Mike Mayock 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Biggest Winners in Guru's Latest Effort

If things play out like Mike Mayock mocks them to, there are a few teams that are going to be overjoyed. In Mayock's mock, these are the teams who will get an excellent player at a tremendous value.

You might be saying, "Well if they are such a great value then they won't be on the board that long." That makes sense in the world of logic, but the draft doesn't operate in that world.

There are always surprises. Players that go well above their projected spot and players that go well below, and Mayock is one of the best in the biz at predicting it.

Here are the teams that should be hoping with all their might that his projections this year are spot on.  

6. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The popular thought here is that the Rams will be best served if Justin Blackmon (Mayock has him going No. 4) falls to them, and they can draft the receiver they desperately need. 

However, the Rams have needs all over the field and Claiborne is a far better pro prospect than Blackmon. While Blackmon was dominant in college, that came in a spread offense. That will always skew the numbers. 

To me, Blackmon is the second coming of Michael Crabtree. He's not overly fast or big. He can run nice routes, make solid grabs and get some yards after the catch, but will be better suited for No. 2 than No. 1. 

Claiborne does not have those same concerns. He has great size for a corner and decent speed. He also has amazing feet and hands. He is without a doubt No. 1 corner material, and he will be a future Pro Bowler. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

It's not often you would find a fan base getting excited about the selection of a guard in the first round, but this should be one of those times. 

DeCastro is easily the best guard in this draft. I don't think he will last past the Chiefs pick at No. 11. However, Mayock sees him going ten picks later to the Bengals. 

DeCastro will be a big boost to the Bengals running game the moment he steps onto the field. He is physical and strong. He is a good drive blocker, and amazing when he is pulling. 

This will be a nice and underrated piece for the Bengals. 

25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe's draft stock went soaring at the combine. That is because he measured in at 6'3" and 346 pounds, yet showed impressive athleticism. 

This massive lineman proved he can be a nose tackle in a 3-4 or a DT in 4-3. As a result, Poe is commonly in the top ten in mocks, and he is often linked to the Panthers at No. 9. 

There is certainly an element of risk here. Poe does not have the college production to match his elite skills, and this could be a reason he would end up falling to the Broncos, which would be fantastic for them. 

They have to draft a DT. They are frighteningly thin at the position.  

Poe would help eliminate that, and he would give them someone with the mass to occupy multiple blockers to free up their speedy pass rushers.