NFL 2012 Mock Draft: Who Will Your Team Draft?

With the 2012 NFL Draft fast approaching, many coaches and scouts are huddling up to explore all possibilities as we speak.

For the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, the discussions will be about how to finish up their draft boards as their selections are pretty much set in stone.

Andrew Luck is going No. 1 to the Colts, while his counterpart Robert Griffin III will go No. 2 to the Redskins.

What about the other teams?

After the first two selections, the 2012 NFL Draft is a clear crapshoot with teams that are looking to move up and down the draft board depending on who is available and where.

That being said, in my mock draft, not only will I select a player, but I will indicate which teams may eventually change their draft position.


Please feel free to compare your list with mine and do not hesitate to dispute me.

1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford.

Worst-kept secret in the NFL. 

2. Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor.

Second worst-kept secret in the NFL.

3. Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil, Stanford.

 I am not completely sold on this pick as Kalil is the best left tackle prospect in a weak class for left tackles. Draft pick status is iffy here.

4. Cleveland Browns: WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame.

The consensus has Trent Richardson going here, but name two wide receivers on the Browns besides Josh Cribbs?

I’ll wait.

The Browns will come to their senses and realize that Boise State’s Doug Martin can possibly be had early in the second round. Draft pick status is rock solid.

5. Tampa Bay: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama.

LeGarrette Blount is not that bad of a running back, but the addition of Richardson, along with free agent WR Vincent Jackson, would make the Bucs tougher on offense. Draft pick status is strong.

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

Sam Bradford gets a receiver who has a ton of ability. Draft pick status is strong.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Morris Claiborne, LSU.

The Jaguars needs everything except a running back and defensive end, and even there, they could use some depth.

They also need fans.

Claiborne is the best player available at seven. Draft status is iffy because they have so many needs that they may look to trade down for additional picks.

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

This is a huge reach at eight, but it has the potential to pay great dividends later down the line.

If the Dolphins are patient enough that is.

I think that Matt Moore grew as a QB as last season progressed, so to me, QB is not their biggest need. Draft status is solid.

9. Carolina Panthers: CB Stephen Gilmore, South Carolina.

The Panthers will be thinking defense when their name is called. A few key defensive stops in the 2011 campaign and the Panthers are playoff-bound. Look out for a potential trade down if Gilmore is off of the boards.

10. Buffalo Bills: ILB Luke Keuchly, Boston College:

The Bills were in the same boat with the Panthers. Some key defensive stops and the Bills do not go on the late-season swoon that doomed a once promising season. Do not expect a trade here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State.

After being passed over by several teams who could have used him, Cox lands in a place that fits him perfectly. Best player available for the Chiefs who would be foolish to trade down if he is there.

12. Seattle Seahawks: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina.

The biggest need for the Seahawks is help for their anemic pass rush. Draft pick status is rock solid.

13. Arizona Cardinals: OT Riley Reiff, Iowa.

Offensive line is a need for the Cardinals. I am not sure if Reiff will work out for the Cardinals long term, but he is the best tackle on the board. No trade for Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys: DT Michael Brockers, LSU.

Robb Ryan’s defensive unit struggled last season and they could use an influx of talent to play along with DeMarcus Ware.

Knowing how Jerry Jones conducts his business, would he consider trading up with the Jacksonville Jaguars to snatch the fast rising Ryan Tannehill?

I say yes!

15. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Dontari Poe, Memphis.

Tremendous potential with Poe and the Eagles will look to capitalize on it. Nothing on the trade front.

16. New York Jets: OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia.

Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow, whosoever wins the starting QB job will get a more than capable bodyguard in Glenn. I do not see the Jets making any moves.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: DE/OLB Chandler Jones, Syracuse.

The Bengals defense gets a little bit of help from Jones who somewhat underachieved in his final season with the Orange. He still would make a difference for the Bengals. No trade.

18. San Diego Chargers: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor.

While many think that the Chargers are looking for help on either the offensive or defensive line, I envision them going in a completely different path.

Phillip Rivers lost two playmakers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Tolbert. Wright would be a great insurance policy just in case Malcolm Floyd gets hurt again or Robert Meachem underperforms. No trades in sight.

19. Chicago Bears: DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois.

The Bears defensive line gets younger with this pick. In most drafts, Mercilus is a sure-fire top-five pick, but his lack of a body of work hurts his case.

The Bears could look to trade down, especially if the Browns get a little anxious and Kendall Wright is still on the board.

20. Tennessee Titans: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama.

The Titans must ease the loss of Cortland Finnegan and Kirkpatrick is just the player to do so. Strong signs suggesting that the Titans keep this pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: DE/OLB Quinton Coples, North Carolina.

The Bengals wrap up their first-round selections with a second defensive player. Chandler Jones and Coples could turn out to be a dynamic set of bookends on the defensive line or line backing corps. The Bengals will keep this pick.  

22. Cleveland Browns: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford.

The tackles for the Browns are a very thin unit with only Joe Thomas and Oniel Cousins on the roster. Adding Martin would give the Browns depth and versatility. They may trade from this spot.

23. Detroit Lions: SS Mark Barron, Alabama.

The Lions’ defense gets scarier once Barron falls into their laps. He is the highest-rated player on most draft boards and could fill a need for a young defense. No trade on the horizon.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE/OLB Nick Perry, USC.

The Steelers’ defense has gotten older and slower and they must get younger. Perry gives them the fountain of youth and he is ready-made for the 3-4 defense that the Steelers use. Draft status is set in stone.

25. Denver Broncos: DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State.

The Broncos could use some help up the middle on defense; Worthy makes sense.

They also could use another offensive lineman as there is no sure way of telling how the Broncos’ offensive line will respond to a pocket passer versus a scrambler that Tim Tebow was. Draft status is solid.

26. Houston Texans: OG David DeCastro, Stanford.

 The Texans do not need much in my opinion because it was injuries that hurt them in the playoffs. DeCastro would revitalize their offensive line and give Arian Foster another guy who can create holes in the running lanes. No trades.

27. New England Patriots: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama.

With the signing of WR Brandon Lloyd, the Patriots solved their biggest deficiency in terms of a speedy receiver.

Upshaw is a proven player that is used to playing for a demanding coach. A great fit all around. Trade wise, you never truly know what Bill Belichick is thinking.

28. Green Bay Packers: OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin.

The Packers were an offensive machine all throughout the regular season, but once the playoffs came, the defensive line of the Giants harassed Aaron Rodgers to no end.

Zeitler gives the Packers depth on the offensive line. No trades in sight, the draft status for the Packers is strong.

29. Baltimore Ravens: C Peter Konz, Wisconsin.

Who imagined that two players from the Badgers’ offensive line would be selected in consecutive picks?

I have.

The Ravens seek heir apparent for Matt Birk. Draft pick status is steady.

30. San Francisco 49ers: TE Coby Fleener, Stanford.

It is almost foolish to believe that the 49ers would draft a TE with Vernon Davis on board.

Foolish, but not inconceivable.

Fleener helps the 49ers stretch the field and gives them the dynamic that only the Patriots have. There will be no trades from the 49ers.

31. New England Patriots: CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama.

Teams such as the Patriots can take a chance on the troubled, but talented Jenkins. Corner back was a sore spot for the Patriots last season. Draft pick status is iffy.

32. New York Giants: RB Doug Martin, Boise State.

When you are the champs you can take a chance on a player like Martin.

It is not that big of a gamble when you consider that Martin is the second-rated RB on most draft boards. Despite their Super Bowl win, the running backs left a lot of yards on the field. There is no trades that I see in their future.