| Round 1 | |||||
| 1 |  | Indianapolis | Andrew Luck | QB | Stanford |
| The Colts got a taste of life after Manning this year, thanks to a neck injury. The result is not something the Colts want to stomach ever again. Selecting Luck will help the Colts prepare for their future. Andrew Luck has been labeled the next big thing and expectations could not be higher. He has all the tools to be successful; a strong and accurate arm that can make every throw on the field, all the intangibles, smarts and supreme athleticism for his position. After selecting the quarterback of their future the Colts can now spend the rest of the draft, and their next few years worth of first round picks, drafting talent around their newly groomed signal caller, Andrew Luck. Every team wants to be able to do what the Packers did with Favre and Rodgers and this is the Colts chance. There is absolutely no way they pass on the chance. The Colts will likely select the best player on their board from here on out, as they have major needs on both sides of the ball. | |||||
| 2 |  | Washington | Robert Griffin III | QB | Baylor |
| The Redskins traded away the farm to acquire the right to select number two overall. There is no way they take anyone but Griffin here, unless of course he somehow goes number one overall, in which case they will select Luck. They clearly expect to be playoff contenders for the next decade with RG3 at the helm. Griffin has a very unique skill set and has all the tools to be successful in the NFL. He is a strong and charismatic leader, his athleticism is second to none, and he possesses a rocket arm, coupled with pinpoint accuracy. He has a tremendous amount of upside and will rejuvenate hope into Washington's franchise, much like Cam Newton did to the Panthers just a season ago. Without a second round selection but plenty of cap room, and despite the penalty from the lockout, look for the Redskins to acquire as much help for their new franchise quarterback as possible through free agency. | |||||
| 3 |  | Minnesota | Matt Kalil | OT | USC |
| The Vikings have needs all over the place, including at wide receiver and in the secondary, so they could go a few different directions with this pick. However Kalil seems to make the most sense. They have a lot invested in last year's first round selection, Christian Ponder, so protecting him is a must. Kalil is the clear-cut best tackle prospect in this year’s class and should translate his skills into the NFL well. He excels both as a pass protector and a run blocker, which in Minnesota is a must, thanks to having one of the league’s best running backs in Adrian Peterson. He also has elite technique with both his footwork and hands, so his transition to the NFL should be smooth. Minnesota should have their pro bowl caliber protector for many years to come. Look for the Vikings to focus on the defensive side of the ball and select a wide out as well throughout this draft. | |||||
| 4 |  | Cleveland | Trent Richardson | RB | Alabama |
| Trade Alert! The Browns have tons of needs all across the board and have been looking to accumulate multiple picks in recent years to help address their multitude of needs. With Blackmon, Claiborne and Richardson still on the board and all three likely being selected in the next few picks, someone may want to make the jump to land one of them. If the Vikings happen to maneuver a trade for someone who wants to trade up for Tannehill and Kalil is still on the board, the Brown's phone may be ringing off the hook. However let’s assume they do not want to trade down. I have to believe that their selection will be Richardson. He is the best running back prospect to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson. He has the size, speed, strength, hands, power, blocking ability, agility, and vision to be an elite back at the next level. He will upgrade the Browns running game, which in turn should help balance their offense. Expect the Browns to add another weapon or two, plus a potential quarterback, and then focus on the defense for the remainder of the draft. | |||||
| 5 |  | Tampa Bay | Morris Claiborne | CB | LSU |
| The Buccaneers took no time overhauling their team during free agency, quickly inking the talented Vincent Jackson to add a vertical threat to their passing game, one of the game's best guards in Carl Nicks, and a solid starting corner in Eric Wright. However Tampa Bay knows their secondary still leaves much to be desired, which was one of the league’s worst last season. But now with Claiborne in the mix, who has the skill set to shut down any receiver in the NFL, they have a rebuilt secondary that could be formidable in 2012. Claiborne has a great combination of size and speed, outstanding athleticism, superb ball skills, and can just flat out cover anyone. He is built much like last year's number five overall selection, and former teammate, Patrick Peterson, who had a great rookie campaign. Claiborne should follow in his footsteps, and start as a rookie. The Buccaneers will likely continue to retool their defense throughout this draft, but will likely also look to add another running back to duo with LeGarrette Blount. | |||||
| 6 |  | St. Louis | Justin Blackmon | WR | Oklahoma State |
| The Rams traded down from the number two pick to the number six acquiring an extra second round this season as well as a first round selection for the next two seasons from the Redskins. Now that they have more selections they have more options as they attempt to rebuild their franchise. The Rams have a major need at receiver, tackle and on defense. Blackmon is likely the player the Rams wanted all along, so dealing the number two pick and still being able to land him is the perfect scenario for St. Louis. Blackmon is the best receiver in this year's crop. He has decent size, good speed, runs great routes, can jump out of a barn, and has sticky glue like hands. He has all the tools you look for in a true number one receiver in the NFL. He instantly upgrades this offense and gives Sam Bradford a new favorite target. Blackmon will help this offense take flight. Expect the Rams to continue to add more offensive firepower throughout this draft. | |||||
| 7 |  | Jacksonville | Melvin Ingram | DE | South Carolina |
| The Jaguars have coveted a pass rusher for a long time, but also have major needs on the offensive side of the ball. However, I just don't see a receiver worth taking at this spot, although its possible they could trade down with someone who is looking to jump Miami for their chance to land Tannehill. Jacksonville has an intense interest in Ingram and he is a perfect fit for them and their defense. He has all the tools to be a dynamic pass rusher at the next level, which should help this defense play better. He is a unique prospect with extreme versatility. He gives the Jaguars tons of options to utilize him, which not only can help confuse opposing offenses, but also gives them options in the future in terms of personal if the current coaching staff gets sent packing. However the current staff is hoping his athleticism and ability to get to quarterback will help turn around their defense and get Jacksonville moving in the right direction. | |||||
| 8 |  | Miami | Ryan Tannehill | QB | Texas A&M |
| The Dolphins have needed a quarterback for far to long. When they had the 1st overall selection they selected Jake Long over Matt Ryan, which although paid short term dividends, have left them still scrambling for a quarterback. Consequently, they decided to go all to land Peyton Manning in free agency however he turned them down and their second option, Matt Flynn, was wooed by the Seahawks. Miami simply cannot wait any longer to address their most pressing need. Tannehill gives the Dolphins a chance to have their first quality quarterback since Marino. He is an outstanding athlete and has a plus arm. He is a leader and a team orientated player. He does have a lot of learning to do as he really only played quarterback for two season in college. Tannehill may have a learning curve, but his upside is tremendous. Look for the Dolphins to add some weapons for their new signal caller as well as revamp their defense, which is transforming for a 3-4 to a 4-3 under newly hired coach Joe Philbin. | |||||
| 9 |  | Carolina | Dontari Poe | DT | Memphis |
| The Panthers went from one of the most dismal teams in the NFL to one of the most dynamic in just one short season thanks to former number one overall selection, Cam Newton. Now the Panthers have a cornerstone to continue to build upon on offense. However their defense still needs work, so with this selection the Panthers may be looking to add a defensive cornerstone. Poe is a tremendous prospect who burst onto the scene with one of the most amazing combines in recent memory. He is absolutely huge, yet very fast and as strong as an ox. He is a player who will command double teams on the majority of plays, and has all the tools to dominate at the next level. He gives the Panthers versatility as well, as he can play either end in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Poe's numbers were scary close to Luis Castillo, who is one of the best ends in the entire league. The Panthers do not want to miss their chance to land the next one. Poe will introduce himself to opponents in the backfield early and often throughout his rookie season and look to chase down quarterbacks. Poe's upside is just too great for the Panthers to pass up at this spot, but it is possible they take Fletcher Cox as well, who has been rocketing up to the top of draft boards as of late. The Panthers defense just got a shot in the arm and now they will likely look to add some weapons for Newton as well as continuing to shore up their defense for the remainder of the draft. | |||||
| 10 |  | Buffalo | Riley Reiff | OT | Iowa |
| The Bills went into this offseason with one goal in mind-upgrading their pass rush. They knew they had many different options through the draft, as they hold the 10th overall selection, but they opted to pony up and address the need through free agency. First they signed Mario Williams to a record deal. With just Williams signed they likely would have still taken another pass rusher, however then they went out and inked Mark Anderson, which makes selecting a pass rusher in the first round a baffling move. With their biggest need out of the way they free this selection to help shore up other issues. The Bills offensive line struggled at times and when their starting tackle, Demetress Bell, left via free agency to the Eagles, they now have a big need at left tackle. Reiff now joins the long list of Hawkeyes who have been drafted to play at the next level. He has excellent size, strength, and footwork. He will certainly help to protect the major investment the Bills placed in Ryan Fitzpatrick a season ago. He will start right away, and has all the tools be a pro-bowl caliber left tackle. The Bills will likely continue to bolster their defense, which is starting to look more scary, throughout this draft, as well as continue to add offensive firepower for the remainder of the draft. | |||||
| 11 |  | Kansas City | David DeCastro | G | Stanford |
| Last year many people thought the Chiefs may take a tackle or guard in the first round to help build their potent running game. But Kansas City passed, electing to trade down and then selecting a wide receiver. This year I suspect they will go to the trenches and take the best lineman on the board, which in this case is DeCastro. He will be an instant starter and fill a need at guard for the Chiefs. He is the best guard prospect to come out since long time Pro Bowler and likely Hall of Famer, Steve Hutchinson. The Chiefs love to run the ball and provided Jamal Charles comes back to his usual form from his ACL tear, he will love running behind the holes the massive DeCastro will create. He will be a long time Pro Bowl guard who will not only excel in the run game but is a good pass protector as well. He is head and shoulders above the rest of the guards in this class with his great size, supreme athleticism, strength, and superior footwork. Expect the Chiefs to take a running back to pair with Charles as insurance and to fill their need to have their dual backfield, as then infuse the defense with talent throughout this draft. | |||||
| 12 |  | Seattle | Jonathan Martin | OT | Stanford |
| The Seahawks won the Matt Flynn sweepstakes, which opens up their draft a little bit as they no longer need a quarterback. With this spot I think Seattle will look to add help for their newest investment rather than take a defensive player. Although a player like Luke Kuechly would make sense for them, I think they will opt to either provide Flynn with a new weapon to pair with Sidney Rice and Marshawn Lynch, or protect Flynn. The inability to protect quarterbacks is the doom of many offensives in the NFL, making protecting the quarterback a top priority. Martin, who protected the likely first overall selection Andrew Luck during his college days is ready to be a starter as a rookie. He will upgrade this offensive line and give Matt Flynn a chance to be successful in his first year as a starter. Expect the Seahawks add some firepower on offense as well as select some defensive help as they try to reclaim the division. | |||||
| 13 |  | Arizona | Luke Kuechly | ILB | Boston College |
| Before the NFL combine many people struggled to figure out where Kuechly would be selected. On the field he was a beast, seemingly always being in position to make the play. However he didn't look like a great athlete and many people thought he would be buried in the combine. However with his excellent film, he was still likely to be a first round pick. Then the combine came and Kuechly shined. He dazzled with his athleticism ending all doubt anyone had that he was the top inside linebacker in this class. The Cardinals have a major need at inside backer so this pick fits perfectly with them. Kuechly is an excellent prospect who is routinely on a crash course with the ball carrier. He makes plays all over the field and can drop back and cover effectively. He is an instant starter and has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl caliber player for the Cardinals for many years to come. | |||||
| 14 |  | Dallas | Mark Barron | SS | Alabama |
| The Cowboys have many needs across their defense including along the defensive line and in the secondary. There is no doubt that they will address these needs in this year’s draft so they could go a few different directions here. I was originally thinking they would look to add help to their defensive line, but addressing the secondary makes a ton of sense as well, since it has been one of the league’s worst for several years. Jerry Jones is reportedly in love with the former Crimson Tide standout and for good reason. Barron was one of the leaders of the stingy Alabama defense and is the top safety in this class, making him the only one worth selecting in the first round. Barron is an excellent prospect; he has good speed for a safety, is a sure tackler, can cover in man or zone, excels in playing in the box and making plays in the run game. Barron will fill in right away and give the Cowboys secondary a much needed boast. Of course they are more than one player away of having a competent secondary, so expect the Cowboys to continue to select secondary help throughout the draft as well as add some defensive line prospects to bolster their run defense and pass rush. | |||||
| 15 |  | Philadelphia | Fletcher Cox | DT | Mississippi State |
| The Eagles are coveting a defensive tackle, that is no secret. Cox fits the bill perfectly for the Eagles and has been sneaking up draft boards lately due in large part to his extreme athleticism. There is little doubt that if he is still available at 15th pick the Eagles will snatch him up in a hurry, as this is a match made in heaven for their offseason wants. He is a guy who can dominate the line of scrimmage. He has great size and is extremely quick, making him a potent pass rusher and a brick wall in the run game. He is a guy who commanded double teams in college and is used to successful beating them. If teams focus on their other pass rushers on the Eagles defensive font, Cox could flourish. He will bolster the Eagles pass rush and join an already talented defensive line. For the rest of the draft the Eagles will likely spend many picks bolstering their front seven, as well as adding some secondary help. | |||||
| 16 |  | New York Jets | Michael Floyd | WR | Notre Dame |
| The Jets have more holes than they think. Mark Sanchez could be upgraded, their receiving core leaves much to be desired, their running game has been stagnate, and their defense has a few weak links. With their first round pick I think they will select the player who is the highest rated on their board and I have to believe that player is Michael Floyd, who has all the tools that you look for to be a number one target in the NFL. He has great size, excellent speed and outstanding hands. When paired with Santonio Holmes the Jets could have a scary duo at receiver, which should greatly help Mark Sanchez, or Tebow, if he pulls the same magic he did in Denver. Look for the Jets to add a running back and focus on the defense throughout this draft. | |||||
| 17 |  | Cincinnati (from Oak) | Quinton Coples | DE | North Carolina |
| The Bengals are one of the three teams with two first round selections, so they have some flexibility at this spot. They need help badly in the secondary, so selecting a corner would make a ton of sense here. But with Coples tumbling down to 17 it is hard to justify passing on him, especially since they have a need along their defensive line as well and the secondary class is very deep this year. Coples could have been a top 10 pick, but other players have been passing him, mostly due to questions about his effort. The Bengals never seem to concerned about character issues, especially if the player is loaded with talent, which is exactly what Coples is. Coples is a huge prospect, who has the size to command double teams. He is very athletic and will excel in the Bengals scheme. He is able to play end or tackle in the 4-3 scheme, likely switching around depending on the down and distance. The Bengals get a prospect who is a considered a steal at this juncture, so they should be happy. If he puts in the effort, which depending on who you ask, is a big if, he has a chance to be one of the best pass rushers and defensive lineman in this class. The Bengals will likely address the secondary with their next pick and look to add some offensive weapons as well as depth to their defense throughout the draft. | |||||
| 18 |  | San Diego | Courtney Upshaw | ILB | Alabama |
| The Chargers are very susceptible to the passing attack thanks to a limited pass rush. Upgrading their ability to apply pressure should be their top offseason priority. There are many different avenues they could take with this pick, but Upshaw is widely regarded as the best prospect at this spot. Playing at Alabama, he lead one of the most feared and stingy defenses in all of college football. He has the mold to be able to play outside in a 3-4 and is an excellent pass rusher. He upgrades this Chargers defense right away and should be introducing himself to quarterbacks early and often during his rookie season. San Diego will likely continue to focus on their needs on the defensive side of the football during the 2012 offseason. | |||||
| 19 |  | Chicago | Cordy Glenn | OT | Georgia |
| The Bears addressed their biggest need at receiver when they acquired Jay Cutler’s former favorite target, Brandon Marshall, from the Dolphins. That frees them up to focus on other needs, like their aging defense or offensive line. Although they could still add a receiver at this point, I think they will look to upgrade their offensive line. They need help at guard and Glen is an excellent prospect. He has great size, is a mauling run blocker which should help the unhappy Matt Forte continue his prosperous career, and is good in pass protection which of course is a key to winning football games. If the Bears want to keep pace with the high powered offenses in the NFC North, they know they need to upgrade as many offensive spots as possible. Glen should give them a Pro Bowl guard, and coupled with Brandon Marshall and free agent running back Michael Bush, it gives the Bears offense an entire new look for the upcoming season. | |||||
| 20 |  | Tennessee | Stephon Gilmore | CB | South Carolina |
| The Titans had a lot of pressing needs coming into this offseason, but through free agency have been able to address them at least in some fashion. Although they may be tempted to take another defensive end or possibly even a tackle here, I think they will opt to upgrade their secondary. The more scouts study Gilmore they more they love him and the Titans will likely feel the same way. Gilmore has outstanding size for a corner and has the ability to shut down any receiver in the league. He has great speed, fluid hips and has shown the ability to play man or zone. Additionally, Gilmore posses superb ball skills, making him a scary prospect. The Titans desperately need some secondary help and Gilmore provides them just that. He will start as a rookie and helps this defense continue to get better and he provides them with a potential Pro Bowl caliber corner for years to come. Tennessee will likely look to continue to retool their defense as well as add help on the offensive line and add some weapons to their offense for the reminder of their draft. | |||||
| 21 | | Cincinnati | Dre Kirkpatrick | CB | Alabama |
| The Bengals were able to nab the talented Coples at 17 and now they have a chance to take one of the best corners in this class. Kirkpatrick is ultra talented, but does have some character issues. This does make a risky pick, as both of their first round selections are very talented but have some red flags. Kirkpatrick has all the tools be a shutdown corner for the Bengals for years to come. He has good size, decent speed, and can play man or zone coverage. He played in a pro style defense in college so his learning curve should be short. He is an excellent athlete who routinely faced elite talent in college and usually won the one on one matchups. The Bengals have rolled the dice with both of their first round selections, but they could hit it big. After two first round picks this Bengals defense looks much improved, especially in pass defense, as they were able to land a pass rusher and a top flight corner. They will likely add some help on offense as well as look for depth on the defensive side of the ball as they continue to overhaul it. | |||||
| 22 | | Cleveland (from Atl) | Stephen Hill | WR | Georgia Tech |
| The Browns continue to focus on the offensive side of the ball during this draft, first selecting Trent Richardson and now selecting a wide receiver in Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill. Hill performed admirably during the NFL combine, running a blazing fast 40 yard dash and showing off his great physique. Hel is a great fit for the Browns because he is a receiver who can run any route and excels as a run blocker. He gives Colt McCoy a weapon, unless of course, they find a better option, which they likely will in the second round or even later. I think that Hill, along with former LSU standout, Rueben Randle, may have the highest ceilings in this draft, so this is a great selection for the Browns. Hill is an extremely physical receiver who was underutilized at Georgia Tech and should flourish in a more open offense. Hill combined with Greg Williams gives the Browns and excellent one-two punch at the receiver position. The Browns will likely select a quarterback and look to add another offensive lineman to bolster their running game even further. | |||||
| 23 |  | Detroit | Janoris Jenkins | CB | North Alabama |
| It is no secret that the Lions need help in their secondary, which was one of the league’s most abused units. They have a few options here, as Jenkins is an ultra talented player but comes with some character concerns. So they could take a slightly less skilled player like Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina to avoid any issues, especially in the wake of both Mikel Leshoure and Nick Fairley being arrested on Marijuana issues. The Lions are already started to get a "bad boy" reputation on defense, so they might not mind rolling the dice on a player who without character issues would have been a top 10 selection. He gives the Lions an instant upgrade in the secondary and has all the potential in the world. He has good size for a corner, is very physical, and covers well in both man and zone. He can even press effectively. Providing he stays out trouble, Jenkins has a chance to be one of the best corners in the league and a perennial Pro Bowler. | |||||
| 24 |  | Pittsburgh | Don'ta Hightower | ILB | Alabama |
| The Steelers already have a great defense, although it is starting to age, and they love bolstering it further. If Mike Wallace ends up leaving in free agency they will likely opt for a receiver with one of their two first round selections, but providing he stays, I think they will focus on the defensive side of the ball. They cut their former starter, the aging, overpaid James Farrior to help clear cap, so replacing him with the top player on the board makes sense. Hightower is an excellent prospect who dominated the collegiate ranks. He has great size and appears physical enough to play in a 3-4 defense. Unlike most teams that run a 3-4 scheme, the Steelers are not in desperate need of a pass rusher which gives them flexibility with this selection. Hightower seems to be in the mold of the Steelers defense, a sure tackler, aggressive, tough, physical, and intimidating. He loves to hit and is great at making plays in the running game, making him a perfect fit for the Steelers defense. Hightower might not be the fastest player on the field, but he always seems to find a way to make plays. Hightower can give to the Steelers what Ray Lewis has given to their bitter rivals, the Ravens, for many years to come. | |||||
| 25 |  | Denver | Mike Adams | OT | Ohio State |
| The Broncos landed the biggest free agent catch of the offseason and possibly of all time, winning the Peyton Manning sweepstakes. The future Canton inductee is coming off a neck surgery that cost him an entire season, but he says he has fully recovered and will be back to his normal self. This is an interesting spot for the Broncos because despite making the playoffs, thanks to the magic and heroics of since traded quarterback Tim Tebow, the Broncos have a lot of holes. Their defense, which dominated at times and also looked abysmal at times, needs some upgrading. Their receiving corps needs more talent and their offensive line could use a little bit of work. Although their offensive line was outstanding in the running game, they struggled as pass protectors, which was fine when they had Tebow, because he could run and they only threw the ball a handful of times anyway. However Manning is a sitting duck and the last thing the Broncos want is him to have him injured again, so protecting him should be their number one priority. Adams may not be a guard, but he gives the Broncos some flexibility and with some shifting around he should significantly improve this line. The Broncos will probably add some offensive firepower late in the draft as well as add some depth. With the right selections and Manning at the helm, the Broncos could be poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. | |||||
| 26 |  | Houston | Kendall Wright | WR | Baylor |
| The Texans have long needed, and coveted, a receiver who could compliant star Andre Johnson in the passing game. Wright will do exactly that. Don’t let his small stature fool you, he is great football player. He is explosive in the return game and extremely dangerous as a wide out. Even has a freshman he was able to make an impact in college. Of course last season he was forgotten about, along with the rest of the Baylor offense, because of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin the Third. He reeled in a Big 12 high 108 yards, for 1,663 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He now can use that spectacular season to be a first round NFL draft choice. He could be even more explosive as a rookie because defenses are forced to pay some much attention to Andre Johnson, giving him more opportunities to get open. With the combination of Andre Johnson and the ultra talented running back Arian Foster the Texans already had of the most feared and well balanced offenses in the league. Now sprinkle in the electrifying Kendall Wright and this offense will be even more dynamic. The Texans are hoping it will give them enough of a boost to make a deep run into the playoffs. | |||||
| 27 |  | New England (from NO) | Michael Brockers | DT | LSU |
| The Patriots defense has some holes, especially after losing a few of their pass rush specialists to the free agent market. However the Patriots have no need to worry with two first round selections to help shore up the unit. Of course there is always a possibility of a trade with one of their selections as they look to deal for more future picks. With Brockers on the board it is hard to imagine the Patriots passing up on him. He has excellent size and has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme, both of which the Patriots like to utilize. Furthermore he is an SEC player and we all know that Belichick loves SEC players with his connection to Nick Saban. With Saban's backing, the Patriots will not hesitate to select the former LSU stud. He may have slipped a little bit after performing poorly at the combine, but with his collegiate pedigree, excellent game film, and massive body he is still a surefire first round draft choice and the Patriots will love to have him on their line. They will probably target a pass rusher as well as some offensive weapons throughout the 2012 draft. | |||||
| 28 |  | Green Bay | Shea McClellin | DE/OLB | Boise State |
| The Packers, an offensive juggernaut, had a fantastic regular season compiling the league’s best record at 15-1. However, all season they lacked a pass rush and that Achilles Heel ultimately lead to their demise in the playoffs. This year the Packers know they need to upgrade their pass rush and it has been their top offseason priority. They signed a few bargain buster free agents to upgrade their defensive line, so they will likely spend their first round selection on a linebacker. McClellin is a very interesting prospect, who had a productive collegiate career. He is a blue collar guy, with a strong work ethic, which the Packers love. They love the fact that he played a plethora of different positions in college even more. The versatile McClellin will start opposite Clay Matthew's as a rookie and should improve this defense right away. As a bonus he is a good cover linebacker as well, something every Packer linebacker seemed to struggle with a season ago. The Packers will spend the majority of their selections on the defensive side of the ball, continuing to infuse their front seven with new talent and add depth to their secondary. Expect the Packers to take a center at some point in this draft as well as Jeff Saturday is just a short term answer. | |||||
| 29 |  | Baltimore | Rueben Randle | WR | LSU |
| The Ravens could use a center and Konz is available, but rumor has it that the Ravens are not interested in him. Of course they could just be blowing smoke, but I will take their word for it. The Ravens next biggest need is at the receiver position. With all the heat that Joe Flacco has received from the media and even teammates, to be fair he really has never had quality targets so adding some should be a propriety for the Ravens. With the top three receivers already off the board the Ravens wind up taking the fourth best receiving prospect, but one with a ceiling that rivals any receiver in this draft. Randle, like all receivers at LSU, was seldom used making his production not look very good comparatively speaking. But Randle has been able to make an impact on LSU every year he was there, not receiving a redshirt and having a good freshman campaign. He has good size, decent speed, and very good hands. Randle gives the Ravens a big target who can work anywhere on the field, making him a great complement to last year's first round selection, Torry Smith. Flacco is finally starting to acquire weapons, meaning his seat is getting hotter by the year. The Ravens will probably address the offensive line as well as continue to collect weapons for Flacco and add depth to their defense for the remainder of the draft. | |||||
| 30 |  | San Francisco | Coby Fleener | TE | Stanford |
| The 49ers, whose defense is one of the top in the game, has an offense that needs work. With all receivers worthy of a first round grade already gone, they can look at other venues. Stanford's head coach, John Harbaugh, is familiar with Fleener making this pick make even more sense. Many teams are able to utilize multiple tight end sets and the 49ers should be able to do the same. Fleener gives San Francisco’s offense a much needed boost providing a safety net for Alex Smith as well as a player who can get open on third down and in the red zone. With Vernon Davis stretching the field, the middle of the field can be wide open for Fleener to take advantage of. Fleener is also a solid run blocker, an area that Davis struggles. This 49ers offense gains much flexibility and gives them a chance to be more creative and potent on offense. They will likely add depth to their defense as well as continue to target playmakers for their offense. | |||||
| 31 | | New England | Chandler Jones | DE/OLB | Syracuse |
| The Patriots added help to their defensive line with the 27th selection and now can add some pass rush help, which is much needed, especially after the departure of Mark Anderson. Jones is a player who has snuck up the draft boards as of late, vaulting all the way into the first round. He has an outstanding athlete who has elite strength, quickness, and body control. Although in college he was not a great pass rusher, he is widely expected to be an effective rusher at the next level. Furthermore he was always considered an excellent run defender so he should be a complete player for the Patriots. He is a guy who is also very versatile, which makes him even more attractive to the Patriots. Jones should be able to use his quickness to be effective off the edge and has a relentless motor, so expect him to earn a starting job and make plays as a rookie. He is also a sure tackler who because of his high motor makes a lot of plays chasing opponents down from behind. He appears to have a bright future in New England. With two players on the defensive side of the ball taken by the Patriots already, their defense is already starting to retool, but expect them to continue to stockpile defensive talent and pull the trigger on some offensive playmakers if they get the chance. | |||||
| 32 |  | New York Giants | Dwayne Allen | TE | Clemson |
| The Giants need a tight end and would likely consider Coby Fleener if he was sitting there at the bottom of the first round. But with him snatched by the 49ers they will have to consider different options. They might take the player rated highest on their board or they may go fill their need. I expect they will do the latter. Although Allen may not be the highest rated player he has to be fairly highly rated and fills a need so it is easy for them to justify this selection. If they pass on Allen he might not be there at the end of round two and they will have missed out on him. Allen is a good athlete who has very good hands. The Giants have not had a consistent tight end threat for many years, as it is a position that has battled through injuries or left via free agency. Allen gives Eli Manning a safety blanket and should help the Giants offense work the middle of the field more effectively. Best of all, tight ends are typically great in the red zone, or in Giant’s country, the Green Zone and you can never have too many options in that area of the field. | |||||
| Round 2 | |||||
| 33 | | St. Louis | Jerel Worthy | DT | Michigan State |
| The Rams added Justin Blackmon with their first pick and can now supplement that selection by adding some help on defense. Worthy is a prospect who could easily be a first round choice but has slipped a bit recently. Worthy is a massive player who can take over a game. He is a dangerous fit in a 4-3 scheme that the Rams run. He is big enough and strong enough to command and defeat double teams and has enough quickness to get to the quarterback. The Rams and new Head Coach Jeff Fisher get an excellent player with this selection. Fisher loves to have a stud defensive tackle in his defenses, much like how the Titans were built during their glory days. Worthy is a guy who can project similar to the season that Albert Haynesworth had when the Titans were at their best. | |||||
| 34 | | Indianapolis | Peter Konz | C | Wisconsin |
| The Colts had the prize first round selection, adding Andrew Luck. Now they must add weapons and protection to give him a chance to succeed. This pick provides them with the latter. Starting center, Jeff Saturday, left as a free agent to Green Bay and although the Colts replaced him with a free agent sign of their own, Samson Stele , Konz makes perfect sense for the Colts here because he is so talented. They may chose to take a running back here, but Konz has to be the highest player on their draft board and is too tempting to pass up in round two. He is the best center in this class and the Colts can either shift him, or Satele to guard for a few seasons. Konz is a great athlete who can even pull on running plays. He will protect Luck and open up holes in the run game. The Colts land the best center in the draft, a Pro Bowl caliber player for the next decade or more with their second round selection. | |||||
| 35 | | Minnesota | Whitney Mercilus | DE | Illinois |
| Ironically this is the third Big Ten player selected in a row. Mercilus is another guy who could have ended up being a first round selection, but slipped through the cracks. Mercilus has an everlasting motor and has the potential to be one of the best pass rushers in this draft. The Vikings pass rush took a step back last year after they lost Ray Edwards in the open market. Mercilus gives them a much ended upgrade and helps to bolster their defensive line. He provides tremendous value for the Vikings at this point in the draft. | |||||
| 36 | | Tampa Bay | Doug Martin | HB | Boise State |
| The Buccaneers offense need a jolt, I know it, you know it, they know it, and every defense in the league knows it. LeGarrette Blount is a solid back, who is an extremely powerful runner, but he is not enough. The NFL is moving towards a two back system anyway and Martin seems to be a great fit for Tampa. They were rumored to be interested in Trent Richardson, so selecting a halfback is on their mind. Martin has good hands, something that Blount lacks and is an explosive player who many compare to the likes of a Matt Forte or Ray Rice, and for good reason. He has a high ceiling, provides great value, and fills a need for this stagnant offense. | |||||
| 37 | | Cleveland | Brandon Weeden | QB | Oklahoma State |
| The Browns used both of their first round selections stockpiling offensive weapons, but now they need a trigger man. Weeden is a great prospect who would be a first round pick had it not been for his age so the Browns get great value here. | |||||
| 38 | | Jacksonville | Alshon Jeffery | WR | South Carolina |
| The Jaguars snatched a top flight pass rusher with their first round pick and now need to look to give last year’s first round selection Blaine Gabbert some help. Jeffery is an ultra talented prospect, who at one point was considered a top 10 selection. Nabbing him at 38 gives them great value and gives Gabbert a true number one target. He will certainly have an impact as a rookie. | |||||
| 39 | | St. Louis | David Wilson | RB | Virginia Tech |
| The Rams have been rumored to be interested in a running back for a long time. With the extra picks they acquired for the number two slot, there is little doubt they will use one on a running back even though it’s not a major need. David Wilson, a Virginia Tech standout, is a perfect fit. He can provide a compliant to Steven Jackson and has the ability to be a star at the next level. And with Jackson getting older and more banged up, he also provides them with an insurance policy, making this pick a good value for them. | |||||
| 40 | | Carolina | Nick Perry | DE/OLB | USC |
| Although the Panthers would likely wish to add a weapon for Newton, the top offensive players are gone already. Perry has slipped into the second round, despite being an excellent talent who easily could wind up in the first round. He is used to playing with his hand on the ground but could make the transition to standing up if the Panthers wish, for added versatility. Perry is a great athlete who is extremely quick and strong. Perry combined with Poe gives the Panthers a defensive line that could be scary for a long time. | |||||
| 41 | | Buffalo | Jayron Holsey | CB | Virginia Tech |
| The Bills have successfully upgraded their defensive line through free agency and added an excellent tackle in the first round. Now they can pay attention to their defensive needs. The Bills have a pressing need at corner. With the pass rushers they already added finding secondary helps makes lots of sense and could really upgrade their pass defense. Holsey is a an excellent athlete with tremendous ball skills. He will make an impact as a rookie and has an enormous ceiling. | |||||
| 42 | | Miami | Devon Still | DT | Penn State |
| The Dolphins selected their quarterback of the future in round one but also need help on defense. Their pass rush leaves much to be desired so upgrading that should be a priority. Still is versatile and should fit in nicely with the Dolphins defense, reportedly switching back to a 4-3 but even if they do not make the switch Still fits well in a 3-4 as your prototypical end. Still's versatility and talent, as he easily could have been a first round selection, gives the Dolphins extra value on top of filling a major need. | |||||
| 43 | | Seattle | Andre Branch | DE | Clemson |
| The Seahawks elected to protect Matt Flynn and now need to upgrade their pass rush. Branch is a talented pass rusher who be a dominating defensive end in their defensive scheme. He has the talent to be a first round pick, so Seattle has to be happy with him falling this far. Branch gives their defensive line a much needed boost and will help them apply pressure to the quarterback. | |||||
| 44 | | Kansas City | Vinny Curry | DE | Marshall |
| With the Chiefs adding some help along their offensive line they will probably look at the opposite side of the ball for their second round pick. Curry provides great value and is an excellent pass rusher who projects well at outside linebacker. Curry, although he may be a small school prospect, should make a huge impact on this already talented defense. | |||||
| 45 | | Dallas | Josh Robinson | CB | UCF |
| Although the Cowboys added Mark Barron in the first round one player is not enough to fix their secondary problems. Josh Robinson dazzled at the combine, running the fastest 40 yard dash. He has excellent closing speed and great ball skills making him dangerous in coverage. The Cowboys secondary, although still needs some work, is getting a lot better through this draft. | |||||
| 46 | | Philadelphia | Nate Potter | OT | Boise State |
| The Eagles got great value with their first round selection, and probably their ideal player. Now in the second round they can solidify the opposite trench, the offensive line. (PLAYER) is a great prospect, who is an excellent athlete for his size and position. He has great strength, and should fit well in the Eagles offensive scheme. | |||||
| 47 | | New York Jets | Harrison Smith | SS | Notre Dame |
| The Jets signed help at safety in LaRon Landry who, although is a great player, is very injury prone so they will likely still look for more insurance. Smith is the second best safety in this class. He the ideal combination of size, strength, and speed and the Jets should be happy to have him and he will find a way onto the field. | |||||
| 48 | | New England (from Oak) | Lamar Miller | RB | Miami (FL) |
| With the Patriots adding two talented defensive players in the first round, they can afford to look elsewhere in round two. They do not have a true running back so finding one makes sense. Miller is a great prospect who is a good combination of size, speed, power, and vision. He was a workhorse at Miami and should translate well as an NFL back. | |||||
| 49 | | San Diego | Kelechi Osemele | G | Iowa State |
| The Chargers need help with the interior of their offensive line and could with a number of different players here, but I expect that will take Osemele. Many people thought he could wind up in the first round, so being on the board at 49 gives them great value and a possible starter. | |||||
| 50 | | Chicago | Alfonzo Dennard | CB | Nebraska |
| The Bears need help in the secondary especially as they continue to age. Although Dennard may not be the most talented corner on the board, he is a great fit for their cover two scheme. He is extremely physical and loves to hit. He will find a way onto the field as a rookie | |||||
| 51 | | Philadelphia (from Ari) | Lavonte David | ILB | Nebraska |
| The Eagles upgraded both trenches with their first two selection. This pick helps to shore up the linebacking core where they desperately need help. The Eagles never really seem have any great linebackers but maybe Lavonte David can change that for him. He is an excellent prospect who had a very good collegiate career. He is a physical player who is excellent in run support and can cover as well. | |||||
| 52 | | Tennessee | Kendall Reyes | DT | Connecticut |
| Kendall Reyes is just too talented to pass up at this spot and on top of that he fills a need for Tennessee. The Titans have not had a good defensive tackle since they lost Albert Haynsworth to free agency. Reyes has a chance to be a very good tackle for years to come. He has a ton of size and strength making him difficult to block and has a good enough burst to get to the quarterback. | |||||
| 53 | | Cincinnati | Kevin Zeitler | G | Wisconsin |
| The Bengals would probably like to address the safety spot at some point during this draft but last year’s selection, Robert Sands, may have to do for them as there is no safety left that would be better. The Bengals also could use an upgrade at guard and Zeitler is a great fit. Like every Bengals offensive lineman, he is an excellent run blocker. He has great size and works as hard as anyone. He will earn a starting job and be a good starter for the Bengals for a long time to come. | |||||
| 54 | | Detroit | Bobby Massie | OT | Mississippi |
| The Lions desperately need to protect Matthew Stafford, who has only been healthy for one full season and Massie is the best tackle on the board at this point. He has great size and projects well as a tackle at the next level. He should help keep Stafford upright and give the Lions a chance to make a second straight playoff berth. | |||||
| 55 |  | Atlanta | Amini Silatolu | G/OT | Midwestern State |
| The Falcons need some help on the offensive line and Silatolu is a versatile prospect who can help at a number of positions. He is a small school prospect who many think has a very high ceiling. The Falcons have no choice but to select a lineman with this selection and adding a player with this much potential will leave the front office smiling. | |||||
| 56 | | Pittsburgh | Mohamed Sanu | WR | Rutgers |
| The Steelers have a few holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball but with the possible departure of Mike Wallace for this season and the almost certain fact he will not be with them the following season, the Steelers will be in a market for a new wide out. This Rutgers product had a prolific collegiate career. He is a tough and physical receiver who will catch everything in his area. He is in a similar mold to recently cut and retired Hines Ward. | |||||
| 57 | | Denver | Brandon Thompson | DT | Clemson |
| The Broncos would probably like to land a weapon for Manning here but the pickings are slim at this point in the draft. The Broncos need some help at the interior of their defensive line particularly one who can get to the quarterback. Thompson fits that bill perfectly. He is a great athlete and should absolutely make an impact on the Broncos as a rookie. Don’t be surprised if they add even more talent because their defensive line is a major concern. | |||||
| 58 | | Houston | Ronnell Lewis | DE/OLB | Oklahoma |
| The Texans lost Mario Williams to free agency which although is a big loss, is not the end of the world as they did just fine without him as he was out for a while during the regular season with a torn pectoral. Ronnell Lewis was impressive at the combine and looks like a great outside linebacker prospect. He has a great burst and has an ability to get the quarterback. He should find a way to start right away. | |||||
| 59 |  | New Orleans | Forfeited | ||
| The Saints lost this selection due to their role in a bounty scandal and because they traded up last year to land Mark Ingram, they did not have a first round selection this year either, meaning their first selection is not until the third round. There they will likely begin to focus on defensive players to upgrade their front seven as well as add depth to their secondary. | |||||
| 60 | | Green Bay | Trumaine Johnson | CB | Montana |
| This is another small school prospect who has a chance to boom. He has great size and good speed. The Packers love players his size at corner and he should be able to learn from the great Charles Woodson. Furthermore the Packers safety positions are up for grabs as Nick Collins could tragically be forced to retire due to a neck injury suffered against the Panthers. Johnson also projects well at safety so he provides the Packers will added insurance and versatility. | |||||
| 61 | | Baltimore | Zach Brown | OLB | North Carolina |
| The Ravens have reportedly shown interested in the talented North Carolina prospect. Brown is a versatile linebacker who can play every linebacker position for the Ravens. He is a great athlete who can cover sideline to sideline as well. He will certainly find the field in some way, shape, or form for Baltimore as a rookie. | |||||
| 62 | | San Francisco | Marvin McNutt | WR | Iowa |
| The 49ers will stockpile as much offensive firepower as they can. Adding Fleener in the first was a nice fit and now they need to acquire some targets outside of the tight end position. McNutt played in a pro style offense and was ultra productive in college despite being the team’s best offensive weapon. He is a big target and should help this offense continue on an upward trend. | |||||
| 63 | | New England | Donald Stephenson | OT | Oklahoma |
| The Patriots need some help on the offensive line, especially after Matt Light retired. They may consider a center like Ben Jones here, but I think they will opt for the better overall prospect and shift the offensive line according. This is a good fit for the unconventional Patriots anyway. Stephenson played in a spread offense so there may be an adjustment period, but he is use to pass protecting often, which is good considering how pass happy Tom Brady and the Patriots are. | |||||
| 64 | | New York Giants | Brandon Boykin | CB | Georgia |
| If you want to combat the pass happy NFL you need to have depth at corner. The Giants lack depth, so they will likely address it at some point during this draft. Boykin is the top talent left on the board so the Giants will wind up with him. | |||||
Matt McDonnell NFL Mock Draft - 20 April 2012
1. Andrew Luck 2. Robert Griffin III 3. Matt Kalil 4. Trent Richardson 5. Morris Claiborne
Fri, 04/20/2012
