2012 NFL Mock Draft: Final Predictions for the First Round

I believe it was Socrates who once said, “All I know is that I know nothing,” and I think that’s an absolutely apropos quote to relate to the 2012 NFL draft.

We are now just a few hours away from the kickoff of this year’s selection extravaganza, and besides the first two picks, nobody is quite sure how this year’s draft will unfold after quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III come off the board.

Smokescreens, rumors and talk of this source says that and that source says this have flooded the media airwaves over the past few days, but the good news is, football fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out how it will all really unfold.

Draft weekend is one of the most exciting times of the year for football fans, and this year’s draft should provide plenty of surprises and unexpected twists and turns.

There are six true “cream of the crop” players in this year’s draft—Stanford QB Andrew Luck, Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, USC OT Matt Kalil, Alabama RB Trent Richardson, LSU CB Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon. And while those six are the favorites to come off the board first, no one is quite sure how all of the pieces will end up falling.

The Vikings hold the key at No. 3, and they haven’t given any indication about who they’re truly coveting just yet.

Given all the different scenarios that could play out and possible trades that could arise, I have a feeling that we will all be ripping up our mock drafts by the time the second hour of the draft rolls around. But it’s still always fun to try to speculate and predict how it will all play out.

Tonight should be a fun night full of plenty of surprises and excitement, so get pumped, football fans, because the 2012 NFL draft is almost here.

While this year’s first round seems almost impossible to predict, here’s a look at how I think all 32 picks could possibly play out.

1. The Indianapolis Colts Select: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

Other Options: None

Ever since Andrew Luck announced that he was returning to Stanford for his junior season, it seemed as if he was destined to be the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NFL draft, and now, he’s about to fulfill that destiny.

Luck may have left the college ranks without winning a Heisman Trophy or a BCS championship, but he still proved that he was worthy of the unprecedented amount of hype and attention he received during his time in Palo Alto.

The star signal-caller is one of the most polished and efficient quarterbacks to enter the NFL in decades, and it almost seems unfair that Colts fans will be spoiled with another potential Pro Bowl quarterback after getting to watch Peyton Manning for so long.

Luck has all the traits—arm strength, accuracy, intelligence, athleticism, leadership ability and confidence—that you look for in a franchise quarterback.

While it certainly won’t be easy to follow a legend like Manning, if there’s anyone that’s capable of handling the challenge, it’s Andrew Luck.

2. The Washington Redskins Select: QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Other Options: None

The Redskins have lacked stability at the quarterback position since Daniel Snyder bought the team back in 1999, and they have been in dire need of a franchise quarterback for the past decade.

Now it appears that their prayers are about to be answered.

Robert Griffin III was the savior that the Baylor football program so desperately needed, and he could be the type of hero who rescues the Redskins from the throes of mediocrity.

I feel as if I’ve sung Griffin’s praises more than enough in the many articles I’ve written about him since last September, and I’m already on record as saying that I think he’s the best player in this year’s draft.

RG3 is a rare and electrifying talent, and I’m one of the many football fans who is extremely eager to see what he’s capable of in the NFL.

Five years from now, I think we’ll be talking about Griffin as a truly transcendent pro player.

Yes, the future is finally bright in Washington again.

3. The Minnesota Vikings Select: OT Matt Kalil, USC

Other Options: CB Morris Claiborne, WR Justin Blackmon

Minnesota GM Rick Spielman deserves some type of award for drumming up all the speculation and debate about who the Vikings will take with the No. 3 pick.

Even with all the talk about LSU CB Morris Claiborne that's out there, I think that Spielman will ultimately wisely settle on USC OT Matt Kalil.

Yes, Claiborne is an intriguing option who fits a big need, and yes, the Vikings could very well trade down with a team like Tampa Bay or St. Louis, who could be looking to jump ahead of Cleveland to land Alabama RB Trent Richardson. However, when all is said and done, if Minnesota stays at No. 3, it’s going to be hard to justify not taking a potential franchise tackle like Kalil.

Kalil would be an instant upgrade over left tackle Charlie Johnson, and he would immediately help solidify an offensive line that gave up 49 sacks last year, the sixth highest total in the NFL.

The Vikings need a blindside bodyguard to protect QB Christian Ponder for the future, and they luckily have one that will be sitting there for the taking tonight.

4. The Cleveland Browns Select: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Other Options: WR Justin Blackmon, CB Morris Claiborne

Cleveland’s offense was just flat-out awful last year, and the Browns need the type of impact playmaker that can come in and energize the stagnant unit.

Alabama’s Trent Richardson could be just what the doctor ordered, and if he’s available at No. 4, I can’t see any way that the Browns pass him up.

Richardson is one of the most talented and complete running back prospects to come out of the college ranks since the turn of the millennium, and he has the chance to develop into one of the most productive backs in the league early in his career.

The 5’9’’, 228-pound powerhouse has a rare combination of strength, speed, vision, balance and running instincts that you just don’t see very often.

Richardson would be a perfect replacement for Peyton Hillis, who the Browns wisely let walk in free agency this offseason, and he would give struggling starting quarterback Colt McCoy the type of weapon he needs to finally find some semblance of success.

After ranking 28th in the league in rushing last season, Cleveland needs a bell-cow back like Richardson, and if no team trades in front of them to land him, then I can’t see any way that the Browns don’t take him at No. 4.

If Richardson is off the board at four, the Browns would likely either take Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon or LSU CB Morris Claiborne if they can’t find a trade partner to move back.

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

Other Options: RB Trent Richardson, OT Matt Kalil

Tampa Bay would probably love to see Trent Richardson available at No. 5, as he would give new coach Greg Schiano the type of Ray Rice bell-cow back to mold his offense around. However, Richardson likely won’t make it past the No. 4 pick, which means the Bucs will probably have to settle for LSU CB Morris Claiborne.

Although the team went out and threw a pretty hefty contract at Eric Wright in free agency, more help at cornerback is still needed, and Claiborne is the type of impact cover corner who can come in and immediately solidify the secondary.

The 5’11’’, 188-pound All-American is a long, athletic and instinctive corner who displayed lock-down capabilities throughout the 2011 season. Claiborne has the type of cover skills to shadow any receiver he goes up against, and he’s a better overall cornerback prospect than former teammate Patrick Peterson, the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft.

With Ronde Barber’s career soon about to come to an end after the 2012 season, it’s only fitting that Barber will likely have the chance to hand the torch off to the Bucs’ next great cornerback of the future.

If Claiborne and Alabama RB Trent Richardson are off the board when the Bucs are picking, the team would probably have to strongly consider taking USC OT Matt Kalil, who would present the best value, and who would be an upgrade over current left tackle Donald Penn. Or they could look to trade back with a team that’s looking to move up for Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox.

6. The St. Louis Rams Select: DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

Other Options: RB Trent Richardson, WR Justin Blackmon, CB Morris Claiborne, OT Matt Kalil

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if St. Louis traded up a few spots for Alabama RB Trent Richardson, especially since the Rams have so many picks to work with after swapping selections with the Washington Redskins to move down from No. 2 to No. 6. Steven Jackson has been one of the most reliable running backs in the NFL since he first entered the league back in 2005, but Jackson’s going to turn 29 this summer and he has a ton of wear and tear on his tires (over 2,100 career carries).

If the Rams decide to stay where they are, though, they probably won’t have a shot at Richardson, which means that they’ll likely be deciding between Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon or Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

Blackmon has what it takes to be a go-to receiver for an NFL offense, and he’s worthy of the No. 6 pick. However, receiver is arguably the deepest position in this year’s draft, and because the Rams hold the first pick in the second round, they could have a shot at a receiver like Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill or LSU’s Rueben Randle if either of them were to fall out of the first round.

Instead, the Rams could look to take a guy like Cox, this year’s best defensive line prospect.The Rams ranked 31st in the NFL in rush defense last season, and new coach Jeff Fisher knows that more help in the interior is needed for the team to correct that problem.

Cox has sprinted up draft boards over the past few months and started getting the attention he deserves after a dominant junior campaign in 2011, in which he racked up five sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

The Rams are in need of a playmaking interior force who can both penetrate into the backfield and eat up blockers, which are two things that Cox specializes in.

Cox is the type of disruptive defensive presence that you can mold a front seven around for the future, and if the Rams don’t trade up for Richardson, and if they choose to pass on Blackmon, he’ll likely be the pick at six.

7. The Jacksonville Jaguars Select: WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Other Options: DT Fletcher Cox, CB Stephon Gilmore, DE Chandler Jones, DE Whitney Mercilus, WR Michael Floyd

There’s no getting around the fact that QB Blaine Gabbert was just flat-out awful for most of his rookie year in Jacksonville last season. Most of the time, he simply looked overmatched by the level of competition and the complexity of the defenses he was going up against, which certainly isn’t an encouraging sign for Jaguars fans.

While Gabbert’s got a long way to go, he obviously can still salvage his career and turn things around. For that to happen, though, the Jaguars are going to have to find him a legitimate No. 1 go-to receiver to help him out.

The team’s top three receivers—Laurent Robinson, Mike Thomas and Lee Evans—are all better suited to be secondary options, and none of them seems capable of stepping up and being a true top target in the passing game.

That means that the Jaguars could consider Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon if he gets by the Rams.

The 6’1’’, 207-pound junior looked like a man amongst boys during his final two seasons in Stillwater, racking up 232 total catches for 3,304 yards and hauling in 38 total touchdown passes.

While there are questions about whether or not Blackmon has the true long speed to separate from NFL defensive backs on a consistent basis at the next level, he proved during his college career that he’s the type of rare playmaker who has the chance to be a star receiver in the pros.

If Blackmon is off the board already, and if the Jags can’t find a trade partner to move back, Jacksonville would likely take one of three players: Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox, South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore or Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd.

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

Other Options: DE Chandler Jones, DT Fletcher Cox, WR Michael Floyd, CB Stephon Gilmore

If the Dolphins select Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill at No. 8, it’s going to be because owner Stephen Ross wants him, not because GM Jeff Ireland wants him. I can guarantee you that.

The Dolphins' fanbase has begun to lose all faith in the front office, and I can’t understand why anyone would say that drafting Tannehill at eight would win them back over.

While I do think that Tannehill could one day become a solid starter in the NFL, reaching for a player in the Top 10 that has garnered plenty of critics and skeptics throughout the process and who won’t contribute to your team at all as a rookie, is, in my opinion, not going to win over many fans.

There are at least five quarterbacks—USC’s Matt Barkley, Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones, Tennessee’s Tyler Bray and West Virginia’s Geno Smith—that could potentially be had in the 2013 draft that are better than Tannehill, so I just don’t understand why a team that is destined to finish in the cellar of the AFC next season would take Tannehill at No. 8 if he’s going to give you nothing as a rookie.

I think, instead, Ireland has a couple players he would love to take at No. 8 like Syracuse DE Chandler Jones, Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd and Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox.

In my opinion, Jones or Cox should be the pick at No. 8.

Still, Stephen Ross has heard the whining from the fanbase about the team’s inability to find a franchise quarterback since the retirement of Dan Marino, and I imagine he’s grown pretty tired of it.

If all of the Tannehill Top-10 hype actually is legitimate and not just a giant pre-draft smokescreen (which it definitely could be), then the Dolphins may make the reach and grab him at No. 8.

It’s a reach that could certainly pay off down the line, but for the short term, it’s a pick that’s going to draw plenty of vitriol.

If the Dolphins opt to pass on Tannehill, he could fall all the way down to the Browns at No. 22.

One thing’s for sure, when Miami’s on the clock tonight, it’s going to be a very interesting 10 minutes to say the least.

9. The Carolina Panthers Select: S Mark Barron, Alabama

Other Options: DT Fletcher Cox, DT Michael Brockers, CB Stephon Gilmore, DE Quinton Coples, WR Michael Floyd

I have a feeling that Alabama safety Mark Barron is going to come off the board at No. 9, but what I’m not sure of is if the Carolina Panthers are going to be the team making the pick.

This seems like a great spot for Carolina to trade back if Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox is off the board already, and teams like the Cowboys and the Chargers could be interested in moving up for the playmaking safety.

If the Panthers stay, they don’t necessarily “need” Barron, as Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey are serviceable starting safeties. However, he just might be the best player on their board, and he’s the type of impact defender that would definitely help stabilize Carolina’s shaky secondary.

The 6’1’’, 213-pound senior was one of the key leaders of Alabama’s ultra-talented defense last season, and he proved to be a difference-maker for the Tide, as he excelled against some of the best competition that college football had to offer in the SEC.

Barron is a big, physical safety that has all the traits to be a standout pro, and I think he’s the type of rare safety prospect who is legitimately worthy of a Top-10 pick.

10. The Buffalo Bills Select: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Other Options: OT Cordy Glenn, S Mark Barron, LB Luke Kuechly, WR Michael Floyd

According to all the different rumors put out there in the media over the last few days, the Bills apparently covet a bunch of different players, including Mark Barron, Matt Kalil and Luke Kuechly. You have to take all the rumors with a grain of salt, though, and remember that this close to the draft, no team is going to let their true feelings known to the public.

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Bills are considering five players with the No. 10 overall pick—Alabama S Mark Barron, Georgia OT Cordy Glenn, South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore, Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd and Boston College LB Luke Kuechly.

Given GM Buddy Nix’s proven affinity for SEC players, I think he’s most attached to Barron, Glenn and Gilmore.

Ideally, if a team offers Buffalo a trade, I think Nix would consider it, as he would probably love to move back and pick up Cordy Glenn at a cheaper price. But if the Bills stay at 10, I think it will come down to either Gilmore or Glenn, with Gilmore being the better value pick.

If the Bills have any hope of ever catching the Patriots in the AFC East, they’re going to need to stock up on premium pieces in the secondary, and the current cornerback crop of Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin and Drayton Florence just isn't enough to get the job done. 

11. The Kansas City Chief Select: LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Other Options: OG David DeCastro, S Mark Barron, DT Dontari Poe

If Luke Kuechly makes it past Buffalo at No. 10, he probably won’t fall past Kansas City at 11, as the Chiefs would likely love to pair Kuechly with Derrick Johnson in the middle of their 3-4 defense.

The Boston College ‘backer was a tackle machine during his three-year college career, racking up 532 total stops, and he has the type of toughness, instincts and mental makeup that a GM like Scott Pioli is looking for in a top prospect.

Kuechly is the type of defensive leader who would instantly stabilize the Chiefs' front seven, and he’s the type of playmaker who should find his way to the Pro Bowl very early in his career.

If Kuechly is off the board, Kansas City could look at Stanford OG David DeCastro or Memphis DT Dontari Poe. They could even entertain trade offers, as this could be a coveted pick if one of the projected Top-10 players starts to slide.

12. The Seattle Seahawks Select: DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

Other Options: LB Luke Kuechly, DE Whitney Mercilus, DE Melvin Ingram, DE Quinton Coples

The Seahawks probably wouldn’t mind if Boston College LB Luke Kuechly was on the board at No. 12, but with the Bills and Chiefs picking directly in front of them, Kuechly probably won’t make it down this far.

Instead, Seattle will probably be looking to take a defensive end like Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus, Syracuse’s Chandler Jones or South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram to boost a pass rush that only came up with 33 sacks last season.

All are super athletic ends who could really entice Pete Carroll and company.

Jones, the younger brother of Ravens DE Arthur Jones and UFC fighter Jon "Bones" Jones, displayed terrific athleticism and anchor strength as the leader of the Orange defensive line last year.

The 6’5’’, 265-pound junior has the kind of long frame, natural strength, athleticism, instincts and pass-rushing prowess to make an early impact in the pros as a rookie in 2012, and he could even turn out to be next season's version of Aldon Smith.

13. The Arizona Cardinals Select: OT/OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

Other Options: WR Michael Floyd, OT Riley Reiff, DE/LB. Melvin Ingram, DE/LB Chandler Jones

Arizona would likely take a good, long, hard look at Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd if he's available at No. 13. However, the Cardinals already have the best receiver in the league in Larry Fitzgerald, and they have a glaring hole at right tackle that needs to be filled.

One player who would be a solution to the team’s tackle problem is Georgia’s Cordy Glenn, who has the perfect makeup to be a right tackle in the NFL.

The imposing 6'6'', 345-pound senior was a four-year starter during his time in Athens, and he routinely dominated some of the country's best defensive linemen in SEC matchups throughout his career.

Glenn could be a dominant right-side run-blocker for the Cardinals for years to come, and he would help to shore up an offensive line that was far from stellar last season.

14. The Dallas Cowboys Select: DT/DE Michael Brockers, LSU

Other Options: S Mark Barron, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, OG David DeCastro, DT Dontari Poe

The Cowboys would love to see Alabama safety Mark Barron hanging around at No. 14, but it doesn’t seem like Barron will make it down to them, and unless they decide to trade up for him, they’re going to have to settle for Plan B at No. 14.

That plan could include Stanford OG David DeCastro, or a defensive lineman such as LSU’s Michael Brockers or Memphis’ Dontari Poe.

Brockers is the most intriguing of the three, but he’s also still an unproven commodity after starting for just one year in Baton Rouge.

Still, the big, powerful 6’5’’, 322-pound redshirt sophomore showed enough flashes of dominance during 2011 to garner legitimate Top-15 interest.

Brockers has the size, strength and tenacity to develop into a stout 3-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme like the one Rob Ryan runs in Dallas, and he would give the Cowboys a potential Pro Bowl player to build their defensive line around for the future.

While he may still be extremely raw and unrefined at this point, Brockers has the type of physical package to one day become a disruptive force in the NFL.

15. The Philadelphia Eagles Select: DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Other Options: DT Fletcher Cox, DE Chandler Jones, DE Melvin Ingram, LB Lavonte David, WR Stephen Hill, DT Dontari Poe, CB Stephon Gilmore, OT/OG Cordy Glenn

The Eagles are always one of the trickiest teams to try to forecast a first-round draft pick for, and that’s the case once again this year. Philadelphia has no true glaring need, which will allow the team to be flexible at 15.

Andy Reid loves to stock up on pass-rushers, and while defensive end isn’t exactly a “need” position for the Eagles, I wouldn’t be shocked if the team took an end such as South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, Syracuse’s Chandler Jones or Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus in the first round.

Ingram, Mercilus and Jones all have the chance to be premier pass-rushers in the NFL.

Mercilus was relatively unknown before the start of the 2011 season, but the 6’3’’, 261-pound junior exploded onto the scene with an All-American campaign, as he racked up an eye-catching 16 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss.

While some are still wondering if he was simply a one-year wonder or not, Mercilus showed enough flashes last year to warrant legitimate Top-20 interest, and I could see him being a Jason Pierre-Paul-type of pick in this year’s draft.

16. The New York Jets Select: WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Other Options: DE/LB Chandler Jones, DE/LB Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB Andre Branch, DT Dontari Poe, WR Kendall Wright, LB Dont’a Hightower

It looks like the Jets will take an edge-rusher such as Syracuse’s Chandler Jones or Illinois' Whitney Mercilus in the first round to give the team’s outside pass rush a big boost. That is, unless of course, Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd slides down to them at No. 16.

If Floyd gets by Carolina, Buffalo and Arizona, the Jets would likely hop all over him if he were available, and then wait until the second round to pick a rush linebacker.

Floyd has the type of size, speed, hands, body control and overall playmaking ability to develop into a star No. 1 receiver for an NFL team early in his career.

The Jets have a quality young receiver in Jeremy Kerley, but who knows what to expect from disgruntled wideout Santonio Holmes next season.

Floyd would give QB Mark Sanchez the type of big, speedy weapon that would help make things a lot simpler in the passing game.

17. The Cincinnati Bengals Select: OG David DeCastro, Stanford

Other Options: LB Courtney Upshaw, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, DE Quinton Coples, WR Kendall Wright, LB Lavonte David

Stanford’s David DeCastro is one of the true elite prospects in this year’s draft, and based on just pure talent and potential, he definitely deserves to be picked in the Top 10. However, because he’s an offensive guard, one of the least coveted positions when it comes to the draft, DeCastro might slide down the board a bit tonight.

One team that would love to land him if he does fall a few spots is the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati lost left guard Nate Livings to the Cowboys in free agency and right guard Bobbie Williams probably won’t be back.

The Bengals did bring in Travelle Wharton and Jacob Bell this offseason, but both players are over 30, and they may not be viewed as long-term solutions.

DeCastro is the type of standout lineman who should develop into a decade-long stalwart for whichever team ends up with him, and if that team is Cincinnati, you can bet that QB Andy Dalton will be a mighty happy man.

18. The San Diego Chargers Select: LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

Other Options: DE/LB Melvin Ingram, DE/LB Whitney Mercilus, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, OT Riley Reiff, OT Jonathan Martin

The Chargers are typically a tough team to forecast a first-round pick for, as they can always seemingly go in a variety of different directions early in the draft.

While there are some holes to fill on the offensive line, meaning that an offensive tackle like Georgia’s Cordy Glenn or Iowa’s Riley Reiff could be in play at No. 18, I have a feeling that the Chargers would really like to add a dominant inside linebacker to the middle of their 3-4 defense.

They won’t be able to do much better than Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower, who would be a perfect fit for San Diego’s defense. Hightower led the top-ranked Alabama defense with 85 tackles last season, and he proved to be a stout run-stuffer in the middle of the field.

While he may not be the fastest linebacker prospect in this year’s draft, the 6’2’’, 265-pound Hightower has the strength, instincts and playmaking ability to shut down the middle of the field, and he would be a great long-term replacement for the aging Takeo Spikes.

19. The Chicago Bears Select: DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Other Options: DE Whitney Mercilus, OT Riley Reiff, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, DE Chandler Jones, DE Shea McClellin, WR Kendall Wright, WR Stephen Hill

This offseason, the Bears finally decided to bring in a No. 1 receiver to help out QB Jay Cutler by trading for Cutler’s former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall.

Marshall alleviates the need to draft a receiver in the first round of this year’s draft, although if a player like Baylor’s Kendall Wright is still on the board at No. 19, there’s a chance that Chicago could pounce on him.

Instead, the Bears could look to find some help in the trenches, as they could use some more stability on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Given the fact that Chicago has 32-year-old Julius Peppers and 31-year-old Israel Idonije leading the way at defensive end, the team might be in search of a young pass-rusher to groom along with Corey Wootton, who has yet to make the type of impact that the team was hoping for.

There are three pass-rushers—Syracuse’s Chandler Jones, Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus and South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram—who are all likely to go in the teens, but there’s a good chance that at least one of them could fall to the Bears at No. 19.

Ingram is one of the most versatile and talented defensive prospects in this year's draft, and he solidified his status as a Top-20 pick with a monster senior season in 2011.

The 6'1'', 264-pound former Gamecock notched 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last year, and he displayed the type of rare skill set that has to have plenty of NFL teams intrigued and interested in his services.

20. The Tennessee Titans Select: LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

Other Options: OG Kevin Zeitler, WR Stephen Hill, WR Kendall Wright, CB Dre Kirkpatrick

There are going to be at least three or four “Wow, I really didn’t see that coming” type of picks in the first round this year, and I have a feeling that the Titans are going to be one of the teams that makes one of them.

While Tennessee could very well take a receiver such as Baylor’s Kendall Wright or Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill at No. 20 (since Kenny Britt is coming off a torn ACL), I wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled off a bit of a stunner and took a more under-the-radar player like Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David.

The Titans already have two-thirds of a great young linebacker corps in place after selecting Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy in last year’s draft. However, they are still on the lookout for a future weak-side linebacker to eventually take over for Will Witherspoon, who will likely be playing his final season in Tennessee in 2012.

While David isn’t being projected by many to be a first-round pick, I personally wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called tonight.

The standout 6’1’’, 233-pound senior was a tackling machine during his two years in Lincoln, racking up 285 total takedowns, and he has all the traits you look for in a playmaking weak-side linebacker.

With David in the fold, the Titans would have one of the best young linebacker units in the league to mold their defense around for the future.

21. The Cincinnati Bengals Select: DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Other Options: RB Doug Martin, WR Stephen Hill, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, DE Quinton Coples, WR Kendall Wright, LB Lavonte David, CB Dre Kirkpatrick

The Bengals could go in a few different directions with both of their first-round picks, but one player who I think they would seriously consider at No. 21 if he’s still available is Alabama defensive end-outside linebacker tweener Courtney Upshaw.

Upshaw may not have a defined role going into the draft, but it’s clear that he's one of the premier pass-rushers in this class, which he proved during his final two seasons in Tuscaloosa when he racked up a combined 15.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss.

The 6'1'', 272-pound senior was an absolute menace coming off the edge of Alabama's 3-4 front, and he made a living in opponents' backfields, causing plenty of trouble for opposing offenses.

Upshaw has the size and the strength to stick his hand in the ground and convert to being a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, and he would give the Bengals' defense a deadly pass-rusher to unleash on quarterbacks.

22. The Cleveland Browns Select: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

Other Options: QB Ryan Tannehill, OT/OG Cordy Glenn, DE Whitney Mercilus, RB Doug Martin, WR Kendall Wright

If the Browns take either Alabama RB Trent Richardson or LSU CB Morris Claiborne with the No. 4 pick instead of Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon, Cleveland could definitely be looking to take a receiver at No. 22.

The team has intriguing receivers such as Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi, but the Browns' offense lacks a proven No. 1 option.

One of the most exciting receivers in this year’s draft is Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill.

The 6’4’’, 215-pound junior didn’t get the chance to show off his talents very often in Paul Johnson’s run-heavy triple-option offense. However, when he actually did get the ball thrown his way, Hill certainly made the most of the opportunity to make a big play, as he finished with an insane 29.3 yards per catch average in 2011.

Hill has seen his stock skyrocket since posting huge numbers at the combine, when he lit up stopwatches with a 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash and jumped through the roof with a 39.5" vertical leap.

Once viewed as an intriguing mid-round prospect, Hill could now certainly hear his name called tonight in Round 1.

While he isn’t ready to be a No. 1 receiver for an NFL offense, Hill has the potential to grow into a truly dynamic receiving weapon over the next few years if he’s given the right amount of patience and coaching.

23. The Detroit Lions Select: DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Other Options: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, DE Whitney Mercilus, OT Jonathan Martin, DE Bruce Irvin, OT Mike Adams

North Carolina DE Quinton Coples is without a doubt this year’s biggest boom-or-bust prospect.

Before the start of the 2011 college football season, I was one of the many people who projected Coples to be a surefire Top-Five pick in this year’s draft. However, after seeing Coples’ struggles as a senior, I’m now one of the many who questions just how reliable he will be as a pro player.

The 6’5’’, 284-pound beast has all of the natural talent and physical ability to be a star pass-rusher in the NFL, but questions about his motor and his mindset may have some teams worried about spending a high pick on him.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Coples take a bit of a tumble down the board tonight, but one team that could come to his rescue is the Detroit Lions.

In last year’s first round, the Lions scooped up DT Nick Fairley, a projected Top-10 pick who slid down to the 13th slot due to maturity concerns.

This time around, Detroit could implement a similar strategy if Coples starts to slide. The Lions could use a young pass-rusher to pair with Cliff Avril, and if Coples falls to them at No. 23, they may deem him worthy of the risk.

24. The Pittsburgh Steelers Select: DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

Other Options: LB Dont’a Hightower, OG Kevin Zeitler, WR Kendall Wright, CB Dre Kirkpatrick

In recent years, the Steelers have begun to show their age on defense, especially up front on the defensive line.

While Pittsburgh has added young ends like Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward early in the draft in recent years, they could still use a young nose tackle to one day replace 34-year-old Casey Hampton.

This year’s most intriguing 3-4 nose tackle prospect is Memphis’ Dontari Poe.

While Poe wasn’t a huge star during his college career, he gained a big buzz when he tore up the combine, running a sub-5.0 40-yard dash and putting up a supremely impressive 44 reps in the bench press.

The monstrous 6’3’’, 346-pound junior is going to need some time to develop and acclimate himself to the NFL, but he could be a worthy investment that pays off down the line.

25. The Denver Broncos Select: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Other Options: DT Kendall Reyes, RB Doug Martin, DT Dontari Poe, CB Trumaine Johnson, WR Kendall Wright, TE Coby Fleener

The Broncos will likely be looking to draft some more offensive playmakers to put around new quarterback Peyton Manning, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the team looked at a running back like Boise State’s Doug Martin or a tight end like Stanford’s Coby Fleener in Round 1.

Still, Denver also has to consider fixing some holes on defense, and one of the biggest areas of need is at cornerback. Soon-to-be 34-year-old Champ Bailey is in the twilight of his career, and while adding Tracy Porter should help, there aren’t many other proven options at the position to speak of.

Finding a future replacement for the aging Bailey is something that the Broncos will have to consider, and a highly touted prospect who could be capable of handling the takeover is Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick. The 6’1’’, 186-pound Kirkpatrick is a big, long defensive back who is cut from the same mold as NFL corners such as Charles Tillman and Sean Smith.

Kirkpatrick wasn’t tested often during his time in Tuscaloosa, but he’s the type of athletic and physical zone corner who has the ability to develop into a No. 1 corner for an NFL defense.

While he does have some evident “bust” type of traits, if Kirkpatrick keeps his head on straight and plays up to his potential, he should develop into an impact defender in the pros early in his career.

 

26. The Houston Texans Select: OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

Other Options: WR Kendall Wright, TE Coby Fleener, LB Courtney Upshaw,

Houston could be on the lookout for offensive playmakers like Stanford TE Coby Fleener or Baylor WR Kendall Wright when the team is on the clock at No. 26. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Texans took a right tackle prospect such as Iowa’s Riley Reiff to pair with Duane Brown.

Reiff has the physical makeup and the traits that NFL teams look for in a starting caliber tackle, but he seems to lack that special "it" factor that sets USC's Matt Kalil apart from the rest of the tackles in this year's class.

The 6'6'', 313-pound junior was a solid three-year starter during his time at Iowa, and he showed that he was capable of manning either the right or left tackle positions during his college career.

Reiff is still a bit rough around the edges, though, and he could stand to hit the weight room and work on his overall technique, as he had a tendency to get overwhelmed by stronger bull-rushers in pass protection. He also fell off too many blocks in the run game.

While he's not a truly special tackle prospect like Kalil, Reiff has everything you look for in a starting NFL tackle, and he's versatile enough to handle playing on either the right or the left side in the pros.

27. The New England Patriots Select: DE Shea McCellin, Boise State

Other Options: WR Stephen Hill, DE Chandler Jones, DE Whitney Mercilus, DT Michael Brockers, S Harrison Smith

I have a hunch that the Patriots could be one of the teams that goes jumping up into the teens for one of this year’s top pass-rushers such as Syracuse’s Chandler Jones or Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus or possibly Alabama safety Mark Barron. If they stay put, though, I could see them taking a strong interest in a versatile edge-rusher like Boise State’s Shea McClellin.

New England lost most of its top defensive ends from last season after not re-signing Mark Anderson, Andre Carter and Shaun Ellis, and it could be on the lookout for a pass-rusher in Round 1.

McClellin has been steadily working his way up draft boards in recent weeks, and now it looks like the defensive end-outside linebacker tweener is primed to crash the first-round party tonight.

The 6'3'', 260-pound senior shares many similar traits to Brooks Reed of the Texans, as he's the type of non-stop hustle player who plays with a mean streak and knows how to consistently find his way into the backfield.

The three-year starter racked up 20.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles during his career at Boise State.

If New England stays at No. 27, and McClellin is available, it would seem to be a match made in draft heaven.

28. The Green Bay Packers Select: CB/S Trumaine Johnson, Montana

Other Options: RB Doug Martin, DE/LB Shea McClellin, DE/LB Nick Perry, DE/LB Andre Branch, CB Dre Kirkpatrick

Montana’s Trumaine Johnson has been flying under the radar throughout the draft process, but from a potential and physical ability standpoint, he’s got everything you look for in a first-round cornerback prospect.

Johnson is the type of big, athletic and instinctive cover man who has the type of physical package to match up with any type of receiver that he'll face in the NFL. The 6'2'', 204-pound senior has the size of a safety and the overall coverage skills of a corner.

Green Bay is a team that could be looking to find a pass-rusher to pair with Clay Matthews, but the Packers also need to add some pieces to a secondary that ranked dead last in the league in pass defense last season.

Johnson has the versatility to play either corner or safety in the NFL, and he’s at a point in his development where he could come in and immediately contribute to an NFL team as a rookie in 2012.

29. The Baltimore Ravens Select: OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

Other Options: WR Rueben Randle, LB Courtney Upshaw, LB Dont’a Hightower, OT Mike Adams, OG Amini Silatolu, C Peter Konz

The Ravens will likely be looking to address some of their glaring offensive line holes early in this year’s draft, and they could take a tackle, guard or even a center with the No. 29 pick.

One player that Baltimore could have a serious interest in is Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler.

Zeitler has everything you look for in a standout guard prospect, and while he may be just a notch below the draft's premier prospect at the position, Stanford's David DeCastro, he's still the type of rare interior lineman who is worthy of a first-round selection.

The 6'4'', 314-pound senior is a powerful, strong and fundamentally sound technician who takes pride in beating up whoever lines up in front of him. Zeitler is an experienced three-year starter who could walk into an NFL huddle right now and handle himself just fine.

While it's rare to see more than one guard go in the first round of the draft, don't be surprised if David DeCastro isn't the only guard selected tonight, as Zeitler is the type of building-block lineman that more than a few teams are probably coveting.

Also don’t be surprised if Ozzie Newsome tries to trade up for one of Alabama’s playmaking linebacker prospects such as Courtney Upshaw or Dont’a Hightower, as both would be key additions to the team’s 3-4 defense.

30. The San Francisco 49ers Select: DE/LB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

Other Options: OG Kevin Zeitler, OG Amini Silatolu, DT Dontari Poe, WR Kendall Wright,TE Coby Fleener

The 25 to 32 range is where things could start to get a little crazy, and I think the 49ers could be a team that pulls off a big stunner, given that they have no true glaring weaknesses.

After losing offensive guards Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal in free agency, one area the team may look to address with the 30th pick is guard. Obviously, coach Jim Harbaugh would love to get his hands on former Stanford pupil David DeCastro, but that certainly isn’t going to happen. So instead the 49ers could look at one of the two next-best guards on the board, either Midwestern State’s Amini Silatolu or Wisconsin’s Kevin Zeitler.

Don’t be shocked, however,  if they decide instead to go with West Virginia end-linebacker tweener Bruce Irvin, one of the most athletic and explosive prospects in the entire 2012 class.

Irvin is a perfect fit for San Francisco’s 3-4 defense, and combining him and Aldon Smith on the outside would give the 49ers a truly dynamic pair of edge-rushers for years to come.

While Irvin may not be valued by many as a first-round talent, if there ends up being a big run on pass-rushers tonight, don’t be surprised if he somehow slips his way into the bottom of the first round.

31. The New England Patriots Select: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Other Options: WR Stephen Hill, DE Chandler Jones, DE Whitney Mercilus, DT Michael Brockers, S Harrison Smith

Knowing the Patriots, they will probably trade one of their two first-round picks away. However, if Nick Caserio and Bill Belichick decide to use both first-rounders, they could go in a variety of different directions with each of them.

Finding a premium pass-rusher is obviously paramount, but if New England fills that need at 27 with a guy like Boise State’s Shea McClellin, they could use the 31st pick to add a young, dynamic playmaker to a wide receiver corps that includes four players—Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch and Donte Stallworth—who are on the wrong side of 30.

If one of the three “next-tier” receivers—Baylor’s Kendall Wright, LSU’s Rueben Randle or Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill—is available at 31, it would be hard to pass one of them up.

Wright, specifically, would be a terrific value this late in Round 1.

Robert Griffin’s former go-to target caught 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011, and he displayed the type of deep speed and playmaking ability that would be a welcome addition to New England’s pass-happy spread attack.

32. The New York Giants Select: DE Nick Perry, USC

Other Options: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, DE Andre Branch, WR Stephen Hill, OT Jonathan Martin, TE Coby Fleener, DE Vinny Curry

The Giants don’t need another defensive end, do they?

Well, it’s true, on the surface: Big Blue’s defensive end crop appears to be one of the strongest in the league with budding star Jason Pierre-Paul and stable veterans Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora leading the way. However, when you consider that there’s a chance that Umenyiora, who hasn’t been shy about expressing his displeasure with the front office recently, could be dealt during the draft, and that Tuck battled through constant injuries last season, you realize that the G-men might just be in the market for a young pass-rusher to groom.

This is a team that relies heavily on its pass rush for success, and in recent years, it hasn’t been shy about picking defensive ends like Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka in the first round if the right value is there.

After losing some key pieces in free agency, the Giants now have evident needs on the offensive line and in the backfield, but if one of this year’s top pass-rushers such as Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus, USC’s Nick Perry or Marshall’s Vinny Curry falls into their lap at No. 32, they might just be too hard to pass up.

One of those ends that could be available is Perry, who enjoyed a very strong junior campaign in 2011, racking up 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2011.

Perry is the type of athletic physical specimen who fits the mold of what the Giants are looking for in an edge-rusher, and if he’s available at 32, New York would likely give him some strong consideration.

Recap

1. The Indianapolis Colts Select QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

2. The Washington Redskins Select QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

3. The Minnesota Vikings Select OT Matt Kalil, USC

4. The Cleveland Browns Select RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

5. The Tampa Bay Bucs Select CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

6. The St. Louis Rams Select DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

7. The Jacksonville Jaguars Select WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

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

9. The Carolina Panthers Select S Mark Barron, Alabama

10. The Buffalo Bills Select CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

11. The Kansas City Chiefs Select LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

12. The Seattle Seahawks Select DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

13. The Arizona Cardinals Select OT/OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

14. The Dallas Cowboys Select DT/DE Michael Brockers, LSU

15. The Philadelphia Eagles Select DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

16. The New York Jets Select WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

17. The Cincinnati Bengals Select OG David DeCastro, Stanford

18. The San Diego Chargers Select LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

19. The Chicago Bears Select DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

20. The Tennessee Titans Select LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

21. The Cincinnati Bengals Select DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

22. The Cleveland Browns Select WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

23. The Detroit Lions Select DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

24. The Pittsburgh Steelers Select DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

25. The Denver Broncos Select CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

26. The Houston Texans Select OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

27. The New England Patriots Select DE/LB Shea McClellin, Boise State

28. The Green Bay Packers Select CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana

29. The Baltimore Ravens Select OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

30. The San Francisco 49ers Select DE/LB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

31. The New England Patriots Select WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

32. The New York Giants Select DE/LB Nick Perry, USC

Other Prospects Who Could Hear Their Name Called Tonight

RB Doug Martin, Boise State

WR Rueben Randle, LSU

TE Coby Fleener, Stanford

OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

OT Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

OG Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State

C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

DT Kendall Reyes, Connecticut

DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

DT Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

DE/LB Andre Branch, Clemson

DE/LB Vinny Curry, Marshall

CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

CB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

S Harrison Smith, Notre Dame