Nick Johnson's Mustache

2012 NFL Mock Draft-Casey: Editing

3/26/2012

   If you are coming over from any of the mock draft databases we are listed on please if you have the time read some of our other stories listed on the left our writers Lee, Nick, Wall and Me(Casey) would love to here your opinions. Thanks again for reading my mock draft, if you are interested in reading more mock drafts I suggest you go to here dcprosportsreport.com has around 185 NFL mock drafts to chose from. Also be sure to check out Nick's mock draft as well if you can't find it on the left here is the link Nick's Mock Draft

       

This far away from the draft is difficult to predict due to free agency, and workouts that have not happened yet. I will be changing my picks frequently as I here any changes that will affect my opinion, if you see I fail to mention something, or you have any interesting points I may not have heard about please let me know I would love to hear your feedback!

 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB, Stanford- Without question Andrew Luck will be the 1st overall pick in this years NFL draft. The Colts just cut Peyton Manning so it is blatantly obvious they will draft a QB with their 1st overall pick. Just last season the Colts were a team that finished 12-4 or better 7 straight seasons from 2003-2009 and 9 straight seasons with at least a record of 10-6 from 2002-2010. Now they look one of the leagues worst teams and with Manning most out the door other key veterans such as Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney and Dallas Clark might be cut or not resigned. Jeff Saturday will probably leave as well during Free Agency. Regardless of how good Luck may be next year the Colts are far away from being contenders in the AFC again. They have a shaky defense, they have a below average run game and with Wayne and potentially Garcon gone they will have a weak WR core as well.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III- The Redskins really needed to make this trade they get the franchise QB they have been searching for. While the Rams got an excellent package from the Redskins I don'tt think the Redskins gave up to much at all. Griffin ran a 4.41 in the 40 yard dash which is an impressive time for a RB or WR the fact that Griffin is a QB makes it that much more surprising. A little slower than Vick in his prime but to go along with that speed Griffin has a great arm and great accuracy. According to scouts he has been mastering his interviews with teams and is really looking like a smart/mature player as well as a leader.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil OT, USC- The Vikings are pretty much guaranteed to get either Kalil, or Claiborne here depending on what the Rams do with their pick. Since I predict the Rams will trade their 1st round pick Kalil will be availible here for the Vikings who need a franchise caliber LT, to protect thier QB of the future Christian Ponder. If Kalil is availible here it's pretty much a no-brainer for the Vikings, Kalil is expected to be a futurre stud at LT and is pretty much a sure thing to be successful in this league according to scouts.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson RB, Alabama- The Browns missed out on Robert Griffin and will have to look to improve there offense in different ways. It looks like the Browns will try to use Colt McCoy for another season, so they need to add more weapons on offense to help him out. Since Peyton Hillis signed with the Cheifs the Browns are weaker at RB than WR, so I could see the Browns drafting Richardson the best RB prospect in years at this spot in the draft.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne CB, LSU- Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib may not be back next year due to retirement for Barber and possible jail time for Talib. That leaves the Bucs with a question mark at CB, and if Claibore is availible he should be the pick. If not it makes sense for the Bucs to trade down instead of reaching for Richardson.

6. St Louis Rams Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma State- The Rams set themselves up for the future with the Redskins trade, and should draft either Reiff or Blackom here. Blackmon, fills more of a need at WR, since the Rams just lost Brandon Lloyd and there WR corps were already weak with him their. Blackmon will finally give Bradford a solid target to throw towards.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples DE, North Carolina- Despite some work-ethic concerns Coples is without question the best 4-3 DE in the draft. The Jaguars struggled to get to the QB last season and Coples has the size 6-6 284 LBS to help out the run game as well as help out with the pass rush.

8: Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill QB, Texas A&M- The Dolphins wiffed on free agent QB's Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. They managed to secure David Garrard to a one year deal, but the Dolphins need to consider the future of their franchise. Tannehill needs some time to develop so he could wait in the wings behind Garrard for a year before becoming the franchise QB.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe DT, Memphis- The Panthers are set offensively in my opinion they may need a 2nd WR across from Smith but Cam Newton is one of the few QB's in the league that makes everyone around him better. The Panthers need to improve their defense mainly on the D-Line and secondary. The Panthers rush defense rankied 31st last season I think a D-Line improvement should be imminent. After a poor combine for DT Michael Brockers and a incredibly strong one for Poe, I feel like Poe will be drafted here instead and Brockers will fall down. Poe ran a 4.8 40 yard dash time which is amazing considering his massive size of 6-4 345 lb frame. Some experts are comparing him to Haloti Ngata he is worth the risk here for the Panthers who desperately need D-Line help.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame- With the addition of Mario Williams the Bills no longer are in dire need for a pass rusher since they just got arguably one of the best in the game. The Bills could use a #2 WR to pair with Stevie Johnson, and the Bills have hinted at drafting a WR a few months ago. Floyd is the best WR availible.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College- The Chiefs are going to rebound next year and make the playoffs I predict they have some great players plus others like Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki returning from injuries. The Cheifs could improve at a few spots including their O-Line D-Line a 2nd LB next to Derrick Johnson and possibly a WR if Dwayne Bowbe doesn't return during free agency. Kuechly is the best availible player that fits one of these needs. They already have one of the best pass rushers in the league(Tamba Hali) and one of the best young secondaries featuring Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers adding another young defensive piece like Kuechly could really put Romeo Crennel's defense over the top.

12. Seattle Seahawks: David DeCastro G, Stanford- The Seahawks need to protect their new investment at QB(Matt Flynn) and after releasing G Robert Gallery the team could look to improve the interior of their O-Line. DeCastro is the best interiror O-Line prospect in years.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff OT, Iowa- The Cardinals need some help on their O-Line and are lucky to find Reiff falling this far down the board.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron S, Alabama-The Cowbys need help on their O-Line badly as well especially at LG and C so DeCastro is definitely a possiblity here. Barron is the best safety in this years draft class and it appears his double hernia injury isn't a concern. The Cowboys helped their secondary by adding CB, Brandon Carr and S Brodney Pool but Pool is a backup at best the Cowboys still need to upgrade the position.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox DT, Mississippi STate- DeSean Jackson was just signed longterm so the Eagles no longer have a need at WR. The Eagles need to get more powerful up front Cox is the best D-Line prospect availible.

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram DE/OLB, South Carolina. They still need to improve their pass rush and a better replacement at RT. Ingram may be to small to play OLB in a 3-4 defense he is 6-1 260 LBS, but he is still suck a great talent the Jets could not pass on him if he is availible.

17. Cincinnati Bengals(from Oakland): Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Alabama- The Bengals have no problems taking players with characters concerns and it is ironic that the best two CB's availible Kirkpatrick and Jenkins both have their concerns. Kirkpatrick was a top-10 prospect before his marijuanna inicident a few months ago.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw OLB, Alabama- The Chargers need to improve at Safety and OLB. With Barron off the board the Chargers should look to help out their pass rush only had one player over four sacks this past season (Antwan Barnes with 11). Upshaw's draft stock is decreasing since he didn't participate at the combine and won't at his proday either. But Upshaw is still a 1st round prospect and is the best OLB availible and should be able to contribute for the Chargers next season.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin OT, Stanford- The Bears filled their biggest need at WR by trading for Brandon Marshall but now they need to look at the O-Line. Cutler has been abused the past few seasons, and the Bears #1 priority should be to protect their franchise QB.

20. Tennesse Titans: Michael Brockers DT, LSU- Despite the addition of Kamerion Wimbley, the Titans still need to improve their D-Line in the interior. With Jason Jones leaving in free agency the Titans need to upgrade the positon and Brockers is the best player availible.

21. Cincinatti Bengals: Cordy Glenn OG, Georgia- The Bengals need help on their O-Line. Glenn fits in their blocking scheme and is also the best player availible.

22. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame- The Browns would be wise in my opinion to draft Richardson at 4 then either Floyd, or Wright here. The drop off in talent from Blackon to Floyd/Wright isn't that much, but the drop off in talent from Richardson to Miller/Martin is huge. If the Browns want to give Colt McCoy a fair chance to prove himself next season they should go with the RIchardson/Floyd or Richardson/Wright combo.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama- The Lions need to improve their secondary, they ended the regular season getting torched by Matt Flynn and were eliminated in the playoffs getting torched by Drew Brees. The Lions have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league as one of the most dominant D-Line's in the league. But their secondary is a major weakness and despite Jenkins off the field concerns the Lions should take the risk here and fill a need.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower LB, Alabama- The Steelers recently released a few key veterans such as James Farrior in order to clear cap space. The Steelers leave themselves with a view needs LB, DT and pretty much the whole O-Line except for Maurkice Pouncey. Hightower is the best availible player that also fills a need.

25. Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler QB, Arizona State- The Broncos signed arguably the greatest QB of all time Peyton Manning to a 5 year contract, but I doubt he plays through the whole contract. If Peyton Manning is healthy and remains healthy I could see him playing another three seasons, four at most but I think that is unlikely. The Broncos, also need to worry about Peyton Manning's neck how long will it last they need a reliable #2 option behind him just incase. This may be a reach for Osweiler but he won't be availbile but the time the Broncos pick in the 2nd round, and no other QB is worth grooming for the future at the point in time. Osweiler is the perfect canditate to groom for the future. He has great size for a QB 6-8 240 LBS but is a raw prospect. Peyton Manning could teach him all that he knows, until he is ready to retire or he gets injured. Osweiler isn't ready to start yet and is probably 2-3 years away from that point which is the perfect scenario for the Broncos in my opinion.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry DE/OLB, USC- Despite Kendall Wright being availible I see the Texans looking to replace Mario Williams and draft another pass rusher. Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed both had great seasons last year, but you can never have enough pass rusher. The Texans now have one of the leagues best defenses, and one of the best running games WR doesn't seem as big of a need as it did at the beginning of last season.

27. New England Patriots(via New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus DE, Illinois- The Patriots could look to boost their pass rush after losing Mark Anderson to the Bills. Mercilus is the best DE availible and lead the NCAA in sacks last season with 16.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch DE/OLB, Clemson- The Packers need help across from Matthews to help generate a pass rush. Branch played in a 4-3 defense in college but should have the athletic ability to switch to OLB in a 3-4 defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz C, Wisconsin- The Ravenes need to replace Matt Birk at C, Konz is the best in the draft and will fill in that role nicely.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill WR, Georgia Tech- The 49ers are all of a sudden one of the best defenisve teams in football, but offensively they could use some help. They are set at RB, TE and the O-Line and with Alex Smith improved play they are set at QB as well. The 49ers signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, but should look to add a piece like Hill for the future. Hill will need time to develop similar to former yellow jackets WR Demaryius Thomas who broke out towards the end of his 2nd season in the NFL. Hill is 6-4 and ran the 40 yard dash in 4.36 second he could be a dangerous weapons for the 49ers in the future.

31.New England Patriots: Devon Still DE/DT, Penn State- The Patriots could use major upgrades in their secondary Steve Gregory and James Ihedigbo are backups at best they could use a better option across from Patrick Chung. The Patriots could use more help and depth on their D-Line in their 4-3 defense.

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener TE, Stanford- After the Super Bowl the Giants had two injured TE's Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both are likely to start next year on the PUP. Martellus Bennet isn't a great replacement at TE, the Giants could do better Fleeners is the best TE in this years draft.

                                                       

-Casey

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Number of comments: 27

1/5/2012 5:54:25 PM - Lance

No way RG3 lasts til the sixth pick. Someone will probs trade for him on draft day, but if not Cleveland will take him at four because Colt McCoy is not the answer.

1/5/2012 6:34:58 PM - Casey

I might change it as time goes on but McCoy isn't bad either. I have to add comments for each pick but for the Browns Peyton Hillis most likely won't be back and Richardson is the rare exception of the new drafting rule don't draft a RB in the top 10. There could be a trade for RG3 but I feel he is overrated as a draft prospect. If they draft Griffin they would have no other weapons for him they have a below average WR core and would have no RB's if Hillis leaves

1/6/2012 2:57:40 PM - Nick

I'm not sure if Nick Perry would fall to the end of the first round. I think OLB is a bigger need for the Jets than ILB. That being said, Burfict would be a nice pick for the Jets, but I'd rather Perry.

Also, I feel like Mark Barron is more of a late 1st round pick than mid 1st round.

1/6/2012 4:26:03 PM - Casey

Perry isn't rated in Mel Kiper top 25 or McShays top 32 maybe as the combine comes forward his draft stock will increase. Barron is more of late round pick than where i picked him, but he fits their biggest need they could probably trade down since no one else who select him to later, but its tough to predict trades in mocks.

1/10/2012 6:07:46 PM - Mikr J, baynole@gmail.com

I am a Tampa fan & find your comment logical. If M.C. is gone, I could still see their taking a CB. There will be complementary-type backs available later.

1/17/2012 11:25:56 AM - Casey

Have to fix mock in a little bit, when I typed in Mark Barron's name yesterday to see what his stats were I saw a link that said he was staying at school, I thought he was a senior but i disregarded that and took him out of the mock. But I found out this morning for sure he is a senior and that report was from last year, but it was the 1st searched topic on google weird. I wil have that fixed in the next hour or so.

1/17/2012 4:15:50 PM - z, zelmo764@yahoo.com, hailredskins

As K.C;s pick they have too many needs for a luxery pick for #1.. OT, OR DEF PRESENCE AND OF COURSE QB//LOL

1/17/2012 4:52:35 PM - Casey

I struggled with the Chiefs pick. I have Martin and Reiff of the board, DeCastro could be an option as well? I am thinking of making big changes next week with my mock. I feel that the Browns really want RGIII and will trade up to get the Rams pick offering their 4th and 22nd pick. That move alone would change the whole mock draft so I am going to ponder this idea over the next few days and see if I still feel the same way

1/21/2012 10:22:02 AM - matt, amlebenbom@comcast.net

You have the Lions using there first two picks on CB's really? No way that happens and why would they take CB int he first round with so many character issues off the field? and don't say becuase they already have them, none of them had off the field issues and none of them were kicked off there football team. The team was Florida by the way who has no problem keeping players with off the field issues if he can help them win. I think they will get Kontz that he will drop to them, but follwoing your draft the best OL, or Barron or the best MLB available will be the selection with the CB issue in the second or third round.

1/21/2012 10:46:43 AM - Casey

Sorry about that I edited the draft a day or two ago, and I guess that pick didn't save I didn't have the Lions picking two straight CB's

1/22/2012 1:08:00 PM - Jeff, jjustus59@hotmail.com

Casey, I'd like to see the Browns pull that trade that you've predicted. I wouldn't be disappointed with Richardson at #4 but to get him and an extra 2nd would be a unreal.

1/25/2012 11:09:51 PM - Nick

I was thinking about including a Redskins trade like that in my draft, but I decided not to try and predict trades. I've been hearing Michael Brockers name more and more but I still don't think he'll be picked before Still. Also, just a little note in your description for the Panthers pick you say that since Kirkpatrick is off the board...but you have him going 14th. Good draft though

1/26/2012 12:22:23 AM - Casey

thanks for the spot, yea I forgot to delete those words they were from my previous mock draft. Brockers stock is apparently sky rocketing because of his potential, I went on the Panthers team blog and they want either Brockers or Kirkpatrick

1/28/2012 4:15:11 PM - Splicer2203

Do you think the Jets should sign free agent John Abraham to help the pass rush?

1/28/2012 4:25:14 PM - Lance

If he's healthy, Jets should grab Peyton Manning and cut Sanchize, Wayne Hunter, others. They should trade down in the draft, perhaps getting an additional second round pick in the process, and draft Vontaze Burfict towards the end of the 1st round and draft a safety in the 2nd round, and use the addtional second round pick they'd get in a draft day trade to adress another need. Peyton will provide them with a top five QB, a drastic improvement over Sanchez, and provide them with much needed locker room stability, something Sanchez clearly could not provide. The addition of Peyton should resurrect Santonio Holmes. Lastly, with the remaining cap room we'd have after getting Peyton, we should see if we can get FA Reggie Wayne to join Peyton.

1/28/2012 4:29:25 PM - Lance

And continuing with my comment above, with that additional second round pick we'd potentially get in a draft day trade, we could perhaps use it on Ryan Tannehill or Nick Foles should they still be available as we could groom them behind a legend in Peyton Manning for the next couple years.

1/29/2012 12:14:10 AM - Casey

I just don't see it being realistic what you just said. A roster with what we have plus Sanchez, may be better than Manning and all what we would have to give up to meet the cap etc.. Plus all those ideas aren't a sure-thing I mean heres a list of all 2nd round QB's since 1991.
Andy Dalton (Bengals), 2011
Colin Kaepernick (49ers), 2011
Jimmy Clausen (Panthers), 2010
Pat White (Dolphins), 2009
Brian Brohm (Packers), 2008
Chad Henne (Dolphins), 2008
Kevin Kolb (Eagles), 2007
John Beck (Dolphins), 2007
Drew Stanton (Lions), 2007
Kellen Clemens (Jets), 2006
Tarvaris Jackson (Vikings), 2006
Drew Brees(Chargers), 2001
Quincy Carter (Cowboys), 2001
Marques Tuiasosopo (Raiders), 2001
Shaun King (Bucs), 1999
Charlie Batch (Lions), 1998
Jake Plummer(Cardinals), 1997
Tony Banks (Rams), 1996
Todd Collins (Bills), 1995
Kordell Stewart (Steelers), 1995
Matt Blundin (Chiefs), 1992
Tony Sacca (Cardinals), 1992

1/29/2012 12:16:02 AM - Casey

Just to make sure you don't take that out of context I'm not saying Sanchez is better than Manning, a healthy Manning is clearly better. 2nd round picks rarely become even average QB's on that list Plummer, Brees, Dalton are the only 3 who became anything and people thought Brees sucked after his first 3 years

1/29/2012 1:03:39 AM - Lance

First round picks (Sanchez for instance) aren't sure things either, but it's worth a try if that QB has the opportunity to play behind and watch the greatest player of all time and practice under one of the best coaching staff's in the league. And Casey, if you think Peyton Manning doesn't make the team a whole lot better instantly, you are not only in denial, BUT YOU ARE NUTS.

You forgot to add Favre amongst your second rounders.

Here are some notable first round QB busts for you as well

- Jamarcus Russel
- Ryan Leaf
- Akili Smtih
- Tim Couch
- Joey Harrington
- David Carr
- Heath Shuler
- Cade Mcnown
- Andre Ware
- J.P. Losman
- Matt Leinart
- Vince Young

1/29/2012 1:53:30 AM - Casey

Favre was 91 so the list I found was since then that's why he's not on list. Those aren't just the busts those are every QB taken since 1991(meaning after)

1/29/2012 1:59:48 AM - Casey

A healthy Manning that remains healthy yes makes the team better.

1/30/2012 1:39:41 AM - Lance

The 1st round busts i mentioned were all since 1994. There were several 1st round QB busts in prior years, but i didn't have the time to list them all. Point is, nothing in the draft is a sure thing, it's worth a gamble to try and develop a young quarterback behind one of the greatest, most cerebral players ever to play the game.

1/30/2012 1:50:04 AM - Lance

A healthy Manning that remains healthy yes makes the team better.
_________________________________________________

Obviously we add him only if he's healthy, same goes for the other 28 teams in the league (colts not included). If Peyton's neck doesn't heal properly then he'll definately retire. But if he's cleared to play, why shouldn't he? He didn't skip a beat when he got to his 30s and he hasn't really worn down physically. Again you aren't bringing Manning here unless he's cleared by more then a few doctors. If he's medically cleared I don't know how you could even argue a 36 year old Manning vs Sanchez. Sanchez on his best day in the NFL has never been Peyton Manning. He brings stability to the entire offense the second he walks into the locker room.

1/30/2012 1:55:16 AM - Lance

Who's to say that Manning couldn't play another 4 years and Sanchez won't be backing up somewhere? NFL is and always will be a win now sport, you build your team from season to season based on the salary cap. My question to the Sanchez supporters is when he comes to you to renegotiate his contract or looks for the extension how do you pay him? Right now he's paid as a top 10 QB and atleast statistically is a bottom third of the league passer.

We can at least agree far better with a 36 year old Peyton Manning then Mark Sanchez. Even the money argument is a poor one when you consider Sanchez earned 13.3 million dollars last season and is one of the highest paid qb's in the league. And you'll be hitting the reset button somewhere because they will need to rebuild the defense if they don't get better on offense.

3/9/2012 10:12:56 AM - DaveWilk, wilk1@mac.com

Texans will not take Jeffery in the first round. If they lose Mario Williams via free agency, then OLB/edge rusher becomes a priority and they will likely address that in the first. Josh Chapman is a quality NT but not good enough to take in the second round. Texans can address WR in later rounds, as this is a deep draft at the WR position.

3/27/2012 4:58:12 AM - steve

I totally agree with your comments from pick #22. Been saying the same thing for months.

4/8/2012 11:34:22 AM - วิเคราะห์บอล, 7mlive.net/วิเคราะห์บอล.html

Favre was 91 so the list I found was since then that's why he's not on list. Those aren't just the busts those are every QB taken since 1991(meaning after)(inlove)
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