2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks “Suck for Luck”; Dolphins & Barkley; 49ers snag Robert Griffin

17. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)-Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State

This pick makes no sense…which is why the Eagles may make this pick. The Eagles are master minds at manipulating trade value during the draft. I gave them all the credit in the world for that

, but i often really dislike what they do with their draft picks. Jenkins is an undersized 43 defensive linemen, which means he’s a possibility for the Eagles. The Eagles almost without fail draft an OL or a DL with their first round pick, and if not they trade away the first round pick. I really have no idea what the Eagles would do here, but Jenkins is as good a start as any.

18. New York Jets (2-2)-Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

Lewis is a player I think the N.F.L. will love. He’s a good athlete, and he’s physical. The Jets really need help on the outside especially a pass rusher. The Jets have a pretty talented secondary, but that also lacks depth. They also could upgrade their offensive line because Ducasse has looked awful and they don’t have a franchise RT. Still, Rex Ryan is a defensive minded coach and wants his defense to stop everyone, they will not do that until they secure a pass rusher.

19. Oakland Raiders (2-2)-Melvin Ingram, DL, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram has started to take College Football by storm. The senior is listed at 6’2 276 pounds. This year he has 5.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT, and a 68 yard touchdown run. The Raiders can’t resist enticing athletes. I would have mocked Robert Griffin to the Raiders here if not for the selection of Terrelle Pryor. Because of some draft day trades and the supplemental draft the Raiders don’t have a lot of picks early so they have to try and knock their first round pick out of the park. Is Ingram worth this kind of value yet? No, probably not but he’s working his way there.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)-Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU

The Steelers offensive line looks absolutely terrible. If they can draft an offensive linemen here they need to. Reynolds may not be drafted in the first round, but I like him so I’m going to mock him to the Steelers. He is physical at the point of attack and seems to fit what the Steelers are looking for in their offensive linemen (though maybe they should look at offensive linemen differently moving forward, no? ) They also look old on defense and could grab a good defensive player here.

21. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)-Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor

Griffin has been the most impressive player in all of College Football this year and leads our Heisman watch. The 49ers just drafted Colin Kapernick, but giving up on a second round pick for a more talented 1st round quarterback pick is not as unprecedented as giving up on a first round QB prospect before he gets a chance (like if Titans or Vikings were picking first). The likelihood though is that if Griffin continues to impress (I mean who throws more TD passes than they have Incompletions…it’s insane!) someone will trade up to get him higher than this because talent at the QB position is overpaid for every year.

22. San Diego Chargers (3-1)-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Read people in the know and you will earn that Dennard is regarded more highly than Giants first round pick Prince Amukamara. It’s amazing then that he falls to the Chargers. I really think that A.J. Smith mucks up the draft too much, but he can’t afford to miss on this one. I thought the Chargers would consider a cornerback early this year (they did with Marcus Gilchrist), but he’s not as talented as Dennard. Scoop him up and enjoy! Dennard also has the ability to play safety.

23. Tennessee Titans (3-1)-Kenny Tate, S, Maryland

The Titans are not without holes in their secondary. Kenny Tate is a flexible Safety who can play back or mix it up in the box. He reminds some of former Patriots Safety Rodney Harrison. Tate this year is playing linebacker as well. Tate is an impressive physical specimen and very well could be drafted in the first round.

24. Tampa Bay Bucaneers (3-1)-Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Gilmore is a dangerous cornerback who has pick six ability, but he has been getting beat too much for me to have him as high as I did in the preseason. The Buccaneers are going to be in the market for a cornerback according to Charlie Campbell who writes for the Pewterreport.com-a prominent Buccaneers blog. If that’s the case they could scoop up Gilmore has a world of ability as a cornerback and also has a return man. They also could consider Chase Minnifield who is excellent in zone-coverage, but the Buccaneers don’t play nearly as much Tampa 2 as they use to under Dungy.

25. Buffalo Bills (3-1)-Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Bills need a pass Rusher. Shawne Merriman had a nice series or two between preseason and the regular season, but he’s not doing much now. Chris Kelsay is awful. The defensive line is rounding into form and they have spent a lot of draft picks on their secondary (though with Tom Brady playing in your division, you kind of have to). What they really need though is an OLB who can not only rush the passer, but also play the run. Enter in Upshaw who can play behind the huge bodies Dareus or Dwan Edwards and make some plays on defense for the Bills. The Bills have talent on offense, but they are still a ways away for defense.

26. Houston Texans(3-1)-Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

I’ve been mocking the Texans a WR early the past few drafts and every year they ignore me. Stop ignoring me! We’ll see what happens to the Texans without Andre Johnson the next three weeks. If they struggle to move the ball you’ll definitely see them pick up their scouting efforts on potential first round wr prospects. Sanu doesn’t get much play in the first round, but he should. The 6’2 215 pound Sanu has 43 receptions this year already (College high is 51) with 5 touchdowns. He’s taken his game to the next level and he could be rewarded with a first round selection.

27. New York Giants* (3-1)-Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

I routinely deflect any and all inquires or prognostics about the Giants taking a linebacker in the first round. If you take a quick look at their history under Jerry Reese (as both the General Manager and head of the scouting department) you will clearly see that linebackers are not a priority for them in the 4-3 defense. But this year is different because there are two insanely talented very high potential linebackers in Zach Brown and Vontaze Burfict. The Giants will love Burfict’s tenacity and length.  Brown is slighter than the Giants like, but his speed is uncommon. On top of that Victor Cruz continues to play better every week so the WR I’ve been mocking to them are no longer really viable options. Their RT play has been spotty (Kareem mackenzie, I’m looking at you), but I’m going to avoid that here. Jerel Worthy the DT of Michigan State is a very likely pick based on this scenario.

28. Detroit Lions* (4-0)-Manti Te’o, LB, Norte Dame

The Lions linebacker core is improved but adding Te’o would only help. Their are still some good cornerbacks left who could be options here, but Te’o deserves to go in the first round so I’m going to mock him here to the Lions. Te’o is a natural leader on the field and is very physical which will appeal to Jim Schwartz. The only problem is, who moves, Tulloch or Te’o? That’s not a bad problem to have. Te’o has the strength and athletic ability to handle the Sam position.

29. Baltimore Ravens* (3-1)-Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A and M

The Ravens passing offense, when not playing the Rams, has looked atrocious. Jeff Fuller has good size and hands and can be the red-zone threat that Todd Heap used to be. He also complements the speedy Lee Evans and Torrey Smith as well. Plus Newsome always grabs the best available player and I’m a fan of Fuller so he’s one of the best players available for me.

30. New England Patriots- from New Orleans* (3-1)-Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

The Patriots need to continue to improve the talent and youth of their offensive line. The value of centers has really gone up the last few drafts as players like Eric Wood, Alex Mack, and the Pouncey brothers are being drafted in the first round. That used to be a taboo, but it is no more. Brewester is arguably the best player available here and is scooped up by the Patriots, though it’s also likely they trade one of their two first round picks for future picks.

31. New England Patriots* (3-1)-Jerel Worthy, DT, Michgan State

The Patriots are trying to get something out of Albert Haynesworth this year, but if he can’t get it together they could look to add a talented defensive linemen through the draft. Worthy has all the tools, but his game film is marred by inconsistent play which will hurt his draft stock. The Patriots take advantage of teams concerns over Worthy and grab him here at the back end of round one for excellent value.

32. Green Bay Backers (4-0)-Luke Kuechley, LB, Boston College

Take your best player on your board and insert them into the Packers. That’s the only way to stay true to the Packers drafting philosophy. This team is stacked so positional needs are of little concern. Kuechley would fit right in with the Green Bay Packers because of his production, character, and talent. Kuechley might not be the best player on Thompsons’ big board, but he is on mine and this is where he goes.

Leave your thoughts, I always appreciate them.

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My apologies to: Jayron Hosley, Marcus Forston, Bruce Irvin, Robert Lester, David Decastro, Cliff Harris, and Jared Crick as some of the players who didn’t make it into this first round mock draft. Maybe next week!