2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks Destined for Boo-Birds on Draft Day

The NFL draft is here to give us a great deal to debate, argue over and, in some cases, flat-out boo. 

We will soon hear the buzz of fans inside Radio City Music Hall clamoring to learn what the next great pick will be. 

There will no doubt be moments of bliss for fans, and times for a great deal of disapproval as well. Here is a regular mock draft with some picks that some fans may take exception to. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

We could really put the Redskins on the clock, because the Colts made this pick weeks ago. 

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

Well, I guess you could say the same for the Redskins as well. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Here is my first pick for a boo-bird special.

The easy selection is Kalil, who serves an obvious need, but taking a tackle with the No. 3 pick is not going to win over fans.

Fans may prefer a bigger splash with Morris Claiborne.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This has the potential to be the biggest boo-centric pick of the draft, if a certain QB is taken. Instead, the Browns get an immediate impact player with Richardson.  

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

The Bucs need a player that can lock down receivers with physicality. Claiborne is one of the few elite athletes in the draft and a special kind of player. 

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

This pick continues to be the perfect fit for a team that absolutely needs a superstar receiver, and Blackmon has all the talent to become just that. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina 

I love his tenacity and passion for the game that make him as close to a safe bet as you get in the draft. 

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

Here is another boo-bird possibility. 

There is no telling how most Dolphins fans feel about Tannehill, but the majority of analysts agree that this is at least a sizable reach. 

It's always fun to see your franchise get a quarterback, but the value may draw the ire of Miami supporters. 

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

He has the size and tenacity to come in and play substantial time in his first year. I am eager to see what his ceiling is once he gets acclimated to the next level.  

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Again, nothing all that sexy about getting a tackle, especially when there are dynamic receivers like Michael Floyd out there. I still say this is the safe play for a team tat needs help on the line. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College 

He disproved just about every last question on his game at the combine. He has the speed and instincts to be a long-term answer in the middle. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

He does have questions on his motor, but this is the right value for a player that has elite athleticism. This may be the steal of the show. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

Glenn has the size and strength to solidify the line, and his speed will be of great use in the blocking game.  

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis 

Again, I am not sure how fans see a player that shocked us all at the combine in the form of 44 reps with 225 pounds and 40-yard dash time of 4.98 seconds. 

I say this is a great spot, but some fans may still consider him a reach. Poe's stock has taken a hit, but I can't look past this ridiculous specimen that will be a chore to handle for any line.  

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

He very well could be long gone by this time. He comes ready with great instincts and a knack for finding the ball. 

The Eagles would love him here, giving them far more consistency at the safety position. 

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

Upshaw didn't have the best combine, but the tape on him tells a much better story. This is a player that flies around the edges and will infuse a great amount of pressure on the pocket.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I love this pick for the Bengals if Floyd is snatched away far earlier. 

I say Andy Dalton is ready to put the Bengals back into the playoffs, and that gets far more likely with a weapon like Floyd. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

He showed an ability to take his game to the next level. That's all I need to convince me he is a solid first-round pick. 

19. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

It seems like a perennial problem, but the Bears need help on the line once again. Reiff is all over draft boards, but I consider him a great value in the middle of the first round here.   

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

He doesn't get nearly the run that Morris Claiborne does, but he is nearly as potent on the corners. He may lack some of the elite athleticism, but makes up for it with great physicality at point of impact. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals get a star receiver with their first pick and can now get that budding young star on the other side of the ball. 

Gilmore has great footwork that will have him stuck to receivers all year. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

It's time to give Colt McCoy a real shot, and a great vertical weapon is doing just that. 

23. Detroit Lions: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

Matthew Stafford is the most important player in Detroit. It's time to add some assurances that he remain upright. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Pittsburgh could go hunting elsewhere, but Hightower is the best athlete available at the time. He will be the next big thing with a season or two of grooming.  

25. Denver Broncos: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Broncos are already scary in the pass rush, but Perry would make them certifiable as one of the best in the league. 

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has a high ceiling, but playing on the other side of Andre Johnson makes it immense. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

A lackluster combine pushes him pack in the draft, but that just makes him a great value at this point in the draft. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

He is big, bad and moves very well considering his size.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame 

He blew up after a tremendous combine where he showed great versatility and speed. Combine that with his instincts and you have a superstar in the making. 

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

I am ready to put Jenkins back in the first round. All off the field issues aside, the man can flat-out play.

31. New England Patriots: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

I am willing to say his 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season means he is the real deal.

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

It's all about assuring there is no moment of letdown on the line like there was in the early part of last season. 

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