2012 NFL Mock Draft-Denver Still Thinking Quarterback? Redskins Nab Griffin

This is the first 2012 NFLmock draft from Adeed one of our newest writers. Tim Tebow won today by coming back vs the Dolphins, has he  done enough to take the pressure off him or are the Broncos still thinking quarterback?  Enjoy.

 Miami

Andrew Luck – nuff’ said. If Luck declares for the draft, he will go Number 1 no questions asked. Dolphins have a need for a QB and Luck could fit right in and start playing at a high level. Dolphins already have a relatively good o-line along with a playmaking receiver in Brandon Marshall so Luck shouldn’t have too hard of a transition compared to other number 1 overall pick QB’s.

1. St. Louis 

Matt Kalil – Justin Smith has turned out to be a bust pretty much and Rodger Saffold is continually injured. Regardless, the Rams need to get an offensive lineman to shore up the run game and to keep QB Sam Bradford from getting injured. We all know about David Carr…Kalil is the best offensive lineman in the country right now. He has great bloodlines (brother is pro bowl C Ryan Kalil) and he is the reason why T Tyron Smith (#9 last year) played RT and not LT. He has great size at 6’7 295 lbs and has a frame that can add more weight. Kalil should immediately be able to slide into LT and become a great pass protector while he works on the run game.

1. Indianapolis
   

Jonathan Martin – many have another QB to replace Peyton Manning here but if Manning can come back completely healthy next year, I see no reason why he could not play another 3 or 4 years. What the colts need is not a QB (unless they can get Luck) they can groom for years but instead, they really need offensive lineman to keep Manning safe. Martin is also another highly rated OT and should be starter day 1 at LT. He has kept Luck safe for his career and has great size, footwork, work ethic, and smarts to transition quickly into the NFL.

1. Jacksonville
   

Alshon Jeffery – Jacksonville as a team is not as bad as the number 4 pick says they are. They have a good running game with MJD and their defense is extremely solid, especially their front 7. They also have found their future QB in Gabbert from last years draft. As Gabbert learns the ins and outs of the NFL, he needs a big time wide receiver to grow with. Mike Thomas is OK at best and is better suited as a 2^nd receiver, if that. Jeffery is a big target at 6’4 230 lbs who has had a relatively down season but his upside is clearly there. He can stretch the field vertically with his size and great leaping ability but he can also be that big, strong possession receiver.

1. Arizona 

Vontaze Burflict – Arizona could go a number of ways here. They need help on the o-line, defense, and could use an upgrade at WR. Since the top Tackles are gone, I have to go with Burflict. Vontaze Burflict is an absolute monster in terms of athleticism and attitude. One analyst says “Burflict is what you get when you kick Ray Lewis’s dog”. He has been terrorizing offenses in the Pac-10 and figures to do the same in the NFL. Burflict gives the Cardinals an intimidating presence that can become the leader of their up and coming defense.

1. Minnesota 

Justin Blackmon – The Vikings need a legit #1 wide receiver, period. They lost Sydney Rice in WR and Berrian is just not cutting it. Ponder has Peterson in the backfield but he needs a playmaker wide receiver to pass to. Blackmon has been absolutely tearing up in Oklahoma State offense since the departure of Dez Bryant. Blackmon has good size to box out cornerbacks and also has the best yac ability amongst anyone in this years draft. The Vikings also need help on the o-line but there is no one of top 10 value left.

1. Cleveland
   

Morris Clairborne – Cleveland is an up and coming team and beside from Joe Haden, their cornerback depth is extremely weak. Their offense could use some help at WR and RT but no one would give them adequate value in this position. Clairborne is a sticky cornerback who has shot up draft boards since the departure of Patrick Peterson in LSU. He has great cover skills and would work well opposite of Joe Haden. If Cleveland can get two young shut-down corners, then their defense will be looking very dangerous for the future.

1. Seattle
   

Landry Jones – The Tavaris Jackson experiment is not working and Charlie Whitehurst is not the future at QB. Jones is a top QB prospect and has nearly everything you look for in a quarterback. With Jones at helm, the Seahawks can finally turn the corner and become a competitive team.

1. Denver 

Matt Barkley – Just like the seahawks, the broncos are in a similar position. The Tim Tebow probably will not work out and Orton is not the future at QB. Barkley has a very very strong arm and looks like a sure-fire top 10 pick in this years draft.

1. Kansas City
   

Manti Teo – the chiefs would definitely like to pick a QB or a top tackle but both of those are gone at this point. The defense is pretty solid with a very up and coming secondary but they could use a leader in the middle. Teo has been an absolute beast since starting dat 1 for the Irish freshmen year. He has prototypical NFL middle linebacker size and has great instincts. In this point of the draft, the Chiefs have to go with a sure-fire pick which is what Teo is.

1. Washington
   

Robert Griffin III-  Between John Beck and Rex Grossman, the Redskins are desperate for a future QB. Griffin has played well enough to be put into the first round. Not only is he an electric runner, but he is also a great passer completing around 60% and has very accurate throws. He’ll need some time adjusting to the NFL but he has great upside and potential.

1. Carolina
   

Quinton Coples- The Panthers could use a wide receiver or o-line but the talent with Coples is just too much to pass up on. Coples has had a relatively down year but his potential and athleticism is there. Coples and Charles Johnson would give the Panthers two great defensive ends that they could build their defense around.

1. Tennessee 

Michael Floyd – Kenny Britt is #1 reciever in Tennessee but the Titans could use some help in the #2 department. Floyd has great size and speed along with the body control to make just about any catch in his area. Floyd and Britt along with Chris Johnson will provide a good nucleus for QB Jake Locker to grow around.

1. Cincinnati 

Trent Richardson- The Bengals have found their future QB in the second round of last year’s draft and have two great offensive playmakers in AJ Green and Jermaine Gresham. Their young defense looks to be a force in the future too. At this point, the Bengals need a better running back to open up the passing game more. Benson had a great year in 2009 but has since been very mediocre. He is signed to a 1 year deal and the Bengals should definitely look to upgrade. Richardson is arguably the best RB to come out of college since Adrian Peterson and should add to the young nucleus of Dalton, Green, Gresham.

1. Cleveland – from Atlanta 

Luke Kuechly – The Browns will try to resign D’Qwell Jackson who is having a monster season but they still could use some help at linebacker. Kuechly may not be the most athletic linebacker, but he has great instincts and high IQ.

1. Chicago 

Riley Reiff – The Bears need help at every single offensive line position. Reiff is the best offensive lineman at this point.

1. New York Jets
   

Alameda Ta’amu– The Jets have yet to find a nose tackle to replace Kris Jenkins which is where Ta’amu fits in. Ta’amu already already has great size and has the frame to even add more weight. If Ta’amu cannot fill the void at NT, then he could move over to end and could play a Haloti Ngata type role at DE.

1. Philadelphia 

Zach Brown – the Eagles have great playmakers from their “dream team” offseason but they need some help at linebacker and on their offensive line. They could draft an o-lineman if Riley Reiff falls but at this point, Zach Brown offers the most upside. Brown is extremely quick. He once ran a 4.28 as a freshman, Since then, he has gained some weight but the speed is definitely still there.

1. Tampa Bay
   

Alfonzo Dennard – Ronde Barber may retire next offseason and Talib is not very reliable with his off the field problems. The Bucs have also shown interest in Dennard who is a very stocky at 205 lbs and could slip right into the Buc’s Cover 2 defense.

1. Cincinnati – from Oakland
   

Cordy Glenn- The Bengals used their first pick to select a RB and now they’ll use their second pick to get a guy to block for him. The Bengals need serious help on their interior line and Glenn is a great pickup for them. Their offensive line is traditionally on the beefier size which Glenn, 350 lbs, fits perfectly. Put him on the right side of the line alongside Andre Smith and Richardson will be able to find some big holes.

1. Houston

Mark Barron – The Texans look fairly solid at cornerback with the addition of free agent Jonathan Joseph and between Brandon Harris and Kareem Jackson there should be a good starter. Safety on the other hand, needs some work. They picked up Daniel Manning who is playing fairly solid but they still need someone on the other side. Barron has been having a great season at Alabama. He has great size and speed and very fluid hips. The addition of Mark Barron will solidify the Texans secondary.

1. Dallas*
   

Janoris Jenkins – Terrence Newman is getting old and Mike Jenkins just doesn’t seem to play with a passion ever since his pro bowl year. Jenkins has had off the field problems but the talent is there. He has great cover skills and has shown that he can go up against the bigger receivers despite his small size.

1. New York Giants*
   

David DeCastro – The Giants would really love to get a 4-3 linebacker here but no 1^st round talent is available here. I could see them trading down in this situation but if not, I think they would go with David DeCastro. The Giants are all about having a great offensive line which DeCastro could fit right in.

1. Pittsburgh* 

Andrew Datko – When Max Starks is your starting tackle, that’s when you know you need an upgrade.

1. San Diego*
   

Courtney Upshaw – The Chargers have a relatively sound team but could use another pass rusher. Upshaw fills a need for the Chargers along with being the best player available.

1. Detroit*
   

Stephon Gilmore – Gilmore is extremely athletic but will more than likely fall due to his subpar cover skills at moments. None the less, he is definitely a first round talent and could start at corner right away for the young and upcoming Lions defense.

1. Buffalo*
   

Donta Hightower – The Bills need a linebacker for the future. Pozluzny is not a Jaguar and Nick Barnett is just a stop gap. Hightower may not be the most athletic but he is very smart and should be able to adapt to the NFL fairly quickly.

1. San Francisco*
   

Mohammed Sanu – Michael Crabtree and Braylon Edwards are great wide receivers when they are on the game, but that’s also the problem. They seem like they are never on top of things. Whether injuries or drops, the 49ers wide receivers are terribly inconsistent. Sanu is a playmaker.

1. Baltimore*
   

Brandon Jenkins – The Ravens would love it if Jenkins would fall this far. Jenkins has natural pass rushing ability and with the addition of 10-20 lbs of muscle, he could become a force for the Ravens on the other side of Suggs.

1. New England – from New Orleans*
   

Ronnell Lewis – Lewis has had his draft stock skyrocketing recently with his stellar play. He will definitely need some time in NFL weight training and conditioning but he is extremely quick and can set the edge as a 3-4 or 4-3 linebacker.

1. New England* 

Jared Crick – Crick has had his season ended d

ue to a torn pectoral muscle but otherwise, he is a very sound 3-4 end. Crick gets great leverage and has great pass rushing technique.

1. Green Bay*
   

Cliff Harris – While Tramon Williams is a very good cornerback, Woodson is getting up there in age. Harris has great ballhawking ability and can also return kickoffs and punts (probably don’t need to though).