2012 NFL Mock Draft Updated 3 Round Mock Draft
33. St. Louis Rams-Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
The Rams add a weapon for Sam Bradford here though they still need someone to protect Bradford at the LT spot they could hope for a bounce back season from Roger Saffold. The value for LT is not available at this point.
34. Indianapolis Colts-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
By far and away the best value on the board and a player I think will be long gone before this pick. Irsay might feel like Konz and Luck can be the next generation of Manning and Saturday. Konz is really good value here and thinking back on it again he probably doesn’t get past the Giants, and most likely probably does not even make it to the Giants pick.
35. Minnesota Vikings-Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Another value pick here. I’m not the biggest Mercilus fan, but it is a good value pick here. The Vikings aren’t weak at defensive end and have one great defensive end and some solid depth, but after they take care of their biggest priority in round one they can afford a value pick here. I also fully expect them to address WR in free agency.
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jamell Flemming, CB, Oklahoma Sooners
Flemming might not be a great fit for the Tampa 2 defensive system, but I would expect that to change (and it wasn’t nearly as Tampa-2 as it was under Tony Dungy). Fleming is really impressing in the pre-draft process and could even find himself in round one.
37. Cleveland Browns-Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
There are draftniks who absolutely love Charles and consider him a top five type talent. There are others like myself who think he’s a good second round pick. The Browns need to add receiving options and the additions of Blackmon, Doug Martin, and Orson Charles Colt McCoy more than enough weapons to have a real chance at being a franchise quarterback, now it’s up to him to go out and get the job done.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars-Dwight Jones, WR, UNC
The Jaguars would love to add a big down the field threat like Jones to keep defenses a little more honest against the terrific Maurice Jones Drew. Expect the Jaguars to add a playmaker in free agency or early in the draft.
39. Washington Redskins-Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Terrific value pick and the future replacement for London Fletcher. Fletcher and Hightower are very different players, but Hightower has some of that natural leadership that could help fill the void when Fletcher’s career ends. On to top of that a LB corps of Kerrigan, Hightower, Fletcher, Orakpo might be the best in the entire league. Now if they do trade up for Griffin III they might not have this pick.
40. Miami Dolphins-Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A and M
Tannehill is another player who could easily go higher than this. Tannehill is not a guy though that you want to start in the 2012 N.F.L. season. He’ s a converted WR with a lot of upside. He makes some big throws and has a lot of natural quarterback abilities and traits.
41. Buffalo Bills-Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The Bills are moving to a 43 defense and they need a big time pass rusher, that can be Andre Branch. Branch has ideal size for a defensive end and plenty of athleticism to make plays at the next level.
42. Carolina Panthers-Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Too good of value here to pass up for the Carolina Panthers who are looking to add more talent along their defensive line to begin with, Cox has the versatility to play in 3 or 4 man fronts which should appeal to the Panthers who play a 43 and Ron Rivera who has favored 34 in the past.
43. Seattle Seahawks-Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State University
Osweiler falls into the laps of the Seahawks here. I like Osweiler, he’s big, athletic, has a good arm. He needs some more refinement, but Carroll can work with him and make him something pretty darn good. He has some Big Ben qualities.
44. Kansas City Chiefs-David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Good value here. The Chiefs will pair Charles with Charles to give them a terrific one two punch. Now they could prefer Chris Polk who is more of a ‘Bell-cow” to pair with the dynamic Charles.
45. Dallas Cowboys-Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State
Martin has a lot of physical ability, just suffers from some inconsistency in his game, but he’ll appeal to the Cowboys who desperately need to add better players in their secondar at both CB and safety. They have to if they want to slow down the talented WR corps of the Eagles and Giants and what should be an improved Redskins passing game.
46. Philadelphia Eagles-Sean Spence, LB, Miami Hurricanes
Spencer is the kind of linebacker the Eagles will consider drafting. His strengths are: speed, speed, speed. I’m not buying the Eagles drafting Luke Kuechly in the first round, he is not athletic enough for what they look for on defense, but in the second round Spence is a player they could fall in love with and take him here.
47. New York Jets-Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma Sooners
The Jets need to add a pass rusher, better safeties, and fix their running game to compete for a Superbowl berth next year. In the first round they added a dynamic player to help stretch the field for Sanchez with Michael Floyd. In this round they start fixing their defense.
48.New England Patriots (via Raiders)-Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
A player who can solidfy the Will spot for the Patriots when they run the 43 defense.
49. San Diego Chargers-Zebrie Sanders, T, Florida State University
The Chargers will look to add an OL early in the draft and I wouldn’t rule out Mike Adams to them in the first round. Sanders didn’t have a terrific Senior Bowl, but can still be drafted in the second round. Sanders has enough pass blocking ability to warrant a selection here for a team that loves to throw the football.
50. Chicago Bears-Ben Jones, C, Georgia
The Bears can always use more talent on the interior of their offensive line. Jones has surpassed Ohio State C Michael Brewster on many boards.
51. Philadelphia Eagles (via Arizona)-Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia University
Irvin is not a prototypical 43 Sam linebacker but he could work that way in some systems like the Eagles who value speed and an ability to rush the passer. Though it seems unlikely the Eagles would add two linebackers in second round it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
52. Cincinnati Bengals-Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes
Huge value pick for a player that many think could end up in the first round. The addition of Cordy Glenn and Miller should really help the running game for the Bengals next year to open up things a little more for A.J. Green
53. Tennessee Titans-Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Worthy has a late 1st round value on some boards and has 1st round talent on almost everyone’s board. He wasn’t as productive as he should have been throughout his college career, but can dominate games. The Titans have to improve up front on defense, and they do that here with Worthy.
54. Detroit Lions-Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
We here at nflmocks like Minnifield and he fits a position of need for the Detroit Lions. In this mock the Lions have added not only two talented defensive players, but two leaders on defense. Minnifield and Kuechly are players the team that drafts them are going to be talking about as great locker room/team guys who outwork everyone.
55. Atlanta Falcons-Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson Tigers
The Falcons get another player who was considered a first round prospect at one point. Thompson isn’t a great pass rusher, but can shoot the gaps a big and plays the run pretty well. Nothing spectacular but just a player who can be a really solid starter.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers-Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama Crimson Tide
Chapman at one point was considered a 1st round prospect. I really believe the Steelers are going to add a lot of young play-makers to their aging defense. I’m guessing they add a DL and a CB in the first two rounds of the draft, unless there is a terrific value for a tackle at one point.
57. Denver Broncos-Isiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati Bearcats
The Broncos want to run the football and right now they have an aging Willis McGahee and a disappointing Knowshon Moreno. Pead is a dynamic runner who can take any play to the house. He’s a bit immature, but John Fox can whip him in shape.
58. Houston Texans-Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
The Texans have so much talent they can afford to take the best player available. They don’t need a Tight End this year because Owen Daniels is a talented player, but don’t be surprised if with all the success of the New England Patriots if more teams look to add a second dynamic tight end to mimic the New England Patriots success.
59. New Orleans Saints-Kawaan Short, DT, Purdue
Short is a devastating gap-penetrating tackle. The Saints need someone to rush the passer and while that usually comes from the outside, Short is a rare DT who can do it from inside. Short has terrific size, but he plays like a DT you would expect to be on the Colts with their gap penetrating defensive tackle.
60. Green Bay Packers-Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska
I think the Packers would be elated to see Jared Crick available in the second round, if he is. Without the injury Crick might not even get out of the first round.
61. Baltimore Ravens-Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
With Lee Evans and Anquan Boldin the Ravens wide receivers looked better in the playoffs, but still their is a lot of age in the WR corps and not a ton amount of talent. LT is the Ravens biggest need, but they are a team that usually sticks to their big board.
62. San Francisco 49ers-Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
I like Criner more than a lot of people and think he has a ton of ability and could be drafted this high. He however has to pass the medical checks and do well in the interviews.
63. New England Patriots-Vinny Curry, LB, Marshall
Too much value to pass up here. The Patriots like to change up their fronts between 43 and 34 and Curry can help in that respect as he can rush the passer standing up or with his hand on the ground.
64. New York Giants-Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
The Giants have potential losses in the secondary with Deon Grant, Terrell Thomas, and Aaron Ross all being free agents (Kenny Phillips after the 2012 season). Id’ almost be surprised if the Giants don’t address the secondary in the first two rounds of the draft. Plus Boykin offer return value and is the kind of speedy, fluid defensive back the Giants don’t have on the roster to cover the likes of Wes Welker.
What do you think of the early direction for your favorite team?
Round three continued on next page