Prisco / Re-grading the 2012 NFL Draft

Re-grading the 2012 NFL Draft: The time I gave Russell Wilson a C+

Pete Prisco / Senior NFL Columnist

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/25139180/re-grading-the-2012-nfl-draft-the-time-i-gave-russell-wilson-a-c-

To truly grade an NFL Draft, even in this era of immediate grades and knee-jerk reactions, it takes three years to give it a real evaluation.

We love to give out grades as the picks happen or in the days following a draft, which opens us all up to loads of criticism and grades that hang in cyberspace forever — only to come back in focus when fans throw it back in our faces. That’s part of the fun of doing those grades: Stirring the masses with an educated grade. Like the teams, I miss. Unlike the teams, it doesn’t cost me.

So each spring I go back three years to re-grade the NFL Draft, using my original grades and thoughts as a benchmark. It is humbling, to say the least. I am willing to admit here that I have made some major mistakes when it came to giving out grades. Then again, so did the teams who picked the guys who busted.

As I look back on the 2012 NFL Draft to do my re-grading, one of the biggest misses was the Seattle Seahawks’ draft that year. They landed quite a haul, including quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round and Bobby Wagner in the second. I gave that grade a C-plus. That’s what you call blowing it.

That group of players has keyed the Seahawks to two Super Bowls in the past two seasons, with one win. Wilson has been much better than anybody expected — even the Seahawks. If you don’t believe that, why did they wait until the third round to pick him?

Without giving the grade away, let’s just say Seattle’s new grade is much better.

As you scan my re-grading of that draft, it’s easy to see why teams that had major issues in 2014 can look to the 2012 draft as a big part of the blame. Oakland and Jacksonville, two of the worst teams in the league last season, both got failing grades. If you don’t draft well, you can’t win — as this re-grade will once again remind us.

Arizona Cardinals

2012 Grade: C+

The Skinny: They picked receiver Michael Floyd in the first round, and he’s turned into a good player, but not quite what they expected. They landed starting right tackle Bobby Massie in the fourth round and corner/special teams player Justin Bethel in the sixth. He could start this season. They missed on third-round corner Jamell Fleming.

How I did: I questioned the Floyd pick, saying he didn’t run well enough and they needed line help more. The jury is still out. I liked the Fleming pick. Not good. I had Ryan Lindley as my third-day gem. He’s far from that, but he did start a playoff game last season for the Cardinals.

New Grade: B-

Michael Floyd hasn’t been a bust but he’s not exactly a star.(Getty Images)

St. Louis Rams

2012 Grade: B-

The Skinny: This is the draft they traded back with the Redskins to get extra picks so Washington could take Robert Griffin III. The Rams then took Michael Brockers with their first-round pick — after a second trade down — and he’s become a good down player. They got starting corner Janoris Jenkins in the second round and nickel corner Trumaine Johnson in the third. Running back Isaiah Pead, taken in the second round, has been a disappointment. They also got receiver Chris Givens and Brian Quick in this draft, as well as kicker Greg Zuerlein.

How I did: I questioned the Jenkins pick, but mostly for character concerns. I liked the Johnson pick as the best, but he hasn’t developed into a starter. My third-day gem was Givens.

New Grade: B+

San Diego Chargers

2012 Grade: B+

The Skinny: They did a solid job with their first two picks, landing pass rusher Melvin Ingram and defensive end Kendall Reyes. When he’s been healthy, Ingram has been good, but injuries have limited him. Reyes has been a a quality starter. They missed big on third-round safety Brandon Taylor. Backup tight end Ladarius Green came in the fourth round. Sometimes starting guard Johnnie Troutman came in the fifth.

How I did: I liked the pick of Ingram, and still do. He just needs to stay on the field. I questioned not taking any offensive linemen in the first four rounds, and that has been an issue. My second-day gem was Green, which I still like.

New Grade: B-

San Francisco 49ers

2012 Grade: C-

The Skinny: They took receiver A.J. Jenkins in the first round, and that was a major bust. He was a disaster and eventually was traded to the Chiefs, who cut him this year. They took running back LaMichael James in the second round, and he is no longer with them. In fact, the only draft pick still left on the roster is backup guard Joe Looney, who was taken in the fourth round.

How I did: I liked the pick of Jenkins. Not good. I questioned the pick of James, which was right. I didn’t really like the draft much, but it’s even worse now.

New Grade: F

Seattle Seahawks

2012 Grade: C+

The Skinny: This is the draft that brought them quarterback Russell Wilson, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, nickel corner Jeremy Lane and right guard J.R Sweezy. That’s a heck of a haul for John Schneider. Wilson is the big steal in the third round. Sweezy came in the seventh.

How I did: Not good. I questioned the pick of Irvin in the first round — mainly for character reasons — and I didn’t like them taking Wilson when they just got Matt Flynn and gave him a big deal. I was way off. I thought their best pick was Wagner in the second, and he’s been a huge part of the dominance of the defense.

New Grade: A+

Russell Wilson turned out to be one of the biggest steals of the 2011 draft. (USATSI)