NFL Draft Projections: Players Who Are Flying Up Draft Boards

With a month or so left before the 2012 NFL draft, the following prospects are starting to climb draft boards:

 

WR Michael Floyd - Notre Dame

Slowly, Floyd has become the draft's No. 2 overall receiver, with some under the assumption that Floyd could be the very best. He's not as physically dominant as Justin Blackmon, but there's better separation from Floyd, and that sometime trumps what you get from other attributes.

 

QB Kirk Cousins - Michigan State

Cousins isn't going to be a first-round pick—not even close—but there's some value here that teams are seeing as a mid-round quarterback with upside. If you can get Cousins in the late third round or so, you're getting good value. 

 

DE Jack Crawford - Penn State

Crawford is still raw as a football prospect—he played just one year of football before signing with Penn State—but he's got the power and size to be an impact defensive end in a 4-3 at the next level. He won't wow you as an athlete, but give him a year or two to get his feet wet in the NFL, and Crawford may turn some heads.

 

OLB Shea McClellin - Boise State

Few players are rocketing up boards like McClellin, who is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing 3-4 outside linebackers in the 2012 class. He's a much better athlete than people give him credit for, and that athleticism is going to help him get sacks by firing off the edge and bending around offensive tackles. 

 

CB Trumaine Johnson - Montana

Johnson is growing on people because he is big and strong and can play press at the next level. Cornerbacks that can get their hands on receivers in the NFL are typically the ones who are playing in Pro Bowls. There's some thought that Johnson might be able to transition into safety, too. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1122471-nfl-draft-projections-players-who-are-flying-up-draft-boards

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