Andrew Luck is the top rated quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft. Jonathan Martin could be one of the top three offensive tackles drafted. David DeCastro is probably going to the be the first offensive guard off the board. And they were all Stanford Cardinals last year! Pretty crazy, huh?
In Ryan Van Bibber of SB Nation's latest mock draft, all three were selected high in the first round. Luck is again headed off to the Indianapolis Colts with the first pick. However, there might be some trepidation with Robert Griffin III starting to soar.
Peyton Manning divorce ... blah, blah, blah. This pick has been preordained. Or has it? Could the Colts throw everyone a curve ball and draft Robert Griffin III ahead of Andrew Luck? The possibility exists, though nobody seems to think that would happen. Keep an eye on what's coming from Jim Irsay's Twitter account.
Martin goes to a team that still needs protection against pass rushers, the Kansas City Chiefs. He might end up high because of his raw physical talent.
Illness kept Martin from going through all the workouts at the Combine. He did manage to struggle through position drills. Conventional wisdom says Riley Reiff should go before Martin, but the Iowa tackle's measurements, particularly his shorter wingspan, raised some concerns. Martin could emerge as the better tackle prospect. Adding Martin would give the Chiefs a very good offensive line.
DeCastro ended up with the Dallas Cowboys, because they'll probably fulfill their other needs in free agency. Dallas is a team that could use some offensive line help to unleash their running attack.
Dallas might fill their cornerback needs in free agency, targeting either Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan. If they do, they would be under no pressure to grab one in the first round of the draft. DeCastro matches need and draft spot as one of the more promising interior linemen since Steve Hutchinson.
To talk about Luck and the Colts, go to Stampede Blue. To talk about Martin and the Chiefs, check out Arrowhead Pride. To talk about DeCastro and the Cowboys, hit up Blogging the Boys. To discuss the three former Stanford players with Cardinal fans, go to Rule of Tree. To check up on mock drafts in general, hit up Mocking the Draft.