2012 NFL Mock Draft Update Week 16: Pre-Bowl Mock Draft

17. Chicago Bears (7-7)-Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

How important is Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears? Just take one look at the team without him. Cutler was doing all of that with nothing at wide receiver (Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, and Devin Hester have to be one of the worst receiving corpse in the league). Michael Floyd is a top ten talent who comes with some baggage. If he can stay out of trouble he could be a big time steal for the Bears.

18. San Diego Chargers (7-7)-Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

I think Mike Adams is a player that is going to go in the top 20 for two reasons. One he has ideal height/hands/arm length. If he is impressive in the pre-draft process he’ll go higher. Two, he plays a position of huge importance in the N.F.L.=LT.  On the Chargers, Adams could start at RT in 2012 and slide over t0 2011 encase of injury or the approaching departure of Marcus Mcneil.

19. New York Giants (7-7)-Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

The Giants secondary has been awful this year, yes a lot of that might be schematic of because of injuries, but they have still been awful. Aaron Ross has run of out steam and Terrel Thomas will be coming off of his second A.C.L. Tear. Jenkins has “character concerns” and that could scare most teams off, but I think the Giants will consider him here.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)-Dwight Jones, WR, UNC

The Bengals defense is pretty good, even though they need some more secondary help. The young offense is inconsistent. Jones is the last wr available who is a potential #1 starter and could be a tremendous starter. It could give the Bengals what they haven’t had since Chad Ochocinco and T.J. WhosYourMomma. Except without all of the drama.

21. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

I think the Cowboys can’t really afford to pass up on a center prospect like Peter Konz who is arguably better than either of the Pouncey brothers (and definitely in my mind better than Mike Pouncey).

22. New York Jets (8-6)-Dontari Poe, Memphis

The Jets need a pass rusher, but there might not be a great pass rusher in this class. They could take  Nic Perry here, but what the Jets also need is a big time nose tackle. Poe is the best nose tackle in this class (though Ta’amu is a better overall DL  prospect in my mind) who could really shine in the pre-draft process leading up to the draft to justify this slotting.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6)-Alameda Ta’amu, Washington Huskies

Ta’amu’s size indicates that he’d be a great fit as a 34 Nose tackle, but I’m not really sure about that. Ta’amu has some inconsistent film that goes from absolutely dominating to absent, but the talent is there. He could really excel as a DT/NT in the 43 defense and help the Broncos shore up the middle of their defense, which they used aging veterans and stop-gaps to address this past off-season with some success.

24. Atlanta Falcons (9-5)(traded to Cleveland)-Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

The Cleveland Browns showed last year with the drafting of Phil Taylor that they’ll consider guys that come with question marks. Burfict has “character issues” but not stemming from off the field incidents, but rather from the way he plays on the field. He has too many personal foul penalties and makes some dumb plays, but if this guy figures it out he could be Patrick Willis. You have to take that kind of chance when he A) fills a position of need B) it’s late in round one and C) it’s an “extra” first round pick.

25. Detroit Lions (9-5)-David DeCastro, G, Stanford Cardinal

DeCastro could go higher, but you don’t often see teams grab guards in the top 20 in the draft (always exceptions like Mike Iupati), but especially guards who don’t have potential tackle ability. DeCastro is the exception though. DeCastro is the Andrew Luck of interior guard prospects, consider a near bust proof future star at his position because of his ideal measurables and overall consistence. The Lions need help along the OL and DeCastro is the best player available.

26. Houston Texans (10-4)-Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans defense is really young still so they could swing over the offensive side of the ball and add some finishing touches. One thing they clearly lack is a Robin to Andre Johnson’s Batman. Enter in Kendall Wright. A player with good speed who reminds people of (the good) Desean Jackson.

27. Baltimore Ravens (10-4)-Kelechi Osemele, G/T, Iowa State

The Ravens are talented, but they still need some major pieces. They need more talent along the offensive line, they need future replacements for Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, someone else to rush the passer opposite Suggs. In this scenario they take a high upside offensive linemen.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)-Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

I think they will most likely to in a different direction. Jason Worilds has shown some flashes, but I just get annoyed mocking offensive linemen to them every team. They could also use an upgrade at safety and cornerback makes a lot of sense too.

29. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)-Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Despite the brilliance of the 49ers defense for most of the season, they could use upgrades and depth all throughout the secondary. I also think WR makes some sense, but only if the value is here and it’s not with most of the top wide receivers off the board.

30. New Orleans Saints (11-3)(traded to New England)-Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

I’ve seen it suggested that Melvin Ingram could end up on the Patriots and I think that makes sense. Ingram is very versatile which BB covets, but I think that the Patriots will go in a different direction. Lewis isn’t a first round prospect, yet, but a good pre-draft process could push him into the back part of the first round. He has natural pass rushing abilities as a 34 OLB and could put his hand down as a 34. I’m not sure what kind of defense the Patriots plan on running moving forward.

31. New England Patriots (11-3)-Mark Barron, S, Alabama Crimson Tide

Barron is smart, productive, and a winner. This is a Patriots kind of player they’ve been missing for awhile. Barron had a nice season this year and has rebounded his draft stock into the mid 1st to mid 2nd round range. I think he’s the first safety off the board come draft day.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1)-Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

Brewster is a fringe first round prospect who  has seen his stock slip for some reason, I’m not really sure why. Maybe he’s just been so consistent and not-flash that he’s being forgotten about a bit. . The Packers drafted Bryan Baluaga and Derrick Sherrod in the first round the last two years, but they still have some age and depth issues along their offensive line. Brewster is maybe the final piece in solving that problem.