2012 NFL Mock Draft – Four Rounds of Draft Fun

Posted by Brad On April – 24 – 2012
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"Andrew Luck"1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

If it weren’t official before last week, it is now.  Luck will be suiting up for the Colts from day one with some pretty hefty expectations to carry.  The Colts top priority will be surrounding Luck with some weapons at key spots, most notably tight end.

2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins traded up with the assumption that they could land RGIII at No. 2.  This pick is official as we will get to see the dynamic Baylor QB in the Nation’s Capital in 2012.  Griffin has a host of weapons to play with including newly inked WR Pierre Garcon.  Garcon isn’t a true No. 1 but is one of the top vertical threats in the game.  It just so happens that Griffin throws the prettiest deep ball in this draft.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Rick Spielman has officially killed my 100% certainty that Kalil will be a Viking.  He appears dead set on trading down and has even warped my mind with thoughts of Morris Claiborne to the Vikes.  I have mocked Kalil to the Vikes since the draft order became official and it’s too late to look back now.  I fully expect the Vikings to use all the allotted time to make this selection as we will all be sitting on the edge of our seats.

4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I can officially say that I’m 100% certain that Trent Richardson is this pick unless the Browns get “wowed” by a trade offer.  I don’t expect that to happen, so I’m feeling good about this one.  TR is the exception to the rule when it comes to early picks on RB’s and has a very bright future.  Colt McCoy should be jumping up and down in his living room with this selection…at least until the Browns are on the clock at 37.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

His former DB coach is in Tampa, Aqib Talib is on the trading block, and he’s the last of the sure things.  Those factors make me feel pretty comfortable that Claiborne will be the name on TB’s card.  This one shouldn’t take much time to turn in.

6. St. Louis Rams – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

Justin Blackmon makes a ton of sense here but I don’t see him being the pick here.  Jeff Fisher has a history of taking DT’s high and it continues in his first season in St. Louis.  Cox is a dynamic 3T that immediately upgrades the middle of the STL defensive line.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

Everyone assumes Gene Smith will be Gene Smith and Melvin Ingram will be the pick.  My calls this week would suggest differently with one saying Jacksonville will take Blackmon if he makes it to them.

8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This could be the pick that screws up everything that almost everyone will have as a certainty.  Tannehill makes a ton of sense here which makes me think he won’t be the pick.  I’m sticking with it…for now.  There’s just a sense of uncomfortability around this pick.

9. Carolina Panthers – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

I have received a lot of hate mail on this pick but I think I chalk up three points if Gilmore is on the board and Cox is gone.  Gilmore is a physical corner that could make a great tandem with Chris Gamble.  The Panthers have a bunch of nickel CB’s on the roster outside of Gamble which makes this pick feel so right.

10. Buffalo Bills – Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Michael Floyd or Riley Reiff.  Yeah, that would be logical but I think the Bills look to add to that defense.  Barron teamed with Jarius Byrd would be a special tandem. George Wilson is solid but not special.  The Bills have to compete with New England and NYJ which may dictate this pick.  Barron’s ascent up draft boards is no fluke as I would put him in the Earl Thomas category, who was selected 14th overall in 2010.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – David DeCastro, G, Stanford

I’m 50/50 on this pick so it’s subject to change before my Huddle Report mock is submitted on Wednesday night.  I think this pick comes down to Luke Kuechly and DeCastro with Dontari Poe as a long shot.  I gave the edge to DeCastro because I think he’s a sure thing at a position of need.  Kuechly is a sure thing at a position of lesser need.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram may be a man without a true position or just a versatile prospect.  Either way, Pete Carroll finds a place for Ingram and he excels in a very good, young defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Let’s face it…I’m not a Reiff fan but he makes too much sense here to pass. I will put my personal feelings aside for this pick as I think need drives this one to an extent.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU"2012 NFL Draft prospect, Michael Brockers"

I like Dontari Poe here but Brockers offers a lot of intrigue in Rob Ryan’s system.  He has the skills to be an effective pass rusher at the 5T and immediately makes the Cowboys more stout against the run.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

I think this one is a steal if it plays out this way. The talk as of late has Poe sliding into the second round.  I can’t see that one even being a remote possibility and he won’t make it out of the top 15.  I get all the talk about the lack of production but guys like Poe don’t come around often making it worth the risk.

16. New York Jets – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

They need a pass rusher but Floyd is too good to pass on at this point in the draft.  With the uncertainty of the WR position in New York and Floyd sliding, I think this one happens.  As one emailer pointed out on Saturday (incorrectly) the Jets will shy away from another diva receiver.  By all accounts, Floyd is anything  but a diva.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Chalk this one up if he falls to 17.  Kuechly offers the versatility to play inside or on the strong side, making him a slam dunk for the Bengals if he’s on the board.


  • Jsteppling

    great mock. Im thinking malik Jackson could go much higher. Truth is, I like him better than Wolfe or Ty Crawford…(and i like crawford)….more I see jackson (which i did because you suggested it ) the more I like. Massaquoi is a steal in the 4th, so is Burris (my crush is BIGGER)…..:) / Ive heard not good things about Hicks. Attitude and conditioning. Maybe not true. But i wonder where Dom hamilton goes? Or DJ Harris actually. Id have them ahead of HIcks. anyway, nice mock…..informative, smart.

  • Bex_R1986

    I’ve also been going along with the Rams taking Cox in the first, then also ended up giving them Randle top of the 2nd. But the more I think of that scenario, the more I think I would prefer the combination of Blackmon and Worthy to Randle and Cox. Whether Fisher sees it that way though is another matter!

    Have been watching tape of Donald Stephenson, a guy seemingly on the rise. Struggled with explosive speed edge rushers while playing on the left. Perhaps more suited to the right side? As I understood it’s the left that the Falcons need to address so unless they shuffle their line a bit, I’d worry about him playing on the left. Having said that how many left tackles are there in this draft! Not picking until 55 limits their options.

  • Bex_R1986

    Also, I remain unconvinced of the rise of Stephon Gilmore. I thought he was solid in the 3 or 4 games I watched this year, but didn’t look elite. I read he had really good 2010 tape, but my view was late 1st – early 2nd grade. It’s great to have a high-character and clean record but that’s not the deciding factor in a grade.

    I’ve just been looking at some tape of East Carolina WR Lance Lewis, and he was all over Gilmore in that game.

  • Jsteppling

    Im with ben on Gilmore. Maybe Im wrong, but I dont see elite — I see a good zone guy…..will be a bit of a playmaker….but I dont just quite get it. I like Boykin better, honestly. He’s small, but he’s a nasty pugnacious kid. Also..why would houston fans not want brandon Thompson?? The guy is great. I think underrated. He’s way more explosive than people think and just strong as anyone in the draft.

  • Jsteppling

    i have a hunch brandon Brooks goes higher. Second round…no telling how high in fact. And Hicks….i want to predict….5th round. He has too many issues…..and a bad attitude. he wasnt in shape at the combine, either. For a guy with something to prove, thats a bad sign. Dom Hamilton might rise though.

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