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| With the third overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select.... |
So, the first two picks look and are pretty much set in stone to be Andrew Luck the quarterback from Stanford going first to the Colts and Robert Griffin III the Heisman winning quarterback from Baylor going to the Redskins second. Now the fun starts with the rest of the picks, some maybe more obvious then others but after free agency things have changed in draft boards.
Here is my mock draft starting at pick number 3 and the Minnesota Vikings.
3) Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
- Kalil is the top rated tackle in this years draft and the Vikings need desperate help at the position. With Adrian Peterson coming back healthy and a young Christian Ponder coming off a good rookie campaign, this Vikings offensive line will play a crucial role in the development in this team.4) Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson- RB- Alabama
- This was originally Ryan Tannehill the quarterback from Texas A&M, but after Peyton Hillis left via free agency to join the Chiefs, running back became a huge need. Richardson is both a power and speed back and is too good to pass up with such a big drop off between the number one and two backs this year.5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne,-CB- LSU
- The Bucs did sign Eric Wright this off season but Ronde Barber is nearing the end of his long tenure with the Bucs and this year there is no better option then Claiborne to replace him. Claiborne has great ball skills being a former WR and has the speed and size to cover opponents number one threat. This year he will be in the slot causing havoc for offenses. 6) St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon- WR- Oklahoma State
- The Rams most likely would have selected Blackmon at number two before the trade and are grateful he is still on the board at number six. Blackmon cemented his elite status at his pro day running a sub 4.5 in the 40 yard dash. He is a big, deep threat for Sam Bradford and should be an immediate impact on the field. 7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples- DE- North Carolina
- Coples was very productive in his last year with North Carolina posting 7 sacks, 55 tackles including 15 for a loss and forcing 3 fumbles. The Jags signed Aaron Kampman in 2010 but moved him inside. LDE is a need opposite Jeremy Mincey and Coples is a great choice.8) Miami Dolphins: Michael Floyd- WR- Notre Dame
- Now I know Dolphin fans will be screaming for Tannehill but after trading Brandon Marshall for two 3rd rounders they need a quality WR and Floyd offers a great possession receiver with play maker ability. This season they will have Matt Moore compete with David Garrard but look for Matt Barkley to be the one on the radar for next years draft.9) Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram- DE/OLB- South Carolina
- Ingram adds pass rushing ability that Carolina needs badly. Ingram is a hybrid DE/OLB that can be a down lineman in 4-3 and a stand up OLB in a 3-4. Coach Ron Rivera coached Shawne Merriman in San Diego and Ingram could be that 3-4 sack master like Merriman was a few years ago. 10) Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw- DE/OLB- Alabama
- After making a splash in free agency with the signing of Mario Williams, the Bills now need a pass rusher opposite him to complete a pretty good linebacker core. Upshaw will step in as the weak side outside linebacker opposite Williams and they could be a productive pair for years to come.11) Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe- DT- Memphis
- The Chiefs had a disappointing 2011 season after shocking the world in 2010. Defensive tackle is major need for this team since starter Kelly Gregg is debating retirement. Also, Poe is a surprise player who made a splash at the combine and the Chiefs would love nothing more than to make a big move much like division rival Denver did with the Peyton Manning signing though they are far apart.12) Seattle Seahawks: Riley Reiff- OT- Iowa
- Matt Flynn is the new man in Seattle and he will need protection on the offensive line. Reiff is listed as a tackle but can be used as a guard as well with his size so the flexibility is also an attractive trait not to mention he is from the o-line factory conference.13) Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro- OG- Stanford
- The Cards need offensive linemen more than any other team in the league and DeCastro is the best guard available. He blocked for Andrew Luck and Stanford and had a great combine and pro day workout. If Kevin Kolb is going to equal his high expectations he needs to stay upright in the pocket, DeCastro helps out big time. 14) Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox- DT- Mississippi State
- Dallas filled most of their needs during free agency especially in the secondary and on the offensive line. One place not addressed was the defensive line and Cox makes it possible to move Jay Ratliff to DE where he can be affective in the pass rush and pair up Cox with Sean Lissemore to add pressure up the middle and stop the run. 15) Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Tannehill- QB- Texas A&M
- OK I know what your thinking but hear me out. Philly has weapons at every single position and since they traded for DeMeco Ryans, MLB is no longer the top priority. Tannehill adds a young backup to Michael Vick who is getting older and has been injury prone. A few seasons behind Vick with a coach like Andy Reid improving his accuracy skills and this could be a great match. Plus every mock has to have at least one surprise.16) New York Jets: Luke Kuechly- MLB- Boston College
- Not many people expect him to drop this far but is he does the Jets will be quick to make the choice. They need a young inside backer and Kuechly is regarded as a top backer in this very deep class. His knowledge about the game is similar to that of Sean Lee in Dallas and the Jets are hoping his play is as good.17) Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick- CB- Alabama
- At one time he was projected to be a top 10 pick but legal issues drop him down to the Bengals. Cincy needs an upgrade over aging Nate Clements and Leon Hall is coming over a torn Achilles. Kirkpatrick adds great size standing at 6-3 and weighing almost 200 lbs. This is an easy choice not only for upside but Cincy loves the trouble makers. (Could not resist)18) San Deigo Chargers: Devon Still- DT- Penn State
- Still could go earlier than 18 but if he is on the board the Chargers will make the pick. A huge, physical tackle, Still plugs up the middle of every defensive line he is placed on and San Diego struggled against the run last year so Still has an immediate impact in that department.19) Chicago Bears: Michael Brockers- DT- LSU
- Much like San Diego, Chicago needs some push up the middle on their defensive line and Brockers is a nice athletic option that can be moved to DE if need be as well. With Julius Peppers occupying double teams, Brockers could make a huge impact right away.20) Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins- CB- North Alabama
- With the departure of Cortland Finnegan in free agency, CB moved up on the Titans needs and there is no better option than Jenkins who was a starter at Florida before off the field issues made him transfer to North Alabama. He dominated while at North Alabama and has incredible cover skills that the Titans would love to have in their secondary. 21) Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn- OG- Georgia
- Back to Cincy again and if they do not try to move up at all with the two first rounders I believe they will go with Cordy Glenn to add to an o-line that performed well for the young and upcoming Bengals. I believe they will sign a vet RB and/or draft one in the middle rounds since Cedric Benson is a free agent.22) Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill- WR- Georgia Tech
- Another team with a second first rounder that once again could move up but if they decide to stay put Hill makes perfect of sense. By already adding Richardson at RB, Hill steps in to help Colt McCoy and play opposite another young wide out named Greg Little. Hill can stretch the field and if McCoy is healthy, Hill could put up big numbers.23) Detroit Lions: Whitney Mercilus- DE/OLB- Illinois
- The Lions do not have many needs coming off an impressive 2011 campaign but running back and OLB are two positions I see some weakness. RB is too early to address so Mercilus would fit perfectly as the pass rushing LOLB. Mercilus had 16 sacks in his last season in Illinois so the pass rushing ability is their hopefully it carries on through the next level.24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower- MLB- Alabama
- The Steelers cut alot of veteran starters this off season including James Farrior the long time defensive play caller at MLB. Now Hightower an aggressive and productive linebacker steps into Farrior's role. He fits the black and gold attitude well and will fir nicely alongside Lawrence Timmons.25) Denver Broncos: Jonathon Martin- OT- Stanford
- Hey if you have not heard Peyton Manning is a Bronco! Coming off numerous neck surgeries the man needs protection. The second best tackle sounds pretty good to me and I am sure it sounds wonderful to John Elway and company. There is also talk off current RT Orlando Franklin moving to guard so Martin would fill in at RT opposite Ryan Clady at LT. 26) Houston Texans: Kendall Wright- WR- Baylor
- The Texans have been desperately searching for a second WR opposite Andre Johnson for years. Here is their chance to fill that need with Robert Griffin's favorite target. Wright is a tall wide out who has alot of speed and can stretch the field. If needed he is also very dangerous in the return game.27) New England Patriots: Mark Barron- SS- Alabama
- The Patriots defense is absolutely awful and their secondary is among the leagues worst. Barron is a physical safety who can be both a ball hawk or a run stopper close to the line of scrimmage. His ability to move all over the field makes him a steal at 27 if he recovers from the double hernia surgeries 100%. Bill Belichick is licking his chops at this one.28) Green Bay Packers: Stephon Gilmore- CB- South Carolina
- The Packers went 15-1 during the regular season before losing to the Giants in the playoffs. They are returning basically their whole team and are in position to take the best player available. The only slight concern is that Charles Woodson is not getting younger and Gilmore could be a great replacement to start along side Traman Williams.29) Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz- C- Wisconsin
- Matt Birk is not getting an younger and it looks like Andre Gurode is staying at guard especially after Ben Grubbs left via free agency. So, Konz can play the other guard spot until Birk retires then make the move back to his natural position.30) San Fransicso 49ers: Alshon Jeffrey- WR- South Carolina
- The one glaring need for the 49ers last season was another wide out for Alex Smith. Vernon Davis is the clear number one option in the passing game with Michael Crabtree when healthy contributing, Jeffrey is a reach here but his size makes him very appealing to San Fran especially in the red zone when teams will double Vernon Davis.31) New England Patriots: Nick Perry- DE/OLB- USC
- See pick 27 about my opinion on the Pats defense. Perry is not expected to drop this far but I can see him slipping mainly because of the fact USC was not in the spotlight due to NCAA penalties but USC is a factory for linebackers and Perry lined up next to Brandon Spikes, Jerod Mayo and Rob Ninkovich or as a down lineman next to Wilfork will also have Belichick jumping for joy in the draft room.32) New York Giants: David Wilson- RB- Virginia Tech
- Last but not least the Super Bowl Champs who with the addition of Martellus Bennett made me change their pick from TE Coby Fleener from Stanford to Wilson. Wilson will join Ahmad Bradshaw and D.J. Ware in the backfield hoping to return big blue's running game to one of the league's best.The NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 26th live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City and continues until Saturday the 28th.
