The official draft order is nearly all but set, and with just over two weeks until the start of the 2012 NFL Combine I have come out with my 2nd mock draft of the season. These projections are based on specific team needs and the value each player presents to the prospective team I have matched them up with. I would love to hear any input or feedback you have about your favorite teams pick as I am constantly searching for ideas on who should go where. Hope you enjoy the content!
1- Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck
The more we hear about Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts decision to pick up his contract or not, the more I feel like they will choose to let him walk and take the best quarterback prospect to come out since Peyton in Stanford’s Andrew Luck.
2- St. Louis Rams: OT Matt Kalil
The Rams could choose to trade down here but I think it would be wise of them to invest in a franchise left tackle like Kalil. Sam Bradford was abused last season and although they need to add pass catchers, protecting their investment is much more important…not to mention this is a deep draft class for wide receivers and franchise left tackles are much harder to find than #1 wide receivers. Bradford has been sacked over 2.5 times per game in his 26 career starts with the Rams.
*3- Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III
*Projected Trade w/Vikings
Normally I don’t like to include trades within my mock drafts but the Vikings lost out on Kalil and could stand to add draft picks, while teams like the Redskins will be looking to trade up to get in front of the Browns for the opportunity to select dynamic play-maker Robert Griffin III. The Redskins have seen what a player like Michael Vick can bring to the table in the NFC East and will jump at the opportunity to add one of the most exciting players in this draft.
4- Cleveland Browns: RB Trent Richardson
The Browns lose out on RG3 but find a dynamic player themselves in Richardson, who can get the running game going and help out Colt McCoy and the struggling offense. Peyton Hillis has fallen out of favor in Cleveland and Montario Hardesty has shown and done little with the opportunities he has been given to this point. The Browns aren’t quite ready to give up on Colt McCoy before they provide him with some play makers on offense, and adding Richardson’s services will surely help open up the passing game.
5- Tampa Bay Bucanneers: CB Morris Clairborne
In a division against teams like the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers who all have dynamic offenses and key players at the skill positions, the Buccaneers would prove wise to invest in secondary players who can limit these dynamic offenses. Clairborne is a potential shut-down corner who has great length and ball skills. Clairborne can come in and immediately start for a secondary that is becoming somewhat devoid of talent.
*6- Minnesota Vikings: OT Riley Reiff
*Projected trade w/Redskins
The Vikings missed out on Kalil but are able to move back and secure some picks for their future, while nabbing the 2nd best offensive tackle prospect in this draft. Reiff is a mid-western guy who excelled at wrestling at his high school in South Dakota. Reiff can immediately come in and start at right tackle for the Vikings, with the potential to move to the left side as he gains more experience. Justin Blackmon is an enticing option for the Vikings but protecting Christian Ponder is far more important to his development, as they will be able to secure a good wide receiver with later picks and potentially move back up into the first with the picks they would receive from the Redskins if they so choose.
7- Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Quinton Coples
Another tough decision for the Jaguars as Justin Blackmon is still available. However, the Jags choose to go in a different direction as Coples presents the most value. I think Blackmon will fall some after a disappointing showing in the 40 yard dash at the Combine so Coples is the choice here.
*8- Carolina Panthers: DT/DE Michael Brockers
*Picks 8 & 9 determined by coin flip
The offense got a big boost with the addition of Cam Newton and resurgence of Steve Smith at the wide receiver position so management chooses to address the defense this season. Brockers is a tall and big defensive lineman who can play in multiple schemes. He is a bit raw as a pass rusher and needs to develop more consistency, but Brocker’s upside is undeniable. Brockers has Richard Seymour type upside and with experience and coaching could become one of the better run stoppers in the league for a team who struggled to stop the run all season.
*9- Miami Dolphins: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram
*Picks 8 & 9 determined by coin flip
The Dolphins lack a quality pass rusher outside of Cameron Wake so they decide to choose one of the most dynamic and versatile defensive players in this entire draft. Ingram has explosive burst and is an incredible athlete for his size, who has the added capability to line up all over the defensive line and attack the oppositions quarterback from multiple angles. Ingram is an intriguing pawn piece for any defensive coordinator, especially those who are creative.
10- Buffalo Bills: OLB Courtney Upshaw
Perhaps the premier outside linebacker in this draft, Upshaw plays the run and pass very well and shows great understatement of leverage and how to disengage. He is incredibly effective a turning speed into power and although the Bills could use some help on the offensive side of the ball, Upshaw is just too good to pass up at this point.
*11- Kansas City Chiefs: OG David DeCastro
*Picks 11 & 12 determined by coin flip
Just falling out of the top 10, DeCastro is one of the best interior lineman to come out in quite some time. The running game is very important to the Chiefs offensive philosophy and although a Tackle like DeCastro’s team-mate Jonathon Martin could make some sense here; DeCastro is the better player of the two and presents the most value.
*12- Seattle Seahawks: QB Ryan Tannehill
*Picks 11 & 12 determined by coin flip
Pete Carrol has been tap dancing around selecting a franchise quarterback and it’s time he finally pulls the trigger and finds his franchise signal caller. Tannehill has a lot of tools to work with and a ton of upside as a passer, however he does need time and would be best served to sit an learn for a season before taking the reigns. Tannehill only has 19 career starts after playing Wide Receiver for the Aggies his first two seasons at Texas A&M.
13- Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonathon Martin
Although I am not sold on Martin becoming a left tackle in the NFL there is no doubting his run blocking abilities and should be an instant fit/upgrade over incumbent starter Levi Brown.
14- Dallas Cowboys: CB Janoris Jenkins
An almost forgotten man, Jenkins shined during Senior Bowl week and is heading in the right direction. The Cowboys need to address the secondary and upgrade the talent on the back-end. Jenkins has fluid hips and displays sound footwork and balance. If Jenkins can clear his name and get people to forgive and forget his past that lead him to being dismissed from the Florida football team he could wind up in the top 20 selections.
15- Philadelphia Eagles: LB Luke Kuechly
One of the biggest weaknesses of the Eagles defense this season was the play of the linebackers as they were consistently washed out and became liabilities against the run. It’s clear that Casey Matthews isn’t the answer at liddle Linebacker and adding a player with Kuechly’s instincts and recognition skills would be a step in the right direction for a team that struggled to find their defensive identity all season.
16- New York Jets: WR Justin Blackmon
Blackmon’s free fall finally stops with the Jets as he presents great value at this point for a team in need of some pass catchers. Plaxico Burress is unlikely to resign and Holmes criticism of quarterback Mark Sanchez has put him in the doghouse as locker room disruption. Blackmon is not overly fast or athletic and will disappoint in the 40 yard dash at the Combine at Indy. Nevertheless, Blackmon can become a reliable red-zone target for a team that struggled in the red-zone last season.
17- Cincinnati Bengals (From Raiders): CB Dre Kirkpatrick
A recent drug related arrest in which charges were dropped still has Kirkpatrick’s maturity and character in question. However, teams like the Bengals have generally looked past these off the field issues. Kirkpatrick is long, athletic, and physical and fills a big need for the Bengals after losing Jonathon Joseph to free agency last season and Leon Hall this season to an achilles injury.
18- San Diego Chargers: DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus
The Chargers are in desperate need of a pass rush and former first round pick Larry English has not worked out and has disappointed to this point in his career. Mercilus put up huge numbers this season after accumulating 16 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, and 22.5 tackles for a loss. Mercilus will likely be asked to switch positions and play 3-4 outside linebacker so it will be imperative that he can make the switch, so be sure to pay close attention to this during the upcoming Combine.
19- Chicago Bears: WR Michael Floyd
The Bears have put off drafting a top talent wide receiver prospect for Jay Cutler for far too long, so now is the time to add a big playmaker. Floyd has great size and can become the big play threat the Bears have been lacking on offense at the position for quite some time. Martz is out and Mike Tice has taken over the reigns and will surely pounce at the opportunity to add a player of Floyd’s caliber.
20- Tennessee Titans: DT Devon Still
The Titans have long been looking for Albert Hayneworth’s replacement, even after rookies Karl Klug and Jurrell Casey have demonstrated some success and ability in their first seasons. Still is a massive man with loads of upside due to his impressive size and strength. Still has powerfully violent hands, can stack and shed, and knows how to knife into the opponent’s backfield. He needs to develop more consistency but has too much upside to pass up.
21- Cincinnati Bengals: RB Doug Martin
Doug Martin enjoyed a very successful trip to the Senior Bowl and has opened up some eyes in the scouting community. Martin is built low to the ground and exhibits a powerful enough lower body to fight through contact and break arm tackles. He is also an effective receiver out of the backfield who would add another wrinkle/dimension to the Bengals suddenly potent offense with the likes of Dalton and Green.
22- Cleveland Browns (From Falcons): WR Kendall Wright
The Browns continue to add playmakers around Colt McCoy with the addition of Wright. Wright has incredible speed and athleticism and is capable of stretching the defense vertically to hit the home run. His ability to make plays all over the field is incredibly enticing and he should shine during his Combine performances. The run on wide receivers is beginning so it wouldn’t be shocking to see a rush on them at this point in the draft, with teams looking to move up to secure their rights.
23- Detroit Lions: OG/OT Cordy Glenn
The Lions have avoided adding offensive lineman and now is the time to invest with a great young player at quarterback and expiring and aging players at key positions on the offensive front (Backus, Raiola). Glenn is a mammoth human being with an incredible wingspan and natural feet and balance. He proved well at the Senior Bowl and looks to be able to play multiple positions along the offensive line which will only add to his value.
24- Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Mike Adams
Mike Adams was probably the biggest beneficiary of the Senior Bowl and is now beginning his ascension up NFL Draft Boards. The Steelers have a great need along the offensive front to help protect their ailing quarterback Ben Roethlesberger and Mike Adams can come in and contribute his rookie season.
25- Denver Broncos: DT Fletcher Cox
The Broncos struck gold with pass rush specialist Von Miller last season but now must get bigger up front and provide more of an inside pass rush. Cox can do this thanks to his superior motor and hustle on every play. He’s a versatile defensive lineman who can line up along a couple positions on the defensive line and would greatly help out a team in need of an inside presence. The Broncos could also consider Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy.
26- Houston Texans: S Mark Barron
The Texans defense flourished under first year defensive coordinator Wade Phillips but can stand to get better yet. Adding a player like Barron would give the secondary another playmaker capable of helping out against both the run and pass. Barron has recently been linked to a double sports hernia that could keep him out into July/August, which could greatly affect his draft stock moving forward.
27- New England Patriots (From New Orleans): WR Alshon Jeffrey
The New England Patriots were exposed in the Super Bowl for a couple different reasons, but a lack of a big time playmaker in the receiving game certainly did not help. Jeffrey is a big bodied receiver who excelled during his Sophomore season at South Carolina but failed to make the same impact this season. Adding a player with Jeffrey’s skill set would add another dimension to this highly explosive offense and give them another reliable red-zone option outside of Rob Gronkowski. Bill Bellicheck loves boom or bust type players and the risk here is relatively low while the rewards could be infinite.
28- Green Bay Packers: OLB/DE Nick Perry
The Packers have nearly everything they need outside of a big time Running Back on offense, but could use another pass rusher to take some of the pressure and attention off of Clay Matthews. Perry played 4-3 defensive end at USC but looks to have the agility and athleticism to make the move to 3-4 Outside Linebacker in the NFL. Perry is extremely quick off the snap and shows natural burst as a pass rusher off the edge. Perry needs work playing against the run but he is more than capable of giving the Packers another pass rush specialist outside of the “Claymaker”.
29- Baltimore Ravens: LB Vontaze Burfict
Everyone is aware of Burfict’s on field antics that have gotten him in trouble and lead to his attitude and character becoming in question. Burfict needs structure and support by a veteran based group of players that can lead him down the right road so to speak. A player of Ray Lewis’s caliber can do this for the young and somewhat immature Burfict, as there is little doubting his physical abilities to become a special player…he just needs leadership and guidance which the Ravens organization can definitely offer.
30- San Francisco 49er’s: WR Mohamed Sanu
One of the biggest surprises this season was the performance of the 49er’s under first year head coach Jim Harbaugh, who came up one win shy of playing in the Super Bowl. Adding a player like Sanu to help out the 49er’s inept passing game is a must this off-season, whether it be through the draft or free agency. Sanu brings a physical precense to the position and is a very reliable target with sure hands. His toughness and downfield blocking ability is something Harbabugh will appreciate as it fits the mold the 49er’s are trying to establish.
31- New England Patriots: DE/DT Jared Crick
The Patriots have struggled to find a replacement on the defensive line who can make the sort of impact Richard Seymour had during his time in New England. Crick would have went higher but a season ending injury has set him back some, making him available for the Patriots here. Crick is a big bodied player who has the versatility to play inside or out and fit multiple schemes. Crick appears to be the type of player Bellichick tends to fall in love with as he has loads of upside if he can overcome his past injury issues.
32- New York Giants: TE Dwayne Allen
The defending Super Bowl champions have other needs such as ILB, CB, and OT but Tight End becomes an even greater need after critical knee injuries to both Jake Ballard and Tony Beckum in the Super Bowl. Allen is considered the most complete Tight End because of his ability to line up on as an in-line blocker, while also showing the versatility and athleticism to stretch the seam and become a reliable down field target. The Giants could also consider LB Dont’a Hightower with their first pick.
-Hope you enjoyed this post-
-Brandon