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NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has pulled double duty this season, keeping one eye on the NFL season and another on the college ranks. As NFL.com and NFL Network celebrate the inaugural Mock Draft Kickoff, here is Brooks’ first attempt at mocking how the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft will go in April.
1. Indianapolis Colts, QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
The Colts can stabilize their quarterback situation for the next decade by taking Luck with the No.1 pick. He can serve as an apprentice behind a healthy Peyton Manning for a few seasons or immediately step in as the new franchise quarterback if No. 18 is unable to return.
2. St. Louis Rams, WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
The Rams need to give Sam Bradford more weapons to foster his development. Blackmon is a Terrell Owens-like playmaker with a refined game who should help make an immediate impact as a No.1 receiver.
3. Minnesota Vikings, OT Matt Kalil, USC
The Vikings' offensive line woes threaten to hinder the development of Christian Ponder, so nabbing a franchise-caliber offensive tackle is sensible at this point. Kalil's polished game and gritty demeanor could lead to all-star accolades early in his career.
4. Cleveland Browns, RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
If Pat Shurmur decides Colt McCoy is the answer at quarterback, the Browns would be wise to add a punishing runner like Richardson to the backfield. His ability to carry the load would alleviate some of the burden on McCoy and create big play opportunities in the passing game off play-action.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CB Morris Clairborne, LSU
The departure of Raheem Morris could mean the end of the road for troublesome Aqib Talib despite his impressive cover skills. Claiborne is the premier corner in the draft, and he would certainly fill the role as the Bucs' No.1 corner.
6. Washington Redskins, QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
After watching the Rex Grossman/John Beck debacle, Mike Shanahan has to find a franchise quarterback for the Redskins to move forward. Griffin possesses big-time potential as a dual-threat playmaker, and the Redskins' movement-based passing game could make him an instant star.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars, DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
The Jaguars have spent countless picks attempting to address their pass rush in recent years, but Coples could finally provide the answer with his unique skill set.
8. Carolina Panthers, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
The Panthers were competitive in Ron Rivera's first season, but their inability to get late game stops kept them from winning close games. Kirkpatrick's suffocating cover skills would address their need at cornerback, and allow Rivera to utilize more of the blitz schemes he prefers.
9. Miami Dolphins, OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
Finding a franchise quarterback is certainly the Dolphins' top priority, but the price of jumping up to grab Luck or Griffin could force them to find a solution in free agency. Reiff addresses their need at right tackle and gives the Dolphins a solid set of bookend tackles to build around for the future.
10. Buffalo Bills, OL Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The departure of Jason Peters a few seasons ago has left a huge hole on the Bills' offensive line. Martin fills the void with his size, athleticism and skill, and becomes Ryan Fitzpatrick's best friend as his new backside protector.
11. Kansas City Chiefs, LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
Romeo Crennel's defense came on like gangbusters at the end of the season, but still needs a tackling machine to pair alongside Derrick Johnson. Kuechly has a nose for the ball and his steady game is the perfect complement inside.
12. Seattle Seahawks, OL David DeCastro, Stanford
If Pete Carroll is committed to running ball with Marshawn Lynch, he has to continue to upgrade the Seahawks' interior line to provide his star with running room. DeCastro is a monster at the point of attack, and he plays with a hard-nosed demeanor that should make him a favorite of Tom Cable.
13. Arizona Cardinals, LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Ray Horton built a respectable defensive unit in his first season, but the lack of a consistent pass rush limited his ability to attack. Upshaw is an explosive rusher built in the mold of Lamarr Woodley, making him a natural fit in the Cardinals' version of the 3-4.
14. Dallas Cowboys, LB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
The Cowboys' secondary woes are real, but Rob Ryan needs another pass rusher to align opposite DeMarcus Ware to fully incorporate his blitz-happy schemes.
15. Philadelphia Eagles, WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
The uncertainty surrounding DeSean Jackson's contract status could prompt the Eagles to snatch the most explosive WR in the draft
.16. New York Jets, RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech
If Rex Ryan is committed to returning to "Ground and Pound" football, he needs to add a dynamic runner to the mix. Wilson is shifty on the edges, but he also displays the toughness to grind it out between the tackles.
17. Cincinnati Bengals, CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
The Bengals secondary struggled down the stretch after losing Leon Hall to a season-ending injury. Hall is scheduled to return next season, but a playmaker like Jenkins would certainly help the Bengals create more turnovers.
18. San Diego Chargers, OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia
Kris Dielman's potential retirement makes fortifying the offensive line a top priority for A.J. Smith. Glenn has displayed the versatility to play tackle, but he's ideally suited to play inside.
19. Chicago Bears, WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
It's time for the Bears to give Jay Cutler a legitimate No. 1 receiver to help the offense become more explosive. Floyd is an acrobatic pass catcher in the mold of Larry Fitzgerald, making him a tremendous upgrade over the Bears' current crop of mediocre WRs.
20. Tennesse Titans, DT Devon Still, Penn State
The Titans defense has not been the same since losing Albert Hanyesworth in the middle. Still possesses the size and strength to control the point of attack, which will immediately improve the Titans' woes against the run.
21. Cincinnati Bengals, RB Lamar Miller, Miami
The Bengals' rebuilt offense could use a feature runner with the speed and burst to take it the distance. Miller is a Clinton Portis clone with exceptional running skills who is capable of filling the role as a full-time back.
22. Cleveland Browns, LB Zach Brown, North Carolina
The Browns need to continue to become more athletic along their front seven, especially at linebacker. Brown is one of the fastest linebackers in the draft and his ability to serve as a pass rusher in nickel situations is a plus.
23. Detroit Lions, Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
This is a bit of a "boom or bust" pick due to Whitney's status as a one-year wonder, but it's hard to bypass an athletic rusher with proven production. Whitney led the nation with 16 sacks and could be a possible replacement for Cliff Avril should he depart in free agency.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Barron, Alabama
Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark are beginning to show signs of decline in the backend, so it's time for the Steelers to find a young replacement. Barron is a natural ball hawk with a high football IQ, and his skills are an ideal fit in the Steelers' zone-blitz scheme.
25. Denver Broncos, DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
John Fox needs to continue rebuilding the Broncos defense by fortifying the interior with a disruptive three-technique. Worthy's athleticism complements Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, and dramatically improves the frontline.
26. Houston Texans, DT Dontari Poe, Memphis
Wade Phillips already has transformed the Texans into a defensive juggernaut, but the unit still needs a bedrock in the middle to maximize their potential. Poe is an immovable force at the point of attack, and him controlling the middle will allow Brian Cushing and Demeco Ryans to flow freely to the ball.
27. New England Patriots, DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
The Patriots defense hasn't been right since Richard Seymour's departure. Cow possesses the length and athleticism to thrive as a five-technique in Bill Belichick's hybrid scheme.
28. Green Bay Packers, LB Andre Branch, Clemson
Clay Matthews has been the Packers' lone threat off the edge the past two seasons, so this could be the time for Ted Thompson to use a high pick to find a competent bookend. Branch's combination of speed and athleticism fits well within the Packers' scheme, and his ability to create disruption is desperately needed for a defense that took a step back this year.
29. Baltimore Ravens, C Peter Konz, Wisconsin
Matt Birk is nearing the end of a great career, and the Ravens have the opportunity to nab a quality replacement with this pick. Konz possesses the skill and talent to be a first-year starter, but serving an apprenticeship for a season only will assist in his overall development.
30. San Francisco 49ers, WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
The 49ers need to surround Alex Smith with more weapons in the passing game. Sanu has been a productive performer as the No. 1 receiver for the Scarlet Knights, but could serve as the ideal complement opposite Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.
31. New England Patriots, CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
Bill Belichick has struggled finding quality corners in recent drafts, but that shouldn't prevent the Patriots from taking chance on Dennard. The diminutive corner has a sound all-around game, and his competitive demeanor fits in well in the locker room.
32. New York Giants, LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
The Giants' defensive struggles during the regular season could be attributed to their lack of depth and talent at linebacker. Hightower would give the unit a big, physical presence in the interior, while improving their effectiveness against the run.
Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.© 2012 NFL Enterprises LLC. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. NFL footage © NFL Productions LLC. PRIVACY POLICY | Terms & Conditions