Joe Haden. It could make sense for the Browns to select Justin Blackmon but CLE has tried drafting offensive playmakers in the past (Hardesty, Little, Robiske and injury-riddled Massaquoi). Claiborne seems like the safest pick and he improves an already adequate defense.

5.Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Luke Kuechly-LB-Boston College
Historically middle linebackers do not go top 10. Ex-Boston College MLB Mark Herzlich was projected as a top 10 pick back in ’08 before being diagnosed with cancer. The last MLB taken in the top 10 was Rolando McClain 8^th overall to Oakland. Tampa Bay has drafted many front seven defenders in the past 3 years (McCoy, Bowers, Clayborn). However, they lost their tackling machine, Barrett Ruud, due to free agency before last season and they struggled without him. Kuechly shows great instinct on the field, can lead a defense, has a nose for the ball carrier and rarely misses tackle. He had a solid combine but didn’t shock anyone in the drills, Kuechly is a great fit and the Bucs will regret it quickly if they pass on him.

6.St. Louis Rams-Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State
Blackmon is a 2-time Biletnikoff Award winner (nation’s top receiver). I watched many of the games Blackmon played as an OK St Cowboy and he is a baller. He runs well, creates separation, has great hands and is terrific after the catch. The Rams might be losing free agent Brandon Lloyd and Sam Bradford needs a target, Blackmon is a great fit. Blackmon is light years ahead of the rest of his wide receiver class and he could start as the number 1 wideout easily.

7.Jacksonville Jaguars-Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina
Quinton Coples draws comparisons to Julius Peppers and rightfully so. Coples is 6’6/284 and was a top defensive lineman in his stint with UNC. As a Tar Heel, Coples learned to contain the RB and stop the run, he also has great explosiveness and can get to the QB. With an arm length of 36 inches he can bat down balls at the line of scrimmage. The Jags would love to see Coples available especially with aging Aaron Kampman, needless to say, they desperately need a pass rusher alongside those two young defensive tackles.

8.Miami Dolphins-Michael Brockers-DT-LSU
It does not look like the Dolphins are going to get Paul Solail back and it seems as if they will be bringing in a QB named Matt Flynn. With that being said, they need to address the defensive tackle position. Michael Brockers is a great DT to fit the Dolphins defense now run by Kevin Coyle. Brockers is 6’5 and 322, can bring down running backs with ease and can get past the offensive lineman in a variety of ways. He will be a great attribute to the defensive unit right of the back.

9.Carolina Panthers-Dontari Poe-DT/NT-Memphis
Poe is easily the biggest risk in the first round but he opened eyes at the combine. At the NFL scouting combine Poe weighed in at 346 lbs and managed to run an impressive 4.98 forty time along with muscling out 44 reps on the bench press. This is a high risk/ high reward situation but he could anchor that 3-4 defense for the Panthers and they can finally stop letting up so many points.

10.Buffalo Bills-Melvin Ingram-DE/OLB-South Carolina
Melvin Ingram wowed scouts at the combine and he has solidified his spot as a first round pick. The Bills have made it clear that they will switch to a 4-3 defense, Ingram would be a great edge rusher at the DE position. Ingram played DE, DT and OLB at South Carolina, being productive at each position. Ingram has a high motor, can recognize plays well and is a big body who can get to the QB.

11.Kansas City Chiefs-Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
I really like Trent Richardson, but with the way that the NFL is a pass-happy league I don’t see him going top ten. Jackie Battle said he will hit the open market because he wants to fill a bigger role. Jamaal Charles and Trent Richardson could be a scary tandem and it is the perfect balance of speed and power. Richardson is the best RB in the draft and displays power, speed, hands and vision.

12.Seattle Seahawks-Nick Perry-DE/OLB-USC
The Seahawks need to increase their pass-rush and what better way to go about that by taking a DE/OLB hybrid out of the PAC-12. Perry can rush the QB from the DE position or move back to a blitzing OLB. He is raw and has some learning to do but Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll recruited Perry when he was coach at Southern Cal. Carroll could have a lot of fun implementing Perry into different packages.

13.Arizona Cardinals– Riley Reiff-OT-Iowa
Offensive line was the Cardinals biggest need going into the offseason. Levi Brown is a free agent and the two could not agree on a contract, so now offensive line is an even bigger need. Riley Reiff is coming out of Iowa so you know he is well coached and he exhibited brute strength throughout the season. Reiff has great footwork and showed the ability to standup defenders, the Cardinals will be pleased to get him.

14.Dallas Cowboys-Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Many of the fourth quarter collapses were because of inconsistent pass defense. Kirkpatrick is a huge corner at 6’3 but he is great in press and in zone and he is a very impressive tackler for a cornerback. Newman is overpaid and Kirkpatrick could take his spot if drafted.

15.Philadelphia Eagles-Dont’a Hightower-LB-Alabama
Philadelphia’s was hurting up the middle over the season. Dont’a Hightower has great instinct and is a mean tackler. Saban used to rave about him at Alabama and we can see why, he just gets the game of football.

16.New York Jets-Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Plax is a free agent and Santonio Holmes underachieved last season. Floyd had the best all-around combine for WR’s and he is a fast, physical WR with great hands and concentration. Mark Sanchez may only have one more shot to be the starting QB, but Michael Floyd would make him look great.

17.Cincinnati Bengals-Janoris Jenkins-CB-University Northern Alabama
With all of the off-field baggage and attitude problems put aside, Janoris Jenkins is giving Morris Claiborne a run for his money as the top CB taken. He is a great in man coverage and has huge playmaking ability. Owner Mike Brown has no trouble in drafting questionable character guys (Carlos Dunlap, Jerome Simpson, Chris Henry). Jenkins is a steal at the 17^th pick.

18.San Diego Chargers-David DeCastro-OG-Stanford
With Dielman retiring because of a concussion, a mediocre offensive line just got a little bit worse. David DeCastro is the draft’s top guard, he is fundamentally sound, stays out of trouble and could be a perennial Pro-Bowler.

19.Chicago Bears-Cordy Glenn-OG-Georgia
Last year the Bears drafted Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi with their first pick but they still need to improve that line. Cordy Glenn is a big guy with a lot of upper body strength and if WR Michael Floyd is off the board I full expect Chi-town to take a lineman to protect Cutler.

20.Tennessee Titans-Courtney Upshaw-OLB/DE-Alabama
Many scouts and I feel every team has a spot for Courtney Upshaw. I firmly believe that he can move to DE and have his presence be known around the league. Although he had a bad combine, his instincts and on-field impact has been taken note of throughout the college season. Upshaw would fit nicely in the Titans defense. Upshaw has great play recognition, hits hard and has been known to make dinner reservations in the backfield with opposing running backs; this could be good considering he might be facing MJD and Arian Foster twice a year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals-Lamar Miller-RB-Miami
The Bengals biggest offensive need is a speed back. Lamar Miller has Chris Johnson type speed and can run either between the tackles or bounce it outside. This Miami product would be a great complimentary back to Cedric Benson and he will add to the young talent on the Cincinnati offense.

22.Cleveland Browns– Ryan Tannehill-QB-Texas A & M
I feel the browns could go WR with this pick but with the uncertainty of Colt McCoy’s injury status and his ability to lead a team to victories, I feel the Browns HAVE to take Tannehill if he is on the board. Tannehill has tremendous upside and can be a great playmaker on the Cleveland Browns. He only started at QB for one season as an Aggie but was the starting slot receiver his fresh/soph year. We did not see Tannehill at the combine because he broke his foot but I expect him to excel in his pro-day workout and he could be the west coast QB that Cleveland is looking for.

23.Detroit Lions-Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina
The Lions are on the up and up but they need to solidify their defensive backfield. Stephon Gilmore is fundamentally sound and has a high IQ. He covered the top corners in the SEC: 2 years ago AJ Green and Julio Jones, Reuben Randle of LSU. Gilmore is not afraid of the bump and run and he is a tremendous tackler, all around great talent.

24.Pittsburgh Steelers-Kendall Reyes-DT-Connecticut
Reyes is a 299-pound defensive lineman. The Steelers are in a world of hurt with their salary cap issues and the aging of their team. Casey Hampton will be 35 next season and could start the season on the PUP (ACL injury). Reyes lacks body fat and has great awareness, he is strong and can also play the 3-technique.

25.Denver Broncos-Stephen Hill-WR-Georgia Tech
Tim Tebow needs more help than the option game in Denver. I would consider Eddie Royal a bust thus far in his career. Eric Decker is more of a slot receiver but Demaryius Thomas started coming into his own last season. The Broncos need a viable number two receiver: Stephen Hill is 6’4, 215 and ran a 4.36 at the combine. Hill, like Demaryius Thomas, is a Georgia Tech product. He can stretch the field, catch away from his body and he is a very good blocker, which Denver coach John Fox loves.

26.Houston Texans-Brock Osweiler-QB-Arizona State
This is my bold prediction of the draft but hear me out. Matt Schaub is 30 years old and only has played 16 games in two seasons with the Texans. The Texans’ biggest needs are WR and DT, which can be assessed in the later rounds. Yates is not a franchise quarterback and the Texans still made the playoffs due do defense and run game. Under the new CBA the Texans wouldn’t have to pay Osweiler the amount of money first round QBs used to get. Osweiler would be a good project for Gary Kubiak to work with, he has a cannon, he is 6’8, great in play action and has a great balance between velocity and accuracy. If you have a chance to take a potential star late in the first round you do it.

27.New England Patriots-Whitney Mercilus-DE-Illinois
The Patriots need pass rushing ability, they had great production from Mark Anderson and Andre Carter but they need to draft some defense. Mercilus is vicious at the defensive end position, he lead the nation in sacks and forced fumbles in 2011. He has a ton of pass-rush moves in his repertoire and has great ability to track down halfbacks.

28.Green Bay Packers-Jared Crick-DE/DT-Nebraska
Crick is one of those guys that just seems like he would be a great fit in Green Bay. He is a rugged player who can get to the QB and bowl over offensive lineman. Crick’s senior season was shortened by a torn pectoral muscle; he still ended up 8^th on Nebraska’s all-time sack list. Crick is a power lineman and could play defensive end for the Packers.

29.Baltimore Ravens-Peter Konz-C-Wisconsin
With Matt Birk heading towards the end of his career the Raven’s desperately need a center. Not many centers are taken in the first round, only 3 in the past 6 years (The Pounceys and Alex Mack). Konz is just another great lineman to come out of Wisconsin; he is well coached and has his head on straight. Konz uses all of his 315 lbs. to his advantage and he can push back DTs. This prospect is great in both pass blocking and run blocking, there aren’t many noticeable improvements that need to be made in order to play at the next level; he will only get better.

30.San Francisco 49ers-Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
Keep in mind this is a pre-free agency mock draft. As of right now San Fran desperately needs a red zone threat at the WR position. Jeffery is a big body who can break the press coverage and leap of corners. With no history of major injuries and no off-the-field issues Jeffery would be a great pick for the Niners. He is a potential #1 WR.

31.New England Patriots-Mark Barron-S-Alabama
The safety class this year is thin, just like it always is. Mark Barron is easily the best safety, the Patriots would be lucky if they have a shot to draft this guy just because he might go earlier because of the lack of safeties. Barron played under Nick Saban at Alabama and has great instinct. He is physically gifted and make adjustments on the fly. 5 years from now we will still be saying he was the best safety in the draft.

32.New York Giants-Orson Charles-TE-Georgia
Tom Coughlin said he wants the team to go out and get a tight end. Orson Charles would be a great pick for the Giants. This John Mackey Award finalist is measured at 6’3, 241 and he can move. He is probably the most balanced TE in the draft and he is great at going up and getting the ball. Charles fits the Giant mold by playing defensively mind (tough and not afraid of anything) and he has a great work ethic.

2012 NFL Mock Draft-Version 1.0

1-Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
It’s a given. There are many uncertainties in Indy beginning with Peyton’s health/future, C Jeff Saturday pondering retirement, the Polian’s gone and head coach Jim Caldwell getting fired. But Luck being a Colt seems to be a lock. There are some people that question Luck’s future as an NFL quarterback but this kid is a flat out brain surgeon on the field. Mr. Luck takes a look at the defense; adjusts the offensive line, recognizes blitzers, discovers the coverage and then he receives the snap. Luck was deadly accurate with the ball, completing 71.3% of his passes at Stanford and recording 37 touchdowns in his junior season. Andrew Luck is an intelligent, enthusiastic young man who provides leadership. He is the perfect guy to be the next face of the Colts franchise.

2-St. Louis Rams-Matt Kalil-OT-USC
The Rams have struggled in the past protecting the QB. Jason Smith was a top draft pick a few years back who hasn’t panned out for the Rams. Kalil could improve this line immediately. Bradford has had no time to survey the field and Kalil would definitely help him feel more comfortable in the pocket.

3-Minnesota Vikings-[Trades with Dolphins, Dolphins-Robert Griffin-QB-Baylor]
This is where the draft will begin to get interesting. If Minnesota keeps the pick and Blackmon is on the board, I feel the Vikings take WR Justin Blackmon. I firmly believe that Minnesota works out a deal with Miami in order for Miami to jump up to get RG3. Minnesota has a history with Miami players, years ago the Vikings traded for WR Greg Camarillo and they have also obtained former Dolphins Benny Sapp and Sage Rosenfels. It makes perfect sense for The Vikings to trade back and get more picks or maybe even squeeze a WR like Brian Hartline out of the deal.

4-Cleveland Browns-Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
The Browns have many needs and have many question marks. If they are lucky enough they could land RG3 if no one trades up, but I do not see that happening. Peyton Hillis is a free agent and it doesn’t look like he will be returning, therefore I see the Browns taking the only franchise running back in the draft- Trent Richardson. Richardson has an amazing combination of power, speed, balance and hands. He is the real deal. Richardson could have an impact right away in Cleveland.

5-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Luke Kuechly-LB-Boston College
Kuechly is the top middle linebacker for this draft class. Great instincts, tackling machine, smart kid and can help any team. Tampa Bay will be the earliest he gets drafted. Kuechly averaged nearly 16 tackles a game. The BC backer recorded 191 tackles (102 solo). He looks like he will translate into a great linebacker in the NFL.

6-Washington Redskins-Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
The Redskins are in a tough spot, they have the number six pick but that might be too late in order to get a QB they want. Recently drafting Roy Helu, Trent Williams and Leonard Hankserson I expect the Redskins to go defense; especially with the age of their Cb’s and the expiring contract of Phillip Buchannon.

7-Jacksonville Jaguars-Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State
Jacksonville needs to give Gabbert another option than MJD. Blackmon is an amazing all around WR. He is a great character guy who just wants to win, he can catch, run, jump, break tackles and block. The only player I can think of that Blackmon is comparable to is Terrell Owens minus the attitude issues. Blackmon has a crazy skill set and could be a bright spot for the Jags and help them get some W’s. They have their franchise QB and RB, now they need to get another offensive player to complete it. I believe they are a couple players away from the playoffs and Blackmon would definitely help.

8-Carolina Panthers-Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Panthers stuggled on defense and have their offense set minus a couple small pieces. Kirkpatrick seems like a perfect fit and he can be the main guy on that third level of defense. They have Charles Johnson at DE, Jon Beason and Thomas Davis. Kirkpatrick can help bring that defense together. He’s a terrific cover corner, great tackler and is a big corner at 6’3 200 lbs.

9-Miami Dolphins-[Trade With Vikings, Vikings-Riley Reiff-OT-Iowa]
If the Dolphins don’t end up trading to get RG3 I believe they will take OT Riley Reiff out of Iowa. Griffin could be the final piece to the offensive puzzle down in Miami. Griffin and Bush could run the option, which seems to be making a comeback in the NFL and RG3 has remarkable accuracy deep down the field so he will be able to keep Brandon Marshall happy. If the Vikings end up with this pick I expect them to take Riley Reiff also.

10-Buffalo Bills-Melvin Ingram-DE/OLB-South Carolina
Ingram can be a surprise pick at the number 10 spot but he will fit the 3-4 defense that the Bills run perfectly. Ingram is one of those hybrid players that can play OLB in a 3-4 or DE in a 4-3. Ingram has great pass rushing instincts and the Bills need a guy to get to the QB.

11-Kansas City Chiefs-Devon Still-DT-Penn State
Still is the best 3-4 nose tackle in this game and it makes sense for the Chiefs to take him. Kelly Gregg is 35 and the Chiefs are lacking DT and Still is huge at 6’5, 310. Still is a guy that can fill the gaps and he will help a Chiefs defense that is up and coming.

12-Seattle Seahawks-Quinton Coples-DE-UNC
Besides Luck, Coples might be the best value pick if he’s still sitting there at 12. The Seahawks have begun to build a very solid, young team. They’ve brought in Baldwin, Okung, Lynch, Sherman, Browner, Hawthorne and S Earl Thomas. Coples is a great 4-3 defensive end, can make solo tackles and gets to the QB quick. The Seahawks main question mark is at QB, unfortunately that cannot be assessed at the no. 12 pick. The Seahawks will increase their depth on defense with this pick.

13-Arizona Cardinals-Jonathan Martin-OT-Stanford
It is uncharacteristic for Arizona to draft a offensive lineman early. In fact, they haven’t drafted an offensive lineman before the fifth round since ’07. Martin can help protect whoever is quarterbacking for them: he is of good size, strength and smart. He will slide right into a starting spot and help out immediately.

14-Dallas Cowboys-Whitney Mercilus-DE-Illinois
This end is “Mercilus” when rushing the Qb. He might be a little bit on the small side for a 3-4 DE but I still feel he could fit in the Cowboys defensive scheme. Lineman tend to go early in these drafts and this year should be no difference, with the combine and workouts, Mercilus’ stock should only rise.

15-Philadelphia Eagles-Courtney Upshaw-OLB-Alabama
The Eagles are VERY thin at the linebacker position. Upshaw is a great 3-4 pass rushing OLB and if Kuechly is off the board expect the Eagles to land Upshaw. He played in the SEC so you know he could tackle the best of the best in college and he has big play potential on defense. He can catch, strip, tackle and sack. This player is going to be great.

16-New York Jets-Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Both Plax and Santonio could be out in New York. Rookie Jeremy Kerley out of TCU had very little production and 2-4 leading receivers for the Jets were Ladanian Tomlinson and Dustin Keller. Floyd is a big WR with speed and soft hands. He could definitely help this team get back on track.

17-Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland)-Alfonzo Dennard-CB-Nebraska
After losing Jonathan Joseph to free agency and Leon Hall to injury the Bengals defense still managed to be one of the top in the league. Nate Clements is aging and Dennard is a physical corner who is great in coverage and in the run game. He fits in Mike Zimmer’s defense nicely.

18-San Diego Chargers-David DeCastro-G-Stanford
The Chargers were a disappointment this past year and they faced many offensive line injuries. Look for them to increase the talent on the line with David DeCastro. DeCastro is a tremendous run blocker and had a great career at Stanford.

19-Chicago Bears–Cordy Glenn-G-Georgia
Glenn played in the SEC and went up against some of the best pass rushers in the nation. Year-in and year-out the Bears offensive line has struggled, last year they drafted OT Gabe Carimi. This year expect them to take Glenn who is a big guard, but can also play OT if need be.

20-Tennessee Titans-Nick Perry-DE-USC
Perry is a 4-3 pass rusher. He has great instincts and gets to the QB by any means necessary. The Titans were 31^st in the league in sacks with only 28. Perry is a bit scrawny, but that doesn’t stop him from getting to the QB.

21-Cincinnati Bengals-Lamar Miller-RB-Miami
The Bengals having two first round picks allow them to possibly take a chance on a playmaker. Lamar Miller is a quick back with homerun potential. He can catch in the passing game, run between the tackles, and he can turn the corner. He would be a great complimentary back to Cedric Benson.

22-Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta)-Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor
The Browns might miss out on Baylor QB RG3, but his main target should still be sitting there at 22. Kendall Wright Is 5’10 and has a knack for getting open. The Browns lack big play threats and the WR corps has been decimated by injury in the past. Wright is great after the catch, and can blow by almost any corner.

23-Detroit Lions-Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina
In recent drafts, the Lions front office have put together a great group of guys and have lined them up for success. The Lions’ defensive backfield is probably the weakest part of that team. Other then FS Louis Delmas the DB’s could use some help. Gilmore is a great all-around CB who has a high football IQ and he is great at stopping the underneath routes (which could help against divisional opponents GB and Chi).

24-Pittsburgh Steelers-Kelechi Osemele-OT-Iowa State
Pittsburgh has had some line issues lately. Players have played out of position, injuries have occurred and as a result of all this, Big Ben got whacked. Osemele is a great prospect at tackle who stands at 6’5, 335 and has potential to be the best tackle out of this draft.

25-Denver Broncos-Dontari Poe-DT-Memphis
With the 25^th pick in this draft the Broncos will probably try to take one of Tim Tebow‘s disciples. Actually, in all seriousness, the Broncos need to bulk up that defense and could use a big body like Dontari Poe. Poe is a massive DT who fits into the 3-4 scheme that the Broncos run. Poe can occupy the center as well as other blockers, which frees up space so Dumervil and Miller can destroy the QB.

26-Houston Texans-Michael Brockers-DT-LSU
Brockers is huge. Listed as 6’6, 306, Wade Phillips would love to have him on that Texan defense. The Texans are pretty complete so they could very well just take the top player off the board, but Brockers is a great fit and he is great in stopping the run as well as his pass attack. He has quick hands and a nose for the football.

27-New England Patriots (From Saints)-Mark Barron-S-Alabama
New England is usually a team that always trades back, however, they desperately need help on defense. With possibility of McCourty moving to FS, the Patriots could increase their defensive backfield by taking the best safety in the draft. Mark Barron is a hard-hitting safety who has big game experience. Barron is great at reading the QB and is a ball hawk. The Patriots could really use him.

28-Green Bay Packers-Jared Crick-DE-Nebraska
As the 2011 season showed, the Packers’ defense is weak. Crick is big enough where he can play DT if needed but will be great at stopping the run at DE. He missed most of the 2011 season at Nebraska due to a torn pectoral muscle. Crick is one of those guys that opposing Qb’s note where he is before the snap, he stands up pass blockers and can get down the line on a run play. He’s an all around solid defensive lineman.

29-New York Giants-Zebrie Sanders-OT-Florida State
Eli Manning is still taking a beating behind that Giants’ line. Zebrie Sanders is a big tackle who can instantly increase the performance of the line. Sanders is good in both the pass game and the run game.

30-Baltimore Ravens-Vontaze Burfict-LB-Arizona State
We don’t know how many years Lewis has left, one, two, maybe more. This kid Burfict is the next Ray Lewis. The hard-hitting interior LB is fantastic and powerful. He might be a tad bit crazy but he is going to be a force as soon as he steps on an NFL field. Burfict started since his freshman year at Arizona State and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. The Ravens’ locker room will have a good influence on Burfict and they will make sure he succeeds.

31-San Francisco 49ers-Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
The Niners were a surprise team in 2011. With the release of Braylon Edwards and the inconsistency of Michael Crabtree, Jeffery fit the Niners’ offense. He’s a huge target at 6’4 and a great possession receiver. Jeffery goes up and over corners with ease and could be the red zone threat that San Fran has been looking for.

32-New England Patriots-Mohamed Sanu-WR-Rutgers
Deion Branch is a free agent along with Wes Welker. The Patriots are expected to bring back Welker for obvious reasons but they still lack a big WR who can be a big play threat. Sanu overpowers corners and is a great, route runner and he can catch even when he’s tightly covered.