2012 NFL Draft Order: Predicting Spots for Every Playoff Team

2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU) 
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)
8. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

With a second first-round pick, the Bengals go again on the offensive line. The first with Iowa's Reilly Reiff and now Georgia's Cordy Glenn.

For his 6'5", 348-pound size, Glenn has great athleticism and will help improve the Bengals' No. 19 ranked rush offense (averaged 111.1 per game). He also won't get overpowered or out-quicked in the NFL.

Georgia QB Aaron Murray rarely saw pressure from the interior line, as Glenn was solid in pass protection. Being that Cincinnati ranked just No. 20 in passing (averaged 208.8 per game), it could use Glenn to help boost the ground game and thus set up the passing attack.

To be a good, consistent team in the AFC North, you need a balanced offense. And right now, the Bengals are right on that threshold.

22. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)

For the 2011 regular season, the Detroit Lions ranked No. 22 against the pass (allowed 239.4 yards per game) and No. 23 against the run (allowed 128.1 yards per game). So, it's safe to say they need some help on defense.

Well, North Carolina's Zach Brown is a perfect fit. He's a sure tackler (105 in 2011, 72 in 2010) and knows how to find the ball once in coverage (seven career picks, three in 2010 and 2011).

Brown also forced two fumbles in 2011 as well as recording 5.5 sacks. With Ndamukong Suh on the inside, Detroit could use some QB pressure from Brown on the outside to make Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril that much more effective.

23. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)

The Browns need some attitude on defense. Because when you think of AFC North football, you think of defense. And teams like the Steelers and Ravens have those defensive players that bring a certain attitude and swagger to the game.

Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict is just that guy for Cleveland. He's forced three career fumbles, recorded five sacks in 2011 and recorded 219 career tackles with virtually no help around him.

Well, there's some help in Cleveland with Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, D'Qwell Jackson and Joe Haden.

Put Burfict on the inside or outside in their 4-3 look, and they'll get production. At his core, Burfict is an explosive player, whether it's blitzing, reading the run or dropping into coverage. And that's something Cleveland is missing.

24. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

If the Broncos' defense wants to take another step, Denver needs to draft a solid corner. Either put him opposite of Champ Bailey or just in nickel/dime situations, Chase Minnifield from Virginia is a good fit.

He's good for run support, can lock on to any slot target and is a solid in press coverage. If there's anything the Broncos could use, it's a DB allowing Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil that extra 0.5 seconds to get the sack.

Plus, with Bailey and Brian Dawkins both being old, replenishing with young DBs is necessary. Not to mention, Chase has recorded nine picks over the past two seasons as well as 98 tackles.

25. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

With three DTs aged 29 or older (two are age 32), the New York Giants need some young blood in the trenches. Now, whether they trade up for Penn State's Devon Still or not, he's a great pick for Big Blue.

The Giants rank No. 19 against the rush (allowed 121.3 per game) but still have a solid pass rush. Unfortunately, that will continue to decline unless they get some younger players in the trenches. Still has accounted for 8.5 sacks the past two seasons as well as 88 tackles despite being a DT.

Standing at 6'5" and weighing 310 pounds, he'll be a force for New York on the inside. The Giants need a pass rush presence between the tackles as well as someone who can run stuff consistently.

26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Regardless of how good a defense is, there are weaknesses on every team. For the Houston Texans, it's minimal, but between the tackles at the DT position is where an offense can have success against them.

But thanks to much talent in the secondary, LBs and edge pass-rushers, it does go unnoticed. Well, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy can help alleviate that and make the Texans a complete defense.

With 11.5 sacks through three seasons, Worthy is a pass rush/run stuff man in the middle. He doesn't get a lot of tackles, as he's drawing double and triple teams quite often. Nonetheless, for any defensive player, that's just as good as a sack or tackle.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

The one area where the 49ers can improve is pass defense. Their pass rush is solid, and their front seven is virtually impenetrable on the ground.

After the 2011 regular season finished, the Niners ranked No. 16 against the pass (allowed 230.9 per game). Now, the passing offense may not be stellar, either; however, they've also dealt with a few injuries there.

So, bringing in another safety such as Alabama's Mark Barron with be a great complement to Donte Whitner. He's physical, can roll down into the box and will shut down coverage whether man or zone.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Sooner or later, we know that Ray Lewis must retire. The man is a legend, but he'll also be 37 years old before 2012 kicks off.

That being said, another Crimson Tide defensive player, Dont'a Hightower, can be a solid replacement. Until Ray retires, of course Dont'a will be a situational player, but whenever Ray decides to hang it up, the Ravens need a guy with raw talent who can hit the ground running.

His 6'4", 260-pound frame has helped him in recording almost 150 tackles combined from 2010 to 2011 and will serve him well in the pros. Hightower knows how to own the middle as a sure tackle and physically imposing presence.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)

As usual, the Pittsburgh Steelers still need to improve in pass protection. And with an ankle that'll most likely affect his mobility for the remainder of his career, QB Ben Roethlisberger needs that pocket protection.

Well, Ohio State's Mike Adams is the right guy, as he's underrated and arguably just as good as anyone in the draft. Fortunately for Adams, he has had the luxury of a scrambling QB to block for.

In the ground game, he'll be perfect for Pittsburgh, as Adams blocks with a vengeance thanks to some great quickness. 

30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

No matter how the 2011 season finishes for the Patriots, they still desperately need to improve in pass defense. Ranking No. 31 this season (allowed 294 yards per game), New England gave up a lot of yards but not too many points.

Fortunately for the Patriots, an underrated CB named Stephon Gilmore will be available. Playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Gilmore recorded seven sacks, eight picks and 173 tackles in his career.

As he aged, the number gradually decreased, however, that's because offenses neglected to attack him, as they knew Gilmore would shut them down.

This kind of blanket/physical coverage as well as being solid on run support is what the Pats need.

31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)

A second straight pick, New England must once again go defense, but this time, it's Virginia DE Cam Johnson. The Patriots aren't getting any younger on the defensive line, and some fresh blood is needed.

Johnson is underrated mainly because he played at Virginia, who's in the ACC. And despite recording just four sacks and 30 tackles in 2011, Cam didn't see a lot of action his way. Nor was he ever blocked one-on-one.

When you're a stud DE, the TE will jam you, then the OT is blocking and generally a RB is helping with pass protection also. The invariable odds were against him producing, but it allowed other players to step up. Which is why the Cavaliers finished 8-5 and had their best record since 2007.

32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

For a defense that allows almost five yards per rush and a bunch of passing yards per game, the Green Bay Packers need to improve in the trenches.

Which is where South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram comes into play.

His stock is gradually rising, and with a solid performance over Nebraska on Monday, Ingram has recorded 10.5 sacks and 48 tackles in 2011.

Add in his two picks, three TDs (two off fumble recoveries, one on a fake punt), and you have a complete player. Melvin can drop into coverage thanks to some great athleticism for his size, is laterally quick and simply knows how to find the football.

In an opportunistic defense like Green Bay, Melvin Ingram will flourish opposite of Clay Matthews.
 
 

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