My Fourth NFL Mock Draft

Welcome to my forth 2012 NFL mock draft. Since my last mock draft the draft order has been set and the Redskins traded away three first round picks and a second round pick to get RGIII. I still do predict trades in my mock drafts, because that’s what makes this so much fun! But in this draft I will explain some of the trades I have executed. 

1)    Colts- Andrew Luck QB Stanford: With that guy named Peyton Manning gone and looking for a new team like a high school senior looking at colleges the future gets turned over to Luck.

2)    Redskins- Robert Griffin III QB Baylor: As mentioned before the Redskins give up a ton to get their face of the franchise. A high price but if it pays off it will be well worth it.

3)    Vikings- Matt Kalil OT USC: This pick hasn’t changed since day one and on April 26th this will be the pick.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Browns trade the #4 overall pick and both their fourth round picks (theirs and Falcons) to the Jaguars for the #7, #38 and a seventh round pick.

Explanation: The Browns have many holes to fill and after missing out on RGIII they decide to trade down and pick up an extra second round pick to help fill all their needs. The Jaguars need a true number one WR and Blackmon is the best in the draft.

4)    Jaguars- Justin Blackmon WR Okla St: The Jaguars need a WR threat in the worst way and don’t look to be a threat to get a big play WR in free agency so the draft is where they go get the number one WR.

5)    Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne CB LSU: The Bucs need help on defense and especially at corner. Claiborne is the top CB in the draft.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Rams trade the #6 and #39 overall picks to the Seahawks for the #12 and the #43 overall picks and a first pick in 2013.

Explanation: The Seahawks are out of the Peyton Manning chase and need a young QB. They trade away the 2013 first round pick to jump ahead of the Dolphins for Ryan Tannehill.

6)    Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M: The Seahawks need to find a long term answer at QB; Tannehill still has to develop because he has only started 19 games at QB. A reach and a reach but a move the Seahawks have to do.

7)    Browns- Trent Richarson RB Bama: The last time a RB was taken in the top seven was in 2007 when the Vikings took Adrian Peterson. Richardson is the best RB prospect since Peterson so it’s only fitting for him to go at seven too.  The Browns need a focal point of the offense and Richardson can do that and help QB Colt McCoy develop.

8)    Dolphins- Riley Reiff OT Iowa: The Dolphins are hoping to get Peyton Manning and if they don’t then they will try and get Matt Flynn but a strong book in tackle combo with Reiff and Jake Long would be any QB’s best friend.

9)    Panthers- Dontari Poe NT Memphis: The Panthers offense took off last year with Cam Newton, but the defense struggled. The Panthers run defense was terrible and a big body NT is needed. After a strong scouting combine Poe has pushed himself up into the top half of the first round.

10) Quinton Coples DE UNC: The Bills are finally switching to a 4-3 defense so 4-3 DEs are needed. While Coples has become the number two DE on most teams boards but Bills like the bigger body Coples (6-6 285) to play DE for them.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Chiefs trade the #11 overall pick and a sixth round pick to the Packers for the #28 overall pick and a first and fourth round picks in 2013.

11) Packers- Melvin Ingram OLB South Carolina: The Packers need to find Clay Matthews book end OLB. Ingram has shot up draft boards after a great combine. The Packers give up next year’s first round pick for Ingram.

12) Rams- Michael Floyd WR Norte Dame: The Rams trade down twice from six to twelve and pick up three extra first round picks and an extra second round pick. The Rams need a WR for can make plays and Floyd is a slight reach at 12 but worth the reach.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Cardinals trade the #13 overall pick to the Bengals for the #17 overall pick and a third and fourth round picks.

13) Bengals- David DeCastro G Stanford: The Bengals have a huge need for a guard, as do the Cowboys picking at 14. So to trade away a third and a fourth round pick to move up four spots for the best guard prospect is years is a good idea. The Cardinals also would like to move back and add picks since they don’t have a second round pick.

14) Cowboys- Dre Kirkpatrick CB Bama: The Cowboys are just like the Bengals, they need a guard and a corner. They are reportedly going to go hard after guard Carl Nicks and a CB in free agency but in case they get Nicks and not a CB Kirkpatrick is needed, but a slight reach.

15) Eagles- Luke Kuechly MLB Boston College: Head coach Andy Reid has a habit of taking offensive and defensive linemen in the first round, if he does that again this year with Kuechly on the board he should be fired, especially after Kuechly proved he is a three down linebacker at the combine,

16) Jets- Mark Barron S Bama: The Jets have a few needs, like safety. I think with Rex Ryans being a defensive minded head coach he will push for the safety Barron.

17) Cardinals- Jonathan Martin OT Stanford: The Cardinals are hoping to get Peyton Manning, the only way that is going to happen is if the Cardinals promise Manning they draft a OT in the first round.

18) Chargers- Cordy Glenn G/T Georgia: The Chargers offensive line needs to be upgraded at EVERY spot. Glenn is likely to play guard in the NFL but could play tackle if needed.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Bears trade the #19 overall pick and a fourth round pick to the Texans for the #26 and #58 overall picks.

Explanation: The Texans trade up and grab the only thing they are missing on offense, a deep threat speed WR to play opposite of Andrew Johnson.

19) Texans-Kendall Wright WR Baylor: The Texans need a home run hit WR other than Johnson, Wright was one of the best deep threat WRs in college last year.

20) Titans- Courtney Upshaw DE Bama: Upshaw didn’t perform so well at the combine so his stock has dropped some but the Titans need a big body pass rusher from the left end side. Upshaw fits that prototype player the Titans need.

21) Bengals- Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama: The Bengals have two major needs this offseason, guard and cornerback, both of which the Bengals put a value of drafting in the first round.

22) Browns- Stephen Gilmore CB South Carolina: Surprised? Well you shouldn’t be. Yes the Browns need a WR and a right tackle and an OLB but with no player at those positions worth the reach at this spot. Gilmore has been shooting up draft boards lately and he is a big physical corner just like current Browns CB Joe Haden. Good value pick here.

23) Lions- Mike Adams OT Ohio St: The Lions offense exploded last year with QB matt Stafford throwing for over 5,000 years in his first full HEALTHY season as the starter. Key word there is healthy. Stafford’s blindside needs to be protected, Adams is a big strong body tackle who should be able to protect the franchise QB for years.

24) Steelers- Michael Brockers NT LSU: The Steelers had really hoped Adams would fall to them at 24 but Brockers is a great steal. Brockers played NT at LSU and at 320 pounds he should be able to step in from day one and start.

25) Broncos- Lamar Miller RB Miami: Head coach John Fox likes to run the ball, when at Carolina he had a great 1-2 punch at RB and would like to have that again in Denver.

26) Bears- Fletcher Cox DT Miss St: The Bears go with the value pick here and select Cox who has pro bowl potential.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Patriots trade the #27 overall pick to the Ravens for the #29 overall pick and a fourth round pick.

27) Ravens- Dont’a Hightower ILB Bama: The Ravens trade up over the Chiefs to insure that they find the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

28) Chiefs- Peter Konz C/G Wisconsin: The Chiefs need to add a starting inside linemen in the offseason, Konz played center at Wisconsin but could play guard in the NFL if asked by his team.

29) Patriots- Nick Perry DE/OLB USC: The Patriots played a lot of 4-3 defense in 2011, but may switch back to the 3-4 in 2012. Either way the Patriots need some pass rush and Perry can do that well.

30) 49ers- Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech: The 49ers need a deep threat WR, Hill is a raw prospect but five year down the road he could be one of the top two WRs in this draft.

31) Patriots- Harrison Smith S Norte Dame: The Patriots need a young play making safety. Smith is a bit of a reach at 31 but he could turn into a pro bowl play maker at safety the Patriots have been missing since Rodney Harrison.

32) Giants- Bobby Massie OT Ole Miss: Massie is rising up draft boards and is still a slight reach at 32 but the Giants need some young offensive linemen.

33) Colts- Zach Brown OLB UNC: Not only are the Colts moving on from Manning but it seems like they are starting over as a whole team. So every position could be in need of an upgrade but Brown is the best pure 4-3 OLB in the draft and that’s something new defensive minded head coach Chuck Pagano will have a huge effect on this pick.

34) Rams- Kenall Reyes DT UConn: The Rams have spent two past first round picks on DEs (Chris Long and Robert Quinn) so it’s time to spend one on a DT.

35) Vikings- Trumaine Johnson CB/S Montana: The Vikings need help at safety and corner, Johnson could play either, an added bonus for the Vikings.

36) Buccaneers- David Wilson RB VT: The Bucs have two big needs going into the draft, CB and RB. Whichever the Bucs position they don’t take in the first round look for them to take that position in the second round.

37) Browns- Rueban Randle WR LSU: The Browns need a deep threat play maker at WR.

38) Browns- Brandon Weeden QB Okla St: The Browns need to bring in a QB to compete with Colt McCoy as the starting QB. Look for whichever is not needed the starter to be traded at some point during the season.

39) Seahawks- Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois: The Seahawks need to get a pass rusher at DE, Mercilus has a border line first round grade, good pick here for the Seahawks.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Panthers trade the #40 overall pick and a fourth round pick to the Bears for the #50 and #58 overall picks.

Explanation: The Bears need a TE and with teams like the Rams, Cowboys, and Chargers drafting before the Bears pick at 50 overall they give up both second round picks to grab the best TE in the draft.

40) Bears- Coby Fleener TE Stanford: The Bears need a TE; Fleener is the number one TE in the draft this year. Fleener is 6-6 and a great receiver and an underrated blocker.

41) Bills- Zebrie Sanders OT Florida St: The Bills need to find their future blindside protector of this QB in this draft.

42) Dolphins- Kirk Cousins QB Mich St: If the Dolphins sign Peyton Manning drafting a young QB to sit behind him in rounds two or three would be a great idea but if the Dolphins don’t get Manning and instead get Matt Flynn this pick should be used elsewhere.

43) Rams- Devon Still DT Penn St: The Rams take a page out of the Tampa Bay draft book. In 2011 draft they spent both their first and second round picks on DEs and in the 2010 draft they spent both their first and second round picks on DT. The Rams spend two second round draft picks setting up their future defensive line for the next six to eight years.

44) Chiefs- Brandon Thompson NT Clemson: The Chiefs need to come out of this draft with a young NT.

45) Cowboys- Dwight Bentley CB LA-Lafayette: The Cowboys make a value pick here and add more young talent to their cornerback group.

46) Eagles- Andre Branch DE Clemson: If Andy Reid doesn’t spend a first or second round pick on an offensive or defensive lineman he might cry. Branch can rotate into that defensive pressure front four.

47) Jets- Kelechi Osemele G/T Iowa St: The Jets need to add some depth and youth to their right side of their offensive line.

48) Patriots- Jerel Worthy DT/DE Mich St: Worthy has pro bowl talent but isn’t consistent enough to be a first round pick. He can play DT in a 4-3 defense or DE in a 3-4 defense.

49) Chargers- Vinny Curry OLB Marshall: The Chargers are STILL looking for that pass rush threat at OLB, they hope Curry can be that.

50) Panthers- Lavonte David OLB Nebraska: The Panthers may need a new starting OLB depending on what happens with Thomas Davis, even if he returns as a starter a young reserve is needed.

51) Eagles- Kevin Zeitler G Wisconsin: Andy Reid just couldn’t hold back any longer.

52) Titans- Chase Minnifield CB/S Virginia: The Titans need to add some depth at both corner and safety; Minnifield can play both safety and corner.

53) Bengals- Doug Martin RB Boise St: The Bengals are looking to get a new RB, while passing on RB in the first round (as they should) they draft Martin in the second round. The Bengals are looking to add a RB in free agency (Michael Bush) but adding Martin would still be a good idea.

54) Lions- Josh Robinson CB UCF: The Lions need to add talent at CB; I think this pick would be better off used if it was sent to the Eagles for CB Asante Samuel.

55) Falcons- Chandler Jones DE Syracuse: The Falcons need to find some way to get pass rush from the DE spot. Hopefully Jones could do that for the Falcons.

56) Steelers- LaMichael James RB Oregon: The Steelers star RB Rashard Mendenhall isn’t expect to play in 2012 so some RB depth is needed. James is one of quicker backs and the best third down RB in the draft.

57) Broncos- Dwayne Allen TE Clemson: No matter who the QB in Denver next year, Manning or Tim Tebow, he is going to need a TE to throw to.

58) Panthers- Jayron Hosley CB VT: The Panthers need to add some young talent at corner, they also need a starter at corner but I'm not sure Hosley is a starting corner in the NFL.

59) Saints- Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina: The Saints are likely to lose two WRs in free agency, a replacement is needed.

60) Packers- Phillip Thomas S Syracuse: The Packers don’t know if starting safety Nick Collins will be able to play football again so adding a young safety is needed.

61) Ravens- Phillip Blake C Baylor: Starting center Matt Birk will likely retire next offseason and even if he plays again in 2013, some young depth should be added.

TRADE ALERT!!! The 49ers trade the #62 overall pick to the Eagles for a third round pick and a second round pick in 2013.

Explanation: The Eagles trade back into the second round to draft a young QB to sit behind Michael Vick.

62) Eagles- Brock Osweiler QB ASU: The Eagles do like they have done in past and draft a young QB to sit and watch. Anyone remember Kevin Kolb watching Donovan McNabb?

63) Patriots- Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers: While Sanu isn’t a deep threat WR, the Patriots are more than likely to sign Brandon Lloyd as their deep threat WR in free agency so to add a big WR in the draft is a good idea.

TRADE ALERT!!! The Giants trade the #64 overall pick to the Chiefs for a third round pick and two fourth round picks in 2013 (theirs and the Packers).

Explanation: The Chiefs starting QB Matt Cassel isn’t the answer long term and could be released at any point this offseason, so to bring in a young QB to push Cassel or even replace him is needed

64) Chiefs- Nick Foles QB Arizona: The Chiefs need to push or replace Matt Cassel.