2012 NFL Mock Draft: Could Coby Fleener Vault into the Top 15?

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

The Bengals have addressed cornerback in free agency, but can’t pass up on the talented Dre Kirkpatrick here. A guy who could play either cornerback or safety will help out the Bengals fill out the secondary this year. I’m still a big Kirkpatrick supporter though he seems to be dropping on a lot of boards and is considered a high-bust candidate.

18. San Diego Chargers
Mark Barron, S, Alabama

I like this pick for the Chargers, though I’m not sure it will happen. With both Ingram and Upshaw off the board the Chargers find someone to play next to Eric Weddle. I don’t think the Chargers secondary is terrific, but a safety combination of Weddle and Barron could be impressive. Plus Barron seems like a winner with some mental toughness and I think the Charges could use some more of that on defense.

19. Chicago Bears
Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

There are reports that Johnny Knox is likely to miss the entire season which makes WR even after adding Brandon Marshall through a trade with the Miami Dolphins. Floyd is a terrific red-zone option who can really go up and get the football. Maybe he’s not a blazer, but he has enough speed and ability to catch the football to become a reliable weapon for Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans
Whitney Merciuls, DE, Illinois

The Titans lost Jason Jones and former first round pick Derrick Morgan hasn’t developed as fast as they would hope. Mercilus has a lot of pure ability and potential as a pass rusher. He’s a bit of a one-year wonder, but that doesn’t mean he can’t repeat his success at the N.F.L. level. Mercilus was supremely productive this past season in college football and good production at a major school + good measurbales=drafted highly.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This is a value pick, not a need pick. Brockers slips in this mock for no particular good reason and the Bengals scoop him up. The Bengals biggest need is not defensive tackle, Geno Atkins really emerged last year, but they want to take the talented red-shirt sophomore and add him to their defensive line to give them one of the best DT rotations in the entire league.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

I like Cordy Glenn and think he’s a top 15 player. I think he has an outside shot at playing LT in the N.F.L, but can be a top notch right tackle. The Browns already have a LT so they don’t need a projection LT. Glenn is huge, athletic, and has good functional strength. He might not have the mentality of a Alan Faneca or anything, but he’s no slouch and a good player. Good value here.

23. Detroit Lions
Jon Martin, T, Stanford Cardinal

The Lions need to add talent and youth to their offensive line. They brought back Jeff Backus, but they still have to find the franchise LT of the future. There are a lot of questions about Martin on the field, but his pure physical abilities is not one of them. Martin has a NFL LT skill set and the Lions scoop him up here with the 23rd pick.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

The word is that the Steelers really like Adams and are unlikely to let him get pass them here at this point. I can’t confirm this with any personal sources, but it makes sense. Adams is very talented the question is can he be coached up to the point where he’s a reliable LT in the NFL (or Right Tackle). If the Steelers trust their Oline and coaching they could definitely make this pick.

25. Denver Broncos
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Broncos need to improve their defense in whatever specific direction they take. Kuechly is the best defensive player left on my board and could lead the defense for the Broncos. Kuechly can play either MLB or Weak side linebacker, and while he doesn’t make a lot of splash plays he’s a dependable guy who will rack up tackles in the N.F.L. and can cover pretty well to boot.

26. Houston Texans
Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide

I think this is a terrific pick for the Texans. The Texans traded Demeco Ryans to the Eagles which opened up a spot in the interior of their 34 for Hightower. Hightower is a smart leader on the field and a good fit in the 34 system. Hightower has a good combination of size and speed and is tough and instinctive. He also fills a need at this point.

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

Devon Still was in an apartment when his teammate Jack Crawford got caught with drugs and paraphernalia (reportedly), but I don’t think that hurts Still’s stock much. Still and Worthy are the two defensive tackles I think could potentially fall out of the first round, in this mock Still is drafted by the Patriots. Still can play in the 43 or 34 front and his versatility will appeal to the Patriots.

28. Green Bay Packers
Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

I’m taking this pick as literally the best player available on my board. The Packers are very strong at Wide receiver and probably will address the defense with this pick, but I wanted to give the Packers literally the best player available on my board to see how that turned out.

29. Baltimore Ravens
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

I’m a huge fan of Gilmore, but everyone else is coming around on Gilmore as well. Gilmore is a guy who can play cornerback or potentially safety and also has return ability. The Ravens need to consider adding youth to their aging defense. I think based on this mock though and the loss of Johnson, the inability for Sergio Kindle not being able to stay healthy the Ravens could look to add a pass rusher like Nick Perry here

30. San Francisco 49ers
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

This is not a need pick, but Konz can play center or guard and is the best player available on my board at this point. The 49ers added two WR in free agency and have a terrific defense so they might consider adding talent to their offensive line.

31. New England Patriots
Kelechi Osmele, OL, Iowa State

Osmele is extremely intriguing because of how long his arms are. The Patriots have drafted Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer early recently in drafts, but Osmele can play inside or outside. The Patriots have addressed the WR position in free agency and will probably spend more than a few picks on defensive players in the draft, but at this juncture they decide to ensure the protection of their most valuable asset-Tom Brady.

32. New York Giants
Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Giants have Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umeinyora looming as free agents. The Giants also have never been shy pulling the trigger on a defensive end in the draft. Perry has terrific upside and the Giants can bring him along slowly while he learns to play in the N.F.L. and he can take over at RDE for Osi Umeinyora net year.

Thoughts?

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