NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Landing Spots for Top Prospects

Sadly, now only two fanbases can really focus on what remains of the 2011-12 NFL season. The rest of us must turn to the future of our beloved teams and that all starts with the 2012 NFL draft.

Now that the draft order is all but set and players have started to separate themselves, it's time once again to project just where this new batch of kids will land. 

Here is my latest 2012 NFL mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

With the way things have gone over the past few weeks, it is now almost certain that the Colts will take Luck with the top selection in the 2012 NFL draft. The Stanford signal-caller is almost universally hailed as the best quarterback prospect to enter the NFL since, oddly enough, Peyton Manning. 

The new regime in Indianapolis appears ready to hit the reset button on the franchise. If that's the case, then taking Luck is the right move.

2. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

The Rams could easily trade out of this position, surrendering the spot to a team looking to jump up and grab Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. But since I'm not considering trades in this mock, they go with need and take Blackmon.

Quarterback Sam Bradford desperately needs a go-to wideout, and Blackmon is a big target who was one of the best playmakers in all of college football this season. If St. Louis thinks it can improve along the offensive line with another year of experience, then Blackmon makes the most sense.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

This may be the biggest slam dunk in the entire draft. The Vikings cast off long-time left tackle Bryant McKinnie before the 2011 season and have yet to replace him. Kalil is far and away the best offensive line prospect in this class and would fit an immediate need.

Minnesota would have its left tackle for the next decade by taking Kalil, so expect them to do so.

4. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

After Peyton Hillis essentially played and talked his way out of Cleveland this year, the Browns really need a solid running back. While they could opt to trade out or take Griffin to replace the shaky Colt McCoy, I think they'll stick with their young quarterback and give him one more season.

Richardson makes the most sense. He is easily the best tailback in this draft class, he has size, speed, power and is great in the open field. He'll fit in perfectly in Cleveland.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Ronde Barber is getting close to the end of his career, so the Bucs need to bring in a great young cornerback. Enter Claiborne who may not have garnered the headlines that teammate Tyrann Mathieu did, but he may actually be a better player.

Claiborne is easily the nation's best cover corner and he should transition easily to a fantastic professional career. He's solid, and should start from day one in the league.

6. Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

This is the dream scenario for Mike Shanahan and company, as they reportedly love what Griffin brings to the table. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner had a meteoric rise up draft boards this season and with a solid offensive line, the Redskins could be a great fit for him.

Rex Grossman and John Beck are not good options under center, so Washington clearly needs to do something drastic at the quarterback position. Drafting Griffin would infuse some life into an offense that has shown very little over the past few seasons.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

The Jaguars could certainly opt for a receiver here since they desperately need one to pair with quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but they also need to get after the passer.

Coples is one of the most physically gifted athletes in this year's draft class. At 6'6" and 272 pounds he has a freakish combination of size, speed and power. While he wasn't the most productive player at North Carolina, he has dominated all week at the Senior Bowl.

He is easily the best 4-3 defensive end in the draft and Coples will likely be off the board early. He certainly would fill a need in Jacksonville.

8. Carolina Panthers

Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

While he's not as good a man-to-man cover guy as Claiborne, Kirkpatrick is a big, physical corner who will provide an instant presence in the NFL. At 6'3" and almost 200 pounds, if the Panthers lined him up across the field from Chris Gamble it would give them an intimidating secondary.

As things stand right now, the Panthers don't need to add to their ridiculously talented offense. Instead, Ron Rivera and company should focus on shoring up a leaky defense. 

9. Miami Dolphins

Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

With Jake Long entrenched on the left side, the Dolphins need to upgrade the right side of their offensive line, where Vernon Carey is likely gone via free agency. Reiff is the second-best tackle on the board and likely projects better on the right side anyway.

Reiff would be an immediate starter and would really help in both the running and passing game on offense. He's technically sound and fits the mold of an extremely solid tackle that will have a very long career in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

Upshaw has been rising up draft boards all season as he has shown an ability to get after the passer. After Shawne Merriman turned out to be a huge disappointment for the Bills, they still need a pass rush.

Upshaw and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram are the best two edge rushers available who could fit into a 3-4 scheme. After Upshaw's former teammate Marcell Dareus in last year's draft, the Bills will tap the Alabama pipeline again hoping for another big win.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Romeo Crennel loves disruptive interior linemen and Still is probably the best this class has to offer. He probably would fit in as a nose tackle in Kansas City's 3-4 scheme and can occupy blockers as well as anyone in the 2012 draft.

Still has been productive at Penn State, and whether he plays on the outside or inside for the Chiefs, he would be a hard worker who can wreak tons of havoc on opposing offenses. With Still on board and Eric Berry back in the secondary in 2012, the Chiefs could have a very good defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

Ingram has been a force this week at the Senior Bowl and his continued to improve his draft stock. He was outstanding, and productive in 2011 for the Gamecocks. 

The Seahawks have improved their defense slowly over the past season-and-a-half, but they ranked 23rd in the NFL in sack percentage last season. Ingram will seriously help that with his combination of strength, speed and quickness. He'll boost the pass rush immediately.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

The Cardinals desperately need help along the offensive line and Martin will be the best available tackle at this point. In 2007, Arizona took Levi Brown with the No. 5 pick and he turned out to be a huge bust. Brown is arguably one of the worst tackles in the NFL and it's time for some new blood at the position.

The Cardinals haven't selected an offensive lineman before the fifth round since that 2007 draft. That needs to change and it will this year.

14. Dallas Cowboys

David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

The Cowboys took USC offensive lineman Tyron Smith with the No. 9 pick last season and the reconstruction of their offensive line will continue with another Pac-12 player this year. DeCastro is the best interior lineman available this season, and his should be a Pro Bowler very soon.

With DeCastro on board, the Cowboys can continue to make the running game a strength, which will take pressure off of Tony Romo and the passing game. While Dallas needs help in the secondary, the chance to take an elite interior lineman like DeCastro at this point will just simply be too good to pass up.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College

The Eagles were terrible up the middle in 2011 and that weakness probably cost them several wins. Kuechly has been the most productive linebacker in college football for two years now, and after winning the Butkus, Lombardi and Nagurski awards this season, he's set for the next level.

Kuechly is a two-time All-American who set both the ACC and Boston College career tackles record with 532 and did it in only three years. He was also just 13 tackles short of the FBC career record. 

Kuechly is fundamentally solid, a tremendously hard worker and he is always around the football, which is the exact kind of player Philadelphia needs on defense right now.

16. New York Jets

Alshon Jeffrey, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

The Jets have serious problems at wide receiver as Santonio Holmes angered virtually the entire roster and Plaxico Burress didn't do much in his first year back in the league after time in prison. They need some youth and playmaking ability at the position and that's where Jeffrey comes in.

New York could use help in the secondary, but the chance to pair Mark Sanchez up with a guy who can go up and get the football will be far too enticing for the Jets to pass up. Jeffrey works hard and simply doesn't drop passes, which will make him an instant favorite for Gang Green.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders)

Chris Polk, Running Back, Washington

Some would think Miami's Lamar Miller would be a better fit here, but I love what Polk brings to the table. The Bengals need to add some youth to their running game, since Cedric Benson may not be around much longer.

Polk is an extremely hard worker who can catch the ball out of the backfield, run between the tackles and also has great speed in the open field. Most have Miller ranked higher but I think Polk will be a much better pro, particularly in the AFC North. He's a bigger back and a better all-around guy than Miller right now.

18. San Diego Chargers

Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

The Chargers were awful up front of offense this season thanks to a litany of injuries that decimated the team's offensive line. Glenn is a massive interior lineman at 6'5" and 348 pounds who also has experience at tackle.

While the Chargers could really use a pure tackle to replace the disappointing Jeromey Clary on the right side, there won't be any available at this point. Glenn is a guy who can contribute immediately somewhere along the offensive line whether at tackle or on the inside. 

San Diego needs an infusion of youth and talent up front and they'll get that with Glenn. Where he fits in will be sorted out down the line.

19. Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

The Bears currently have some speed in their receiving corps but absolutely no size. With Floyd they'll grab a guy who can catch almost anything and will give quarterback Jay Cutler a massive target at 6'3" and 224 pounds.

Floyd lost some weight this season and looked faster and better out of his cuts and breaks. If he landed in Chicago it would really be a great fit, considering how awful the team's offense looked after Cutler went down for the season. 

20. Tennessee Titans

Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

I think Perry is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft class simply because a lot of people haven't seen him play. He started as a freshman at USC because of his relentless motor, and while he never put up gigantic numbers thanks to some untimely injuries, he was constantly a threat on the outside for the Trojans.

Tennessee was woeful going after opposing quarterbacks in 2011, ranked 31st in sack percentage in the NFL. While Perry could use a little more weight on his frame, he has outstanding pass rushing instincts and that showed in 2011, especially as the season went along. 

He will be able to step in right away and help whatever team takes him, and the Titans and their 4-3 scheme seem to be a perfect fit.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska

The Bengals still haven't found anyone to replace Jonathan Joseph after he departed for the Houston Texans in the offseason, and they really need to add some youth to the team's secondary. With two first-round picks Cincinnati has the luxury of investing one of them in Dennard, who might be the most technically sound of the cornerbacks available this year.

After getting a solid year out of Nate Clements, the Bengals just need to add someone they can ease in at the cornerback position. Dennard fits that bill and will be a solid addition to a team slowly becoming a force in the AFC.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)

Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

In this scenario the Browns have already added one member of the Crimson Tide, so heck, why not shoot for another? Barron is the best safety in the draft and would be an immediate upgrade over either Mike Adams or Usama Young. 

He is a tall, rangy talent who has been through a few wars at Alabama and played admirably through all four of his seasons. He can match up against taller receivers and tight ends, and would also give Cleveland a leader on defense. 

Pairing Barron with Joe Haden might give the Browns the best young one-two punch in a secondary in the NFL. 

23. Detroit Lions

Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Konz was far and way the best center in college football this season and with Dominic Raiola's career slowing down, it's time for the Lions to look to the future. The team could use another cornerback or a linebacker but Konz is simply too good to pass up at this spot.

The All-American is arguably as good at his position as any player in this draft. If centers were valued higher than they are, he'd go much higher. He's a leader and a rock in the middle and will have a long and productive NFL career.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Poe is going to be a nose tackle for a 3-4 team, the question is which one? Well, who better than the Steelers to bring a guy like him in and mold him to take over for Casey Hampton?

The Memphis product is a massive 6'5" and 340 pounds, and is a space eater that simply eats up blockers. Hampton will be 35 next season and Pittsburgh needs to start planning for his eventual exit. Poe would be the smart choice here.

25. Denver Broncos

Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

The Broncos are committed to strengthening a defense that was a big weakness at times during the 2011 season. After adding Von Miller in last year's draft, they will need to go inside to shore things up along the defensive line.

Worthy is a stud who can split gaps and draw double-teams and at times was dominant in the Big Ten. He's falling on some draft boards not because of anything he has or hasn't done, but simply because other guys happen to be rising past him at the moment. That means Denver could potentially have a steal on their hands late in the first round.

26. Houston Texans

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

The Texans will be considered a Super Bowl contender entering next season, but one thing is for sure, they need to add depth on the outside of their offense. When Andre Johnson missed time thanks to a hamstring injury this season, Houston's passing game went into the tank.

Enter Wright, a speedy playmaker who can do things that no other receiver on the roster can do. At 5'10" and 190 pounds, he's not intimidating physically, but he racked up 108 catches for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011, which should tell you what kind of a target he is.

Wright creates separation on a regular basis and somehow seems to always find himself open. He would be a big addition to one of the NFL's best offenses.

27. New England Patriots (From New Orleans Saints)

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle/Defensive End, LSU

If Brockers falls this far and the Patriots end up with him we might as well all just quit and hand New England another title. Somehow the Patriots always end up with steals like this and Brockers is one of the fastest risers on everyone's draft boards.

The big weakness for New England this season was along the defensive line and snagging a guy like Brockers (who is likely targeted for the outside in a 3-4) would be a big-time coup. If he's left to a single blocker, Brockers is almost unblockable, so teams will constantly have to shift help over to his side. that will lead to opportunities for everyone else along the defensive front. 

He'd be a perfect fit for the Patriots, who like to move linemen around and use them to attack from different angles.

28. Green Bay Packers

Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker, Illinois

Again, if this happens the rich will just be getting richer. The Green Bay Packers have a reputation as one of the best pass rushing teams in the NFL, but this season that wasn't actually the case. No team in the NFL had a lower sack rate in the NFL than the Packers during the regular season, so Pro Bowler Clay Matthews really could use some help on the outside.

Enter Mercilus, who led the nation in sacks (14.5) and forced fumbles (nine) in 2011. At 6'4" and 265 pounds he would be a perfect rush end in the 3-4 and in teaming up with Matthews would give the Packers one of the best young pass rushing combinations in the NFL.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict, Inside Linebacker, Arizona State

Ray Lewis isn't slowing down but he may soon be retiring, that means the Ravens have to find his replacement and there was no more feared player in college football over the past two seasons than Burfict.

While there are serious questions about his character on and off the field, Burfict has as much talent as any linebacker to enter the NFL in years. If Lewis got his hands on the kid and could teach him how to be professional for a season or two, the Arizona State product might be able to turn things around. 

Based solely on talent, Burfict is destined to be a star, but there is a lot more that goes in to being an elite football player. Lewis is the perfect guy to show him the ropes.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

After scoring big-time with the free agent signing of Carlos Rogers, the 49ers will want to add another good corner to balance their defense. 

Gilmore is a solid cornerback who can be spectacular at times. At 6'1" and 193 pounds he has good size and is an aggressive, in-your-face kind of defender who can also back off and play in space. He has great ball skills, and despite average speed he is excellent at reading routes to get in early and break up passes. He's smart and is outstanding in run support or when rushing the passer.

He would be a great fit in San Francisco.

31. New York Giants

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

The one place the New York Giants really need help is at linebacker and Brown could be one of the best in this class. He projects perfectly on the weakside in the NFL and his speed and instincts could make him a star.

Brown has a ton of speed, so he can keep up with tight ends in coverage, and can play sideline-to-sideline against the run. This would be an outstanding pick for the Giants if Brown fell this far.

32. New England Patriots

Andre Branch, Outside Linebacker, Clemson

Branch has been a fast riser lately and after playing defensive end in college he projects perfectly to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. At 6'5" and 260 pounds he would match the Patriots' system well. After already scoring a solid defensive end in this scenario, New England would continue to rebuild its front seven by adding a guy who could turn into a phenomenal outside 'backer under Bill Belichick.

Branch had 10.5 sacks in 2011, so obviously he can get to the quarterback. The key for him will be learning to drop back in coverage and to play in space, but that shouldn't be too difficult, especially with the veterans that will surround him in New England.