2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Biggest Yet Most Logical Surprises

With every mock draft comes a few surprises and this one's no different. 

Here, I list five draft-day decisions that would be deemed as stunning, but really shouldn't be. 

I explain why below...

2012 NFL Mock Draft (March 19th, Post-Free Agent Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The overwhelming majority of Rams fans are calling for premier offensive talent at No. 6 overall and although Trent Richardson's available, Poe makes much more sense. 

St. Louis allowed more than 152 yards on the ground in 2011 at a ridiculous 4.8 yards per rush. Shoring up their defense line is more important at this juncture.  

A capable backup runner can be found in the second round, believe me. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame   

8. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, Southern California

13. Arizona Cardinals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cowboys made the intelligent move drafting Tyron Smith last year, and for once, staying away from a sexy, skill-position selection.

Smith will move to the left side next year and with the recent release of veteran guard Kyle Kosier, could the drafting of DeCastro be any more perfect?

No way.

And yes, DeCastro is good enough to be selected this high.  

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I'm fairly certain Richardson will go somewhere in the top 10, but he shouldn't. Here's why. After St. Louis at No. 6, I'm not sure any team will target the Alabama star, so a fall to No. 17 isn't out of the question. 

OK, yeah it is. 

Anyway, this is where he should be taken. 

The Bengals need running back help and they would formulate their "Big Three" of Andy Dalton, Richardson and A.J. Green. 

Nice. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia  

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State 

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Two receivers in Round 1 for the Browns? Yes. This team has been wideout-starved for as long as I can remember, (discounting Braylon Edwards' 2007 season) and if they're moving forward with Colt McCoy, they might as well get him some legitimate weapons. 

With Jeffery and Blackmon on the outside, the Browns aren't so easy to matchup with anymore. 

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

28. Green Bay Packers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Some have Jones as a Round 2 prospect, but suddenly the Ravens are a bit thin across their defensive line. Jarret Johnson is a San Diego Charger and Cory Redding is an Indianapolis Colt. Jones gives them flexibility at their defensive end spot and is loaded with upside. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

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