The 2012 NFL Draft marked the first time the Rams opted not to select a player from the Big Ten since 2005.
I've knocked out preview for every team in the conference over at the most superest NFL Draft site on the internet, Mocking the Draft:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Michigan St.
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
- Ohio St.
- Penn St.
- Purdue
- Wisconsin
After the jump, some prospects for Rams fans to track throughout the year.
First off, if you're looking for offensive players not on the offensive line, you're not going to want to spend much time in the B1G. Quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, running back -- it's thin out there on the plains. You can't say that about the O-linemen though.
At center, Rams fans will want to get looks at Illinois' Graham Pocic and Wisconsin's Travis Frederick, who could be the first interior lineman to get drafted next April. At guard, Nebraska's Spencer Long has shown quality. We'll learn a lot about him in Nebraska's second year in the Big Ten. If you're of the belief that the Rams will need to reload at OT, check out Michigan's Taylor Lewan and Wisconsin's Ricky Wagner. Neither likely makes it to Day 3.
Flipping sides, if you're looking for a young DT to play alongside Brockers, Illinois' Akeem Spence, Nebraska's Baker Steinkuhler, Penn St.'s Jordan Hill and Purdue's standout Kawann Short are all viable early prospects. Ohio St.'s Johnathan Hankins is a fine nose, but Brockers and he will likely have similar responsibilities at the NFL level.
Still searching for that elusive OLB plug in? Jonathan Brown (Illinois), Etienne Sabino (Ohio St.) and Gerald Hodges (Penn St.) all look the part.
Neither safety spot is impressively staffed across the conference, but I'll give you a sleeper pick that I think could climb up into day 2 position: Northwestern's Ibraheim Campbell. He'll have to bulk up a bit, but he's just a redshirt sophomore this year. He was all over the field last year, especially in the running game on a defense that could use about four more of him.
Who are you looking forward to watching in the Big Ten this year? Any names you think I gave short shrift in those MTD previews?
And if you've got any other draft questions, drop em like they're hot. Up next at MTD is the Big XII and then the Pac 12, so stay tuned.