2012 NFL Mock Draft: Who Are Likely First-Round Picks in the AFC North?

Andrea HangstJun 7, 2018

NFL draft talk is quickly heating up, with the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game in the books. We're getting ever-better pictures of who are the top prospects in 2012 and it's not hard to determine what the greatest needs are for individual teams.

With that in mind, in the following slides, I examine the potential first-round picks for each of the four teams in the AFC North and close with my projected first-round mock draft for all 32 teams.

No. 4: Cleveland Browns

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The Cleveland Browns have a number of glaring holes on their starting roster, but it's going to be hard for them to pass up Alabama running back Trent Richardson with their fourth overall draft pick.

Richardson is powerful, fast and able to break tackles with ease. He had 283 carries for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2011, along with 29 receptions for 338 yards and three more scores.

The Browns will likely be parting ways with troublesome rusher Peyton Hillis in the offseason and will need someone capable of making a huge impact in the running game right away. Richardson's presence on Cleveland's roster will serve to elevate their entire offense, which is going to be necessary in the competitive and difficult AFC North division.

The only wrinkle in this plan is whether or not the St. Louis Rams choose to put their No. 2 overall pick on the trading block. Chances are, whichever team that ends up with the Rams' pick has Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III in their sights.

If the Browns have interest in Griffin, don't be surprised if they trade up to snag him instead of staying at No. 4 and drafting Richardson.

Nos. 17 and 21: Cincinnati Bengals

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Because the Cincinnati Bengals traded quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders during the 2011 season, the Bengals have found themselves with a glut of extra draft picks, including two in the first round.

If 2012 is like 2011, look for the Bengals to have a fruitful draft, one that builds depth for the long term and also meets some of their more immediate needs.

At No. 17, I see the Bengals selecting Washington running back Chris Polk. Veteran Cedric Benson is aging and doesn't have the yards-per-carry numbers that will warrant him being a No. 1 back for much longer.

Polk is the perfect addition to the Bengals. He's extremely fast and makes defenders miss, while he's not afraid to lay down the hard hit and run through tacklers, either. His 2011 season was his second with over 1,400 rushing yards, and he racked up 12 rushing touchdowns as well.

As a receiver, 2011 was a good year for Polk. He had 31 receptions for 332 yards and four scores, making him another valuable weapon for second-year quarterback Andy Dalton.

With the 21st overall pick, I see the Bengals going for someone to boost their struggling secondary, one that suffered from losing cornerback Johnathan Joseph in free agency.

Oklahoma corner Jamell Fleming would be a great fit for the team; he's athletic and fast enough to run with even the most quick of receivers, he has great hands and ball awareness and he's quite physical.

If Fleming isn't available with this pick, look for the Bengals to pick the best available corner.

No. 24: Pittsburgh Steelers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have tried time and time again to shore up their offensive line, easily the team's biggest weakness. They'll have to give it another go in this year's draft, but if Georgia guard Cordy Glenn is still on the board, the Steelers should find their line in better shape in 2012.

Glenn is versatile and able to play all positions on the offensive line, which is great news for a Steelers team plagued by injuries to their linemen year after year. He's also durable, with the Steelers not likely to list him on their injury report very often.

But most importantly, Glenn is an excellent run-blocker. He's massive, at 6'6" and 346 pounds, which helps him open up running lanes. At pass protection, he's lacking a bit, but it shouldn't take too long for him to get up to speed.

The Steelers desperately need offensive linemen who can last for the duration of a regular season and who can boost their inconsistent run game. Glenn exemplifies both of those things.

However, if Pittsburgh chooses to go with the defensive side of the ball in the first round, look for them to snag Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe. The Steelers need depth at nose tackle, with Chris Hoke retiring and Casey Hampton undergoing offseason ACL surgery, and Poe is the only prospect at the position with first-round talent.

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No. 29: Baltimore Ravens

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The Baltimore Ravens don't have many weaknesses that need shored up with this year's draft, but they do need to build depth, especially on defense. With the Ravens' biggest asset being their pass rush, they would be well served to draft Florida State defensive end Brandon Jenkins with their No. 29 first-round pick.

Jenkins' size is an issue if a team wants to play him at defensive end, but he's well suited to be an outside linebacker in the Ravens' 3-4 scheme. He's athletic, is quick to get off the line of scrimmage and uses his ability to move around to throw off linemen, rather than his size and strength.

The Ravens will need to bulk him up, but that shouldn't be too hard in the offseason. A number of teams need help at pass rush; luckily that's not so for the Ravens, who would be snagging Jenkins without needing him to start immediately if he's not ready.

Jenkins, given time, will be a force to be reckoned with, which is the signature of any Ravens defender. Should he still be on the board at the end of the first round, look for the Ravens to add him to their already stacked roster.