Todd McShay 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Smartest Picks in Mock Draft 4.0

ESPN's Todd McShay recently released his 2012 NFL mock draft 4.0, and you know what that means—time to critique his 32 first-round selections. 

Instead of ripping apart the handful of picks I don't totally agree with, I'll list and fully examine the smartest picks McShay has gone with in his newest mock draft. 

I'll try to stay away from the extremely obvious ones.

(ESPN Insider required)

Smart Pick No. 1 

No. 10 Overall: Buffalo Bills pick WR Michael Floyd 

McShay says: Floyd is a bit of a reach here, but no more so than OTs Mike Adams and Jonathan Martin. It's a tough call on the Bills' top two needs in this scenario, and they could look to trade down in a situation like this. They could also pull the trigger on a value pick such as Coples.

My take: Right now, about half of draft analysts and Bills fans believe Buffalo needs to go offensive tackle with their first-round pick, and the others believe it's more important to address the wide receiver position in Round 1. 

I'm with the latter. 

During the Bills' drastic downward spiral in 2011, outside of injuries to key players like Eric Wood and Fred Jackson, the lack of premier talent at wide receiver was clear and a major factor in the team's losing streak. 

Not many teams will get far in today's passing renaissance with three undrafted wideouts and one seventh-round pick formulating their receiving contingent. 

Donald Jones showed flashes of his potential, but in the end, is a special teams player and an emergency wideout. The same goes for Naaman Roosevelt. David Nelson is a fine slot option, but Stevie Johnson needs a complementary receiver on the ouside. 

That's where Floyd comes in. He's arguably the most NFL-ready receiver in this draft and has the big body to win in traffic. 

He demonstrated great straight-line speed at the combine. After attempting to fortify their defense in free agency, the Bills must add a supremely-skilled wideout to their offense. 

Floyd's the guy. 

Smart pick No. 2 

No. 11 overall: Kansas City Chiefs pick LB Luke Kuechly 

McShay says: With Poe off the board, Kuechly addresses another big hole on defense and would team with Derrick Johnson to give the Chiefs range and playmaking ability inside. Kuechly has elite instincts and intelligence, and he proved at the combine that he is more athletic than many thought.

My take: Kuechly seems to be one of the safer picks in this year's class, and joining the Chiefs to pair with Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson could launch him to elite status quickly in the NFL. 

For a team drafting at No. 11, the Chiefs don't have a ton of holes. They'd like to add more bulk to the interior of their defensive line, but with Dontari Poe already gone in McShay's mock, Kuechly seems like a fine option. 

He's a rangy playmaker that may struggle making tackles sideline-to-sideline in the NFL, but his instincts and football knowledge can make up for any athletic hindrances. He and Johnson should feed off each other and perform well together. 

This is somewhat of a luxury pick at No. 11, but a great one for a young, up-and-coming team that I certainly wouldn't want to play in 2012. 

Smart Pick No. 3 

No. 21 overall: Cincinnati Bengals pick CB Stephon Gilmore

McShay says: Gilmore is rising fast thanks to a combination of size (6-0½, 190), quick feet and ball skills, and even the Bengals likely will pass on Jenkins in favor of Gilmore.

My take: The Bengals defense was stout in 2011, and much of their great play stemmed from their ultra aggressive and attacking defensive line. 

Their secondary wasn't bad either, until CB No. 1 Leon Hall was lost for the year after he tore his Achilles tendon in November. 

He'll be ready for the start of the 2012 season, but oftentimes, that injury has a lasting effect on a player's speed and agility. 

Veteran cornerback Nate Clements is signed through 2012, but will be a free agent at the end of the year. 

Gilmore fits Mike Zimmer's assailing defensive system, as he excels in run support and is a rangy athlete in coverage. 

He possesses good ball skills and should reap the benefits of playing behind Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Co. next season and beyond.

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