NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

As we approach the 2012 NFL Draft the number of mock drafts and revised mock drafts and revised revisions of mock drafts will seem endless. That being said, I decided throw my hat into the proverbial mock draft ring. So with out further adieu, my 2012 mock draft.

1.Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I know what you are all thinking. You’re thinking, “What a bold and out of the box pick for number one selection!” Just kidding we all know it’s going to be Luck, he’s great, Colts need a QB, etc etc. Moving on…

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

I am writing this mock from Washington, D.C. I asked my good friend here who he thought his beloved ‘Skins would pick with the number two selection and all he said was “Hail to the Redskins”. I am going to assume that means he is excited for the prospect of drafting a potential elite talent like RG3.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

A lot of mocks out there have this pick going to OT Matt Kalil,  but I thought I would be a little different here. The Vikings need a lot of help, if they didn’t they wouldn’t be picking number three in the draft. I can see them trying to add a bit of a spark to their offense by selecting the best wide receiver in this deep receiving draft class.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a remarkable talent. He is powerful, he is fast, he can catch, he has everything it takes to be an elite RB in the NFL. If he is on the board when the Browns pick I don’t see how they pass him up. I don’t buy into Cleveland wanting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, I think Richardson is their guy.

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

While the Bucs are probably hoping Richardson falls to five, when he doesn’t they will select this year’s best CB, Morris Claiborne. Tampa Bay’s defense last year was pretty bad and Claiborn can help improve it. Simple as that.

6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

While the Rams may be bummed about losing out on Blackmon, they would probably be very excited at the prospect of adding protection like Kalil to their offensive line. I am sure QB Sam Bradford wouldn’t mind less hits either.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, NC

Jacksonville could use a player with the talent of Colples create some pressure for their defensive line. They only racked up 31 team sacks last year Coples will help to change that. His detractors say he may not work hard enough and he isn’t fast enough, but that will not keep him out of the top ten.

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

Okay, Dolfans. You’ve asked for it and here it is. Your first round drafted QB. Sure, he isn’t a “sure thing” like Andrew Luck and he isn’t as fun to watch as RG3, but Tannehill is a highly talented QB with a huge upside. He is a raw talent at QB. He started his college career as a wide receiver before making the switch behind the center. There are concerns about this pick being a reach for the Dolphins, but if they believe this kid has a chance to  be a successful NFL quarterback, then I say go for it.

9. Carolina Panthers: Donatari Poe, DT, Memphis

I like his name. Other than that he has all the tools to be a disruptive anchor on the  in the NFL. I mean he is almost 350 pounds. He will help the Panther’s run D with his ‘two-gap’ ability.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

If you asked me who the Bills would take at the beginning of the month I would have said a pass rusher would go in this spot, then the Bills decided to get all drastic and sign Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. So I think the Bills will bolster the offensive line and hope to reduce the pressure Ryan Fitzpatrick has to face. The Bills are going to be a strong team next year.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Stephon Gilmore, CB, SC

While the Chiefs have other needs, especially on offensive line, I think they use this pick to improve the secondary. They are going to be facing Peyton Manning twice a year now, a young CB with the upside of Gilmore seems to make sense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly will be a top 15 pick. Since the Seahawks will have a hole at the LB position as long as they don’t sign free agent David Hawthorne, I see them using this pick on an LB.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Martin, OT, Stanford

As long as Kevin Kolb keeps getting concussions he will not be able to be a good starting QB in the league (this goes for most players). The Eagles found that out and so have the Cardinals. The problem is, even if he doesn’t get concussed again he probably still won’t be any good. Taking an OT like Martin with the 13th pick might be a way to find out if Kolb can perform when he is not constantly being pounded by defenders.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys secondary was exploited by Eli Manning late last season. They acquired CB Brandon Carr in free agency and I predict they will add another with the 14th pick

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

There is just something about Philadelphia sports teams and their fans I simply dislike. They are often rude and always over confident. Remember when the Phillies won the World Series and the fans destroyed most of the city? I am also currently living with a Philadelphia sports nut, so maybe that’s where I get my bias against their fan base from.

Oh yea, and the Eagles will take Cox in order to improve the inside of a decent defensive line.

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingrim, DE, South Carolina

Ingrim will finally give Rex Ryan the versatile, all purpose pass rusher he has searched for, but the Dolphins will still finish ahead of them this year.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David Decastro, G, Stanford

I thought about who the Bengals might pick here for a while. I think if the Bengals get lucky and Decastro falls this far in the draft they will take him to bolster their run game.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, T, Georgia

The Chargers would be wise to use this selection to use this pick on Glenn, who has the long arms and the strength to be an pro-bowl NFL tackle.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

After adding Brandon Marshall via trade with the Dolphins the Bears gave Jay Cutler an elite target to throw to. If Floyd is still on the board expect the Bears to select him giving Cutler another big, reliable receiving target and a better opportunity to win games.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans use this pick to strengthen their defensive front and why not? They only registered 28 sacks last season.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

This might be a little high for Miller, but it fills a need and adds a talented back to the list of weapons Andy Dalton’s team has.

22. Cleveland Browns: Nick Perry, DE, USC

I’ve seen him go a lot higher in some mock drafts, but I’ve also seen drafts not put him in round one at all. I think Perry to the Browns makes sense here. Either that or they will select a receiver.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions get lucky here, they have a huge need at CB and one with high first round talent falls to 23 for them to pick up.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers  will go with an offensive lineman with this pick. It all depends on who falls and where they place their value. I have them taking Mike Adams.

25. Denver Broncos: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Peyton Manning needs some targets!

26. Huston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

While I think the biggest needs for the Texans are on OL and DL, the value of a receiver like Wright to give Andre Johnson some help will be hard to pass up. If a speed receiver like Stephen Hill is available look for the Texans to go in that direction instead.

27. New England Patriots: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I don’t see the Pats using both the 27th and 31st picks. They will trade one or both for more picks, like they always do. When they do pick they will be thinking defense.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Clay Matthews would benefit from an addition like Branch to the defensive line.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

I originally had Dont’a Hightower going to the Giants at 32, but with Ray Lewis’ age, Hightower might be able to be groomed as Lewis’ replacement.

30. San Francisco 49rs: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

This team has a few decent receivers, but I wouldn’t doubt them adding one more.

31. New England Patriots, Devon Still, DT, Penn State

This selection seems to make sense to me,  ignoring the fact that there needs to be a rule preventing the Patriots from ever being allowed two first round picks.

32. New York Giants: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

My dad is a pretty big Giants fan. He doesn’t pay much attention to the draft, but I feel like even he would be happy if an talented LB like Upshaw made it this late in the first round.

And there you have it! The first round of your 2012 draft. Keep in mind I did not take into account any trades that can (and will) take place so take it with a grain of salt. If you have any thoughts on this post please leave some feedback in the comments section.

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