2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Should Pass on Need for Value

It's the classic debate in any draft—do you draft for need, or do you draft for value?

Do you reach a little bit to take a player that will fill a hole in your roster, or do you take the best player available irregardless of need?

Generally, it's a balancing act between the two. But I've identified a few teams who absolutely should be drafting the best available player.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

The Colts are totally willing to draft for value over need. In fact, they released arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history to make this pick.

Hmm, sort of sounds bad when you put it like that, doesn't it?

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

Wouldn't it be hilarious if they drafted Ryan Tannehill, just to mess with everyone? I mean c'mon, Daniel Snyder has been pulling these sort of roster-based practical jokes on Washington's fanbase for years.

Those were jokes, right?

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

In this case, I don't necessarily think Kalil is the best value here, but he's certainly a top-five pick and fills a vital hole at left tackle. Protecting Christian Ponder's blind side is a pretty huge need, after all.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

NFL teams generally don't select running backs very high in the draft, especially considering how short the shelf life on running backs has become and how popular the running-back-by-committee strategy has become.

But Richardson is a special talent and is very clearly the top player on the board at this point. The Browns have many needs, so they shouldn't get too picky. Instead, they should take Richardson, a difference-maker who will sell jerseys, get the fans excited and finally provide this offense with a viable weapon.

Oh, and he didn't have to be a workhorse at Alabama, so he comes into the NFL with fresh legs. This is a slam-dunk pick.

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

In this case, the best value on the board happens to coincide with a pretty big need. In other words, this is the perfect pick for the Bucs.

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

See above. Sam Bradford will love this pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

I have a feeling the Jags will either go defensive end or wide receiver here, and with the prospects left on the board, either will be a slight reach.

So honestly, the Jaguars should draft whatever player they have atop their ratings. They certainly have enough positions that could use an upgrade.

But I can't shake the feeling that they'll reach for a defensive end or wide receiver instead. We shall see.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M) 

Tannehill is a reach. But if he's here for the Dolphins, I can't imagine them passing him up.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

The Panthers are another team that should go ahead and select the top player left on the board rather than simply filling out a team need. Depending on how their board shakes out, however, they could do both.

If they are high on Cox, this should be the pick. Defensive tackle is a big need, and many pundits have Cox as a top-10 talent. If they don't like Cox—or any other player in a deep stable of defensive tackles this year—they have other options, and they should utilize them.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Left tackle remains a big need. Reiff is a pretty good value here at a very important position.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT (Memphis)

Again, the Chiefs are in a position to draft the best player that falls to them. But I can't help thinking they'll look to fill a major need at nose tackle with Poe here.

The idea makes sense to a certain degree—the AFC West should be wide open next year, and a healthy Chiefs team should be in contention to win it. Adding a player that may make an impact in the core of the defense makes sense.

But this Chiefs team could use help in enough other areas that they shouldn't be near-sighted.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB (Boston College)

If Kuechly is here, I'm convinced they'll draft him.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

To me, this probably is a case of the Cardinals selecting the best remaining player if they draft Floyd. But he also fills a big need opposite Larry Fitzgerald, so it's a "have your cake and eat it too" pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Great value, big need, easy decision.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

See above. If Barron is on the board and the Eagles don't take him, I'm pretty sure Eagles fans will collectively have a nervous breakdown.

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

It may be Upshaw, or it may be another player able to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. One way or another, I'd be very surprised if the pick wasn't an edge rusher for Rex Ryan's defense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)** 

The Bengals won't mess around here, reaching ever-so-slightly to land the second-best guard on the board to fill a big need.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB (USC) 

He's a nice value here and should be a very good player for this defense moving forward.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Coples is a big-time talent with big-time questions about his motor and maturity. But the combo of him and Julius Peppers at defensive end could be devastating.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Cortland Finnegan who?

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

This one could be Stephen Hill as well if the Bengals want another burner on the outside. If they want a wizard in the slot, they'll go with Wright.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)***

On this pick, I think the Browns can afford to reach a little bit. Hill is a risk, but his upside paired with the Browns' lack of weapons on offense makes it a sensible pick.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)   

The Lions need an upgrade at corner, and they don't need any other players that might cause problems like a Janoris Jenkins. Gilmore is the natural fit.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

He just feels like a Steeler. If he's available when they pick, I think he'll be one.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

They desperately need to improve the interior of their line. Done and done.

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Texans have options, with a talented and well-rounded roster already compiled. They can afford to go after the best player on the board regardless of position.

That might not be Still on their board, though he is on mine. He would give them depth on the D-line and has the potential to be a playmaker in the trenches.

I think the remaining receivers are a bit of a stretch here, so the Texans should go for talent first.

27. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, DE (Syracuse)****

They'll take the best talent...if they keep the pick, that is. Jones just happens to fill a big need as well.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

They'll draft a center at some point this year. Why not take the best one?

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

They can afford to plug in an area of need, and offensive line is one of them. Martin makes sense for the Ravens.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)  

Jenkins truly is a top-10 talent, but his character issues could push him out of the first round. I think the Niners provide a good locker room and a place where he can work in the nickel for a year or two.

31. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB (Oklahoma)

Again, it would be very convenient for the Patriots if the best player left on the board also filled a big need. Fleming might be that man.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB (North Carolina)

A risky pick, but one with a lot of upside. Brown could be a good one with all of the athletic ability he possesses.

* The Redskins traded the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second-round pick this year and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, to St. Louis for the second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

***From Atlanta in last year's Julio Jones trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

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