5. Jason Campbell, Raiders
Scouting Report: Sporting strong pocket composure, a long delivery, and sub-optimal anticipation, Campbell requires a dominant rushing attack to succeed with consistency. Although he earned respect as a team leader and executed Hue Jackson’s offense by staying composed and avoiding turnovers, Campbell was less effective down field than Carson Palmer despite a stronger arm. A solid, albeit unspectacular NFL starter, Campbell will have to compete for a starting job in 2012.
Availability: Campbell can’t return to Oakland because he would reportedly become a "polarizing" force among a wide receiver corps that viewed him as an offensive leader prior to the Carson Palmer trade. For the first time in a half-decade, Campbell will not go into training camp with a starting job all but locked up. His best bet may be to re-join QBs coach Jim Zorn in Kansas City as competition for Matt Cassel.
Prediction: Chiefs on a two-year, $9 million contract.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will turn 30 just after the 2012 NFL Draft. They could groom Tannehill for a year or two behind Cassel.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Tannehill is a good athlete who can make big plays with his feet and has a strong arm. This season, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The senior also rushed for 355 yards with four touchdowns. Tannehill was inconsistent and is still developing at the position. He played well versus Baylor and Missouri, but struggled against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.
Tannehill has only played one full season at quarterback (20 total starts at QB), so he will need time to develop at the pro level. As a wide out in 2008, Tannehill caught 55 passes for 844 yards and five touchdowns. He switched to quarterback in 2010 and played well in the last half of the season as the Aggies' starter. Tannehill completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,638 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Pick change; previously Trent Richardson, RB
12. Brandon Carr, Chiefs cornerback
If Vegas set odds on franchise tags, Dwayne Bowe would be the heavy favorite in Kansas City. I’m going with the underdog.
Bowe is not a Scott Pioli type of guy in terms of attitude or consistency. He’s a better fantasy football player than in reality. In a perfect world, the Chiefs would sign Carr long-term and franchise Bowe. That’s a realistic scenario.
I’m writing in an imperfect world before any big deals are made. If the choice is Carr or Bowe, the rising young cornerback is the pick.
The NFLPA database previously listed Dawkins as being under contract for $6 million in 2012, but recently updated and does not have him signed as all. Dawkins suffered a career-threatening neck injury late in the 2011 season. Now 38 years old, we suspect Dawkins has played his last snap in the NFL.
Steve Wyche brings us today's "no sh*t moment of the day."
OPENING REMARKS: "Good afternoon. Hope everyone is fine. You know that I’ve been working on this staff ever since I was named head coach. During that process, you have to do due diligence, talk to different people and run the due course of encountering obstacles along the way, but finally got the staff together, feel good about the guys we have. I think that it’s a good group; they’re good teachers. They’re going to be hard workers, good football people and there will be good staff cohesiveness and we’ll be able to translate that to the players in the locker room and on to the field. With that, I’ll open it up for you."
Manning was eyeing a return in week 16 after a scripted red zone practice session. He also had a previously unknown 4th neck surgery. His arm strength then was at roughly 80% and didn't throw farther than 25 yds.
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