2012 NFL Mock Draft Weekly Update #1
There will be 17 different 2012 NFL Mock Drafts between now and the end of the regular season. I have the 0-1 teams picking before the 1-0 teams and the teams will be picking in a certain order based on where I had teams in my preseason rankings.
Round 1
1. Denver Broncos 0-1 Andrew Luck Quarterback Stanford Junior Redshirt I had the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals picking in the top 5 of my previous mock draft in that order heading into week 1 heading of the NFL regular season. By process of elimination that leaves the Denver Broncos as the sole winner of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes for the time being because the Redskins, Bengals, Jaguars, and Cardinals all won in week 1.
An NFL roster is like a deck of cards. An NFL roster has 53 men on it. A deck of cards has 52 cards in it. Denver is uncertain with Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, and Tim Tebow as for who the franchise quarterback is moving forward. Denver needs to discard the quarterbacks in their current deck of cards from the Josh McDaniel’s regime and draw a new quarterback from a separate deck of cards who can be the face of the franchise under the John Elway/John Fox regime in Denver.
John Elway indicated an interest in replacing Tim Tebow after his rookie year. If the Broncos get a chance to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes then I bet Denver drafts Andrew Luck without hesitation.
2. Carolina Panthers 0-1 Alshon Jeffery Wide Receiver South Carolina Junior What is ironic is that I have the Broncos and Panthers picking 1 and 2 again. I just have them swapping draft orders in 2012. Carolina picked #1 overall in 2011 and right now I project them to pick 2nd. The Panthers need a secondary receiver who can compliment Steve Smith and eventually become his replacement down the road. That’s exactly what South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery provides.
3. Minnesota Vikings 0-1 Matt Kalil Left Tackle USC Junior Redshirt The Minnesota Vikings need to draft a blue chip left tackle. Even though I would rather draft Jonathan Martin over Matt Kalil the consensus is that Matt Kalil is projected to get drafted higher.
4. Miami Dolphins 0-1 Dre Kirkpatrick Cornerback Alabama Junior Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne actually performed well on Monday Night Football against New England prompting me to give the guy a hall pass for the time being. I will change this pick to a quarterback in week 2 if Henne struggles, but for now I am going to give Chad Henne a hall pass.
Miami’s secondary surrendered 517 passing yards to Tom Brady. I know Tom Brady is a beast, but the Dolphins secondary needs an upgrade. Miami’s corners would benefit greatly from making Dre Kirkpatrick a #1 corner with a Revis type impact moving Vontae Davis to the #2 corner role while plugging Sean Smith into a nickel corner role.
5. Seattle Seahawks 0-1 Matt Barkley Quarterback USC Junior Pete Carroll keeps his job because he knocked off the Saints with a 7-9 record in year 1. He gets his signal caller Matt Barkley and the Seattle Seahawks begin to establish themselves as a team that rivals the Rams in the NFC West.
6. Kansas City Chiefs 0-1 Jonathan Martin Left Tackle Stanford Junior Redshirt As much as I would like to see Matt Cassel get replaced the Chiefs will probably give him another season due to his contract status.
The Chiefs offensive line has some quality starters, but lets face it the depth on this offensive line could use some major improvement. Jonathan Martin would be a major boost to the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line.
Martin is a top 10 talent that the Chiefs cannot afford to pass up on.
7. Indianapolis Colts 0-1 Landry Jones Quarterback Oklahoma Junior Redshirt Landry Jones hasn’t convinced me that he has the mental toughness to succeed in the NFL. Regardless of how much I dislike Jones as an NFL prospect at this point the Colts will draft him as the quarterback of the future if their picking this high. Plus if Landry Jones does prove me wrong by succeeding in the NFL he will do it in Indianapolis by sitting behind a legend in Peyton Manning.
8. Tennessee Titans 0-1 Quinton Coples Right End North Carolina Senior The Titans front office is getting a major steal if Quinton Coples falls to #8 overall. Its almost like a Grand Theft Auto steal. Drafting Quinton Coples allows the Titans to move Derrick Morgan to a left end role which Morgan is much more suited to play.
9. Cleveland Browns 0-1 Justin Blackmon Wide Receiver Oklahoma State Junior Redshirt I thought about giving the Browns middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict. D Qwell Jackson was one of only 2 Browns defenders to show up in Sunday’s loss to he Bengals plus I am not sold on the idea of the Browns spending a top 10 pick on a linebacker who’s unleashing dirty hits.
Colt McCoy had tons of time to throw the football against the Bengals as McCoy’s offensive line bought Colt ample time in the pocket. Colt McCoy repaid his offensive line by going 19/40 in the Browns loss to Cincinnati. Either the Browns need to draft Robert Griffin III as his replacement or they can get a receiver like Justin Blackmon to assist McCoy. The latter seems like a much better choice at this point.
10. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 Jayron Hosley Cornerback Virginia Tech Junior If Robert Griffin III emerges as a top 10 draft prospect by next April and the Cowboys are picking here it will be very hard for the Cowboys to say no. In the end the Cowboys have to draft a cornerback to upgrade the secondary even if it means passing on an opportunity to gain a quarterback. The Cowboys need to get a cornerback.
11. New England Patriots from New Orleans Saints 0-1 Brandon Jenkins Right End Florida State The New England Patriots draft a hybrid pass rusher who can be a 4-3 right end and a 3-4 outside linebacker. Florida State right end Brandon Jenkins is a pass rusher who can play that hybrid pass rushing role for the New England Patriots.
12. St. Louis Rams 0-1 Trent Richardson Running Back Alabama Junior Steven Jackson got injured in week 1. There is no guarantee on how long Jackson is out. Maybe the Rams should draft Trent Richardson if Richardson is available when its the Rams pick.
13. New York Giants 0-1 Vontaze Burfict Middle Linebacker Arizona State Junior Jerry Reese loves taking the best player available. That would be Burfict at this point plus Burfict fills a need with the New York Giants.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-1 Ricky Wagner Left Tackle Wisconsin Junior Redshirt Pittsburgh has to get a left tackle period. Jonathan Scott is a horrible pass blocker and Willie Colon is going on injured reserve again. I know there is talk about bringing Flozell Adams back, but that is a short term solution. The Steelers have to draft a blue chip left tackle allowing Ben Roethlisberger more time in the pocket.
If Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert is foolish enough to put faith into his anemic bookends of offensive tackles then the Steelers will get a 3-4 middle linebacker like Luke Kuechly or Mant’i Teo on defense to provide some more youth for the defense.
Ricky Wagner is 6 foot 6 320 pounds. He has the size to be a left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Wisconsin Badgers have produced some quality first round prospects at offensive tackle with Joe Thomas and Gabe Carimi. Ricky Wagner was a mid 2nd round prospect who has looked so good these first two weeks in college football that he is now a mid first round prospect.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-1 Stephon Gilmore Cornerback Junior South Carolina The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to add a cornerback. Ronde Barber will not be around forever and there is no guarantee that Aqib Talib stays out of trouble. Myron Lewis is a good nickel corner with #2 corner potential, but Lewis is not #1 corner material at this point.
16. Washington Redskins 1-0 Luke Kuechly 3-4 Middle Linebacker Boston College Junior The Washington Redskins need a 3-4 middle linebacker. Luke Kuechly is a phenomenal talent who provides incredible value with the 17th overall pick.
17. Cincinnati Bengals 1-0 Jerel Worthy Defensive Tackle Michigan State Junior Redshirt The Bengals need a defensive tackle who can start on this defensive line.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0 Melvin Ingram Right End South Carolina Senior Redshirt Melvin Ingram capitalized on some turnovers in the South Carolina VS Georgia game. Those turnovers that Ingram converted on have propelled Ingram’s stock into the first round.
19. Arizona Cardinals 1-0 Riley Reiff Left Tackle Iowa Junior Redshirt The Arizona Cardinals need to get Kevin Kolb a blindside. Reiff provides outstanding value at #19 and would give the Cardinals a blindside that the Cardinals need in order to be more competitive in the NFC West in a year from now.
20. Buffalo Bills 1-0 Donte-Paige Moss 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker North Carolina Junior The Buffalo Bills get a 3-4 left outside linebacker who can compliment Shawn Meriman on defense.
21. Cleveland Browns from Atlanta Falcons 0-1 Manti Teo Right Outside Linebacker Notre Dame Junior Manti Teo is a right outside linebacker who can compliment D Qwell Jackson to boost the Cleveland Browns linebacking core. Manti Teo would be a great addition to the Browns and he would provide an amazing addition to the Browns linebacking core.
Teo can play the WILL, MIKE, or SAM role in the 4-3. Another option for Cleveland could be Virginia corner Chase Minnifield. His father Frank Minnifield played for the Browns in the 80′s.
22. Oakland Raiders 1-0 Cliff Harris Cornerback Oregon Junior Al Davis will want a cornerback with a sick 40 time. Cliff Harris is projected to run the top 40 time among the cornerbacks who are eligible in the 2012 NFL Draft Class.
23. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 Chase Minnifield Cornerback Virginia Senior Redshirt The 49ers need a cornerback who can play well in coverage. That is what Chase Minnifield will do.
24. San Diego Chargers 1-0 Courtney Upshaw 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Alabama Senior The Chargers need that sack artist pass rusher who can play across from Shaun Phillips.
25. Chicago Bears 1-0 Jeff Fuller Wide Receiver Texas A&M Senior The Chicago Bears would be doing wonders by getting Jay Cutler another receiving target. Fuller could finally give the Bears the blue chip flanker they have needed for years who has Greg Jennings type potential. The Bears have receivers like Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, and Earl Bennett, but none of those receivers are true #1 blue chip flanker receivers who pose a threat to defensive coordinators. The Bears need that kind of receiver when there in a division with Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, and a dangerous Percy Harvin when healthy.
26. Detroit Lions 1-0 Mike Adams Left Tackle Ohio State Senior The Lions realize how important is for them to get a left tackle who can protect Matthew Stafford’s blindside. That is what Ohio State left tackle Mike Adams will bring to the Detroit Lions organization.
27. New York Jets 1-0 Bobbie Massie Right Tackle Ole Miss Junior The Jets need a right tackle who can play a bookend role next to Debrickishaw Ferguson.
28. Houston Texans 1-0 Michael Floyd Wide Receiver Notre Dame Senior Andre Johnson will not be around forever and Michael Floyd is emerging as a late first round prospect after his stock fell out of the first round. Floyd would have been a mid round pick had he left as a junior, but he decided to return to school for his senior year. This Texans offense will only become better with Floyd playing next to Andre Johnson on offense.
29. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 Marcus Forston Defensive Tackle Miami FL Junior Redshirt The Eagles take the best available player with this pick.
30. Baltimore Ravens Donta Hightower 3-4 Middle Linebacker Junior Redshirt Donta Hightower would be a great complimentary linebacker and possible successor to Ray Lewis.
31. Green Bay Packers 1-0 Kheeston Randall 3-4 Right End Senior Green Bay drafts a 5 technique player that could replace the loss of Cullen Jenkins with this pick.
32. New England Patriots 1-0 Robert Lester Free Safety Alabama Junior Redshirt The Patriots need a free safety because they released free safeties Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders. Due to these releases Josh Barrett has had to move to strong safety with Patrick Chung playing free safety. Chung can play either safety role, but a free safety would do for New England so Chung can go back to his natural position for at strong safety.
Round 2
33. Denver Broncos 0-1 Mohammed Sanu Wide Receiver Rutgers Junior Teams like to build around their quarterback with their 2nd round pick. Brandon Lloyd will not be around forever and to say that Denver does not need an upgrade from Eddie Royal, Demaryius Thomas, or Eric Decker is a foolish statement.
Denver takes Sanu and makes him Andrew Luck’s go to receiving target.
34. Carolina Panthers 0-1 Kelechi Osmele Left Guard Iowa State Senior Redshirt The Panthers need to shore up the offensive line. Their offensive tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah are getting paid way too much to be replaced. Ryan Kalil is a quality center. This leaves the guard position as the sole pressing need on the Panthers offensive line. Carolina gets Kelechi Osmele with this pick to shore up the offensive line.
35. Minnesota Vikings 0-1 Devin Taylor Left End South Carolina Junior Redshirt The Minnesota Vikings need a left end to compliment Jared Allen. Brian Robison and Everson Griffin are not long term answers. Devin Taylor could be a long term answer for the Minnesota Vikings on defense.
36. Miami Dolphins 0-1 Robert Griffin III Quarterback Baylor Junior Redshirt Chad Henne played well enough for Miami to keep his job. This does not mean that Miami will not bring in a quarterback to challenge Henne for his job.
Robert Griffin III really performed well and I think he has top 10 talent. The problem is there are not that many quarterback needy teams who would realistically take Griffin in the first round. Miami runs their wildcat offense so I could see them taking Robert Griffin III as a long term replacement to Chad Henne in Miami.
37. Seattle Seahawks 0-1 David DeCastro Right Guard Stanford Junior Redshirt John Moffitt will move to left guard in 2012. The Seahawks need to build around Matt Barkley at quarterback by adding another piece to the offense that could help Matt Barkley. That piece would be right guard David DeCastro.
38. Kansas City Chiefs 0-1 Levi Adcock Right Tackle Oklahoma State Senior Redshirt The Chiefs need an extra offensive tackle for depth. Matt Cassel is not the answer in Kansas City and two future offensive tackles could be the answer for newcomer Ricky Stanzi who appears to be the quarterback of the future in Kansas City.
39. Indianapolis Colts 0-1 Chris Polk Running Back Washington Junior Redshirt Chris Polk is a major sleeper. Polk is a running back who could give the Colts running game a spark for the first time since the Edgerrin James days.
40. Tennessee Titans 0-1 Alfonzo Dennard Cornerback Nebraska Senior The Titans may need to draft a cornerback in case they decide to part ways with Cortland Finnegan.
41. Cleveland Browns 0-1 Andre Branch Right End Clemson Senior Redshirt The Cleveland Browns will need a 4-3 right end for their 4-3 scheme. Jabaal Sheard is more suited to play a 4-3 left end role. Adding Branch will solidify Cleveland’s front 7 if they draft Manti Teo with their 2nd first round pick.
42. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 Michael Brewster Center Ohio State Senior Dallas needs a center to solidify their offensive line now that Andre Gurode is gone. Brewster is a steal and slam dunk pick if he falls to #42 overall.
43. New Orleans Saints 0-1 Zach Brown Right Outside Linebacker North Carolina Senior Zach Brown is the top outside linebacker in this draft class. Brown is a steal with the 43rd overall pick.
44. St. Louis Rams 0-1 TJ McDonald Free Safety USC Junior The St. Louis Rams need a free safety to replace the loss of OJ Atogwe.
45. New York Giants 0-1 Jared Crick Defensive Tackle Nebraska Senior Redshirt The Giants could use another defensive tackle for depth. The Giants have enough depth on the offensive line for now.
46. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-1 Shayne Skov 3-4 Middle Linebacker Stanford Junior Shayne Skov can be a 3-4 pass rusher playing an outside linebacker role on the right or left side. Skov mainly plays that 3-4 middle linebacker role though.
James Farrior turns 37 in January so the Pittsburgh Steelers may be tempted to find a successor to James Farrior.
47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-1 Matt Reynolds Right Tackle Senior Redshirt BYU I previously thought Matt Reynolds was a 3rd round prospect. Reynolds is really starting to emerge as a 2nd round talent.
48. Washington Redskins 1-0 Nick Foles Quarterback Arizona Senior Redshirt Rex Grossman and John Beck are both in their 30′s. Washington will need a quarterback of the future in this draft even if they do well.
49. Cincinnati Bengals 1-0 Jake Bequette Left End Arkansas Senior Redshirt The Bengals have a 4-3 right end of the future in Carlos Dunlap. Dunlap is not at 100 percent yet which is why he is being used as a rotational 4-3 left end for now. The Bengals cannot rely on Robert Geathers as a full time starter. Geathers is more of a rotational end.
50. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0 Janoris Jenkins Cornerback Northern Alabama Senior The Jaguars need a cornerback to compliment Rashean Mathis on their secondary.
51. Philadelphia Eagles from Arizona Cardinals 1-0 Travis Lewis Right Outside Linebacker Oklahoma Senior Redshirt Travis Lewis was once a top 15 pick. Now he may not even go in the top 50. The Eagles draft Travis Lewis for weak side linebacker depth. There are no right tackles available so the Eagles get a right outside linebacker who can play the weak side for depth.
52. Buffalo Bills 1-0 Juron Criner Wide Receiver Arizona Senior Maybe the Bills think Criner is a reliable receiving target next to Stevie Johnson.
53. Atlanta Falcons 0-1 Dwayne Allen Tight End Clemson Junior The Falcons need a tight end for when Tony Gonzalez retires.
54. New England Patriots from Oakland Raiders 1-0 Baker Steinkuhler Defensive Tackle Nebraska Junior Redshirt The New England Patriots will need a defensive tackle for when Albert Haynesworth is gone. Steinkuhler can also play the 5 technique in the 3-4 so he fits what New England looks for in a 4-3/3-4 combo player for their front 7.
55. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 William Vlachos Center Alabama Senior Redshirt The San Francisco 49ers get a center to replace David Baas. William Vlachos fits the 49ers run blocking scheme.
56. San Diego Chargers 1-0 Kevin Zeitler Right Guard Wisconsin Senior Zeitler could challenge Louis Vasquez for the starting right guard job and provide some depth for San Diego at the right guard spot on the offensive line.
57. Chicago Bears 1-0 Casey Heyward Cornerback Vanderbilt Senior Ever since the Bears traded for Jay Cutler it seems like the Bears have become intrigued by prospects from Vanderbilt. Chicago drafts Heyward as a cornerback for depth with this selection.
58. Detroit Lions 1-0 Desmond Trufant Cornerback Washington Junior The Lions need a shutdown corner. Desmond Trufant could develop into that cornerback for the Detroit Lions.
59. New York Jets 1-0 Bruce Irvin 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker West Virginia Senior Irvin was 2nd overall in sacks in 2010 as a junior. Irvin lacked the size last year, but he bulked up to 250 pounds.
Fun fact Bruce Irvin is named after his video game counter part Bruce Irvin from the video game fighting series Tekken.
60. Houston Texans 1-0 Alameda Ta’amu Nose Tackle Washington Senior Houston needs a 330 pound nose tackle for their 3-4 defense. That is exactly what Ta’amu is.
61. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 Mark Barron Strong Safety Alabama Senior The Eagles add strong safety Mark Barron for depth on the roster because the Eagles have the luxury of taking the best available player unless a quality right tackle is available.
62. Baltimore Ravens 1-0 Billy Winn 3-4 Left End Boise State Baltimore adds a 5 technique end who could eventually start next to Haloti Ngata.
63. Green Bay Packers 1-0 Nico Johnson 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Junior Alabama Nico Johnson can play 3-4 linebacker on the outside or the inside. Johnson could provide another pass rushing threat across from Clay Matthews.
64. New England Patriots 1-0 Omar Bolden Cornerback Arizona State Senior Bill Belicheck has drafted a cornerback in the first two rounds every year since the 2008 NFL Draft. Do you really expect this to change? As a Patriots fan its really starting to irritate me that Belicheck keeps addressing this position so early each year now that he has a star corner with Devin McCourty.
Round 3
65. Denver Broncos 0-1 Tydreke Powell Defensive Tackle North Carolina Senior The Denver Broncos need a defensive tackle on their roster. After passing on a defensive tackle in the first two rounds the Broncos finally get their run stuffer at the top of round 3.
66. Chicago Bears from Carolina Panthers 0-1 Michael Egnew Tight End Missouri Senior The Chicago Bears need a tight end on their roster. Egnew provides amazing value at the top of round 3.
67. Minnesota Vikings 0-1 Dwight Jones Wide Receiver North Carolina Senior Dwight Jones could be an excellent #2 receiver for the Minnesota Vikings offense.
68. Miami Dolphins 0-1 Jerrell Harris 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker Alabama Senior Miami needs a 3-4 left outside linebacker for their 3-4 defensive scheme.
69. Seattle Seahawks 0-1 Ray Ray Armstrong Strong Safety Miami FL Junior The Seahawks need a strong safety. Ray Ray Armstrong is the best available strong safety with this pick.
70. Kansas City Chiefs 0-1 Cyrus Gray Running Back Texas A&M Senior The Chiefs may draft a complimentary running back if their team is picking here. The Chiefs already have a developmental quarterback in Ricky Stanzi. If he fails to be the guy then the Chiefs will draft a quarterback in round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft.
71. Indianapolis Colts 0-1 Greg Childs Wide Receiver Arkansas Senior The Colts add another receiver for depth with Greg Childs in round 3.
72. Tennessee Titans 0-1 Kenny Tate Strong Safety Maryland Senior The Titans will need a strong safety to replace Chris Hope. Tate can play anywhere on defense
73. Cleveland Browns 0-1 Donnie Fletcher Cornerback Boston College Senior The Browns need another cornerback for depth on their roster. Donnie Fletcher would be an awesome pick for Cleveland in roster. Fletcher can be a#2 corner on a roster. The Browns already have a #1 cornerback with Joe Haden.
74. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 Eddie Whitley Free Safety Virginia Tech Senior The Cowboys need an upgrade at both safety spots. If second round prospect Eddie Whitley falls to this pick the Cowboys have to draft him to upgrade the secondary.
75. New Orleans Saints 0-1 Jaye Howard Defensive Tackle Florida Senior The Saints add another run stuffing defensive tackle for depth.
76. St. Louis Rams 0-1 Ronnell Lewis Left Outside Linebacker Oklahoma Ben Leber and James Laurinitus are quality starters at the weak side and middle linebacker spots. St. Louis needs a strong side linebacker. That is where Ronnell Lewis comes into play.
77. New York Giants 0-1 Tanner Hawkinson Left Tackle Kansas Junior Redshirt Hawkinson was originally a tight end before moving to left tackle. Hawkinson can be a left tackle for depth on the Giants. If that does not work out you could plug Hawkinson into a tight end role.
78. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-1 Josh Chapman Nose Tackle Alabama Senior Casey Hampton will not be the Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle forever. Pittsburgh has to draft his successor in 2012.
79. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-1 Ty Hilton Wide Receiver Florida International Senior Hilton could provide that explosive presence and eventually become the slot receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
80. Washington Redskins 1-0 Nate Potter Left Guard Boise State Senior Redshirt Washington could use a left guard for depth. Boise State left tackle Nate Potter is more suited to make a transition to the left guard spot.
81. Cincinnati Bengals 1-0 Ryan Lindley Quarterback San Diego State Senior Redshirt Cincinnati may part ways with Marvin Lewis. The new regime would likely draft a developmental quarterback in round 3 to rival Andy Dalton for the starting job. The Bengals could use a 2nd corner for the future, but getting a quarterback for depth when quarterback is an uncertainty on this team is by far the more pressing need in Cincinnati.
82. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-0 Rashard Hall Free Safety Clemson Junior Redshirt The Jaguars need a free safety to start on their defense. Aaron Henry of Wisconsin, Rashard Hall of Clemson, and Delano Howell of Stanford are available. The Jaguars usually go for hometown prospects so Rashard Hall is the pick here.
83. Arizona Cardinals 1-0 Elvis Fisher Right Tackle Missouri Senior Redshirt The Cardinals need to draft a left tackle in round 1 and a right tackle in round 3 in order to begin to solidify their offensive line.
84. Buffalo Bills 1-0 Kirk Cousins Quarterback Michigan State The Buffalo Bills get a developmental quarterback in round 3 because Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a long term answer.
85. Atlanta Falcons 0-1 Andrew Datko Left Tackle Florida State Senior Datko has the tools to develop into a late first round pick. Plus the Falcons could use a backup left tackle to provide some depth behind Sam Baker.
86. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 Kerry Murphy Nose Tackle Alabama Junior Redshirt The 49ers could draft a nose tackle for the future. Nose Tackle is one of the 49ers glaring holes on the defensive line. You need someone to clog the running lanes when running the 3-4.
87. San Diego Chargers 1-0 Coryell Judie Cornerback Texas A&M Senior I know that the Chargers have the #1 pass defense in the NFL. This team could use a nickel cornerback so adding Judie really would not be considered a wasted pick.
88. Chicago Bears 1-0 Ryan Miller Right Guard Colorado Senior Redshirt The Bears could use a right guard for depth. Ryan Miller is a 3rd round prospect who is best suited as a right guard. Adding Miller could fill a hole on the Chicago Bears interior offensive line.
89. Detroit Lions 1-0 Vince Browne Right End Northwestern Senior Redshirt Kyle Vaden Bosch is aging and he will not be around forever. Why not add more depth to an already elite defensive line by taking Vaden Bosche’s successor in round 3?
90. New York Jets 1-0 Vinny Curry 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker Marshall Senior The New York Jets double dip and get a 2nd 3-4 outside linebacker on the left side.
91. Houston Texans 1-0 Aaron Henry Free Safety Wisconsin Senior Redshirt The Texans add a free safety with a late day 2 pick who can provide some depth and stability on the Texans secondary.
92. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 Jonathan Massaquoi Left End Troy Junior Redshirt Massaquoi has a chance to be a top 5 pick in 2013 if he returns for his senior year. Massaqoui is a projected 2nd round pick. if Massaquoi falls this far and he declares then the Eagles should take a flyer on him.
93. Baltimore Ravens 1-0 Delano Howell Free Safety Stanford Senior The Ravens get Ed Reed’s successor with this pick. I feel like Ed Reed will retire after this season. That means the Ravens should groom his sucessor.
94. Green Bay Packers 1-0 Brandon Boykin Cornerback Georgia Senior Boykin has excellent speed despite his lack of coverage ability. Green Bay has some elite coverage corners that can coach up his coverage ability. Boykin could be a star in Green Bay if his coverage ability improves.
95. New England Patriots 1-0 Tony Dye Strong Safety UCLA Senior New England adds a strong safety for depth behind Patrick Chung. The Patriots have so many pieces in place its hard to identify one glaring need in round 3 that the team would have to address. I believe getting a strong safety for depth with a final day 2 pick really would benefit New England long term.
4 Rants to “2012 NFL Mock Draft Weekly Update #1”
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Dre Kirkpatrick to the Dolphins at 4 is terrible. They have an excellent young corner tandem in Sean Smith and Vontae Davis. There is absolutely no way they take a corner that high. You don’t use this high of a pick on a position of strength. Brady’s big night is irrelevant. Their pass rush was limited by New England’s offensive line, and it needs help at safety. Not corner.
Also, as a New England fan, you should know Belichick just doesn’t value the 3-4 OLB position this highly. Fans have been clamoring for it for years and he hasn’t grabbed this position in the first round. The team is utilizing both a four and three man front this year, but it looks more like a 4 man front is the general base. If they were to go a pass rusher/DE in the first round, it’s a complete end, not a hybrid rusher. Coples won’t fall into the teens, but he’s one guy they could actually target, albeit with a trade up.
Not a big fan of your first two selections for Indianapolis. I know it’s in vogue to give the Colts a quarterback in the first round this year, but it’s not likely to happen, especially with the Colts picking at 7 rather than 1. In the pre-salary cap era, teams could pull a 49er’s and keep two good quarterbacks. Rodgers/Farve is the exception rather than the rule. Farve was already on his way out and Rodgers was a top 5 talent who fell to 24 and so didn’t eat the salary cap. The ONLY way the Colts take a QB this year is if Manning can’t play beyond two years because it’s a waste of money and a draft pick to take a quarterback and have him sit for four years. I’m also not a big fan of Chris Polk in the second. The problem with the Colts’ running game is not the backs. It’s the offensive line. The Colts’ line is slightly better this year than last year and already Addai looks as good as he has since his rookie year. Delone Carter, the 4th round pick from this past draft, looks like the real deal and Donald Brown is servicable as a third back still on a rookie deal. Plus, Indy picked up Darren Evans as an UDFA to develop and he looked good in the preseason. There are a number of holes, particularly at CB and C that would fit better on Polian’s need/value axis rather than Polk.
Here are some alternate picks and explanations for consideration for the next time you update. I hope they help!
1:
-Quinton Coples: Thing’s don’t look good for 2011 1st round pick Jerry Hughes. Although he showed improvement from his rookie year to this year, it’s not been the kind of development you want in a first rounder. With Robert Mathis entering free agency, the Colts may try and grab a successor if they can’t get a contract negotated.
-Justin Blackmon: Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Pierre Garcon are all free agents. Wayne is old, Gonzalez can’t stay healthy, Garcon is inconsistent. The Colts may look to add new depth at WR and Blackmon is a good looking prospect.
2-
-Alfonzo Dennard: Dennard is a perfect scheme fit for the Tampa-2 and the Colts need help in the secondary and a legitimate cornerback to pair with Jerraud Powers. Some have him going in the mid first. Getting him here would be a steal.
-Mike Brewster: The Colts have a gaping hole at center. Jeff Saturday is 36 and will likely retire or not be resigned at the end of this season. The Colts are on a youth and strength movement on the O-line and Brewster fits the bill. One of my favorite prospects for the Colts and a steal in the top of the second.
-I also think a strong safety, a wideout, a guard or a defensive tackle are all possibilities here as well, depending on the first round pick.
3-I don’t mind the Childs pick, but here are some alternatives: A strong safety like Dye or Tate, a 4-3 1-tech like Kawaan Short, or another offensive linemen, likely a guard but center or right tackle are also possibilies (though it’s still to early to give up on 2011 second round pick Ben Ijalana at RT since he hasn’t played)
I have the Colts picking 5th overall in my 2012 NFL Mock Draft this week. I think Stanford’s Jonathan Martin is an option. Coples would be an option like you suggested. Cornerback would be a round 2 option. You could target Brewster. I love brewster as a propsect. I think he can start right away and become Nick Mangold type center. Great points Logan. Thanks for commenting and posting your constructive feedback.
No worries. It’s tough to mock for the Colts because of their system. I’m a bit leery on Martin and Kalil because I don’t think there are any elite pass rushers in the Pac-12, unlike the guys Costanzo went up against, and beat, in the ACC. Tackle will depend a lot on how Ben Ijalana develops, because Costanzo has the makings of an elite LT so the need is at RT if Bigger Ben doesn’t develop or becomes a guard. Problem is, 5 is WAY to high to take a RT. I really like Brewster in the second, but then I think the Colts biggest need will be at center.