2012 NFL Mock Draft (12/5)
- Indianapolis - Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford) - I see a (more likely) scenario where the Colts trade Luck for more picks to bolster the roster immediately & still get Peyton's future successor. Luck is the consensus #1 overall player. Can't predict trades, so the obvious choice is to leave Luck as the top pick.
- St. Louis - Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State) - Rams should re-sign Brandon Lloyd, but Bradford needs all the help he can get. Blackmon is a physical nightmare for corners. Combined w/ Lloyd, it could be a dangerous assignment for defenses in the NFC West.
- Minnesota - Matt Kalil (OT, USC) - Kalil has decided to enter the NFL Draft. This was the right choice because he's the highest rated OT, and a sure top five pick. Minnesota can now protect Ponder's blindside for the next 10 years. WR or even CB is also an option.
- Jacksonville - Morris Claiborne* (CB, LSU) - Expect whoever the new regime in Jacksonville to give Blaine Gabbert a chance to be the franchise. In doing so, they'll likely go best player available (BPA). Claiborne fits that bill. Their secondary could use an upgrade anyway, so taking the best DB makes since here.
- Cleveland - Quinton Coples (DE, North Carolina) - This is a massive physical marvel (6'6, 275) that can get after the quarterback. He's a natural 4-3 end that will help ease Cleveland's transition from a 3-4.
- Washington - Matt Barkley* (QB, USC) - This guy is the prototype QB. He comes from a pro style offense and has a good arm. Shanahan likes veteran QBs but will not be able to pass on a player with this much potential. Barkley is the kind of player that could turn out to be a better player as a pro than he was in college.
- Tampa Bay - Dre Kirkpatrick* (CB, Alabama) - When I think of Dre, I think SWAG! He's long (6'3) and athletic (4.3 forty). Team him with Aqib Talib and can you imagine the size of that cornerback duo? Scary!
- Miami - Robert Griffin III* (QB, Baylor) - Smooth, athletic QB with a live arm. He's taken Baylor to heights it's never been in school history. He'll fit nicely in Miami with their smash mouth OL and versatile running back, Reggie Bush. Home run pick!
- Carolina - Alshon Jeffery (WR, South Carolina) - Carolina brass is probably still beating their chests over the electric franchise changing first pick of last year's draft. They'd love for this to be the ultimate success story so they'll look to get him a red zone and third down weapon. Look no further than Alshon Jeffery. He is a big bodied, physical receiver with great hands. Some character and weight concerns may keep him from going this high but unlikely.
- Kansas City - Trent Richardson* (RB, Alabama) - Most people would mock a DL or LB to the Chiefs. Richardson falling to the eleventh could be too appealing. KC has been all over SEC talent in recent years. The uncertainty of Charles' knee injury could make Richardson even more enticing. He's a strong, smart do-it-all back who can carry the load or complement Charles. Either way, it's a great pick.
- Buffalo - Jonathan Martin* (OT, Stanford) - Not sure if Buffalo believes in "Fitzmagic" or not but if they do, they better keep him upright. With Matt Kalil's decision to stay in college another, this elevates Martin to the status of best tackle in the draft. He loves to run block but also has the length and feet to excel in pass protection.
- Philadelphia - Vontaze Burflict* (MLB, Arizona State) - This guy is a terror. He has spurts where he is Patrick Willis-esque. A true MLB would go miles for the Eagles' D.
- Arizona - Riley Reiff* (OT, Iowa) - Arizona is a team with plenty of talent. They need just a few pieces here and there. One of those pieces is a left tackle. They'll tab the long, agile Riley Reiff in hopes that he becomes their blindside protector.
- Seattle - Melvin Ingram (DE, South Carolina) - Pete Carroll has this team playing some mean defense. He could choose to draft the quick rising, Melvin Ingram and pair him with Chris Clemons to form a dominating pass rush. The defense could go from mean to nasty with move.
- San Diego - Luke Kuechly (Boston College) - The Chargers need heart. The need a leader. They someone who can come in and change the mentality of the team without stealing any of Rivers' thunder... How about the tackling machine from BC, Luke Kuechly? He plays with passion and intensity and will fit the defense perfectly.
- Tennessee - Mark Barron (SS, Alabama) - On paper, the Titans don't look too bad. Don't really have many glaring holes, the problem is there are no game-changers on the defensive side of the ball. I look for them to go BPA w/ this pick... Honestly, it could be anyone.
- Cincinnati (f/ Oakland) - David DeCastro (OG, Stanford) - This guy is a terror in the run game. He reminds me Steve Hutchinson when I watch him play. His feet are so good, you almost want to play him at tackle. That is until you see the aggressiveness and nasty streak he plays with. He has guard writtin all over him. That's a good thing too. The Bengals love balance in their offense.
- Cincinnati - David Wilson* (RB, Virginia Tech) - They would've loved to land Trent Richardson, but as it turned out, their season was just too good for that to happen. However, Wilson is not a bad fall back option. He is a back with great balance and crazy explosion. He can catch out of the backfield as well. He'll work well with Cedric Benson while he learns to be an every down back (blocking).
- Chicago - Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame) - You can debate whether or not this is the receiver the Bears take w/ their first round pick but it will be a receiver no doubt. Floyd is a big red zone target the Bears' offense is lacking.
- Dallas - Cordy Glenn (OG, Georgia) - Dallas will take the mammath guard with this pick. He's a world-mover. Murray & Jones will run behind with great success giving Jerry Jones flashbacks of the ol' Larry Allen days.
- NY Giants - Dont'a Hightower(LB, Alabama) - The Giants need a natural middle linebacker in the worst way. They fly around with a quartet of defensive ends to the quarterback. When Prince Amukamara becomes healthy, they'll have a dynamic secondary. Fill Dont'a "Zeus" Hightower in the middle and the Giants are instant contenders. Hightower is a jumbo LB that brings the whole load when he hits you.
- Detroit - Janoris Jenkins (CB, North Alabama) - Man do these guys need help in their secondary or what? They could go w/ an all secondary draft and still not have enough help. Louis Delmas is the only player they have back there worth anything. Jenkins is the most talented player in the secondary available. They'll select him knowing it's BOOM or BUST!
- Denver - Alonzo Dennard (CB, Nebraska ) - Dennard is a solid corner that excels in man and zone coverages. The Broncos have an aging secondary. Denver realizes they won't have Champ Bailey forever so they take a player that can be groomed to be the #1 corner in a couple years.
- Cleveland (f/ Atlanta) - Brandon Thompson (DT, Clemson) - As they transition back to a 4-3 defense, they need to add the personnel along the front seven. Thompson is a monster who could play one-tech or 3-tech in a 4-3. He'll be welcomed by the LB corps.
- NY Jets - T. J. McDonald (FS, USC) - It's about time the Jets get someone to rush the passer effectively. With that said, I fully expect Rex Ryan & co. to select another DB. This time they go safety. McDonald is an athletic safety who can cover deep or play some man which Rex will love.
- Houston - Alameda Ta'amu (NT, Washington) - Wade Phillips is doing quite well as coordinator for the Texans. Cushing and Ryans are two stud LBs who will benefit greatly from a true NT lined up to demand double teams. No brainer for Houston.
- San Francisco - Reuben Randle (WR, LSU) - Dynamite receiver. He's both a deep threat and red zone option. He can be a posession receiver and is good after the catch. He's a little raw but has come into his own this season.
- New England - Barrett Jones* (OL, Alabama) - Is there a more versatile lineman in the country? Doubt it. Is there a team in the NFL that appreciates versatility the Patriots? Doubt it. Pats could ease a lot of pain and add flexibility to their OL with this selection. Mark it down. If Jones comes out, he's a Patriot.
- Baltimore - Ray Ray Armstrong* (SS, Miami) - Ray Ray Armstrong has the perfect football name. He also has the size/speed combo that NFL GM's covet. He was suspended for a majority of the 2011 football season. One team that will tend to gamble a little, is the Ravens. They went with Sergio Kindle, Terrence Cody and Jimmy Smith in recent drafts, so Armstrong likely won't scare Baltimore off
- Pittsburgh - Stephon Gilmore* (CB, South Carolina) - The Steelers are all of a sudden running more man-to-man coverages. If this is a trend, not a blip, then I assume they will be looking for corners. Look no further than Stephon Gilmore. He's a natural athlete with both man and zone coverage abilities. He has a knack for making plays, which is something Dick Lebeau, like all coaches, really covets.
- New England (f/ New Orleans) - Zach Brown (OLB, North Carolina) - The 4-3 switch hasn't gone as seemless as some people would have expected. Mainly due to the OLBs and defensive ends taking on different skill sets. He needs OLB with better coverage skills but still effective in the run game. Enter Zach Brown. He flies around like a young Keith Bulluck. Place this guy in the lineup beside Meyo and he could really excel.
- Green Bay - Courtney Upshaw (OLB, Alabama) - GB is without a doubt the best team in the world! An undefeated championship season could be on the brink. They don't need anything else but a true pass rusher that is familiar with the 3-4 could boost their sometimes sketchy defense. Upshaw is relentless in pursuit of the QB and would excel in the Dom Capers 'Cover 7' 3-4
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