1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
I would expect negotiations to begin any minute between the Colts and Andrew Luck. At some point reality sets in that they aren’t gaming anyone and that Luck has been the pick since the day they secured the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Redskins traded the farm for Griffin and rightfully so. He’s a special talent that is capable of beating teams in an assortment of ways. Griffin’s game transitions to today’s NFL very well and due to that he has people buzzing about higher upside than Luck. It really is splitting hairs…all I know is that both are going to be very good NFL QB’s.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, Minnesota Vikings
I just can’t wrap my head around the Vikings passing on a franchise LT given their need. Sure, Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne are needed but not at the expense of securing a blindside protector for Christian Ponder.
4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
I really think this organization goes with an offensive playmaker with this pick and he won’t be named Justin Blackmon. The only deal breaker will be if Heckert/Shurmur/Chilly fall in love with Ryan Tannehill. This city doesn’t have the patience to wait on Tannehill’s development and the Heckert/Holmgren tandem know they won’t be around to see him develop. Hence, the Richardson pick.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
This pick gets interesting if Richardson and Claiborne are on the board. With TR going one spot ahead of them the decision becomes very easy. The Bucs signed Eric Wright to a deal but he’s not the answer especially if Aqib Talib is suspended. Ronde Barber is minutes away from retirement and this may be his last rodeo. Claiborne gives the Bucs a legit No. 1 corner to pair with Wright/Talib for the long haul.
6. St. Louis Rams – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
Remembering this is a mock draft which is a projection of what the team will do, not what I would do, I give you Fletcher Cox. I have Cox rated ahead of Blackmon on my big board but I can’t see how the Rams pass on a pass catcher for Sam Bradford. There is a lot of smoke with this fire and it seems Cox is the frontrunner if the Rams stay put at No. 6. Read the rest of this entry » «2012 NFL Mock Draft : Inching Closer to April 26th»