2012 NFL Mock Draft

12/23/2011

1. indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This is an interesting pick. Everyone knows the Colts have a legend at QB in Peyton Manning. It would be a tough blow to the fans to see Manning playing for someone else. That said, Luck has an entire career ahead of him and Manning has a few years left. If you're GM, Bill Polian you have to think long term about what is best for the franchise. It'd be tough to see Manning go, but ask Green Bay fans how trading Brett Favre turned out. Best case scenario is you can get Luck to sit behind Manning for a year, and convince Manning to be a mentor to Andrew Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is a tough call because there will likely be new leadership in St. Louis next season. The Rams need an Offensive Tackle, but they have spent high draft choices on the position quite a bit in the past few years. They also need to get Sam Bradford a legit number one WR. Brandon Lloyd is decent, but he isn't nearly as talented as Justin Blackmon.

3. Minnesota Vikings- Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need some help up front on offense and Kalil also happens to be the top player on the board. I'm a firm believer in taking the best player that fits your team, especially when you are picking this high. When you draft a player you are drafting him for several years and he might not be at a position of need right now but needs change on a team from year to year. This pick would help with young QB Christian Ponder giving him security on his blind side. Also Adrian Peterson, the best player on the Vikings, would benefit from this pick.

4. Cleveland Browns- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cleveland will be hoping Justin Blackmon lasts to their pick but I think he goes to the Rams. They really need help at WR, but there isn't another WR worthy of a top 5 pick. I'm not a huge fan of RB's going this high, but Richardson is a special talent and reminds me a lot of Adrian Peterson. Peyton Hillis will not be back in Cleveland after the strep throat thing and the contract disputes.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jaguars brought in Aaron Kampman to be their "stud" pass rusher a few years ago and he blew his knee out in the first training camp in Jacksonville. They still haven't been able to find a guy to pass rush. When you are in a division with the pass happy Colts and have a good passing team in the Texans you need to be able to get after the QB.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Ronde Barber is at the end of his career and Aqib Talib may be in jail next season. Claiborne is the top CB in this draft even though he's probably the 2nd best CB on his own college team. LSU keeps churning out top CB after top CB.

7. Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin's value has skyrocketed this season. Mike Shanahan is not going to go through another season with Rex Grossman or John Beck at QB. He knows as well as anyone that you need a good QB to win in the NFL. With the success of Tebow and Cam Newton this year, QB's like Griffin will be looked at more favorably.

8. Miami Dolphins- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

With Matt Barkley going back to school, Jones now has a legit shot to be a top ten QB. Matt Moore has played well lately, but there will be a new QB in Miami next season. If they don't go out and get a veteran look for them to draft one in the first round.

9. Carolina Panthers- Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

Cam Newton looks like a rising star in the NFL and the Panthers are going to do everything they can to showcase him and give him a chance to be a pro bowl QB. That includes getting him another threat at WR. Steve Smith has wanted another legit WR for years and they get one here with Jeffrey who could be the most talented WR in this class.

10. Buffalo Bills- Jonathon Martin, OT, Stanford

I can't believe how bad the Bills have fallen off since having that great start this season. They just extended Ryan Fitzpatrick and if he's going to be their guy they have to get him some protection, especially on the left side of that line. It has been a problem for years. They also need some playmakers at WR other than Steve Johnson.

11. Philadelphia Eagles- Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Unbelievably the Eagles need a CB, but after spending all that money at the position this past off season they won't draft one in the 1st round. Especially when you think this CB class is loaded and good ones can be had later on. The Eagles need that hard nosed playmaker in the middle of that defense. Kuechly can step right in and be a leader and is one of the most pro ready players in this draft.

12. Kansas City Chiefs- Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Chiefs have Tamba Hali to rush the passer and that is it. These tweener types used to not go until at least the 2nd round, but with more teams going to the 3-4 they are going earlier in drafts and Scott Pioli will realize this. His old boss, Bill Belicheck still won't take one in the first.

13. Arizona Cardinals- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Cardinals have two OT's that are over paid and under perfoming. They can get rid of at least one of them by taking Reiff, the last of the three elite Tackles, and suring up one of the Tackle spots with a cheaper, better option.

14. Tennessee Titans- Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Titans have needed an upgrade at basically every LB spot for years. The last good LB they had was Keith Bullock. Burfict is a guy who plays like his hair is on fire and can make plays sideline to sideline.

15. San Diego Chargers- Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State

The Chargers have needed an upgrade at rush LB since they made Shawn Merriman stop taking steroids. They drafted Larry English in the first round and he's been a bust. Jenkins should provide them with the pass rush they need.

16. Seattle Seahawks- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

People would say this is a major reach, but everyone remembers what happened in this year's draft with the QB's going so high. Plus Seattle passed on Andy Dalton in last year's draft and I think they are kicking themselves for that and won't want to make the same mistake again.

17. New York Giants- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Giants are thin in the secondary and had to start the season with guys they brought in off the street. This despite taking a CB in the first round, Prince Amukamara, who was a steal for them. Add the Giants to the list of teams with a duo of first round CB's.

18. Cincinnati Bengals- Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The secondary has been a problem spot for the Bengals since Leon Hall went down with an achilles injury. Jenkins may be the most talented CB in this draft, he started at Florida, on a national championship team, as a true freshman. He got kicked out of Florida for arrests for Marijuana, so I can see the jokes now if the Bengals take him. Arrest or not, Jenkins is super talented and would give the Bengals a major boost in pass coverage. With how well the D line has been playing, if you have a group of CB's with Hall, Jenkins, Jones, and Clements the defense will be awfully tough.

19. Chicago Bears- Mike Brewster, OC, Ohio State

The Bears offensive line has struggled for quite a few years now. The best piece of that line was Olin Kruetz who left for the Saints via free agency then retired. Teams are taking Centers higher in drafts because the results are there to see that teams with good Centers are usually among the best offensive lines in the NFL. Look at the difference on the Bengals line when Giuchec was here and then when Kyle Cook took over.

20. Dallas Cowboys- Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dallas is thin at CB, like their division rival the Giants. Terrance Newman is getting old and losing some of that world class speed and Mike Jenkins is afraid to tackle anyone. They have also been decimated by injury. The Cowboys need to take advantage of this deep class of CB's.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Both Nate Livings and Bobbie Williams are set to become free agents after the season. Livings isn't that good and Williams is getting old. They have Boling to replace one of them or Anthony Collins. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in this class and I would love this pick. I'm a huge fan of using early picks on one line or the other. I'm a firm believer in winning football starts up front no matter if it's pee wee or the NFL.

The Bengals haven't used a high draft pick on an interior offensive lineman since taking Steinbach in the 2nd round. Getting DeCastro to solidify the line would give the Bengals a chance to have one of the better offenses in the NFL for years to come. They are loaded with young skill players and have what looks to be a promising young QB in Andy Dalton. This offense along with a strong defense with a secondary with improved depth would give the Bengals a window to make a Super Bowl run. Especially having at least nine picks within the first 3 rounds of the next two drafts.

22. New York Jets- Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

Good Nose Tackles are very hard to find. The Jets defense was dominant a few years ago when they had Kris Jenkins starting in the middle up front. He's since been on the IR most of the time and the defense hasn't been the same since.

23. Denver Broncos- Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

John Fox is a defensive coach who loves to run the football. I don't think he's a huge fan of Moreno and McGahee is getting too old to play RB in the NFL. Miller is the best available RB and Fox doesn't shy away from taking RB's in the first.

24. Cleveland Browns- Micheal Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Browns have two picks in the first round because they passed on Julio Jones this year and got a group of picks in return from Atlanta. While most agree that was a good trade for the Browns they still don't have a legit threat at WR. They have to get a WR with one of the two first round picks. They still don't know what they have at QB with Colt McCoy, but you can't give McCoy an honest evaluation if he doesn't have any weapons on offense to work with.

25. Detroit Lions- Peter Konz, OC, Wisconsin

The Lions need some offensive line help. This is the first year that Stafford hasn't gotten injured. If the Lions want this to continue they need to get him some protection. Center is the weakest spot and in my opinion also the most important spot on the line. Yes, even more important than Left Tackle. The Center makes the line calls and pressure up the middle is the most disruptive to a QB.

26. Houston Texans- Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

Broyles is undervalued because of his size. Look how much Oklahoma has struggled since Broyles went out. Broyles has excellent speed, hands, a vertical, and ability to get seperation. He would be a perfect compliment to Andre Johnson and his return ability adds to his value.

27. Baltimore Ravens- Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Ray Lewis has had a hall of fame career. He is also still playing at a high level. Lewis can't play forever though and Manti could be his heir apparent as the leader in the middle of that defense. He could play inside next to Lewis until Ray decides to hang up his cleats and then take over.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama

If Jones declares his value will shoot up because he has the versatility to play about anywhere on the offensive line. The Steelers have had holes all over their offensive line for years. Really I'm suprised they've won as much as they have with the problems on that line. That just proves that defense wins championships is true.

29. New England Patriots- Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Pats traded Richard Seymour to the Raiders a couple years ago and have been looking for a replacement every since. With the explosive offense they have run by Tom Brady, if they can get just an average pass rush and make their defense middle of the pack they'll probably be favorites to win the Super Bowl.

30. San Francisco 49ers- Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

The Niners have a good defense and running game which is a formula for success in football. However if they wanna make a run at winning a Super Bowl they're going to need some more playmakers at WR. Braylon Edwards isn't going to cut it, and Crabtree hasn't lived up to his hype at all.

31. New England Patriots- Vinny Currey, DE/OLB, Marshall

If the Pats can land Ingram to put at DE and Currey to come off the edge at OLB they will significantly upgrade their pass rush and the entire defense. I think this is the year NE actually uses both their first round picks.

32. Green Bay Packers- Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

I've been mocking a Tackle to the Packers for months now. This was when it looked like they didn't have any holes. Now with all the injuries on the offensive line they suddenly look beatable and lost to KC last weekend. Also when you have a QB the caliber of Aaron Rodgers spending a high pick on an offensive lineman is a good idea and should be done as much as possible. If you keep Rodgers protected he stays healthy and if he has time he will pick defenses apart and win you more Super Bowls.

2nd Round

33. Indianapolis Colts- Devon Still, DT/DE, Penn State

Teams have been able to run on the Colts for years. It didn't show as much because Manning had them a lead and teams were forced to throw. Now it's time for them to become a more well rounded team.

34. Minnesota Vikings- Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia Tech

The CB play in Minnesota has been awful this year. Teams have thrown all over the Vikings. Minnifield is a 1st round talent, but because this class is loaded with CB's he may fall to the 2nd round.

35. St. Louis Rams- Kelechi Osemele, OT/OG, Iowa State

It's amazing the Rams still need help at Tackle being they've taken 3 of them early in the past few years, including one a 2nd overall pick with arms that are too short and he needs to be moved to Guard. You would think with all the money spent on scouting and on these teams in general someone would've noticed that before drafting him 2nd overall.

36. Cleveland Browns- Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

This is the Browns 3rd pick within the first 36 picks. Brown is the best player left on the board if he falls this far. With all these high picks Cleveland has to take the best player available as much as possible as they've been bad for years and need to add the best talent they can.

37. Jacksonville Jaguars- Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

The Jags took Reggie Nelson in the first round and whiffed on him a few years ago, even though he's playing well in Cincinnati. They've still been struggling at Safety and here can get Barron who could easily go in the first round.

38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bucs could very well go CB in the first two rounds in next year's draft. Ronde Barber may retire and Talib may go to jail. If that happens they go from two good starting CB's to zero and have to completely reload. In a division with Brees, Ryan, and Newton it could be tough starting two rookie CB's.

39. Washington Redskins- Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

The Redskins actually have a lot of pieces in place, but when you have bad QB play it's tough to overcome that. Also if they take a QB in the first round they are lacking weapons at WR and will need to add to that position early in next year's draft.

40. Miami Dolphins- Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

If the Dolphins land a 1st round rookie QB this would be a good pick. A rookie QB's best friend, other than a good running game, is a good pass catching TE. Allen is the best in this draft and Jones could develop a rapport with him for years.

41. Carolina Panthers- Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

Teams have thrown the ball all over the Panthers this year. If their defense could slow teams down at all they may have close to a .500 record. You can go about fixing this two ways, add to the pass rush or cover CB's.

42. Buffalo Bills- Ronnell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma

The Bills have been transitioning from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense over the past two seasons. They had an early 1st round pick in Aaron Maybin as a pass rusher, but he doesn't fit their new system and they need to add new personnel to fit their defense.

43. Philadelphia Eagles- Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Andy Reid loves to draft offensive lineman early and often and here it fits a need and is the best player available. Glenn can play across from Danny Watkins and give the Eagles one of the best young Guard tandems in the NFL, turning what was a huge weakness a year ago into a strength.

44. Kansas City Chiefs- Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama

Todd Haley has been fired so I don't know what defense the Chiefs will run next season. If they keep Romeo Cronnell around they will keep the 3-4 and will need a legit nose tackle.

45. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

Teams have run right up the gut on the Eagles all season. Some people are blaming that wide nine defense they run. I blame it on them being soft up the middle. If they add Kuechly and Thompson that'll be a huge step in fixing that.

46. Tennessee Titans- Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon

The Titans should take advantage of this loaded class of CB's because they have needed an upgrade across from Cortland Finnegan for years.

47. San Diego Chargers- Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt

Quinton Jammer is in his thirties and after trading Cromartie they've needed to add another CB for the last two years. In other years Heyward could be a fringe 1st/2nd round pick.

48. Seattle Seahawks- Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina

Seattle just traded Aaron Currey to SF for a low draft pick. What happened there? Wasn't Currey supposed to be the safest, surest pick in the draft his year coming out. Anyway Seattle now needs a SAM LB.

49. New York Giants- Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Giants current middle LB, Chase Blackburn, is a free agent after this season. He needs to be upgraded anyways as do the other LB spots on the Giants.

50. New England Patriots- Billy Winn, DT/DE, Boise State

Bill Belicheck likes to take the best player available and Winn would likely be that this late in the draft. This would also give the Pats good young depth at DE with the additions of Winn and Ingram. You could even play Currey there if you had to.

51. Chicago Bears- Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

I wouldn't be suprised if the Bears took offensive lineman with their first four picks in this draft. They've needed upgrades across the line for years. It's showing this year with Cutler out and he's been the most sacked the past two seasons.

52. Dallas Cowboys- Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

This draft has 3 Nose Tackles that could go in the first two rounds which is rare. The Cowboys are set at NT, but you could always use depth as you are just an injury away from struggling at a position it's hard to find a replacement. With guys that big injuries can happen easily.

53. Cincinnati Bengals- Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Bengals had some luck getting a RB in the 2nd round from Washington one other time, Corey Dillon. Cedric Benson is okay, but he's getting old for a RB and with a good run blocking line is averaging less than 4 yards a carry which isn't very good. Polk is a big power guy that has the speed to break off the long run. Adding someone like Polk to an already talented young offense will just make them that much more explosive. If the draft plays out like this for the Bengals a Super Bowl run could be in order soon. It's exciting to say that as a long suffering Bengals fan.

54. New York Jets- Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

This pick sends a message to Mark Sanchez that you better pick your game up. Rex Ryan wants to win it all, anything less is unacceptable. That's not gonna happen with Sanchez at QB. I think Rex is going to explore some options at the end of the season, especially if the Bengals get in the playoffs over the Jets.

55. Denver Broncos- Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M

Champ Bailey can't play forever right? He's getting old and injured more often every year. The Broncos will likely add a CB early for depth at least.

56. Atlanta Falcons- Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma

I thought the Falcons should have taken a DE instead of trading up for Julio Jones this year's draft. In thier playoff game against Green Bay, Abraham looked exhausted as he's all they have in terms of pass rush.

57. Detroit Lions- Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

I'm sure the Lions will like picking lower for once and not having to pay these rookies an arm and a leg. The Lions need to go O line in the first, then secondary in the 2nd, then back to the O line in the 3rd, and you get the picture, O line and secondary!

58. Houston Texans- TJ McDonald, FS, USC

The Texans defense is much improved with Wade Phillips calling the defense. However they went into this season undermanned in the secondary. They did add Jonathon Joseph, but they still need Safety help.

59. Baltimore Ravens- Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Ozzie Newsome is a big proponent of taking the best player available and that would be Sanu at this point. He's a physical WR like Boldin who has been hurt a lot lately and would be good insurance to have behind Boldin and Torrey Smith.

60. Pittsburgh Steelers- Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

Sanders is a smaller, more athletic offensive lineman which you would think wouldn't fit the Steelers smash mouth style of offense. Except the Steelers don't run that type of offense anymore they throw the ball a ton.

61. New Orleans Saints- Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy would be a good compliment next to Sedric Ellis on the interior of the Saints defensive line. Ellis is more athletic and gets after the passer while Worthy can get after the passer but is better at playing the run.

62. San Francisco 49ers- Ray Ray Armstrong, SS, Miami

The Niners took Taylor Mays in the 2nd round in last year's draft and gave up on him quick. They still need to upgrade at the position, and if it doesn't work out they can always trade him to the Bengals for a 7th rounder.

63. New England Patriots- DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

Everyone knows the Pats have a good offense, but they are flawed as they don't really have a deep threat. Bringing in Posey would give them that. Also people in New England that want memorabilia just find a good tattoo artist and you can get a jersey or whatever.

64. Green Bay Packers- LaMicheal James, RB, Oregon

James would be a good fit in the Packers explosive offense. Can you imagine him as a check down option, with all of those talented WR's he'd get the ball in space a lot and would be dangerous.