2012 NFL Mock Draft: Disaster Scenarios for Every NFL Team

The 2012 NFL draft is coming soon, and teams are doing everything in their power to make sure that they don't make a decision in the first round that will end up setting their franchise back for a few years.

Every year, the NFL draft gives teams and fans hope that the future could be brighter than the past, but what if the 2012 version gave us something else instead? What if all 32 teams somehow made bad moves in this year's draft?

I will investigate what these scenarios might look like in this slideshow, as I determine disaster scenarios for every NFL team.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

I would not put it past Jim Irsay to become enamored with Griffin and abandon the idea of drafting Andrew Luck. Griffin has shot up draft boards since winning the Heisman trophy, but he had been lingering somewhere around the top 15 in December.

Sure, Griffin is a talented young quarterback—the same as Luck—but there is no comparison as to which one of them is more prepared to step onto the field against NFL defenses. 

Griffin would be a bad choice for the Colts and a huge reach. Taking him at the top of the 2012 NFL draft would be a huge mistake.

2. St. Louis Rams

David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford

Jeff Fisher loves to establish a physical brand of football on his teams, and taking DeCastro would help to infuse a bit of physicality into the offensive line of the St. Louis Rams. 

I'm not a fan of this move, though, because taking DeCastro would do nothing to help the incredible void of talent at the skill positions for the Rams.

Sam Bradford's development will continue to be stunted, much like that of San Francisco's Alex Smith, without the benefit of physical, explosive receivers that can get open against NFL defenses.

Also, the secondary of the Rams is a top priority, and my personal choice for the Rams here would be either wide receiver Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) or cornerback Morris Claiborne (LSU).

3. Minnesota Vikings

Mark Barron, Strong Safety, Alabama

Leslie Frazier and Mike Singletary become convinced Mark Barron is going to be the next Ronnie Lott and throw caution (and sense) to the wind, drafting him with the third-overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft.

The Vikings do need the help in their secondary, and Barron is likely going to be a good NFL safety, but taking him this high would be absolutely asinine. They could achieve the same result by simply trading out of their pick into the middle to lower part of the first round, while picking up additional draft picks in the process.

The Vikings either need to select offensive tackle Matt Kalil out of USC or wide receiver Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State to fill desperate needs on offense.

4. Cleveland Browns

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Inexplicably, Mike Holmgren decides not to take Andrew Luck, who is miraculously still on the board when the Cleveland Browns take Blackmon with the fourth-overall selection of the 2012 NFL draft.

Browns fans across America take to social media to vent their frustrations, and it's not pretty.

Blackmon isn't to blame here. He's one of the best prospects in this year's draft class, but he's no Andrew Luck and he can't throw himself the ball. Taking Blackmon over Luck could throw this franchise into another tailspin if McCoy isn't able to get better in his third year in the NFL.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't believe their good luck (no pun intended). They never expected to have a shot at the talented quarterback from California, but here he is, ready to be taken with the fifth-overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft.

Unfortunately for them, Luck also can't believe what has happened. He can't believe his misfortune and after the draft decides to pull a John Elway and refuses to play for the Bucs. He tells them to either trade him or he'll sit out the 2012 NFL season.

Now what?

The Buccaneers are then forced to look for a trade partner. Bad luck.

6. Washington Redskins

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Let's assume for the sake of this post that Andrew Luck doesn't make his feelings about being drafted by the Buccaneers known until the next day. 

If any team could've used Luck, it is the Washington Redskins. They were one of the teams who were most effected by Matt Barkley and Landry Jones's decisions to stay in school one more year, and now they miss out on Luck in the worst possible way.

To make matters worse, they take the highest player left on their board even though they don't need him.

Taking Kalil would be a huge mistake. Trent Williams and Willie Smith are a couple of talented young tackles that will continue to develop into fine players for the Redskins, who would be better served taking Morris Claiborne, a cornerback out of LSU.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

The Jacksonville Jaguars could really take advantage of other teams' mistakes here, but they have a history of making bad decisions in the first round the last couple of years (Tyson Alualu, Blaine Gabbert) and I don't expect them to stop now.

Brockers is an excellent defensive tackle, and his disruptive play would be helpful, but the Jaguars have far greater needs, and there are still plenty of players on the draft board that are better than him. 

The Jaguars should consider taking cornerback Morris Claiborne (LSU), wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) or offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (Stanford) with this pick.

If they do make the decision to take Brockers, I predict another atrocious year for Gabbert and the Jaguars' offense.

8. Miami Dolphins

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Jeff Ireland won't be able to resist taking the best player off the board, but the Dolphins could use some major upgrades at other positions, namely at quarterback, offensive line and a pass-rushing defensive end for their new 4-3 defense.

Instead, the Dolphins will bring in Claiborne, one of the best players in the draft. The trouble is, they already have a few talented young cornerbacks: Sean Smith, Vontae Davis and Jimmy Wilson. 

If the Dolphins find themselves faced with this decision come April 26, 2012, they should take offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (Stanford), defensive end Quinton Coples (North Carolina) or outside linebacker/defensive end Courtney Upshaw (Alabama). If none of those players appeal to them they should look for a suitable trade partner and move down.

Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Martin, Left Tackle, Stanford

Well, this pick might not be a disaster, but the Carolina Panthers could make a better decision with their first-round pick, in my humble opinion.

Martin is a talented, big, athletic offensive tackle that actually grades higher in my book than Matt Kalil. He will certainly make the Panthers offensive line a better all-around unit, and his run-blocking prowess will be a welcome addition to the third-ranked rushing team in 2011.

Still, there are some other players on the board that would be much more of a boost to the Panthers in 2012, Quinton Coples and Alshon Jeffery being the two I'd consider the most with the ninth-overall selection of the 2012 NFL draft.

10. Buffalo Bills

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

The Buffalo Bills take a huge leap here, drafting Floyd well ahead of his value in the first round. 

Don't get me wrong, Floyd will likely be a good receiver in the NFL, but if the Bills want to target him they can easily slide down into the middle of the first round to get him. With players like Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) and Quinton Coples (North Carolina) still on the board, there will be teams willing to trade up.

If the Bills don't trade out of their pick, they should take Coples to provide pressure on defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Alabama

The last thing the Chiefs need to worry about right now is acquiring another pass-rusher for their defense. They already have Tamba Hali, one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers in the NFL, and Justin Houston, the talented rookie out of Georgia. 

If anything, they should be taking Riley Reiff, offensive tackle from Iowa, to come in and protect the blind side of whoever is behind center in 2012.

Romeo Crennel is a defensive coach who loves to dial up pressure, though, and the idea of having another playmaker at his disposal might be too much to pass up.

Upshaw is worth taking here in the draft, and he could end up going even earlier, but his skills would be better suited for another team that is in need of his services. 

12. Seattle Seahawks

Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

Tannehill will be a hot commodity in the bottom half of the first round, and the Seahawks could try and trade down in the hopes of landing him. This strategy could also backfire, as there is no guarantee they'd end up with him if they did.

Pete Carrol knows he's just a quarterback away from making the NFC west a two-team race, and he's liable to push for his guy here in the top half of the first round. 

It will be a huge stretch and a massive gamble. The potential for failure is at best 50/50 with any quarterback taken in the first round, but Tannehill isn't even a first-round prospect in my book.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Dont'a Hightower, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

Hightower would be a horrible pick for the Cardinals.

He is a bruising middle linebacker that is going to be excellent in run defense, but this pick doesn't take care of what the Arizona Cardinals need, especially with offensive tackle Riley Reiff out of Iowa still on the board.

Levi Brown has been a complete and utter failure on the offensive line for the Cardinals since being drafted with the fifth-overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, and they need to find his replacement in the 2012 draft.

Even if they don't want to take Reiff, they could bolster their wide receiving corps by drafting Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina. 

14. Dallas Cowboys

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Jeffery is a talented receiver, no doubt, but the last thing the Cowboys need is another guy on their roster demanding the ball from Tony Romo. 

What they really need is a couple of cornerbacks, a safety, a couple of interior linemen and a nose tackle. Just a short list, really.

That being said, cornerback Janoris Jenkins out of North Alabama would be a good call here for the Cowboys.

Besides the Buccaneers' Luck debacle, this pick would be the most disastrous to this point in the 2012 NFL draft.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

I don't want you to get the wrong idea here. Coples is going to be an amazing player in the NFL. He is the best pure pass-rushing defensive end in the 2012 NFL draft. So why is this disastrous for the Philadelphia Eagles?

The Eagles are in desperate need of help throughout the entire middle of their defense. Defensive tackle, middle linebacker and safety are the weak units that allowed teams to run at will on them for much of the season in 2011.

They already have a couple of Pro Bowl-caliber ends in Jason Babin and Trent Cole. Another pass-rusher won't fix their problems.

If anything, the Eagles should be weighing the differences between middle linebackers Luke Kuechly (Boston College) and Vontaze Burfict (Arizona State). Either one of them could come right in and be an instant upgrade over Casey Matthews.

16. New York Jets

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

There are two things that are seriously wrong with this draft pick:

1. The last thing the New York Jets need on their roster is another cornerback. Darrell Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson are already one of the best trios in the NFL, and the Jets could use the help more at safety than at cornerback.

2. The last thing the Jets locker room needs is another troubled player. I'm not sure how Rex Ryan is going to save face when they get things going next year, but some stuff is about to go down. You don't want to throw a kid in the middle of that mix who has dealt with past character issues.

The Jets should take Riley Reiff out of Iowa with this pick.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker, Boston College

The last thing the Cincinnati Bengals need is a middle linebacker. Rey Maualuga is a stud.

With running back Trent Richardson still on the board, the Bengals would be foolish to take Kuechly over him.

Richardson would be an amazing steal if they could land him with the 17th-overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He is worthy of a top-five pick, and he is the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson.

San Diego Chargers

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

I imagine that Radio City Music Hall would hear a chorus of boos if Richardson's name is called by the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers are paper-thin at offensive tackle, and Riley Reiff is sitting right there, just waiting to be called in for duty.

Besides, the Chargers also have a guy by the name of Ryan Matthews who really started coming into his own in 2011 after struggling with nagging injuries early in his career.

Reiff would be a huge addition to the production of the entire offense, and passing him up here is insane.

19. Chicago Bears

Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

I admit that this might not be the most disastrous pick, but it would be a shame to take an offensive tackle in the first round two years in a row. It would be a pathetic acknowledgment of their previous bad decisions, but possibly a step in the right direction.

I'm of the opinion that this pick is actually closer to reality to Reiff's worth. I am not as high on him as many others have been. Reiff is weak against quick, powerful men, and the NFL is full of men like that.

If I were designing a defense to beat the Bears, I'd just get my most powerful man to bull-rush Reiff all game long, wearing him out and making him vulnerable to speed and quickness in the fourth quarter.

20. Tennessee Titans

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

Maybe this would get Chris Johnson's butt in gear, but taking Miller would be a terrible decision for the Tennessee Titans. This isn't a knock on Miller, but he's certainly not the best player available, and the Titans have much more pressing needs.

The smart pick here would be Peter Konz, center out of Wisconsin. Eugene Monroe was terrible last year, and Konz is the best center in this draft class. It would be a win-win.

If the Titans want to take a playmaker on offense, they could consider taking Baylor's Kendall Wright, the speedy receiver who helped RG3 attain his Heisman.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

This is another one of those picks that might not be disastrous. Brown could be a huge upgrade over Manny Lawson. His speed and instincts are incredible, and if he's used properly (not being asked to take on lead blockers) he could become this year's Von Miller. The Bengals could end up playing Brown with Rey Maualuga and Luke Kuechly, a deadly trio. 

Still, it seems like a better choice here might be Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback out of Alabama. Leon Hall is recovering from a torn achilles, and he might not even be able to play until mid-way through the 2012 season. Not to mention that Kirkpatrick would also be an upgrade over an aging Nate Clements.

22. Cleveland Browns

Nick Perry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, USC

If the Cleveland Browns want a pass-rusher at this spot, they shouldn't be looking at Perry. Whitney Mercilus is also available, and he is going to be a devastating, disruptive force in the NFL.

Defensive end is a need for the Browns, so they have the right idea with this selection, but Perry has a much lower ceiling than Mercilus does playing on a 4-3 defense.

My personal choice here would be wide receiver Kendall Wright out of Baylor. He would bring a dimension to the Browns offense that has been sorely missed: quick speed. 

Wright is the perfect slot receiver in a West Coast offense like the one Pat Shurmur runs, and they would be foolish not to take him with this pick.

23. Detroit Lions

Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Illinois

There is no doubting the abilities of Mercilus. He could end up being one of the best linemen in the draft. He could also turn out to be a complete bust, as he is a one-year-wonder. 

Before his junior season, Mercilus had only recorded two sacks. Then, in 2011, he dominated his competition, leading the nation in sacks (16.0) and forced fumbles (9) while finishing second in tackles for loss (22.5).

If the Detroit Lions are going to draft on defense though, they should be looking elsewhere. They need help at both the cornerback and safety positions, as their divisional game against the New Orleans Saints so painfully pointed out.

Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback out of Alabama would seem like the best pick to me.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Unless the Pittsburgh Steelers completely overhaul their offensive line through free agency, they need to take an offensive tackle with this pick. 

Taking Wright would be insane. Ben Roethlisberger, who is constantly battling through some sort of injury, finally got hit hard enough this past year to make a huge difference. He was totally ineffective in the playoffs, and the primary reason is that the Steelers have continually failed to address this need for the last few years.

Wright would make the Steelers' receiving corps absolutely insane, but if they don't have a quarterback throwing them the ball it makes no difference.

My personal choice for the Steelers here is Mike Adams, offensive tackle from Ohio State.

25. Denver Broncos

Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

The Denver Broncos would have to be mile-high to select Konz in the first round. They drafted J.D. Walton in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft, and he has been phenomenal for the Broncos, starting in every single game since.

This pick would send groans across the spine of America, and rightly so.

I think the best option for the Broncos here would be Devon Still, defensive tackle for Penn State.

He could come in and supply the anchor the Broncos need in the middle of their defense to truly control the line of scrimmage and give Von Miller and the linebackers the room they need to run.

26. Houston Texans

Vontaze Burfict, Inside Linebacker, Arizona State

Taking Burfict would be the wrong move for the Houston Texans. It would also make me think Wade Phillips was losing his mind. I mean, where would Burfict play? On special teams?

The Texans already have a couple of mediocre middle linebackers (dry humor). DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing are a couple of studs, and the Texans have needs elsewhere. 

I would pick Dontario Poe, nose tackle out of Memphis, to come in and anchor the defensive line for the next ten years. He is a massive man (6'5" and 350 pounds), but he doesn't look chubby. He's all muscle and he will get much stronger as he gets older.

27. New England Patriots

Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

The Patriots would be crazy to draft Adams. They just took Nate Solder in the middle of the first round of last year's draft, and Matt Light is one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. We all saw how well they protected Tom Brady in the Super Bowl against the best defensive line in football, only allowing two sacks.

The smart pick here would be to select one of the top remaining cornerbacks. Chase Minnefield out of Minnesota or Alfonso Dennard out of Nebraska seem like the likeliest choices.

Adams would simply sit on the bench for a few years for the Patriots, and that isn't what you want from a first round draft pick.

28. Green Bay Packers

Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver, Rutgers

For the Green Bay Packers, taking Sanu here would be about as logical as the San Francisco 49ers taking a middle linebacker in the first round. It just isn't sound logic.

Sanu would get lost in the shuffle in Green Bay, trying to fight for playing time over Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver, not to mention tight end Jermichael Finley. 

The Packers need help on defense, particularly with either an outside linebacker that can pass rush or a safety that can cover.

My personal favorite for them here is Malcolm Ingram, defensive end/outside linebacker from South Carolina.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

I know Ozzie Newsome is fond of stockpiling defensive linemen, but taking Still with this pick is just overkill.

Still is a prospect that could play either defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense or defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He is strong and versatile, but is more of an anchor than a guy who will be very disruptive. 

The Ravens don't need anybody like that on their roster. They already have "Mt." Cody and Brandon McKinney to fill that role.

Instead, the Ravens should consider taking Zebrie Sanders, offensive tackle out of Florida State, to come in and backup Bryant McKinney for a year or two. 

30. San Francisco 49ers

Nick Toon, Wide Receiver, Wisconsin

The San Francisco 49ers would be dramatically over-reaching to take Toon here at the bottom of the first round in the 2012 NFL draft. I have him going in the middle-to-late second round, as do most other mocks.

While it's true the 49ers are in desperate need of help at the wide receiver position, they can easily find comparable talent in the second-to-fourth rounds.

I would much rather have the 49ers take a look at drafting a cornerback with this pick, either Nebraska's Alfonso Dennard or Virginia's Chase Minnefield.

31. New England Patriots

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Taking Poe here makes absolutely no sense for the Patriots. They already have Vince Wilfork, one of the most dominant nose tackles in the NFL, and their secondary is in dire need of assistance.

Poe is an excellent prospect, but he would sit behind Wilfork and might not play much at all. 

If the Patriots drafted cornerback Chase Minnefield out of Virginia, however, they would be taking a good player, worthy of the pick and someone who could instantly help them out in 2012. His addition to the young Patriots secondary would make them quite formidable in another year or two.

32. New York Giants

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

I can't even imagine how loud the boos would get in New York if the Giants call Ingram's name on April 26, 2012. The Giants have so many other needs to fill, and there are some good players left on the board to fill those needs.

It would be about as logical for the Giants to take Ingram as it was for the Green Bay Packers to take Mohamed Sanu to add to their stable of receivers. 

Instead, the Giants should draft offensive guard Cordy Glenn out of Georgia to come in and bolster their atrocious offensive line, which was the worst in the NFL during the regular season.