2012 NFL Mock Draft: Surprising Picks Through the First Two Rounds

The 2012 NFL draft will be filled with shocking moves, just like every draft is. Between draft-day trades and questionable picks, the long weekend is sure to have many surprises. 

With so much anticipation surrounding the draft, it's definitely going to be fun to watch everything unfold. Nobody really knows where the top players will go, but it's still great to speculate on what each team needs.

As far as the surprises go, they're tough to predict, but do expect a number of them to occur throughout draft weekend. Just when you think a team is going to select one guy, it'll blow your mind and pick a player you never would have thought about.

That being said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft for the first two rounds. I'll give info and insight on some picks, with a more in-depth discussion about the big surprises.

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

Round 1

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford   

The best prospect in the draft, the Colts have to take him and think about the future of their franchise.

TRADE

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This isn't much of a surprise since the Rams intend to trade the No. 2 overall pick and the Redskins are in dire need of a franchise QB. 

Still, though, it's the first big move of the draft, and there are other teams that would move up to get Griffin. 

The Redskins have to make sure they're the ones that do so, or else they're not going to be winning the NFC East anytime soon. I'm not saying Griffin can come in and win it right away, but he can definitely get them in place for it very soon. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The top offensive tackle in the class, the Vikings must select him to give young Christian Ponder excellent protection. Minnesota should find secondary help through free agency. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns need to give Colt McCoy more weapons to work with, and Blackmon would really help open the offense up. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU 

Claiborne is the best available prospect here, and the Bucs have holes all over that need to be filled. 

TRADE

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Listed at 6'5", 322 pounds, Brockers is quickly rising up draft boards, and he's going to be a stud in the NFL. 

While this is somewhat of a reach for the Rams, Brockers fills a position of need and gives new head coach Jeff Fisher a strong anchor on the defensive line for many years to come. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

This is also a small reach, as the Jaguars could probably trade back and still get Jeffery. With Trent Richardson still on the board, that's a high possibility. They need playmakers for Blaine Gabbert, so selecting Jeffery is a very smart move. 

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

Miami could easily trade back here, but instead it surprises everyone by drafting Richardson. 

Sure, they have Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush, but Richardson is a rare prospect, and passing up on his talents would be a terrible idea. 

Of course, if a lucrative trade offer comes in, the Dolphins should trade it. Still, though, I think pairing Richardson and Bush together would work wonders. Thomas didn't pan out like they hoped he would this past season, and it's easy to see Richardson is a much better running back. 

Miami needs to start dominating on offense if it wants to win big, and landing Richardson is a good way to start moving the chains with ease. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

Coples is an intense defender that will give the Panthers some much-needed pass rushing. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama 

Best available defender on the board, the Bills will jump at the chance to secure top talent in Upshaw. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Adding protection for Matt Cassel is a safe bet for the Chiefs. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Nick Perry, DE, USC 

Seattle would love a QB, but it won't be getting one here. Settling for an explosive pass-rusher like Perry is just fine, though, as it fills an area of need. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

The Cardinals have several options here, but boosting the offensive line to create holes and add protection for Kevin Kolb (or maybe Peyton Manning?) is a great plan. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Dallas could go with a corner here, especially with Kirkpatrick still on the board. However, the defense needs an upgrade at linebacker, and by getting Kuechly the Cowboys will be adding youth, speed and tenacity. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

DeSean Jackson needs to find a new home, and the Eagles need to replace him with Floyd. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): ): Chris Polk, RB, Washington 

The Jets' biggest need isn't at running back, but Polk is proving to be an every-down back, which is why New York stuns everyone and selects the former Washington running back. 

The 5'11", 215-pound running back has the strength and speed to thrive at the next level, and he'll be giving the Jets a solid run game.

New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is going to get back to the ground and pound, so they need to upgrade the position. 

Polk will do a fine job in New York, helping ease the pressure off Shonn Greene and Mark Sanchez. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

His recent arrest will be overlooked by the Bengals, who will love that such a talent has fallen their way. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adding protection for Philip Rivers is a stellar idea for the Chargers. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

Chicago would love for one of the top three wideouts to fall its way, but getting DeCastro is just as good, too. The Bears would be better off getting one of the elite free agent receivers to sign with them. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram will give the Titans' defensive front a big boost by disrupting opposing quarterbacks early and often. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson returning to Cincinnati is highly unlikely, so here the Bengals get his replacement. Speed kills, and Miller will make sure everybody remembers that once he steps on the field. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus has bust potential, considering he had just one good year in college. Still, he's a dynamic player that can give the Browns some much-needed help in bringing down opposing QBs. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia                

Cornerback is a strong possibility here, but Glenn is a phenomenal prospect that can play guard or tackle at the next level. Matthew Stafford needs all the protection he can get. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

Konz played center in college, but projects to the guard position in the NFL as well. The Steelers will be boosting the offensive line in a major way by landing Konz.  

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe really stood out at the NFL Scouting Combine, and the result will have him drafted in the first round. The Broncos are in dire need of help at the defensive tackle position, and Poe will give them a strong force for many years to come. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Texans have plenty of options here, but they'll shock the league by drafting a wide receiver that has a lot of potential. 

Hill comes from an option-attack team, but he can definitely catch those tough passes thrown his way. He dazzled at the combine, posting a 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash. 

Houston's biggest need isn't a wide receiver, but considering the fact Andre Johnson hasn't played a full season in two years because of injuries, finding a solid No. 2 wideout is something that needs to be done. 

Hill can be that guy. He'll need to become more than just a deep-threat wideout, but that will be done over time with help from Johnson.  

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots have to get better on defense, and starting things off by selecting Dennard to improve the secondary is a great move. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): ): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Charles Woodson isn't getting any younger, and while Jenkins has character concerns, there's no denying he is a special talent in the secondary. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Ravens would prefer an offensive lineman, but they'd really be reaching for one with this pick. Adding great depth to an already strong defense is always a good idea. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

The 49ers need big-time playmakers on offense if they want to win it all, and Wright will give them a solid deep threat. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

Bill Belichick is probably going to trade this pick, but his best bet would be to keep it to continue to improve the defense. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

Hightower slips down because of other teams' needs, but the Giants are very happy he lands in their lap. 

Round 2

33. St. Louis Rams: Kelechi Osemele, OT/OG, Iowa State  

34. Indianapolis Colts: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson 

35. Minnesota Vikings: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu lands with his former coach, Greg Schiano, hoping to provide a spark for the Bucs offense. 

37. Cleveland Browns: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina 

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State 

39. Washington Redskins: Brandon Washington, OT/OG, Miami 

40. Miami Dolphins: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State 

41. Carolina Panthers: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia 

The Panthers wisely move from Jeremy Shockey, a free agent this offseason, and look to the future by selecting an extremely athletic tight end with great hands. Charles and Cam Newton working together would be very dangerous. 

42. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M  

The Bills have Ryan Fitzpatrick, but grabbing Tannehill to either use as trade bait for another team or for the future is a very smart decision, and also surprising. 

Tannehill can wait in the wings for a few years, something he needs to do no matter where he goes, and then take over the reins when he is fully ready. 

Or the Bills could grab him up and trade him away for something big, since Tannehill is the third best QB in the draft. 

43. Kansas City Chiefs: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech 

44. Seattle Seahawks: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State 

45. Dallas Cowboys: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech 

46. Philadelphia Eagles: Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

47. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S, Alabama  

48. New England Patriots (via OAK): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska 

Patriots continue to boost the defensive front by adding youth that will terrorize opposing teams for many years to come. 

49. San Diego Chargers: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Allen would be excellent insurance for Antonio Gates. 

50. Chicago Bears: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU  

51. Philadelphia Eagles (via ARZ): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State 

52. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia  

Electrifying return man with solid coverage skills goes in the second round even though he suffered a leg injury in the Senior Bowl. 

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin 

54. Atlanta Falcons: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia 

55. Detroit Lions: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse 

56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict drops way down after a rough showing at the combine. He has Top 20 talent and potential, but he is a big headcase. 

He drops because during the interviews at the combine, Burfict failed to take blame for his actions. Plus, he posted a 40-yard-dash time of 5.09 seconds, which is awful. 

Some might think he should fall even further than this, but the Steelers won't pass up on his talent. They know they can discipline him, get him in shape and turn him into a star. 

57. Denver Broncos: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma 

58. Houston Texans: Ben Jones, C, Georgia  

59. New Orleans Saints: Bobby Wagner, OLB, Utah State 

60. Green Bay Packers: Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska 

61. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin 

62. San Francisco 49ers: George Iloka, S, Boise State 

63. New England Patriots: Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina  

64. New York Giants: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State