My final 2012 NFL mock draft of who I think the teams will take, tomorrow I reveal who I would take, but that doesn’t really matter for record keeping purposes.
Note a * indicates a possible trade up destination.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Um…
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
Well…
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, LT USC *
Still here?
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
This is still the boring part of the draft.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
Everything going as expected, which means that this likely won’t happen. If 98% of all mock drafts have the same first five picks, then something is wrong.
6. St. Louis Rams: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi St
I’ve waffled on this pick for the last week, and the reason is simply I don’t understand the thought process on passing on NEEDED weapons for Sam Bradford. Everyone that reads me knows my affinity for Justin Blackmon, but why not take Michael Floyd here? Is the drop off from Cox to Devon Still/Jerel Worthy really that great?
I guess the same question is asked about Blackmon/Floyd to Randle/Sanu/Jeffery and maybe even Brian Quick.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma St*
I can almost 100% guarantee this isn’t the pick, but it makes the most sense to me. I really think that the Jags take either Stephen Gilmore or… Chandler Jones.
But for the integrity of the rest of my mock, I am going with the safe pick of Blackmon.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M
When I feel so sure of something it is likely not to happen, so take this for what it is worth, but I like Tannehill to get to learn from Philbin, and sit for a year, maybe two and then take over.
9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT Memphis *
The Panthers like Cox, Cox is gone, no other DT warrants a pick this high, and I have some good information that Coples and Ingram aren’t getting taken in the top 10. So I am going with a bit of a reach, but a guy that the Panthers and Ron Rivera can get this guy into a great position to succeed.
10 Buffalo Bills: Stephen Gilmore, CB South Carolina
Where there is smoke, well there is a smoke screen usually, but all this clamoring of Gilmore going higher makes me think he will be the pick if he makes it this far to a team in Buffalo that needs a top shelf CB to go with a good stable of second and third cornerbacks.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G Stanford
I wanted to mock Poe here, but he is gone. DeCastro steps in and solidifies a line that may just be the best in the NFL after this off season.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College
Seattle’s defense gets better? Let’s just move on while I weep.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame *
The conundrum of conundrums here for the Cardinals and their fans. Kent Somers mocked Riley Reiff, Mike Jurecki is in the same boat, and I asked Darren Urban and he agrees.
The truth of the matter is, offensive line talent can be found in rounds 3-7, at 13 you have to find a difference maker.
I took the difference makers, the guys who know the Cardinals took the offensive lineman, we shall see who was correct. (Hint I would side with the insiders).
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S Alabama
The Cowboys want Barron, so do a lot of other teams apparently.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina
I’ve had Brockers here forever, changing to a possible elite rush end, or a guy who can gain weight and become a difference maker on the inside of an attacking defensive line.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama
Again, no one gets more out of Upshaw than Rex Ryan, I love the fit.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama
Another perfect marriage between need and value.
18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, OLB Illinois
The debates will rage on, some think Mercilus can be this year’s Aldon Smith type pass rusher, others believe he will struggle to play standing up. I think Mercilus has the chance to be very good.
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Brockers, DT LSU
Remember the good Tommy Harris, so do the Bears.
20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OT Georgia
Creating space for Chris Johnson and keeping Matt Hasselbeck upright, it’s a win/win.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB Boise St
The perfect back to compliment Andy Dalton and AJ Green would be a reach to some, but those that follow me know I love Martin.
22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR Baylor
The Browns get weapons at 4 and 22; I guess that was a good trade with the Falcons.
23. Detroit Lions: Riley Reiff, OT Iowa
The semi slide stops and the Lions happily pick a solid right tackle.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, ILB Alabama
Another perfect marriage and something that won’t happen because it makes too much sense.
25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT Penn St
John Fox is still calling the shots, so improving that defense is a must, of course if that Manning guy has any say you could see a WR or Coby Fleener here.
26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR Georgia Tech
The Texans need help at WR, and Hill can provide an immediate deep threat and learn from one of the best.
27. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina
Versatility, need and the right scheme make this a home run, and could end up being a steal.
28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, OLB USC
There is a chance that 27 and 28 are flip flopped, both fill needs, but Perry is going to look good playing across from the other USC alum.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C Wisconsin
I am hearing a lot of chatter that the Ravens will go defense here. That makes sense, but so does a starting guard and eventual replacement for Matt Birk.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G Midwestern St
Again a division foe getting better, let’s just skim over this.
31. New England Patriots: Trumaine Johnson, S Montana
This is garnering a lot of traction, and honestly I love it. Moves into the centerfield role, and can learn from the Hoodie.
32. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
The Giants are the beneficiary of another very good player falling for no reason, that’s why they are the champs.
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