2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Pre-Super Bowl Predictions

Vincent FrankJun 2, 2018

So, now that the first 30 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft are pretty much set I thought it would make sense to give you another version of my continual mock draft.

Not a whole lot has changed, but looking at tape of certain players and delving further into issues that certain teams have, I found is necessary to switch up some of the selections.

As I have said in the past, I will not include trades in my mock drafts, despite the fact that I envision a multitude of movement early in April's annual draft.

Joe Philbin going to the Miami Dolphins changes my opinion that they are going to look to trade up for Robert Griffin III. Instead, it is extremely likely that the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator brings Matt Flynn to South Beach.

This mock draft will also include a second round and take into account predicted free agent losses for teams around the league.

So, let's take a gander.

1. Indianapolis Colts

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Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Unless some team offers the Indianapolis Colts a bounty of picks and players, Andrew Luck will be their quarterback of the future come April.

He is by all accounts one of the most premier prospects to come down the pike in a long time.

Look for the Colts to go in this direction and build the rest of their talent lacking roster around Luck. After all, the same thing worked with Peyton Manning back in 1998.

2. St. Louis Rams

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Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

This pick hasn't changed since my last mock draft for one reason: Jeff Fisher. He already has the quarterback and running game to succeed on offense, expect the defensive-minded head coach to look for a difference maker on that side of the ball.

Morris Claiborne provides that and more. He will be a true shutdown corner and is already better in coverage than fellow LSU alum, Patrick Peterson.

3. Minnesota Vikings

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Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

Considering that offensive linemen were dropping in this version of my mock draft, I almost had the Minnesota Vikings taking Justin Blackmon here.

That said, the possibility of picking up a franchise offensive tackle to protect Christian Ponder and open up holes on the outside for Adrian Peterson is just too difficult to pass up.

Expect the Vikings to get their man with the No. 3 overall pick and Matt Kalil to bookend this unit for the next decade.

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4. Cleveland Browns

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Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is where the mock draft really starts to get interesting. Do the Cleveland Browns go with a franchise quarterback in Robert Griffin III? Or, do they look for a star receiver to help out Colt McCoy?

Of course, this is why their front-office figureheads make so much money.

I personally believe that Griffin III would be too hard to pass up here. However, it seems that the Browns do have some faith in McCoy. If so, look for them to go with Blackmon at No. 4.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go for value over need with this pick. I have Trent Richardson as the second-best player on my board behind Andrew Luck. If they have the former Alabama running back that high, it will be nearly impossible to pass him up.

Additionally, giving Josh Freeman a two-headed running game with LeGarrette Blount and Richardson will only make him a more capable quarterback.

6. Washington Redskins

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Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Washington Redskins would do cartwheels from New York City to Landover if this scenario plays out. There is absolutely no doubt that their front office is salivating at the idea of Griffin becoming the face of the franchise.

In fact, I could almost guarantee you that they are going to have ample trade talks with both the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings in fear that Cleveland will swoop Griffin up at No. 4.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Mike Thomas and the average players along the Jacksonville Jaguars receiving corps are just not good enough to help Blaine Gabbert out at this point. They have a relatively solid offensive line, a star running back and a reliable tight end.

It is time that Jacksonville gets that No. 1 receiver.

I fully understand that Michael Floyd would be considered a bit of a reach with the No. 7 overall pick, but this is a pick that the Jaguars have to make.

8. Carolina Panthers

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Michael Brockers, DL, Louisiana State

The Carolina Panthers are definitely on an upward trajectory. The play of Cam Newton has brought this franchise back from the scrap heap of the NFL. However, they have to upgrade at multiple positions on defense.

None of the corners would be good value here, so the Panthers go with a solid combination of need and value.

Michael Brockers is probably one of the most physically intimidating defensive players in the draft. While it might take him a little bit of time to get used to the nuances of the NFL, he has a tremendously high ceiling.

9. Miami Dolphins

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Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

I have the benefit of "projecting" where certain players are going to go in the draft because I am handicapping the real version. This means that the Miami Dolphins are going to have multiple offensive linemen available to them in the second round.

With that caveat, I have them going with the best player on the board. At this point it hasn't been indicated what type of defense new head coach Joe Philbin is going to run. It really doesn't matter in regards to Courtney Upshaw: he can dominate in both the 4-3 and 3-4.

Value at a position of need here.

10. Buffalo Bills

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Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

This is a much higher position than I have Quinton Coples on my big board, but the Buffalo Bills were hurt a lot by the Miami Dolphins selecting Courtney Upshaw with the ninth pick.

They need to get playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. This is one of the primary reasons that I have backed off on the Bills going to the offensive line, no matter the value some of them bring.

In Quinton Coples, they get a player who has a tremendously high ceiling and can turn into a dominant pass rusher. On the downside, he probably has as high of a "bust" factor of any defensive player in the draft.

11. Seattle Seahawks

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Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Some would conclude that having Brandon Mebane on the defensive line would enable the Seattle Seahawks to go in another direction with this pick.

However, it must be noted that there really aren't great fits for Seattle on offense here. They have a pretty nice receiving corp at this point and would be foolish adding a player like Alshon Jeffery to the mix.

Seattle also spent two high picks on offensive linemen in the 2011 NFL Draft.

They get a player who can take on double teams, penetrate the offensive backfield a great deal and runs with an extremely high motor.

Still's ceiling might not be incredibly high, but he is going to be one hell of a defensive tackle in the NFL.

12. Kansas City Chiefs

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David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chiefs' dream scenario plays out here. They get tremendous value at a need position in David DeCastro, who is the most complete interior lineman who has entered the draft in generations.

Kansas City will also be able to replace the liability that is Ryan Lilja at guard with this former Stanford mutter.

If DeCastro falls to Kansas City, there is absolutely no way they pass up on him.

13. Arizona Cardinals

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Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Much like the Kansas City Chiefs in the pick earlier, an "elite' prospect falls onto the laps of the Arizona Cardinals here.

To say that the Cardinals need help at the offensive tackle position would be a gross understatement.

They struggled significantly protecting their quarterbacks all season, and it cost them some games.

They get a player that I have ranked near Matt Kalil, who went No. 3 overall, with the 13th pick. You cannot ask for much more than that.

14. Dallas Cowboys

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Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

No, this pick has not changed from the previous version of my mock draft. Alfonzo Dennard fills a specific need for the Dallas Cowboys here.

With Terence Newman most likely being a salary-cap casualty and Mike Jenkins not showing enough consistency when healthy, the Cowboys must get a young corner or two in this draft.

Dennard is way above average in coverage, has solid technique and tracks the ball extremely well in the air. Expect Dallas to go with the safe bet in Dennard rather than taking a risk with Dre' Kirkpatrick here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

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Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

This is one of the picks that has remained consistent throughout the early versions of my mock draft. Simply put, the Philadelphia Eagles need to get better in the tackling game. They were so bad this season that is cost them a few games.

Enter into the equation Luke Kuechly, who is a tackling machine. The Boston College product has all the necessary skills you are looking for in a 4-3 inside linebacker. This gives Philadelphia value at a need position.

16. New York Jets

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Chris Polk, RB, Washington

It should be pretty obvious, even to the untrained eye, that the New York Jets desperately need to find Mark Sanchez a running game. He is never going to be a quarterback that can win games throwing the ball 40 times without consistent running-back play.

Shonn Greene had a really good second half of the season, but is nowhere near consistent enough to be counted on as a bell-cow.

The Jets get a physically intimidating running back in Chris Polk, who can shoulder the load 25 to 30 times a game. This is exactly what they need.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

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Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)

This is another pick that has not changed since my initial mock draft. The Cincinnati Bengals will probably not be welcoming Cedric Benson back next season, and they don't have a true heir apparent.

Acquiring the services of Lamar Miller, who I believe is extraordinarily underrated, would just add another dimension to this growing offense.

If the Bengals give Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham some consistent help in the running game, their offense will be elite.

18. San Diego Chargers

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Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

I attempted to find a team to select Reiff before the 18th pick, but just couldn't find one. Don't get me wrong, the Iowa product is a top ten player on my big board. That said, needs just didn't match up for the tackle prior to this pick.

This works out perfectly for the San Diego Chargers, who have a massive hole on the outside of their offensive line. They get one of the best values in the entire draft at a high need position.

19. Chicago Bears

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Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Chicago Bears need a No. 1 receiver; it really is that simple. Jay Cutler really doesn't have anyone he can rely on consistently on the outside. Sure, the Bears have some downfield threats, but don't really have a go-to guy, or anyone that resembles that.

Alshon Jeffery would give them a huge upside receiver who could come in and contribute immediately. He might not be as polished as some receivers in this draft, but Jeffery has a higher ceiling than pretty much any player in the draft.

20. Tennessee Titans

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Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With Alshon Jeffery going off the board the pick prior, some people would question the Tennessee Titans going with a wide receiver here. Heck, I went corner in my previous mock draft at this position.

The Titans defense has played extremely well this season and has a solid young core. Giving Jake Locker another weapon outside of Kenny Britt in the passing game would help this offense a great deal.

Kendall Wright is sure to shoot up the draft board as the off-season progresses and the closer we get to April. He can stretch the field, has good hands and already runs pretty solid routes.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

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Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB, Illinois

My previous mock drafts had Mark Barron going here. However, with Whitney Mercilus falling to this slot, it will be incredibly hard for the Cincinnati Bengals to pass up on him.

This is a player who can play with his hands down and drop back as an outside linebacker in specific situations. He already has a dominating pass rush move and will be a star in the NFL.

There are issues in regards to his ability to contribute immediately. Of course, the same thing was said about Aldon Smith last season.

22. Cleveland Browns

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Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Cleveland does need to address multiple positions along the offensive side of the ball. They did that with the selection of Justin Blackmon with their initial pick in this mock draft.

Here they go with a player that represents what most teams are looking for on defense. Zach Brown is incredibly fast, understands offensive formations pre-snap and has the ability to be a game changer.

Acquiring a player of his caliber will make the entire Cleveland Browns defense that much better.

23. Detroit Lions

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Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

A major area of need for the Detroit Lions will be along the offensive line. That said, that unit is stacked in the 2012 NFL Draft. Detroit has an equally pressing need in the defensive secondary, the cornerback position.

Stephon Gilmore is one of my favorite players in the draft. He is as physical as they come on the outside, plays really well in press coverage and has elite size.

This is the type of player the Lions will focus on when April comes.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Donta' Hightower, LB, Alabama

James Farrior isn't getting any younger, and the Pittsburgh Steelers need to start looking at an eventual replacement.

Despite this, I did have them going offensive line with their first-round pick in the couple mock drafts previous to this one.

As with the Detroit Lions, they can afford to wait until the second round in order to address that concern.

The Steelers will get a great value in Donta' Hightower, who despite injury concerns, can be a really good player at the next level.

Alabama's defensive scheme may have held the talents of Hightower back, which is something to look at during pre-draft events.

25. Denver Broncos

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Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Denver Broncos are going to have to address the secondary sooner rather than later. Champ Bailey will not be around forever, and the Broncos really don't have much after that.

Their front seven stepped up a great deal this season, which means that the next possible step will be to get younger and more talented in the secondary.

Denver will definitely draft Kirkpatrick to be a corner but have the option of moving him to safety if that doesn't work out. He is an extremely athletic player who can be a difference maker in the right scheme.

26. Houston Texans

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Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Instilling the 3-4 defense was a major success for the Houston Texans despite not having a true 3-4 nose tackle.

Dontari Poe would provide that and more. He really is a physical specimen like few seen before, one of the strongest players to come down the pike in a long time. Adding his services would free up the outside for their young pass rushers.

Pretty much a match made in heaven.

27. New England Patriots

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Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

Julian Edelman might have showed up and played decent as a corner against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, but moving a wide receiver to the defensive side of the ball really isn't going to be sustainable.

Additionally, the Patriots have major holes to fill in the secondary.

Adding a player of Jenkins' caliber in the last half of the first round is something that the New England Patriots simply cannot pass up on right now, especially at a need position.

28. Green Bay Packers

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Nick Perry, LB, Southern California

A reader of one of my columns brought to my attention something that is obvious. But it was something that I really had not taken into account in regards to the Green Bay Packers' defensive struggles this season.

His point, as it goes, "your secondary is only as good as your pass rush." Well, watching tape of the Packers loss to the New York Giants in the playoffs, I was able to fully understand that they struggled a great deal in the pass rush category.

Nick Perry would be a tremendous fit opposite Clay Matthews as an outside linebacker in the Packers 3-4 defense. He is extremely fast, has a variety of different pass-rush moves and is extremely consistent.

29. Baltimore Ravens

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Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Ed Reed and Ray Lewis played stand-up football during the playoffs. In fact, I was extremely surprised that the "old dogs" still played with tremendous ability at their age.

Still, they are not going to be able to keep this up forever. Ed Reed flirted with retirement a few seasons ago, so that is sure on his mind after the Ravens' exit from the playoffs yesterday.

They get value at a need position in Mark Barron. He is best suited to play the strong-side safety position, which is an area that the Ravens will attempt to shore up in the future.

30. San Francisco 49ers

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Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina

I sure did attempt to find a wide receiver who gives the San Francisco 49ers value here, but that wasn't possible.

There is no doubt that they need major help along that unit after it was exposed against the New York Giants yesterday. They can look at upgrades through a strong free agent class and later in this draft.

Melvin Ingram is by far the best value on the board at No. 30. He would give the 49ers a dynamic pass rusher opposite Aldon Smith, giving the 49ers the absolute best front seven in the NFL.

As I stated before, "your secondary is only as good as your pass rush." If the 49ers can just add more in the front seven, they will improve that secondary.

31. New York Giants

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Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Eli Manning was hit 20 times by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game yesterday. Obviously their opponent had something to do with that, but the Giants need to improve their pass protection.

The Giants get a steal here because of the way the rest of the first round played out. Mike Adams would have been a top 15 pick if he had not been suspended by Ohio State, causing his draft stock to plummet.

32. New England Patriots

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Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State

Sure, the New England Patriots would loved to have had Mark Barron here, giving them two immediate upgrades in the secondary. However, the Baltimore Ravens beat them to the punch.

The Patriots will still focus on defense with the second of their two first-round picks.

While Jerel Worthy has been a controversial figure for the Michigan State Spartans during his career, make no mistake about it, he is going to be a really good defensive tackle at the next level.