2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Picks for Remaining Playoff Teams

In our 2012 NFL Mock Draft, we take a highlighted look at who the four remaining playoff teams—New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots—might take in the first round this April.

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—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

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

6.  Washington Redskins—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

8.  Carolina Panthers—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

16.  New York Jets—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22.  Cleveland Browns—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State  

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

25.  Denver Broncos—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

26.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

28.  Green Bay Packers—Nick Perry, OLB USC

29.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama

The Giants defense has obviously risen to the challenge of their last four games, but where their defensive 11 has the most holes is at linebacker, a position in New York that lacks any true playmakers. Hightower has concerns about his sideline-to-sideline speed, but few linebackers can match his overall football instincts.    

30.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

There are obvious red flags about Burfict's attitude and aggressiveness, but what better team could he land on than the Baltimore Ravens? They need a long-term replacement plan for Ray Lewis, and Lewis could help mentor and straighten out the erratic Burfict. It's a win-win situation for a talented but erratic football player. 

31.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers

The 49ers have a roster that lacks an obvious weakness, but after releasing Braylon Edwards and watching Michael Crabtree lock up in the playoff spotlight, adding a receiver is likely high on San Francisco's draft list. Sanu was highly productive at Rutgers and should put forth solid pre-draft workout numbers.  

32.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

It goes without saying that the Patriots struggled for most of 2011 stopping the pass. A part of that problem was the rotation at safety, and the Patriots haven't really had a dependable guy at that position since the days of Lawyer Milloy and Rodney Harrison. Barron could be an instant starter in 2012.