2012 MOCK DRAFT - ROUND 1
Pick 1, Indianapolis Colts - QB, Andrew Luck, Stanford
Peyton Manning is 35 years old and trying to recover from neck surgery. Many believe he is done, and (Colts Owner) Jim Irsay made it clear without actually saying, Peyton Manning is done on the Colts. So Indianapolis couldn't have a better opportunity in finding their next Franchise Quarterback than taking Andrew Luck with their first pick.
Pick 2, (TRADE) Washington Redskins - QB, Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Many teams will be interested in the Rams number two pick including the Browns, Dolphins, and Redskins. But I think the Redskins are going to be the ones who trade multiple 1st Round draft picks for it. The Redskins number one priority this off-season should be finding a QB, and I believe they're a QB away from competing for the playoffs.
Pick 3, Minnesota Vikings - OT, Matt Kalil, USC
The Vikings had arguably the worst Offensive Line last season along with arguably the worst Left Tackle (Charlie Johnson). This is a very easy pick as they need to protect their future franchise QB Christian Ponder.
Pick 4, Cleveland Browns - WR, Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Because Robert Griffin goes in the top three, the number one Wide Receiver will be left for the Browns at pick four. And with Wide Receiver being their biggest need, Blackmon should be taken in a heart beat.
Pick 5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB, Morris Claiborne, LSU
Not only is this the best value pick at number five, it's also a big need for the Buccaneers this off-season. (38 year old) Ronde Barber will be a free agent this March, and Aqib Talib could be cut with the legal issues he's dealing with.
Pick 6, (TRADE) St. Louis Rams - OT, Riley Reiff, Iowa
Dropping down four spots is a much more logical move for St. Louis. They can either take Justin Blackmon at pick number 2, or they can fall back a couple spots, take the best LT available (which is a big need) and probably get a 2013 1st Round pick out of it.
Pick 7, Jacksonville Jaguars - CB, Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
This would be a great value pick for the Jaguars taking arguably the best defensive player in the draft. Their top Cornerback Rashean Mathis will also be a free agent this off-season. This pick could also be used for a pass rusher like Quinton Coples.
Pick 8, Carolina Panthers - DT, Devon Still, Penn State
This pick will most likely be used on the best Defensive Player available which would be Devon Still. They have weakneses at Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. Their best case scenario would be if Kirkpatrick fell to the eighth spot.
Pick 9, Miami Dolphins - DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Head Coach, Joe Philbin says that the team's number one priority is to find a QB. Many people think that Joe Philbin (former Packers Offensive Coordinator) will sign Matt Flynn in free agency. If they are looking to get a top QB in the draft they will have to move up. But if they dont move up, they could definitely use the number one DE in the draft.
Pick 10, Buffalo Bills - OT, Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Bills will look for a pass rusher or an offensive Tackle here. Demetrius Bell will be a free agent and he hasn't been the answer for them at Left Tackle. If Quinton Coples fell down to the tenth spot, this would be a much tougher pick for Buffalo.
Pick 11, Kansas City Chiefs - ILB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
This wouldn't be the perfect situation for Kansas City (hoping that a Tackle falls to this spot). But the Chiefs could use an Inside Linebacker next to Derrick Johnson. (Defensive Tackle) Michael Brockers is also a possibility here.
Pick 12, Seattle Seahawks - DT, Michael Brockers, LSU
The Seahawks couldnt sack the Quarterback last season and Brockers would be the best defensive lineman available at this spot. If they don't re-sign Marshawn Lynch, this would most likey be where Trent Richardson Lands.
Pick 13, Arizona Cardinals - OLB, Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Inside Linebacker and Outside Linebacker are two big needs for the Cardinals this off-season. This would be a great pick here to replace their old and injured pass rusher Joey Porter with young talent.
Pick 14, Dallas Cowboys - CB, Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
The Cowboys finished with the tenth worst pass defense last season and cornerback has been a need for them the past couple of seasons. Alfonzo Dennard is said by most (Including myself) to be the best Cornerback behind Claiborne and Kirkpatrick.
Pick 15, Philadelphia Eagles - OLB, Zach Brown, North Carolina
The Eagles have a big weak spot at Inside and Outside Linebacker. They spent a couple of late draft picks on Linebackers last year (4th Round, Casey Matthews and 6th Round, Brian Rolle), neither of them stood out. If they have the opportunity to take (ILB) Luke Kuechly, I think they do. But Zach Brown would also be a good pick and fill a big need.
Pick 16, New York Jets - OLB, Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Finding a pass rushing Outside Linebacker is easily the biggest need of the Jets going into the off-season. Calvin Pace isn't much of a pass rusher, and they haven't had a dominant rusher since John Abraham in 2005.
Pick 17, Cincinnati Bengals - RB, Trent Richardson, Alabama
Trent Richardson falling to the Bengals is very possible if he can make it past a few teams. And with Cedric Benson becoming a 29 year old free agent, the Bengals would love this pick hoping that they can get a top Guard with their other 1st Round pick.
Pick 18, San Diego Chargers - OLB, Nick Perry, USC
Ever since Shawne Merriman's knee problems in 2008, The Chargers have been looking for replacement at the rushing linebacker position. Perry would fit perfectly for the Chargers defense.
Pick 19, Chicago Bears - WR, Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
This would be a great pick giving Jay Cutler a Brandon Marshall type weapon. The Bears have been needing a Wide Receiver for a while now and with Mike Martz gone, this pick becomes more likely.
Pick 20, Tennessee Titans - DE, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
Both Defensive Ends Williams Hayes and Jason Jones will be free agents this off-season. And their 2010 1st Round pick Derrick Morgan has 4 sacks in 19 games. They could also go for a Cornerback or Guard.
Pick 21, Cincinnati Bengals - OG, David DeCastro, Stanford
This would be a perfect draft scenario for the Bengals if they could fill two of their biggest needs in Round one. Their Guard Bobbie Williams is going to be a 35 year old free agent, and drafting DeCastro would be great for their young QB and RB.
Pick 22, Cleveland Browns - QB, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
Previously, I had them taking (RB) David Wilson but it's starting to sound likely that they'll re-sign Peyton Hillis. And because Robert Griffin won't fall to them at pick four, Ryan Tannehill would be a great pick at twenty two. Colt McCoy hasn't been successful in his two years starting, and this will be a good opportunity to take a shot at their next franchise Quarterback.
Pick 23, Detroit Lions - C, Peter Konz, Wisconsin
This might be a boring pick for Lions fans, but it's the best value pick for their needs. Center Dominic Raiola is getting old. They would have to make a reach to take the next best Cornerback or Tackle.
Pick 24, Pittsburgh Steelers - OT/OG, Cordy Glenn, Georgia
The Steelers have to go Offensive Line in this years draft. Specifically they need a new guard and Left Tackle. Cordy Glenn would be perfect because not only is he the best Left Tackle available, he is also the best Guard available.
Pick 25, Denver Broncos - DT, Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
The Broncos could use a lot of help at Guard and Center, but they would need to make a reach to take someone like Brandon Washington or Ben Jones. They have a pretty big need at Defensive Tackle and Fletcher Cox is a good value pick here.
Pick 26, Houston Texans - WR, Alshon Jefferey, South Carolina
They don't have many needs on the team. So this would be a great opportunity to build on the offense, and take Alshon Jeffery to line up across from Andre Johnson. Another possible pick could be the 350lb Nose Tackle Dontari Poe, an upgrade over Shaun Cody.
Pick 27, New England Patriots - SS, Mark Barron, Alabama
The Patriots finished the season with the 31st ranked pass defense last season. 2007 1st Round pick Brandon Meriweather turned out to be a bust and was cut before the season along with James Sanders.
Pick 28, Green Bay Packers - OLB, Andre Branch, Clemson
Finishing the season with the worst defense by far, the Packers have to go defense with this pick. Branch is a good fit for their 3-4 defense and can line up across from Clay Matthews. Also, Tight End JerMichael Finley is going to be a free agent. So if they don't sign him they could take either Coby Fleener or Dwayne Allen with this pick.
Pick 29, Baltimore Ravens - ILB, Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
This is a great value pick for the Ravens just like last years 1st Round draft pick Jimmy Smith. Burfict is known to have bad character issues which will make him drop this far. The Ravens have a great locker room and he will learn under Ray Lewis.
Pick 30, San Francisco 49ers - WR, Kendall Wright - Baylor
Not only could the 49ers use a talented WR, Braylon Edwards, Josh Morgan, and Ted Ginn are all going to be free agents this year. Wright would make a great deep threat and slot WR.
Pick 31, New York Giants - ILB, Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
The biggest need for the Giants is at Tackle, but it would be a reach to take Zebrie Sanders or Mike Adams with this pick. So the Giants will go with another need taking an Inside Linebacker to replace Jonathan Goff (who tore his ACL).
Pick 32, New England Patriots - DT, Dontari Poe - Memphis
Along with Mark Barron, the Patriots can add this 350lb 3-4 Nose Tackle/4-3 Defensive Tackle to help out with their 31st ranked defense.
Peyton Manning is 35 years old and trying to recover from neck surgery. Many believe he is done, and (Colts Owner) Jim Irsay made it clear without actually saying, Peyton Manning is done on the Colts. So Indianapolis couldn't have a better opportunity in finding their next Franchise Quarterback than taking Andrew Luck with their first pick.
Pick 2, (TRADE) Washington Redskins - QB, Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Many teams will be interested in the Rams number two pick including the Browns, Dolphins, and Redskins. But I think the Redskins are going to be the ones who trade multiple 1st Round draft picks for it. The Redskins number one priority this off-season should be finding a QB, and I believe they're a QB away from competing for the playoffs.
Pick 3, Minnesota Vikings - OT, Matt Kalil, USC
The Vikings had arguably the worst Offensive Line last season along with arguably the worst Left Tackle (Charlie Johnson). This is a very easy pick as they need to protect their future franchise QB Christian Ponder.
Pick 4, Cleveland Browns - WR, Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Because Robert Griffin goes in the top three, the number one Wide Receiver will be left for the Browns at pick four. And with Wide Receiver being their biggest need, Blackmon should be taken in a heart beat.
Pick 5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB, Morris Claiborne, LSU
Not only is this the best value pick at number five, it's also a big need for the Buccaneers this off-season. (38 year old) Ronde Barber will be a free agent this March, and Aqib Talib could be cut with the legal issues he's dealing with.
Pick 6, (TRADE) St. Louis Rams - OT, Riley Reiff, Iowa
Dropping down four spots is a much more logical move for St. Louis. They can either take Justin Blackmon at pick number 2, or they can fall back a couple spots, take the best LT available (which is a big need) and probably get a 2013 1st Round pick out of it.
Pick 7, Jacksonville Jaguars - CB, Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
This would be a great value pick for the Jaguars taking arguably the best defensive player in the draft. Their top Cornerback Rashean Mathis will also be a free agent this off-season. This pick could also be used for a pass rusher like Quinton Coples.
Pick 8, Carolina Panthers - DT, Devon Still, Penn State
This pick will most likely be used on the best Defensive Player available which would be Devon Still. They have weakneses at Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. Their best case scenario would be if Kirkpatrick fell to the eighth spot.
Pick 9, Miami Dolphins - DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Head Coach, Joe Philbin says that the team's number one priority is to find a QB. Many people think that Joe Philbin (former Packers Offensive Coordinator) will sign Matt Flynn in free agency. If they are looking to get a top QB in the draft they will have to move up. But if they dont move up, they could definitely use the number one DE in the draft.
Pick 10, Buffalo Bills - OT, Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Bills will look for a pass rusher or an offensive Tackle here. Demetrius Bell will be a free agent and he hasn't been the answer for them at Left Tackle. If Quinton Coples fell down to the tenth spot, this would be a much tougher pick for Buffalo.
Pick 11, Kansas City Chiefs - ILB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
This wouldn't be the perfect situation for Kansas City (hoping that a Tackle falls to this spot). But the Chiefs could use an Inside Linebacker next to Derrick Johnson. (Defensive Tackle) Michael Brockers is also a possibility here.
Pick 12, Seattle Seahawks - DT, Michael Brockers, LSU
The Seahawks couldnt sack the Quarterback last season and Brockers would be the best defensive lineman available at this spot. If they don't re-sign Marshawn Lynch, this would most likey be where Trent Richardson Lands.
Pick 13, Arizona Cardinals - OLB, Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Inside Linebacker and Outside Linebacker are two big needs for the Cardinals this off-season. This would be a great pick here to replace their old and injured pass rusher Joey Porter with young talent.
Pick 14, Dallas Cowboys - CB, Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
The Cowboys finished with the tenth worst pass defense last season and cornerback has been a need for them the past couple of seasons. Alfonzo Dennard is said by most (Including myself) to be the best Cornerback behind Claiborne and Kirkpatrick.
Pick 15, Philadelphia Eagles - OLB, Zach Brown, North Carolina
The Eagles have a big weak spot at Inside and Outside Linebacker. They spent a couple of late draft picks on Linebackers last year (4th Round, Casey Matthews and 6th Round, Brian Rolle), neither of them stood out. If they have the opportunity to take (ILB) Luke Kuechly, I think they do. But Zach Brown would also be a good pick and fill a big need.
Pick 16, New York Jets - OLB, Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Finding a pass rushing Outside Linebacker is easily the biggest need of the Jets going into the off-season. Calvin Pace isn't much of a pass rusher, and they haven't had a dominant rusher since John Abraham in 2005.
Pick 17, Cincinnati Bengals - RB, Trent Richardson, Alabama
Trent Richardson falling to the Bengals is very possible if he can make it past a few teams. And with Cedric Benson becoming a 29 year old free agent, the Bengals would love this pick hoping that they can get a top Guard with their other 1st Round pick.
Pick 18, San Diego Chargers - OLB, Nick Perry, USC
Ever since Shawne Merriman's knee problems in 2008, The Chargers have been looking for replacement at the rushing linebacker position. Perry would fit perfectly for the Chargers defense.
Pick 19, Chicago Bears - WR, Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
This would be a great pick giving Jay Cutler a Brandon Marshall type weapon. The Bears have been needing a Wide Receiver for a while now and with Mike Martz gone, this pick becomes more likely.
Pick 20, Tennessee Titans - DE, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
Both Defensive Ends Williams Hayes and Jason Jones will be free agents this off-season. And their 2010 1st Round pick Derrick Morgan has 4 sacks in 19 games. They could also go for a Cornerback or Guard.
Pick 21, Cincinnati Bengals - OG, David DeCastro, Stanford
This would be a perfect draft scenario for the Bengals if they could fill two of their biggest needs in Round one. Their Guard Bobbie Williams is going to be a 35 year old free agent, and drafting DeCastro would be great for their young QB and RB.
Pick 22, Cleveland Browns - QB, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
Previously, I had them taking (RB) David Wilson but it's starting to sound likely that they'll re-sign Peyton Hillis. And because Robert Griffin won't fall to them at pick four, Ryan Tannehill would be a great pick at twenty two. Colt McCoy hasn't been successful in his two years starting, and this will be a good opportunity to take a shot at their next franchise Quarterback.
Pick 23, Detroit Lions - C, Peter Konz, Wisconsin
This might be a boring pick for Lions fans, but it's the best value pick for their needs. Center Dominic Raiola is getting old. They would have to make a reach to take the next best Cornerback or Tackle.
Pick 24, Pittsburgh Steelers - OT/OG, Cordy Glenn, Georgia
The Steelers have to go Offensive Line in this years draft. Specifically they need a new guard and Left Tackle. Cordy Glenn would be perfect because not only is he the best Left Tackle available, he is also the best Guard available.
Pick 25, Denver Broncos - DT, Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
The Broncos could use a lot of help at Guard and Center, but they would need to make a reach to take someone like Brandon Washington or Ben Jones. They have a pretty big need at Defensive Tackle and Fletcher Cox is a good value pick here.
Pick 26, Houston Texans - WR, Alshon Jefferey, South Carolina
They don't have many needs on the team. So this would be a great opportunity to build on the offense, and take Alshon Jeffery to line up across from Andre Johnson. Another possible pick could be the 350lb Nose Tackle Dontari Poe, an upgrade over Shaun Cody.
Pick 27, New England Patriots - SS, Mark Barron, Alabama
The Patriots finished the season with the 31st ranked pass defense last season. 2007 1st Round pick Brandon Meriweather turned out to be a bust and was cut before the season along with James Sanders.
Pick 28, Green Bay Packers - OLB, Andre Branch, Clemson
Finishing the season with the worst defense by far, the Packers have to go defense with this pick. Branch is a good fit for their 3-4 defense and can line up across from Clay Matthews. Also, Tight End JerMichael Finley is going to be a free agent. So if they don't sign him they could take either Coby Fleener or Dwayne Allen with this pick.
Pick 29, Baltimore Ravens - ILB, Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
This is a great value pick for the Ravens just like last years 1st Round draft pick Jimmy Smith. Burfict is known to have bad character issues which will make him drop this far. The Ravens have a great locker room and he will learn under Ray Lewis.
Pick 30, San Francisco 49ers - WR, Kendall Wright - Baylor
Not only could the 49ers use a talented WR, Braylon Edwards, Josh Morgan, and Ted Ginn are all going to be free agents this year. Wright would make a great deep threat and slot WR.
Pick 31, New York Giants - ILB, Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
The biggest need for the Giants is at Tackle, but it would be a reach to take Zebrie Sanders or Mike Adams with this pick. So the Giants will go with another need taking an Inside Linebacker to replace Jonathan Goff (who tore his ACL).
Pick 32, New England Patriots - DT, Dontari Poe - Memphis
Along with Mark Barron, the Patriots can add this 350lb 3-4 Nose Tackle/4-3 Defensive Tackle to help out with their 31st ranked defense.