2012 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck to the Chiefs, Robert Griffin Top 10?

2 of 2

17. Washington Redskins-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Alfonzo Dennard is considered by many in scout circles to be a better prospect than Prince Amukamara last year who was often seen as a top 10 prospect. Dennard hasn’t been able to get on the field yet this year, which is rough, but that won’t kill his stock if he can get on the field and perform at the same high level he did last year. Dennard would be a great addition to the Redskins who don’t have enough depth in the secondary and do have a lot of age there.

18.New York Giants- Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

If you’re a regular reader here you know that I believe that Burfict will be very high on the Giants draft board. He’s everything they look for in a prospect. He’s productive, tough, he has long arms (very important to them in their front seven), he’s insanely athletic, and he has a high ceiling. I don’t think they’ll focus on drafting a linebacker in the first round, I think DT is a possibility, or WR. But I don’t think they’ll be able to resist on Burfict if he’s available when they pick (if they pick around this juncture or lower).

19. Oakland Raiders -TRADE! (Stephon Gilmore if they don’t)

This is a tough pick for me. you’d have to hope the Raiders are at last considering trading out of this spot. They have very few picks in this draft and could use the extra picks. Other than that the team has looked really good in a lot of ways. The one spot they don’t is in the defensive backfield. Gilmore hasn’t had the kind of season he was hoping to have, he’s been too inconsistent in coverage. But if he can turn it around, he could still go in the top 10-12 range. Gilmore is a gifted athlete and plays a position of need for the Raiders, he’ll be on their radar.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

There’s a circulating belief that the Buccaneers will target cornerbacks early in the first round. I’m not sure. What I do know is that if Reiff is available at this point it’s a great value pick and they can’t pass it up. Reiff is arguably a top ten player in this draft class. The Buccaneers Ol isn’t their biggest problem, but sometimes you just have to take the value.

21. Buffalo Bills-Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State

The difference between this front office and the least regime is not even comparable. This front office actually has some sort of clue. They would never pass on Brian Orakpo to draft Aaron Maybin. The Bills best pass rusher in the last decade has been Aaron Schobel, and he wasn’t even that great. He’s the average girl who hangs out with ugly chicks to be the hottest one in the group. Schobel was a very quality player, but he wasn’t a great pass rusher. The Bills desperately need a great pass rusher. Jenkins provides good value here and fits a position of need. Solid pick whenever that happens.

22. New York Jets-Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is not one of those undersized rush linebackers. he’s a guy who can rush the passer and also hold his own vs the run. The Jets just got run over by the Raiders last Sunday and could use more help in their front seven. They are happy early on with their pick of Muhammad Wilkerson, but they need more help at the OLB position. Calvin pace has yet to earn his sizeable contract and no one on the team can get pressure on the quarterback by winning one on one battles. When the Jets finally get someone who is able to do that, their defense will be even tougher.

23 Houston Texans-Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A and M

The Texans spent a lot of their draft on improving their defense and while they are not there yet, the difference is noticeable. The Texans though have a need at the number two WR opposite Andre Johnson. I’m a fan of Fuller’s ability. I love the big target he provides the deceptive speed and his body control. This could make the Texans offense even more explosive. Imagine having two real weapons to cover on the outside.

24. San Fran 49ers-Jayron Hosley, CB, Va Tech

The 49es front seven is pretty good. They are one of the best run stopping teams in the league. And even though they have picked off a good number of balls this year, they could use more help in the secondary. The talented Hosley is a ball hawk and will continue to remake the 49ers pass defense. Hosley also offers return value, not that the 49ers need that with Ted Ginn on their team.

25. Dallas Cowboys-Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

The Cowboys need to continue to rebuild their offensive line. Brewster is a big time talent for the center position and offers top value here. The cowboys had 4 botched snaps on Monday night, which has to be some sort of record. The point is need matches value of player=make the pick.

26. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints)-Robert Lester, S, Alabama

Another Alabama defender comes off the board. Lester is the best safety in this draft class and the Patriots need a lot of help in the secondary. The Patriots defense has been a sieve early in the season, especially the pass defense. I know Brady can light up the score board anytime he wants, but it’s difficult to win consistently and in the playoffs if you can’t stop anyone. This is a great opportunity for the Patriots to improve their suspect pass defense.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers-Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis is a guy who is quietly working his way up into the first round conversation. The Steelers have two of the best in the game at the outside linebacker position, but James Harrison has some age on him and it would be good for the Steelers to have quality depth there and an eventual replacement for Harrison.

28. Detroit Lions-Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State

Datko is a player hat is good value here at this juncture. Jeff Backus is not going to be the LT forever (despite what he thinks!) And while the Lions secondary has more of an immediate need than the offensive line, keeping Stafford and best healthy is the most important thing in the world for the Lions. They are potential playoff threats with him and without him? Not so much.

29. Baltimore Ravens-Lamar Miller, RB, The U

They have Ray Rice why would they take a running back here? Value, value, value. Miller might not declare this year, but he should. he’s looked awesome this year and I’ve come away very impressed. He’s my second ranked running back right now behind only Trent Richardson. Miller has good size at 511 and 212 pounds and speed to burn. This year Miller has 409 yards (at 6.6 yards per carry) with two touchdowns. he ran all over Ohio State 194 yard rushing at 8.1 yards per carry. Keep an eye on Miller to see if he declares.

30. San Diego Chargers-Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virigna

Bruce Irvin meet Larry English. You’ll be taking his job. Larry English has been a failure so far to this point with the San Diego Chargers. His 5 career sacks aren’t going to cut it. Irvin has an impressive first step and was super productive last year (14 sacks). Some team will take him n the first round. Irvin’s problem is that the team is trying to make him a defensive end, which really plays against his strength. Bad move.

31. Previously New England Patriots-Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

I just want to get his name out there. He has good size at 6’2 215 pounds and has been putting on a clinic this season. He already has 36 receptions and four touchdowns. Keep an eye on Sanu. His stock is on the rise.

32. Green Bay Packers Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

Mean to mock Jared Crick earlier in the mock, I just had a little trouble slotting him. The Packers always take the best player available. It doesn’t help that Cullen Jenkins left via free agency and that the depth and talent along the Packers defensive line is down?

Just missed the cut: Zach Brown, jerel Worthy, Alameda Ta’Amu,

Let me know what you think.

Home/NFL Draft