Well, here it is. 2 days before the 2012 NFL Draft gets underway, I have finished my mock draft. It is a 3 rounder, because, while I could do all 7 rounds, I am pretty sure that none of you care that much. If you want to know who I think your team could take in Rounds 4-7, hit me up with a comment or on twitter @JFLANland.
Some explanation first- I do not predict trades. This is a mock where each team is drafting where they are currently slotted. That being said, I may make a comment on where a team could trade up, but still, not going to predict any trades.
With that being said, let's get to it. With the first selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select...
Round 1
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Duh. They told him last week. They told everyone else today. No drama.
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The only reason the Skins traded up to #2 was to take RG3. Welcome to DC, Mr. Heisman.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
The Vikings want to trade out of the pick. Maybe the Bills trade up. Maybe the take Morris Claiborne instead of Kalil. But I wouldn't. Christian Ponder can't grow if he is on his back, and Kalil is far and away the best offensive tackle in the draft.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Browns offense is terrible. Trent Richardson is projected to be the best RB since Adrian Peterson. It makes sense.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The best defensive back on a team that had a Heisman finalist, he instantly helps a floundering secondary. He can take over for Ronde Barber when he moves to safety, or decides to hang up his cleats.
6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams trade back to #6, pick up a second rounder and two more first round picks over the next 2 years from the Skins, and still get their man. Blackmon's skills are undeniable. I hate drafting Big XII wide receivers. Maybe he can buck the trend and not be a mental case, just an awesome weapon for Sam Bradford.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
The Jaguars need a lot of help, but aren't ready to give up on Blaine Gabbert. They sure up their pass rush with Ingram, and hope the defense can carry a one-dimensional offense.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
They need a QB, and didn't get Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning. Tannehill's college coach is now the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins. Sounds almost too good to be true.
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Cam Newton supercharged the Panthers offense. The only problem was that the defense couldn't stop anyone. A big and talented defensive tackle is the first step to stopping the opposing offense.
10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
I love Michael Floyd. The Bills shouldn't draft him. They should draft an offensive tackle like Riley Reiff. They should have drafted OTs in the first round the past 10 years. But they never do. They did with Mike Williams, and when he flopped they vowed never to do it again. Someone needs to protect the QB, and they keep losing the tackles they develop to the Eagles (Jason Peters, and now Demitrius Bell). So, what do they do instead of protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick? They get him the best weapon available to put across from Stevie Johnson.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
He could be the next Haloti Ngata, and the Chiefs couldn't stop anyone. This isn't a spot for a QB right now, so Poe is the man.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
A tackling machine who instantly adds a fire to the defense to match the raucous crowd in Seattle.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Reiff has top 10 talent, and can protect whoever it is that the Cardinals choose to use at QB this season.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
The Cowboys secondary has been awful for years. Barron can provide some stability that they can build on. They have to be able to stop Vick, Eli and RG3.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quentin Couples, DE/DT, UNC
Bold prediction- Andy Reid's last pick as the head coach of the Eagles. They need a pass rush and Couples falls to them because of character and motivation questions.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
The Jets defense really wasn't what it used to be, and part of that was the pass rush they are still looking for. Upshaw comes from the best defense in college, and has a motor that Rex Ryan would love.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G/C, Stanford
When it comes down to it, DeCastro might be the best player in the draft. He should provide Pro Bowl protection for Andy Dalton for the next decade.
18. San Diego Chargers: Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse
Hey hey! My Orange get a player taken in the first round of the draft for the first time since Dwight Freeney. Chandler Jones has size, speed and agility to contribute right away to the Chargers' pass rush.
19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
With a name like that, he has to be a Bear. It is a perfect fit.
20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Titans need help in the secondary and Kirkpatrick is the best CB available.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephen Gillmore, CB, South Carolina
With their second pick in the first round, the Bengals are able to sure up their defense with a solid CB. Gillmore's cover skills can help stop an Anquan Boldin or Mike Wallace.
22. Cleveland Browns: Cordey Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia
They need to protect Colt McCoy and someone to get push up front for Trent Richardson.
23. Detroit Lions: Johnathan Martin, OT/G, Stanford
The Lions won't succeed if Matthew Stafford is hurt or on his back all the time. Martin can play 4 positions on the line, and will protect their franchise QB.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
A powerful middle linebacker that fits in with the Steelers system. Every mock I have seen has him going here. It makes sense.
25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Last year, the Broncos chose Von Miller over defensive tackle Marcel Darius. Miller was fantastic, but they still needed that big body in the middle of their defensive line. Brockers is the just the man to anchor a strong defense that compliments Peyton's new offense.
26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
They need a real #2 threat behind Andre Johnson. Wright will help ease some of the coverage, and has the speed to stretch the field.
27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State
The Patriots always trade picks, so who knows what they will do. McClellin is a smart, strong player, who can beat left tackles off the block. He'd be a great fit in New England.
28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
The Packers secondary was historically bad last year. Luckily, their offense was historically awesome. They need an upgrade at safety, and Smith is the best on the board.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C/G, Wisconsin
It isn't a sexy pick, but it is the biggest need for the Ravens. Konz will start next year if he goes here.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
The 49ers had almost no production from their wide receivers last year. They signed Mario Manningham and Randy Moss, but they could still use a big, young playmaker like Hill. He could thrive in Jim Harbaugh's system.
31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn
Again, this pick probably won't be made by the Patriots. But if it is, Reyes adds depth and talent to a line of Vince Wilfork and a bunch of okay players. In reality, this may be the perfect spot for the 49ers or Browns to trade back in and grab either Coby Fleener or Brandon Weeden.
32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
The Super Bowl champs need to protect that two time Super Bowl champ QB of theirs. Adams has some talent, and projects well as a right tackle.
Round 2 is up next!
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