2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Look at Super Bowl Contenders' Needs for Next Year
All we ever talk about is the top of the next year's draft.
And to be honest, it makes complete sense. The teams at the top of the draft are obviously not good, and in most cases, their attention is already turned towards next season.
Teams in contention for a Super Bowl this season aren't looking forward to the draft yet, they still have plenty of football to play this season. But that doesn't stop us from seeing the holes that need to be filled for success in the future.
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Here is a combination look at some needs for this year's Super Bowl contenders next year and the potential late first-round prospects they could see on the board.
Full updated mock listed below.
Green Bay Packers
Current favorites for the Super Bowl, the reigning champs don't have a ton of weaknesses. Their draft philosophy is usually to take the best available player and run with it, as would most teams who win the Super Bowl.
The Packers could stand to see some new blood at the cornerback position for whenever Charles Woodson retires, and you can never have too many linebackers in a 3-4 defense.
Five technique defensive linemen are also worth taking if available.
In this scenario, the Packers jump on the best available pass rusher in Alabama's Courtney Upshaw. He's experienced, comes from Nick Saban's defense and has the tools to develop into the type of players the Packers could use off the edge.
Other options would include defensive tackles Brandon Thompson of Clemson (who could go much higher) or Jerel Worthy of Michigan State.
Also cannot rule out another play for a running back if one is available.
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick's team has the easiest schedule in the league down the stretch. If they Patriots don't finish 13-3 it would be a surprise. And if they can't get in a groove to win a postseason game for the first time since the AFC Championship Game in 2007, then they may never get it back.
Their needs are well known at this point.
They desperately need defensive help almost everywhere, and offensively they are always a threat to take a top skill player.
New England has two picks, their own and the New Orleans Saints, and both should be in the latter portion of the draft.
Top cornerback prospects likely on the board include Virginia's Chase Minnifield, Jayron Hosley of Virginia Tech and Xavier Rhodes of Florida State.
Defensive lineman include the aforementioned Thompson and Worthy, as well as Billy Wynn of Boise State and Jared Crick of Nebraska.
Offensively a weapon like Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu stands out (Pats like their Rutgers kids), Nick Toon of Wisconsin and Kendall Wright of Baylor.
Other Contenders
Baltimore Ravens
Linebackers will be their primary focus if they're available. A replacement for future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis is No. 1 priority.
They also need an upgrade at center.
San Francisco 49ers
Finding a true No. 1 receiver for Alex Smith is their best bet. This team has been damn impressive this year, and they have a lot of pieces in place.
There is some wide receiver talent they could potentially jump on late in this first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Ravens, the Steelers need linebacker help too. They could also, as always, add another offensive lineman to the mix. Their run game is not where they want it to be, and they let Big Ben Roethlisberger take too many hits as it is.
New York Giants
Both Atlanta and New Orleans traded away their first-round picks and Chicago is a lot less of a contender with Caleb Hanie under center. The Giants get the nod over the Lions and Cowboys as the default No. 3 team in the NFC because they have more postseason experience than either team.
As for the Giants' needs it is simple: linebacker. They have a few youngsters making plays, most notably undrafted rookie free agent Mark Herzlich and rookie sixth-round picks Jacquian Williams and Greg Jones, but they can still add an upgrade if they see one.
The Giants will likely take best player available though, something they pride themselves, regardless of positional need.
*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.
| 1. | Indianapolis Colts (0-10) | Andrew Luck, QB |
| 2. | St. Louis Rams (2-8) | Justin Blackmon, WR |
| 3. | Carolina Panthers (2-8) | Quinton Coples, DE |
| 4. | Miami Dolphins (3-7) | Matt Barkley, QB |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) | Michael Floyd, WR |
| 6. | Arizona Cardinals (3-7) | Matt Kalil, OT |
| 7. | Minnesota Vikings (2-8) | Jonathan Martin, OT |
| 8. | Cleveland Browns (4-6) | Trent Richardson, RB |
| 9. | Washington Redskins (3-7) | Landry Jones, QB |
| 10. | Seattle Seahawks (4-6) | Morris Claiborne, CB |
| 11. | Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) | Alshon Jeffery, WR |
| 12. | San Diego Chargers (4-6) | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB |
| 13. | Kansas City Chiefs (4-6) | Riley Reiff, OT |
| 14. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) | Alfonzo Dennard, CB |
| 15. | Tennessee Titans (5-5) | Vontaze Burfict, LB |
| 16. | Buffalo Bills (5-5) | Robert Griffin III, QB |
| 17. | Denver Broncos (5-5) | Lamar Miller, RB |
| 18. | Chicago Bears (7-3) | Peter Konz, C |
| 19. | Dallas Cowboys (6-4) | Janoris Jenkins, CB |
| 20. | New York Jets (5-5) | David DeCastro, OG |
| 21. | Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (6-4) | Zach Brown, LB |
| 22. | Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (6-4) | Cordy Glenn, OG |
| 23. | Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) | Devon Still, DT |
| 24. | Detroit Lions (7-3) | Luke Kuechly, LB |
| 25. | Houston Texans (7-3) | Mark Barron, S |
| 26. | Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) | Dont'a Hightower, LB |
| 27. | New York Giants (6-4) | Jarvis Jones, LB |
| 28. | New England (via NO 7-3) | Chase Minnifield, CB |
| 29. | Baltimore Ravens (7-3) | Michael Brewster, C |
| 30. | San Francisco 49ers (9-1) | Jeff Fuller, WR |
| 31. | New England Patriots (7-3) | Mohamed Sanu, WR |
| 32. | Green Bay Packers (10-0) | Courtney Upshaw, DE |
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
