Saturday, April 21, 2012

NFL Mock Draft 2012

1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts are replacing one franchise QB with another.

2. Washington Redskins -- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)
The most exciting player in this year’s draft will be worth the price of admission as a rookie. Has a chance to be Washington’s next great football player.

3. Minnesota Vikings -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
After strongly considering USC OT Matt Kalil, the Vikings choose Claiborne. Six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford Jay Cutler will drive their decision.

4. Cleveland Browns -- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The addition of Richardson makes the entire Browns offense better, even QB Colt McCoy.

5. Buffalo Bills -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC (via draft day trade w/Tampa Bay*)
After Kalil makes it past the Vikings at #3, the Bills pounce on the opportunity to get the draft’s best OT and trade up from #10 with the Bucs.

6. St. Louis Rams -- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St. (via trade with Washington)
Blackmon gives QB Sam Bradford a playmaker on the outside, something the Rams desperately need.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
The fast-rising Gilmore fills an immediate need for the Jags. The latest buzz suggests Gilmore is on Jacksonville’s wish list.

8. Miami Dolphins -- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Floyd will replace Brandon Marshall who was traded to the Bears this offseason. The Dolphins have plenty of small possession receivers, Floyd gives them size and strength.

9. Carolina Panthers -- Fletcher Cox, DT, South Carolina
The Panthers defense needs help immediately. Cox can be plugged into Carolina’s defensive line and make an impact right away.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (via draft day trade w/Buffalo*)
The Bucs have always had impact linebackers, they’re missing that right now. Kuechly could be Greg Schiano’s guy to build around on defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A & M
After getting past the Dolphins at #8, the Chiefs nab Tannehill. The Chiefs have a young enough team that they can wait for Tannehill to develop.

12. Seattle Seahawks -- Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
He’s a versatile pass rusher who will fit in nicely with a young Seahawks defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals -- David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
With a lot of needs, the Cardinals could go a lot of places here. Drafting the best interior offensive lineman is the safest bet.

14. Dallas Cowboys -- Mark Barron, S, Alabama
The Cowboys upgraded their secondary with free agent Brandon Carr. Barron would be another upgrade, even as a rookie.

15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Brockers will eat up interior blockers and allow Philly’s linebackers and defensive ends to make plays.

16. New York Jets -- Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Can be a stand-up outside pass rusher or put his hand in the dirt. Jets need someone with his versatile on the outside.

17. Cincinnati Bengals -- Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama (via trade with Oakland)
The Bengals used last year’s draft to build its offense, this year they’ll look for a young pass rusher.

18. San Diego Chargers -- Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
His ability to play inside and outside linebacker will make him a valuable commodity in San Diego.

19. Chicago Bears -- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
The Bears need a speed receiver to clear things out underneath for Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Devin Hester.

20. Tennessee Titans -- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Shifted from DT to DE after his junior season. The Titans could use a player at both positions.

21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Randle is a terrific route runner who will compliment A.J. Green very well.

22. Cleveland Browns -- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (via trade with Atlanta)
With Joe Thomas at LT and Martin at RT, the Browns are set those two key positions for a long time.

23. Detroit Lions -- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Kirkpatrick isn’t afraid to hit people, which makes him perfect for the Mark Schwartz/Gunther Cunningham style of defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
Another one of those DE/OLBs that the Steelers will make into a solid defender.

25. Denver Broncos -- Devon Still, DT, Penn State
With last year’s starters - Broderick Bunkley (signed with New Orleans) and Marcus Thomas (unsigned) - out of the picture, Denver’s top need is DTs.

26. Houston Texans -- Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
After releasing talented RT Eric Winston this offseason, Houston needs to find his replacement quickly.

27. New England Patriots -- Andre Branch, OLB/DE, Clemson (via trade with New Orleans)
Could be the edge rusher the Pats have been missing in recent years.

28. Green Bay Packers -- Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State
Crafty and versatile, could be scary good lined up opposite Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens -- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Let him learn behind Matt Birk for a season and then you have a starter at an important position for the next 10-12 years.

30. San Francisco 49ers -- Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Very good blocker, even better receiver. Fleener’s the complete package who will help the Niners convert 3rd downs.

31. New England Patriots -- Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
Projected by many to go in the second round, but Bill Belichick is always full of surprises. Smith’s ability to play SS/LB should give Belichick something to experiment with.

32. New York Giants -- Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
With Brandon Jacobs gone and Ahmad Bradshaw dealing with foot issues, drafting a Bradshaw clone doesn’t seem like a stretch.

*Predicted trade 

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