2012 NFL Mock Draft Week 17 Update: Barkley Returning to School

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17. Tennessee Titans (8-7)-Zach Brown, LB, UNC

And now the Titans linebacker corpse is the best young linebacker group in the league with Ayers, McCarthy, and Zach Brown. WR is a need, but the value isn’t here at this point.

18. New York Jets (8-7)-Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Jets can go a few different ways in the first round. Right Tackle, Pass rusher, Wide Receiver, safety. In this scenario they take, perhaps the best 34 OLB in the class. Upshaw can also play the run so that will be welcomed with the Jets.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland (8-7)-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Bengals lack cornerback depth and a true #1A #2 cornerback with the recent loss of Jonathan Joseph to free agency. With Leon Hall and Dennard the Bengals will have one of the most talented young cornerback duos in the league. This pick is also pretty good value. The Bengals are really set up well for the next few years.

20. New York Giants (8-7)-Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

I have a great feel for what the Giants will do during draft day based on who is left on the board and as it gets closer to the draft because the Giants are fairly honest with what they need to improve and they will go out and address that in free agency and take a Best player available approach. A few years ago Jerry Reese said the DL wore down at the end of the season (2008) and then in free agency they went out and signed Canty and Bernard (after they missed out on Haynesworth). Then in 2009 he talked about the safety play (enter Antrel Rolle) after 2010 (this past off-season) they were hampered by the salary cap, but they mentioned the center position and went out and got David Baas.

After the season ends Jerry Reese will tell you what positions they feel need to be upgraded so pay attention.

With all that being said. The Giants have shown a penchant to be intrigued by unique players. Cordy Glenn qualifies as that. He has played much better than expected at LT this year for the Bulldogs and with his huge size, surprising agility, and the Giants power running offensive system I think they’ll be very intrigued by Cordy Glenn.

21. Denver Broncos (8-7)*-Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Broncos have a lot of stop-gaps at defensive tackles. This is where Devon Still comes in play. Still is also good value here as a BPA type pick.

22. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)*-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Cowboys have had some problems at center this year and Konz is a really impressive center prospect. Makes a lot of sense. CB and safety also makes a lot of sense here, but it’s not good value.

23. Cleveland Browns (via the trade from Atlanta)-Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

This would be a really good pick for the Browns at this point. Kuechly reminds a lot of people of James Lauriantis, and he fell to the second round best of concerns about his athletic ability. Kuechly doesn’t have great size or speed so he could see a similar drop despite his phenomenal production and instincts.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)*-Lamar Miller, RB, Miami University

This pick makes so much sense I continue to draw on this well. The only thing the Bengals are missing on offense is a bona-fide stud at running back. Cedric Benson is just playing average this year and Scott hasn’t shown he’s more than a complementary back. Miller has size, speed, strength and good hands. Just a really good player who gets tough yardage, but can also take it the distance at any time.

25. Detroit Lions (10-5)*-David DeCastro, G, Stanford Cardinal

The Lions grab the best player available here and add youth and talent to an offensive line in desperate need of an infusion of talent.

26. Houston Texans (10-5)*-Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis Tigers

I know Wade Phillips NT blah blah blah. But if you have a chance to get a talented player like Poe to continue to improve the defense why not?

The other position that I think makes a ton of sense for the Texans to consider is a wide receiver to pair with Andre Johnson or to take his place when/if Johnson is sidelined with an injury.

27. Baltimore Ravens (11-4)*-Mark Barron, S, Alabama Crimson Tide

Mark Barron is smart, physical and productive. The Ravens have gotten by with less than stellar athletes at the safety position, but Barron is no slouch and would be a great fit in Baltimore.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4)*-Barrett Jones, T, Alabama

Every year the Bears and Steelers do something in the off-season about the offensive line. And every year the offensive lines are still considered sub-par. When will this end? Jones has impressed me with his play. I think he has under-appreciated athletic ability and is extremely versatile. He will start on the line somewhere for the Steelers next year.

29. New England (via New Orleans)-Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

If the Patriots stay with a 43 DE they need a pass rusher. Branch is having a good season, but kind of quietly. He has 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He also has more than enough size to be a viable 43 RDE (6’5 260 pounds) and is a good athlete (aren’t all Clemson players?-Seems that way at least). Good, under the radar pick here by the Patriots.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3)*-Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The 49ers tried to add Braylon Edwards into the mix as their #2 WR but that has failed miserably. They will turn to the speedy Kendall Wright who has had a very good season with the Baylor Bears and Robert Griffin III.

31. New England Patriots (12-3)*-Dwight Jones, WR, UNC

One of the Patriots weaknesses this year is a lack of quality WR options. They are still managing to put up points despite the unproductive year from Chad Ochocinco in large part because of the play of their tight ends. Jones though is the last of the WR in this class who is a good bet as a #1 WR. Jones has good size and can make plays down the field. He should excel with Tom Brady and the quicker, underneath complements.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1)*-Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is kind of a man without a position. He has been dominant as DT at South Carolina, but lacks ideal height. He has really good athleticism though and could develop into a 34 rush linebacker. Watch Ingram in the off-season to see if he shows enough to become a 34 OLB.

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