2012 NFL Mock Thanksgiving Edition Top 20 Picks
By Editorial Staff
I realize thanksgiving has passed. I wanted to give thanks to NFL Mocks by posting a 1 Round Mock Draft with updates. This mock draft will feature some very bold predictions. This will be a 1 Round Mock featuring the top 20 picks based on the official draft order prior to Thursday’s games. Excluding Matt Barkley, Matt Kalil, and Robert Griffin III. I love all 3 prospects as first rounders. I just want to project what could happen in the scenario that all 3 players return.
For scouting reports for allof these players go to our scouting report page
1. Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck Quarterback Junior Redshirt Colts owner Jim Isray wants either Luck or Barkley and I believe he’d be willing to move down if both quarterbacks declare. I think Luck only declares which forces the Colts hand.
2. Carolina Panthers Quinton Coples 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker North Carolina Senior Carolina would pick 2nd if the year ended today. I think the Panthers will take a defensive player. If Matt Kalil returns then, Coples becomes my top prospect. Coples is very versatile and he would make an excellent selection for Carolina if they switch to a 3-4.
3. St. Louis Rams Morris Claiborne Cornerback LSU Junior The Rams need a cornerback. With Kalil, Barkley, and Griffin all excluded from my mock draft, the only player I have left graded out as a top 5 talent is Morris Claiborne.
4. Minnesota Vikings Jonathan Martin Left Tackle Stanford Junior Redshirt If Kalil returns to school then Jonathan Martin becomes the top left tackle in this draft.
5. Washington Redskins Luke Kuechly 3-4 Middle Linebacker Boston College Junior If Matt Barkley does not declare than the Colts could release Manning to draft Luck. If that happens then I see Snyder aggressively making a move for Peyton Manning.
Kuechly has been a beast this year and the Redskins need a 3-4 Middle Linebacker to succeed in Washington.
6. Arizona Cardinals Justin Blackmon Wide Receiver Oklahoma State Junior Redshirt The Cardinals add Blackmon as a #2 target next to Fitzgerald.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars Alshon Jeffery Wide Receiver South Carolina Junior Despite the sloppy production, Jeffery finds a way to soar into the top 10 with a monster combine.
8. Miami Dolphins Tyler Wilson Quarterback Arkansas Junior Redshirt If Arkansas wins VS LSU like I predicted I could see Wilson going pro after one year as a starter like Mark Sanchez did if Arkansas runs the table.
I like Tyler Wilson much better than Landry Jones based on what I have seen so Wilson goes 8th to Miami in this mock under the rare event that Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin III return to school.
9. Kansas City Chiefs Trent Richardson Running Back Alabama Junior Imagine how sick the Chiefs backfield would become if Richardson pairs up with Charles.
10. Cleveland Browns Riley Reiff Right Tackle Iowa Junior Redshirt With Kalil returning Reiff sneaks into the top 10.
11. Philadelphia Eagles Vontaze Burfict Middle Linebacker Arizona State Junior The Eagles get a middle linebacker that they desperately need.
12. San Diego Chargers David DeCastro Right Guard Stanford Junior Redshirt The Chargers get a guard. The San Diego Chargers need an upgrade over Louis Vasquez at right guard plus Chargers left guard Kris Dielman is on IR.
13. Seattle Seahawks Dre Kirkpatrick Cornerback Alabama Junior Pete Carroll keeps his job and Seattle passes on a quarterback.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Alfonzo Dennard Cornerback Nebraska Senior I’d go Brandon Thompson here if I’m the Buccaneers GM because the 2nd round and below investments at defensive tackle haven’t panned out. Also, I thought Gerald McCoy was a complete joke compared to Suh coming out of the draft a few years ago plus Thompson reminds me of Warren Sapp more than Gerald McCoy. Tampa Bay likes a corner and they like Dennard so I will pencil Dennard to Tampa here for the time being.
15. Tennessee Titans Michael Brewster Center Ohio State Senior The Titans pursue a center who can snap the football and protect Jake Locker properly.
16. Buffalo Bills Michael Floyd Wide Receiver Notre Dame Senior The Bills really like Floyd. I think they will take him and make Floyd the flanker receiver pairing him up next to Stevie Johnson.
17. New York Jets Brandon Jenkins 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Florida State Junior Jenkins has the versatility that Rex Ryan looks for.
18. Denver Broncos Landry Jones Quarterback Oklahoma Junior Redshirt I’ve joked in the past about how Elway is like Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore bashing Tebow. I think Elway will draft a quarterback and fans will boo Elway.
FYI Elway, if you want to deal Tebow I’d be glad for my team the Patriots to take him off your hands when Brady is gone. Landry Jones look likes he will bust down the road so good luck without Tebow if you decide to part ways with him.
19. New York Giants Zach Brown Right Outside Linebacker North Carolina Senior The Giants need a right outside linebacker. Brown could be a pick here.
20. Cleveland Browns from Atlanta Falcons Manti Teo Right Outside Linebacker Junior The Browns need a weak side linebacker for their 4-3 defense. Teo is the best player available with Zach Brown gone.