The 2012 NFL draft featured some of the most promising stars to come in and join the league in a long time. The headliners from this class were Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III and fellow quarterback Andrew Luck who was taken with the first pick by the Colts to replace who many feel is the best quarterback ever. The draft featured another Heisman finalist in Alabama running back Trent Richardson and other college stars such as Brandon Weeden, Ryan Tannehill and Justin Blackmon. The surprise in the draft came with the drop Russell Wilson took. He ended up going in the 3rd round at number 75. One super bowl victory and two appearances later here we are.
With respect to the experts there is no way to fully predict how a guy’s career is going to turn out. So saying who should have been taken where remains hindsight 20/20. What we can discuss is the progress since the praise. Trent Richardson in his short career played for 3 teams before exiting the NFL all together. He put up a decent season early in Cleveland but was way too inconsistent after that year. Many of the other men mentioned earlier showed flashes at times but haven’t been able to put up solid numbers.
Robert Griffin III probably had the largest fall from grace. He won the NFL offensive rookie of the year award and led Washington to the playoffs. Not only has he not returned to the playoffs, he no longer even starts for his team. Andrew Luck has been to three pro bowls but only this year has come under fire for his play more specifically turnovers. He has always had a turnover issue but the colts are losing in a bad division and recently fired its offensive coordinator.
Even Russell Wilson coming off a second straight super bowl appearance is playing average at best and his teams stands at 4-4. In this new age have we reached a point where even players who have proven themselves at the highest level have an even shorter leash than we thought? Is it time to trade Griffin and Tannehill? Will Luck take some heat for his turnovers? That remains to be seen, but we do know that the 2012 draft class is in trouble.
