Mel Kiper Jr. 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Biggest Changes to Look for in Next Edition

Much has changed across the NFL landscape since the start of free agency—Peyton Manning basically kicked Tim Tebow off the Denver Broncos, middling receivers cashed in on teams' wide-open cap space, the Dallas Cowboys signed a top-flight corner for the first time since the Millard Fillmore administration and the Miami Dolphins have somehow become the least attractive destination in football.

All of that leaves ESPN guru and Pomade pillager Mel Kiper Jr. with plenty of work to do to update his next NFL mock draft. Expect the Worldwide Leader's slick-haired savant to make these changes to his next mock.

Ryan Tannehill in The Top 10—or Late First Round

The drying-up of the free-agent pool and the Washington Redskins' eagerness to sell the farm for Robert Griffin III have left the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins wanting at quarterback.

Wanting for Ryan Tannehill, perhaps?

Kiper had him going to the Seattle Seahawks, though they're unlikely to drop the No. 12 pick on a signal-caller now that they've gone all-in on Matt Flynn.

That leaves the Browns and the Fins to fight over the third-best gunslinger in the 2012 draft class. While still somewhat raw, the Texas A&M product is a superb athlete, having started his college career as a wide receiver, and he has the arm strength to make all the throws.

Don't be surprised, then, if Kiper slots him into his Top 10 when Mock 4.0 hits the interwebs.

Baltimore Ravens Passing on Peter Konz

A ways down the order, Greased Lightning has the Baltimore Ravens adding depth at center with Wisconsin's Peter Konz. It's a sensible pick, considering how great a prospect Konz is at the position and how close incumbent Matt Birk is to the end of the line—or, at least, appeared to be before Birk re-upped with the Poe-Birds on a three-year pact.

The Ravens could still use the No. 29 pick to upgrade the interior of the offensive line, though, especially after losing Ben Grubbs to the New Orleans Saints via free agency.

The San Francisco 49ers Forget About Wide Receivers

There's a lot to like about Stephen Hill, whom Kiper has to the 49ers in Mock 3.0. He's tall (6'4"), he's fast (4.31 in the 40) and he comes from a school (Georgia Tech) that's turned out more primo pass-catchers than CBS has CSI spinoffs.

Thing is, the Niners don't need help at wide receiver quite like they did just a few weeks ago. They went out and signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, and they might still squeeze some star power out of Michael Crabtree, who's heading into just his third full NFL season in 2012.

Oh, and then there's some dude named Vernon Davis—not that anyone's heard of him...

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