April 25, 2012

The 2012 NFL Mock Draft

By - Shayne Carnahan

This year's NFL Draft officially gets underway tomorrow. It promises to have many big names coming off the board, with what I believe to be the most talented group of college players to enter the league in a while.

Photo from: nfl.com
Here's a look at who I think might go where in the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB - Obviously since Peyton Manning left the Colts need a quarterback, and Luck fits their game plan best.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB - The Redskins are also in need of a quarterback and RG3 is the best fit. He will be able to extend plays and get the ball to newly acquired wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OL - The Vikings need to draft an offensive lineman because theirs is depleted to say the least. They have a great running back and solid young quarterback, so they need to protect both of them.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB - The Browns have to get a running game started and Richardson is the perfect young man for the job.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR - Blackmon is the prototypical NFL receiver. He's tall, fast, hard to knock down, and has great hands. He will be a great fit in Tampa Bay.

6. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, DB - The Rams have a terrible time stopping the pass, and Claiborne was the best defensive back in college football last season. Perfect fit.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OL - The Jags need to improve their offensive line, and Reiff could help do just that.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB - Miami needs a quarterback, and while Tannehill could be a reach here, they hope he can be that guy. The Dolphins also traded away their best receiver in Brandon Marshall, so they could look to go wideout here.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, DB - Carolina can be a playoff team if they improve on defense, and Ingram would be a good place to start.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Brockers, DL - The Bill are another club that needs help on the defensive side of the ball, and Brockers has the potential to possibly be the next Dwight Freeney.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DL - The Chiefs biggest weakness is their defense. They just simply can't stop anyone. Poe has the potential to be as dominant as Detroit's Ndamukong Suh. A huge statement I know, but from what I've seen, it's definitely possible.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dre Kirkpatrick, DB - Seattle completed their offense when they added Matt Flynn at quarterback. Now they just need to step up their defense, and Kirkpatrick will certainly help in the secondary.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mark Barron, DB - Barron is a great cover cornerback, which is just what the Cardinals poor secondary needs.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DL - The Cowboys have a hard time getting to the quarterback with their d-line, so they tend to use their linebackers, which pulls an extra man out of coverage. Taking a guy with the speed of Coples would help solve that problem.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB - Philadelphia could use some help at linebacker, and Kuechly could be the man for the job. From what I've seen he has the hitting power of Chicago's Brian Urlacher and the speed of Kansas City's Tamba Hali. Very impressive.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB - In order to run an effective 3-4 defense, you have to have good linebackers. Upshaw is a great linebacker. So, perfect fit.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Fletcher Cox, DL - The Bengals need to pick up a good defensive lineman in this draft and Cox would probably be the best one still available at pick #17.

18. San Diego Chargers: LaMichael James, RB - Since the Chargers lost LaDainian Tomlinson one year and Darren Sproles the next they haven't been the same. LaMichael James is the man to get their running game back on track. He's fast and elusive, a lot like Tomlinson was in his prime.

19. Chicago Bears: Janoris Jenkins, DB - The Bears need a defensive back, and Jenkins will be the best still available by the time they pick.

20. Tennessee Titans: Michael Floyd, WR - Tennessee needs a big wideout that is not afraid to go up and catch the ball, and Floyd will do just that. If they can keep his off the field problems in check, he will be a great addition to the team.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Donta Hightower, LB - The Bengals need help at linebacker, and Hightower is the perfect fit in my opinion.

22. Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery, WR - Cleveland needs to add a deep threat wideout who can take some of the pressure off of Josh Cribbs. Jeffery will do just that.

23. Detroit Lions: Ronnell Lewis, LB - The Lions have one weak spot in their defense and that's linebacker. Lewis will help fill that void.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Lamar Miller, RB - After the injury to Rashard Mendenhall the Steelers could be thinking running back here, so I wouldn't be shocked to see them take Miller.

25. Denver Broncos: David Decastro, OL - You don't sign Peyton Manning and not bring in guys to help protect him. Decastro is the perfect man for the job.

26. Houston Texans: Glenn Cordy, OL - In order to keep Matt Schaub from getting hurt yet again, the Texans need to improve the offensive line, and Cordy is a step in the right direction. He's big and strong, and can keep the best of them from getting to the quarterback.

27. New England Patriots: Johnathon Martin, OL - New England is always looking for guys to help keep star quarterback Tom Brady upright. Martin can do just that.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, OL - Green Bay really doesn't need that much help in any one particular area, but you can never have too many offensive linemen.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Lavonte David, LB - Ray Lewis is getting old, and the Ravens will need someone to step in and fill his shoes once he leaves. David can do just that.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Harrison Smith, DB - San Fransisco's biggest problem I saw last season was stopping the pass. Their DB's just aren't that great, so getting one in the draft would be a good move.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Wright, WR - New England needs someone on the outside that they can afford to sit for a year or two and let them learn under Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. Wright can be that guy.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, LB - In the Super Bowl I noticed that the Giants biggest problem was stopping the run. Brown is a big guy who can stop the play in the backfield, and is also capable of making an interception when in coverage.

8 comments:

  1. Some of these picks are questionable to say the least. And how can you say the Packers don't need much help in any particular area? They had the WORST RANKED DEFENSE in the ENTIRE LEAGUE last season. I'd say that says they need help on that side of the ball.

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  2. Well they do have need there, but they also picked up some defensive guys in the off season.

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  3. I always like seeing where different people project guys going. You made several picks that I would say are stretches, but some fairly solid ones too.

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  4. Not bad, but you could have gone into greater detail on some as to why you have them going where you do.

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  5. There is absolutely NO WAY the Steelers are taking a running back at No. 24.

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  6. Pats need defense not OL and WR. Have you seen how many WR's are on the depth chart right now? We desperately need a defensive end or cornerback. I can't see the Bucs passing on Mo Claiborne if the Vikes are stupid enough to pass him up for Kalil. The Vikes have no chance in that division if they cant cover the gauntlet of receivers they have to face in their division. And the Rams will def take Blackmon because they're horrible on offense, but I would lean towards Michael Floyd. He's a beast.
    Question for all you. Will Bill Belechick use both his first round picks? Or we without a doubt trade back for even more picks that we'll never use.

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    1. I knew that was not what they needed. That's just what I figured they would take. Cause usually, and the past drafts show it, Belichick drafts Offensive guys.

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  7. Rams ended up going defensive tackle, which was ignorant as hell. Nice pick up by the Cardinals getting Floyd. And as far as New England goes Kyle, they'll probably take two running backs. Again. Lol Nothing Belichick does surprises me anymore.

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