Today is the first day of March, and that means one thing — the 2012 NFL Draft is a mere month away.
The annual NFL scouting combine ended Tuesday and produced some impressive performances by a few former Tigers.
Ron Brooks ran the second fastest 40-yard-dash time by a cornerback (4.37 seconds) and linebacker Ryan Baker put up an impressive 30 bench press reps at 225 pounds. Those performances will aid both Brooks and Baker in their hopes of getting drafted sometime on day three of the draft in April, along with safety Brandon Taylor.
I don’t think performances at the Combine significantly affect a players’ draft stock, but a good showing in front of NFL scouts doesn’t hurt.
Three former Tigers are locks to be first round picks: cornerback Morris Claiborne, defensive tackle Michael Brockers and wide receiver Rueben Randle.
I’m going to delve deeper into the first round of the draft and tell you at exactly what point I expect those three to have their names called.
Morris Claiborne (No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
It still baffles me Claiborne could possibly be drafted as high as former Tiger cornerback Patrick Peterson in 2011.
Despite all the attention defensive back Tyrann Mathieu received in the secondary, it was Claiborne who took home the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.
The Consensus First Team All-American might be better in coverage than Peterson and possesses the ability to contribute immediately in the kick return game.
Claiborne could also benefit from learning from veteran corner Ronde Barber. Barber has spent 15 years in the NFL and has a wealth of experience he could pass on to Claiborne.
Former LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper left LSU to take the same position with the Buccaneers. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Claiborne follow his former coach to the Sunshine State.
Michael Brockers (No. 9 Carolina Panthers)
Carolina spent its first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft to select former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, a player Brockers spent time chasing two seasons ago.
Brockers would be a key addition to the Panthers’ defensive front that ranked seventh-worst in the league in sacks last season with only 31.
It’s surprising to see Brockers shoot up draft boards since the season ended. Some experts have him pegged as the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the draft.
Brockers definitely has the size and potential to be a dominant defensive tackle that Commands double teams at the next level.
Although he didn’t have the best showing at the combine, I don’t see him lasting past pick No. 10.
Rueben Randle (No. 26 Houston Texans)
If Randle were to land in Houston, it would be a perfect fit.
Houston broke into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season and has one of the best young defenses in the NFL.
Pairing Randle on the opposite side from star wide receiver Andre Johnson would give quarterback Matt Schaub another weapon along with running back Arian Foster.
The big question NFL scouts have about Randle is his ability to block cornerbacks effectively at the next level. I’ve fallen in love with Randle’s possession as well as his deep-ball catching ability during his three years in an LSU Tiger uniform.
The Texans will get a great, young wide receiver with room to grow in Randle if he turns out to be their first round selection.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]
Mic’d up: Claiborne, Brockers, Randle are locks for first-round picks
By Micah Bedard
Sports Columnist
Sports Columnist
February 29, 2012