2012 NFL Mock Draft: Free Agency Frenzy Edition

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Dre’ Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cincinnati Bengals went into the offseason with the most cap space of any team in the NFL, and they didn’t make any moves. That’s really not that big of a deal, though, since they didn’t lose much to free agency and have a nice core to build around with Pro Bowlers Andy Dalton and A.J. Green on the offensive side of the ball. One area where the Bengals need to upgrade defensively is opposite Leon Hall at cornerback. They have brought in a couple of players for free agent visits, but I don’t think they would pass on the opportunity to take a guy like Dre’ Kirkpatrick at this juncture. He is long, athletic, and while he might have some slight intangible flaws, he is a heck of a football player. The Bengals would be wise to cash in at this point of the draft.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

At one point or another, Jonathan Martin has been considered a top ten talent, and he may very well be. The Chargers have been pretty active in free agency and are getting some good players at decent prices. One area where they need an infusion of youth is the offensive tackle position, and that comes here in the form of Martin, who has protected Andrew Luck’s blind side for the last few years. Martin has good footwork and excels in pass protection, but his run blocking is underrated. The Chargers have a good back in Ryan Mathews, and he is going to get his touches. I think the Chargers could also look to upgrade the defensive side of the ball here, but I think Martin is too good to pass up on.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Chicago Bears were rumored to be interested in free agent defensive end Mario Williams, and they are obviously interested in upgrading their pass rush. That’s probably a good idea, since they have to go up against two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL four times a year in Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, who can absolutely light it up. I really like the idea of bringing in a local product in Whitney Mercilus, a guy who led the nation in sacks last year. Mercilus came pretty much out of nowhere after a freak accident in the weight room last summer that took part of his index finger, and now he’s looking like a sure-fire first round pick. He has really good athletic ability, and could really benefit starting out his career playing on the other side of Julius Peppers.

20. Tennessee Titans: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Titans, like the Bears, were interested in signing Mario Williams if he got out of Buffalo, but that never happened. I think they would like to add another pass rusher to complement former first round pick Derrick Morgan, who has battled injuries early in his career. Andre Branch is a really athletic kid who had a very good senior season after being mostly a rotational guy in a deep Clemson defensive line. He handled the extra attention well, and stood out on film. He’s got a good frame and quickness off the snap, and he has potential to be a big time pass rusher in the Titans’ defense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
With this pick, the Bengals continue to upgrade their defensive backfield and take the former quarterback of the Alabama defense in Mark Barron. Barron is a good tackler and very good in coverage, and he’s probably pretty easily the best safety in this class. He would present a serious upgrade for the Bengals, who are close to losing Reggie Nelson to the Jets in free agency.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Browns picked up Greg Little last year, and he played pretty well as a rookie but they definitely need to continue to add playmakers at this position. Hill could be a perfect fit for the West Coast offense, and he has shown great speed and athletic ability this offseason, to the point that some are saying he is a lock to be a first round pick. Others aren’t so sure, but one thing is for sure–after Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd, the third wide receiver spot is up for grabs. I think the Browns could be doing very well to draft Richardson early and then pick up a playmaker like Stephen Hill. That could instantly make Colt McCoy a better player.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions have needs at linebacker and cornerback, but Jenkins might be too good to pass up on at this point. Detroit re-structured some deals this offseason to get some cap space, but they haven’t been able to bring back Stephen Tulloch yet, which indicates to me they might have to move on. If so, trading up for Luke Kuechly might be an option. Otherwise, I really think Jenkins could fit as a replacement for Eric Wright in the Lions’ secondary. He has good size and athletic ability, and he also provides a potential upgrade as a return specialist.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Steelers might be looking to upgrade at inside linebacker or offensive line here, but Gilmore could be a perfect fit for their defense as an attacking, aggressive cornerback prospect with good speed and ball skills. I think Gilmore fits the profile of what the Steelers are looking for, and could be a steal at this point in the first round. Ike Taylor isn’t getting younger, and the Steelers aren’t really known for their dominant cornerback play. They could also potentially convert Gilmore to safety, because he has the size and willingness to hit.

25. Denver Broncos: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

This is really the first time I’ve had Upshaw falling this far in my mock as far as I can remember, but lo and behold, here we are. Upshaw would provide the Broncos with more pass rush ammunition to go along with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, and would present some serious mismatch opportunities. He is the type of player that can really affect the outcome of a game, and to be honest, if he does wind up falling this far in the draft, I would hope the Broncos are smart enough to snatch him up.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Texans lost Mario Williams to the Bills, but they were comfortable enough with the replacements to let him go. That said, I think if a player with the talent and athletic ability of Nick Perry falls to this point, they would pounce on it. He really is an impressive kid with great size, speed, quickness, length, and natural pass rush skills. If he is allowed to play a role similar to that of Aldon Smith in his first year, he could be a steal this late in the first round.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots continue to upgrade their defensive line here and take a player that has been projected in the top 10 of many mock drafts this offseason. Still burst onto the scene as a senior and won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. He could play all around the Patriots’ defensive line, and help upgrade their pass rush. Similar to the last couple of picks, he is a nice addition on the front line as New England seeks versatility.

28. Green Bay Packers: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
One Achilles Heel for the Packers could be their defensive line, which lost a couple of guys last year and didn’t really recover. I think Jerel Worthy doesn’t have the ideal body type for a 3-4 defense, but the Packers use a lot of different looks and Worthy is simply too talented to fall much further than this. He declared early as a junior and has proven this offseason that he’s got some athletic ability and looks like he could make an impact year one.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The Ravens need to continue to upgrade their offensive line, and they do so by getting the big, nasty, athletic Cordy Glenn. Glenn blew people away at the combine with his speed, quickness, and overall athleticism and looks like he could start at either guard position or right tackle. The Ravens typically get a steal in the first round, and I think this would be no different. Glenn is very good value in the later portion of the first round.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The 49ers added Randy Moss this offseason, but they need some young speed out there at wide receiver as well. Losing Josh Morgan could hurt the team more than they think, but adding Wright would help ease the pain. He is a quick receiver who plays faster than he times in the 40, and he could be a great addition and weapon for Alex Smith (or Peyton Manning) in the passing game. He is a sure-handed threat who was a big reason why RG3 won the Heisman in 2011/12.

31. New England Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots always draft smart, and getting Dennard would help fill more holes in their secondary. I know they continue to spend high picks on defensive backs, but none of them seem to be really working out. Dennard is athletic and fundamentally sound, and he’s been consistently productive for Nebraska. He hasn’t got a ton of picks, but he is a good prospect who fits well with what they want to do, and he could be an immediate contributor to their defense.

32. New York Giants: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Giants are always looking for upgrades in the trenches, and I think Peter Konz would fit that description perfectly. He is going to be a very good player in the NFL, and the Giants need an upgrade up front. Giants fans might be surprised by this pick, but it is certainly an option at the back end of round one.