2012 NFL Mock draft Minnesota Vikings Take Justin Blackmon

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16. New York Jets–Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Someone who could really rise up draft boards during the pre-draft process. Perry is very physically gifted and their is a lack of great pass rushers in this class. The Jets defense is only average because they can not rush the passer. If they find someone who can rush the passer consistently and upgrade their safeties this defense could be real good. I think the Jets are going defense in the draft. Whether that be S, OLB, or NT. All positions they could upgrade.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)-Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraksa

There was a lot of stories about how Alfonzo Dennard was considered the better prospect than Prince Amukamara by N.F.L. scouts but that’s off-base a bit in my mind. Dennard is talented, but doesn’t offer the same kind of excellent size/speed Amukamara offers. Amukamara is over 6′ tall and ran a 4.37 unofficial 40 yard dash at the combine. Dennard just isn’t as physically gifted in my opinion. With that being said, Dennard is a good player and the Bengals could use the CB help.

I think if not CB this pick is definitely David DeCastro.

18. San Diego Chargers–David DeCastro, G, Stanford Cardinal

Based on big board grading, DeCastro will be higher than this on a lot of big boards. His positional value is not great because he doesn’t have tackle ability, but he is a terrific guard prospect.

19. Chicago Bears-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin.
If Konz is available what else could the Bears really do here? The only more perfect pick in this draft is Girffin III to the Redskins without them trading up. Robert Gaza is a good player but he’s getting too old. WR, DE, OLB, and cornerback are all directions I think they could go.

20. Tennessee Titans–Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery’s stock has taken a bit of a hit. Is he “too big” for N.F.L. (meaning does he have the fluid ability, can he run enough to separate). And why was his production so low was it just the quarterback play? Well here at 20 he fits a need and represents good upside.

21. Cincinnati Bengals–Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

I imagine someone will take the chance on Coples at some point in the first round even if his play indicates teams should really consider passing. Coples offers good upside. I think he can be a Justin Smith like talent. The Bengals would know a little bit about how good Justin Smith can be and might take the chance at this juncture.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)-Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
An underrrated athlete who might befell the same fate as Paul Pozluszny and James Laurinatis because of a lack of physical ability. His instincts are off the charts though and the Browns need a presence like his on defense. If the draft turns out like this for the Browns they will have amassed a load of talent on defense in the past two drafts to maybe even take claim as best defense in the A.F.C. North if everything pans out. And that’s saying something.

23. Detroit Lions–Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

Jeff Backus has played well throughout the season, but the Lions could upgrade the LT position. The question here is, does Mike Adams have enough athleticism to play LT. He has terrific arm length and size which intrigues N.F.L. teams. He is also athletic and has played very well this year. Adams could find himself drafted in the top 20 with ease, especially if teams decide that he can in fact pass protect enough as a LT.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Steelers fans can thank Ike Taylor for this pick ending up as a cornerback when draft day rolls around. I’ve been leaning toward CB, DL, or LB for the Steelers pretty much throughout the entire season. This defense is aging and has holes. It needs upgrades, the Steelers win with defense. OL is a possibility as well.

25. Denver Broncos–Devon Still, DL, Penn State

This could eventually be a steal if the Broncos were to land him here. I think it’s plausible that either Still or Brockers ends up being available in the 20’s. In this mock teams passed on the N.F.L. readiness of Still for the upside of Brockers. The Broncos defense played well this year, but there were more than a few games where the lack of depth was on prominent display. If Tebow is going to be the starter I think they have to look at improving the defense here or adding a tough run blocking interior OL.

26. Houston Texans Dwight Jones, WR, UNC.
The Texans need a complement to Andre Johnson. They have also drafted defense heavily the last two drafts so they will probably look to add offense at some point early in this draft. The Texans might have been Superbowl favorites if Schuab was healthy this year. This team is full of YOUNG talent and is a force to be recokn with for years to come.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)-Melvin Ingram, OLB/DL, South Carolina

Who knows what kind of defense the Patriots will run next year. Ingram offers them the veratility they crave. He has good size and really good athletic ability. He can rush the passer from the 34 OLB spot and in some 43 systems could play along the line as well. By mid April though Ingram’s stock could be much higher than here.

28. Green Bay Packers-Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

People have forgotten that Jared Crick is a good player. Yes he had a season ending injury this year, but it’s not going to be a long term thing. The Packers were unable to generate anything that resembled a pass rush on Giants quarterback Eli Manning this past Sunday which is why they are sitting at home for the rest of the playoffs. They must improve their pass rush whether they do that with an OLB or a Defensive linemen up front who creates space for Matthews and company. I think they have enough talent in the secondary if they can get a better pass rush.

29. New York Giants–Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

The Giants take the best player on the board and fill a position that is potentially a need. Even though the Giants drafted Prince Amukamara this past season (who has not played a ton), they have Aaron Ross and Terrel Thomas as potential free agents. The Giants have a devastating pass rush that might only get better next year when Marvin Austin comes back from his pectoral injury. If, however, Thomas and Ross do leave though free agency the Giants will have to rely on Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara, and whomever else they can collect from the scrap heap. That’s not good enough. Jenkins comes with some baggage, but is very talented. Linebacker, OL, and maybe RB and WR are also options here.

30. Baltimore Ravens.Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens passing offense is not great. Is that Joe Flacco’s fault or the wide receivers. The wide receivers they have outside of Torrey Smith are getting old. Can they count on Lee Evans for anything next year? Sanu is potentially the next Anquan Boldin in his prime. It really depends on who is available here. I would expect them to take a long hard look at OL here as well even though they have Michael Oher and Jah Reid at tackle.

31. San Francisco 49ers-Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis.

The 49ers are going to be picking very late in this draft, which means they need to get a good value Dontari Poe could soon end up being the #1 NT in this draft class with a good pre-draft process, though he’s not there yet. The 49ers lost Franklin via free agency prior to this season and they might not feel like they have a long term replacement at the position, if not Poe could be their man.

32. New England Patriots–Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

Criner has moved out of the first round and even the first two rounds in a lot of places except for Russ Lande of Sporting News who has had Criner in the first round even recently. I think this is probably one too many wide receivers in the first round so it’s not the most likely pick, but I just wanted to remind people of Criner’s ability. Also consider the Pats trading out of this spot for someone to draft Ryan Tannehill, or even a player like QB Brock Osweiler.

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