2012 NFL Mock Draft With Trades Wildcard Weekend Update
The regular N.F.L. season is over, and College Bowl season is just about over, which means mock draft season is just beginning. And we here at NFLmocks love mock drafts, but that’s not of course the only thing we do!
Regular readers knows this about my mock drafts: I really try to think outside the box and look at a hosts of different possibilities with my picks because how often are the consensus picks the right picks (very, very seldom especially after the top five). You may want to dismiss my pick immediately, but think about it and then decide. Remember a lot of these college players are going on Job interviews over the next four months, anyone can win over any team!
This is also the first mock I’ve done where I’ve predicted trades.
scouting reports for all of these players can be found on our scouting report page(and about 150 others as well).
Full team mock drafts are here.
And many, but not all, of our previous mock drafts are on this page if you’re looking for a more conventional mock.
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)-Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
The Colts firing of Polian might have been a surprise, but it was not unjustified. Polian has really missed on some first round picks as of late (and yes I know he wasn’ t “in charge”, but come on he was “in charge”. We might not ever know the reasons for the firing of Polian, but it doesn’t matter too much. The easy pick here is for the Colts to take Andrew Luck though I suppose there is a outside shot that they will consider trading the pick or drafting Robert Griffin III. I just don’t see it happening.
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)-Trade to Washington Redskins-Robert Griffin III
Redskins give up this year’s first, next year’s first, this year’s second, next year’s third
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)-Matt Kalil, T, USC
This is an easy pick for the Vikings. Maybe they are tempted by Justin Blackmon, but I highly doubt they would pass on Matt Kalil here. They need the protection and Kalil is a really nice OT prospect.
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)-Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Is Blackmon the next T.O.? I’m not sure I’m willing to go that far and I’ve said this countless times I think he’s slightly below Julio Jones and A.J. Green, but a little better than Michael Crabtree as a prospect. With that being said, I think playing with Colt McCoy is a perfect fit. Blackmon isn’t going to stretch the field vertically like a Dez Bryant can, but he can rack up yards after the catch and have a Brandon Marshall like impact for the Browns, which they sorely need.
5. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-12)-Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford
I could be off base on this one, but the Buccaneers offensive line isn’t great. The Buccanners are a complete wild card here, I think the most obvious pick here is Morris Claiborne. I had a sneaking suspiscion that they would draft Adrian Claiborne last year and was right, maybe they surprise people again. But you’ll see Claiborne to the Buccaneers a million times between now and the draft so why not go in a little different direction.
6. Washington Redskins (5-11)-Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Traded to St. Louis Rams
With the Rams grabbing extra picks and the top two offensive tackles off the board (they were hoping to get Martin here) they grab Trent Richardson to take over for Steve Jackson. Richardson is uber talented, and the Rams know the value of a great running back. They’ve had one for essentially the last 15 or so years with Marshall Faulk and then Steven Jackson.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)-Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame
With Jack Del Rio out and Smith knowing he’s on a shorter leash I could see them making a play for the talented Michael Floyd. Something I don’t think Smith would usually do. However this is clearly their biggest need and adding Floyd would give Gabbert a much better chance to develop. Smith knows that if Gabbert doesn’t pan out he won’t have a job.
8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) (coin flip)-Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
A steal on most boards but definitely possible. Cornerbacks can not impact the game the same way other positions can because you can avoid cornerbacks and still have success, which is why they don’t generally get drafted in the top five. Now Claiborne is a special player like Peterson so he easily could, but I think it’s possible he slips into the 5-10 range. The Panthers can’t pass up this pick.
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10) (coin flip)-Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
Again, the Dolphins are a difficult team to mock because no one knows right now who will coach this team moving forward. Let’s assume they want to have bookend tackles for the next decade. Reiff can come in next year and start immediately. The team would then have the future set at the three most important OL positions: LT, C, RT for the next 10 years for when they get their franchise quarterback.
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)-Nic Perry, OLB, USC
Who is the first pass rusher to skyrocket up draft boards and be selected higher than people think? It’s going to be someone. Too many teams run the 34 and too many teams need pass rushers for one to not emerge in the predraft process.
11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) (coin flip)-Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A & M
Tannehill is mobile has a good arm and loads of upside. He also won’t last until the second round when the Seahawks are picking again. If they are not taking Landry Jones (who I think will return anyway), Tannehill is the only option left to solver their QB problem immediately.As we saw last year with the Vikings teams will fix that problem if it exists regardless of perceived player value.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) (coin flip)-Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Perfect fit, I think for the Chiefs. Although an upgrade at LT might be ideal, this pick would be a solid one. Hali, Johnson, Kuechly, Houston become one of the best linebacker corps in the entire league. With the return of Berry next year the Chiefs could potentially have the best back seven in all of football (8 for a 34 team I guess). Now that front 3 could use some help.
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Just a value pick. They jettisoned DRC and Patrick Peterson has really come on strong at the end of the year, but to me unless someone comes on strong here there aren’t many good pass rushing options available which is why they just add another talented defensive player. OL is also a big problem spot, but the top three tackles are already off the board in this mock draft.
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)-Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina
I’m going to keep Coples in the first round until the predraft process starts, but he is falling. What a terrible effort by all Tarheels in the bowl game, after a disappointing season for the Tarheels. However, Coples does have talent and the Cowboys need help on defense. Maybe they reach a bit for a cornerback here or try to get better up front part of the problem is that other than Jay Ratliff no one on their Defensive line makes plays.
15. Philadelphia Eagles ***Trade to Chicago Bears***- (8-8)-Alshon Jefferey, WR, South Carolina
The Bears need WR help in the worst way. Jefferey is the opposite of Devin Hester and Johnny Knox who are really undersized speedy guys. Jeffery is a huge target who can be a possession guy short, but also make a ton of big plays down field. The Eagles always look to move up or down in the draft and moving up this few spots won’t cost the Bears and arm and a leg.
16. New York Jets (8-8)-Cordy Glenn, T, Georgia
If Anyone watched the Jets play this year you know that their RT Wayne Hunter had a terrible year. The Jets will look to rectify that with the addition of Cordy Glenn. Heading into the season few thought Glenn could play tackle successfully in the N.F.L, but he has played well enough this year to get serious consideration. On top of that Glenn is huge powerful run blocker who can help the Jets re-establish their identity.
Rest of the mock is continued on page two