2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins take lead for Luck and Robert Griffin’s meteoric rise!!
By Editorial Staff
Round 2
1. Miami Dolphins Andrew Datko OT FSU
Datko’s play has been impressive so far this season. Had some problems with Oklahoma but other than that has showed he can be a very sound RT in the NFL. Dolphins need to protect Andrew Luck and Datko can team with Long and Pouncey to do so.
2. St. Louis Rams Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
Rams line of scrimmage on both sides has been an embarrassment. Rams lack a run stuffing force in the middle. Thompson would help the defense in this regard. Kalil and Thompson give the Rams some much needed muscle.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Josh Chapman NT Alabama
Kelly Gregg has played solid but is aging. If the Chiefs want to keep the 3-4 scheme they need a young, dominate NT. Chapman might be a slight reach but Pioli loves to go by needs and not talent.
4. Denver Broncos Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt
Don’t start a riot Denver fans….their is no DL talent here that matches Hayward. Rahim Moore and Casey Hayward are two solid foundations to improving the once depleted secondary.
5. Indianapolis Colts Zack Brown OLB NC
Zack Brown is a prospect I have grown to love…he falls not out of the first round not based upon talent but there are only 32 picks and someone has to fall. Trust me though…on a defense set up for speed and flowing to the ball like the Colts….Brown can be a beast. Colts need some talent on defense in a bad way.
6. Carolina Panthers Kelechi Osemele OG Iowa State
Panthers obtained Blackmon in round 1 to help out Newton; now they upgrade the OL to get their run game going. Osemele is able to play multiple positions but his best one is OG. He is a bulldozer in the run game.
7. Minnesota Vikings Juron Criner WR Arizona
Vikings offense has looked horrible so far. There is AP and a bunch of hacks (apology to Hutchinson who is one of my all time favorites). Martin was the franchise LT the Vikings needed in Round 1 and now Criner is the big play WR the Vikings lost with Rice in Round 2. Ponder now has a chance to succeed.
8. Seattle Seahawks Ronnell Lewis DE/LB Oklahoma
Ronnell is a hybrid LB/DE player. Seahawks run a mixture of both 4-3 and 3-4 who will maximize Ronnell’s talents. Ronnell would give the Seahawks another pass rushed they need.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (T) Kheeston Randall DT Texas
Eagles are a pass rushing terror…but they cannot stop the run. Grabbing Burfict and now Randall will help out. This draft is a cure for the disease that is the Philadelphia Eagles. Randall can play both DT and DE and rotate in immediately.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Robert Lester FS Alabama
Gene Smith loves intelligent, 3-4 year starters. Lester is the perfect mold for the Jaguars. Playmakers in both round 1 and 2 for the offense and defense. Lester drops a little due to lack of production and a bad game last week. I don’t think he should drop any lower. Watching film of this cat, he is always around the ball and one bad game doesn’t erase multiple good ones.
11. Cleveland Browns Cliff Harris CB Oregon
Browns have no one across from Joe Haden. Sheldon Brown is all but done and Buster Skrine has ability but I think he is built to be a slot CB. Besides even if he is the answer, this is a passing league and one cannot have enough talented CB’s. Harris would be a major steal at this point.
12. Cincinnati Bengals Chase Minniefield CB Virginia
Last year’s draft laid the foundation for the offense. This year’s is laying the defensive foundation. A dominate DE and a rock solid CB is just what the Bengals need to take the next step. I like the direction the Lions and Bengals are going….SAY WHAT?????
13. New England Pats (T) Melvin Ingram DL SC
Melvin Ingram is a Patriot type player. Hard working and versatile. He can play DT,DE, and some LB. Reminds me of Adalius Thomas. I think he would fit well with the Patriots and their needs.
14. Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles QB Arizona
Michael Vick cannot stay healthy and Mike Kafka should not be the main backup. Nick Foles fits the West Coast and would give the Eagles a solid backup QB. This might be too high for many of you but due to the fact that the backup will play 2-3 games a year I think it is important to get a sound QB. Foles is very accurate and if you can cure him of being Captain Check down…he might be decent.
15. Chicago Bears Nate Potter OT Boise State
Carimi and Brewster gives the Bears something to work with…but it is not enough. Webb has had a down season and needs to be replaced or pushed. Potter has kept Kellen Moore upright since taking over the LT spot. While not a dominate run blocker, Potter is a very sound pass blocker and will give the Bears more help.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers Donta Hightower ILB Alabama
This is a huge steal. It appears Hightower is healthy and at one time he was considered better than McClain. I have him in the second round due to two facts: He can only play in the 3-4 and this year has a ton of ILB talent. Steeler’s back 8 is in sound shape with Claiborne and Hightower.
17. Buffalo Bills Bruce Irvin DE/OLB WV
Bills get another pass rusher. As with Jenkins he needs some coaching but has elite physical skills. Bills need multiple pass rushers for this team to be elite. Irvin has inconsistent tape and I feel this is as high as he can go. I still think he is more athlete than football player though and I think he will drop in the near future.
18. Atlanta Falcons Dwayne Allen TE Clemson
Gonzalez still does have something left in the tank…maybe he plays one more season. Nonetheless, Dwayne Allen would be a great replacement. He is a sound blocker and is a great medium range weapon.
19. Dallas Cowboys Greg Reid CB FSU
Cowboys need more secondary help. Dre Kirkpatrick will probably land at the FS spot. That still leaves a hole at CB. Greg Reid drops a bit due to his lack of physicality but there is talent. Deion Sanders didn’t play physical either. He shuts down most WR’s and I want him to show some good tape versus big WR’s so I can raise him back up.
20. Washington Redskins Coryell Judie CB Texas AM
Redskin’s secondary is both old and very mediocre. I think Judie is a solid CB and can start the rebuilding of the secondary. Judie needs to stay healthy to go this high and have a sound showing at the combine.
21. Tennessee Titans Ryan Broyles QB Oklahoma
Broyles has dropped far enough. He is the ultimate #2 WR that works the first down chains. Broyles reminds me of a young Nate Burleson. I think he would complement the big play making of Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson with some week to week consistency in both his routes and hands. As an added bonus he is an excellent return man as well.
22. New York Jets Jeff Fuller WR Texas AM
Sanchez and Holmes miss Braylon Edwards…not so much him as a big, physical WR. Fuller would be able to fill this massive hole. Jets fill two big holes with Upshaw and Fuller. OL and safety play still need to be fixed.
23. San Francisco 49ers Dwight Jones WR NC
Defense is looking intimidating. Offense needs to be put out of its misery. Jones would give them a solid, physical WR….which Crabtree and Edwards were supposed to be. I like Jones and after some coaching I think he can be a very sound #2 WR.
24. New York Giants Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin
Reiff gives the Giants some relief and now Zeitler keeps it coming. Another big, strong, blue collar OL. Giants need to get back to their roots. Strong, smart OL talent that paves the way for strong physical RB who keep the chains going.
25. Tampa Bay Buccs Lavonte David OLB Nebraska
I know Buccaneer fans no offense….Well you should be used to it by now. David would be a perfect fit. With a good young DL now the Buccs are adding young talent in the back seven. David and Dennard almost complete the Defense. I love the speed and talent of this group.
26. Detroit Lions Mike Adams OT Ohio State
Keep the OL talent coming. Adams is a prospect that could easily go higher than this. Until he plays I will keep him in this range. Lions get a physical RT talent that can open up holes…what Cherlius was supposed to be. With upgrades to RT and RG the OL is on its way….If Jason Fox can get healthy and show talent this year…than we are a center away from being a solid OL. I am teary eyed right now.
27. San Diego Chargers Chase Thomas LB Stanford
Now the LB unit is back on track. Chargers went too long without adding solid LB talent. Now Kuechly and Thomas will join Butler to give the Chargers a new group of dominate LB. Thomas can play both inside and out and is sound 3 way player…vs. the run, pass, and blitz.
28. Houston Texans Mark Barron SS Alabama
Texans are still missing that aggressive, hard hitting safety. Barron will join with Manning to give the Texans a sound safety group. I think Wade Phillips is happy with the talent the Texans have added from the past two drafts. Teams will struggle to run the ball verse the Texans.
29. Baltimore Ravens Levy Adcock OT Oklahoma State
Oher is much better at RT and McKinnie is a one year fix. I do not like Jah Reid much so LT and center are still concerns. Adcock fits this team and their run first approach. I think he is one of the most under rated tackle prospects and years from now we will say he was a late 2nd rounder????
30. New Orleans Saints Matt Reynolds OT BYU
Reynolds is a physical RT who is more than capable pass blocker. I think his intelligence and playing style are needed in this offense. Saints have RB talent so the lack of running game is on the OL. Reynolds will help out.
31. New England Patriots Devin Taylor DE/OLB SC
Devin Taylor has time left, but he needs to play up to his potential. I think his athleticism and versatility would be welcomed in New England. Who knows if the Pats will be a 4-3 or 3-4 next season. Taylor can play both.
32. Green Bay Packers Vinny Curry OLB Marshall
Unfair. Packers win the 2010 Super Bowl and get Derrek Sherrod and Randall Cobb. Packers win the 2011 Super Bowl and get Jared Crick and Vinny Curry and it just isn’t fair. Their pass rush will be much upgraded if this scenario pans out.
Round 3
1. Miami Dolphins Markelle Martin SS/FS Oklahoma State
Dolphins need some touching up on the defense. Another pass rusher and some upgrades in the safety position. Martin is a very productive, intelligent safety who can either play FS or SS. Good draft Dolphins, see it isn’t hard.
2. St. Louis Rams Travis Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Attitude and injuries land him here…not his talent and production. Either way the Rams would get a prospect who would be hell bent to prove doubters wrong. With Thompson and Lewis the run defense would not be a doormat next season.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Barrett Jones OG Alabama
Chiefs now upgrade their OL. Lilija will need to be replaced by now or an upgrade to their RT. Jones can do both. Chiefs’ offense will rebound next season with a new young QB, some weapons, and an emerging OL.
4. Denver Broncos Billy Winn DL Boise State
Finally!!!! A DL talent. Winn can play either SDE or DT. I think the Broncos will rotate him around. Broncos are slowly building a John Fox like team….physical without the need of a QB. Also why he hasn’t won a Super Bowl but hey what can you do.
5. Indianapolis Colts Brandon Lindsay DE Pittsburgh
So much of what the Colts do is predicated on the DE getting pressure. Mathis and Freeny are getting up their in years and Hughes has improved this year but is far from a sure thing. Lindsay would give them another young speed rusher to learn from the masters.
6. Chicago Bears (T) BJ Cunningham WR MSU
Bears need a big bodied WR that can get deep. I think Cunningham is the sleeper in the WR class. He is huge, physical, runs solid routes, has great hands and body control, and is money in the clutch. What more do you want?
7. Minnesota Vikings Jake Bequette DE Arkansas
As stated last week Bequette is a prospect who dominates the run game and provides solid pass rush. I love his work ethic and intelligence. I think the Vikings DL could use this Ray Edwards like clone on their team.
8. Seattle Seahawks Chris Polk RB Washington
Now that Barkley fills the QB hole the next thing on their check list is a good RB. Polk would be a steal at this point. He is constant in all phases and ALL HE DOES IS SCORE TOUCHDOWNS…and get consistent yards on a questionable talented team.
9. Arizona Cardinals Shaun Prater CB Iowa
Cardinal’s defense is getting killed. It’s too bad, the offense has some potential. Prater is another in a long line of talented Iowa Defensive backs. Prater will combine with Peterson to give the Cardinals a solid secondary.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Shea McCellin DE Boise State
Jaguars in this draft has hit on WR and FS and now it is time to fill both the DE and small school prospect for Gene Smith. Shea is a relentless force who can play both the run and pass. I think the Jaguars would be happy with this kind of draft.
11. Cleveland Browns Keenan Robinson OLB Texas
Browns need more than just Manti to fix this unit. Robinson is a physical side line to side line force. I think the Browns would love to get this kind of force to team with Manti. Browns defense will make the Dog Pound a place few would like to play.
12. Cincinnati Bengals Delano Howell SS Stanford
Secondary needs a few upgrades in the secondary. Minnifield and Howell would have the Bengals defense one with few weaknesses.
13. Oakland Raiders Terrell Pryor QB Ohio State
Supplemental Pick
14. Philadelphia Eagles Tydreke Powell DT NC
Eagles could use some more beef to fill the middle. I know more people would love to see some OL help but I think the middle of the defense is a bigger need. Powell and Randall will give them some size and depth to allow Burfict to dominate.
15. Chicago Bears Sean Spence OLB Miami
Bears LB core is comprised of an aging Urlacher, an unhappy Lance Briggs, and some nameless ever revolving third man. This is okay for now but young talent needs to be added right away. Spence has elite potential that just needs some coaching. Bears can do that for a year and slowly add him in.
16. Pittsburg Steelers Bobbie Massie OT Ole Miss
Steelers need to keep drafting OL talent early. I think Pouncey, Gilbert, and Massie would have the OL on the right path. Massie is a physical force who can play both RT and LT. I think Massie has improved a lot this year and could move up with a good workout.
17. Buffalo Bills Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin
Bills OL is looking solid right now. I still think RT can be improved. Wagner is a physical force who has nimble feet for his size. Wagner would be a great fit on this team and bring some nastiness.
18. Atlanta Falcons Donnie Fletcher CB BC
Falcon’s secondary is getting destroyed. More CB depth and talent is needed. I think Fletcher could do well as a Nickel CB. He has solid size and can press very well.
19. Dallas Cowboys Devon Still DL Penn State
I like to avoid Penn State DL talent. It never works out; still this late in the third I think it is an okay risk. Cowboys DL looks solid but could use more depth and youth. Defense is starting to look very good.
20. Washington Redskins Ryan Miller OG Colorado
I keep pushing this guy into round 2 and 3…weirdly enough always to the Redskins. I am not prearranging this, I promise. I just don’t know where to place him talent wise. I think his fit with the zone blocking is there…..I will get my act together I promise.
21. Tennessee Titans William Vlachos C Alabama
Titans are struggling to run the ball. I think the interior of the OL needs to be improved. Jake Scott is average and Eugene Amano needs to move back to LG. I love Vlachos but I also loved Antoine Caldwell….I get scared with Alabama OL talent because of my propensity of being wrong on them. If he turns out though I think the Titans will be very happy with this draft. Worthy and Vlachos are big men building blocks.
22. New York Jets Cordy Glenn OG Georgia
Jets OL is in shambles. Mangold is injured and besides Ferguson…it is bleak. Slaussen has regressed and Ducasse is a bust so far. Glenn has been okay at LT but is a monster at OG who will either push Slaussen to a backup or replace an aging Brandon Moore.
23. San Francisco 49ers Marvin McNutt WR Purdue
Guy is under rated. Runs good routes and has solid hands. I think his style would go well with Dwight Jones. 49ers need some young playmakers to give Kaepernick a chance.
24. New York Giants Marcus Forston DT Miami
Giants love to keep adding DL talent. Linval Joseph and Marvin Austin have not done much due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Forston is another risky pick with big upside. Eventually one has to hit.
25. Tampa Bay Buccs LaMichael James RB Oregon
There you are….speed that is needed. Blount is the pounding running back but is limited. James would give this offense another dimension that has been missing for a while.
26. Detroit Lions Nigel Bradham LB FSU
Lions LB unit has been a huge surprise. That being said, until they resign Tulloch it is in limbo. Levy is solid as is Carpenter and Durant but none are elite. I am growing on Bradham for his total game. He is a big, athletic LB who would not leave the field. Bradham finished strong and he might move into round 2.
27. San Diego Chargers Brandon Boykins CB Georgia
Chargers could use some more secondary depth. I thin Boykins is an elite slot CB and a dynamic return man. Chargers could use both. Defense gets a huge lift in this draft.
28. Houston Texans TJ Hilton WR Florida Int.
Texans have a solid offense that can move down the field…what they need is a threat to break the big one. Hilton would do so in the slot and on returns. Texans offense needs to start remodeling now that the defense is fixed.
29. Baltimore Ravens Ray Ray Armstrong SS Miami
Talent, potential, and physical traits are all there…though production is lacking and more and more bad film is being viewed. I think he could make a drop…though fear not Ray Ray from NO Cal….wait that is the Rome Show. I think Ed Reed in one year can give him a great internship.
30. New Orleans Saints Keith Tandy CB WV
I swear no matter how many DB’s the Saints draft they still need more. Tandy is a solid play maker who is able vs. the run as well. We all know the Saints need to improve the tackling ability in the back 7.
31. New England Pats Tank Carder LB TCU
Patriots could use some more LB depth. I like their starters but the LB unit has not received as much resources as the DL and secondary recently. Carder gives them a diverse talent….heard that phrase at all?
32. Green Bay Packers Cyrus Gray RB Texas AM
Packers could use a RB that is a sound receiver. Gray would complement Starks well going forward. Ryan Grant is on his last legs and Alex Green is not the answer. Gray would be a steal at this point.
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