2012 NFL Draft Big Board Peek: CBS Rob Rang What’s Ryan Tannehill’s Value?

Everyone once in awhile I like to take a look at Big Boards from other analysts and highlight players they find much more or less attractive than I do to give you (the readers) a more comprehensive (or confusing perhaps) view of a prospect. The most polarizing prospect might be Texas A and M Ryan Tannehill, who will be a focus of these big board peeks Today I’ll take a look at CBS’ Rob Rang’s Draft Board

Rang’s board only goes 32 deep.

The first surprise of Rang’s board is moving Dontari Poe all the way up to #10 on his big board and has this to say:

Producing a workout that has earned comparisons to that of Baltimore Ravens star Haloti Ngata’s when he left the University of Oregon, Poe’s scheme versatility and unbelievable upside could result in a top-five selection.

I agree that Poe has that kind of upside, but there are a lot of questions about Poe. First of all, eh wasn’t even voted as a First Team All Star selection in his conference by opposing coaches. If he’s that talented, why don’t think the think that much of him. That worries me. Of course there is the lack of production as well.

The next prospect I like to look where they are slotted is Stanford Cardinal LT Jonathan Martin.  A player that seems to be slipping on a lot of big board. Rang currently has Martin at 18th overall.

Martin’s size (6-6, 305) and athleticism is very intriguing — especially in a zone-blocking offense. Scouts wonder, however, if he has the physicality to be successful in every scheme. What they don’t have to wonder about is Martin’s light feet and balance in pass protection. Some scouts grade Martin higher than either Kalil or Reiff as a pass blocker.

I agree with the last part of Martin and which is why I’ve continued to leave him pretty high up. The league is moving to a passing league and a guy who can be a terrific pass blocker is worth more than a well balanced Tackle in many schemes. Martin has terrific athletic ability and while he’s not a mauler that will fit every system (the Jets perhaps, maybe not an ideal Giants tackle) is still a good prospect. I think he still makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals

Alabama Crimson Tide LB Courtney Upshaw is seeing his stock slip:

He’s currently #21 on Rang’s Big Board

Other than linebacker drills, Upshaw only participated in one athletic event at the combine and posted a solid 22 reps on the bench press. He looked stiff and slow during his positional drills, however, drawing the concern of some scouts who question if he’ll now have to be an undersized defensive end in the 4-3.

We’ve been saying this forever. Upshaw’s problem is that he’s a tweener prospect. Is he a LB or DE? The thing we absolutely love about Upshaw is how physical he is and think he’ll be a good player somewhere. He’s not going to shy away from the physical game that is the N.F.L.

Is Texas A and M a first round prospect: Rang thinks so:

25. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: In terms of physical talent, there is no denying that Tannehill (6-4, 225) has the tools to warrant a first-round pick. He has a strong arm, good touch and obviously rare athleticism for the position considering that he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a receiver in 2009. With only 19 career starts at quarterback, however, Tannehill is understandably lacking in the finer techniques of the position and, as such, might struggle if thrown into the fire as a rookie

A few other interesting players are Kendall Reyes at #26 we have him much lower, and Brandon Thompson at 27 a player we also have much lower.
Range has dropped all Tight ends out of his first round.

Last interesting one is the forgott0n man, Nebraska DE Jared Crick. He checks in at #30 on Rang’s big board

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: Crick missed the final eight games of the Huskers’ season — including the Capitol One Bowl — and the Senior Bowl with a torn pectoral, but that won’t keep scouts from grading the 2010 All-American as a first-round talent based on his potential to line up inside or out depending on the defensive scheme of the team that drafts him come April.

What do you guys think of Rang’s big board. Is he right about Crick and Reyes? Who is he missing in his first round that you think is definitely a top 32 player?

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