Todd McShay 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analysis for Each Pick

I don't see this happening, but I refuse to be surprised by anything Pete Carroll does. Seattle signed Jason Jones in free agency, and Quinton Coples would likely fill the same role.

If Seattle goes with a pass-rusher, a more explosive player like Nick Perry, Whitney Mercilus or even Chandler Jones would be a better fit. 

With that said, Seattle doesn't have any great options here, and like I said, Carroll could do anything.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This pick is obvious. Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in years and the draft's best prospect. There is no one else for the Colts to take.

Indianapolis is now without an elite quarterback for the first time since 1998, and the team must add someone. Luck is that someone.

2. Washington Redskins (from STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

So, the Redskins don't get Andrew Luck, but they do get another quarterback worthy of a No. 1 overall selection. John Beck and Rex Grossman aren't the answer ,so Washington takes Robert Griffin.

Griffin isn't as NFL-ready as Luck is, but he's more physically talented. The Heisman winner is more than capable of developing into an elite player.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There's growing hype Matt Kalil won't be the pick here, but he remains the most likely option. The Vikings will either trade back or take Kalil, Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne.

If Minnesota does stay at No. 3, Kalil is the best pick. He is a better player than both Blackmon and Claiborne, and he fills an equally big need.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns' offense is famously boring, and Trent Richardson would provide a huge spark. Richardson is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, and he is absolutely worthy of a top-5 pick.

This selection makes a ton of sense. Cleveland will almost certainly draft an offensive weapon, and Richardson is the best one.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tampa Bay overpaid Eric Wright in free agency, but it still needs another cornerback. Morris Claiborne isn't as good of a prospect as his former teammate Patrick Peterson was a year ago, but he may be the better cover corner.

If Trent Richardson is not available, the Buccaneers don't have another option here. They take the best player available, who also fills a huge hole.

6. St. Louis Rams (from WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams didn't add a wide receiver in free agency, and they are in desperate need of weapons for Sam Bradford. St. Louis could add a defensive player like Fletcher Cox here, but Justin Blackmon makes a lot of sense.

Blackmon doesn't possess elite physical ability, but he would provide a solid target for Bradford. There aren't any great options here, so the Rams address their biggest need.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

It's almost impossible to predict what Gene Smith will do in the draft, but Melvin Ingram makes sense. He is the type of physical defensive end the Jaguars typically target, and he isn't a terrible value here.

What other directions could they go? Riley Reiff could be a good fit.  Most importantly, though, never rule out a shocking pick when Smith is on the clock.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

At this point, McShay has to project Ryan Tannehill to the Dolphins. Miami has pursued multiple quarterbacks already this offseason, and Tannehill has a connection to offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.

Tannehill isn't Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin, but that doesn't mean he's a bad pick in the top 10. The former wideout has a ton of potential and could be a Jay Cutler-esque player in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Carolina can basically go two ways here: defensive tackle or defensive end.

I personally have them going Quinton Coples, but Fletcher Cox would be a tremendous pick, and it's a very possible pick.

Cox is an explosive player who makes plays in the backfield. Right now, Carolina has one good starter along the defensive line, and it needs more.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

After losing Demetress Bell to the Eagles in free agency, the Bills seem likely to add a tackle early. Riley Reiff may not be an elite, prototype left tackle, but most people think he can play there.

However, while this is a plausible pick, the Bills could go another direction. Buddy Nix is prone to drafting playmakers, and he could take Michael Floyd or Stephen Hill here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Chiefs could go many ways with this pick. They need a nose tackle, so Dontari Poe is an option. They need a guard, so David DeCastro is an option. And they need an inside linebacker, so Luke Kuechly is an option.

Kuechly is one of the top-three most likely picks, but Poe is more likely. Romeo Crennel loves big defensive linemen, and Poe is nothing if not that. Kansas City has nothing but a sixth-round pick from last year's draft at nose tackle, so the position is certainly a huge need.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I don't see this happening, but I refuse to be surprised by anything Pete Carroll does. Seattle signed Jason Jones in free agency, and Quinton Coples would likely fill the same role.

If Seattle goes with a pass-rusher, a more explosive player like Nick Perry, Whitney Mercilus or even Chandler Jones would be a better fit. 

With that said, Seattle doesn't have any great options here, and like I said, Carroll could do anything.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

This pick is really odd. The Cardinals desperately need offensive line help, and both Cordy Glenn and David DeCastro are on the board.

Arizona could take Glenn to play either tackle position or DeCastro to play guard. Either one of those two would be a better pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

I love this pick.

Rob Ryan prefers to run a 2-gap defense, and Jay Ratliff would be better suited at defensive end. Dontari Poe is a great value here, as well as a potential star.

The Cowboys could also select Mark Barron, David DeCastro or Michael Brockers, but Poe is the best pick, and the most likely one.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

I'm not a huge fan of this pick.

The Eagles have two decent safeties in Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. They would be much better off improving in the front seven by drafting Michael Brockers or a defensive end.

Barron isn't a great value here. He is a good safety, but there's nothing special about him. 

Philadelphia should go elsewhere with this pick.

16. New York Jets: Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse

The position makes sense, but not many people have Chandler Jones going this high in the draft.

It's possible, though. Jones is well-liked in the NFL because of his versatility, something Rex Ryan values. Jones can play defensive end, outside linebacker or even 5-tech.

Melvin Ingram would be ideal, but he's long gone by now. With the players available, Jones isn't a bad pick, and he is definitely a possible one.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Bengals would be stupid not to take this pick. Cincinnati's interior offensive line is nothing to write home about, and David DeCastro is a great value at this point.

Even after signing two guards in free agency, the Bengals could stand to upgrade. DeCastro is a terrific player, and he would provide a nice boost to the Cincinnati run game.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

After releasing Marcus McNeill, the Chargers need another offensive tackle. Kris Dielman was tragically forced into retirement as well, so Cordy Glenn could fill in at tackle or guard.

However, Michael Brockers is a great value at this point, and he also fills another need. Either player would make sense, though, so this isn't a bad projection.

19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

This is a bit of an unusual pick, but there's one thing that can almost be guaranteed in the NFL draft: cornerbacks will be drafted early and often.

So while this pick isn't a popular one, it is definitely possible. Stephon Gilmore is well-liked throughout the league, and he could even be gone by now.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Since they lost Cortland Finnegan in free agency, the Titans are in need of another cornerback. Alterraun Verner and Jason McCourty aren't bad, but the team could use someone with star potential.

Dre Kirkpatrick offers the physicality and toughness Tennessee lost along with Finnegan. The Alabama star has some character issues, but his upside is too great to ignore.  

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright is exactly what the Bengals need. Cincinnati has a star in A.J. Green, but Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson are both gone, leaving the team with few other options.

A speedster, Wright can play underneath or deep, making him an excellent fit in Jay Gruden's West Coast Offense. Wright is a good value, and he fills what is arguably the team's biggest need.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Browns need a right tackle, but it's hard to imagine them passing on Stephen Hill here. Jonathan Martin isn't anything special, and Cleveland can pick up a starting tackle in the second round.

Hill, on the other hand, won't be available in the second, and he offers the speed Cleveland's offense lacks. Martin isn't an implausible pick, but it's not the most likely one either.

23. Detroit Lions: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

The Lions follow a strict best-player-available drafting strategy, and even if they wanted to address a need, there aren't any great options available.

With Cliff Avril playing under the franchise tag and Kyle Vanden Bosch aging, Detroit could stand to upgrade at defensive end. Courtney Upshaw isn't a dynamic talent, but he is solid and will contribute in multiple facets of the game.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Steelers are rumored to like Dont'a Hightower, and he fits a need. Longtime Steeler James Farrior is now an ex-Steeler, and Pittsburgh needs to find his replacement.

Hightower could play inside or outside linebacker in Dick LeBeau's 3-4 defense, so he could fill one of two needs. Hightower's flexibility and pass-rushing ability fits what the Steelers look for in their linebackers.

At this point, Hightower is easily the most likely pick.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Broncos lost their only starting-caliber defensive tackle in Brodrick Bunkley, and they have yet to find a viable replacement. Michael Brockers is the best player available, and he obviously fits a huge need.

Brockers isn't overly experienced, but he is a terrific athlete with excellent size. The upside and need is too much for Denver to ignore.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Andre Johnson is aging and often hurt, so the Texans are essentially looking for a second No. 1 wide receiver. Even when Johnson is healthy, though, Houston lacks a solid No. 2 option.

At 6'4", 215 pounds with 4.3 speed, Stephen Hill is a freak athlete. Hill has tremendous upside, and even though he isn't NFL-ready, he can serve as a deep threat—like Torrey Smith did for the Ravens—in his first year.

This isn't just a realistic pick, it's also the Texans' dream scenario.

27. New England Patriots (from N.O.): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Patriots have needed pass-rush help for years, so it only makes sense that they would finally draft a defensive end. Nick Perry can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which is incredibly important in Bill Belichick's defense.

Perry is a tremendous athlete and a good value, but he may not be the best fit for New England. The USC defensive end isn't as versatile as either Andre Branch or Shea McClellin, who could be better fits. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

Green Bay needs help opposite Clay Matthews, and Andre Branch is a terrific fit. The 6'4", 259-pounder is an explosive athlete with excellent length.

The Packers could opt for the better-in-coverage Shea McClellin, but Branch is a plausible pick. Either one of those two would be good fits.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

This pick stands out as odd. General Manager Ozzie Newsome is renowned for taking the best player available, and Harrison Smith is definitely not that.

Smith doesn't fit the Ravens' biggest need either. Baltimore desperately needs interior line help, and two interior linemen from Wisconsin—Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz—are both available. They're both better values than Smith, too.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Why would the 49ers draft a defensive lineman? San Francisco has one of the best defensive lines in football, and all three starters are returning. If Kendall Reyes were a steal here, that would be one thing. But he's actually a reach.

San Francisco has two directions it could possibly go here: wide receiver or guard. Rueben Randle is a decent value at wideout, and Kevin Zeitler makes sense at guard. Though he plays tight end not wide receiver, Coby Fleener would also be a terrific pick.

This pick is unique, and for good reason. It doesn't make sense.

31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The position here is a good fit, but Jerel Worthy is not. Worthy is a one-gap penetrator, and New England's scheme revolves around two-gap defensive linemen.

The Patriots also draft long defensive linemen, and Jerel Worthy is just 6'2". Devon Still would fill the same position as Worthy but would be a much better fit in Bill Belichick's defense. 

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

New York is losing Kareem McKenzie in free agency, and the team is left with David Diehl and William Beatty at offensive tackle. That's not a great situation.

Mike Adams is worthy of a much higher pick, and he is an excellent selection here. Adams fits one of the Giants' few big needs, and he is the best value left in the draft.