2012 Mock Draft

We are exactly 1 week away from the 2012 NFL Draft and that means its time release my Mock Draft. None of this is gospel and I have no idea what is really going to happen next Thursday. Quite frankly, anyone that tells you they know what players are going where is full of sh*t. We’re all clueless. Let’s just be honest about it. But these are some guesses on what could
happen.

There are gonna be trades. I expect there to be more trades in the first round than we’ve seen in recent history. Some of you are going to laugh when you see Weedon’s name in the first round. But I’m sure that all of you that are laughing expected 4 QB’s to be drafted in the first 12 picks last year. QB’s get over valued. This year won’t be any different. Same thing goes for Wide Outs. Getting a good one is tough to do and teams are starting to reach for them earlier and earlier. Last year, Atlanta paid a hefty sum for the opportunity to draft Julio Jones. It happens.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together, and as always, feel free to comment. Let’s get to it!



1.1 Colts – Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford). This is an easy one really. Barring some sort of injury this has been the pick since about week 4 of last season. That’s about the time the fans in Indy started wearing Luck jerseys to the games. Any other pick would be a PR night mare.

1.2 Redskins – Robert Griffin (QB, Baylor). No surprise here. Many think he’s the best QB in the draft and is worthy of the number one overall pick.

1.3 Vikings – Matt Kalil (OT, Southern Cal). This is the last of the gimme picks in this year’s draft. Personally, I think that a strong case could be made for taking Richardson (RB, Alabama) here. Peterson continues to have injury issues and isn’t getting any younger. But there’s too much money tied up in Peterson, and Ziggy wants a new stadium so Kalil will be the pick.

1.4 Browns – Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama). Mike Holmgren is the Kingpin of the early portion of round 1. So this is where things get interesting. Having missed out on Griffin, Manning, Flynn, etc. they find themselves in the Colt McCoy business. There’s nothing worse than trying to talk yourself into believing a QB is good. Many believe that Tannehil (QB, Texas A &M) will be the pick here. I don’t think Holmgren will draft another project QB. And if he does it certainly won’t be with the 4th overall pick. Others believe that it makes more sense to give McCoy an offensive weapon at the wide out spot. This would mean drafting Blackmon (WR, OK St). I think Trent is the pick here. I grew up believing that a QB’s best friend is a solid running game. Having that in Cleveland should buy the Browns another year with Colt, or another Rookie, at the helm.

1.5 Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne (CB, LSU). This pick is one of the more obvious ones. If Richardson were still available it might give them pause but Claiborne still needs to be the pick. Aquib Talib is talented, but he’s a head case and has Pacman Jones type tendencies. Ronde is old. While his mind is still willing, his flesh is clearly weak. Add to this the rumored move to Safety (which should have happened 2 years ago). Bottom line, is that Claiborne becomes a no brainer at 5.



1.6 Rams – Justin Blackmon (WR, OK St). Personally I think the Rams need more help on the defensive side of the ball. But I also recognize that they won’t pass up an opportunity to add weapon at the Wide Receiver position. Particularly after losing Brandon Lloyd earlier this offseason.

1.7 Jaguars – Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame). Jacksonville needs everything. Hell, they could even use a solid back up at RB, since there’s no way Pocket Hercules can continue to carry this team without getting more help. Blain Gabbert is awful. There’s not much pass rush to speak of. Quite frankly this team is a mess. They could take Coples (DE, North Carolina) or Ingram (LB, South Carolina). It would be a solid move and probably what they should do. But the owner is in love with Gabbert and that means getting him some weapons to play with. It also means that drafting a QB here (namely Tannehil) won’t happen. So they’ll draft Floyd along with his drinking problem. Then somewhere around week 5 Henne will be brought in to pick up the pieces. Are there any Jaguars in Los Angeles?

1.8 Dolphins – Ryan Tannehil (QB, Texas A & M). To be honest I don’t think believe that Tannehil is worth a top 20 pick, let alone being drafted at 8. But having missed out on Manning and Flynn; and having settled on Gerard (?); they’ve painted themselves into a corner. They just don’t have a choice anymore. So Tannehil will find himself reunited with his HC from college and begin competing immediately for the starting role.

1.9 Panthers – Fletcher Cox (DT, Mississippi). This is a “Belief” pick. It’s another situation where Coples Ingram or possibly even Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis) could (and maybe even should) get drafted. But Carolina’s defensive middle was so soft last year that I just don’t know how they can pass up filling it with a big body Cox’s. He doesn’t have the work ethic questions that may have to be answered if they were to select Poe. Still in order to pick him at 9 someone in Carolina will have to “Believe” that he’s the real deal and as Mike Mayock likes to say, “be willing to pound the table in defense of drafting him over Ingram or Coples. I think the need for interior line play is strong enough to pull the trigger on Cox.

1.10 Bills – Riley Reiff (OT, Iowa). With the exception of possibly WR, the greatest need the Bills have is on the O-line. Quite frankly they can’t afford to pass Reiff up. David DeCastro (OG, Stanford) is also a possibility here but I think Reiff gets the nod.

1.11 Chiefs – David DeCastro (OG, Stanford). If you’re a Chiefs fan you’ve gotta be sick of seeing your QB get his tail handed to him every time he drops back to pass. Especially if it means that you end up sending your 3rd stringer out there because everyone else has gotten hurt. So unless Tannehil is still on the board, the pick should go to fixing the woes on the O-line.



1.12 Seahawks – Quinton Coples (DE, North Carolina). Seattle finds themselves in the unique position of not really being able to screw up the 12th pick (unless they reach for a QB). The biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball. The specific needs are for a stud pass rusher or quality LB. I love Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College), and if he’s the pick I’m ok with it. But it’s impossible to pass up Quinton Coples at this spot.

1.13 Cardinals – Cordy Glenn (OL, Georgia). Zona has needs. Lots of ‘em. Despite winning 7 games last year they have more holes than they can possibly fill. But they should start with fixing things up front. Glenn played both Guard positions and Left Tackle over the course of 36 games in college. He’s versatile and should still be there at 13.

1.14 Cowboys – Mark Barron (S, Alabama). Sort of a no-brainer here for Dallas. Too many issues in the secondary and not all of them could be addressed in Free Agency. You could make a strong argument for Dre Kirkpatrick (CB, Alabama) or Stephon Gilmore (CB, South Carolina) but I’m not sold on either them being as complete a player as Barron. Dontari Poe is also a possibility here but I wouldn’t count on it as the secondary just has to get fixed.

1.15 Eagles – Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis). Philly lost a lot of games last year where they simply rolled over against the run. In fact they let 3 NFC West teams embarrass their run defense last year, so finding a run stuffer really should be a priority for them. I’ve seen a few Mock Drafts that have Michael Brockers going to the city of brotherly love. But Andy Reid loves a project, and he loves to prove that he can mold a player that others are willing to pass on.

1.16 Jets – Melvin Ingram (LB, South Carolina). The only thing that the Jets need more than a Quarter Back, is a Safety. But since neither are available here at 16, their eyes should gravitate towards improving the pass rush. Coach Ryan will love having this someone around who’s hero is Ray Lewis.

1.17 Bengals – Jonathan Martin (OL, Stanford) I gave a lot of consideration to Mike Adams (OL, Ohio St.) at this pick but I think he’ll be there at 21 when the Bengals pick again. Andy Whitworth did a decent job last year. But if you’re in a division with the Ravens and the Steelers it can’t hurt to continue shoring up the O-line. I’m of the opinion that Adams is more of Guard at the next level, but he’s versatile enough to fill in at other spots if needed.

1.18 Chargers – Kendall Wright (WR, Baylor). Replacing Vincent Jackson won’t be easy. They’ve got a couple other solid options at wide out already with Brown, Floyd, and Crayton. But at the very least losing Jackson means losing quality depth. O-line is another position that will need to be addressed.

1.19 Bears – Michael Brockers (DT, LSU). Packer fans will hate this pick and that should be good enough reason for any Bear fan.

1.20 Titans – Dre Kirkpatrick (CB, Alabama). It was tough for me to avoid a WR pick here. But ever since the days of Pacman Jones there’s been a growing need. Kirkpatrick is as good a start to fixing this problem as will be available with the 20th pick.



1.21 Bengals – Mike Adams (OL, Ohio St.). This is a growing theme of mine for the Bengals. Protecting young Andy Dalton has to be a priority. Everything else will flow from there. I’m of the opinion that Adams is more of Guard at the next level, but he’s versatile enough to fill in at other spots if needed.

1.22 Browns – Brandon Weedon (QB, OK St.). We know someone is going to make a reach and none of us really believe that Cleveland has long term faith in Colt McCoy. Add to all of this the hubris that Holmgren has in his ability to make anyone a good QB (Seneca Wallace anyone?) and I can really see the Browns spending the 22nd pick on a Quarter Back.

1.23 Lions – Stephen Hil (WR, Georgia Tech). I know what a lot of you are thinking. They don’t need another Wide Receiver. What they need most is help in the secondary. You’re right. But there’s not one name in the secondary that I would trust at 23. But I’ll tell you what does sound familiar. A big Georgia Tech WR (Hill is 6 ft 4), with decent speed (he ran a 4:36 at the Combine), and good hands. Now I’m not saying that he’s another Calvin Johnson. Hill needs to work on his route running and, I’d love to see him develop more of a “my ball” mentality.

1.24 Steelers – Courtney Upshaw (LB, Alabama). Pittsburgh is notorious for taking the best available player on the board. Upshaw has been projected as high as 7th overall so seeing him still available at 24 is an easy fit. His football IQ is good enough to grasp anything that the Steelers will throw at him with their complex schemes.

1.25 Broncos – Whitney Mercilus (DE, Illinois.). After missing out on Jeff Saturday this off season it would be easy to see Denver select Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin) but where they really need help is on the defensive line. I know some don’t view it this way but currently they’re rolling with Ty Warren and Kevin Vickerson. The correct response to these names is “who?” If Mercilus is still there 25 he has to be the pick.

1.26 Texans – Reuben Randle (WR, LSU). Our final WR to be drafted in the first round will be Randle. It’s a reach, but this is the spot that they’ll want to address. They could also be leaning towards Coby Fleener (TE, Stanford) but I’ve never been a fan of drafting a Tight End in the first round.

1.27 Patriots – Jerel Worthy (DT, Michigan St.). I’m lying if I say that I have even the slightest inkling what Bellichick is going to do here. But I have to imagine that it will be something to help out the defensive line. Last year they tried fixing this hole with free agency. It’s time to get young again.



1.28 Packers – Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College). The rich get richer. Clay Matthews needs some help on the other side. Enter Luke Kuechly. He’s smart and has a nose for the ball. He’ll be a nice addition to the green and gold.

1.29 Ravens – Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin). One of the easier picks at this stage of the draft. Getting help at Center is something that Baltimore has to do.

1.30 49ers – Coby Fleener (TE, Stanford). Captain Khaki knows the kid and what he’s capable of. And as much as I hate the premise of “he coached him in college so he’ll draft him in the pros…” Harbaugh has proven that he has an affinity for his guys. Why else would he pick up Josh Johnson as a Free Agent.

1.31 Patriots – Harrison Smith (DB, Notre Dame). Jan Jenkins was a possibility here but he’s way too fond of the ganja to spend a 1st round pick on. Bellichick has always been smart about the true value of a player.

1.32 Giants – Don’t’a Highttower (LB, Alabama). He’s as NFL ready as they come and defensive depth is a valued commodity in the Big Apple.

There you have it folks. My thoughts on how Round 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft could play out. Pass the chips please.