NFL Draft 2012: Team-by-Team Predictions for Round 1

As the 2011 NFL postseason quickly approaches, a majority of the teams in the league will be turning to the NFL Draft as a primary focus within the front office. The Senior Bowl, Pro Days and the Combine will surely change where certain players are projected to go, and there will be some mixing up of rankings as April approaches.

That said, we do have a good idea as to who the premiere players are in this draft and what certain teams need in order to take their "game" to the next level.

As someone who prides himself on understanding the nuances of the draft process, going to the Senior Bowl, watching hours of tapes and comprehending what it takes to translate to the NFL, I think that I am in a good position to project where and when certain players are going to go in the draft.

Keep in mind that we are early in the process and things can change. Additionally, I will be focusing on two- and three-round mocks the closer we get to April

Enjoy and debate.  

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, Stanford

Scouting Report

Andrew Luck is the most pro-ready collegiate quarterback since Peyton Manning. He can make every throw on the field and has tremendous accuracy in both intermediate and long routes. I really like his ability to scan coverage and make the right reads. This is something that rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle with a great deal, but I don't see that being a problem for Luck.

Luck's quick delivery enables him to avoid pressure and hit players in motion so that they can rack up yards after the catch. He does step up in the pocket extremely well to avoid pressure coming from the outside. This is something that Luck will have to do going to a team like the Colts, where he isn't going to have anywhere near the offensive line that he had at Stanford.

Need

Some would conclude that the Indianapolis Colts would be better off trading out of the No. 1 slot and picking up a bounty in terms of draft picks. While that is hard to argue against, it is extremely hard for a team to pass up on a once in a generation type of quarterback prospect.

If the Colts do end up with the first overall pick and draft Andrew Luck, they would put themselves in a position that few before them have. It would compare to the San Francisco 49ers going from Joe Montana to Steve Young and the Green Bay Packers going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers.

That is something that I don't think that Bill Polian and Co. can pass up at this point, no matter the needs at nearly every other position on the roster.  

2. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, Southern California

Scouting Report

Matt Kalil already has the footwork to be a blindside offensive tackle at the next level. He is extremely quick off the ball and recognizes blocking assignments extremely well. As a left tackle, he would be called on to protect the blindside on most NFL teams. This is a major reason why Kalil is projected to go top five by most draft outlets.

The USC product does need to bulk up a little bit and stop playing so high at the point of contact. This will cause some issues early in his NFL career and make quarterbacks vulnerable to pressure from the side. This may also force whoever drafts Kalil to play him on the right side until he gains more experience and hones his technique.

Need

Minnesota believes that they have a franchise quarterback in Christian Ponder. They also have one of the top running backs in the entire league. The need to get a premiere pass protector, and run blocking offensive tackle has to be next up on their to do list.

3. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Scouting Report

Yet another player who seems to be as pro ready as they come at his position. He will immediately become a red zone threat for a team that is currently lacking that. You can imagine Blackmon making a living on corner fades. His hands are extremely soft, and he gets great separation against press coverage at the line.

At 6'1'', Blackmon doesn't have truly elite wide receiver size, though he does make up for it with superior athleticism and the ability to drop away from coverage in the intermediate routes.

Need

Even if the Rams re-sign Brandon Lloyd, they don't have that No. 1 receiver that Sam Bradford needs in order to open up the offense. I do like Greg Salas and Austin Pettis as complementary guys, but they're also not go-to guys at this point.

Blackmon will give Bradford that duel threat, someone that can beat the coverage deep and sit down on short slants. At this point, it has become obvious that the Rams need to get more play makers on offense immediately, and as I said before, he will come right in and contribute.  

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Morris Claiborne, Louisiana State 

Scouting Report

One of the things that I look at in regards to elite corner prospects is their ability to play all three positions: left, right and nickel. While a lot of casual fans don't look at this aspect of a players overall ability, it is huge.

Morris Claiborne is one of the few college corner prospects that I have seen in recent seasons that is as comfortable on the inside as he is on the outside. This makes him the obvious No. 1 corner in the draft in my opinion.

The LSU standout also plays well at the line in bump-and-run coverage and has the ability to run with anyone on the outside. It also helps that the Tigers play a pro style defense, which will limit his transitional issues to the next level.

Need

The Jaguars need to get younger and more talented at the corner position. Rashean Mathis has been injury plagued, isn't getting any younger and is set to be a free agent. Look for Jacksonville to move on from him. In Claiborne, they get the elite corner in a relatively solid class and can slot him in immediately as the No. 1 guy. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dre' Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Scouting Report

I completely understand that this is an extremely high projection for Kirkpatrick. The Alabama corner is extremely raw and has a ton of holes in his game that could be exploited at the next level.

The one thing that I like most about Kirkpatrick is his ability to play press coverage at the line and keep receivers out of their comfort zone prior to initiating the route. He may translate well as a safety moving forward as well because of his hard hitting mentality and nose for the ball.

Overall, I would say that Kirkpatrick is just a damn good all-around football player who could cause fits for opposing offenses in both the run and pass game.

I don't like the way that Kirkpatrick adjusts to the ball when it is in the air—and he does get turned around a lot. I have seen this more than once in 2011 against top tier receivers on the outside. He also doesn't have elite speed.

Need

Ronde Barber isn't getting any younger despite playing relatively good at this point in his career. Aqib Talib has turned out to be a No. 1 corner with his play this season. However, there is no telling what impact his legal issues are going to have in his ability to contribute to the Buccaneers beyond 2011.

E.J. Biggers really isn't much more than an average nickel corner and lacks the necessary talents to be a difference maker in the defensive backfield. I seriously considered going Trent Richardson with this pick, but I think that the talented but underperforming Buccaneers need to find a player who can slot in at a need position immediately: Kirkpatrick is that guy.  

6. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson, Alabama

Scouting Report

Trent Richardson plays extremely strong for a running back. He is incredibly hard to bring down between the tackles and does the bulk of his work there. That said, he is extremely fast and can get to the outside of a defense focusing too much on between the hashes.

Much like an Adrian Peterson type of back, Richardson doesn't shy away from contact. Instead, he relishes on the idea of knocking opposing defenders back. Patience at the line of scrimmage is another aspect of Richardson's game that I like. 

He is probably the best all-around running back to enter the draft since Darren McFadden in 2008. 

Need

Peyton Hillis will not be returning to the Cleveland Browns next season, and it doesn't appear that Montario Hardesty really is the long-term answer as a featured back. The Browns need more talent all along the offense, and where better to start than with a franchise back like Richardson? 

7. Miami Dolphins

Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Scouting Report

Robert Griffin III has the biggest upside of any quarterback in the 2012 draft class. He has elite size, speed and arm strength to be a combination of Cam Newton, Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger. From early on this season, it became apparent to me that Griffin's game translated extremely well to the next level.

One of the things that impresses me the most about Griffin is his instincts. He makes extremely good decisions, can check down to second and third reads when the offense calls for it, and understands how/when to utilize his arm strength. This means that the Baylor product has the ability to decipher when to launch a rocket on the outside and float the ball over underneath coverage.

One knock on Griffin's game is the fact that he isn't playing in a pro style offense at Baylor and is rarely asked to check the ball down or navigate past his first read. This was a primary concern about Blaine Gabbert heading into the 2011 NFL Draft.

Need

While I do believe that Matt Moore can be a caretaker type of quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in 2012, he is nowhere near the long-term answer for a franchise that hasn't had a really talented quarterback since Dan Marino.

With Daniel Thomas, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall in the fold, the Dolphins do have nice weapons on the offensive side of the ball. They are just missing a difference maker at the quarterback position.

I fully expect Jeff Ireland and Co. to retain the services of Moore in 2012, which would bode well for the continued advancement of Griffin III. He would be able to sit behind a veteran quarterback for a season while learning a lot about what needs to be done in order to be a successful signal caller at the next level.

This seems like a match made in heaven, in my opinion.  

8. Washington Redskins

Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Scouting Report

I personally believe that there is a dramatic drop off from the other three quarterbacks I have slated going in the top seven and Landry Jones. This doesn't mean that the Oklahoma star cannot be a great NFL quarterback, it just means that I am not as high on him as the other three.

At 6'4'', Jones has ideal size to play at the next level. He is also extremely athletic and gets outside of the pocket extremely well, which bodes well because he has good improvising skills. I really like the fact that Jones continues to put nice loft on the deep passes and doesn't rely on his above average arm to get the pass through defenders, instead he goes up over the top a lot.

Oklahoma runs an offense that doesn't translate extremely well to the next level. They play out of the shotgun the majority of the time, and Jones isn't asked to go past his first read most of the time. This should cause a major learning curve heading to the NFL. This means that Jones will probably have to, or should, sit for a year or two. Not exactly what you want from a top-10 pick.

Need

It is readily apparent that the Washington Redskins need upgrades at a lot of different offensive positions. They lack the necessary skill players on the outside to help out in the passing game and have no quarterback who can get the ball there on a consistent basis.

Washington did a great job in the selections of both Roy Helu and Evan Royster, so they appear to be somewhat set at running back. Additionally, this is a team that spent three draft picks at wide receiver, which means I don't see them going there in the first round.

In my opinion, there are four franchise quarterbacks in the draft, Jones is the last of them. While the Redskins might have to get a veteran to hold down the position for a season or two, I expect them to look to the future here.  

9. Buffalo Bills

Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Scouting Report

I was actually looking at tape of the Georgia Bulldogs in order to get a better idea of where offensive guard Cordy Glenn stood, and Jarvis Jones stood out to me in a big way. Some scouts indicate that Jones translates better to a 3-4 scheme. While this may be true, I think that he has the ability to play in a 4-3.

He is one of the surest tacklers that you will see in the draft and has a burst off the snap that will give opposing offenses fits. One of the things I like most about Jones is the fact that he has shown an ability to drop back into coverage from the outside, which is pretty much a necessity in a 4-3 scheme. His long wingspan will also take throwing lanes away from quarterbacks up the middle.

Jones is extremely raw and will need some time to transition to the NFL, especially in honing his pass rush technique.

10. Carolina Panthers

Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

Scouting Report

At 310 pounds, Jerel Worthy translates well to either the 4-3 or 3-4, but I envision him having more success in the traditional 4-3 defensive scheme.

He is extremely quick off the ball and gets really good leverage against interior lineman at the point of contact. This forces the pocket to collapse and destroys running plays before the even begin.

Worthy isn't just a space eater, he tends to have a really good nose for the ball and is surprisingly agile for his frame.

Worthy hasn't shown himself to be a true three-down defensive tackle, which could turn teams off at times.

11. Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Scouting Report

Luke Kuechly is as instinctive as they come at the linebacker position. He reads offenses well, understands where the play is going and hits the lane at the point of contact. He is a sure tackler who is all-around the field and in on a lot of plays. 

One issue with Kuechly is the fact that he isn't that great in coverage and will rarely make plays behind the line of scrimmage. His major dimension is making plays on the ball carrier up the middle and enabling safeties to play coverage. 

Need

The Philadelphia Eagles couldn't tackle your grandmother on a Rascal this season. They missed so many tackles that could have ended drives that it become almost unbearable to watch. Casey Matthews was brought in from Oregon in order to solidify the unit, but he didn't perform the way that Philadelphia would have hoped. 

To say that they need help here is an understatement. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs

Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Scouting Report

Jonathan Martin is No. 5 on my big board, but because of team needs ahead of 12, I have him slipping out of the top 10.

He already has pro level technique at the line and is rarely thrown into his offensive backfield. Martin has been asked to block Andrew Luck's blindside for the last three seasons and has done one hell of a job with that, giving up less than five total sacks during that span. He is one of the best all-around offensive tackle prospects that you have seen coming out in a long time.

One of my major concerns in regards to Jonathan Martin is his footwork. He has issues against speed rushers on the outside. If he is asked to protect a quarterback's blindside, Martin will have to work on this a great deal before his rookie season. If not, players like DeMarcus Ware, Aldon Smith and Jared Allen will eat him up.

Need

Let's face it, the Kansas City Chiefs need more talent along the offensive line. They continually break down in protection of whatever quarterback is in the back field and struggle maintaining the gaps. This is something that has affected the play of Matt Cassel and needs to be fixed in short order.

In Jonathan Martin they get a top-five player here. 

13. Arizona Cardinals

David DeCastro, Stanford

Scouting Report

Along with Mike Iupati in 2009, David DeCastro is the best interior line prospect I have seen over the course of the last decade. I understand that is high praise, and having him go at 13 might be a stretch, but this dude is dominant at the line. The Cardinal product is just as good in pass protection as he is on run blocking, which is a rare commodity for a guard in the NFL.

One of my favorite aspects of DeCastro's game is the fact that he can handle opposing defensive tackles one on one throughout the duration of a game, which is a major plus for opening up the game plan and running to the outside. It also gives the offense extra blockers to utilize elsewhere.

DeCastro will be a perennial Pro Bowl performer in the NFL.

Need

Whether it is Rex Hadnot or Deuce Latui, the Arizona Cardinals need to find an upgrade at the guard position. I fully understand that interior linemen do not go in the first half of the first round too often, but DeCastro has to be considered one of the best guard prospects in recent memory.

He would immediately fill a need along the Cardinals' offensive line. 

14. Tennessee Titans

Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Scouting Report

Personally, I believe that Alfonzo Dennard translates better to the corner position in the NFL than Dre' Kirkpatrick does, but I don't see him going ahead of the Alabama star.

Nebraska plays a lot of press coverage, which helped the stock of Prince Amukamara last season. However, Dennard is much better than the Giants' 2010 first-round pick in that aspect of the game, which bodes well for him heading into April's draft.

He is a sure tackler on the outside, reads a quarterback's eyes extremely well and makes great breaks on the ball when it is in the air. Those are three things that I look for in regards to a corner in the draft.

Dennard played a little bit in the slot at Nebraska, but I am not sure that he has the experience to handle the nuances of the nickel position. This poses some concern because his overly aggressive play can lead to big plays over the top on the outside.

Need

There is no telling whether Cortland Finnegan will be back next season, and the Titans need to start thinking about the future. In Dennard, they get one of the premiere corners in the draft and someone that will contribute immediately. 

15. Seattle Seahawks

Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Scouting Report

Quinton Coples can be a dominant defensive end if he wants to be. There have been some issues in regards to consistency, but the North Carolina product has all the necessary tools to be a Pro Bowl performer at the next level. Due to his size, Coples can even move inside on obvious passing downs in order to give the defense another interior pass rusher in such situations. This makes him a fit for both the 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. 

Some say that Coples is a "one trick pony." This means that he has one pass rush move and can be kept in check by solid offensive tackles. I understand this critique, and this is something that he will have to work on. That said, I am not incredibly sold on that notion. 

Need

I desperately attempted to find an offensive player who would fill a position of need for the Seattle Seahawks. Short of reaching for a quarterback or offensive linemen, I didn't see a fit for them. Enter into the equation Quinton Coples, who offers them the best possible value.

I currently have him in the top 10 of my big board and love his upside. Seattle could use a dominant defensive end in their 4-3 scheme, and I believe that he will be that. 

16. San Diego Chargers

Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina 

Scouting Report

Not the speediest guy in the world, but he is extremely athletic. You will notice that Jeffery has the ability to physically dominate lesser corners on the outside. This has been a trademark of his in college thus far.

Jeffery would fit in best in a West Coast offense, where yards after the catch are important. He is extremely strong picking up extra yardage and breaking tackles down field. Additionally, he adjusts well to the ball in mid air and has soft hands.

Not having great speed may limit Alshon Jeffery's ability to make big plays down the field, and he could polish his route running skills just a bit.

Need

The more I think about it, the more I don't think Vincent Jackson is going to be back with the San Diego Chargers. If that is the case, they are going to have to find a starting receiver either in free agency or via the draft.

Alshon Jeffery has top-five talent, so he would be an absolute steal in the middle of the first round. Additionally, he would complement the talent of Malcolm Floyd on the other side.  

17. New York Giants

Riley Reiff, Iowa

Scouting Report

Good athleticism for such a big man, Reiff has the ability to dominate speed rushers from the end, which is a huge plus for a tackle playing the blind side. In a normal draft, he would be the first tackle selected, so whoever gets him will get great value.

He has keen awareness of defensive schemes and picks up blockers with the best of them. He rarely needs a double team and can take defensive ends completely out of the game. 

Reiff does struggle with consistency and seems to take plays off. This is could be a major issue for an offensive tackle at the next level. 

Need

Kareem McKenzie is set to be a free agent following the 2011 season, and the New York Giants have to get younger along the offensive line. I seriously considered Cordy Glenn here, but I had to go with value in regards to acquiring an elite tackle in the middle of the first round. 

18. Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Scouting Report

I personally believe that Michael Floyd has the most upside of any wide receiver in the 2012 draft class. Some of that could have to do with my allegiance with the Notre Dame football program, but this guy has all the tools to be elite at the next level.

Floyd is extremely good at reading schematics of defenses and planning accordingly before the play. This enables him to get one-on-one coverage on the outside or turn in away from double coverage.

This is something that very few college receivers have an understanding of. Heck, it's something that most NFL receivers don't get. He has ideal size, adjusts to the ball extremely well, is a polished route runner, has soft hands and is a red zone threat, to say the least.

Character issues are going to drop Floyd's stock. Multiple DUI arrests continue to plague Floyd at this point. He won't burn defenders over to the top too often.

Need

Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are not No. 1 receivers and never will be. Earl Bennett is pretty much nothing more than a slot guy and don't even let me remind Bears fans about Roy Williams. In short, Jay Cutler needs to have that premiere go to guy on the outside in order for the Bears offense to get to the next level. Michael Floyd is the perfect fit.  

19. Cincinnati Bengals

Lamar Miller, Miami (F) 

Scouting Report

Lamar Miller has extremely good field vision and gets down hill really fast. Miller's speed enables him to get to the outside pretty quick and break off a game-changing run. He doesn't go down on the first hit too often, which limits his negative rushes.

He's not a receiver out of the back field and cannot be counted on as a safety valve underneath. He also needs to improve his blocking at the next level.

Need

Cedric Benson isn't the Bengals' long-term answer at running back, and he probably only has a season or two of quality football left in those legs—if that. Cincinnati doesn't have anything after Benson in terms of young talent either, so they need an immediate upgrade here.

With Andy Dalton and A.J. Green set to impress in the passing game moving forward, as well as a solid offensive line, Cincinnati is a back away from having a dynamic offense.  

20. Cincinnati Bengals

Mark Barron, Alabama

Scouting Report

Playing in a pro style offense will help Barron's transition to the next level. He is damn good in coverage for a strong safety, which is extremely rare. I love the fact that he always seems to be around the ball and can quarterback the secondary from the middle of the field.

He's a definite playmaker who will make the rest of the unit better.  

Need

The Cincinnati Bengals need to get more athletic and younger at the safety position. Chris Crocker is currently in his ninth season and probably only has a season or two of good football left in him.

Taylor Mays will never be the answer at the strong safety position as long as he continues to be a liability in coverage. 

21. New York Jets

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Scouting Report

Unlike other observers, I believe that Mercilus can translate well to the 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker if need be. He doesn't have great athleticism but makes up for that with reckless abandon on the edges and the ability to dominate outside.

He is the ideal size to play outside linebacker and has tremendous field recognition. He will lineup at the end position in obvious pass rushing situation and can bull rush opposing offensive tackles with the best of them. 

Need

The New York Jets need to add a pass rush to their defense, because right now, they just don't have one. Most of their front seven are a little long in the tooth, and this team could use some youthfulness on that side of the ball. 

Whether Mercilus plays end or linebacker, he would be a great fit for the Jets. 

22. Denver Broncos

Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Scouting Report

Stephon Gilmore might be the most prototypical corner in the entire draft. At 6'1'', he has the size to cover big receivers on the outside and shield them from the ball with his frame. He really has a knowledge of offensive schemes at the line and knows where to play the receiver in order to take them out of the comfort zone when running the route.

You will see Gilmore excel a great deal in press coverage, which is something that will make him a strong sleeper pick towards the back end of the first round.

Need

Champ Bailey isn't getting any younger and is no longer as consistent as he used to be. Of course, this has a lot to do with injury issues in 2011. Still, they need to find some young players on the backside of the defense.  

23. Dallas Cowboys

Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

Scouting Report

Janoris Jenkins is probably the most “toolsy” corner in the entire draft. There isn't one major concern that I have of him on the football field. He rarely ever gets turned around, possesses nice lateral movement and has fluid hip movement. These are three things that scouts look for when looking at the corner position in the draft.

He doesn't play stiff on the outside and has a strong knack for the ball and where the receiver is going in their route. He reads the quarterback's eyes extremely well and has a nice jump on the ball in mid air.

There are only two knocks on Janoris Jenkins that I can come up with. Off the football field, he was kicked off of Florida's football team for substance abuse issues. This is something that might actually keep him out of the first round. At 5'10'', he is suspect against taller receivers and could have issues on fades down in the red zone.

Need

Terance Newman is probably a year away from being an ineffective corner in the NFL and might not even return to Dallas in 2012. Mike Jenkins continues to have injury issues and isn't all too consistent.

I do like the way Alan Ball has played in replacement of those two this season, but he isn't a No. 1 corner in the NFL.  

24. Detroit Lions

Barrett Jones, Alabama

Scouting Report

Projected as a mid-round pick early in the season, Barrett Jones has shot up the draft board in recent months. A lot of this has to do with his ability to play four different offensive line positions and his hard-nosed demeanor on the football field.

I love the leverage that Jones gets against bigger defensive linemen. He recognizes blocking schemes extremely well and rarely whiffs on blocks. Instead, Jones is pretty much as solid as they come. He doesn't do one thing great—rather, he does everything extremely well.

Short arms could be an issue in regards to him playing outside at the next level. This leads me to believe that some teams might look at him to play along the interior of the line in the NFL.  

Need

With Jeff Backus getting up there in age and struggling the way he is, it has come to a point where the Detroit Lions are going to have to upgrade him.

Matthew Stafford isn't made out of steel, by any means, and they are going to have to get more protection on his blind side sooner rather than later. 

25. Cleveland Browns

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Scouting Report

The Aggies' quarterback possesses the arm strength to make every throw at the next level. At 6'4'', he will also be able to see atop the defensive and find receivers up the middle without much of an issue. He reads defenses extremely well for such a young quarterback and already has above average pocket awareness. 

He has a quick, strong release in the pocket and is pretty mobile for such a quarterback. What I like most about Tannehill is his accuracy. He is gold when it comes to intermediate routes and puts enough touch on the deeper passes. 

Probably one of the biggest sleepers in the draft. 

Need

I initially had the Browns going with Matt Barkley with their first pick, but his decision to return to USC ended that. Additionally, Barkley's decision enables Tannehill to slip into the first round.  

Cleveland needs to address the quarterback position moving forward, and I view this guy as the answer for the struggling offense. 

26. Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordy Glenn, Georgia 

Scouting Report

Glenn's massive size shouldn't fool you, as he is extremely athletic for such a big man. At 6'5'', 348 pounds, he has the ability to dominate opposing defensive tackles up the middle. He is just as good in pass protection as he is in run blocking and keeps great leverage up the middle. 

Need

The Steelers need multiple upgrades along the offensive line, but I find Glenn as the best fit for this team. First, he gives them great value towards the back end of the round. Second, he fills a massive hole in protecting Big Ben and opening up holes for Rashard Mendenhall.

The Steelers should be able to slot Glenn in at guard immediately, whichever side they feel he fits the best. 

27. Houston Texans

Brandon Thompson, Clemson

Scouting Report

Thompson has the ability to play in either the 4-3 or 3-4 scheme and can consistently take on double teams to free up other defenders. He is strong off the snap, gets leverage against interior linemen and is extremely disruptive in the running game. One of the best attributes that Thompson possesses is his ability to read the offensive play and adjust accordingly. 

Need

One of the things that the Houston Texans appear to be missing on defense is a true 3-4 defensive tackle. Although versatile, I believe that Thompson translates extremely well to that type of defense. 

28. Baltimore Ravens

Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

Scouting Report

He is just a playmaking safety who finds a way to get in on nearly every single play. I personally believe that Rambo fits well as a free safety in the NFL in the mold of Ed Reed. He is a natural ball hawk with extremely good coverage skills.

He's by far the best safety prospect in the draft now that T.J. McDonald is staying at USC.

Need

Ed Reed isn't getting any younger and flirted with retirement this past offseason. The Baltimore Ravens need to upgrade and get younger at both safety positions.

Whether Rambo translates better at the strong side is pretty much irrelevant at this point. He is the type of player that Baltimore covets. 

29. New England Patriots

Zach Brown, North Carolina

Scouting Report

Brown is one of the fastest linebackers in the 2012 draft class. He has an excellent pass rushing move and is able to beat offensive tackles off the edge. He reminds me a lot of Aldon Smith from last year's draft. 

Brown is a little small to play outside linebacker but makes up for that with his tremendous speed. He isn't the surest of tacklers, either. 

Need

Anywhere on the defensive side of the ball would be a need for the New England Patriots. While I still think that they need major upgrades along the secondary, I think that they take value here and prevent the 49ers from going for another OLB.

Remember, they will have another pick coming up shortly that they can spend on a much-needed corner. 

30. San Francisco 49ers

Jared Crick, Nebraska

Scouting Report

Versatility is a key for Jared Crick's draft value. He can play anywhere along the offensive line in both the traditional 4-3 scheme and the 3-4. His ability to get to the quarterback from all positions is also vital in transitioning to the next level. What I like a lot about Crick is that he plays the run extremely well and takes on a lot of double teams. 

One issue that I could see hurting Crick at the next level is the fact that he doesn't play extremely well up high and gets pushed off the point of contact sometimes. Of course, this will be fixed with age and experience. 

Need

While Justin Smith might be the defensive MVP in the NFL, he isn't getting any younger. San Francisco has transitioned to a 3-4 defense, so having a versatile player like Crick will help. With the likes of young players such as Ray McDonald, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Ricky-Jean Francois and Ian Williams in the 49ers front seven, Crick would be  great rotational player to start off, eventually supplanting Justin Smith once he calls it quits. 

I cannot imagine a better fit for the 49ers. 

31. New England Patriots

Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

Scouting Report

This is more about upside than anything else.  

Hosley has shown himself to have really good technique on the outside as a corner. He turns his hips extremely well, plays good press coverage and is a pure playmaker. He is also tremendous on special teams.

His 5'10'' frame could lead some teams to wonder if a first-round pick is worth it, but he makes up for it with tremendous leaping ability and athleticism. 

Need

To say that the New England Patriots need to upgrade along the secondary would be an understatement. While they would probably rather get value here towards the end of the first round, they need to upgrade at the corner position.  

Hosley might not be able to start immediately, but his ceiling is as high as any corner in the draft. 

Green Bay Packers

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Scouting Report

Upshaw has ideal size for the 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker. He sheds blocks extremely well, has a nose for the ball and is extremely quick off of the snap.

He translates well playing opposite a pure pass rusher because he is pretty darn good in coverage and can be a three-down backer. 

Need

The Packers largest need at this point is one that has yet to be identified. If Nick Collins isn't able to return from his devastating neck injury, Green Bay will need to find a replacement.

Still, there isn't a free safety worth taking here. Upshaw would be tremendous opposite Clay Matthews and upgrade an already talented linebacker group.