2012 NFL Mock Draft 7 Rounder: NFL Draft One Week Away

I’m going to do a full 2012 NFL Mock draft. That’s right a 7 round mock draft with full explanations. This is the first round, which will be very similar to my final mock draft to be submitted to the Huddle report.

For scouting reports on every one of these players check out our scouting report page and be sure to follow us on twitter @NFLmocks

1. Indianapolis Colts–Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal

This pick might not be original, but it’s likely to happen. I’m not in the camp that the Redskins should draft RGIII over Luck. luck makes the most sense to me. The Colts will be lucky to have him (sorry haven’t made a lame Luck joke in a long time).

2. Washington Redskins–Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins fans get the man they have already fallen in love with and hope that he is everything that has been promised to them and more. He’ll need to be to consistently compete in the dangerous NFC East, which should be much stronger than they were in 2011–a year in which one of the teams won a Superbowl.

3. Minnesota Vikings–Matt Kalil, T, USC

I’m still not buying the talk that the Vikings might decide to bypass Matt Kalil in favor of Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon. It just doesn’t make sense to me. Kalil is the best tackle prospect in the draft by a long shot and LT is the Vikings biggest need.

4. Cleveland Browns–Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is based on something I read from Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback in a line where he said that the General Manager Tom Heckertt has decided that Justin Blackmon is his man, but the question will be whether or not he convince Mike Holmgren. My final mock will probably have Trent Richardson here.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This pick is an ideal pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even though they may be tempted by Trent Richardson, Blount is a good solid player and running backs don’t offer the type of value they use to at 5th overall.

6. St. Louis Rams–Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Rams will be very intrigued by Trent Richardson. If they don’t go Richardson they are likely to go with defensive line or Justin Blackmon. In this mock the Rams take the best player available on the board because they have a wealth of picks and Trent Richardson can help improve the offensive line and keep Bradford healthy.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars–Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

There seems like there are so much strong signals that this will be the pick that I’m starting to really doubt that the Jaguars take Melvin Ingram. Ultimately I think they settle for less and move down, and some team considers Ryan Tannehill here, or Quinton Coples. Michael Floyd and Dre Kirkpatrick don’ t seem to be Gene Smith kind of guys so this pick is really hard to peg.

8. Miami Dolphins–Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A and M

This pick has to happen right. People I’ve have talked to who know the Dolphins much better than I do truly believe that the Dolphins really do like Ryan Tannehill. I’ll trust them at their word. The Dolphins fans seem like the only team that actually want their team to draft Tannehill. Makes sense to me. Sit him behind Matt Moore in 2012 and see how high he can fly in 2013.
9. Carolina Panthers– Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Panthers couple Coples and Charlie Johnson together to give them a pair of potentially dominating pass rushers. The Panthers have to go defense early. Their offense was very good last year, while their defense was among the worst in the league in every category. They couldn’t stop the run, rush the passer, or keep teams out of the end zone. That could keep them out of the playoffs. Playing against Matt Ryan and Drew Brees four times a year the Panthers need more pass rushers.

10. Buffalo Bills– Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Based on some quotes by Buddy Nix it appears it seems to me that they will go OL or cornerback. I think they really do like Chris Hairston and might let him play LT moving forward. Nix seems drawn to SEC guys and Kirkpatrick has a lot of physical ability. If they believe his marijuana issue is no big deal he could be the pick at 10. I’m not sold on them taking Michael Floyd yet, though I think that might be the best pick. Luke Kuechly doesn’t make sense to me.
11. Kansas City Chiefs–David Decastro, G, Stanford Cardinal

This seems like a Pioli pick. Again I have a theory that if everyone thinks a pick is going to happen it has zero chance of happening. This pick is really approaching dangerous ground. Other than the Eric Berry pick I think Pioli has been very difficult to peg. Player to watch: Coby Fleener if the Chiefs can move down a bit

12. Seattle Seahawks–Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Some coach is going to think he can maximize the talent of Poe and get himself the next Ngata. That coach might be Pete Carroll. The Seahawks might want a pass rusher, but there is really no pass rusher worth drafting at this spot.

13. Arizona Cardinals–Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

If you can’t get Peyton Manning, give Skelton and Kolb a deadly combination of Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. The Cardinals have some young intriguing WR talents, but no real stud #2 WR. Michael Floyd has really helped himself throughout the 2011 College Football season and pre-draft process and might be the best player available on the board here for the Cardinals.

14. Dallas Cowboys–Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Cox slips a bit in this mock through no fault of his own. The Cowboys take the disruptive Cox and hope that he and Jay Ratliff, Ware, and Spence can cause enough havoc on opposing offensive lines to improve the secondary. I think Gilmore and Barron are definite possibilities here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles–Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I have a feeling that if the Eagles stay put they are looking defensive line. The Eagles don’t really have a lot of major needs and really just need to play better for the whole season to compete for the Superbowl. Brockers doesn’t have to play every snap immediately, which will help the Eagles develop him into the player he can become with good coaching. If the Eagles like Nick Perry he could be the pick and I think Melvin Ingram will be the pick if he’s available.

16. New York Jets–Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

I know the Jets need a pass rusher. And I know they are sending strong signals that they will draft a pass rusher, but they also need an upgrade at guard or RT, both positions that Reiff can play. Reiff is the best player left on our own board and fills the second biggest need for the New York Jets. I’ve been mocking them OL for a long time and while it’s possible they go Pass rusher I’m going to stick with my gut feeling on this one.