2012 NFL Mock Draft : Top Two Picks Slotted Edition Picks 17-32

Posted by Brad On March – 13 – 2012
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17. Cincinnati Bengals (f/OAK): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Dre Kirkpatrick" Kirkpatrick would fill a pretty large hole in Cincinnati’s defense. Leon Hall and Kirkpatrick would make for a very nice tandem in the AFC North. Kirkpatrick comes with the added bonus of being one of the better tacklers at the position.
Other Selections: Cordy Glenn
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Cordy Glenn" The Chargers need to address their offensive line early and often in free agency and the draft. They should be reaching out to Jared Gaither as we speak as he’s the best they have. Glenn’s versatility to play right tackle and either guard spot should make him a hot commodity come April.
Other Selections: Courtney Upshaw – Mike Adams
19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Stephon Gilmore" With Floyd off the board, could the Bears turn to another big target in Stephen Hill? He may be a bit of a reach at 19, so the Bears are left with addressing an aging defense. Gilmore is a man on the rise after a solid showing at the Combine. He fits their scheme perfectly and gets the nod over any of the receivers. Jay Cutler will have to wait until the 2nd round to get his 6’2” target.
Other Selections: Stephen Hill – Whitney Mercilus

20. Tennessee Titans: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Courtney Upshaw" The Titans need some speed off the edge. Upshaw has the look of a base end to me which fills Tennessee’s need perfectly. He has the edge speed to make immediate waves in this defense.
Other Selections: Janoris Jenkins

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Michael Brockers" Defensive tackle isn’t a huge need for the Bengals but they can’t resist taking the talented but raw LSU DT. Brockers added weight and disappointed at the Combine, showing average athleticism at the position. The tape doesn’t lie on this one and something tells me he’s going to show much better at his pro day.
Other Selections: Kendall Wright – Stephen Hill
22. Cleveland Browns (f/ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Kendall Wright" Kendall Wright at 22 may be the steal of the draft in my book. It’s clear that his 4.61 40 at the Combine was a fluke but it may be what Cleveland needed for him to fall into their laps. Now they just need someone to throw to him.
Other Selections: None
23. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
"Mike Adams" Detroit needs a replacement for Jeff Backus. Enter Mike Adams. Adams is a tough one to crack as he has some motivation issues combined with a subpar Combine performance. He’s my second rated tackle as I have been overly impressed with his ’10 and ’11 tape.
Other Selections: Janoris Jenkins – Peter Konz
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
"Dont'a Hightower" With Mike Adams off the board, the Steelers turn their attention to the ILB spot. Janoris Jenkins could intrigue them here but Hightower has the look of a Steeler linebacker. His familiarity with the system shouldn’t hurt with this pick. He can step in immediately at ILB and give the Steelers a nice young duo on the inside.
Other Selections: Janoris Jenkins
25. Denver Broncos: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
"Coby Fleener" As of the writing of this mock draft, PM hasn’t been signed. Either way, I think it’s going to be intriguing to bring in a legitimate receiving threat at the TE spot. Fleener is emerging as the top TE (by default). He gives Tebow or PM a nice option to work with.
Other Selections: Jerel Worthy – Janoris Jenkins
26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Stephen Hill" The Texans can afford to take a risk on Hill. He doesn’t have much to go off of in terms of film but there are no doubts that he’s a special athlete. I think 26 to 31 could be his sweet spot in April’s draft.
Other Selections: Alshon Jeffery
27. New England Patriots (f/NO): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

"Mark Barron" NE does well if Barron makes it to 27. He fills a major need area for the Pats as they look to rebound from their terrible secondary play of 2011. Barron won’t work out as he’s still recovering from injury but I think his play speaks for itself.
Other Selections: None
28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Andre Branch" This was the toughest pick of my mock draft. It was between Lewis and Andre Branch. Both pass rushers and both really good fits and need fillers. I went with Branch based on my own rankings of the players…hopefully the Packers see it my way.
Other Selections: Ronnell Lewis – Devon Still
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Peter Konz" This pick is assuming Matt Birk is not back with the Ravens…and maybe even if he is. The Ravens could be looking at some major holes in their offensive line if Birk and Ben Grubbs can’t be re-signed. Not to mention Andre Gurode is also a free agent.
Other Selections: None
30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Alshon Jeffery" I welcome Alshon Jeffery back into my first round. He’s an enigma at this point for me. I love his hands, body control, and ability to high point the ball. I hate his work ethic, route running, and separation. If you’re the 49ers why not take a shot on this guy? Harbaugh should bring out the best in Jeffery which could turn into a major steal at 30.
Other Selections: Janoris Jenkins – Rueben Randle
31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Whitney Mercilus" The Pats deployment of multiple fronts should exploit Mercilus’ skill set. He is best suited in a four man front but has the athleticism to play on his feet. I like Mercilus more than most and think he’s an outstanding value at 31 in our 2012 NFL Mock Draft.
Other Selections: Janoris Jenkins – Rueben Randle
32. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
"Janoris Jenkins" The Giants get a CB that falls into their laps two years in a row. Jenkins talent level far exceeds the 32nd pick in the draft but his questionable decision-making may drop him completely off some boards. The Giants could cash in despite it not being a giant need.
Other Selections: Orson Charles – Bobby Massie

Round 2

  • Reggie

    Solid mock draft. I do not know if the Jets would pass on Courtney Upshaw but it is possible. For Lions fans Mike Adams is an enigma. I worry about his intangibles which is so important in blocking the blind side of Stafford. Two guys who are complete opposites. Jeff Backus who is physically a limited athlete but maximises his ability. He is a leader and student of the game who overcomes his limitations. Mike Adams is physically perfect to play LT but is limited mentally and does not put the effort in. That worries me because in the NFL you cannot rely on your physical ability alone because everyone is athletic.
    Though if you are impressed with him Brad I will go back and look at some more tape of him. My problems with Adams is not on the tape though.

    • bradc11

      The Jets were tough…I’m not a fan of Upshaw standing up in the 34. I’m with you on Adams. He scares me as well but he’s just so good that I can’t see him lasting past PIT at 24. The gigantic hole at LT scares me unless they sign someone which is unlikely without cap space. They will need to do their homework on Adams and debate if he can be motivated in the NFL. Time will tell on that one.

      • Reggie

        Jason Fox is out there and I really like Brandon Mosley. That said Mike Adams would do well with Backus teaching him. He might be the closest we get to a franchise LT from now on.

        • bradc11

          He’s one of two true LT’s in the top of this draft. The closer this draft gets the more steam he will pick up as Martin and Reiff fall.

  • rich

    being that aaron ross and terrell thomas are both FA’s and might possibly both leave, CB might suddenly become a need for the giants. id be happy with jenkins. id actually be happy with him, any good d-lineman or any good o-lineman. anyone but the trio of fleener, charles and allen…..enough already.

    • bradc11

      Terrell Thomas re-signing may have hurt this pick a little but Reese still will have a hard time passing on a talent like Jenkins at 32. Keep an eye on Bobby Massie. He’s a really talented guy that is rising quickly. At this point he’s at the beginning of round two but could slide into the latter stages of round one as we near the draft.

  • lions please not mike adams

    i don’t think the lions would take mike adams. 23rd overall is early for adams, as he’s just not that good. konz or hightower would make more sense, maybe even nick perry who i don’t see here, unless i missed him…

    • bradc11

      Mike Adams getting no love from Lions fans. He’s a good value at 23 and fills a need. If he doesn’t go there he won’t make it past PIT at 24. Guy is one of the few true LT’s in this draft.

      You didn’t miss Nick Perry…he will be in the top of round 2. I’m not a huge fan of Perry’s although he could go higher than I think he should.

  • Bauercody

    This fell pretty nicely for the Packers, they have there shot at Nick Perry, Whitney Mercilus, Ronnell Lewis, and Andre Branch. I don’t think they could go wrong taking any of those guys, I will trust Ted Thompson to make the right call. I think Kevin Greene and Dom Capers would love having any of those guys.

    Peter Konz is also available in case we don’t sign Scott Wells or another FA Center.

    If Nick Collins doesn’t return you also have Mark Barron dropping to the pick right before them making a trade scenario very possible. Barron may be the only safety in this draft I would feel comfortable starting from day one. (Harrison Smith is close)

    If the Packers decide to go with defensive line help Devon Still is also available, although I think he is better suited as a 4-3 DT. I also think defensive line is much more deep this year than OLB.

    • bradc11

      They really can’t go wrong with the way this thing played out for them. A ton of good defensive players on the board at the back end of round one which is the way I anticipate this draft playing out. There should be a wealth of solid players for the Packers to pluck late.

      Andre Branch is picking up some steam and may not make it down that far but Lewis would be a solid option. I’m not a fan of Perry or Mercilus standing up…not that they can’t, I just think they are best suited as 43 LE’s.

      Scott Wells wants $8 million??? I’d let him walk at that number. I could see them making a run at a veteran free agent on the cheap.

      Collins is still the wild card in this one.

      • Bauercody

        I think Scott Wells is going to be dissapointed with what the market offers him. He isn’t even the best Center in FA (Meyers). He is slightly undersized and knows he has a chance at winning another Super Bowl with the Packers. I’m hoping he comes back to us at about 4-5 million a year. Rodgers, Lang and the coaches all want him back and he is one of the most consistent centers in the league.
        There are some cheaper options in FA as well. Satele from Oakland and Pollack from Indy could be options to bring in. We have Evan Diedrich-Smith who played well at guard last year who could play Center.

        • bradc11

          I don’t think there’s a snowballs chance in hell he gets that money, either. I fully expect reality to set in on Well’s and re-sign with the Pack.

          There are plenty of decent options on the market if he doesn’t.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Henry-Logan/100001682411563 Henry Logan

    A lot of so called experts are saying the Browns will select Kendall Wright at 22… No way. I don’t care what Kendall did in college, at his size if he can’t run a low 4.4 or better he is undraftable.

    • bradc11

      Henry,

      You’re killing me with this one. I’m assuming you were wishing to evoke a response from me. Wright’s Combine 40 was a fluke. He plays fast, is fast, and will continue to have success at the NFL level. The Browns landing him at 22 constitutes a steal in my book. Perfect fit for their need.

  • joeisme

    Good pick for the Pack with Branch. Mercilus would also have been very good. The Packers GM hates character issue guys and Lewis is the poster boy for character issues. His off-field baggage and ego driven attitude is not something the Packers will risk. They have been burned twice on attitude players, and it won’t happen again with Lewis.

  • joeisme

    Good pick for the Pack with Branch. Mercilus would also have been very good. The Packers GM hates character issue guys and Lewis is the poster boy for character issues. His off-field baggage and ego driven attitude is not something the Packers will risk. They have been burned twice on attitude players, and it won’t happen again with Lewis.

    • bradc11

      I think if Branch is on the board, he’s the pick. It’s highly likely that he won’t be on the board when GB is picking. It fell that way in my mock. I’m not sure if Mercilus is a great fit standing up.

  • steppxxxxz

    I cant see Jenkins lasting that long. His off field issues are immaturity, not insanity. Plus he has elite talent. I still think Rieff and jonathan Martin fall a bit. Massie sneaking into the first makes sense. Cleveland needs a LB as much as any team in the league. You could be right and they wait….but if Ronell Lewis or zach brown are there with their second pick I have a hunch they pull the trigger. I think GB might go Kendall Reyes. He;s a perfect five tech guy. Bears now have a WR….do they go DeCastro …or defense? Niners sign Moss….and retain rogers. So….which direction do they go with the draft? Fleener? Or another wr since they lost josh morgan? But i cant see jeffrey. Sanu? And im betting Jets take Perry. I dont love him, but i bet rex does.

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