Final 2012 Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft on Thursday, it is now time for me to put together my final mock draft with analysis of each pick. This is only a first round mock this time, so breath easy since it is not as much reading.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)- There is no doubt about it, Luck will be the pick. Sure there are still smokescreens for the Colts to take RG3, but Luck has been hyped up as the best prospect since 1983 when John Elway was drafted, except maybe the Colts will actually get to keep this QB.

2. Washington Redskins (from the St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III (QB, Baylor)- Like Luck, this pick is a no-doubter for obvious reasons. When you trade three first round picks and a second round pick to get this QB, then that gets rid of all doubt who the 2nd overall pick is.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil (OT, USC)- The Vikings have said that there is a chance they would take Morris Claiborne over Kalil with the 3rd pick. For the Vikings to be successful in the future since they are a rebuilding team, they must find protection for their franchise quarterback they invested in last season in Christian Ponder since he really doesn't have any protection from the offensive line.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama)- The Browns failed to get the chance to draft RG3, so they will take the next best offensive player available. The Browns will try to find Peyton Hillis' replacement since Hillis signed with the Chiefs this last offseason. Richardson also gives a dual threat in rushing and receiving since the Browns have neither weapons on the roster.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne (DB, LSU)- The Buccaneers could draft Justin Blackmon to give Josh Freeman another weapon. However, since they are selecting 5th overall, they need to find the best player available to help a team that finished 4-12 last season and is on a 10 game losing streak. Another thing to consider is the legal troubles with Bucs corner Aquib Talib, so finding a corner might be great needs in the future for Tampa Bay.

6. St. Louis Rams (from the Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State)- The Rams get the player they originally wanted at #2 but now get him at #6 and get two extra first round picks and an extra second round pick. Blackmon has taken criticism about whether he is truly a number one wide receiver, but he is the best receiver in the draft and will give Sam Bradford a target he has not had his first two years in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Micheal Floyd (WR, Notre Dame)- The Jaguars usually do shock some analysts with their questionable first round draft picks (i.e. Tyson Alualu taken 10th overall after having a late-first round grade). Floyd does have talent, but off the field issues have dropped his stock, but the Jaguars are not afraid of that and are looking for weapons for Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill (QB Texas A&M)- The Dolphins are just like the Browns, they failed on getting a quarterback they wanted this offseason (Peyton Manning). The Dolphins instead will use the 8th overall pick reaching on a quarterback whose stock is rising because of him being the best available quarterback. Might end up being a hit, but reaching on a player, especially a quarterback, is usually a miss.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox (DT, Mississippi State)- The Panthers also like cornerback Stephon Gilmore here, but the middle of Carolina's defense is bad, and they grab the best defensive tackle in the draft. Cox will be a force in the middle and can take double teams for the Panthers' all-pro linebackers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Stephon Gilmore (CB, South Carolina): The Buffalo Bills have built their pass rush with drafting Marcell Dareus 3rd overall last year and the signing of Mario Williams this year. Now even though the Bills could use a left tackle such as Riley Rieff, but with Gilmore's stock constantly rising, he might to hard to pass up and improve the secondary in Buffalo to beat Tom Brady and the other quarterbacks in the AFC.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro (OG, Stanford)- The Chiefs select DeCastro to solidify their offensive line that has also added Eric Winston in free agency. Although guards aren't valued very high in the draft, DeCastro has been listed as the best offensive line prospects after Matt Kalil, ahead of the other tackles. DeCastro can also play center, which gives him more value.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples (DE, North Carolina)- The Seahawks have a very crafty team. Most of the players on the team other than Marshawn Lynch are unknown players, but are still good players and are rising up. Some of those players are on the defensive line. The Seahawks will take the best pass rusher available to continue that trend of tough play up front for Pete Carroll.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff (OT, Iowa)- The Cardinals are delighted Reiff fell to them at 13 since he is the second rated tackle in the draft. Not your prototypical left tackle, but he would do better than what former top five pick Levi Brown has done. This could also move Brown to right tackle and potentially make this a solid offensive line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron (S, Alabama)- Barron has become a hot commodity this last week, and the Cowboys are looking to further improve their secondary with this stud from Alabama. Barron gives the Cowboys a good combination of toughness to tackle and a ball-hawking ability.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College)- The Eagles did acquire DeMeco Ryans from the Texans earlier this month, but with Kuechly falling this far, the Eagles are ecstatic to add him to this defense. Kuechly is the best linebacker in this draft and has the ability to move around to outside linebacker with Ryans holding on in the middle.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw (DE/OLB, Alabama)- The Jets have plenty of needs. One of them is just what Rex Ryan likes: a passrusher. Upshaw can either have his hand in the dirt at defensive end or rush quarterbacks like Tom Brady standing up at outside linebacker. Either way, Ryan will find a niche for Upshaw.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from the Oakland Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick (DB, Alabama)- Kirkpatrick is taken by the Bengals for not exactly to play corner, but to just improve the secondary, whether it is corner or he could move to safety. Kirkpatrick has had many off-field issues, but the Bengals have dealt with many guys with off-field issues or who were distractions (i.e. Pacman Jones, Chad JOHNSON). 

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram (DE/OLB, South Carolina)- The Chargers do need to find help on the offensive line, but they also need help getting after the quarterback. Ingram is the best player available too, so the Chargers jump all over this.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus (DE, Illinois)- The Bears have had a pretty successful offseason in acquiring Brandon Marshall and Micheal Bush on their offense. The Bears should probably grab another wide receiver or help the offensive line, but Chicago could also get younger on the d-line. Mercilus could be Julius Peppers' replacement and could develop into the Tampa Two system the Bears run.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis)- Very strong, athletic defensive tackle that went to small football school Memphis. Also didn't get much production in the stat line because of doubleteams, but the tape isn't particularly impressive. The Titans do take a chance on him to get more help in the middle of their defense, especially since they took a chance on Jake Locker last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn (OL, Georgia)- The Bengals use their second pick on the versatile Glenn to help anchor their offensive line. Bobbie Williams has been ok and Andre Smith hasn't exactly lived up to his status as the 6th overall pick. Glenn won't be a left tackle in the NFL, but can play guard and can also play right tackle, making this pick a good one for the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (from the Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright (WR, Baylor)- The Browns need to put an extra emphasis on offense in this draft. After missing out on the quarterbacks, they get the best running back in the draft and get a top wide receiver, so Colt McCoy needs to produce with more weapons around him.

23. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin (OT, Stanford)- The Lions need to rebuild their offensive line more than their secondary this year. Left tackle Jeff Backus is 34 almost 35 and tore his biceps in the playoff game against the Saints. Martin has taken some criticism for his strength and consistency in college, but he won't be the starting left tackle this year. He might however get some playing time at right tackle and move Gosder Cherilus to right guard to give some starting experience.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams (OT, Ohio State)- The Steelers could take Donta Hightower, but instead look to further upgrade their offensive line. Adams has taken even more criticism than Martin this offseason because of his strength, consistency, and his off-field activity. Adams does have the tools to be a successful left tackle in this league however, and the Steelers could use more help. 

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy (DT, Michigan State)- The Broncos acquired Peyton Manning this offseason, but it doesn't necessarily mean they will get more weapons for him. Instead the Broncos continue to build their defense, and build it with this stud to control the middle while Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil take on the outside.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill (WR, Georgia Tech)- The Texans had a very nice transition on defense last year with switching to a 3-4. That being said, the Texans need to be more explosive on offense to compliment the efforts on defense. Sure Houston has Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, but they need more weapons. Hill doesn't show much on tape because Georgia Tech rarely throws to their receivers, but the last wide receiver to come out of Georgia Tech turned out to be pretty good.

27. New England Patriots (from the New Orleans Saints): Micheal Brockers (DT, LSU)- The Patriots took a lot of criticism about their defense, and it does start with their pass rush. Even though this pick probably gets traded, Brockers is the best available pass rusher, and can fit with what Bill Belichick does.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry (DE, USC)- The Packers have also a lot of flack for their defense. And again it all starts up front with the pass rush. Perry can step in and rush the side opposite Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Donta Hightower (LB, Alabama)- The Ravens should probably trade up to ensure they get Hightower, who will be Ray Lewis' eventual replacement. Hightower is very athletic and can blitz just as good as, well, Lewis. His high motor is also a plus for Hightower. Another thing that makes this pick the right one i that he gets to learn behind the best in the business.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jefferey (WR, South Carolina)- The 49ers are believing in Alex Smith for at least one more year. With that being said, the 49ers should probably stock up on more weapons so that there is no more excuses on why Smith isn't that good of a quarterback.

31. New England Patriots: Doug Martin (RB, Boise State)- The Patriots wide receivers have been blamed for the loss in the Super Bowl (even though it was Tom Brady's fault). The Patriots however have a solid group of pass catchers and need to find a feature running back to take some more pressure off the passing game (even though there is none since Brady has about 15 seconds to throw). Martin may not be here, but if he is here, the Patriots should be delighted.

32. New York Giants: Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin)- The Super Bowl Champs go after Konz who is the best interior line prospect after DeCastro and the best offensive line prospect left available. The Giants should improve their line to get younger and to also improve their rushing totals that were absent from the regular season.