2012 NFL Mock Draft Week 14 Update: Browns Improve Defense with 2 1st Round Picks, Griffin to Redskins

17. Tennessee Titans (7-5)-David DeCastro,G, Stanford Cardinal

Jake Scott is not the long term solution at right tackle for the Tennessee Titans, but DeCastro could be. When a team drafts a quarterback it seems they almost always follow that up the next year with an OL to protect him with a WR. Here they go OL, even if it’s not a Tackle Castro is the best linemen prospect left.

18. Cleveland Browns from Atlanta (7-5)-Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

I really think the Browns should avoid linebacker with their first pick because Kuechly, Te’o, Brown, or Burfict is going to be available at this point, especially if the Falcons miss the playoffs. Kuechly is a tackling machine who has great instincts and good athleticism. He reminds people of James Laurantis and Paul Poz, which are fair comparisons I think, but that’s not a bad thing. I strongly consider Te’o here because Te’o can play the SAM in my opinion and that’s more of a need than MLB.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)- Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

The Bengals have lost Leon Hall for the season and lost Jonathan Joseph to free agency. Over the last few games (since they lost Hall) we’ve all seen how average their secondary is. Jenkins is very talented, but a little troubled, but like the Buccaneers the Bengals have a history of over-looking some off field infractions if the talent is there. Sometimes that pays off in big ways other times it does not. Hopefully Jenkins has his head screwed on straight because if he does, he’ll be very good opposite Leon Hall.

20. New York Jets (7-5)-Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes

The Jets want to be ground and pound, the problem is Shonn Green is not that good, Joe McKnight can’t hang on to the football, and Tomlinson is old. I love me some Lamar Miller. Miller has break-away speed, but also the size and ability to run the ball up the middle, to be a ground-pound kind of guy.  If the Jets want to ground and pound they have to improve their running back corps.

21. Detroit Lions* (7-5)-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

I think the Lions have to consider adding offensive line talent in the first round. Konz is the best offensive linemen available which is why he goes here. I wouldn’t rule out Ohio State LT Mike Adams who has a lot of length and quick feet which N.F.L personnel men drool over.

22. Chicago Bears (7-5)-Devon Still, DT, Chicago Bears

I think this is the second time I’ve mocked Still to the Bears. It seems like a good fit to me. Where value meets need. The Defense of the Bears is quality, but their defensive tackles could be upgraded for sure. When you’re trying to bring in and plug in castaways onto the defense it makes it harder. I think Still is better value here than an OL or Wide receiver.

23. Cincinnati Bengals from Oakland* (7-5)-Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Upshaw is generally considered a 34 OLB, but who knows. Us draftniks have been wrong many times in projecting how other teams view fits for their scheme. Upshaw is a gamer, the  best player left on my board which is why I mocked him here. Dontay Moch was drafted by the Bengals though he was considered more of a 34 linebacker. And they signed Manny Lawson who played 34 linebacker.

24. Houston Texans-(9-3)-Dwight Jones, WR, UNC

Jones is decent value here and gives the Texans a legitimate weapon at wide receiver in case Andre Johnson ever goes down with an injury again. Jones can challenge the deep part of the field with his size and does a good job of catching the football. He has #1 WR potential and at  worst should be a really solid number two WR.

25.Dallas Cowboys (7-5)-Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Whew doggies are the Cowboys safeties bad. Enter in Mark Barron. Barron has had a big bounce back year for the Crimson Tide like teammate Donta Hightower has and is fine value here. The Cowboys have shown a hesitancy to reach for players, but Barron’s not really a reach. They could also easily go Alfonzo Dennard here, but Dennard has had an inconsistent year and the Cowboys have more talent at cornerback than they do at safety.

26. Denver Broncos (7-5)-David Wilson, RB, Va Tech

Wilson is having a huge season He has breakaway speed and can also run in between the tackles as he’s proved more this year.  Wilson could add a big play out of the backfield for the Broncos if they are going to continue with the “Tebow offense”

27. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)-Manti Te’o, LB, Norte Dame

My best player available and it’s not even that close. Te’o would fit the Ravens draft philosophy and also give them an eventual replacement for Ray Lewis, which I don’t’ think is on the roster right now. (Talk about pressure for Te’o)

28. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The 49ers get a steal here just based on how the board bounced. The 49ers are getting a lot of interceptions this year out of their secondary, but I don’t think any 49ers fan would argue with my opinion that they could use an infusion of youth and talent onto the team.

29. New England – from New Orleans* (9-3)-Kelechi Osmele

I’ve mentioned Adams a few times as a possibility to go higher than this and believe that he very well could because of the value off offensive linemen. But the Patriots just drafted Nate Solder last year so I don’t think they would go OT again. Osmele has great size and quick feet and could be a really nice (nice as in the slang for “good” and not nice as in shake-your hand nice) guard in the N.F.L.

30. New England* (9-3)-Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami Hurricanes

I like to highlight one name to keep an eye on as a guy who could really rise up the boards coming into the draft and that guy just declared for the N.F.L. draft and his name is Tommy Streeter. Streeter is pretty raw as a WR and needs some refinement, but he’s huge, fast, has big hands, and wins the battle for the ball when it’s in the air. He’s not a first round pick, but watch his pre-draft campgain to see if he can climb into the second round because of his immense potential.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)-Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

And Mike Adams finally comes off the board here, though this might not be the right place as Adams has “character concerns” and that’s not really the Steelers style. Still need meets value here so the Steelers snatch  him up.

32. Green Bay Packers(12-0)- T.J. McDonald, S, USC

I think this is a slight reach, but I like McDonald. I don’t think he’s Taylor Mays. He’s a versatile safety who makes plays on the football, but can also come up and help against the run. Morgan Burnett is a nice player, but I’m not sure what is going to go on with Nick Collins. He suffered a terrible neck injury that cost him this season. I haven’t heard any updates about his future prospects yet.

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