2012 NFL Mock Draft: What Teams Selecting in the First Two Rounds Should Do

Mike FastApr 15, 2012

Every year, teams make picks in the NFL Draft that make you scratch your head. In hindsight, sometimes those moves are brilliant, and sometimes they are worse than you thought.

There are teams that will panic or simply may get bored in their evaluation, and not stick to proper strategy. This results in them reaching for a player who isn't worth a certain selection.

There are other situations where teams will get enamored with a player over a workout or a combine showing, and seemingly disregard their on-field performance (or lack thereof).

So I decided to mock the first two rounds of the NFL draft based on what I think teams should do.

Who thought Jake Locker and Christian Ponder would go within the first 12 picks last year? Who had that in their mock drafts?

I thought it was time to do a mock draft that is one I believe in despite common opinion. Here it is.

*There are only 63 picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft instead of 64, due to the Saints' loss of their second-round selection. Here is the draft order for all seven rounds.

1. Colts Select Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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Andrew Luck is a polished quarterback prospect who has no limitations on the field. He's in command of his offense and is prepared enough to audible and shift players regularly without losing focus.

2. Redskins (from Rams) Select Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

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Robert Griffin III is a flat-out stud. He's a better athlete than Luck and is a pass-first quarterback. He's also a tremendous leader and determined to succeed.The Redskins need someone like him.

A franchise player, no doubt.

3. Vikings Select Matt Kalil, OT, USC

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A rare player who has measurables, talent and a professional pedigree, Matt Kalil is as much of a can't-miss prospect as there is in this draft.

The Vikings have other needs, but can address them later. There will still be considerable talent at the skill positions at No. 35 (their second-round selection) and guys like Kalil don't come around that often.

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4. Browns Select Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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Pay attention to the very beginning of the clip when the announcer talks about finishing a run.

Running backs are a dime a dozen? Trent Richardson says otherwise.

This is the first of Cleveland's three picks in the top 37 (No. 22, No. 37). No Peyton Hillis? No problem.

In my opinion, Richardson is the best player in this year's draft.

5. Buccaneers Select Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

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Morris Claiborne is an excellent player. He has all the tools and shows all the signs to be an immediate, impact starter in the NFL.

The Buccaneers addressed their wide receiver (Vincent Jackson) and left guard (Carl Nicks) needs in free agency. I see no scenario in which they don't go defense at No. 5 and take Claiborne to play opposite Aqib Talib (unless Richardson is available).

Outside of the NFC East and the AFC North, the quarterbacks in the NFC South are as tough to defend as any. Drafting a cornerback would serve new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano well.

6. Rams (from Redskins) Select Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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Justin Blackmon fills a huge need for the Rams at wide receiver. He is a playmaker who won the last two Biletnikoff Awards for the nation's top receiver. He receives the ball well, gets loads of yards after the catch and scored 18 touchdowns last season.

Sam Bradford will be happy with this pick.

7. Jaguars Select Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

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Here is where things get interesting.

I'll say it right now: Ryan Tannehill should not go in the first round of the draft. He's not that good of a prospect.

Here is Broncos GM Ted Sundquist's take on Tannehill (via NFL.com): "... I feel like, to a certain degree, Ryan Tannehill has been pushed up artificially by the media and some of the pundits."

Melvin Ingram will help the Jaguars continue to re-build their defense, giving them strength, hustle and versatility. With the Colts likely to draft Luck, drafting a pass-rusher like Ingram is key.

8. Dolphins Select Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

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Physically, Quinton Coples is a beast. Will he give 100 percent on every play? That's the question.

It's tough to pass up a man of his talent, even with such a deep defensive end class. If the Cameron Wake situation turns south, this would fill a need for the Dolphins.

Regarding the quarterback position, I feel like the Dolphins should wait until the second round to draft their guy. Matt Moore is good enough for now.

9. Panthers Select Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

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Relentless is the word that comes to mind when thinking of Fletcher Cox. At 6'4", he presents even more challenges to offensive lineman and quarterbacks than do most defensive tackles.

The Panthers shouldn't have to trade up to get Cox, and shouldn't hesitate when he's still on the board at No. 9. Their offense is good, and their defense needs help. This is a strong way to start that process.

10. Bills Select Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

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The Bills selected Marcell Dareus third overall last season. Dareus, a standout defensive tackle, was the defensive MVP of the BCS National Championship game following the 2009 season.

Could Buffalo select an Alabama defender that was the defensive MVP of a national championship game, two years in a row? It would be a smart move if they did.

Upshaw weighs 272 pounds, so he could play some defensive end. Because of his versatility and sheer talent, he's worth a top-10 selection.

Who is the best team in the AFC East? The New England Patriots.

What are their biggest weapons? Their tight ends.

Who could the Bills draft to help neutralize the Patriots' tight ends? Upshaw.

11. Chiefs Select David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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There are few players that have the combination of intelligence and talent that David DeCastro has. Although a junior, DeCastro has already graduated from Stanford, where he started all 39 of his games at right guard.

The Chiefs are in good shape, but suffered debilitating injuries last year as they lost their star running back, free safety and tight end for the season.

Even if offensive line wasn't a need (although they could use help), DeCastro is too good to pass up at this point.

12. Seahawks Select Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

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Whitney Mercilus seems to have all the tools to be a strong player in the NFL. He has size, athleticism and instinct, but will need coaching to fine-tune his skills.

The Seahawks have been building a strong defense full of playmakers, particularly in the secondary. Drafting Mercilus would help their pass coverage even more as he provides added pressure on the quarterback.

13. Cardinals Select Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

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Although this may be a bit high for Cordy Glenn compared to other mock drafts, I like his size and versatility. The Cardinals need a lot of help along the offensive line and will probably take a tackle, which Glenn played at Georgia.

He could also play guard if needed, but his 6'5", 345-pound frame along with his nearly 36" arms make him a good fit at either tackle position.

When he and his coaches figure out which position is best for him in the NFL, Glenn figures to be a really good player.

14. Cowboys Select Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

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Maybe the best defender on the nation's best defense (106 points allowed in 13 games), Mark Barron fits a big need the Cowboys have.

Barron is the total package at safety: instinct, coverage, tackling, size, speed, power, etc. He will organize the defense in the back end, helping to shore up the Dallas secondary that has been less than stellar in recent years.

15. Eagles Select Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

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Michael Brockers is just what the Eagles need. He's a big, strong run-stuffer who is best as a 4-3 defensive tackle. Although he's young and still improving, his talent is undeniable.

The biggest problem the Eagles had last season was their rush defense, particularly against runs up the middle. Brockers should be able to contribute to the solution.

16. Jets Select Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

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The Jets should happily select Michael Floyd, who possesses really good size (6'3", 220 pounds), runs solid routes and can help jump-start an offense.

He's not a perfect prospect, but he will separate well off the line and give Mark Sanchez a lot of options. If Santonio Holmes gets his head on straight, this pair of wide receivers could be dynamic.

17. Bengals (from Raiders) Select Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

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With Leon Hall's injury issues and losing Jonathan Joseph a year ago, the Bengals shouldn't hesitate in selecting Dre Kirkpatrick.

In a division with receivers like Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and potentially Justin Blackmon, this isn't a tough pick.

18. Chargers Select Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

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The problem for the Chargers in 2011 wasn't that they had a bad offensive line. The problem was that their offensive lineman were often injured.

Jonathan Martin is an excellent pick for the Chargers at No. 18. He fills a big need, can protect Philip Rivers for the rest of his career and should be very durable throughout his time in the NFL. Speaking of which, Martin missed just two games at Stanford while protecting Andrew Luck's blindside.

Cordy Glenn is higher on this list because of bigger size and versatility. Still, Martin could be a Pro Bowl player within three years. He's that good.

19. Bears Select Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

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Like San Diego in 2011, Chicago had injuries to the offensive line. However when their lineman were healthy, Jay Cutler still was sacked 49 times (fifth worst in 2011).

Riley Reiff and Jonathan Martin are kind of a toss-up in terms of who will be drafted before the other, but if the Bears end up with Reiff, they can pair him opposite Gabe Carimi (another young OT out of the Big 10) for the foreseeable future.

20. Titans Select Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

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With the departure of Cortland Finnegan and the apparent arrival of Andrew Luck into the AFC South, the Titans need to pick a cornerback with their first selection.

If they can deal with Chris Johnson, they can deal with Janoris Jenkins. If Jenkins didn't have off-field problems, he'd be drafted right next to Morris Claiborne (both players were rated at 91.5 after the combine).

21. Bengals Select Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama

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The Bengals have an excellent rotation within their defensive line. The next step is to draft a versatile inside linebacker who will flow to the ball. Dont'a Hightower is just the man for the job.

As a captain of the Crimson Tide defense in 2011, Hightower made numerous calls and pre-snap adjustments in order to put his defenders in the best position possible. He's had some injury issues, but has been able to overcome them.

Every defense in the AFC North finished 2011 in the top 10 of total defense. With the size and skill Hightower offers, it would be hard for the Bengals to resist a player of his caliber.

22. Browns (from Falcons) Select Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

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With the fourth overall pick, the Browns should select Trent Richardson. With this pick, I feel they should stay on offense and select Alshon Jeffery.

Cleveland's leading receiver last year was Greg Little (61 receptions). With the combination of Richardson and Jeffery, the Browns' offense will be remarkably better. The play-action game will instantly be more effective, as Jeffery has been known to make spectacular catches no matter where the ball is thrown.

23. Lions Select Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

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There is a lot to like about Luke Kuechly. He is what the Lions need: a smart, athletic, disciplined defender that can captain a defense for 10-plus years.

Their offense is set. Their defensive line is good, too. Either Stephon Gilmore or Kuechly should be the pick here.

24. Steelers Select Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa State

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If the Steelers have one glaring need, it's to improve the offensive line. Kelechi Osemele is a bit of a raw product. However, when the Steelers coaches get him in camp, he could be a real force at tackle (or guard, potentially).

Osemele is a huge man (6'6", 333 pounds) who possesses incredible natural strength and explosion. It may not look like he's a first-round pick now, but with good coaches, he could really help whichever team takes him.

25. Broncos Select Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

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With Peyton Manning now running the offense and the Broncos finishing 22nd in run defense last season, they ought to draft a defender, particularly along their defensive line.

Jerel Worthy is a good value pick, as he's skilled, yet not being talked about as much as other defensive tackle prospects. Paired with last year's first-round pick (Von Miller), Worthy can fit in well on Denver's defensive line.

26. Texans Select Nick Perry, DE, USC

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The Texans lost Mario Williams to free agency and DeMeco Ryans via trade to Philadelphia this offseason. Yes, their defense finished second overall in 2011, but I still think they need to take Nick Perry with this pick.

Perry is an explosive defensive end from USC who will be a nightmare for Houston opponents, especially considering Houston's stable of excellent pass rushers (J.J. Watt, Antonio Smith, Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing, etc.).

If Perry isn't on the board at this point, then I'd have the Texans taking a wide receiver. But if he's available, the Texans should take him. After all, Matt Schaub is fully capable of throwing for 4,000 yards with "only" Andre Johnson.

From 2009-10 (his only two full seasons), Schaub threw for 9,140 yards, 53 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Houston can afford to go defense with this pick, preserving their young defensive nucleus.

Perry is 6'3", 271 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds and benched 225 pounds 35 times.

Yikes.

27. Patriots (from Saints) Select Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

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At 266 pounds, Chandler Jones is a bit small for a typical defensive end.

Since when does Bill Belichick run a typical defense?

Jones is a smart player who knows what he's good at and focuses on those traits. He has 35.5 inch arms, and is able to use his leverage well.

Jones' brother Arthur is a defensive lineman for the Ravens. His other brother Jon is the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Knowing Jones trains with those types of athletes has got to boost his stock.

28. Packers Select Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

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Simply put, the Packers need an upgrade at the running back position.

Lamar Miller runs with spectacular speed and fluid motion. He knows where to go, and is able to run without wasted movement.

Of course, the Packers' offense focuses on the passing game (which Miller can contribute to as well), but having a player like Miller as a threat is something Ted Thompson should seriously consider.

29. Ravens Select Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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Even though the Ravens re-signed Matt Birk, and Peter Konz is a center, the Ravens could still use Konz at left guard until Birk retires.

Konz understands offensive line play well. He is a good person to have as the captain of the offensive line, and has helped Wisconsin running backs rack up an absurd amount of touchdowns during his time in Madison.

30. 49ers Select Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

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Stephon Gilmore is a big, talented cornerback who could fit in nicely with the 49ers and the defense they run.

San Francisco doesn't need much, especially on defense. But I'm not sure they can pass on Gilmore with this pick. Their defensive front seven is as fierce as there is in football.

It couldn't hurt to add another cornerback, especially since he won't have to step in from Day 1 and will be able to learn the position at the NFL level.

31. Patriots Select Devon Still, DT, Penn State

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Devon Still is mostly a run-defender (as opposed to a pass rusher), but he's a very good one at that. The Patriots could use him in their multiple fronts, and even have him take over at nose tackle when Vince Wilfork is ready to call it quits.

Still is a big, strong, sound player the Patriots would be lucky to select, as he may not slip this far. If they do in fact draft Jones and Still at No. 27 and No. 31 respectively, that would be as good of a first round as you can hope for from a team selecting 31st.

32. Giants Select Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

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The Giants are pressed for a consistent tight end presence.

Jake Ballard tore the ACL in his left knee during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. Travis Beckum tore the ACL in his right knee two quarters earlier.

Those injuries occurred just 70 days ago. People are lucky to recover from that type of setback within a year.

The Giants signed former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett this offseason, but could use Dwayne Allen as well. A new, healthier, younger group of tight ends to go along with the young, explosive group of wide receivers the Giants have would make Eli Manning a happy man.