2012 NFL Mock Draft Week 17 Update: Barkley Returning to School
The return of Matt Barkley to USC really puts a strain on teams looking for a quarterback early. At one point it was possible that there were four potential franchise signal callers available, but right now with Barkley’s return and Landry Jones’ bad season (and I think he should return to school) it could be down to two franchise guys in Luck and Griffin III and a talented high-upside Ryan Tannehill.
Scouting reports for all of these players are on our scouting repoert page
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13)-Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
This is an easy pick. The question is not whether or not the Colts would draft Andrew Luck first overall if they had the chance. The question is whether or not they will win out to lose the opportunity to draft Andrew Luck.
2. St. Louis Rams (2-13)-Matt Kalil, T, USC
If the Rams pick first they are in a great position. They are going to draft Luck, probably keep Bradford and hold the rights to Luck for a king’s ransom. If they pick second they are still in a good position because they can take the blue chip LT prospect Matt Kalil.
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12)-Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford
The Vikings are in a bad position here. They can reach for Justin Blackmon, take a cornerback like Morris Claiborne too early. Hope Quinton Coples can reach his potential, or take a safe tackle prospect like Jonathan Martin. It’s really not a great position to be in. In this mock they decide that more than giving Ponder a Blackmon like WR they need to make sure he is protected.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)-Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Best player available here at a position of need. Statistically speaking the Jaguars secondary is playing well, but I don’t trust the talent in their secondary and Claiborne would be a nice addition.
5. Cleveland Browns (4-11)-Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
I don’t love Blackmon for a lot of the teams drafting this high, but if the Browns continue with McCoy I think Blackmon is areally good fit as a guy who will be dependable for a lot of catches in their system and will make enough big plays to help keep defenses honest.
6. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-11)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Buccaneers could definitely look at a cornerback and Kirkpatrick is the second best one in this class. I’m not really sure what other direction to go here. They could also consider an OT here I believe. Trent Richardson is not a player I would rule out as well. Tough team to mock, I think.
7. Washington Redskins (5-10)-Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears
The Redskins will likely trade up to get the quarterback they want (they would have to assume that they need to trade ahead of the Browns to ensure they can get Griffin III). But in the end, I’d be stunned if they don’t end up with Griffin III based on who is entering this draft. The caveat here is if the Colts look to trade Peyton Manning, I imagine the Redskins will be in that market as well.
8. Miami Dolphins (5-10)-Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
I have been down on Jones all year and really to pin point my dislike for Jones game I would say it was the night of the Florida State University game. That quarterback that was playing in that game is not a successful N.F.L. quarterback. He has too much “Gabbert” in him for my liking (the Gabbert currently playing in Jacksonville who is skittish in the pocket). I think he should return to school, but with Barkley’s return and players like Tyler Bray, Tyler Wilson, Matt Barkley, and Aaron Murray being available for the 2013 N.F.L. draft he could declare for the 2012 NFL Draft.
9. Carolina Panthers (6-9)-Quinton Coples, DE, UNC
The Panthers take a DE here they hope develops into the next Julius Peppers. Coples has a world of ability, but has been inconsistent. He really has played much better in the second half of the season than he did in the first which should help his draft stock a bit. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in his final three games after a disappointing season early. Coples is a LDE who can play the run and rush the passer a bit, he is also a guy who can move inside and play Defensive tackle, and he could also play 34 DE. There is some speculation that the Panthers with Ron Rivera could transition to a 34 Defensive if so Coples makes a ton of sense.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)-Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
I just can’t see Richardson falling out of the top 10. Ryan Matthews went 12th, Knowshown Moreno went 12th, C.J. Spiller went 9th, Richardson is better than all of these players. I’d be shocked if he was available past 10th overall. His talent is just too great for all of these teams to pass on. Imagine a Richardson and Jamaal Charles pairing? Relentless big play ability from the run game.
11. Buffalo Bills (6-9)-Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame
If anyone has watched the Bills the second half of the season they have realized that the team lacks enough playmakers at the skill positions. Enter in Michael Floyd. Floyd is very talented, maybe even more talented than Justin Blackmon, but he comes with baggage so he could see his stock take a bit of a hit.
12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)-Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
Mike Adams is tall, large, long and fairly athletic for a big man. His long arms and big hands will really intrigue teams. There are questions about his ability to play LT in the N.F.L. and some think he might just be a RT, but I’m not one of those men. I think Adams can play LT in the N.F.L. The Cardinals need the help. If Adams tests well I think he’ll pass Riley Reiff up because Adams has great size and long arms (which is like arm strength for offensive linemen-teams drool over long arms and big hands).
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8)-Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
If the Eagles lose DeSean Jackson they could consider adding Jeffery here at 13th overall. He’s different than the smaller speedy guys the Eagles have excelled with, but with all of the trouble they have had in the red-zone over the past two seasons, maybe that’s not a bad thing.
14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8)-Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
I think Mercilus lacks elite athleticism, and makes a lot of plays because of a great motor, but the Seahawks have been funky drafting. Sometimes they draft production it seems. The Seahawks need to add another edge rusher other than Chris Clemons. They could become in Mercilus, though this may be a little high for him.
15. San Diego Chargers (7-8)-Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
The Chargers should consider a few positions here to me. They could consider Dontari Poe, I think. But really think they should consider Offensive tackle, cornerback, and pass rusher. Courtuney Upshaw makes a lot of sense here, but I’ve mocked him a lot to the Chargers so I’ll take a different route here. Reiff can play LT or RT in the N.F.L. and be a fixture for the Chargers for the next 10 years.
16. Chicago Bears (7-8)-Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama
I think the Bears need an infusion of talent at the cornerback position. And in this mock all of the top offensive tackles are off the board. They could easily consider Peter Konz here and that would make a lot of sense, but I’ll take a different route here.