Bo’s Final 2012 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
By Bo Martin
1. Indianapolis Colts– Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Sources have confirmed that Colts have already notified Luck he is the first pick. Really no surprise here.
2. Washington Redskins– Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Skins get more than a consolation prize with Griffin. Griffin has all the makings of being an NFL icon for years.
3. Minnesota Vikings– Matt Kalil, OT, USC
It seems like this pick has been pegged for quite some time. Kalil has a spectacular skill set and might even be considered a steal here at pick #3.
4. Cleveland Browns– Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Tannehill has become a popular pick here. However, Richardson is an incredible athlete. The Browns need a legitimate playmaker and not a project quarterback. Richardson provides the Browns with an incredible running back with Pro-Bowl potential.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The Bucs have a legitimate need at CB and Claiborne may be the best athlete in this draft. Since Richardson is gone Claiborne is a no brainer.
6. St. Louis Rams– Justin Blackmon, WR, Ok St
I’m not so sure that Floyd can’t go here. However, Blackmon has been tops among receivers all offseason and from what i’ve heard the Rams are very interested in him. Sure hands, decent speed, and great playmaking ability allows Blackmon to walk into St. Louis and be the guy from the begining.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars– Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
This is a place where the Jags can trade out of. I’m not mocking trades in my final mock but there will be plenty of partners here for them to trade with. Michael Floyd isn’t a bad pick here if they stay though. Some scouts like Floyd better than Blackmon and there isn’t really any reason not to. Floyd has been a great receiver for a few years now and seems to have his head on straight. Jacksonville could use a talent like Floyd.
8. Miami Dolphins– Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
I’m not sold on Tannehill but the need at QB and the value of the position makes this pick what it is. Tannehill is a WR turned QB who has demonstrated some legitimate skill. There is work to be done here but Philbin can be the one who does it. If Tannehill works out this becomes the best pick Miami has made in a long time.
9. Carolina Panthers– Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
Fletcher Cox is my favorite lineman in this draft. He is constantly underrated. He has size, speed, and ability. Carolina could use another DL with all around ability. Cox is also no slouch when rushing the passer. Carolina far off and this is another key piece to making them contenders.
10. Buffalo Bills-Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
The Bill could certainly use some help on the offensive line and Reiff is really great value here. If you remember Reiff was a top 6 pick at the beginning of the offseason and I usually think thats most accurate. Reiff will fit immediately into the Bills offense and will make them significantly better with his great skills pass and run blocking.
11. Kansas City Chiefs– David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
The Chiefs could probably go a different direction with some other top talent on the board. DeCastro though is one of the best guard prospects in the last 10 years. DeCastro is smart, fast, and strong. His footwork is well above average and also displays an excellent ability to get low and establish a good center of gravity. The Chiefs could use a rare talent like DeCastro because of there balanced offense. Cassel needs to be kept upright and Charles/Hillis need to good blockers ahead of them.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina
No one really knows where Melvin Ingram fits; he’s undersized but plays with incredible intensity. If you remember there was a player like that before, his name was Ray Lewis. I’m not saying that Ingram will be the next Ray Lewis but I’m not saying he wont. Seattle has a need for a flexible pass rusher and Ingram has great value here at pick # 12.
13. Arizona Cardinals– Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Luke Kuechly is my #7 ranked player in this years draft. He is an incredible ILB who will undoubtedly be among the leagues best every year. I know that Arizona has about a million other needs but Kuechly’s value is too good to pass up here. Kuechly is the type of player who can transform a defense.
14. Dallas Cowboys– Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Barron is a versatile safety who can do everything well but nothing spectacularly great. Thats fine, because anyone could really be an upgrade here over Abe Elam. Brodney Poole is nothing but a 1 year filler and the Cowboys have been lacking a premier safety since Darren Woodson. If Barron is the selection he should flourish in Rob Ryans defense, allowing him to play in the box and in the back. Solid needed pick here.
15. Philadelphia Eagles-Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina
A lot of questions about Coples but the least of which is that his potential is off the charts. He’s a versatile DL who can play all over the line for the Eagles wide 9 defense. Coples needs to keep his work ethic in check but if he does the Eagles end up with a great player.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama
Upshaw is another player who was projected a top 10 pick pre-combine. I still hold that grade on him. The Jets could use some youth on there defense with great potential. Upshaw is a versatile pass rusher who will be given him to grow and learn while still maximizing his potential in Rex Ryans exotic defenses.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)-Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
The Bengals are on the verge of being annual contenders. They have rebuilt in a great way but the need for a CB is one thats been overlooked. After watching CB’s get injured or part ways the Bengals need a player who can be a playmaker at the position. Gilmore has good coverage ability and what he lacks there he makes up with in speed and recovery. Gilmore is a great pick for a team who is on the verge.
18. San Diego Chargers-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
There is rumor that the Chargers want to move Jammer to safety and Kirkpatrick is a move to expedite that. A victim of pre draft arrest stock crash, Kirkpatrick is a very capable corner who could end up being the best cornerback in this class if he works to his maximum potential.
19. Chicago Bears-Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Jones is the perfect 4-3 defensive end. There is no question why he is climbing draft boards with his speed, strength, and proven pass rushing ability. The Chicago Bears are aging on defense but Jones allows them a great pass rusher who can start right away and help maintain the dominant defense reputation in the Windy City.
20. Tennessee Titans-Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Poe was a bit of a workout warrior at the combine. That workout had scouts booming about his potential. The Titans need help on the defensive line and Poe, if coached correctly, could be a great player at the position. I’m not as high on Poe as everyone else because of his film, however, you cant discount what he’s capable of.
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Kendall Wright was at one point this offseason the #2 receiver available through the draft. He has great speed and good ability. Doesn’t project as a number 1 receiver but a great compliment receiver because of his speed. The Bengals have A.J. Green for the foreseeable future and that guy is great. The Bengals could use an additional playmaker at the position to make the his team incredible explosive. Good things are happening here in Cinci.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Good value here for the Browns to fill a very big need. Martin is a solid tackle and the Browns need to keep Colt McCoy upright if they play on giving him one more shot. Did I mention that they Browns have Richardson at this point? Martin can only help that situation.
23. Detroit Lions-Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
I like Mercilus a ton and the Lions could use an OLB with dominant potential. If Mercilus can work out here you’re looking at very good player for a very long time.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
The Ravens are pissed because they wanted Hightower here. The Steelers have an aging defense and need to start working towards replenishing it so they can maintain the key to their success. Hightower is a very capable player who has speed, great size, and good overall ability. The Steelers are hoping he becomes their Ray Lewis.
25. Denver Broncos– Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
Excellent value here for Denver. Denver spent all offseason waiting for Peyton to decide and didn’t get to put too much effort into filling there other holes. Well… this is a big one. Brockers brings top-10 upside with top-15 value. The Bronco’s are lucky here.
26. Houston Texans-Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Some have pegged Hill as the next Megatron. I’m not going that far but the guy possesses all the skills to be a dominant receiver in the NFL. Now he gets to mentored by Andre Johnson… this could be a dangerous equation. The Texans are good in almost every position allowing them some flexibility, this is a need and a great pick.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)- Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise St.
McClellin is shooting up draft boards because of his underrated all around ability. I like McClellin alot to emerge as one of the top linebackers to emerge from this draft with the best career. He is Bills kind of guy. The Patriots need help all over the defense and McClellin is a great start.
28. Green Bay Packers-Nick Perry, OLB, USC
Nick Perry is a great pass rushing OLB who will take some of the pressure off of Clay Matthews. Pretty easy decision here.
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29. Baltimore Ravens-Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia
Glenn can fit anywhere on the line but fits best at guard. The Ravens could use help on the line everywhere so Glenn’s flexibility becomes very valuable.
30. San Francisco 49ers– Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Fleener has great skill set as TE, he can block, catch, and boy can he run a route. Harbaugh likes to employ the two tight end offense and the flexibility Fleener offers with Vernon Davis makes this instantly a dangerous offense.
31. New England Patriots– Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
Harrison Smith is a machine. He isn’t technically sound and needs some coaching but he is a work horse. Smith offers the Patriots a player who will give all he has every game and those are the players that become really good.
32. New York Giants– Mike Adams, OT, Ohio St.
The Giants could go a few directions but Mike Adams offers some really great value to a team with this specific need. The Giants are a team who will like what Adams can do, especially in a division where pass rushers are aplenty.