The 2012 Draft is only days away, and the only guarantees thus far have been in the top two picks. There's multiple rumors about trades and other different scenarios going on, but nothing has occurred just yet. As such, this mock is as much of a toss-up as it has ever been in an NFL mock draft. Here goes nothing:
1. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS--Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
There's been talk for months that Luck would be the guy. In fact, ever since Peyton Manning went down and the Colts started their season on a low note, Luck has been mentioned as the guy who will follow the greatest Indy quarterback ever. It's definitely a tough burden, but with some veteran players still in the fold (Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney), Luck could have success in what has undoubtedly been a difficult transition for Colts fans.
2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (from St. Louis Rams)--Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Griffin has been the ultimate big risk big reward player who became a stud during his junior year at Baylor. He was great in college but many draft experts question the success he will have in the pros. Washington is desperate for an answer at quarterback and traded a bounty of picks to St. Louis in order to secure the services of Griffin (or Luck). This pick is set in stone.
3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS--Matt Kalil, LT, Southern California
The Vikings have been dabbling about taking OSU's Justin Blackmon or LSU's Morris Claiborne, but if they were smart, all they are doing is blowing smoke. The pick here should either be Matt Kalil or, if they aren't sold, a trade. The Vikings need a decent tackle, and Kalil is one of the surest bets in the draft.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS--Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama
Richardson is one of the best pure players in this draft. All around a strong runner, he could be very successful at the next level. A good guy off the field as well, Richardson can be a game-breaker, as evidenced by his touchdown run in an offensively lacking BCS National Championship game. The Browns could use Richardson or a receiver like Blackmon, but good runners are far more rare in this draft.
5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS--Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Claiborne may be dumb according to the Wonderlic, but on the field he shows the smarts and talent to achieve at the next level. The Bucs current corners include veteran Ronde Barber and E.J. Biggers. Barber could retire at any moment, while talented but troubled corner Aqib Talib is frequent police blotter material. Claiborne is a perfect complement for new acquisition Eric Wright, as the Bucs try to regroup from their 4th place NFC South finish last year.
6. ST. LOUIS RAMS (from Washington Redskins)--Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams get their man in the end, even though earlier teams (namely the Vikings and Browns) could trade out of their spots for a team desperate to snag Blackmon. Unfortunately, that team would be dumb, because the Rams could simply trade down a few spots and take a decent but perfectly good wideout in Michael Floyd, or even Kendall Wright. The Rams need to be smart with this pick, however. Taking a wide receiver would be ideal, but there are many other needs that could be addressed depending on how the top of the draft turns out.
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS--Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
The Jaguars have apparently been high on Gilmore for a while, and he will provide great insurance in a defensive backfield consisting of new signee Aaron Ross and the oft-injured Rashean Mathis. Gilmore is without a doubt one of the top corners available, so the Jags will pounce on the chance to get him early.
8. MIAMI DOLPHINS--Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical
Tannehill has steadily been rising up draft boards, and the Dolphins believe that they need to secure the quarterback of the future in the first round (another second rounder will surely fail again, right?). Personally, I believe taking Tannehill this high isn't justified, and it's only because he is the third best guy behind the two studs of the draft. There is definitely a drop-off after Griffin, but if the Dolphins really want to break the mold, they'll happily take Tannehill here.
9. CAROLINA PANTHERS--Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science
The Panthers need to address concerns on the inside of the D-line, and what better way than to take one of the top prospects available? Cox has shot up the draft boards and could very well kiss the top-five, but I believe he will "slide" to the Panthers at number 9. Cox definitely has the skills and rigor necessary to bolster the Panther's D-line and continue to keep them close in tight games.
10. BUFFALO BILLS--Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Bills really want Gilmore, but with the Jaguars taking him 3 picks ago, they'll have to settle for Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama. This may be a reach, but Kirkpatrick is the best corner available. There are some encouraging prospects that the Bills might take, but I believe corner will be a key position they must strengthen.
11. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS--David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
The Chiefs have the talent on the outside to make a formidable rushing attack but they could use some cleaning up on the inside. DeCastro will presumably start at right guard and make his way to the left to form a combination with Branden Albert that will dominate opposing D-line schemes.
12. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS--Luke Kuechley, LB, Boston College
The Seahawks get their man in Kuechley, who will fill a vital hole in the defense ever since Lofa Tatupu left the team. Kuechley has the skills and talent to thrive as a middle linebacker in the league. If Kuechley is gone, the Seahawks may dip into the other linebackers available, but they hope to pick a guy like Kuechley here.
13. ARIZONA CARDINALS--Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Reiff is the best tackle available, and the Cards will get their man to protect Kolb and the young runners in the backfield. This pick should be a no-brainer if Reiff is available.
14. DALLAS COWBOYS--Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
The third Tide player to get drafted, Barron will shore up a position that the Cowboys have been weak in for several years. Barron can immediately be a threat in a defense that has had rough patches over the years but is slowly improving.
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES--Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
The Eagles would like to take a defensive end here, but with so many options to choose from, they'll settle on Melvin Ingram out of South Carolina. Ingram is an intriguing talent that could immediately add to the team after last year's disappointment. Other options here include Quinton Coples or Chandler Jones, who are more versatile players.
16. NEW YORK JETS--Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina at Chapel Hill
If Coples is still available here, the Jets will gladly take him. Coples is a top 15 talent, and the Eagles had to reluctantly pass on him. Coples can fit nicely into a Rex Ryan defense hungry on pressuring the quarterback from the edge.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS (from Oakland Raiders)--Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame du Lac
Floyd is the second best receiver available, and the Bengals will gladly take him if he falls to this spot. With Jerome Simpson gone, the Bengals will have the chance to replace Simpson and more in Floyd. The success of A.J. Green last season could also benefit Floyd's transition.
18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS--Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
The Chargers will gladly take either Coples or Ingram if they fall here, or might opt on Courtney Upshaw or Whitney Mercilus. The Chargers could definitely use an strong improvement on defense in a suddenly much more offensively competitive division.
19. CHICAGO BEARS--Whitney Mercilus, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Bears will continue the recent trend of picks by picking a defensive end. The local product is reportedly a favorite of the coaching staff, and can turn out nicely alongside Julius Peppers in continuing to be one of the league's most gritty defenses.
20. TENNESSEE TITANS--Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
The Titans need to address the void in the middle, and what better way than to take one of the top defensive tackles available? Sound familiar? I've seen a few mocks that have Brockers going in Cox's spot, so the Titans will be getting a good value pick here.
21. CINCINNATI BENGALS--Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
The abundance of versatile defensive ends keep on coming when the Bengals draft for the second time in round one, this time addressing defensive concerns. The secondary is decent, but he guys up front could struggle at times. Upshaw will be the fourth Alabama player taken after Richardson, Kirkpatrick, and Barron.
22. CLEVELAND BROWNS (from Atlanta Falcons)--Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
The Browns are looking for weapons for Colt McCoy, and have found two in Richardson and Wright. Wright can certainly be a field stretcher, but is also versatile enough to take on a Josh Cribbs role later on.
23. DETROIT LIONS--Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Glenn will help to forget about the failed Gosder Cherilus pick, and could possibly work his way as a replacement for veteran Jeff Backus. Although Backus may have a few more years left in him, insurance always helps.
24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS--Nick Perry, DE, Southern California
The Steelers will jump out to grab Perry, who will ease into the rotation as insurance to a slowly aging Steeler D. Perry has the skills to jump in when he has the chance, but the Steelers could also forgo him for a linebacker with this pick.
25. DENVER BRONCOS--Amini Silatolu, G/OT, Midwestern State
The Broncos could certainly use an upgrade to their O-line now that Peyton Manning is quarterback and needs more time to throw than the previous QB. Denver could also address their lack of interior defensive linemen.
26. HOUSTON TEXANS--Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State
The Texans could use this pick to find a replacement for Mario Williams, but the reality is that they will only get low first rounders/top second rounders here.
27. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from New Orleans Saints)--Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Poe really rose up draft boards because of his Combine, but slowly worked his way back down due to lackluster gametape. Poe could be an intriguing prospect that Belichick could mold.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS--Devon Still, DT, Pennsylvania State
Green Bay has issues to address up front on defense. Their offense is set and ready to perform at great levels. Still can make the transition onto a constantly aggressive defense.
29. BALTIMORE RAVENS--Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower will be the fifth and last former Tide player to be drafted in the first round. I believe Hightower has great skills that can translate onto an aging defense. He fits the mold perfectly.
30. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS--Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Institute of Technology
The 49ers lack at the receiver position, which they somewhat addressed during free agency. However, adding a young receiver like Hill will do wonders for Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh's menacing gameplan.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS--Peter Konz, C/OG, Wisconsin-Madison
Konz is a versatile O-linemen that can fill in spots for the aging Pats O-line. The Patriots will probably trade one or both of their picks, however.
32. NEW YORK GIANTS--Doug Martin, HB, Boise State
The Super Bowl Champions will look slightly different next year, most notably due to their different offensive weapons from their run in the playoffs. Martin will come in as insurance to Ahmad Bradshaw, who will presumably carry most of the load now that Brandon Jacobs is gone.
