My First 2012 NFL Mock Draft

Welcome to my first 2012 NFL mock draft. Note that the picks with the * marks have a chance of being flipped because of the outcome of Superbowl XLVI and the coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine. I do predict trades in my mock drafts but not any I bet you thought about before.

1)    Colts- Andrew Luck QB Stan: Clear cut number one pick. Peyton Manning in due 28 million in March and the Colts are rebuilding without him and with Luck instead.

2)    Rams- Justin Blackmon WR Okla St: Sam Bradford had an injury rid season last year so RG3 should NOT be an option here. Instead the Rams should give Bradford a top play making WR.

3)    Vikings- Matt Kalil OT USC: The Vikings have an All-Pro RB and a bright future at QB with Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder. Kalil is a great OT prospect and can be Ponder’s blindside protector for the next 10 years.

4)    Browns- Robert Griffin III QB Baylor: I personally don’t think the Browns need to take RG3 but should instead surround current QB Colt McCoy with more talent. I believe the better choice would be Richardson but my gut tells me the Browns will take RG3.

5)    Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne CB LSU: The Bucs defense stunk last year and with Aqib Talib in legal trouble and Ronde Barber near the end; if not there yet the Bucs need to get a new number one corner that they should have drafted last year.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Redskins trade the #6 overall pick and their two 4^th round picks (theirs and the Raiders) to the Bengals for #17 and #21 picks overall.

6)    Bengals- Trent Richardson RB Bama: The Bengals have a bright, bright future! QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green and TE Jermaine Gresham could be a great offensive force for years to come. By adding Richardson, who is the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson, gives the Bengals all the offensive power any team could dream of.

7)    Jaguars- Quinton Coples DE UNC: The Jaguars need pass rushing; if you can’t put any rush on the other teams QB you are going to have a long day on defense. In a division with Andrew Luck, Matt Schaub and up and coming Jake Locker. Pass rush is a need. WR is another option here but with the depth at WR in this class and the defense being a poor as it is, Coples is the correct pick.

*8) Panthers- Dre Kirkpatrick CB Bama: Despite Kirkpatrick’s drug arrest the 6-3 200lb CB is what the Panthers need most. Christ Gamble is a solid number one corner but a young play maker on the outside is needed.

*9) Dolphins- Courtney Upshaw OLB Bama: The third Bama player taken in the last four picks. With no QB worth the pick, taking a pass rushing OLB to pair with Cameron Wake gives the Phins a great pass rush duo.

10) Bills- Riley Reiff OT Iowa: The Bills gave Ryan Fitzpatrick a HUGE contract they shouldn’t have. But no matter who the QB is they need to be protected and Reiff is a great prospect at LT.

*11) Chiefs- Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska: The Chiefs could lose starting CB Brandon Carr in free agency. If that does happen a new starter will be needed. Dennard is a solid corner who covered top talented receivers in college. Even if Carr returns depth is needed.

*12) Seahawks- Devon Still DT Penn St: Plain and simple the Seahawks need to upgrade at the DT spot; Still is a solid prospect with good upside if he’s coached well.

13) Cardinals- Jonathon Martin OT Stan: The Cardinals offensive line stinks!! Martin was the blindside protector to Andrew Luck for the past three years. Some say he be a better right tackle but either way the Cardinals need a new OT.

14) Cowboys- Melvin Ingram DE/OLB South Car: Rob Ryan loves to blitz, Ingram can be a bookend pass rush combo with OLB Demarcus Ware. A CB is the popular pick and the bigger need but with no CB worth the pick here a pass rush OLB is what Ryan will want.

15) Eagles- Luke Kuechly ILB BC: The Eagles ILB group was TERRIBLE!!! Kuechly nearly had 200 tackles this past year for BC. Something the whole Eagles defense couldn’t do all together.

16) Jets- Alshon Jeffery WR South Car: The Jets need to get rid of Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress. Homles is a locker room poison pill and Burress can’t play anymore. Jeffery is a big physical receiver who can be QB Mark Sanchez’s red zone target.

 17) Redskins- Michael Floyd WR ND: The Redskins need a new QB first and fore most. But with no QB worth the pick here the Skins take a big red zone target WR. Give whoever is playing QB next year a WR taller than six foot to throw too.

18) Chargers- David DeCastro G Stan: The Chargers just miss out on their guy. If Vincent Jackson leaves in free agency they will need a jump ball WR. But with Floyd gone than Chargers look to strengthen the offensive line; with Kris Dielman considering retirement a new guard is needed.

19) Bears- Dwayne Allen TE Clemson: The Bears have no receiving threat at TE. The TE is always the QBs best friend on the field so instead of giving Jay Cutler another average WR the Bears should get him a play making TE, like every other great team has.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Titans trade the #20 overall pick and their 4^th round pick and a 2013 5^th round pick to the Patriots for #27 and #64 picks overall.

20) Patriots- Michael Brockers DT LSU: The Patriots defensive front needs help, Brockers enters the draft as only a redshirt sophomore. He is already one of the best run stoppers in the draft and with time his pass rush can develop into a consistent threat.

21) Redskins- Vontaze Burfict ILB ASU: Current ILBs London Fletcher is near the end of the tunnel and Rocky McIntosh is a free agent. Even if both return Burfict brings depth and the eventual replacement to Fletcher.

22) Browns- Kendall Wright WR Baylor: Why break up such a good thing? The Browns stuck gold getting RG3 at number four and now at 22 get his passing mate Wright. Wright gives RG3 a target he knows and a target that is a deep threat.

23) Lions- Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama: Formerly a Florida Gator before being kicked off the team right before his senior year, Jenkins transferred to division two North Alabama. Had he had no off the field baggage he would be a top ten pick for sure. Steal for the Lions here, who need a true number one corner.

24) Steelers- Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB Illinois: The Steelers have always good pass rushers but with James Harrison nearing the end of his career depth is needed.

25) Broncos- Lamar Miller RB Miami: The Broncos never run the ball…. Ok that’s a lie, but Knowshon Moreno is a bust and injury prone and Willis McGahee is old. Fresh legs are needed; Miller, a redshirt sophomore, is a younger version of fromer Miami Hurricane Clinton Portis.

26) Texans- Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers: The Texans need more talent on the outside. Andre Johnson would love not to face double and triple teams every play.

27) Titans- Mark Baron S Bama: The Titans are likely to lose starting safety Michael Griffin in free agency, a replacement is needed and Baron is the only safety in the draft with a first round grade.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Packers trade the #28 overall pick to the Giants for #31 overall pick and their 4^th and 6^th round picks.

28) Giants- Dont’a Hightower ILB Bama: The Giants have had a rotating door at ILB all season. Hightower is a high motor ILB and is rising up draft boards quickly.

29) Ravens- Peter Konz G/C Wisconsin: The Ravens just miss on the replacement to Ray Lewis, if and when he retires. But the Ravens add Konz who is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the draft. He can replace G Ben Grubbs if he leaves in free agency or C Matt Birk when he retires.

30) 49ers- Pontari Poe NT Memphis: The 49ers need another big body up front on defense. A receiver or offensive lineman would also be a consideration at this spot. But Poe is the best player on the board.

31) Packers- Andre Branch DE/OLB Clemson: Other than Clay Matthews the Packers have ZERO pass rush. Branch gives them a play maker opposite of Matthews.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Patriots trade the #32 overall pick to the Lions for the #54 overall pick and a 2013 2^nd round pick.

32) Lions- Zach Brown OLB UNC: The Lions make a play to improve their defense some more. OLB was a weak spot for the Lions last year and adding Brown gives them an automatic upgrade.

33) Rams- Coby Fleener TE Stan: The Rams added Blackmon in round one now add Fleener at the top of round two; Giving Bradford two new play makers.

34) Colts- Zebrie Sanders OT Florida St: Now that you got your franchise QB… PROTECT HIS BLINDSIDE!!!

35) Vikings- Fletcher Cox DT Miss St: The Vikings front four needs a youth revelation. Cox is a solid DT prospect and a steal at #35 overall.

36) Buccaneers- David Wilson RB VT: The Bucs have their power back with LaGarrett Blount. Wilson can be the lighting to Blount’s thunder.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Browns trade the #37 overall pick and a 7^th round pick to the Seahawks for the #43 overall pick and a 4^th round pick.

37) Seahawks- Nick Perry DE USC: The Seahawks continue to rebuild their defensive line; Perry was with Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll at USC. Perry can be a starter from day one if he works hard enough to get there.

38) Jaguars- Nick Toon WR Wisconsin: QB Blaine Gabbert is on a short leash. But in his defense he doesn’t have any play makers around him; Toon gives him a solid number one option he can develop with.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Redskins trade the #39 overall pick to the Jets for the #47 overall pick and a 4^th round pick.

39) Jets- LaMichael James RB Oregon: RB LaDainian Ttomlinson is done with the Jets and maybe overall in the NFL so the Jets will need a new third down change of pace back. James, who draws comparisons to Darren Spoales, has a bright future ahead as a third down back.

40) Dolphins- Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M: The Dolphins need a new QB, Tannehill is a former WR and his talent level is far from Luck or Griffin but with Matt Moore playing well at the end of the season he could be brought back on a one year deal to let Tannehill develop.

41) Bills- Jerel Worthy DT Mich St: The Bills continue to add to that defensive line, after drafting Marcell Dareus in the first round last year.

42) Panthers- Brandon Thompson DT Clemson: The Panthers need a new young big body at DT. Thompson at 6-2, 310lbs can stuff the run and is a steal at #42.

43) Browns- Cordy Glenn G/T Georgia: The Browns add depth to their offensive line, Glenn can play both guard and tackle and could start from day one on the right side of the offensive line.

44) Chiefs- Mike Adams OT OSU: The Chiefs need an upgrade at tackle. Adams is 6-6, 320lbs and can be a solid starting right tackle in the NFL.

45) Cowboys- Stephon Gilmore CB South Car: The Cowboys need an upgrade in the secondary. Simple, next pick.

46) Eagles- Jayron Hosley CB VT: The Eagles are going to have to get rid of Asante Samuel because of his huge contract. Depth is going to be needed.

47) Redskins- Nick Foles QB Arizona: The Redskins NEED a QB, Foles is not Luck or RG3 but he still is a solid prospect and ANYONE is better than Grossman and Beck.

48) Patriots- Rueben Randle WR LSU: Chad Ocho-No-No was a bust in New England and will be cut. Randle is a down the field threat the Patriots have missed.

49) Chargers- Orson Charles TE Georgia: Antonio Gates is injury prone and is getting up there in age; Charles made a surprise decision to enter the draft. The Chargers take Charles to step in for Gates when needed and when he retires.

50) Bears- Michael Brewster C OSU: The Bears lost center Olin Kreutz in free agency last year, a replacement is needed.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Eagles trade the #51 overall pick to the Browns for a 3^rd round pick and a 4^th round pick and 2013 4^th round pick.

51) Browns- Chris Polk RB Washington: Madden cover Peyton Hillis is done in Cleveland and Polk was a work horse back at college. Polk replaces the injury prone Hillis.

52) Titans- Chase Minnifield CB UVA: CB Cortland Finnegan is a free agent and could walk, even if he comes back, depth is needed.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Bengals trade the #53 overall pick to the Giants for the #63 overall pick and a 4^th round pick and a 5^th round pick and 2013 5^th round pick.

53) Giants- Bobby Massie OT Ole Miss: The Giants need some depth to their offensive line and Massie could become the right tackle book end to William Beatty.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Patriots trade the #54 overall pick to the Seahawks for a 3^rd round pick and a 2013 2^nd round pick.

54) Brock Osweiler QB ASU: The tallest QB in the draft at 6-8, the Seahawks can’t stay with Travaris Jackson forever. Osweiler needs some work but could develop into a good player.

55) Falcons- Brandon Washington G Miami: The Falcons need offensive line depth and Washington is the best lineman on the board. He could start in a year or less.

56) Steelers- Markelle Martin S Okla St: Both Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu are on the down side of their careers. Young depth is needed.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Broncos trade the #57 overall pick to the Patriots for their two 3^rd round pick (theirs and Seahawks).

57) Patriots- Bruce Irvin OLB WVU: The Patriots need to get some kind of pass rush. Good news for them, that’s what Irvin, does best.

58) Texans- LaVonte David OLB Nebraska: The Texans may lose OLB Mario Williams in free agency so depth may be needed.

59) Saints- Stephen Hill WR GT: The Saints may lose WR Marques Colston in free agency so a replacement will be needed. Hill is a great prospect and could be the steal of the draft, especially with Drew Brees throwing to him.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Packers trade the #60 overall pick to the Colts for their 3^rd round pick and 6^th round pick.

60) Colts- B.J. Cunningham WR Mich St: Depth at WR is needed since probably WRs Austin Collie and Reggie Wayne both won’t be with the Colts next year.

61) Ravens- Nate Potter OT Boise St: The Ravens need a younger tackle to develop into the bookend tackle with Michael Oher.

62) 49ers- David Molk G/C Michigan: The 49ers need to add depth and youth to their interior offensive line. Molk played center at Michigan but could end up player guard in the NFL.

63) Bengals- Brandon Boykins CB Georgia: After Leon Hall the Bengals have no good corners on their roster, an upgrade and depth is needed.

64) Titans- Doug Martin RB Boise St: If Chris Johnson has another down season he may be cut, either way the Titans need depth and you can never have too many good running backs.