Updated 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Senior Bowl Edition
16. New York Jets: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
. DeCastro has potential to be a perennial all-pro and is great value for the Jets at this point. He would fortify their RG position for years to come.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Dre’ Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
. Solid value pick here, Kirkpatrick has minor character concerns but he’s a great talent and a big, physical corner. The Raiders, who traded this pick to Cincy, would be proud of the selection, as Kirkpatrick reminds me a lot of Nnamdi Asomugha.
18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
. The Chargers have to upgrade their pass rush, and getting a local kid to help out is a solid choice. Perry had a big junior season and declared for the draft a year early.
19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
. As big of a jerk as Jay Cutler can be to his coaches, teammates, and civilians, I think he deserves to have a legitimate receiver on the roster. The Bears made it to the NFC title game with Cutler when they had pretty much no one at receiver.
20. Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
. Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin could both bolt for free agency, in which case, the Titans need to have a plan in place. Jenkins is a very talented kid who would be a good value at this point in the first round.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
. I have been a big fan of this potential fit for a while, and I think Floyd would just add another dimension to the Bengals’ offense, which features a rookie Pro Bowl quarterback in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green who was one of the best rookie receivers in league history.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)
. I think the Browns will part ways with Peyton Hillis, opening the door for another back to make his way in. Lamar Miller has all the tools, and he would be a great pick late in the first round.
23. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
. The Lions need better protection for Matt Stafford, plain and simple. Getting a massive kid like Mike Adams would be a good value for the Lions at this point.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
. Casey Hampton’s replacement comes in the form of Dontari Poe, a 6’5″ 350 pound kid out of Memphis who has great upside and athletic ability.
25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
. Getting a DT who can collapse the pocket will make Denver’s best defensive weapons Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller that much better. Worthy can also defend the run, which is a plus for the Broncos.
26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
. The Texans take a world of pressure off of Andre Johnson with this pick, getting a playmaker like Sanu who is raw but absolutely worth a flier in the late first round.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State
. Fletcher Cox is a defensive end prospect who can rush the quarterback and would add some youth to the Patriots’ defensive line which could use a little infusion.
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28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
. Adding to the front seven of the defense is going to be critical for the Packers this year, and getting a versatile playmaker like Ingram could be a huge boost.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
. Top notch guard prospect who is tough and can pave the way for that powerful Ravens offense.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
. The Niners add another playmaker to that offense that already features Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Wright does a good job of getting open and could be a Mike Wallace type of player for the Niners.
31. New York Giants: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
. Konz is the best center in the draft and a great value for the Giants at this juncture. He would be a decade long starter and a perennial Pro Bowler, in my opinion.
32. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
. Mercilus seems like he could wind up being a one -year wonder at the college level and nothing more in the NFL, but going to a Bill Belichick defense could really benefit him in the long term. Belichick likes big outside linebackers that can play the run and rush the quarterback. Mercilus fits that description perfectly.