2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Matt Miller's Latest Mock for Every AFC East Team

Mock drafts are a fickle-minded ex-partner. They change their mind every week, and though you swear you're never going back, you just can't help yourself.

We keep coming back for more from Bleacher Report's draft aficionado Matt Miller, who gives us a weekly mock draft. Believe it or not, he does it more out of the goodness of his heart than the desire to put up with hundreds of whiny commenters.

Here are my thoughts on his most recent mock draft, with as little whining as possible.

8. Miami Dolphins Select Nick Perry, Defensive End, Southern California

Matt says: "Perry will ease Miami into their transition to a 4-3 defense, allowing Cameron Wake to play either left or right defensive end and keeping Koa Misi at outside linebacker. ...Perry has a chance to be among the biggest risers after the combine. This is a name worth remembering."

My slant: This pick hasn't changed since I started analyzing Miller's mock drafts, and it's not hard to see why. Jason Taylor is on the outs, the defense is changing fronts and you simply can never have too many pass-rushers.

With Perry and Cameron Wake coming off the edges, quarterbacks will be running for their lives in no time.

10. Buffalo Bills Select Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

Matt says: "Ingram has the strength to play left defensive end, but enough burst to line up on the right side and rush the passer. If [Shawne] Merriman is healthy, expect Ingram to begin his career on the left side."

My slant: From a need perspective, this is a good pick. The Bills had a pretty awful pass rush in 2011, generating just 29 sacks. At 6'2" and 276 pounds, he looks the part of a 4-3 end, and as the Bills transition to a 4-3, they'll need to find someone to rush the passer. 

The Bills hope he can wreak the kind of havoc in the NFL that he did in college, when he piled up 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in 2012.

16. New York Jets Select Courtney Upshaw, Linebacker, Alabama

Matt says: "Upshaw is a safe pick. Here is a player I recently classified as a 'jack of all trades, master of none' at outside linebacker. You may never get 15 sacks in a season from Upshaw, but it's likely a team can expect 10 sacks, three interceptions and 15 tackles for loss."

My slant: A slam dunk for the Jets if it pans out. The Jets have serious long-term question marks at outside linebacker. Bryan Thomas isn't getting any younger, and he missed much of 2011 with injuries. The fact that Upshaw won't be a sack monster doesn't diminish his value to the Jets, who will need him to be well-rounded in his ability to drop in coverage.

27. New England Patriots Select Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Matt says: "Peter Konz, if healthy, is a great prospect at center, and that's a need in New England. ...Adding Konz would give New England a surprisingly young offensive line to work with. Solder at left tackle with Logan Mankins and Marcus Cannon at guard with Sebastian Vollmer at right tackle gives New England five potential starters under 30 years old."

My slant: Much of the focus for the Patriots' offseason needs has been on the defensive side of the ball, but it wouldn't shock anyone if Bill Belichick went with an offensive linemen. The team has spent two first-round picks on OL in the past six years—an indication of how the team values the position.

That being said, there are more pressing needs that the Patriots could address with this pick. They have the best OL coach in football in Dante Scarnecchia and have been able to get the most out of lesser talent in the past.

31. New England Patriots Select Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver, Rutgers

Matt says: "Not only does Mohamed Sanu come from a Belichick-friendly school, he also fits the bill as a value and need pick at the end of the first round. Sanu has the size, hands and versatility to eventually move into a No. 1 receiver role as the "Z" receiver in New England's offense."

My slant: Sanu isn't exactly the "deep threat" that some fans may have in mind, but what the Patriots need more than anything in the passing game is someone to take the attention away from the middle of the field. He has the ability to win one-on-one matchups, and his 6'2" 215-pound frame makes him much tougher to cover in those situations.

We'll have to see how he runs at the combine to determine whether or not he's worth a first-round pick, but something tells me that the Patriots will likely try to trade this pick for future picks anyway.

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