2012 NFL Mock Draft: Week 8 Update. Landry Jones Replaces Tebow as Broncos Franchise Quarterback

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17. Philadelphia Eagles-Devon Still, DL, Penn State

Nearly every yea the Eagles draft an offensive or defensive linemen. I’ve mocked them Jerel Worthy before, but this time I move on to Devon Still.

18. New York Jets-Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

The jets need a pass rushing outside linebacker. This class is rather weak in that area, but someone is going to emerge from this group. I’ve been touting Courtney Upshaw as that guy, but this week I turn my attention to Vinny Curry who has been extremely productive playing at Marshall.

19. Cincinnati Bengals-Vontaze Bufict, LB, Arizona State

This is a value pick, but also a really good pick. Ideally the Bengals would love to probably add more weapons on offense, but in this mock they add Burfict and Claiborne which could make their defense scary good. Burfict ihas no superiors in terms of physical ability for his position outside of Andrew Luck, but questions abound. In 2010 he had too many personal fouls and played out of control, at times this year it looks like he’s holding back too much. Burfict has Ray Lewis/Patrick Willis type upside, someone will take the chance early.

20. Chicago Bears-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

It seems like every year the Beras draft an offensive linemen, but every year they still have offensive line problems? How is that possible? I”m not sure, but it’s true. It would be nice for the Bears to have a talented center who is under 32 years old.

21. Cleveland Browns (Via Atlanta Falcons)-Manti Teo, LB, Norte Dame

The Browns need linebackers in the worst way and get a tenacious one here with the selection of Manti Teo.

22. Baltimore Ravens-Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Sergio Kindle experiment has not worked, he might never be able to stay healthy in the N.F.L. Enter Upshaw who is tenacious and paired with Suggs could make a nightmare for the opposition.

23. Buffalo Bills-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Meh. Don’t know what to do here. Drayton Florence is al right, as is Leodis McKelvin. They just drafted Aaron Williams as well so it’s possible (perhaps likely ) they go in a different direction. Dennard is the selection here because I don’t want to continue to mock OLB to the Buffalo Bills.

24. Detroit Lions-Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Lions need help in the secondary anyway they can get it. Amari Spivey has played well this year but could potentially transition to cornerback next year. If I’m basingthis mock somewhat off of Tony Pauline’s big board Barron is clearly the best player available so that’s the pick as the Lions go best player available often.

On second though David DeCastro also makes a ton of sense here.

25 San Diego Chargers-Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The Chargers lack of pass rush was really evident when Shaun Phillips was out vs the Chiefs. The talented Nick Perry could fix that, he has upside but needs more time to develop.

I never, ever have any idea what the Chargers will do in the draft, so you might as well pick a name out of the hat and go with that one.

26. New York Giants-David DeCastro, G, Stanford

He’ll be drafted higher than this, just an oversight on my part because I was trying to fit in other players in the mock. As the best player avialable the Giants scoop him u.

27. New England Patriots-alameda Ta’amu, Washington

The Patriots need defensive help and also a quality wide receiver, which is why I heavily considered mohamed Sanu here, but I’ve mocked him to the Pats a few different times so I’ll go in a different direction. Ta’amu isn’t a fierce pass rusher, but he’s a massive, massive man who will bolster the Patriots run defense and clear some room for some of the Patriots average pass rushers.

28. Houston Texans-T.J. McDonald, S, USC

The Texans continue to add pieces to their defensive secondary. There are a lot of McDonald haters out there, but I’m not one of them. I think he’s a very solid safety prospect who is a safe prospect. He’s not Taylor Mays, he’ll be quality at the N.F.L.level as a guy who can handle the run and also play the pass.

29. New England Patriots-Devon Taylor, OLB, South Carolina

And the Patriots take a chance on a talented, inconsistent pass rusher because they desperately need help at that position.

30. San Francisco 49ers-Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 49ers take Jenkins to give them more talent in their secondary. Jenkins has worlds of talent, but dreaded character concerns and also didn’t enter the draft last year because of an injury.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers-Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Is Stevenson Sylveser the answer at ILB for the future next to Timmons? I’m not sure. Could Kuechly be? I think for sure.

32. Green Bay Packers-Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State

The Green Bay Packers need help on their defensive line, Jerel Worthy has a lot of talent he’s just inconsistent.

Thoughts

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