Three QBs fly off the board in first six picks

By Chad Reuter | NFL Network

Published: Feb. 8, 2012 at 01:08 p.m.

1. Pick No.

   1

   

   Andrew Luck

   QB

   Stanford
   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.
2. Pick No.

   2

   

   Justin Blackmon

   WR

   Oklahoma St.

   Projected trade to Rams
   Sam Bradford hasn't had a real playmaker outside since he arrived in St. Louis. Blackmon looks to be the sort of downfield threat that will stretch defenses, making Bradford's life easier and opening up room for running back Steven Jackson.
3. Pick No.

   3

   

   Matt Kalil

   OT

   USC

   Projected trade to Vikings
   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.
4. Pick No.

   4

   

   Robert Griffin III

   QB

   Baylor

   Projected trade to Browns
   RG3 is an intelligent, athletic, strong-armed passer who has shown the touch and accuracy on deep throws that will produce 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.
5. Pick No.

   5

   

   Morris Claiborne

   CB

   LSU

   Projected trade to Buccaneers
   Ronde Barber is a free agent and the team's decision to let go of former head coach Raheem Morris could push him into retirement (unless he loves new coach Greg Schiano). 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.
6. Pick No.

   6

   

   Ryan Tannehill

   QB

   Texas A&M

   Projected trade to Redskins
   Tannehill has all 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 a mere 19 starts at A&M means he should only improve with coaching and experience.
7. Pick No.

   7

   

   Dre Kirkpatrick

   CB

   Alabama

   Projected trade to Jaguars
   Starting corner Rashean Mathis is due to be a free agent and is coming off a torn ACL. If the Jaguars decide not to re-sign the veteran, then Kirkpatrick would be an eerily similar player with which 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 professional trade.
8. Pick No.

   8

   

   Devon Still

   DT

   Penn St.

   Projected trade to Panthers
   The Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2011 could help shore up the Panthers' deficient interior defense. Sione Fua and Terrell McClain were both solid third-round selections in last year’s draft, but neither has Still's size or explosiveness.
9. Pick No.

   9

   

   Riley Reiff

   OT

   Iowa

   Projected trade to Dolphins
   Veteran right tackle Marc Colombo is due to hit free agency and he struggled at times during the 2011 season, so the Dolphins could definitely use another tackle to play opposite Jake Long. Reiff earned All-America accolades for his play on the blind side in 2011, but started at right tackle only once in his career (the 2010 Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech). However, he has all the physical tools to make the switch as easily as his former Iowa teammate, Bryan Bulaga, did for the Packers.
10. Pick No.

    10

    

    Quinton Coples

    DE

    North Carolina
    The Bills have had to switch between the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses the past two years due to 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 serving as a nice foil to fellow five-technique Marcell Dareus in the 3-4.
11. Pick No.

    11

    

    Jonathan Martin

    OT

    Stanford
    Free agents Barry Richardson and Ryan O'Callaghan are currently 1-2 on the depth chart at right tackle. Martin has the strength and attitude to make the switch from the left to the right side, where most scouts thinks he projects best anyway.
12. Pick No.

    12

    

    Zach Brown

    OLB

    North Carolina

    Projected trade to Seahawks
    The Seahawks' free agency priorities will be to re-sign or use the franchise tag on running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant. This means free agent starting linebacker Leroy Hill could find greener pastures elsewhere. Brown is likely to have a huge week at the NFL Scouting Combine because of his elite athleticism.
13. Pick No.

    13

    

    Mike Adams

    OT

    Ohio St.
    Protecting quarterback Kevin Kolb should be a top priority for the Cardinals. Despite an inconsistent career, Adams' strong senior campaign and prototypical size for the position make him a rising prospect among NFL scouts.
14. Pick No.

    14

    

    Courtney Upshaw

    OLB

    Alabama

    Projected trade to Cowboys
    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.
15. Pick No.

    15

    

    Luke Kuechly

    ILB

    Boston College

    Projected trade to Eagles
    Head coach/GM 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.
16. Pick No.

    16

    

    David DeCastro

    G

    Stanford
    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 escape the top 20 overall selections of this draft.
17. Pick No.

    17

    

    Trent Richardson

    RB

    Alabama
    Cedric Benson's time in Cincinnati may 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.
18. Pick No.

    18

    

    Melvin Ingram

    DE

    South Carolina
    With former first-round pick Larry English not living up to expectations, general manager A.J. Smith may not be able to ignore Ingram's toughness, work ethic and playmaking ability. The Chargers ranked 23rd in sacks in 2011 and gave up 29 passing touchdowns, partially due to a lack of pressure.
19. Pick No.

    19

    

    Michael Floyd

    WR

    Notre Dame
    Earl Bennett was not a reliable target down the stretch, and Devin Hester may not ever 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 NFL Scouting Combine, but his more-than-occasional drops and off-field issues could make him available in the mid-first round.
20. Pick No.

    20

    

    Whitney Mercilus

    DE

    Illinois
    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.
21. Pick No.

    21

    

    Alfonzo Dennard

    CB

    Nebraska

    Projected trade to Bengals
    The Bengals may 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 strong press skills and ability to play the ball and make stops as a zone corner trump his average size and speed.
22. Pick No.

    22

    

    Kendall Wright

    WR

    Baylor
    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 their new quarterback's transition to the pros just a little bit easier.
23. Pick No.

    23

    

    Janoris Jenkins

    CB

    North Alabama
    Arguably the top man corner in the class, Jenkins' lack of size and dismissal from Florida after multiple arrests for marijuana possession may keep him on the board a bit longer than his pure talent would indicate. The Lions are willing to take risks on gifted players with injuries or other issues, and are certainly in need of more talent in the secondary.
24. Pick No.

    24

    

    Cordy Glenn

    T

    Georgia
    It seemed as though the Steelers had a tough time simply getting five healthy bodies on the offensive line at times this year. Glenn's size and strength make him a perfect fit at tackle or guard in Pittsburgh's system.
25. Pick No.

    25

    

    Jerel Worthy

    DT

    Michigan St.

    Projected trade to Broncos
    Head coach John Fox did not address the defensive tackle position in the draft last year, and though he may again go with veterans or later picks at the position in 2012, the value available to him at this point of the first round may be too much to pass up.
26. Pick No.

    26

    

    Peter Konz

    C

    Wisconsin
    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 Badgers' 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.
27. Pick No.

    27

    

    Michael Brockers

    DT

    LSU

    Projected trade to Patriots
    The Patriots are another team regularly changing fronts, and this 6-foot-6, 306-pound redshirt sophomore will look to show everyone at the combine that he has the athleticism to play both the 3-4 five-technique spot and an interior role in the 4-3.
28. Pick No.

    28

    

    Coby Fleener

    TE

    Stanford
    Packers GM Ted Thompson typically re-signs the players he wants to stay 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 to stomach, Fleener offers a similar ability to stretch the field and take advantage of open areas cleared by the team's multiple vertical routes.
29. Pick No.

    29

    

    Kelechi Osemele

    T

    Iowa St.

    Projected trade to Ravens
    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 Baltimore's star running back Ray Rice.
30. Pick No.

    30

    

    Alshon Jeffery

    WR

    South Carolina
    Finding a playmaking receiver is an absolute must to help former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, 2011 second-rounder Colin Kaepernick or whomever else the team brings in at quarterback in 2012. 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.
31. Pick No.

    31

    

    Nick Perry

    DE

    USC

    Projected trade to Patriots
    The odds of the Patriots keeping this pick are very low; some team will once again take out a second mortgage on their future with Bank Belichick to pick someone who seems like a great value. But the Pats could be tempted by the potential conversion of Perry from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 rush linebacker, seeing him as an instant upgrade to their lackluster pass rush.
32. Pick No.

    32

    

    Dontari Poe

    DT

    Memphis
    The Giants like using early picks on the defensive line when the value is there, and they've also been willing to take chances on raw but talented defenders 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.
33. 2012 NFL Mock Draft Central