| 25 April 2012
This is it. Draft Day is here. It's our FINAL 2012 NFL Mock Draft, complete with the first three rounds.
Not many surprises with the top 5 picks, it starts to get VERY interesting at pick #7.
1 . Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
-Already picked, the Colts get the best quarterback, who could even lead them to a fringe playoff berth this season.
2 . Washington Redkskins - Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
-Ideal fit for Shanahan's system, don't expect playoff-caliber ability until he further develops as a consistent pocket passer.
3 . Minnesota Vikings - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
-Neither Kalil nor Claiborne fit the Vikings system, but Claiborne more scheme versatile. Ideally liked to trade back, but still may target Claiborne regardless. Don't ruleout Stephen Gilmore if they move back as well.
4 . Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
-Seemed locked in this pick, could move up to #3 to secure it. Sets the tone for an offense lacking playmakers.
5 . Tampa Bay Bucs - Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
-An ideal scheme fit, Gilmore is a risk this high in the draft in my opinion, but he can allow them to move Aqib Talib with less worries.
6 . St. Louis Rams - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
-They made trade up to secure him, but amazing the Rams got two extra first rounders and a 2nd, and STILL may get the guy they wanted all along.
7 . Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
-Could fit well as a short area, run after catch receiver like Gabbert had at Missouri with Jeremy Maclin. Plus, fits the Mike Mularky mold as well.
8 . Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
-Seems like the best spot for Tannehill, but I'm not convinced they REALLY want him all that bad. Interesting to see this pick, as it'll have a lot of mid 1st round teams curious what to do.
9 . Carolina Panthers - Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
-Have heard they are either going Gilmore or Kuechly, who's ever here. They took two DTs in the 3rd round last year, and they are likely hoping they develop, Kuechly can either play WLB or push Beason over there.
10 . Buffalo Bills - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
-In a "win now" mode, the Bills opt for a great complement to Stevie Johnson to give Ryan Fitzpatrick support on offense.
11 . Kansas City Chiefs - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
-ILB may be tempting, but based on their restricted free agency and recent signings, it's not a high priced need, though Dont'a Hightower does fit. DeCastro gives them maybe the most complete offensive line in the AFC.
12 . Seattle Seahawks - Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
-Targeting the surprising first rounder, Jones or Melvin Ingram likely will be the pick. Ingram fits the Chris Clemons role better, but Jones has the higher ceiling for them.
13 . Arizona Cardinals - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
-Would strongly consider Michael Floyd if he's here, but they prefer Reiff over any OT in this class not named Matt Kalil.
14 . Dallas Cowboys - Mark Barron, S, Alabama
-Despite the smokescreens, the Cowboys should stay patient and nab Mark Barron here at pick #14.
15 . Philadelphia Eagles - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
-May trade up to get him, but Fletcher Cox is their target and he may fall here regardless. If he's gone, look Brockers, maybe a cornerback.
16 . New York Jets - Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
-Dream scenerio for the Jets, they get the versatile Ingram for Rex Ryan to develop. Floyd here would be tempting. Don't rule out Jonathan Martin at RT or Rueben Randle at WR.
17 . Cincinnati Bengals (via Oak) - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
-Looking at Kirkpatrick, Upshaw, and a receiver with their first two picks. With Kirkpatrick likely being targeted by Tennessee, they opt for him first. Good fit.
18 . San Diego Chargers - Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
-The Chargers take another high riser in the draft process, McClellin hopefully will be more like Shawn Merriman than Larry English for this team.
19 . Chicago Bears - Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
-Hoping Chandler Jones falls around here, Coples is their target of the guys like to be around. I doubt they go OT, but WR and DT are in the mix too if Coples/Jones are gone.
20 . Tennessee Titans - Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
-Likely to take the best athlete, this pick likely comes down to Mercilus, Bruce Irvin, or Stephen Hill. Mercilus fits the need better, can contribute this season.
21 . Cincinnati Bengals - Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
-Upshaw is an option, but can they pass up on a top receiver with a high ceiling in this draft? With Jerome Simpson gone, Randle can replace him and more.
22 . Cleveland Browns - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
-Ideally would rather Rueben Randle, they "settle" for the short area quickness receiver with deep play ability. If they miss on Floyd/Randle, they'll need to bank on Greg Little working out.
23 . Detroit Lions - Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
-Targeting an OT in best case scenerio, Glenn will be maybe a OG to start, but may be their LT of the future. And they aren't the only ones to think that's his future.
24 . Pittsburgh Steelers - Keith Zeitler, OG, Pittsburgh
-Ideally looking for an OG here because Marcus Gilbert is set at RT, Zeitler goes against the "BPA" routine for the Steelers, but he can plug and play now.
25 . Denver Broncos - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
-May go higher, the Broncos get a long, talented DT to fill up the middle. Could look at Jerel Worthy, Brandon Thompson as well.
26 . Houston Texans - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
-Looking for a big play receiver opposite Andre Johnson, odds are one of the three targets (Randle, Hill, Wright in that order) will be here. If not, look OLB.
27 . New England Patriots (via NO) - Don’t'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
-Get the falling Hightower, he adds some pass rush on the interior as well as scheme versatility.
28 . Green Bay Packers - Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
-The high motor, powerful interior rushing outside linebacker, they could be getting another 10 sack a year guy opposite Matthews. Would rather McClellin.
29 . Baltimore Ravens - Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
-Perry may slip out of round one, he's too athlete for them pass up with a probable hole opposite Terrell Suggs. May look Peter Konz as well.
30 . San Francisco 49ers - Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State
-With over-rated needs of CB and WR, they target a RG to complete their OL. May rather Keith Zeitler, but he likely won't be here.
31 . New England Patriots - Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
-Not a great fit, could see a team trade up here for Poe, Brandon Weeden, Janoris Jenkins, or Doug Martin. If they stay, it'll be between Poe and Devon Still.
32 . New York Giants - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
-Likely getting the OT the Cardinals DON'T pick, Martin can fit well early on. Lamar Miller, Coby Fleener, and maybe a surprise WR could be the target (AJ Jenkins?).
ROUND TWO
33 . St. Louis Rams - Devon Still, DT, Penn State
34 . Indianapolis Colts - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
35 . Minnesota Vikings - Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa State
36 . Tampa Bay Bucs - Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
37 . Cleveland Browns - Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
38 . Jacksonville Jaguars - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
39 . St. Louis Rams - Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
40 . Carolina Panthers - Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
41 . Buffalo Bills - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
42 . Miami Dolphins - Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall
43 . Seattle Seahawks - Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
44 . Kansas City Chiefs - Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virgina
45 . Dallas Cowboys - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
46 . Philadelphia Eagles - Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska
47 . New York Jets - David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
48 . New England Patriots (via OAK) - Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
49 . San Diego Chargers - Bobbie Massie, OT, Ole Miss
50 . Chicago Bears - AJ Jenkins, WR, Illiinois
51 . Philadelphia Eagles (via Ari) - Brandon Boykin, CB, Georiga
52 . Tennessee Titans - Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State
53 . Cincinatti Bengals - Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
54 . Detroit Lions - Josh Robinson, CB, UCF
55 . Atlanta Falcons - Mitchell Schwartz, OT/OG, California
56 . Pittsburgh Steelers - Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
57 . Denver Broncos - Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)
58 . Houston Texans - Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
59 . Green Bay Packers - Chris Polk, RB, Washington
60 . Baltimore Ravens - Kendall Reyes, DT, Uconn
61 . San Francisco 49ers - Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson
62 . New England Patriots - Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
63 . New York Giants - Marvin Jones, WR, California
ROUND 3
64 . Indianapolis Colts - Derek Wolfe, DT/DE, Cincinnati
65 . St. Louis Rams - Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
66 . Minnesota Vikings - Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada
67 . Cleveland Browns - Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
68 . Tampa Bay Bucs - Sean Spence, OLB, Miami (FL)
69 . Washington Redskins - Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
70 . Jacksonville Jaguars - Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
71 . Buffalo Bills - Russel Wilson, QB, NC State
72 . Miami Dolphins - Jeff Allen, OG/OT, Illinois
73 . Miami Dolphins - Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
74 . Kansas City Chiefs - Mychal Kendricks, ILB, California
75 . Seattle Seahawks - Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas
76 . Houston Texans - Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
77 . New York Jets - Mohammad Sanu, WR, Rutgers
78 . San Diego Chargers - George Iloka, S, Boise State
79 . Chicago Bears - Matt McCants, OT, UAB
80 . Arizona Cardianls - Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia
81 . Dallas Cowboys - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
82 . Tennessee Titans - Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (OH)
83 . Cincinatti Bengals - Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State
84 . Atlanta Falcons - Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
85 . Detroit Lions - Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
86 . Pittsburgh Steelers - James Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada
87 . Denver Broncos - Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
88 . Philadelphia Eagles - Bobby Wagner, ILB, Utah State
89 . New Orleans Saints - Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
90 . Green Bay Packers - Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
91 . Baltimore Ravens - James Brown, OG, Troy
92 . San Francisco 49ers - TY Hilton, WR, Florida International
93 . New England Patriots - Dwight Bentley, CB, Louis-Lafayette
94 . New York Giants - LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
