2012 NFL Mock Draft: 01-16-2012
With the regular season officially in the books it is time to roll out the first mock draft for 2012.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford) – Luck has been the top prospect for about two years running now and even with the specter of Peyton Manning looming in the background it seems unlikely the Colts will pass on the guy who has been the highest rated QB prospect since, well, Peyton Manning.
Other Possibilities: It seems silly, but, if the Colts think Manning is going to be able to give them two or three more years, they could trade the pick, or they could opt to take Matt Kalil who would give them a blue chipper to protect Manning’s blindside.
2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil (OT, USC) – This where things could get really interesting. The big question here is do the Rams spend another high pick on an offensive tackle or do they hope Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith recover from season ending injuries to re-stabilize what was an atrocious offensive line last season? Or, do they trade down, pick up an extra pick or two with eyes on giving Sam Bradford a legit #1 receiver to throw the ball to?
Other Possibilities: If the Rams keep the pick they could also go for Morris Claiborne who would go a long way to improve a leaky secondary. Did Justin Blackmon do enough in the Fiesta Bowl to warrant a look by the Rams at #2?
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne (CB, LSU) – For a team that registered 50 sacks last season the Vikings gave up far too many passing yards and touchdowns. Opponents completed over 68% of their passes against the Vikings and the pass rush clearly is not the issue. Claiborne is the top rated lockdown corner in this draft.
Other Possibilities: The Vikings will probably be tempted by teams looking to deal up and grab Robert Griffin, III. Another possibility could be that the Vikes take Griffin themselves if they do not think Christian Ponder is the long term solution at QB. They could also opt to grab Justin Blackmon as the offense is in dire need of a play-maker in the passing game.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin, III (QB, Baylor) – Griffin is the hot prospect right now and teams could potentially try to move up to #2 or #3 to grab him. This pick is largely going to depend on whether the Browns think Colt McCoy deserves another year or not. The Browns are in a tough position in that they have no real weapons in place for a young QB to succeed.
Other Possibilities: If they decide to give McCoy another year then expect Justin Blackmon to be the pick here.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Riley Reiff (OT, Iowa) – With the past season being such a train wreck the Bucs could really go in several different directions here. They likely go with who they have rated as the top player on the board who is not a QB. One would imagine almost every starting job is going to be up for grabs entering the summer.
Other Possibilities: The Bucs are one of the few teams at the top of the draft who probably will not have any real interest in Griffin with Josh Freeman already in place. They could look at Dre Kirkpatrick or Quinton Coples to help sure up what was a leaky defense last season.
6. Washington Redskins: Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State) – Most of the experts don’t think Blackmon grades out as a top 10 prospect, but with the offensive emphasis shifting to passing in the NFL teams are more willing to spend high picks on QBs and WRs than they ever have been. The Redskins desperately need a franchise QB, however there are none worth taking this high after Luck and Griffin come off the board.
Other Possibilities: The offensive line is still pretty shaky and they could opt to go with the best offensive lineman on the board. If they cannot upgrade the QB position then they will need to do a better job of protecting the ones they have. Don’t be shocked if the Redskins try to work a deal to move up and grab Griffin.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnathan Martin (OT, Stanford) – Eben Britton’s career could be up in the air having just played 11 games the last two seasons and Eugene Monroe has not exactly been the mark of stability at LT. The Jags need to do a better job of protecting Blaine Gabbert as they are going to be stuck with either him or a journeyman QB for the time being.
Other Possibilities: Rashean Mathis has never lived up to the season he had in 2006 and the secondary could use a play maker making Dre Kirkpatrick a possibility here. UNC DE Quinton Coples is another possibility to help boost a so-so pass rush.
8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry (DE/OLB, USC) – Quarterback and Right Tackle are obviously bigger needs, but there are not any on the board that would not represent tremendous reaches at this stage. Perry is a bit of a reach here but with Jason Taylor retiring the team needs to find an edge rusher to fill his shoes and line up opposite Cameron Wake.
Other Possibilities: Would not be surprised to see them deal the pick with eyes on adding a receiver or an upgrade at RT.
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB, Alabama) – The Panthers need to spend all of their picks on defensive players this spring. The Panthers ranked dead last in the league in average yards per pass attempt allowed, 30th in opponents completion percentage, and 25th in TD passes allowed. The Panthers need to get better at defending the pass if they want to compete with the Falcons and Saints in the NFC South.
Other Possibilities: DE Quinton Coples or DT Devon Still would not be bad picks as well, the defense needs help just about everywhere.
10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw (OLB, Alabama) – The Bills need to find someone who can get after the quarterback and defend the run as well.
Other Possibilities: No matter how one slices it the defense, especially the front seven, has been bad in Buffalo for a few years now. They could opt for a defensive lineman here as well.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Quinton Coples (DE, UNC) – Did not play in a 3-4 front in college, but he is a DT who moved to DE and has the frame to be able to play DE in a 3-4 front. The Chiefs simply need more play-makers in the front seven on defense.
Other Possibilities: Trent Richardson is still on the board and with Thomas Jones in the twilight of his career and Jamaal Charles coming off of major knee surgery Richardson would be an awfully attractive insurance policy for the Chiefs running game. Dwayne Bowe is a free agent and me looking to get out of KC.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama) – Marshawn Lynch is a free agent and is reportedly looking for a big payday. Richardson gives them some insurance in the event Lynch bolts and he gives them a bit of negotiating leverage as well.
Other Possibilities: Pete Carroll would have loved to have gotten QB in this draft, but taking anyone after the first three this early in the first round is a huge reach. Pass rush or offensive line help could be in the offing here as well.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College) – Stewart Bradley was a bust via free agency and the run defense suffered because of it.
Other Possibilities: The Cards could look to shoring up the offensive line and take the best available offensive lineman at this spot.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard (CB, Nebraska) – Probably a bit of a reach here, but how long can the Cowboys afford to try and “get by” with their current corps of defensive backs?
Other Possibilities: The safeties have been an issue for a while as well making Mark Barron a possibility.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict (LB, Arizona State) – The Eagles need to get better in the middle of the defense and Burfict is the best available at this stage.
Other Possibilities: This pick could largely depend on whether the Eagles think they will re-sign DeSean Jackson or not. They could take a receiver here to give them a bit of leverage with Jackson, they also reportedly do not want to pay Jackson what he thinks he is worth. They could also go OLB or DT here as well.
16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame) – There is a lot of speculation as to whether Santonio Holmes and/or Plaxico Burress will be back next season.
Other Possibilities: Their safeties were rather ordinary last season making Mark Barron a possibility here.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland): Janoris Jenkins (CB, North Alabama) – Leon Hall is rehabbing a torn Achilles and Nate Clements is in the twilight of his career and was never exceptional to begin with. Jenkins comes with off field baggage, but that has never stopped the Bengals in the past.
18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro (OG, Stanford) – Kris Dielman’s career very well may be over as a result of the concussion that put him on Injured Reserve earlier this season.
Other Possibilities: The pass rush was lacking last season so they could opt for a pass rusher here if there is one they like. This draft is rather void of pass rushing talent this year though. The Chargers also need to decide what to do with Vincent Jackson and could look to draft a replacement at this spot as well.
19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright (WR, Baylor) – One of the better speed receiver prospects in the draft and the Bears need to find a legit #1 for Jay Cutler.
Other Possibilities: Matt Forte is a free agent making Lamar Miller or David Wilson possibilities.
20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram (DE, South Carolina) – The Titans need to upgrade the pass rush.
Other Possibilities: Secondary could use some help as well.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller (RB, Miami) – There is growing speculation that Cedric Benson will not be back next season and Bernard Scott has yet to show himself capable of being an every down back.
Other Possibilities: They could look to upgrade the interior of the offensive line here.
22. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta): Alshon Jeffery (WR, South Carolina) – The Browns need to upgrade their pass catchers in some fashion this off season.
23. Detroit Lions: David Wilson (RB, Virginia Tech) – Jahvid Best has elite talent but is too injury prone to be an every down back. Wilson gives them more stability at the RB position.
Other Possibilities: The o-line needs some help as does the secondary.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still (DL, Penn State) – Chris Hoke’s career may be over and Casey Hampton will be 35 when the season kicks off next September. The Steelers will look to get younger in the middle of the DL.
Other Possibilities: The Steelers defense looked old and tired in spots in the playoff loss to the Broncos. CB has been a concern for the Steelers for a few years now.
25. Denver Broncos: Dwayne Allen (TE, Clemson) – Broncos TEs caught just 30 passes last season and a good pass-catching TE could be just what Tim Tebow needs to move his development along this off season.
Other Possibilities: Brian Dawkins looks like he is nearing the end of his career making Mark Barron an option here.
26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu (WR, Rutgers) – Prior to Schaub’s injury the Texans were emerging as Super Bowl contenders in the AFC so there are not a lot of holes to fill heading into the off season. The Texans have been in need of an upgrade to the WR slot opposite Andre Johnson for a while now.
27. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): Mark Barron (S, Alabama) – The Patriots defense was atrocious last season, especially when it came to defending the pass. Barron gives them a presence in the secondary it has lacked since Rodney Harrison retired.
Other Possibilities: They could opt for a pass rusher here.
28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox (DL, Mississippi State) – The Packers defense really missed Cullen Jenkins this year.
Other Possibilities: The Pack struggled to pressure the QB all season long so a pass rusher could be an option here.
*29. New York Giants: Zebrie Sanders (OT, Florida State) – The Giants offensive line has looked old and slow the past couple of years.
Other Possibilities: The back seven on defense was downright awful at times last season and they could go with a LB or DB if there is one on the board that they like here.
*30. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin) – Matt Birk turns 36 this summer and there has been talk of him retiring after this season. His backup, Andre Gurode, turns 33 this spring.
*31. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon (WR, Wisconsin) – Probably a bit of a reach here, but Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis are the only two players on the team to catch more than 20 passes last season. They need to upgrade their receivers this off season.
Other Possibilities: Don’t be surprised if the Niners deal out of the first round to take a receiver near the top of the second and get better value for the pick.
*32. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy (DL, Michigan State) – The Pats hope Worthy is to them what Albert Haynesworth was supposed to be.
Other Possibilities: It would not be surprising to see Belichick deal this pick for a couple of third and fourth round picks or a bunch of picks in next year’s draft.
*The last four picks will ultimately be determined by the conference championship games and the Super Bowl.
