2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mohamed Sanu Rounds out the Broncos and Peyton Mannings Receiving Corps

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17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick falls for no good reason here. Kirkpatrick is a huge cornerback who many feel can play safety. The Bengals get good value here for a guy who could go in the top 10 while addressing a need.

18. San Diego Chargers–Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina
More than once I’ve described Ingram as an ATH. That’s generally reserved for players on offense who don’t have a specific position, but can do a number of things. That’s what Ingram is to me, just on defense. His best position in college was DT. In the N.F.L. it’ll have to be 34 OLB or 43 DE. Perhaps he could play DT in some 34 situations. He can line up all over the field. The main point is he’s a good football player.

19. Chicago Bears- Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford Cardinal

Martin was a top 10 pick prior to the season, but has seen his stock slip, even though he’s generally played well. The Bears aren’t going to complain though as they grab Martin and hope they can solve their OL issues.

20. Tennessee Titans– Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

I’m a fan of Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore is talented as any other cb in this draft class, He’s had some consistency issues, but he can correct those with good coaching. A guy who can lay whopping hits. He’s played some safety at South Carolina. He has good size, fluid hips, and a lot of speed. He’s also a plus return man.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This is a “value” pick. He’s not a value here on my board. He’s a late first round pick. But based on everything you hear he’s had a top 20 pick on NFL boards.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) –Cordy Glenn, T, Georgia

The Brown need a RT. Cordy Glenn was very impressive in the pre-draft process and played a good LT at Georgia this year. The massive man is also athletic and a good pick here.

23. Detroit Lions– Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron fills a need for the Lions next to Louis Delmas. Based on my board he’s also good value. I don’t think Barron’s stock is affected as much as people think if he can’t work out because teams don’t think he’s a terrific athlete anyway.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Upshaw is good value here as well and could eventually replace James Harrison who is entering the twilight of his career. This pick also presents good value. Upshaw is a victim of paralysis by analysis. Film is great, off-season has brought about questions (that always should have been there anyway for people paying attention). Upshaw isn’t a typical DE and isn’t a big fluid 34 OLB. Put he’s mean and nasty just get him on the field.

25. Denver Broncos –Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu is a better player on the field than he is in shorts, but he had a good Proday and could rebound his stock. I think Sanu fits with what Peyton does well also. Sanu can be the ball control (Reggie Wayne) on offense to Thomas’ big play (Garcon) down the field. Sanu is really terrific going over the middle and creating yards after the catch. With Peyton Sanu could really thrive.

26. Houston Texans– Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This pick makes a lot of sense to me. The Texans like good character guys and Ryans wasn’t a great fit in their system. After the trade of Ryans to the Eagles this pick makes even more sense. There are few impact front seven players in the draft. There are plenty of #2 WR types to play opposite of Andre Johnson. I don’t think the Texans go WR in the first round.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)- Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Patriots must approve their pass rush. Perry has terrific physical attributes to play in the 43 or 34. He’s not the most safe prospect, but I don’t think Belichik is worried about safe. He seems to think he can get the most out of his players.
28. Green Bay Packers- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Fills a position of need with the best player on my board, not named Alshon Jeffery or Zach Brown who the league both seem to be down on.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
When there is talent on the field, but questions off it the Ravens are one of the teams that will often over look that, perhaps that’s because they are consistently picking in the 20’s and want to stock their team with players who have top 20 talent. Adams isn’t a major character concern, but there is a concern about his consistency. Still, He has all the ability to play a good LT in the N.F.L. which will intrigue the Ravens if he’s available at 29. Adams is the only first round player left who is considered a LT first, RT or guard second.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
Mike Mayock has said there is “no way” Robinson gets out of the first round. I don’t buy that. Robinson always had pretty good tape, and doesn’t come with the character concerns either. But he’s more like a late 2nd rounder to me. Maybe some team takes him in the first round though because of his raw ability. Now that the 49ers have added Mario Manningham and Randy Moss it doesn’t seem like they would consider a WR in the first round.

31. New England Patriots –Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

Two De in the first round? Yup. The last two Supebowls the Patriots have lost can boil right down to this. Late in the game the Giants abundance of pass rushers started to beat around Tom Brady and disrupt the Patriots offense. The Patriots meanwhile couldn’t lay a hand on Eli Manning when he went into the two minute drill. Eli twice has won the game on their final possession. The Patriots also lost Mark Andereson and potentially Andre Carter. Curry fits the versatile mold that Belichick loves and was very impressive at his proday, showing of the athletic ability teams thought he showed on tape (but didn’t show at the combine).

32. New York Giants Kelechi Osmele, OL, Iowa State

The Giants are difficult to figure out this year because their positions of need: RB, LB, OT, and TE are all positions they have shown a very strong reluctance to draft early, but that also seems to be where the value will be this year. I went with Osmele because he fits the Giants criteria-the magic phrase “Size/speed”. Osmele is a versatile offensive linemen has freakishly long arms. The other player I would not rule out here is Stephen Hill the Georgia Tech Wide receiver.

Thoughts?

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