Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Picks ESPN's Draft Devotee Absolutely Nailed

ESPN's NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has released his second mock draft, and I feel that I'm not in the minority when I say that many of his picks are, well, "interesting." 

In all honesty, the 32-pick mock isn't a total catastrophe, and I think Kiper Jr. takes more heat from the masses than he ultimately deserves, but there are some highly questionable picks in his mock draft 2.0. 

However, there are a few spot-on selections that are extremely logical, fill a team need and represent good value. 

These are those picks. 

Andrew Luck, No. 1 overall, Indianapolis Colts

Duh. Obviously this is the right choice for the Colts, and I won't bore you with the reasons why. You already know. 

Matt Kalil, No. 3 overall, Minnesota Vikings 

There's a chance there will be a ton of action in front of the Vikings, with a variety of teams battling to move into the St. Louis Rams' No. 2 overall spot to grab Robert Griffin III. While the Vikings would like to add more draft picks amidst their rebuilding efforts, they'll gladly let the No. 1 left tackle "fall" to them at No. 3. 

Kalil is the ideal blindside protector and should help the development of quarterback Christian Ponder—another relatively easy choice for Kiper Jr. to make.

Michael Brockers, No. 8 overall, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are young and are spilling over with upside, just like LSU's Michael Brockers. He's an extremely versatile player that at 6'6'' and 305 pounds can really play any position along the defensive line.

Carolina allowed more than 130 yards on the ground per game in 2011 and need to infuse their defense with more premier talent. 

Brockers still has room to grow—as do a lot of players on the Panthers roster. Playing in a division with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons nearly forces Carolina to make this selection. 

Jonathan Martin, No. 13 overall, Arizona Cardinals 

Everything makes sense about this choice. Martin is a mid-first-round value, and the Cardinals are in dire need of a left tackle. They can't expect Kevin Kolb to progress with Levi Brown manning that position. 

Arizona quarterbacks were sacked a scary 54 times in 2011, the second-highest total in the NFL behind the St. Louis Rams (55).

Martin enters the league as a premier run-blocker, and his elite athleticism should allow him to become a solid pass-blocker in the near future.

Kendall Wright, No. 22 overall, Cleveland Browns

I doubt Wright falls this far, after what should be a stunning performance at the combine in which he looks like a blur during the 40-yard dash. But, if he's available, the Browns will certainly grab him. 

I don't care who's throwing passes in Cleveland next season, they'll need more offensive weapons. Wright is the dynamic guy they've desperately needed for quite some time. 

I guess Braylon Edwards looked the part for at least one season, but he couldn't hold onto the football. 

Wright is a DeSean Jackson/Steve Smith (Panthers) type of prospect and would be welcomed with open arms in Cleveland.

Peter Konz, No. 29 overall, Baltimore Ravens 

The Ravens typically take the best-player-available approach to the draft and have the luxury of doing so once again this year. 

Center Matt Birk is a free agent and will be 36 in July. 

His replacement is needed, and Konz is clearly the best center prospect in this year's draft. I mean, come on, he played at Wisconsin. 

In all seriousness, Konz excels in many key areas of playing the position and shouldn't have trouble transitioning to the pro game quickly. 

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