2012 NFL Mock Draft: Are the Colts in Luck? Seahawks Roll Dice With Griffin III

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17. Cincinnati Bengals- Alfronzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

And the Bengals continue to add to their already talented defense. Cincinnati Bengals is one of the most talented young teams in the entire league, Dennard one of the best prospects. There are rumblings that Dennard is considered a better prospect than the talented Prince Amukamara who went 1th overall to the Giants in 2011. With the addition of Brown and Dennard and the young talent at the offensive skill positions the Bengals could be set to compete for the A.F.C. North for the foreseeable future. .

18. New York Jets-Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

The New York Jets offense has struggled this year. The Jets who are also a team who thinks they can bring anyone aboard and get maximum production of it. I know Plax is just coming off a three touchdown game, but it doesn’t seem like it’s something that will last. Floyd is a very talented player who goes up and gets the ball like Larry Fitzgerald, he does have some character concerns which could knock his status down a bit, but on the field the guy is excellent.

19. Dallas Cowboys-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is a very talented center prospect who might be a better prospect than either Pouncey brother (and definitely Mike) who could go in the first half of the first round. Konz would nearly complete the Cowboys youth movement for their offensive line to couple with all of the talented peripheral players they have. Costas okay, but he’s no Konz and Konz presence and if the Cowboys feel Costa could play right guard and would finally give their offensive line all players under 30, 25 even.

20. Chicago Bears- Jayron Hosley, CB, Va Tech

The Bears need more talent in their secondary, and have had for awhile, but they’ve gotten away with it because of a surplus of talent in the front seven. Hosley is an excellent fit for a team that runs Tampa 2 principles because he has excellent ball skills and really does a good job of reading the coverage and making plays on the ball. He could be the next Asante Samule, a player who has led or been near the top of the interception boards for years.

21. Atlanta Falcons-Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

I’m not sure Osmele’s a first round pick yet, but he could be and I like to highlight players this early in mock drafts to keep an eye out for. He’s very big 6’5 335 pounds and could play right tackle at the N.F.L. level and could definitely play at a high level as a guard. The Falcons need a LT more, than a right tackle so this probably won’t be their pick, but I”m trying to highlight their need along the offensive line

22. Buffalo Bills-Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Buffalo Bills have young talent at the wide receiver position and a decent tight end, what they really need is an outside linebacker to rush the passer. Dwayne Allen though is another player I want to highlight as really building momentum as a first round prospect. Allen is one of the best two way tight ends to enter the draft in awhile. These days most tight ends are blockers or pass catchers, Allen can be both. Allen has the size to block from the tight end position and the athletic ability to be a weapon in the passing game. He has an outside chance of being drafted in the first round, especially if he shows even better athleticism than anticipated.

23. Detroit Lions-Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU
Burftct drops here and of course the Lions get a deal. The Lions could use more help among their linebackers especially one as talented as Burfict. Even though secondary and offensive line are probably bigger needs. Burfict has talent, last year he was questioned because he couldn’t always play under control. This year the questions are the opposite and people are wondering if he’s being too cautious.What is undeniable though is his ceiling is very high.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The massive defensive linemen prospect is one to watch coming up to draft day. He’s listed at 6’5 350 pounds and is a monster in the middle. This year he has 8 tackles for loss. Keep an eye for his stock as the draft approaches.

25. San Diego Chargers-Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Chargers secondary didn’t look great vs the New York Jets who had been one of the worst passing teams in the league heading into that game. Gilmore is a talented player who bolsters the Chargers secondary. I thought the Chargers should have considered Jimmy Graham last year before they drafted Liuget, who has actually looked good this year. Ultimately, I think the Chargers would love to land another wide receiving option as Philip Rivers has been in a funk all season.

26. Houston Texans-Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is a versatile WR who is considered a an excellent number two complement wide receiver, which is exactly what the Texans need to take pressure off of Andre Johnson.

27 New York Giants-David Decastro, G, Stanford

I mocked him in my Giants 7 round mock so I figured I’d go there again. I still prefer the Giants draft a quality cornerback with both Aaron Ross and Terrel Thomas being free agents.

28. Baltimore Ravens-Manti Te’o, LB, Norte Dame

The Ravens could find the eventual replacement for Ray Lewis in this draft with all of the quality linebackers to be had. One of those quality linebakers who falls here is Manti Te’o. Te’o has good size and strength and is a production machine at Norte Dame.

29. New England Patriots (via Saints)-Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State University

The cornerback from Florida State is very talented, but also young (Redshirt sophomore). He’s likely to go back for his junior season, but if he declares he could sneak into the first round. With more polish he’s probably a pretty high 1st round pick in 2013.

30. San Francisco 49ers-Brandon Jenkins, OLB, FSU

Before I got some hate mail here’s what I said about the 49ers in my power-rankings to why they are picking so high (and yes I realize they would have to win some playoff games to pick this high)

Why are they so high? If this team plays poorly the rest of the season they should still win 11 games.

Unlike the lame stream media-I’ve been high on the 49ers for a few weeks. Why? They can run the ball well, they can stop the run well (the most consistent run stopping defense in the league), They have good special teams and Alex Smith is playing the clock manager well. They also play in a weak division. The 49ers have a realistic chance at winning 11 or 12 games this year based on their schedule. The 49ers could actually end up with a bye.

Remaining schedule: Cleveland, Washington, Giants, Arizona, Baltimore, STL, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis
let’s just say for kicks they lose to the Giants, Ravens, and Steelers. They should still be favorites in their remaining 6 games. Add those to their five wins and that’s an 11 win team. That’s IF we concede the game to the Giants, which they could easily win.

Seriously, the 49ers could end up with a bye in the playoffs. Who saw that coming?

I know they drafted Aldon Smith last year, but I just thought Brandon Jenkins value here was too good to pass up.

31. New England Patriots-Billy Winn, DL, Boise State

Winn can play the defensive line in the 34 which is where the Patriots could use some help. Tom Brady can overcome a lot of shortcomings on a team, but the Patriots defense needs to improve at all three levels. Enter Billy Winn, who doesn’t get much first round love, but I saw Rob Rang rank him at the bottom of his top 32 players so thought I’d mock him in the first round for a change.

32. Green Bay Packers-Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia University

Most teams can’t afford to take a potentially situational pass rusher with their first round pick, but the Green Bay Packers can and here they do. Bruce Irvin only has 2.5 sacks this year after racking up 14 last year, but a lot of that has to do with the Mountaineers asking him to put his hands on the ground more as a defensive end instead of letting him stand up where he’s at his best.

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