NFL mock drafts have become as common around this time of the year as a cold. Some analysts choose to do multiple versions of their mock draft, while we here at LTSB chose to wait until the morning of the actual draft to give you our predictions for first round picks.
With that said, here is LTSB’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft, with pick and analysis from LTSB contributors Anthony Ramsey, Marcus Norris, Gordon Dixon and Justin Meiser. The Indianapolis Colts are now on our clock…
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Luck has been a lock for the first pick in this season’s draft ever since he decided to return for his junior year, and Peyton Manning’s injury and departure opened the door for the Colts to draft their next franchise quarterback for the next decade. A virtual no-brainer. – A. Ramsey
2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
The ‘Skins go with RG3 for obvious reasons. Perfect player for an imperfect Shanahan system. – M. Norris
3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT USC
This is a tough one. I think they want to trade out but for these purposes, if they’re going with Ponder, they need to protect him & give him weapons. I think it’s a reach for Blackmon here, they don’t need Richardson, so despite Claiborne being tempting, I think conventional wisdom wins out. – J. Meiser
4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
Cleveland needs offensive weapons in the worst way and I could make a case for Blackmon to give Colt McCoy a viable target. But the loss of Hillis + Montario Hardesty’s durability issues + Trent being able to take some of the pressure of McCoy with an effective ground game is a no-brainer for the Browns. – G. Dixon
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
Claiborne is by far the best corner in the draft this year. The Bucs signed Eric Wright and brought back Ronde Barber, but Barber is ancient in NFL years and TB is going to need cover guys playing in that division. – A. Ramsey
6. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
Another obvious need, should team well w/ Bradford and Alexander. Some like Michael Floyd better but Blackmon is the guy here for the Rams. – M. Norris
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State
But D-Line is a glaring need for JAX after several whiffs taking 1st Rd DE’s. While that may make them a little gun shy (like the Lions & Matt Millen whiffing on WRs) I think their need & best available match up. I think Cox is a little “safer” than Melvin Ingram. To me, Ingram is a bit of a reach here despite the premium placed on edge rushers. Cox is versatile enough though to move around & I think he’s best available here. He ran a 4.79 & w/ his size & speed hell be dynamic. – J. Meiser
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M
Dolphins don’t need to panic and trade up to get Tannehill. New offensive coordinator Mike Sherman coached him at Texas A&M and Miami needs a long term solution at QB to build an offense around. David Garrard isn’t that and Matt Moore doesn’t appear to be. – G. Dixon
9. Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina
The Panthers need a big WR to pair with Steve Smith (Michael Floyd), but Coples combination of size and athleticism as a DE in defensive-minded Ron Rivera’s scheme would be too difficult to pass up here. – A. Ramsey
10. Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
The Bills have glaring protection needs, their defense is pretty much stacked, and while Michael Floyd would be a decent pick, they can get a WR later. – M. Norris
11. Kansas City Chiefs – David DeCastro, G Stanford
They need a DT, & LB help. Kuechely would be a great fit. 11 is early for a G, but DeCastro is a monster. Some liken him to Hutchinson. When KC was good, they ran the ball a ton. Pioli likes safe picks, both would be that, but I think the best player is DeCastro. – J. Meiser
12. Seattle Seahawks – Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina
One area Seattle struggled in last year was rushing the quarterback and Ingram would help fill that need. Quinton Couples also would have been a nice pick here had he been available. – G. Dixon
13. Arizona Cardinals – Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
Michael Floyd “falls” to Arizona in this scenario. Larry Fitzgerald has been lobbying for Floyd, who’s size and speed can be a nice compliment to the all-pro. Floyd will also give Kevin Kolb another weapon to help justify that huge contract he got last summer. – A. Ramsey
14. Dallas Cowboys – Mark Barron, SS Alabama
Hopefully Barron would bring the Cowboys some much needed secondary depth, which is what bit the Cowboys in the ass last year. Barron has the Bama pedigree, and is strong against the run and pass. Solid pick here. – M. Norris
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Chandler Jones, DE Syracuse
The Eagles have a lot of needs. More than most “good” teams. I would’ve loved Barron here as Philly has never been able to replace Dawkins & the defense has suffered since he & Jim Johnson’s departure. But with Barron gone, copying from the NYG blueprint in getting a versatile, dominant DL may be the best way to combat the NFC offenses. – J. Meiser
16. New York Jets – Courtney Upshaw, DE Alabama
The Jets have two solid ILB’s for Rex’s 3-4 in David Harris and Bart Scott but were a little weak on the outside. Upshaw reminds me a bit of LaMarr Woodley and could play a similar role for the Jets. – G. Dixon
17. Cincinnati Bengals -Nick Perry, DE/OLB USC
The Bengal signed two underwhelming pass rushers this off season, so they are clearly looking for help getting to the quarterback and Perry is the best DE on the board. – A. Ramsey
18. San Diego Chargers – Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina
Chargers have sooooooo many holes: o-line, d-line, LB, but I say they go w/ secondary and grab the best player available. Would have gone Chandler Jones or Nick Perry here, but Gilmore is not bad value at this pick. The tackles needed can also be picked up later. – M. Norris
19. Chicago Bears - Riley Rieff, OT Iowa
The Bears’ biggest need is to protect Cutler. They were easily among the NFL’s best before he got hurt last year & some think they were as good as anyone. They got Marshall via trade, & while there are some “luxury” needs on defense, protecting jay is priority #1.
Rieff comes from Iowa who produces stud OL. He’s 6,6″, 313 & most people projected him to go much higher. This not only fills a huge need but you could easily argue he’s one of the best on the board as well. He can be plugged in immediately at LT & should be a huge contributor. – J. Meiser
20. Tennessee Titans – Dre Kirkpatrick, DB Alabama
The loss of Cortland Finnegan leaves a hole at CB for the Titans who will face the Texans twice a year and Andrew Luck, who at some point will be the greatest thing since Peyton Manning. Tennessee also had the 2nd fewest sacks in the league so a pass rusher like Whitney Mercilus would also be a good fit. – G. Dixon
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College
Best player on the board. The Bengals can use another WR since they’re most likely going to be without Jerome Simpson next season, but they can find a solid option later in the draft. Kuechly can step in and play for any team from day one. He’s too good of a player to leave on the board this late. – A. Ramsey
22. Cleveland Browns - Shea McClellin, OLB Boise State
Browns were among the game’s worst against the run last season. They signed veteran Scott Fujita, who is a short term fix (at best). McClellin is athletic and a sure tackler. May be too early of a pick for him, but the Browns have to grab someone to play OLB, and they won’t get a better player later. – M. Norris
23. Detroit Lions – Janoris Jenkins, CB Northern Alabama
Protecting stafford is a priority given his injury history. But after the lions single handedly got Matt Flynn paid, I’d say secondary is a bigger concern. Facing the NFC offenses, & specifically Aaron Rodgers & jay cutler twice a year, I don’t see any other play here.
Most people rank Jenkins as a top 10-15 pick based on talent alone but after being dismissed from Florida because of pot issues his stock has tanked. If any team can get him straightened out, he’ll be a dynamic player. – J. Meiser
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -Kevin Zeiitler, G Wisconsin
Pittsburgh needs offensive line and Zeitler is the next best guard on the board with David DeCastro gone. – G. Dixon
25. Denver Broncos – Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
Someone is going to reach for this kid based off his freakish athleticism, and it’s probably going to be the Broncos. They need a DT so might as well take a risk on Poe late in the first round. – A. Ramsey
26. Houston Texans – Stephen Hill, WR Georgia Tech
The Texans need to replace Mario Williams at some point but also need to add a weapon opposite Andre Johnson. – M. Norris
27. New England Patriots – Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE Illinois
Who knows if NE uses this or any 1st rd pick, but their defense has been atrocious. Got solid production from veteran DL last year before injuries, and their secondary was pathetic. While CB & safety are needs, the Patriots need to generate a pass rush or it doesn’t matter who u have on the back end.
Mercilus is ranked by most as the 2nd in the draft at his position & I think he’s a steal here. Long, athletic & fast. Great motor. Mercilus should provide much needed speed & athleticism for the ‘hoody’. – J. Meiser
28. Green Bay Packers – Andre Branch, DE Clemson
Nick Perry would have also been a nice fit here but Branch could be a solid rusher from the opposite side of Clay Matthews. – G. Dixon
29. Baltimore Ravens – Dont’a Hightower, LB Alabama
Ray Lewis is old, and Hightower is a talent that can step in immediately whenever Ray calls it quits. Can’t go wrong here with a ‘Bama linebacker. – A. Ramsey
30. San Francisco 49ers – Michael Brockers, DT LSU
Adding Brockers is a “best player available” decision. Brockers makes the 49ers more stout against the run (already a strength) and is versatile enough to be a pass rusher also. If they don’t do this, the may as well trade the pick, since no WR left is worth a first round selection. – M. Norris
31. New England Patriots – Lamar Miller, RB Miami
The Patriots lost the law firm (Benjarvis Green-Ellis) & as much as I like Danny Woodhead, he can’t carry the load. Conventional wisdom says the next RB is Doug Martin, and he seems like a Belichik guy, I’m going with a surprise in Lamar Miller.
Miller is a dynamic, versatile back with more power than you’d think. Martin is smallish, although a real hard runner. The Pats need more speed on both sides of the ball & Miller could add a home run threat out of the backfield, catching passes & in the return game. – J. Meiser
32. New York Giants – Doug Martin, RB Boise State
The loss of Brandon Jacobs leaves a hole in the backfield and while Martin isn’t the same style of runner he could provide depth behind Ahmad Bradshaw. – G. Dixon
