Big Ten writers’ 2012 mock draft: Round 1

Everyone, it seems, enjoys mock drafts. And it’s easy to see why. Not only do they create interest and offer predictions, but they often elicit passionate responses. You know the complaints and arguments: that guy’s too high, this guy’s better than that guy, etc. Well, we thought it would be fun to do a 2012 Big Ten football mock draft. How does it work? We invited a writer from all 12 Big Ten teams to conduct the six-round draft, consisting of QB, WR, RB, TE, Defensive player and K.

We didn’t include offensive linemen (sorry!) because they aren’t stat-collectors, and we’re going to use the team’s weekly statistics as a fun new way to spotlight the week’s top Big Ten statistical performers throughout the season.

[Mock draft results: Round 1 | Round 2 | Rounds 3 & 4 | Rounds 5 & 6]

This is not a 2012 NFL mock draft and it is not fantasy football. There are no weekly standings, trades, points per reception or anything of that ilk. Instead, this is a feature that gives us a new way to showcase the Big Ten’s top statistical talents each week. Plus, we hope the mock draft gets Big Ten fans debating the picks.

Editor’s note: Because teams can have only one player from each position and all positions have varying degrees of depth, there will be examples of inferior players going before superior players.

ROUND 1

1. Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen), Champaign News-Gazette – Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
My take: The only possible pick here.

2. Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak), Bloomington Herald Times – Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
My take: The only possible pick here.

3. Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse), TheGazette.com – Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
My take: Can’t complain about the selection, but it was a bit surprising an Iowa beat writer passed on James Vandenberg, perhaps the Big Ten’s elite passer. The guy is underrated.

4. Kyle Meinke (@KMeinke), AnnArbor.com – John Simon, DE, Ohio State
My take: After hearing everyone with a pulse rave about Simon at media day, it’s no surprise the Ohio State star was the first defensive player off the board. The real surprise: a Michigan beat writer took an “Ohio” player in Round 1.

US PRESSWIRE

5. Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode), Lansing State Journal - Le’Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
My take: With Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead available, this is an interesting pick. But it makes sense, both from the fact it’s a Michigan State writer and that Bell is primed for breakout season.

6. Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow), Pioneer Press – Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska
My take: It’s hard not to be shocked Burkhead dropped this far, and you know Brian Christopherson, of the Lincoln Journal Star, was hoping he would fall one more pick.

7. Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC), Lincoln Journal Star – Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
My take: With Burkhead off the board, Christopherson stayed in state and scooped up a dual-threat quarterback who has been working hard and long on his passing and footwork.

8. Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein), Chicago Tribune – Kain Colter, QB, Northwestern
My take: On the topic of dual-threat quarterbacks, Colter could be a very nice one in his first season as the full-time guy.

@BTNBrentYarina Vandenberg was a STEAL at No. 12. Should have gone No. 3. And @TeddyGreenstein gets props for picking tri-threat Colter.—
Chad (@RevDJEsq) July 30, 2012

9. Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland), ElevenWarriors.com – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
My take: The third Buckeye selected, and the second from the defensive line. No wonder so many experts like Ohio State this year.

10. Ron Musselman (@rmusselmansc), StateCollege.com – Silas Redd, RB, Penn State
My take: High risk, high reward. If Redd rejects USC and stays at Penn State, he’s one of the conference’s best running backs. Editor’s note: Due to Redd’s transfer to USC, Ron’s pick is Bill Belton.

11. Ryan and J (@BoiledSports), BoiledSports.com – Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
My take: Considering the lack of proven playmakers at receiver, this is a great selection. There may be no bigger drop-off between the first couple of guys and the rest of the position than at receiver.

12. John Velduis (@JohnVeldhuis), BadgerBlitz.com – James Vandenberg, QB, Iowa
My take: About time! I truly don’t understand how the senior is so underrated. The best pure quarterback in the Big Ten, Vandenberg is going throw the ball a lot this season.

@BTNBrentYarina #12! Look at last years stats people.—
craig kenkel (@ctthawk) July 30, 2012

[Mock draft results: Round 1 | Round 2 | Rounds 3 & 4 | Rounds 5 & 6]

Brent Yarina is a web editor and blogger for BTN.com. Find all of his work here and follow him on twitter at @BTNBrentYarina.