2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Tim Tebow to Jets Reshapes Round 1

The NFL draft landscape continues to change through the combine, free agency and a myriad of trades. The latest deal sending Tim Tebow to the New York Jets is no different. 

The biggest name of 2011 will bring a great amount of hype and fandom to the Jets as the Broncos send the Mile High Messiah to the East. 

That means we have some tweaking to do to our mock drafts. 

Here is how the NFL draft breaks down after a week in which the Denver Broncos got Peyton Manning, and Rex Ryan's Jets get Tim Tebow. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It gets funky after this pick, so let's savor how easy this decision is. 

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins went through a lot of trouble in selling their future to St. Louis for Robert Griffin III. I sure hope they plan on drafting him. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There is no more underrated player in this draft. He may not be the marquee name on the board, but he is beyond valuable.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I am among the few that still have the Browns taking the best running back on the board. I just don't see Ryan Tannehill as a first-round pick and in time the league will agree. 

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

A remarkable athlete that can dominate the corners, Morris Claiborne gives the Buccaneers exactly what they need. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Being a Rams fan, I am stoked that we will actually have a receiver of note once again. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

He may have questions surrounding his consistency, but I love his talents and athleticism and you don't ignore either of those on draft day. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

This is currently the popular pick for Tannehill, but the Dolphins have no playmakers at receiver now that they've sent off Brandon Marshall. 

The Dolphins have Matt Moore and David Garrard for the time being, so a project like Tannehill makes sense. That being said, they cannot live without a stud receiver. There are plenty of "project arms" later in the draft. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

I love me some Dontari Poe. There was no bigger and badder man at the combine. He lit up the weekend with a sub-five second 40-yard dash time and put up 44 reps on the bench press. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin comes in as one of the best run-blockers in the nation. He will also keep that pocket nice and tidy for years to come. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chiefs can also use help on the line and would be a great fit for Martin, but I don't see his talent slipping. DeCastro is hardly a consolation prize and will do wonders for the Chiefs offense. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Seahawks have also shored up their quarterback issues with Matt Flynn and can now concentrate on the other side of the ball. Ingram will get into the gaps and give Seattle tremendous help in the pass rush. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I still like the Cardinals to take some defensive help, but there is no way they enter next season without help on the offensive line. The chicken and egg scenario has them shoring up the line before answering their QB woes. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly certainly helped his stock at the combine. The Cowboys are hardly hurting at linebacker, but solidifying the position with the best player on the board is hardly a mistake.

Kuechly is a solid tackler and the Cowboys can certainly use one of those. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles lack consistency at the safety position and need a player that can step in and alleviate the headache. 

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets lose a couple of mid-round picks in the 2012 draft in the deal that gave them Tim Tebow. That means the most pressing need must be addressed right off the bat. 

This team has needs and could certainly use a safety, running back, receiver and certainly help on the offensive line. 

While keeping the line healthy and deep makes sense, the Jets have to take the best player available after losing their fourth and sixth-round picks. 

The game-changing linemen are gone in my estimation, which leaves Upshaw as the likely pick. 

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

The Bengals luck-out with the best corner on the board. Kirkpatrick has the talent and work ethic to be an imposing presence at the corner for years to come. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

It was a joy to see Mercilus put it together and become one of the most feared pass-rushers in the game. He is still raw but a talent that can affect every last part of the defense. 

19. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

The Bears enter the usual conundrum of alleviating the offensive line of a heavy burden. They need depth and get a monster in Reiff. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry has great control, and is never out of control despite being highly aggressive off the line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals need a corner and would love to see a player like Dre Kirkpatrick sneak back here, but that is a long shot. 

Gilmore continues to rise up draft boards and is a great talent that will serve Cincinnati well.  

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns could use this pick to take Tannehill if available as they are still not sold on their QB position, but Wright is the deep threat that would change the dynamic of this offense. 

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Let's just say that Jenkins has learned from his off-field issues. He becomes a steal this late in the draft. 

He has top corner talents and will be a perfect fit with the defensive-minded Lions. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Steelers could shore up other needs like on the offensive line, but I love Hightower for this team. His talents and speed make him an intriguing proposition with time.  

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

Yes, I stated that Tannehill is not a first-round pick in my book, but there is nothing typical about this offseason. 

The Broncos now have Peyton Manning for the foreseeable future, but the obvious note is that there is no guarantee how long that future will be. 

This team was obviously not sold on Brady Quinn as the QB of the future and saw him leave to the Chiefs. Tannehill would be an amazing pick considering he could learn from the best in Manning. 

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Texans get a tough receiver with big-play capabilities. Jeffrey is all over draft boards but I see him as a no-brainer first-round talent. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

He slipped after a mediocre combine, but you can't discount his size and what he brings to the defense in his imposing length. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Branch killed it at the combine and showed that he is very comfortable with his body. He switches direction very well and will be a beast that can get into any pocket. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens get one of the better offensive linemen in the draft. Prior to last year, the Ravens were hit hard by durability issues along the line. That will not be a problem going forward. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

The 49ers are nearly set on defense but need depth and versatility in the secondary, Hosley gives them both. 

31. New England Patriots: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The Patriots get a big body that had quite the senior season, grabbing 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns.

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

The Giants were blessed with great offensive line play late in the season. Still, this team is long in the teeth and could use the boost from a lineman rising on draft boards. 

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