2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks the Front-runners for Andrew Luck?

The first pick of the 2012 N.F.L. draft is going to be Andrew Luck, the bigger question is who is making the first pick? Right now there are a few strong contenders, the Seahawks lead the way though.

Seattle Seahawks                         Andrew Luck             QB           Stanford

Seattle is the initial front runner for Luck.  Andrew Luck is an elite QB and will make Seattle a perennial contender.  Pete Carroll has seen firsthand how talented Luck is.  Now he will get to coach Luck, not play against him.

2. Indianapolis Colts              Matt Kalil                  OT            USC

Even if Manning comes back healthy he is now aging and injury prone.  I like Landry Jones to the Colts but his presence versus FSU drops him a bit.  Matt Kalil is a stud LT.  Combined with Costanzo will give Manning (if he returns) great protection.  If Peyton doesn’t return, than a new QB will have a great OL.

3. Kansas City Chiefs                Matt Barkley              QB           USC

Weiss leaving was a blow…Cassel is only average and if Pioli wants a year in and year out winner, he needs to pull the Cassel life support.

4. Miami Dolphins                Landry Jones           QB           Oklahoma

Dolphins finally get a QB to replace Dan Marino.  Landry Jones had a rough game versus FSU, but has time to rebound.  I know Big 12 has suspect defenses but Landry has the size, arm strength, and accuracy to be a winning NFL QB.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars            Quinton Coples        DE            NC

Jacksonville needs help at both WR and DE.  I believe it is harder to find a dominate DE than a #1 WR.   Coples will continue the talent infusion to the defense.  Teamed with Alualu could give the Jaguars a fearsome DL.

6. Denver Broncos                      Jonathan Martin        OT            Stanford

Hard pick here.  No DL talent worth the pick.  I though about back seven help for the defense, but stuck with Martin.  Jonathan Martin is a dominate OT in both the run and pass blocking.  Orlando Franklin is better suited at OG and Clady is injury prone.  I know John Fox loved a dominate OL in Carolina and Martin will give the  Broncos one.

7. Cleveland Browns                  Justin Blackmon       WR           Oklahoma St

Jeffrey vs. Blackmon.  That will be a brutal season long battle that could be decided by the team’s offensive scheme.  West Coast Offense dictates run after the catch.  Blackmon is much better in this regard as well as being an underneath target.  McCoy gets his dominate #1 WR.

8. Carolina Panthers                  Alshon Jeffrey           WR           SC

Cam Newton has appeared so far to be the answer in Carolina.  He now needs the eventual replacement for Steve Smith.  Alshon Jeffrey is a monster.  His numbers are only slightly down due to QB play at SC.  He can be a Calvin Johnson like receiver.  Panthers are building a dominate offense…or at least an exciting one.

9. Minnesota Vikings                Dre Kirkpatrick         CB           Alabama

With Martin and Kalil off the board there is no dominate LT left…I still think Fluker is a RT.  DL talent is not quite there and the top two prospects I have at this moment is Burfict and Kirkpatrick.  While I think some other CB’s are more pro ready, Kirkpatrick is productive and has the highest ceiling.  He will start the secondary reconstruction act of 2012.

10. Cincinnati Bengals              Trent Richardson      RB           Alabama

Bengals have a solid young QB, explosive young WR’s, and a decent OL.  Now all they lack is a play making RB.  Richardson brings an Adrian Peterson like ability to this young up and coming offense.  He has size, strength, and speed uncommon in today’s running backs.

11. St. Louis Rams                      Michael Floyd           WR           ND

Rams lack a clear cut play maker.  They are filled with #2 WR and Slot WR’s but Floyd would give them a week in and week out weapon to grow with Bradford.  Some might say this is too early but Floyd is on terms with the other two WR’s and has shown up this year.  Only drinking and injuries can stop this man-child.

12. San Francisco 49ers           Robert Lester           FS            Alabama

I love Robert Lester.  At first I was wary that he was a product of being around talent…but after watching his film…he is the real deal.  He is an extra coach in the backfield and consistently is in position to make plays.  He would give the 49ers a play maker they have lacked in the secondary for some time.

13. New York Giants             DJ Fluker                 OT            Alabama

Giants OL is killing this team.  Their old players are looking …well old.  Their young players are not stepping up.  Manning is under constant duress and the OL is not giving the running backs any holes.  When I think of the Giants I think of a dominate defense and a punishing run game.  Fluker would help in the later.  I think he is a Jeff Otah clone.  He can dominate in the run game.  Just what the doctor called for.

14. Tennessee Titans                Vontaze Burfict         MLB         Arizona State

LB is not a huge need for this team but the Titans cannot pass on this kind of talent.  Burfict should not still be here, but that’s what I said about Nick Fairley last draft.  They both had a nasty temperament and got constant penalties for it.  Burfict would give the Titans someone to fear in the middle.  Great pickup for a team who needs an identity.

15. Oakland Raiders              Greg Reid                 CB           FSU

I will admit I did not know much about Reid to begin the year.  I have watched film and I can say I love what I have seen.  He has phenomenal speed and hip movement.  His footwork is elite and only the occasional struggle vs. big, physical WR keeps him available.  He is a perfect fit for this team.

16. Tampa Bay Buccs               Stephon Gilmore      CB           SC

Buccaneers need help in their secondary.  Even if Talib avoids jail they need help, if he is incarcerated than this is a huge need that cannot be ignored.  Gilmore and Talib would be an awesome CB duo that would benefit from the Buccaneers young DL.

17. Washington Redskins       Manti Te’o                 ILB           ND

London Fletcher cannot play forever.  Manti is a team leader.  He would replace Fletcher seamlessly.  Sandwiched between Orakapo and Kerrigan would give the Redskins one of the better young LB units.

18. Dallas Cowboys                   Jared Crick                               DL            Nebraska

There are bigger needs but Crick would give the Cowboys a dominate pass rush.  With Crick and Ratliff up front and Ware and Spencer behind them…this defense will be hard to play against.  Rob Ryan would love to have a Jared Crick to work with.

19. Buffalo Bills                             Brandon Jenkins     DE/OLB    FSU

Jenkins had a quiet game versus the Sooners.  Sometimes it is hard to get to a QB in the spread statistic wise.  I will stay high on Jenkins for the moment.  He would give the Bills a young pass rusher that would go with Marcell Dareus.  I like the direction the Bills are going.

20. Chicago Bears                      Michael Brewster      C              Ohio State

I am beginning to suspect that the Bears OL hates Cutler?  Well maybe not, but besides Gabe Carimi they have no talent.  Why not repeat Big Ten OL talent.  Michael Brewster will go in as a day 1 starter at center.  Combined with Carimi they have the Bears OL going in the right direction, 2 down and 3 to go.

21. Arizona Cardinals            Riley Reiff                                OT            Iowa

Cardinals OL has been better this season but still needs some work.  Riley Reiff would instantly step in at RT and move to LT soon afterwards.  Reiff played very well vs. Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lindsay.  With more film like this one he will cement this kind of a grade.

22. Houston Texans                    Alemeda Ta’Amu       NT            Washington

Texans still are not dominating versus the run.  They lack a NT and in a 3-4 that is instrumental to being a dominate 3-4.  Ta’Amu would give the Texans a very strong; dominate NT to keep the talented LB unit clean to make plays.

23. San Diego Chargers           Nick Perry                                DE/OLB    USC

Nick Perry is starting to realize his potential in Monte Kiffin’s system.  He is an athletic freak who combines speed and power very nicely.  His ultimate position is in the 3-4 as a DE/LB hybrid.  If he continues on this pace…than shortly after the combine he will be this year’s Aldon Smith and move into the top 10.

24. Philadelphia Eagles             Zack Brown              OLB         NC

I am man enough to admit my mistakes.  Zack Brown is a stud and is not more athlete than football player.  This kid is the real deal in all phases of the game.  Eagles have glaring weaknesses on the OL and LB units.  Brown helps the LB unit and combined with Matthews gives them speed to influence the game.

25. Baltimore Ravens          TJ McDonald             SS            USC

Ravens secondary still needs some talent in it.  Reed can only play so long and once he retires the Ravens only really have Jimmy Smith.  TJ McDonald would upgrade the SS position and influence both the run and passing game.  He is a little raw and needs some work but a year with Ed Reed would be great tutelage.

26. Cleveland Browns (T)   Chase Minnifield    CB           Virginia

Talent, need, and blood lines all fit on this draft pick.  Browns helped offense with Blackmon earlier and now help the defense with this one.  Minnifield and Haden will form a solid CB duo.

27. Detroit Lions                        David DeCosta          OG           Stanford

Lions are almost a complete team.  All they are lacking is a consistent run game that keep the chains moving and burn clock.  I feel this is more on the OL than on the RB talent.  DeCasto would bring some nastiness to this OL.  I would prefer a C or LT but none of the available players are near DeCasto’s talent level.  I love this pick.

28. Pittsburg Steelers            Luke Kuechly           ILB           BC

Lawrence Timmons was resigned to a long term deal, however, Larry Foote and James Farrior are at the end of the line…no more sand in the time glass….no more, well you get it.  Kuechly is a Steeler at heart and would fit right in.

29. New York Jets                       Courtney Upshaw     LB            Alabama

Upshaw oozes physicality and versatility.  What a match made in heaven.  Upshaw would give youth to this aging LB unit.  He can play both ILB and OLB in the 3-4 scheme.  He is like Bart Scott with more athleticism…..scary.

30. New England Pats (T)        Donte Paige Moss     DE            NC

If DPM does not pick it up in a few weeks he will be staying in NC.  He might need it.  His potential and athleticism are off the charts….his production is not.  Something has to give.  If he can pick it up he would give the Patriots a versatile DL player who can play in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

31. Green Bay Packers            Jayron Hosley          CB           VT

Charles Woodson is nearing the end and the Packers would love to both replace him and keep their secondary depth high.  Hosley would do that.  He is a ball hawk and Capers would love to use him in a variety of ways around the field.

32. New England Patriots        Jerel Worthy             DT            MSU

Only thing keeping Worthy down is consistency.  Even though I dropped Worthy down I think he has done a better job this season with that.  Only problem I have is he is not on the field enough.  Is it coaching and their love to rotate the DL or is it his conditioning.  That will be answered soon enough…if he plays at this level all season though I will be moving him up.  As it is the Patriots have increased the DL talent so far in this draft.

Round two on next page