2012 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Redskins Destined For Robert Griffin III

Last year I wrote on this web site that if you wanted to email me at bartolisj@Gmail.com and submit a mock draft I’d put it on the front page for everyone else to read. Today we get a submission from Josh S. It’s a very well thought out mock draft and I think you’ll all enjoy.

All of our scouting reports for these players are on our scouting report page

1. IND: Andrew Luck QB – Stanford

If the Colts have the number one overall pick I have to assume that they take the best QB prospect to come out of college in decades. The Colts now know, if they didn’t before Peyton’s injury, how valuable a franchise QB is. I understand that the Colts would have too much money invested in one position but I believe drafting Luck to be the best move for the franchise even though it may not be the best move for the next season. We all know how talented and how much Andrew Luck does at the line of scrimmage and if he has the chance to learn from the best regular season QB of all time the Colts would be remise if they did not draft Andrew Luck. If Peyton isn’t ready to go next year at least they have a player who can step in and be an asset to this team. Like it or not, if the Colts have the first pick they leave with Andre Luck.

2. STL: Matt Kalil OT – USC

a. The Rams picked Sam Bradford with the number one overall pick for a reason. I know that his sophomore season has not been ideal to say the least, but the Rams acquired Brandon Llyod this season to give Bradford the number one receiver he deserves and now they add the tackle he deserves. Bradford is the franchise in St. Louis and the Rams need to protect their investment. Matt Kalil is no doubt the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s draft and a no doubt number two overall pick if the Rams are lucky enough to pick there. Also, Kalil helps one of the most talented RBs in the league in Steven Jackson. The more effective Jackson is the more effective Bradford is. The more effective Bradford is the more the defense stays off the field and stays fresh. You see where I’m going here.

3. MIN: Morris Claiborne CB – LSU

a. The Vikings have the QB they want in Ponder. If for some reason Kalil was there when the Vikings picked they would jump at the chance to get him. Assuming he is gone, CB is a position of need in Minnesota. Morris Claiborne is one of the top prospects in this year’s draft and falls right in the lap of Minnesota. Another option for the Vikings is to give Ponder that absolute playmaker at WR in Justin Blackmon. I see the Vikes taking Claiborne partly because they play in a division with Aaron Rodgers/Greg Jennings, Matthew Stafford/Calvin Johnson, and Jay Cutler/See CHI Pick and any help slowing those guys is well worth it.

4. CLE: Trent Richardson RB – Alabama

a. Trent Richardson is the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson. He has crazy talent, can run outside, inside, make people miss, and refuses to go down. He possesses all the qualities you want in a RB other than Chris Johnson like speed which… well… only Chris Johnson has. In my opinion Colt McCoy is not the franchise in Cleveland, but he can win games. I think the Browns give him another year and see if they can find the franchise in the next one or two years. Trent Richardson is a game changing RB who is an instant upgrade from the injury prone Peyton Hillis. Also, the Browns have the materials to trade up or draft Robert Griffin III outright if he is there, don’t sleep on RG3 taking his talents to Cleveland. But if they are bad enough, they have a shot at Barkley next year.

5. JAC: Justin Blackmon WR – Oklahoma State

a. Blaine Gabbert has not been good. He doesn’t have A.J. Green like Dalton or Steve Smith like Cam but still, he’s been bad. The Jags have a new owner, new coach, and may think new QB. I’m not ready to give up on Gabbert just yet. He needs a true number one WR. Blackmon walks in as the best WR on that team. Blackmon has fantastic athletic ability and is a flat out playmaker. The top WR prospect in this class without a doubt. Now only time will tell if Gabbert is the answer at QB.

6. TB: Devon Still DT – Penn St.

a. The Buccs took two defensive linemen in the first two rounds last year. They took Da’Quan Bowers from Clemson in the second and Adrian Clayborn from Iowa in the first. They have a chance to build the defensive line of the future if they take Devon Still. Still is a beast that can play the run and get after the QB. A flat out monster on the inside. Tampa was so desperate for a DT they went out and signed Albert Haynesworth this season. The Buccs have plenty of other needs, the rank 30th in total defense. Barber isn’t getting any younger so keep Dre Kirkpatrick in mind from Alabama. Also, pending their confidence in Josh Freeman after his sophomore slump they may take Riley Reiff from Iowa to help protect him.

7. WAS: Robert Griffin III QB – Baylor

a. Robert Griffin III is considered by some to be the better NFL “prospect” between him and Cam Newton. Tough to say that now. But, RG3 is an accurate passer for the most part, but does miss some open throws. We all know he can make plays with his feet too. Griffin III is known for his work ethic and his football intelligence. His mechanics are a little off but he can work on that. The poor Redskins aren’t left with any other choice, the fans and the organization cannot deal with the QB carousel another year. Griffin is simply easy to like and if he is here when Washington picks, done deal. If RG3 is gone, they take a hard look at Landry Jones.

8. MIA: Riley Reiff OT – Iowa

a. Miami is another team that has multiple needs but could be a few quality players from making some serious noise. QB is a glaring need. Matt Moore is not the long term solution but there is not one worth taking here. Landry Jones and Ryan Tannehill are options but I don’t think they reach that far. The Fins rank third in run defense and 26th in pass defense so Dre Kirkpatrick is an option as well. But Miami has shown before that they value the offensive tackle position and will take a quality OT with or without their franchise QB. Riley Reiff is that quality OT prospect who immediately upgrades their o-line. After all, Colombo has not been what they thought he would. If they are bad enough, they can draft Barkley next year with Reiff in place, but I don’t see that either.

9. CAR: Quinton Couples DT – North Carolina

a. Boy what a highly criticized move taking Cam Newton. I didn’t like the pick but obviously the Panthers saw something that no one else did, a QB first and an athlete second. Couples is a top talent but has slumped a little his senior year, some analysts think he just isn’t motivated because he knows that he will/should be taken high in the draft. The Panthers defense isn’t as bad as many people think, many teams just need to keep up with Cam and that means scoring and scoring some more. They have talented RBs although Stewart might be on his way out, and they have a solid group of WRs led by Steve Smith. They may take a WR to grow and develop with Cam (Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, or Alshon Jeffery) but Couples would have an impact as soon as he reports to camp.

10. BUF: Luke Kuechly ILB – B.C.

a. This is may be a little for an ILB but the Bills just paid Fitzpatrick, have Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller (who played surprisingly well late), and a talented group of WRs. They have talent on offense and last year took four defensive players with their first four picks. They want to build a defense. Kuechly just has a nose for the football and is a tackling machine. His instincts are simply fantastic. The Bills interior defense continues to get better with the Kuechly pick.

11. KC: Dre Kirkpatrick CB – Alabama

a. Dre Kirkpatrick has less than ideal speed for a CB, he is not an ideal cover corner, but he isn’t afraid of contact. He can flat out hit and has good size. He is a tough player who would be a good number two CB opposite Flowers. He falls right in KCs lap at 11. CB is not the teams top need but that defense has playing out of its mind late and would continue to get better by adding Kirkpatrick. I really wanted to put David DeCastro or Jonathan Martin here. DeCastro would help J.C. and that running game because he is so versatile as a OG. This would be high for an OG but Chiefs fans should be thrilled if they take DeCastro. Also, I thought about Poe the DT from Memphis here. If Romeo gets that interim tag lifted he could be looking for that dominate DT and give Poe the nod, don’t be surprised.

12. ARI: Jonathan Martin OT- Stanford

a. Kevin Kolb has one of the best WRs in the NFL in Larry Fitzgerald, now he just needs time go get him the ball. Jonathan Martin is in the second tier of OTs in this class, with Riley Reiff. Many people are giving Reiff the slight advantage and so am I. I think Martin has more upside though, so Arizona lands the OT that should help keep their heft investment healthy and throwing to Fitz. David DeCastro is an option, and possibly more of a team need.

13. PHI: Michael Floyd WR – Notre Dame

a. I toyed with a number of options for Philly, they will be unpredictable on draft day. They have talent in the defensive secondary, they have talent on the defensive ends, so DT would be a nice piece to add. Poe from Memphis is a likely pick for Philly but I think they go with Floyd. DeSean Jackson has already done everything he needs to do to get out of Philly. He does deserve more money and he will find someone who will pay him, just not in Pennsylvania. Michael Vick needs another WR if DeSean is out and Floyd could step right in. He doesn’t have the same speed but is a big, physical WR who can make plays. They still have Maclin outside and Steve Smith (hopefully) in the slot. Floyd is another weapon on an already dangerous offense.

14. SEA: Landry Jones QB – Oklahoma

a. T Jax isn’t the answer in Seattle. He has a good RB behind him and quietly a very solid defense opposite him. But, he still couldn’t get the job done. Seattle begins its quest for the franchise signal caller and next in line is Landry Jones. Landry Jones has been disappointing after his buddy Ryan Broyles went down for the year. Remember, disappointing not awful. Some people are saying he is the biggest disappointment in college football this year. I don’t see that. He was supposed to be the second QB after Luck, but he played his way out of it. He is a pure pocket passer and has the size of an NFL QB.

15. SD: Melvin Ingram OLB – South Carolina

a. The Chargers rank 26th in scoring defense (in a division with Denver, Kansas City, and Oakland) and have plenty of weapons on offensively. They need to add a talented playmaker on defense. Ingram can be that guy. He has played well enough to be a first half rounder. He has the versatility to move around the defense and give the coaches the freedom to let the new acquisition fly around.

16. CHI: Kendall Wright WR – Baylor

a. Kendall Wright has great speed which fits in perfect with Mike Martz’s offense. Jay Cutler does not have that number one WR and would be happy throwing passes to Wright. The offensive line in Chi-Town played awful early on but after a few games seemed to get it figured out. The defense is solid and they have one of the best RBs in the NFL. Wright helps that offense and Cutler try to keep up with Green Bay and Detroit.

Round two continued on next page