2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Could a Franchise Tagged Matt Flynn Shake Up Draft?

The rather ordinary re-signing of a tight end wouldn't seem like a move that could have a drastic impact on the quarterback landscape of the NFL, but in the case of the Green Bay Packers and Jermichael Finley, who agreed on a two-year, $15 million deal Wednesday, it just might.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel thinks the Packers may now be in position to franchise tag free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn, which could have a big say in whose roster the sought-after quarterback eventually ends up on.   

The Miami Dolphins were widely considered the front-runners for Flynn, as the connection between quarterback and head coach makes Miami a natural fit. Former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin took over the Dolphins' job shortly after the season. 

Signing Flynn in free agency would have been a no-brainer, but will Miami still pursue Flynn if it means dumping a high draft pick or two?

The Washington Redskins might be a team that actually benefits from Flynn getting the tag. If Miami bows out because of the draft price, Washington may be willing to give up the picks necessary to get Flynn from Green Bay.

And what about a team like Seattle? Packers GM Ted Thompson is very familiar with Seahawks GM John Schneider, as the two worked in the same front office for several years in Green Bay. The two could be natural trade partners if Flynn is tagged.

Finally, Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren fared OK back in the early '90s when he shipped a high draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons for some gun-slinging quarterback named Brett Favre. Might he be willing to swing a similar type deal to get Flynn from his old stomping grounds?

If the Packers do tag Flynn, they would do so with a handshake deal already in place with another franchise. Time will only tell how the compensation change from getting tagged will affect how teams pursue the free-agent quarterback.

Any of the four teams mentioned above could swing deals involving several picks to acquire Flynn.

2012 NFL Mock Draft    

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Unless something drastic happens this week in Indy, Luck will be the No. 1 pick. 

2.  Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

No team has a greater need to move up to No. 2 and pick Griffin.  

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Christian Ponder can't progress as a quarterback without better protection in year two. 

4.  Cleveland Browns – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Cleveland has other needs, but the value on Claiborne here is too much to pass up. 

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They won't like hearing Claiborne's name at No. 4, but adding Blackmon is a nice consolation prize.  

6.  St. Louis Rams – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (via trade with Washington Redskins)

Adding Reiff would allow the Rams to move Roger Saffold back over to the right side.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

They only way the Jags will truly know what they have in Blaine Gabbert is if they add some receiving help. 

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

A defensive tackle might be tempting here, as well as a receiver, but Coples could be a 10-sack guy immediately if he wants to be. 

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With Martin and Jake Long at offensive tackle, the Dolphins would arguably have the game's top young tandem. 

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Pass rush on defense is priority No. 1 for the Bills this offseason. 

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Teamed with Jamaal Charles, Richardson could get the Chiefs' running game back to 2010 levels. 

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Defensive end is a bigger need for Seattle, but adding a pass-rusher with a potential as high as Brockers would be tough to pass on. 

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is the perfect fit to replace Joey Porter as the Cardinals' go-to pass -usher. 

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

In Kirkpatrick, the Cowboys finally get the cornerback they can count on to hold down one side of the field early in his NFL career.

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

Adding a tackle machine like Kuechly behind the Eagles' defensive line could pay big dividends in 2012. 

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The Jets re-energize their pass rush, and Perry might have the highest ceiling of any quarterback seeker in the draft.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Nate Clements isn't getting any younger and Leon Hall is still recovering from a season-ending Achilles' injury. 

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If Vincent Jackson leaves in free agency, receiver might become a bigger need instead. 

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Bears fans will want a receiver here, but getting a potential franchise left tackle is better value in the first round. 

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Teamed with Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, Brown could give the Titans an exciting trio of young and talented linebackers. 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

An interior offensive lineman will be tempting here, especially with Cordy Glenn on the board, but Miller gives them another home-run threat on offense. 

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Ryan Tannehill might be in play here, but giving Colt McCoy one last shot with a better supporting cast is just as likely to be the route Cleveland takes. 

23.  Detroit Lions – Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

How greedy do the Lions want to get on offense? Charles could be a game-changer for an already scary offense.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

Adding Glenn ensures that the days of makeshift offensive lines are coming to an end in Pittsburgh.

25.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

In the long-term, picking a first-round quarterback benefits the Broncos most. 

26.  Houston Texans – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If everyone on the Texans' offense stays healthy for a full season, look out. 

27.  New England Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Patriots need a safety at the back end that they can count on every down. 

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

There's no denying GM Ted Thompson has to address the Packers' pass-rush woes in this draft. 

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz might be the perfect replacement for aging center Matt Birk. 

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

A highly-productive receiver at Rutgers, Sanu can help the 49ers' passing game take the next step in 2012.

31.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still's value might be too much for Bill Belichick and Co. to pass on.  

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

NFL offenses would quiver if the Giants added a sideline-to-sideline tackler who can provide even more pass rush.