After months of speculation, observation and deliberation the NFL Draft is finally upon us and with that here is my last minute 2012 NFL mock draft for the first round.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts have already announced that Luck will be the No. 1 pick in the draft so this really comes at no surprise. Still it’s going to be a rough couple of years for Luck and Colts as they rebuild.
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Finally Washington get’s their franchise QB not to mention RG3 should fit into Shanahan’s scheme perfectly.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, University of Southern California
The Vikings have plenty of holes but they choose the best offensive tackle in the draft to protect last year’s investment in Christian Ponder.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Richardson is one of those types of running backs in which you can build the offense around. That doesn’t happen to often, especially in today’s evolving NFL.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Tampa Bay’s horrendous defense gets a big boost by a guy that can play right away.
6. St. Louis Rams: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE, Mississippi State
I wouldn’t be surprised if they go with Justin Blackmon here but I think they ultimately go with the versatility that Cox offers.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
He could drop from this spot but ultimately Jacksonville takes Gilmore for his intelligence on the field and reliability in the secondary.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Finally the Dolphins get someone they can truly build the offense around.
9. Carolina Panthers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Cam Newton gets a little more dangerous with Blackmon wide out.
10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
The Bills continue to build up their defense with this tackling machine.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
DeCastro is big, smart and potentially devastating to opposing defensive pass rushers. A nice pick for the Chiefs here.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Coples could be a stretch at the 12 spot but he has a ton of potential that could make this very well worth it for Seattle.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina
Ingram is very good at getting at the quarterback and could play OLB or DE in certain schemes.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
The Cowboys continue to capitalize on the Brandon Carr signing by bringing in the “QB” of the Alabama defense.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Brockers could end up being the best defensive player in the draft and if he’s still available here it’s going to be hard for Philadelphia to pass him up.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
Aside from their secondary the Jets have plenty of holes to fill. With that said they bring in a versatile defender in Upshaw.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Many consider Kirkpatrick to be a safety at the NFL level but his size and speed will enable him to be a very good corner in the league.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
A big body that can start at tackle or guard. Glenn should open up plenty of holes on the ground for the San Diego rushing attack.
19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
Mercilus led the nation with 16.5 sacks, including a dominant three-sack effort against Indiana and a solid bowl game effort on national TV against UCLA. He’s a fearless pass rusher with big potential.
20. Tennessee Titans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Titans get some help for Jake Locker and a weapon opposite of Kenny Britt.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
After taking care of the secondary, the Bengals get some help for Andy Dalton.
22. Cleveland Browns: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
The first step in building that offense around Trent Richardson starts here with Mike Adams. This is despite is off the field troubles.
23. Detroit Lions: Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal
An explosive edge rusher, Perry offers a replacement for KVB in 2013 and some insurance in Avril walks after this season.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Hightower is a big middle linebacker that will fit in with the Pittsburgh scheme perfectly.
25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Worthy was part of a very good Michigan State defense in the Big Ten. He can plug up the middle and cause fits for opposing offensive lines.
26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
The Houston passing attack gets a lot better with Randle positioned opposite of Andre Johnson.
27. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
The New England defense wasn’t the best last season. Here they start to replenish it with the addition of Branch.
28. Green Bay Packers: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
The Packers get Clay Matthews some help with the addition of McClellin.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Solid NFL frame and has nice footwork.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
The 49ers look to get some more protection for Alex Smith and someone who can open up more holes for Frank Gore.
31. New England Patriots: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
The Patriots continue to rebuild their defensive line by bringing Thompson.
32. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Still will bring nice pressure up the middle for the defending Super Bowl champs.
