2012 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Post-Peyton, Tebow and Free Agency

The NFL Draft is now just over a month away, and NFL scouts are busy getting their draft boards ready for the big event.

The main draft headline from last month was the trade between the St. Louis Rams and the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins made an unprecedented trade with the Rams in the hopes of drafting Robert Griffin III. They traded the Rams their first and second-round picks for this year, as well as their first-round picks in 2013 and 2014.

It's certainly a lot to give up, but it's the price the Redskins have to pay for the franchise quarterback they so desperately need.

Combine Recap

The Combine took place last month and, as usual, some of the prospects saw their draft stock shift.

Dontari Poe had an amazing Combine and even received praise from President Barack Obama.

Despite weighing in at over 340 pounds, Poe ran a 4.98 40-yard dash and also had 44 repetitions of the bench press.

His performance at the Combine has lifted his draft stock from a late first/early second-round prospect, to a possible top-10 pick.

On the other hand, Vontaze Burfict had an awful Combine.

He is regarded by many scouts (including myself) as a talented but lazy player and now faces a battle to be picked in the first two rounds.

A slow 40-time (5.09) followed by an awful performance during interviews, leaves many wondering if Burfict is worth the risk.

Now that the Combine recap is over, here is my updated mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Despite recent speculation that the Colts may draft RG3, I just can’t see them passing on Luck.

NFL Comparison: Peyton Manning

2. Washington Redskins (Trade with St.Louis Rams)

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Redskins get the franchise quarterback they’ve always wanted in RG3.  

NFL Comparison: Cam Newton

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Christian Ponder gets the best left tackle in the draft to protect his blindside.

NFL Comparison: Joe Thomas

4. Cleveland Browns

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Browns stick with Colt McCoy and add Claiborne to pair with Joe Haden in their secondary.

NFL Comparison: Darrelle Revis 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Richardson gives the Bucs another weapon to add to their backfield.

NFL Comparison: Steven Jackson

6. St. Louis Rams (Trade with Washington Redskins)

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Rams decide to give Sam Bradford a reliable weapon in Blackmon.

NFL Comparison: Anquan Boldin

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Floyd has seen his draft stock rise lately, and the Jags will take a risk on the Notre Dame star.

NFL Comparison: Brandon Marshall

8. Miami Dolphins

Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

Dolphins are in desperate need of a pass-rusher, and Perry is their best option. 

NFL Comparison: Osi Umenyiora

9. Carolina Panthers

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Poe’s performance at the combine sees him move into the top 10. 

NFL Comparison: Haloti Ngata

10. Buffalo Bills

Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Bills haven’t yet re-signed Demetrius Bell and bring in Reiff to compete at left tackle. 

NFL Comparison: Bryan Bulaga

11. Kansas City Chiefs

David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

DeCastro is the best guard in the draft and will improve the Chiefs' interior line.

NFL Comparison: Steve Hutchinson

12. Seattle Seahawks

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Seahawks added Jason Jones in free agency, but they still cannot afford to pass on Brockers.

NFL Comparison: B.J. Raji

13. Arizona Cardinals

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

Ingram gives the Cardinals another pass-rusher to add to their improving defense. 

NFL Comparison: Aldon Smith

14. Dallas Cowboys

Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Cowboys have already added Brandon Carr in free agency, so Kirkpatrick will play at safety.

NFL Comparison: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Still is a dominant player who will make an immediate impact on the Eagles' defensive line.

NFL Comparison: Kevin Williams

16. New York Jets

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Jets bring in Coples in the hopes of improving their sack totals for next season.

NFL Comparison: Richard Seymour

17. Cincinnati Bengals (Trade with Oakland Raiders)

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Despite re-signing Adam Jones, the Bengals decide to bring in another cornerback in Jenkins.

NFL Comparison: Mike Jenkins

18. San Diego Chargers

Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Chargers bring in Martin to compete with Jeromey Clary at right tackle.

NFL Comparison: Jeff Otah

19. Chicago Bears

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

Upshaw is a player the Bears could really use with veteran Lance Briggs clearly on the decline.

NFL Comparison: Tamba Hali

20. Tennessee Titans

Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

Titans have little safety help outside of Michael Griffin, so they decide to bring in Barron.

NFL Comparison: Antoine Bethea

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Brown gives the Bengals another valuable pass-rusher, and he will also help out against the run.

NFL Comparison: Sean Weatherspoon

22. Cleveland Browns (Trade with Atlanta Falcons)

Jared Crick, Defensive End, Nebraska

Browns bring in Crick to play alongside Phil Taylor on their defensive line.

NFL Comparison: Justin Smith

23. Detroit Lions

Jamell Fleming, Cornerback, Oklahoma

Cornerback is a desperate need for the Lions, and Fleming is the best one available.

NFL Comparison: Jonathan Joseph

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Steelers add Wright and give themselves yet another speedy receiver on offense. 

NFL Comparison: Steve Smith

25. Denver Broncos

Dont’a Hightower, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

Hightower is a solid player to add to the Broncos linebacking corp.

NFL Comparison: Jerod Mayo

26. Houston Texans

Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker, Boston College

Texans replace DeMeco Ryans with Kuechly.

NFL Comparison: Chad Greenway

27. New England Patriots (Trade with New Orleans Saints)

Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

Mercilus is a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker who is perfect for the Pats' defense.

NFL Comparison: Terrell Suggs

28. Green Bay Packers

Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Packers add depth to their defensive line by bringing in Cox.

NFL Comparison: Darnell Dockett

29. Baltimore Ravens

Kelechi Osmele, Guard, Iowa State

Osmele could be a possible replacement for newly departed Ben Grubbs.

NFL Comparison: Jared Gaither

30. San Francisco 49ers

Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska

49ers bring in Dennard to play alongside Carlos Rogers.

NFL Comparison: Prince Amukamara

31. New England Patriots

Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

Gilmore gives the Pats some much needed help in the secondary.

NFL Comparison: Asante Samuel

32. New York Giants

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

Giants add Miller to help replace Brandon Jacobs.

NFL Comparison: BenJarvus Green-Ellis 

So that’s my third mock draft.

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Thanks for reading.