Updated 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Post-Senior Bowl Edition
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts move on from Peyton Manning and get the guy who is supposed to be the best prospect at the position since John Elway. Not a bad transition.
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma
Playmaker who has been compared to Terrell Owens, Blackmon is a guy who could save Sam Bradford’s job and make Jeff Fisher a very happy new head coach.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Kalil will be the cornerstone of the Vikings’ offensive line for years to come. Great athlete who can also come in and block field goals.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Big time playmaker at quarterback who could struggle early, but he’s smart and will be able to improvise with his legs and make his learning curve less difficult.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Richardson is a huge addition for the Bucs’ offense and rookie head coach Greg Schiano. He can be a Pro Bowl caliber player from day one.
6. Washington Redskins: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Excellent cornerback prospect and a guy who could really upgrade the Redskins’ already improved defense. This could be a great fit if the Skins are unable to trade up for a QB.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DT/DE, North Carolina
Excellent pass rush prospect for a team that desperately needs that on its roster.
8. Carolina Panthers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Reiff is a guy who will come into the league well-coached and able to play either tackle position. Instant upgrade for what Carolina likes to do offensively.
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
One of my favorite players from Senior Bowl week. I think Upshaw is a future superstar in the NFL, and Miami is a perfect spot to land.
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina
Bills will be using a lot of different fronts defensively next year, and Ingram is a perfect addition for that. He can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Martin is a big time upgrade on the Chiefs’ offensive line. He was the blind side protector of Andrew Luck, and he was very good at it.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Really big defensive line prospect who can get to the quarterback and play multiple positions. I think he is a good fit for Seattle’s improving defense.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
The Cardinals need a guy who can fly around and make plays from the linebacker position, and Brown can do it all. He and Patrick Peterson would provide one of the fastest CB-LB duos on any team in the NFL.
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OL, Stanford
The Cowboys need a lot of help on the interior of their offensive line. DeCastro would solidify the RG spot for years to come.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Kuechly isn’t flashy, but the guy can really make plays. He isn’t always behind the line, but he rarely misses tackles and he is a leader.
16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Floyd is a big body and a guy who can be a threat in the red zone. I think Santonio Holmes will be gone in New York and Floyd would be a good replacement.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Jenkins had an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl and it looks like he has finally turned his life around.
18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Mike Adams is another guy who had an impressive Senior Bowl week, and a guy who has entered himself into the first round conversation.
19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Jay Cutler gets a speedy, reliable target who can get open in a variety of ways. He reminds me a lot of a Mike Wallace type of player.
20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC
The Titans really need to upgrade their pass rush, and getting Perry at this slot is a really good value.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Cincinnati follows up their pick of AJ Green last year with Alshon Jeffery this year. Jeffery would be a great compliment on the outside and would provide Pro Bowl QB Andy Dalton with yet another weapon.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dre’ Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Browns take advantage of Kirkpatrick’s fall, getting another player at a position of need. Joe Haden is among the best CBs in the NFL, adding a guy like Kirkpatrick would be huge.
23. Detroit Lions: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State
Wagner had a huge Senior Bowl and while he is underrated right now, he has the size, production, and athletic ability required to be a stud linebacker.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
Pittsburgh gets a massive offensive line prospect who can play either guard or right tackle. Glenn is a perfect fit for this power running offense.
25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Brockers is a guy who could really shoot up boards and get picked in the top 15, but if his stock stays where it is now, he’d be great value for Denver to give them interior pass rush.
26. Houston Texans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
The Texans’ defense looks really scary. Adding Mark Barron makes it a flat out nightmare for other teams.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
Mercilus can play DE or OLB and get to the QB. I think he is a good fit for the New England hybrid defense.
28. Green Bay Packers: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
In my opinion, it was a bit cocky to think James Starks could be a featured back after a couple of decent playoff teams. Adding a true number one back is just what this team needs to reach even greater heights.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower could be the heir apparent to Ray Lewis. Very productive player who has great size.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
Dontari Poe might not fall this far, but if he does, he’d be a great replacement in San Fran for the aging Aubrayo Franklin and this incredible Niners defense.
31. New York Giants: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Giants take the best player on the board in Fletcher Cox, a big athletic defensive tackle prospect who fits their scheme perfectly.
32. New England Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Very productive cornerback in college who had a hip injury at the Senior Bowl and pulled out of the game, but he’s a really skilled player who would be a nice fit for New England if they choose to draft–another CB.