NFL Draft 2012: 10 Players You Would Stand On The Table For

Every year in NFL Draft war rooms, NFL personnel and scouts will stand up and make a case for “their guy.” When you are making that case, the expression is that you are “standing on the table” to make your case loud and clear that a certain prospect should be the team’s pick. In preparation for the draft, here are ten guys that I would “stand on the table” for if I was in a team’s war room. These are guys that you should go to bat for and will make a positive impact in the NFL.

Fletcher Cox, Defensive Line, Mississippi State

If you’ve been reading NFL Spin Zone throughout the entire draft process, you know that Fletcher Cox is one of my favorite players in this year’s draft class. You will not find a more versatile defensive lineman in this draft.

Cox is flying up draft boards due to his versatility and the fact that he is the most impressive pass rusher among the interior defensive line prospects. If you want an active, disruptive player, this is who you need to get. I would be stunned to see Cox slide out of the top ten. If, by chance, he made it past the Panthers at pick 9 and I was in the mid-teens, phone calls would be made and a trade with the Buffalo Bills would be the key objective.

Many teams love Fletcher Cox, so don’t be surprised to see him go as high as pick six and no later than pick ten.

Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

Perry is perhaps the most natural pass rusher among the defensive end prospects. He has the ability to play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but he has shown no willingness to do so and would prefer to stay at 4-3 defensive end. In fact, Perry is dedicated to staying in a 40 front so much that he has bulked up considerably throughout the draft process.

Perry may not have the size you want in a prototypical defensive end, but he is flawless in the most important characteristic of a defensive lineman — his use of hands is impeccable.

In a passing league, Perry’s skill set will be very valuable to defensive coordinators.

Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

Just a few weeks ago, Jones was seen as a mid second-round prospect, but I loved his athletic ability and believed he could make an impact similar to Jason Pierre-Paul once he develops. Now as we are days away from the draft, Jones’ stock is skyrocketing and he could end up going as high as pick 12 to Seattle.

Jones is another “tweener” prospect that could contribute in either a 4-3 or 3-4 and that only adds to his value. His frame is something that NFL personnel will get excited about.

Another aspect of Jones’ game that makes you want to land him is his football IQ. Jones knows the game inside and out and that will only help him adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Let’s also not forget his bloodlines — brother Arthur is defensive tackle for the Ravens and brother Jon is the UFC light-heavyweight champion.

Rueben Randle, Wide Receiver, LSU

At the top of the draft, Michael Floyd and Justin Blackmon are the big name wide receivers that will attract the attention of NFL teams. However, there is a receiver out of LSU who is ready to make some noise late in round one — Rueben Randle.

Randle is the type of receiver who can use his size and speed to stand out and make a big impact in the pros. He’s a physical guy, unlike Kendall Wright, and will be to fight off man-to-man coverages

It would be no surprise if Randle comes off the board in the top 25 picks.

He has drawn comparisons to Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks and could be a star as an “X” in the NFL. Randle is my favorite wide receiver on the board and would make perfect sense for a team like the Browns or Broncos.

Doug Martin, Running Back, Boise State

Outside of Trent Richardson, Doug Martin is the best running back option in this draft. He is a compact runner that can do it all. He compares very favorably to Ray Rice and should go in the middle of the round one.

However, teams don’t value the running back position like they used to, so someone will be getting a steal.

He’s a downhill runner with exceptional vision, who has also been praised as a leader by his former teammates. If you need a running back in this draft and aren’t picking in the top five, Martin is the one that you need to target or you are making a gigantic mistake.

“The Muscle Hamster” is going to make his impact felt at the next level. Teams should be worried that they are going to miss out on landing this type of runner.

Mychal Kendricks, Linebacker, Cal

Mychal Kendricks is a first-round talent. The 2011 Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year absolutely blew away the competition at the Scouting Combine by leading all linebackers in the forty-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. He is a versatile linebacker that can fit into almost any defense.

Kendricks played inside for Cal Berkley’s 3-4 defensive scheme, but he also has the ability to play outside in a 4-3. His ability to read and react to the offense makes him valuable in any position.

He may not be the sure tackler that Luke Kuechly is, but Kendricks is far more athletic and still has the technique to bring down any ball carrier. Kendricks is still raw as a pass rusher, but he has more natural ability in that aspect of his game than a guy like Kuechly. That alone makes him more valuable in my eyes.

Chris Givens, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest

While everyone is talking about Kendall Wright as one of the draft’s most explosive receivers and return men, they seem to be overlooking one of the most exciting players in this year’s draft. Givens is every bit as explosive as Givens and is a more well-rounded receiver. His route running is much better than a guy like Wright’s and that alone should make him more valuable.

Givens is always playing at full speed and is a hard-worker that always is looking to prove his value.

Some have said Givens has a diva attitude, but I had the chance to talk to him earlier in the draft process and did not receive that impression in the slightest. I asked Chris what a NFL GM can expect to get if they draft him and this is what he said:

"They are going to get a Chris Givens that is not going to get in any trouble off the field. A guy who is going to come in focused and dedicated to making the team better — just trying to get the organization a better name each and every day. I feel that if I embarrass myself, then I embarrass the organization as well, and I am not really the kinda guy that tries to embarrass himself often. So, they are going to get a guy who loves football, who is gonna be there each and everyday buying into the program. I’ll do whatever it takes to win."

That is exactly what I want in my players. If I’m in need of a wide receiver in the late-second or third-round, I’d be on the phone with Givens and welcoming him to the city.

Olivier Vernon, Defensive End, Miami

What do you want in a defensive end? A high motor guy with incredible explosion. That is exactly what you would get in Olivier Vernon, who NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said was the fastest rising out of the Miami Hurricanes prospects.

Vernon slipped up and was involved in the Nevin Shapiro scandal at The U, but he has since taken full responsibility for the situation and explained how it has changed his mindset moving forward.

“I learned a lot from that. If I can face that, I feel there are a lot of other things that may pop up in my life that I can face, too. Just being strong, staying positive, it has put me in the position I am now. It did actually make me hungry, because you never know when it can be your last time playing,” Vernon told me a few days ago.

Vernon still is raw, but he’s a player I would want to bring in and help develop. He’s got tremendous upside. As only a sophomore, he was second on the team in sacks. Of course, last season he was derailed by the suspension.

He’s definitely a player I want rushing the passer.

Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State

In a draft with Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill, Kirk Cousins has become a bit of a forgotten prospect and I think that is a big mistake.

Cousins may not jump out on film because of any particular asset, but he is a very smart guy that can do it all. Cousins is an incredible leader and is the type of quarterback you can rely on. A guy like Tannehill may have more upside, but I would go out on a limb and say five years from now it is more likely that Cousins is still on a NFL roster.

He is a hard-worker and great character guy. Cousins will be a very reliable backup and could develop into a solid starter a la Matt Hasselbeck. He may never become a star signal-caller in the league, but he will find his role and stick. Cousins is the type of quarterback I would want to bring in because of his reliability and leadership.

Trumaine Johnson, Cornerback, Montana

Trumaine Johnson may not be a name that many fans are aware of, but he is a corner that has teams talking. Johnson is a long, lean corner with incredible upside. He’s a fluid athlete and has shown incredible awareness during his time in Montana. He may not have faced the toughest competition, but any experience is good experience. Here is what one NFL scout had to say of Johnson:

“(Montana’s) Trumaine Johnson might be better than (Morris) Claiborne — and I really like Claiborne’s cover talent,” said one NFL scout. “If (Johnson) had run (a 40-time of) 4.51 instead of the 4.6s that he ran at the Combine, he would go in the first (round). He’s 6-1, 210 and he’s really a good athlete. He has 10-20 (range) talent … He’s inching up. He might go in the back of the first (round).”

The major knock on Johnson is his attitude. He is viewed as a bit of a diva, but his talent trumps all. With his rare physical tools, I would do everything in my power to draft this defensive back.

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