2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the First 2 Rounds

Pick Team Player Pos. School Notes
33 Colts Brandon Thompson DT Clemson Teamed with Fili Moala, Thompson gives the Colts a great one-two punch at defensive tackle for the future.
34 Rams 
Jerel Worthy DT Michigan State The Rams have two defensive ends in Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Now they need to build the bulk between them.
35 Vikings Kendall Wright WR Baylor Percy Harvin has elite talent, but Minnesota needs another threat to take the pressure off him. Wright is a football magnet.
36 Jaguars Whitney Mercilus
DE Illinois A highly productive pass rusher, Mercilus could shoot up draft boards if he times well in the postseason.
37 Panthers Alameda Ta'Amu
DT Washington A huge tackle who is falling of late, Ta'Amu lacks the strength to be a two gap player but could cause problems in a one gap system.
38 Dolphins Courtney Upshaw
OLB Alabama 
Koa Misi hasn't been what Miami hoped. Courtney Upshaw has the talent to play inside or outside. He's a matchup nightmare.
39 Redskins Mohamed Sanu
WR Rutgers Washington's plans to bolster the offense through free agency didn't work. It's time to add a young possession receiver through the draft.
40 Eagles (from ARI) 
Markelle Martin FS Oklahoma St If Philadelphia had invested in a speedy free safety before the season, we might be talking about a playoff contender instead of a huge disappointment.
41 Eagles Andrew Datko
OT FSU Jason Peters is one of the best on the left side, but Philly needs major help at right tackle. Datko has first-round potential were it not for an injury.
42 Chiefs 
Dont'a Hightower
ILB Alabama Imagine Hightower running alongside Derrick Johnson in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense. It's a scary thought for offensive coordinators too.
43 Seahawks Chase Minnifield
CB Virginia Seattle has built a solid defense, but they need a bigger presence at cornerback to take the next step toward elite.
44 Browns D.J. Fluker
OT Alabama Giving Colt McCoy another bookend tackle protecting him will take the Browns from a middle of the road team to a contender with their other draft picks in place.
45 Chargers Brandon Jenkins OLB FSU A defensive end at FSU, Jenkins is the quick-twitch athlete we look for at outside linebacker in the 3-4. Alongside Shaun Phillips he'll have room to speed rush right tackles.
46 Bucs Nate Potter OT Boise State A lean, athletic tackle, Potter could see a move to guard or kick Donald Penn to right tackle, where his power is needed.
47 Bills 
Zebrie Sanders OT FSU Demetrius Bell hasn't proven himself in limited duty. Buffalo has to plan for the worst. Best case scenario, Sanders and Bell become long time starters at left and right tackle.
48 Titans Dwayne Allen TE Clemson The Titans grabbed a receiver in Round 1; they circle back around and get a playmaker at tight end to help Jake Locker out early in his career.
49 Jets Vinny Curry OLB Marshall Curry's stock is climbing. He's a productive athlete who has the ideal makeup to make the step outside to pass rusher in a 3-4 defense.
50 Giants Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia New York needs speed on the outside, especially if Mathias Kiwanuka moves back to defensive end. Irvin is an undersized defensive end who could move to linebacker and rush on third downs.
51 Broncos Ryan Tannehill
QB Texas A&M I'm not convinced John Elway is ready to trust the franchise to Tim Tebow. Tannehill gives Denver insurance and a plan for the future.
52 Lions Mark Barron SS Alabama Teamed with Louis Delmas and first-rounder Alfonzo Dennard, Barron will help round out a suddenly stocked Lions secondary.
53 Cowboys Robert Lester FS Alabama If Dre Kirkpatrick is the Cowboys' cornerback of the future, Lester will be their free safety in what's becoming a Crimson Tide dominated secondary.
54 Patriots (from OAK) Xavier Rhodes CB FSU It's very likely this pick will have been traded for future draft picks, but if the Patriots keep it you can bet they'll be looking to add depth at cornerback.
55 Bengals Audie Cole ILB NC State Rey Maualuga's contract ends after the 2012 season, and while he's improved, the Bengals could look to move on from him. Better safe than sorry with this pick.
56 Falcons Josh Chapman DT Alabama Peria Jerry hasn't lived up to his first-round standing or salary. The Falcons need a penetrating tackle who can make plays in the backfield.
57 Texans 
Jarius Wright WR Arkansas One of my favorites, Wright is a big play receiver and return man who has elite speed in the open field. He's a world-class slot receiver prospect.
58 Bears Dwight Jones WR North Carolina It's time to start adding talented receivers for Jay Cutler. The Chicago defense and run game are too good to lose in the playoffs every year.
59 Steelers Levy Adcock
OT Oklahoma St Max Gilbert looks like a future star at right tackle, Pittsburgh needs to get younger and more talented on the left side now.
60 Saints 
Jayron Hosley
CB Virginia Tech While slightly undersized, Housley has great speed and instincts in coverage. He's a nickel back early on and a potential starter in years three or four.
61 Patriots Reuben Randle WR LSU A big, tall deep threat with deceptive speed and good body control. Sounds a lot like what New England had in Randy Moss. Here's hoping Randle develops into Randy.
62 49ers Ray Ray Armstrong SS Miami (FL) Donte Whitner looks allergic to form tackling at times. Armstrong will be the big hit presence in Jim Harbaugh's nasty defense.
63 Ravens Chris Polk RB Washington Ricky Williams has been a valuable No. 2 back, but he's on his last legs. Ray Rice needs a good understudy, and Polk has workhorse potential.
64 Packers Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia It seems unfair that Green Bay would have Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk and Jarvis Jones. Jarvis is a scary pass rusher, but raw otherwise.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Notes
33	Colts	Brandon Thompson	DT	Clemson	Teamed with Fili Moala, Thompson gives the Colts a great one-two punch at defensive tackle for the future.
34	Rams	Jerel Worthy	DT	Michigan State	The Rams have two defensive ends in Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Now they need to build the bulk between them.
35	Vikings	Kendall Wright	WR	Baylor	Percy Harvin has elite talent, but Minnesota needs another threat to take the pressure off him. Wright is a football magnet.
36	Jaguars	Whitney Mercilus	DE	Illinois	A highly productive pass rusher, Mercilus could shoot up draft boards if he times well in the postseason.
37	Panthers	Alameda Ta'Amu	DT	Washington	A huge tackle who is falling of late, Ta'Amu lacks the strength to be a two gap player but could cause problems in a one gap system.
38	Dolphins	Courtney Upshaw	OLB	Alabama	Koa Misi hasn't been what Miami hoped. Courtney Upshaw has the talent to play inside or outside. He's a matchup nightmare.
39	Redskins	Mohamed Sanu	WR	Rutgers	Washington's plans to bolster the offense through free agency didn't work. It's time to add a young possession receiver through the draft.
40	Eagles (from ARI)	Markelle Martin	FS	Oklahoma St	If Philadelphia had invested in a speedy free safety before the season, we might be talking about a playoff contender instead of a huge disappointment.
41	Eagles	Andrew Datko	OT	FSU	Jason Peters is one of the best on the left side, but Philly needs major help at right tackle. Datko has first-round potential were it not for an injury.
42	Chiefs	Dont'a Hightower	ILB	Alabama	Imagine Hightower running alongside Derrick Johnson in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense. It's a scary thought for offensive coordinators too.
43	Seahawks	Chase Minnifield	CB	Virginia	Seattle has built a solid defense, but they need a bigger presence at cornerback to take the next step toward elite.
44	Browns	D.J. Fluker	OT	Alabama	Giving Colt McCoy another bookend tackle protecting him will take the Browns from a middle of the road team to a contender with their other draft picks in place.
45	Chargers	Brandon Jenkins	OLB	FSU	A defensive end at FSU, Jenkins is the quick-twitch athlete we look for at outside linebacker in the 3-4. Alongside Shaun Phillips he'll have room to speed rush right tackles.
46	Bucs	Nate Potter	OT	Boise State	A lean, athletic tackle, Potter could see a move to guard or kick Donald Penn to right tackle, where his power is needed.
47	Bills	Zebrie Sanders	OT	FSU	Demetrius Bell hasn't proven himself in limited duty. Buffalo has to plan for the worst. Best case scenario, Sanders and Bell become long time starters at left and right tackle.
48	Titans	Dwayne Allen	TE	Clemson	The Titans grabbed a receiver in Round 1; they circle back around and get a playmaker at tight end to help Jake Locker out early in his career.
49	Jets	Vinny Curry	OLB	Marshall	Curry's stock is climbing. He's a productive athlete who has the ideal makeup to make the step outside to pass rusher in a 3-4 defense.
50	Giants	Bruce Irvin	OLB	West Virginia	New York needs speed on the outside, especially if Mathias Kiwanuka moves back to defensive end. Irvin is an undersized defensive end who could move to linebacker and rush on third downs.
51	Broncos	Ryan Tannehill	QB	Texas A&M	I'm not convinced John Elway is ready to trust the franchise to Tim Tebow. Tannehill gives Denver insurance and a plan for the future.
52	Lions	Mark Barron	SS	Alabama	Teamed with Louis Delmas and first-rounder Alfonzo Dennard, Barron will help round out a suddenly stocked Lions secondary.
53	Cowboys	Robert Lester	FS	Alabama	If Dre Kirkpatrick is the Cowboys' cornerback of the future, Lester will be their free safety in what's becoming a Crimson Tide dominated secondary.
54	Patriots (from OAK)	Xavier Rhodes	CB	FSU	It's very likely this pick will have been traded for future draft picks, but if the Patriots keep it you can bet they'll be looking to add depth at cornerback.
55	Bengals	Audie Cole	ILB	NC State	Rey Maualuga's contract ends after the 2012 season, and while he's improved, the Bengals could look to move on from him. Better safe than sorry with this pick.
56	Falcons	Josh Chapman	DT	Alabama	Peria Jerry hasn't lived up to his first-round standing or salary. The Falcons need a penetrating tackle who can make plays in the backfield.
57	Texans	Jarius Wright	WR	Arkansas	One of my favorites, Wright is a big play receiver and return man who has elite speed in the open field. He's a world-class slot receiver prospect.
58	Bears	Dwight Jones	WR	North Carolina	It's time to start adding talented receivers for Jay Cutler. The Chicago defense and run game are too good to lose in the playoffs every year.
59	Steelers	Levy Adcock	OT	Oklahoma St	Max Gilbert looks like a future star at right tackle, Pittsburgh needs to get younger and more talented on the left side now.
60	Saints	Jayron Hosley	CB	Virginia Tech	While slightly undersized, Housley has great speed and instincts in coverage. He's a nickel back early on and a potential starter in years three or four.
61	Patriots	Reuben Randle	WR	LSU	A big, tall deep threat with deceptive speed and good body control. Sounds a lot like what New England had in Randy Moss. Here's hoping Randle develops into Randy.
62	49ers	Ray Ray Armstrong	SS	Miami (FL)	Donte Whitner looks allergic to form tackling at times. Armstrong will be the big hit presence in Jim Harbaugh's nasty defense.
63	Ravens	Chris Polk	RB	Washington	Ricky Williams has been a valuable No. 2 back, but he's on his last legs. Ray Rice needs a good understudy, and Polk has workhorse potential.
64	Packers	Jarvis Jones	OLB	Georgia	It seems unfair that Green Bay would have Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk and Jarvis Jones. Jarvis is a scary pass rusher, but raw otherwise.