Updated 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Senior Bowl Edition
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
. Quarterback of the future for the Colts. Luck bridges the gap perfectly between Peyton Manning and the future of this organization. He will have growing pains, but I think he has star potential, like many others.
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
. I think the Rams ultimately trade this pick to the team that is willing to give up the most to get Robert Griffin III, which I think could be the Browns. Blackmon would be an ideal selection but the Rams could target three different guys with a traded pick (Blackmon, Kalil, Claiborne).
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
. Kalil is probably the second best player in this draft, and the Vikings really hope he falls there. He would be an ideal addition for a team looking to protect their new investment, quarterback Christian Ponder.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
.The Browns could look to deal up to get the Heisman trophy winner, who would be a good fit for their offense. The question then becomes, what do they do with Colt McCoy?
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
. The Bucs really can’t go wrong with this pick. They could upgrade their secondary significantly with Claiborne, or they could add a dynamic running back in Trent Richardson. If Richardson doesn’t go here, though, he could really fall.
6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
.The Redskins are going to be a wildcard on draft day. If they are somehow able to get their hands on a guy like Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn, I think adding more help on the offensive line would be a good idea. You could also look to add some more talent to that defense or even trade up to get a guy like RG3.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
. The Jaguars need help in the pass rush department, and Coples could help that. He slid in my last mock, but his talent might be too much for teams to overlook.
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
. Brockers should be in for a huge rise. I think he would have been a top ten pick next year, so I don’t see why one of the 10 GMs in the top 10 won’t see it either. Carolina would hope for a quick development out of Brockers, who has huge upside.
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
. The Dolphins miss out on the quarterbacks and get one of the more dynamic pass rushers in the draft. Upshaw is a guy I really, really like and a guy who can impact a defense instantly.
10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
. The Bills continue to add depth to the offensive side of the ball and get a guy who can be a starting left tackle for a really long time.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
. Kansas City takes advantage of the fall of one of my favorite players in the entire draft. If Richardson sneaks out of the top 10 picks, then Kansas City should pounce on the opportunity to get a dynamic playmaker and add him to the mix.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
. This would be a shocker type of pick, but I could definitely see it happening. Pete Carroll knows the Pac 12 really well and Osweiler has all the tools you look for, he just needs to put it together consistently.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Devon Still, DL, Penn State
. The Cardinals could lose Calais Campbell to free agency, but if they don’t they could still use depth along the defensive front to add to their pass rush. Still was a great player for PSU this past season, and could be an impact player.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
. Mark Barron would add another dimension to whatever defense he goes to. He is really close to being an elite safety prospect, and I think he would be a serious upgrade to the Dallas defense.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
.Brown adds speed to the Eagles’ group of linebackers which is seriously lacking for talent right now. He would be an instant starter and I feel like he is an impact player.
