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Mock Draft 2012
Three quarterbacks among top six
By Chad Reuter | NFL Network
Published: Jan. 16, 2012 at 11:22 p.m.
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The combination of Peyton Manning's neck troubles, the huge bonus due to the future Hall of Famer before the draft, and Luck's exceptional physical and mental attributes makes this a very sensible pairing.
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Sam Bradford hasn't had a real playmaker on the outside since he arrived in St. Louis. Blackmon looks to be the sort of downfield threat who will stretch defenses, making Bradford's life easier and opening room for running back Steven Jackson.
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The brother of Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil has a great combination of athleticism and strength, and should only get better. Newly promoted general manager Rick Spielman also needs to improve the offensive line to keep last year's first-round pick, quarterback Christian Ponder, from getting constantly harassed in the pocket.
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RG3 is an intelligent, athletic, strong-armed passer who has shown touch and accuracy on deep throws to make big plays in the NFL. If Browns president Mike Holmgren liked what he saw in Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, the team's current top-two quarterbacks, there's no doubt he'll be interested in Griffin's skill set.
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Ronde Barber is a free agent, and the team's decision to fire former head coach Raheem Morris could push him into retirement (unless he loves the team's choice to replace Morris). Those are some big shoes to fill, but Claiborne has the size, speed and receiver-like ball skills to be a playmaker -- just like former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson was as a rookie after Arizona made him the fifth-overall selection in last year's draft.
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Tannehill has all of the tools to be a very good starting quarterback at the next level. Mike Shanahan has always liked strong-armed, mobile passers like Tannehill, and his mere 19 starts means he should only improve with coaching and experience.
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Starting corner Rashean Mathis is scheduled to be a free agent and is coming off a torn ACL. If the Jaguars decide not to re-sign the veteran, Kirkpatrick would be an eerily similar player to replace him. His height, length and physicality on the outside will make him a tough opponent for NFL receivers once he's learned the tricks of the trade.
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The Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year for 2011 could help shore up the Panthers' deficient interior defense that features two solid starters in third-round picks Sione Fua and Terrell McClain -- neither of whom has Still's size or explosiveness.
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If the Dolphins' new coaching staff decides to move the team away from a 3-4 scheme, it will need a difference maker at weakside linebacker. Brown's athleticism will show itself at the combine, which will convince teams he can do anything they want him to on the football field.
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The Bills have had to switch between the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses the past two years because of injuries and ineffectiveness. Coples could play in either system, using his strength to hold the point and offer some pass rush as a strong-side 4-3 end or be a nice foil to fellow 5 technique Marcell Dareus in the 3-4.
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Veteran free agents Barry Richardson and Ryan O'Callaghan are currently 1-2 on the depth chart at right tackle, and Reiff could easily make the move to the strong side if the team prefers to keep Brendan Albert on the blind side.
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Assuming the Seahawks re-sign or use the franchise tag on running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant, they might look to add a strong interior presence like Brockers.
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Protecting quarterback Kevin Kolb should be a top priority for the Cardinals. Martin is not the most athletic lineman in this draft, but his intelligence, tenacity and strength should allow him to step in immediately at the right tackle spot.
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Upshaw is not an explosive sack-master like Demarcus Ware, but he can get after the QB and hold the edge against the run as well as any player in the draft. He would be the perfect pickup to play across from Ware if scheduled free agent Anthony Spencer ends up leaving Dallas this offseason.
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Head coach Andy Reid typically does not address the linebacker position this early in the draft, but the team's problems in the middle of the defense -- and Kuechly's production and instincts -- may be too much to ignore.
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The Jets averaged 3.8 yards a carry in the running game and gave up 40 sacks this season, meaning changes are coming on the offensive line. DeCastro possesses everything a team could want up front, so he won't last past the top 20 selections.
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Cedric Benson's time in Cincinnati might be coming to an end, and even though teams are reluctant to use a high first-round pick at the injury-prone running back position, Richardson's rushing, receiving, and pass protection skills will make him a valued commodity.
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General manager A.J. Smith has proven he is willing to use mid-first-round picks on conversion projects like DE/OLB Larry English and DT/DE Corey Liuget, so projecting USC defensive end Nick Perry as a 3-4 rush linebacker is no reach here.
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Earl Bennett was not a reliable target down the stretch, and Devin Hester might never become a difference maker at receiver. Floyd's physicality could earn him a higher draft slot, especially if he runs better than expected at the combine, but his more-than-occasional drops and off-field issues could make him available in the mid-first round.
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The Titans' defensive end depth could be decimated by free agency, and Mercilus has the size and length the team usually looks for in its front four. Look for Mercilus to climb from this spot with a strong combine, as there are so few long pass rushers in this draft.
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The Bengals might allow the veteran corners playing behind Leon Hall to walk as free agents, opening a spot for one of the best prospects in the class at the position. Dennard's not as fast as Hall, but his strong press ability and ability to play the ball and make stops as a zone corner trump his average size and speed.
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Even though Greg Little flashed some potential as a playmaker, Wright's speed and hands give him a chance to be more explosive. Bringing in RG3's favorite target also makes his transition to the pros just a little bit easier.
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Arguably the top man corner in the class, Jenkins' lack of size and dismissal from Florida after multiple arrests for marijuana possession might force him to wait a bit longer to be selected. The Lions are willing to take risks on talented players with injury or other issues and are certainly in need of more talent in the secondary.
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It seemed as though the Steelers had a tough time simply getting five healthy bodies on the offensive line at times in 2011. Glenn's size and strength make him a perfect fit at tackle or guard in their system.
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Head coach John Fox did not address the defensive tackle position in the draft last year, and though he might again go with veterans or later picks here in 2012, the value available to him at this point of the first round might be too much to pass up.
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Chris Myers has done an admirable job for the Texans, but the veteran free agent may not be re-signed if the team can lock up a talent like Konz. The former Badger's size and strength will help him protect quarterback Matt Schaub (and eventually T.J. Yates or another young starter) and make room for Arian Foster in the run game.
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Branch looks to show at the Senior Bowl that he could play a hybrid rush end/linebacker role, which seems to fit the Patriots' current scheme. The team's need for a consistent pass rush is certainly no secret, because even though they ranked in the top third of the league in sacks they too often left their secondary exposed for too long, resulting in the second-worst pass defense in the league during the regular season.
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Packers general manager Ted Thompson typically re-signs the players he wants to keep in Green Bay before they hit the free-agent market. If Jermichael Finley's inconsistent hands and high price tag are too much for Thompson, Fleener's similar ability to stretch the field and take advantage of open areas cleared by the team's multiple vertical routes could be a solid alternative.
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The Giants like using early picks on the defensive line when the value is there, and they've also been willing to take a chance on a raw but talented defender like Jason Pierre-Paul. Rocky Bernard and Jimmy Kennedy are free agents, and Poe's upside as a 6-5, 350-pound defensive tackle is well worth this pick.
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With center Matt Birk and guard Ben Grubbs both free agents, the Ravens will be looking to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Osemele's massive 6-5, 350-pound frame, pure strength and tenacity should open holes for Ray Rice.
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Finding a playmaking receiver is an absolute must to help former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, 2011 second-round pick Colin Kaepernick, or whoever the team brings in at quarterback. Jeffery's speed is not exceptional, but his NFL frame, long strides on vertical routes and strong hands in jump-ball situations could make him a strong downfield target.
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The odds of the Patriots keeping this pick are very low; some team will once again take out a second mortgage on its future with Bank Belichick to pick someone they feel is of great value. But Chase's father, Frank, played cornerback for Belichick when he was captaining the Cleveland Browns in the early 1990s, and there's no doubt the team could use more talent in the secondary.
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