2012 NFL Mock Draft: Morris Claiborne Headlines Loaded CB Class

Few drafts in recent memory have boasted as much talent at the cornerback spot as the class of 2012. As many as a half-dozen DBs have the talent to be first-round picks, with this trio being the best of the best:

Morris Claiborne, LSU

He’s not likely to make the same splash as an NFL return man that former teammate Patrick Peterson has, but Claiborne is a serious big-play threat as a cornerback. (He’s actually not half-bad in the return game either, having taken a kickoff 99 yards for a TD earlier this season).

The 6’1” Claiborne is a consummate ball-hawk who’s recorded five interceptions in each of the last two seasons. With his speed and skills, he’s likely to step directly into a starting job at the next level, quite possibly (as below) with CB-needy Seattle.

Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Not quite the playmaker that Claiborne is, Kirkpatrick is still a first-class cover corner. Although the Alabama junior doesn’t have an interception on the season, he has broken up nine passes in 2011.

The 6’3” Kirkpatrick is especially well-suited to covering big red-zone targets at the NFL level. Even if the Chargers pass on him at No. 12, he shouldn’t have to wait much longer to hear his name called.

Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Another corner who focuses more on shutting down the receiver than forcing turnovers, Dennard has been a key leader on Nebraska’s physical defense. He hasn’t picked off a pass this season, but he has broken up six of them.

Like Claiborne, Dennard has filled in impressively for an ex-teammate now in the NFL (the Giants’ Prince Amukamara). Look for him to go in the Top 20, even if the Buccaneers don’t snatch him up at No. 14.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts (0-11)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-9)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Carolina Panthers (3-8)	Quinton Coples, DE
4.	Miami Dolphins (3-8)	Matt Barkley, QB
5.	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)	Michael Floyd, WR
6.	Arizona Cardinals (3-8)	Matt Kalil, OT
7.	Minnesota Vikings (2-9)	Jonathan Martin, OT
8.	Cleveland Browns (4-7)	Trent Richardson, RB
9.	Washington Redskins (4-7)	Robert Griffin III, QB
10.	Seattle Seahawks (4-7)	Morris Claiborne, CB
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
12.	San Diego Chargers (4-7)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
13.	Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)	Riley Reiff, OT
14.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Buffalo Bills (5-6)	Landry Jones, QB
16.	Tennessee Titans (6-5)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
17.	Denver Broncos (6-5)	Lamar Miller, RB
18.	Chicago Bears (7-4)	Peter Konz, C
19.	Detroit Lions (7-4)	Luke Kuechly, LB
20.	New York Jets (6-5)	David DeCastro, OG
21.	New York Giants (6-5)	Zach Brown, LB
22.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-4)	Cordy Glenn, OG
23.	Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
24.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (7-4)	Jarvin Jones, LB
25.	Houston Texans (8-3)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
27.	Dallas Cowboys (7-4)	Devon Still, DT
28.	New England (via NO 8-3)	Chase Minnifield, CB
29.	Baltimore Ravens (8-3)	Courtney Upshaw, DE
30.	San Francisco 49ers (9-2)	Kendall Wright, WR
31.	New England Patriots (8-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (11-0)	Brandon Thompson, DT