Big Ten writers' 2012 mock draft: Rounds 5 & 6

After three days and hundreds of emails, our Big Ten writers' 2012 Big Ten mock draft is in the books. Here's how this worked: writers from all 12 Big Ten teams conducted the six-round draft, picking a QB, WR, RB, TE, Defensive player and K. Check out the Round 5 and Round 6 selections in this post. And you can find all six rounds here.

Unfortunately, we didn?t include offensive linemen because they don't collect stats. To be clear, 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.

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 5

49. Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen), Champaign News-Gazette – Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois
My take: Nothing wrong with Illinois' playmaking tackling machine who exploded onto the scene last year as a sophomore.
2012 roster: QB – Caleb TerBush, Purdue; WR – Jeremy Gallon, Michigan; RB – Montee Ball, Wisconsin; K – Brett Maher; Defense – Jonathan Brown, Illinois

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

50. Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak), Bloomington Herald Times – Ted Bolser, TE, Indiana
My take: Perhaps a value pick, let's not forget Bolser had 407 receiving yards and five touchdowns two seasons ago. He only played seven games last season.
2012 roster: QB – Denard Robinson, Michigan; WR – Demetrius Fields, Northwestern; RB – Carlos Hyde, Ohio State; TE – Ted Bolser, Indiana; Defense – Michael Buchanan, Illinois

51. Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse), TheGazette.com – Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State
My take: The proud owner of a pair of pick-6s last season, Lewis supplements his solid coverage skills with plenty of tackling ability.
2012 roster: QB – Braxton Miller, Ohio State; WR – Kofi Hughes, Indiana, RB – Fitz Toussaint, Michigan; TE – C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa; Defense – Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State

52. Kyle Meinke (@KMeinke), AnnArbor.com – Kyler Reed, TE, Nebraska
My take: Which Reed will show up this season: the one who went for 257 yards and 1 TD last year, or the one who exploded for 395 yards and eight TDs in 2010?
2012 roster: QB – Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois; WR – Kevonte Martin-Manley; Iowa; RB – Stephen Houston, Indiana; TE – Kyler Reed, Nebraska; Defense – John Simon, Ohio State

US PRESSWIRE

53. Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode), Lansing State Journal – Drew Basil, K, Ohio State
My take: Can't go wrong with Basil, the guy hit 16 of 19 field goals last season to lead all Big Ten kickers in field goal percentage (84.2 percent).
2012 roster: WR – Antavian Edison, Purdue; RB – Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State; TE – Jake Stoneburner; Defense: Denicos Allen, Michigan State

54. Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow), Pioneer Press – Kyle Prater, WR, Northwestern
My take: It remains to be seen if Prater can stay healthy, but if his high school career at local Proviso West is any indication, the 6-5, 220-pound receiver can produce in a big way.
2012 roster: QB – MarQueis Gray, Minnesota; WR – Kyle Prater, Northwestern; RB – Rex Burkhead, Nebraska; TE – Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin; Defense – Gerald Hodges, Penn State

55. Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC), Lincoln Journal Star – Crosby Wright, TE, Purdue
My take: At this point it's about finding any kind production among the tight ends, and Wright can provide that considering he had 223 yards and two touchdowns last season.
2012 roster: QB – Taylor Martinez, Nebraska; WR – Keenan Davis, Iowa; RB – Donovonn Young, Illinois; TE – Crosby Wright, Purdue; Defense – Chris Borland, Wisconsin

56. Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein), Chicago Tribune – Tyler Scott, DE, Northwestern
My take: A potential breakout candidate, Scott contributed a little all over the field last year, totaling 31 tackles, picking off one pass and recovering three fumbles.
2012 roster: QB – Kain Colter, Northwestern; WR – Roy Roundtree, Michigan; RB – James White, Wisconsin; TE – Dion Sims, Michigan State; Defense – Tyler Scott, Northwestern

57. Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland), ElevenWarriors.com – Jon Davis, TE, Illinois
My take: Davis had a fine freshman campaign last year, notching 22 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown, which bodes quite well for his future.
2012 roster: QB – Tre Roberson, Indiana; WR – Devin Smith, Ohio State; RB – Akeem Shavers, Purdue; TE – Jon Davis, Illinois; Defense – Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

58. Ron Musselman (@rmusselmansc), StateCollege.com – Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State
My take:  There's more than a handful of great options to choose from on the Michigan State defense, and Bullough is right there at the top of the list.
2012 roster: QB – Matt McGloin, Penn State; WR – Allen Robinson, Penn State (Justin Brown (transfer); RB – Bill Belton, Penn State (Silas Redd transfer); K – Dan Conroy, Michigan State; Defense – Max Bullough, Michigan State

59. Ryan and J (@BoiledSports), BoiledSports.com – Donnell Kirkwood, RB, Minnesota
My take: With few running back options remaining, Kirkwood may be the best talent on the board. He didn't light the world on fire last season (229 yards, 3 TDs), by any means, however he should receive a bigger workload in 2012.
2012 roster: QB – Andrew Maxwell, Michigan State; WR – Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin; RB – Donnell Kirkwood, Minnesota; TE – Gabe Holmes, Purdue; Defense – Kawann Short, Purdue

60. John Velduis (@JohnVeldhuis), BadgerBlitz.com – Mike Trumpy, RB, Northwestern
My take: Northwestern hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Tyrell Sutton in 2006. Trumpy doesn't figure to snap that run of futility, but he's an running back and he was available.
2012 roster: QB – James Vandenberg, Iowa; WR – Kenny Bell, Nebraska; RB – Mike Trumpy, Northwestern; TE- Ben Cotton, Nebraska; Defense – William Gholston, Michigan State

ROUND 6

61. John Velduis (@JohnVeldhuis), BadgerBlitz.com – Kyle French, K, Wisconsin
My take: Like they have in recent years, the Badgers are going to score a lot of points, thereby making French a solid option.
2012 roster: QB – James Vandenberg, Iowa; WR – Kenny Bell, Nebraska; RB – Mike Trumpy, Northwestern; TE- Ben Cotton, Nebraska; K – Kyle French, Wisconsin; Defense – William Gholston, Michigan State

62. Ryan and J (@BoiledSports), BoiledSports.com – Brendan Gibbons, K, Michigan
My take: Gibbons, who hit 1 of 5 field goals under Rich Rodriguez, connected on 13 of 17 attempts in 2011, including the game-winner in overtime of the Sugar Bowl.
2012 roster: QB – Andrew Maxwell, Michigan State; WR – Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin; RB – Donnell Kirkwood, Minnesota; TE – Gabe Holmes, Purdue; K – Brendan Gibbons, Michigan; Defense – Kawann Short, Purdue

63. Ron Musselman (@rmusselmansc), StateCollege.com – Jesse James, TE, Penn State
My take: Two positives about this freshman, Ron' s fourth Nittany Lion: 1) he's 6-foot-7; and 2) his head coach loves throwing to tight ends.
2012 roster: QB – Matt McGloin, Penn State; WR – Allen Robinson, Penn State (Justin Brown transfer); RB – Bill Belton, Penn State (Silas Redd transfer); TE – Jesse James, Penn State; K – Dan Conroy, Michigan State; Defense – Max Bullough, Michigan State

64. Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland), ElevenWarriors.com – Mitch Ewald, K, Indiana
My take: Ewald doesn't boast a powerful leg, but he connected on 13-of-16 field-goal attempts last season, which is pretty impressive.
2012 roster: QB – Tre Roberson, Indiana; WR – Devin Smith, Ohio State; RB – Akeem Shavers, Purdue; K – Mitch Ewald, Indiana; Defense – Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

65. Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein), Chicago Tribune – Mike Meyer, K, Iowa
My take: Meyer isn't at Brett Maher or Dan Conroy's level, but he's almost automatic from inside 40 yards and he was one of 20 semifinalists for the 2011 Lou Groza Award.
2012 roster: QB – Kain Colter, Northwestern; WR – Roy Roundtree, Michigan; RB – James White, Wisconsin; TE – Dion Sims, Michigan State; K – Mike Meyer, Iowa; Defense – Tyler Scott, Northwestern

US PRESSWIRE

66. Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC), Lincoln Journal Star – Paul Griggs, K, Purdue
My take: Carson Wiggs' replacement is rumored to have a pretty strong foot himself. We shall see.
2012 roster: QB – Taylor Martinez, Nebraska; WR – Keenan Davis, Iowa; RB – Donovonn Young, Illinois; TE – Crosby Wright, Purdue; K – Paul Griggs, Purdue; Defense – Chris Borland, Wisconsin

67. Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow), Pioneer Press – Jordan Wettstein, K, Minnesota
My take: A perfect 6 of 6 on field goals last season, Wettstein seems like a solid choice at this point. Will the offense give him enough chances, though?
2012 roster: QB – MarQueis Gray, Minnesota; WR – Kyle Prater, Northwestern; RB – Rex Burkhead, Nebraska; TE – Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin; K – Jordan Wettstein, Minnesota; Defense – Gerald Hodges, Penn State

68. Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode), Lansing State Journal – Danny O'Brien, QB, Wisconsin
My take: O'Brien fell, mainly, because everyone else had a quarterback and there was no need for Joe to pick one until the end. I wonder if reports that he'll have to compete for the starting gig put him in that situation.
2012 roster: QB – Danny O'Brien, Wisconsin; WR – Antavian Edison, Purdue; RB – Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State; TE – Jake Stoneburner; Defense: Denicos Allen, Michigan State

69. Kyle Meinke (@KMeinke), AnnArbor.com – Jeff Budzien, K, Northwestern
My take: I'm high on Kain Colter and Pat Fitzgerald-led teams always have solid offenses, so Budzien should get plenty of opportunities.
2012 roster: QB – Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois; WR – Kevonte Martin-Manley; Iowa; RB – Stephen Houston, Indiana; TE – Kyler Reed, Nebraska; K – Jeff Budzien, Northwestern; Defense – John Simon, Ohio State

70. Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse), TheGazette.com – Sam Ficken, K, Penn State
My take: The second-to-last kicker taken, Ficken replaces the recently departed Anthony Fera, who transferred to Texas. A lot of his value will depend on whether Matt McGloin and company can muster enough offense.
2012 roster: QB – Braxton Miller, Ohio State; WR – Kofi Hughes, Indiana, RB – Fitz Toussaint, Michigan; TE – C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa; K – Sam Ficken, Penn State; Defense – Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State

71. Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak), Bloomington Herald Times – Nick Immekus, K, Illinois
My take: Immekus assumes the role from the underrated Derek Dimke, who was one of the Big Ten's better kickers last season. No pressure, kid.
2012 roster: QB – Denard Robinson, Michigan; WR – Demetrius Fields, Northwestern; RB – Carlos Hyde, Ohio State; TE – Ted Bolser, Indiana; K – Nick Immekus, Illinois; Defense – Michael Buchanan, Illinois

72. Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen), Champaign News-Gazette – Brandon Moore, TE, Michigan
My take: Moore boasts only two career receptions, but he has potential as a pass-catcher, according to BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart, who ranked Moore the No. 10 tight end in the Big Ten.
2012 roster: QB – Caleb TerBush, Purdue; WR – Jeremy Gallon, Michigan; RB – Montee Ball, Wisconsin; TE – Brandon Moore, Michigan; K – Brett Maher; Defense – Jonathan Brown, Illinois

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

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