2012 Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl Look at Who Giants and Patriots Should Target

Now that Super Bowl XLVI is in the rear-view mirror, the order for the 2012 NFL draft is set except for two spots that are to be determined by coin-flip. The New England Patriots and New York Giants held an epic battle on Sunday night, and while the Giants triumphed 21-17, both teams showed serious flaws that need to be addressed, either through free agency or the draft.

The Patriots will have two first-round picks this year, No. 27 and No. 31, while the Giants hold the 32nd overall selection.

Here is a look at the players I think each team should target with their first-round picks.

New England Patriots

No. 27: In my most recent mock draft, I have the Patriots selecting LSU defensive tackle/end Michael Brockers at this pick. After shuffling a number of guys in and out of the lineup around nose tackle Vince Wilfork this season, the Patriots clearly need to upgrade along the defensive front.

The team's defensive line was controlled by the Giants in the Super Bowl, and to get a guy like Brockers would be an absolute steal at this point in the draft. If New England had had the ability to control the line of scrimmage on defense, Sunday night's game could have had a different result.

The Patriots need upgrades all over their defense, and a defensive lineman would be a good start to the reconstruction that needs to happen on that side of the ball.

No. 31: At this spot, I have the Patriots reaching a bit to take Clemson outside linebacker Andre Branch, who could develop into a premiere pass-rusher at the next level. Branch played defensive line at Clemson, but he projects as a standing edge-rusher at the next level and should have enough athletic ability to drop into coverage.

Under the tutelage of Bill Belichick and playing on a unit that boasts a stud like Jerod Mayo, I think Branch's learning curve won't be as steep. The Patriots got sporadic pressure on Eli Manning during the Super Bowl, but that simply wasn't enough. A guy with Branch's athleticism should provide enough of a push from the outside to significantly improve the team's pass rush.

New York Giants

No. 32: While New York's linebackers played well in the Super Bowl, they clearly could use an upgrade at the position. North Carolina's Zach Brown is a ridiculously fast, athletic and physical specimen who would be a perfect fit for the Giants' 4-3 scheme.

Brown's speed means he can play sideline-to-sideline and he is the rare linebacker who can stay with running backs and tight ends in coverage and not need to pass them off to safeties. He would be a great addition to New York's defense.

2012 NFL Mock Draft      

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: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

6.  Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

9.  Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

12.  Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14.  Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

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

16.  New York Jets: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

18.  San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

19.  Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20.  Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mark Barron, S, Alabama  

23.  Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

25.  Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

26.  Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

27.  New England Patriots: Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU

28.  Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois   

29.  Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

31. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

32.  New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina