2012 NFL Draft Prospect Man Crushes

by Jon Dove on Aug 6, 2011 12:00 PM EDT

It is pretty early but I have already developed a man crush on several of the 2012 NFL draft prospects. Every year there are several players that standout and catch my eye. These could be highly rated prospects or under the radar guys that flash. I have spent the entire summer watching games and putting together prospect notes. This time spent has led me to several intriguing prospects. Leave some of your man crushes in the comments. Below are my early season man crushes:

Kendall Reyes- DT- Conneticut

- Reyes was someone who I recently scouted and instantly felt he was going to be an impact player. He showed good athletic ability and the tenacity needed to be disruptive. I especially like his versatility as he was able to both play two gap football and penetrate. I see Reyes as either a 3 technique or a 5 technique and every easily could be the 1st defensive tackle of the board.

Cyrus Gray- RB- Texas A&M

- Gray's explosiveness is what stands out about his game but he is also a complete back. He runs with a low pad level making it difficult for defenders to get direct hits. This allows him to break tackles and get into space and once in space he is a threat to go the distance. However, his best attribute is his ability to press the hole and quickly gain yardage. Gray is just an exciting player and someone that will be very dangerous in the NFL.

Nick Foles- QB- Arizona

- Foles reminds me of Blaine Gabbert and its not because of his hair. He has similar size and athletic ability but does a much better job pushing the ball down the field. The knock on Foles is that he struggles to complete down the field passes but I completely disagree with that assessment. He possesses a strong enough arm and is accurate enough to threaten a defense deep. I feel that Foles will be a better pro than Gabbert and might end up being selected higher.

Mike Adams- OT- Ohio State

- Adams is going to fly under the radar a bit because of his 5 game suspension. However, he has a ton of talent and is one of the top offensive tackles in 2012 class. His athletic ability and quick feet make him a very good pass protector. In the running game, Adams does a nice job keeping his pads low and moving defenders off the line. Don't sleep on this guy because he could be a very good NFL left tackle.

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Jeff Fuller, Ryan Tannehill, Gray, Broyles,

SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!

by Thunder64 on Aug 6, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

My early Man Crush is Mohammed Sanu

My Seton Hall blog: http://thesetonhallblog.blogspot.com/
My Steelers blog: thenewsteelcurtain.blogspot.com
My Draft Blog: draftdatabase.wordpress.com

by seton hall and steelers on Aug 6, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not in on any man crush discussion,

and I see that these guys all listed are seniors but I want to list some juniors that I feel will eclipse most by the time the 2012 draft rolls around. Juniors Malliciah Goodman, Zaviar Gooden and Ryne Giddins, rSo.’s DeDe Lattimore and Sam “Sonic” Montgomery. These guys could all end up being 1st round picks next year and as of now I have Goodman and Gooden going 1st round. Xavier Rhodes is the top rated CB on board as well.

by Robin's-meats-and-vegetables on Aug 6, 2011 2:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Kniles Davis,

I’m in love with his size/speed ratio and production, also relatively unknown with Mallet taking all the glory.

Whatever-his-first-name-is Ta’amu. 4-3/3-4 NT, moves pretty well. I love BIG BOYS who can do more then just take doubles.

Michael Floyd. When we look back on this draft, everyone will say he was the best WR of it in a great WR class. Just an awesome playmaker and has done so either as second fiddle to Golden Tate or with bad QB play. Hopefully he keeps his head on straight and lives up to his potential.

Dre Kirkpatrick. Great size and athleticism, and with Saban as coach, he’ll be the next true shutdown CB.

Those are my man crushes not just because I think they’re good but also because they would be awesome fits for my Broncos

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 6, 2011 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

+1 for Alameda Ta’amu

Not the best player as it stands now, but has shown some great flashes for a man that big(Oh, and he lands on the Chiefs next year)

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Aug 6, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I would cry if he went to the Chiefs

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 6, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd love to see him in a 3-4 as a DE honestly

Has the ability to 2 gap and also shoot gaps as of right now my favorite player in the upcoming draft

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Aug 6, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

i saw some issues

w/ his 2 gap game… doesnt hold up as you would excpect b/c of his size… good prospect but not sold on his NT or 5 tech abilities

Jon Dove
NFL Analyst at Mocking the Draft
@Jon_Dove42

by Jon Dove on Aug 6, 2011 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

I’d like to see him in a 4-3 1 tech, if your talking about Ta’amu

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 6, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Vontaze Burfict.
He would thrive playing for the Ravens. I would trade our whole draft to get him.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Aug 6, 2011 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

Alfonzo Dennard – He may be small, but he’s tough as nails.

Jared Crick – He’s a Nebraska player and he would be a great fit on the Packers.

LaMichael James – Fun to watch.

Justin Blackmon – Beast, and a consistent one to boot.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Aug 7, 2011 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

Fun to watch is an under-statement

My Seton Hall blog: http://thesetonhallblog.blogspot.com/
My Steelers blog: thenewsteelcurtain.blogspot.com
My Draft Blog: draftdatabase.wordpress.com

by seton hall and steelers on Aug 7, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

crick

I am not very big on crick.. he really struggles to hold at POA… he isnt a DT maybe a 5 tech only

Jon Dove
NFL Analyst at Mocking the Draft
@Jon_Dove42

by Jon Dove on Aug 7, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Again, a good fit for GB at DE.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Aug 7, 2011 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Lavonte David

"The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." - Doug Ibbotson

by SteveUK on Aug 8, 2011 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Beast

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Aug 10, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Kellen Moore = awesome

best QB in college football

"Hi my name is Cliff Harris and I am here to lock [site decorum] down" - Cliff Harris introduction at his Freshman Orientation
Reporter : "What do you remember about the BCS title game"
Cliff Harris: "That we lost"

by manraj7 on Aug 7, 2011 1:59 AM EDT reply actions

...

really? I knew you liked him but this is going a little too far. Do you really like him as a pro prospect?

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 7, 2011 4:52 AM EDT up reply actions

he is really small so he isn't my #1 QB but in college he is the best QB.

by manraj7 on Aug 7, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok that I won't agree with

but its debatable. Good college QB, but might not even get a shot as a pro QB

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 7, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

he should though

I think if he is given a shot he will succeed. Small people can do whatever big people can do and better.

by manraj7 on Aug 7, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Only Chris Polk right now.

Don’t need great breakaway speed if you have fantastic vision, good speed to hit the gap and the ability to break a bunch of tackles.

by Coach Owens on Aug 7, 2011 3:13 AM EDT reply actions

Malik Jackson, Devon Still, Travis Frederick, Bernard Pierce, Casey Heyward, Xavier Nixon

"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 7, 2011 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

I haven’t developed any “man-crushes” yet, but I do use MtD’s 2012 Top 200 list to run mock draft scenarios for my favorite team. Just take one player from the top 32, then another from 33-64, 65-98, and so on. I generally watch as much as I can on the guys I pick and it helps me find my “man-crushes”. Here is my most recent mock with guys I am looking forward to seeing more of:

1st – Matt Kalil, OT USC McKinnie is gone and every thing I read on Charlie Johnson says he might be best at guard. If/When Hutchinson retires, Johnson can move into his spot and Kalil becomes the LT to protect Ponder into the future.

2nd – Coryell Judie, CB Texas A&M Winfield is aging, two other CBs are coming back from multiple knee injuries, one has been ineffective, and one is a rookie. The depth at CB is tentative and could use upgraded talent.

3rd – Dwight Jones, WR UNC With the departure of Rice and the likely departure of Berrian after this season, another outside WR will be needed. Jones and Jenkins would be nice big targets with Harvin and the TEs working the middle of the field.

4th – Vinny Curry, DE Marshall Depth is needed on the DL and while the interior was addressed in FA, the loss of Edwards was not. Can never have too many pass rushers.

5th – Rokevious Watkins, OG South Carolina Much like the DL, the OL needs depth, especially on the inside.

6th – Shayne Skov, LB Stanford LB depth and talent will be needed. If I already have a “man-crush” it might be this guy and I don’t think he will be drafted this low by the time the draft comes around.

7th – Winston Guy, S Kentucky Another position in need of depth, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of it at safety.

Mocking the Draft - Writer
MTD's Prospect Library - http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshMTD

by Josh_D on Aug 7, 2011 6:31 PM EDT reply actions