2012 3 Round Mock Draft: Robert Griffin will be the next Aaron Rogers
By Editorial Staff
Round 3
1. Indianapolis Colts Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
Colts draft is going very well to this point. Thompson is the type of run defending DT that will complement Drake Nevis perfectly. Teams will no longer be a lock for 150 yards rushing every week.
2. St. Louis Rams Kendall Reyes DT UCONN
Reyes would provide an interior disruptor that is lacking with the Rams. I know he is not a great run defender and that is what is hurting the Rams right now but hey, Rome was not built in a day.
3. Washington Redskins Ryan Miller OG Colorado
Redskins utilize a zone blocking scheme that requires athletic, quick lineman. Miller would be a perfect fit at OG and be a big upgrade to what they have. HE can also play RT which is a huge bonus.
4. Chicago Bears Shea McClellin DE Boise State
Bears have hit a MLB and CB and could still build upon their defense. Israel Irondeje is a FA and Corey Wootton has done little so far. Bears need some production across from Peppers. McClellin is a Kyle Vanden Bosch type player who would do well under Marinelli’s tutelage.
5. Miami Dolphins Juron Criner WR Arizona
Being able to acquire Osemele and Criner in Round 2 & 3 will make Griffin very happy. The Dolphins are on the verge of an exciting offense….Sparano must be gone.
6. Minnesota Vikings Lonnie Edwards OG Texas Tech
Vikings OL is no longer a worry. Jonathan Martin upgraded the LT spot. Charlie Johnson and Lonnie Edwards will improve the OG positions as well. Ponder will have more time to well Ponder.
7. Arizona Cardinals Dan Barclay OT WV
This might be too early but the Cardinals will be very aggressive to get an upgrade at OT. I think FA is their best bet but if not Barclay represents a solid RT who is a better pass blocker than run blocker.
8. Kansas City Chiefs Dontari Poe NT Memphis
Besides not getting to the QB the Chiefs also aren’t that great versus the run. Gregg is a solid veteran NT but his time is coming to an end. Poe represents a raw but very talented NT who could be a force in a few years.
9. Cleveland Browns Melvin Ingram DE SC
Steal!!! Injuries have limited his effectiveness and because of that Ingram could fall into the early third round. Browns will get a huge steal and have had a dominate draft in this scenario.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Andre Branch DE Clemson
Jaguars are leaving Gabbert out to dry if they do not get a WR in FA. That being said they are building a nearly dominate defense and will not ask much out of Gabbert. Branch has shown the ability to get to the QB…he now needs to find some consistency.
11. Seattle Seahawks Sean Spence OLB Miami
At one point many thought the Seahawks had the best LB unit in the league. Since than Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupula have been released/traded and now the Seahawks could use some help/depth. Spence is a widely talented and sometime out of control prospect who if rained in a bit could be a force.
12. Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles QB Arizona
With Vick always being an injury threat it is important to have a quality backup. The Eagles do not. Foles has starting ability, he just needs to learn the game more and who better to learn from than Andy Reid/ Marty Morningwheg?
13. Denver Broncos Winston Guy Jr SS Kentucky
Besides Zeitler the next biggest steal/sleeper to me is Winston Guy Jr. This kid is a dynamo who blows up run plays and is ever improving pass defender. I know the Broncos would love a QB or DT but this draft landed them a shut down CB, a play making RB, and a dominant SS…that is quality drafting.
14. Tampa Bay Buccs Kendall Wright WR Baylor
Buccs would love a chance to get a true game changer at the WR position. They have big, chain moving WR’s currently but lack that true threat. Wright would give their offense that dimension.
15. Buffalo Bills Micah Hyde CB Iowa
Bills secondary is not as bad as their numbers indicate. They could be better but their pass rush or lack there of is the real problem. With Rounds 1 and 2 upgrading the pass rush Micah Hyde would give the Bills a solid, aggressive CB to pair one day with Aaron Williams.
16. San Diego Chargers Julian Miller DE/OLB WV
I admit I have not seen much tape on Miller but from what Charlie Campbell from Walter Football states this kid is a true beast who can play multiple positions. His best might be OLB in a 3-4 that would key on his athleticism and pass rush abilities.
17. Tennessee Titans Danny Trevethan OLB Kentucky
Titans were able to get their SLB and MLB of the future in last years draft. In this year’s draft they get their WLB and another prospect I feel is a big time sleeper.
18. Atlanta Falcons Cam Johnson DE Virginia
Falcons need to keep drafting DL depth and talent. They are in a division with Brees, Newton, and Freeman. Abraham is not getting younger and besides Edwards no one is playing that well. Cam Johnson is a solid DE who has been limited by injuries this season.
19. Cincinnati Bengals Keith Tandy CB WV
I know the Bengals acquired Minnifield but they lack depth as well. Tandy is another physical CB who is a big time play maker. He had some trouble versus Rutgers but was not embarrassed. Tandy and Minnifield help out a lot in the long term.
20. Dallas Cowboys Ray Ray Armstrong SS Miami
Cowboys finally get some secondary talent. Armstrong is a physical beast with a high ceiling that is still available due to his lack of performance and suspensions.
21. Detroit Lions Ben Jones C Georgia
Is it too much to draft 3 offensive linemen in the first three rounds??? No, and I hope they get a FA LT as well.
22. Chicago Bears LaMichael James RB Oregon
With the Matt Forte situation getting out of control it might be wise to get an insurance policy if he leaves or is traded. James is a huge play maker and if used wisely could be another Darren Sproles.
23. Houston Texans TY Hilton WR Florida Int
Texans need some more talent at WR. Besides Andre Johnson, who misses 3-4 games each season, they have nothing. Hilton is a speed freak who can also help out on Special Teams.
24. New York Jets Bruce Irvin OLB WV
Boom or bust prospect who the Jets would take a chance on. Irvin posses elite speed and athletic ability and only needs to learn how to play football in order to succeed.
25. Baltimore Ravens Jeff Fuller WR Texas AM
Torrey Smith is looking like a good WR but the Ravens need to find an eventual replacement for Boldin. Fuller’s numbers are down this season but I think he is well worth the risk at this point in the draft.
26. New York Giants William Vlachos C Alabama
Giants need to keep acquiring blue collar, tough OL talent in order to get back to where they were when David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, Shaun O Hara, Chris Snee, and Rich Suebert where in their prime. This draft acquiring Barrett Jones and William Vlachos helps.
27. San Francisco 49ers Kheeston Randall DL Texas
49ers DL are dominant but lack depth. I think this draft will utilize mid rounds to stock pile depth for their DL.
28. New Orleans Saints Nigel Bradham OLB FSU
Saints front seven has been solid but acquiring Jerel Worthy and Nigel Bradham will allow it to be much more than that. Bradham is an under rated prospect who is a force in coverage and blitzing.
29. New England Patriots Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Broyles would have been an early to mid second rounder before his injury. Now he is worth a late 3rd rounder to a team like the Patriots who can sit him and allow him to return to form. Once he does he will be a Wes Welker type player the Patriots love to use.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers Colby Fleener TE Stanford
Heith Miller is getting near the end of the line and his middle of the field presence will be missed. That being said it is imperative the Steelers start their search to replace him. Fleener would be a great option and is a red zone machine.
31. Green Bay Packers Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
Johnson reeks of potential given his size, athleticism, and potential. His arrest has lowered his stock but Ted Thompson can afford to take risks and Johnson would get time to develop.