2012 Mock Draft 3.0

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

New face of the franchise.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

They traded three first-round picks and a second rounder to move up four spots. Shanahan gets his man.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings took Christian Ponder, an injury-prone quarterback, in round one last year. Kalil can step in from day one and keep him upright and will be a future All-Pro.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis left town for KC. Richardson is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Blessed with height, length and elite ball skills, Claiborne helps shore up a young secondary.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They got a major haul for the No. 2 pick and still get their top target with the sixth pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Blaine Gabbert isn’t very good, but then again did you see who he was throwing to? Floyd ran better than expected, had a productive career and has the size necessary to be a No. 1 receiver at the next level.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

They might have to move up a few spots, but the Dolphins can’t afford to pass on another franchise QB.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Maybe we’ve all fallen victim of the moment, but there just aren’t many 350-pound human beings who can move like Poe. The Panthers have the league’s worst set of defensive tackles, so Poe would be a major upgrade and would free up the Panthers strong set of linebackers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

Demetrius Bell priced himself out of Buffalo. Despite short arms for the position, Reiff is pro-ready and a technician.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Scott Pioli is a New England guy and perhaps no team other than the Eagles likes drafting linemen early. DeCastro is an elite guard who will make multiple All-Pro teams.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is tailor-made for Pete Carroll’s elephant position. He can be the successor to Chris Clemons as a hybrid pass rusher.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Pair him with the speedy Daryl Washington and let him become the leader of this emerging defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

This is simply a case of best player available. Coples is a stud…when he wants to be.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

Fletcher Cox could be an option, but after Jason Peters suffered an Achilles injury, Martin is the guy.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Jets will have their pick of the available pass rushers, but I think Upshaw is more suited to the Jets scheme. He’s tough, powerful and excellent at setting the edge.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Marvin Lewis loves defense, and Gilmore’s size, speed and physicality would shore up the other side of the field as long as Leon Hall returns from injury.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Larry English failed to be the pass rusher the Chargers envisioned when they took him at 16 in 2009. Mercilus is athletic and led the nation with 16 sacks last year.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears have to shore up their offensive line. Glenn can play either guard or right tackle and brings size and strength.

20. Tennessee Titans: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Tennessee has some decent interior linemen in Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug, but none of them are the athlete that Cox is. After losing Jason Jones, Cox can become the next great interior pass rusher.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

A.J. Green is already a top-10 receiver. Stephen Hill would be a fantastic fit across from him as he can stretch the field and be legitimate deep threat.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Adding an explosive playmaker like Wright would be a decent consolation prize for the Browns, who swung and missed on the bigger Baylor star in RG III. 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions have a great defensive line, but a pretty poor secondary. Barron is brings size and a winning pedigree that should be right up Jim Schwartz’s alley.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

He has the ability to line up at any linebacker spot, and has the experience and pedigree that should make him a great fit in the Steelers 3-4 defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers beefs up the interior defense for the Broncos.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Brooks Reed is a nice player, but Perry is substantially more talented. Putting them in a rotation opposite Connor Barwin will be deadly.

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron at 27 would be a gift to the Pats. His size, versatility and leadership skills would be highly valued in this secondary.

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Packers have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Still was once pegged as a possible top-10 pick, but he didn’t have a great combine and isn’t a premier interior rusher. He could play five-technique for Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

With Matt Birk contemplating retirement and Ben Grubbs possibly departing as a free agent, Baltimore needs to improve the interior of its offensive line. Konz is a no-nonsense type of player who fits the Ravens profile.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Jim Harbaugh knows Fleener better than anyone in this draft. His size and speed could make him a deadly combination playing with Vernon Davis.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

I have a feeling the Pats will trade this pick considering the players remaining are fringe first-rounders. However, if they keep it, they will look to bolster their defensive front with Reyes, a 6-foot-4, 300-pounder who has great strength. He best projects as a defensive end in a 3-4.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

If his head is on right, Adams can be a starting-caliber offensive tackle in this league.

 

 

Round Two

33. St. Louis: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy would fill out a young, talented line that features Chris Long and 2011 first-rounder Robert Quinn.

34. Indianapolis: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle impressed at his Pro Day and would give Andrew Luck a solid deep threat.

35. Minnesota: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Boykin is a playmaker who goes ahead of Jenkins because the Vikings already have a CB with character issues (Chris Cook).

36. Tampa Bay: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin is the most pro-ready back remaining. He can be the bell cow in Tampa.

37. Cleveland: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

How awesome would it be to pair Jenkins with his former All-American teammate Joe Haden?

38. Jacksonville: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall 

Rising pass rusher who has solid speed/size and production. Can play 3-4 OLB as well and may go late in round one.

39. St. Louis: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

David is a borderdline first-round prospect who would be a great value at 39. He’d be an immediate starter in St. Louis’ 4-3 defense.

40. Carolina: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

Jeffrey had a great Pro Day and moves back up the board. He was once thought of as a first-round lock, but could be Cam Newton’s future No. 1 receiver.

41. Buffalo: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

I tend to think Brown is overrated and don’t think he’ll go in the first round. He has tremendous speed which will be a good fit in Buffalo’s 4-3 defense.

42. Miami: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

The Dolphins have a very solid defense, but need a playmaker in the back end.

43. Seattle: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

Zeitler can step in at Robert Gallery’s old spot and solidify a very good young offensive line.

44. Kansas City: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Weeden can challenge Matt Cassel for the starting quarterback spot. 

45. Dallas: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Branch fits the need for an outside rusher and can spell Anthony Spencer on third downs.

46. Philadelphia: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

Andy Reid loves drafting linemen. Thompson fits their one-gap scheme perfectly.

47. New York Jets: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

After hitting with Upshaw in round one, the Jets can take the running back with the most upside.

48. New England: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

The Patriots continue to build on defense with a tough, versatile and aggressive pass rusher in McClellin.

49. San Diego: Bobby Massie, T, Mississippi

Massie is quietly one of the fastest risers in the draft. He’s athletic and would be an immediate starter on a weak Chargers offensive line.

50. Chicago: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

After addressing the offensive line in round one, the Bears come back and take a player with growth potential in Jones.

51. Philadelphia: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State

Wagner is a big hitter who is athletic enough to play either outside spot in the 4-3 defense.

52. Tennessee: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State

Osemele has a chance to be drafted much higher, but the Titans will gladly take him to beef up their interior.

53. Cincinnati: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is a home-run threat and good value at 53.

54. Detroit: Mitchell Schwartz, T/G, California

Schwartz can play multiple spots and challenge Gosder Cherilus for a starting spot.

55. Atlanta: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles is more athletic than his test numbers indicate. He can be the successor to Tony Gonzalez.

56. Pittsburgh: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

Fits the bill of a tough road grader with incredible size.

57. Denver: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman’s days as corners are numbered.

58. Houston: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Once pegged as a first rounder, Crick falls after an injury-plagued senior year. He could be a nice replacement for Antonio Smith when he’s done.

60. Green Bay: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

A sneaky pick by the Packers who need some talent in the backfield. James would be an ideal fit in their spread system.

61. Baltimore: Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

Undersized, but tested off the charts at the combine and has the production to back it up. He would be Ray Lewis’ successor.

62. San Francisco: Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (Ohio)

Brooks has incredible size and athleticism and can fill in at right guard from day one.

63. New England: Ben Jones, C, Georgia

After adding a corner and two front-seven players, New England addresses its interior offensive line with Jones, a tough, experienced veteran of the SEC.

64. New York Giants: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

Pead will be a nice complement to Ahamad Bradshaw.

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