Nick Johnson's Mustache

Nick's 2012 NFL Mock Draft V3

3/12/2012

This is the first mock draft that I've ever made so feel free to give me all of the constructive criticism that you feel I deserve. I'm probably going to update this a few more times before the NFL Draft comes around so if you think I should change a pick let me know why. I just completed my second update of it, so let me know what you think. Also, be sure to check out Casey's mock draft too.

This mock draft was done pre-free agency so some of these picks will change as free agency unfolds.

1) Indianapolis Colts, 2-14 - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: This pick is a lock at this point. Andrew Luck is the quarterback of the future for the Colts. Whether or not he will come in and start right away isn't clear yet, but expect Luck's name to be called first on draft day.

2) Washington Redskins (Via Trade With St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - The Redskins gave up a lot of picks to trade up to get to RGIII but they are confident that he will be their franchise quarterback for years to come.

3) Minnesota Vikings, 3-13 - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - The Vikings believe that they already have their franchise QB in Christian Ponder. Now they just need to invest in some protection for him.

4) Cleveland Browns, 4-12 - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - The Browns miss out on both Luck and RGIII so they better hope that they can address quarterback through free agency. Hillis is a free agent, so they replace him with the best running back in the draft.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-12 - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber likely won't be back next year for the Bucs which leaves them with a big hole at cornerback. Claiborne has made it clear that he is the best corner in this draft.

6) St Louis Rams (Via Trade With Washington) 5-11 - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St. - The Skins also need to acquire a quarterback through free agency and whoever they sign will need a good target to throw to.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-11 - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - This might be a little too high for Floyd who I originally had go in the middle of the first round, but the Jags are desperate for a big receiver for Gabbert to throw to. Floyd's 6'3" frame will come in handy with Blaine Gabbert throwing the football.

8) Miami Dolphins, 6-10 - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Marc Colombo was horrible this year for the Dolphins. The Dolphins already have a good LT in Jake Long, so they add Riley Reiff who will improve their offensive line immensly.

9) Carolina Panthers, 6-10 - Donatri Poe, DT, Memphis - 350 pounds and he runs a 4.8?? Enough said.

10) Buffalo Bills, 6-10 - Quinton Coples, DE, UNC - The Bills pash rush last year didn't scary anybody. They lacked a true pass rushing threat all year and they paid for it. With the Bills switching to a 4-3 defense, Coples is a good fit here.

11) Kansas City Chiefs, 7-9 - Johnathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Barry Richardson made it clear that he isn't starting material. Matt Cassel will need all the protection he can get.

12) Seattle Seahawks, 7-9 - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M - Tannehill probably shouldn't be drafted this high but the Seahawks need to bring in somebody better than Tavaris Jackson.

13) Arizona Cardinals, 8-8 - David DeCastro, G, Stanford - With Martin off the board, the Cardinals upgrade their offensive line with the best guard available in the draft.

14) Dallas Cowboys, 8-8 - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - The Cowboys could choose to upgrade their line by adding the best guard in the draft or they could take the slipping Kirkpatrick and address perhaps their biggest need this off-season. The Cowboys love that Kirkpatrick got busted for pot, because that allowed him to slip right into their arms.

15) Philadelphia Eagles, 8-8 - Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College - The Eagles had a really poor inside linebacking core last year that consisted of Casey Matthews and Jamar Chaney. Kuechly makes too much sense here.

16) New York Jets, 8-8 - Nick Perry, OLB, USC - Nick Perry put up very impressive numbers at the combine. He ran a 4.64 40, and put up 35 reps of 225 in the bench press. Perry is an extremely talented pass rusher and he proved that he is the better athlete than Upshaw.

17) Cincinnatti Bengals (from Oakland, 8-8) - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - The Bengals would love to add another talented cornerback to their secondary. With Kikrpatrick already off the board, Jenkins is the best corner available.

18) San Diego Chargers, 8-8 - Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama - The Chargers had a pretty poor pass rush last year and part of that is due to the lack of production from Larry English.

19) Chicago Bears, 8-8 - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - The Bears have lacked a #1 receiver for quite some time now. Alshon Jeffrey really hurt his stock at the combine, so Wright takes his place here.

20) Tennessee Titans, 9-7 - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - The Titans could stand to upgrade their offensive line by adding the best center in the draft. Eugene Amano hasn't worked out well for the Titans.

21) Cincinnati Bengals, 9-7 - Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia - Unfortuantely for the Bengals, they miss out on DeCastro but Glenn isn't a bad consolation prize. Glenn had a very good combine and will come in and fill a need for the Bengals.

22) Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta, 10-6) - Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina - Jeffrey doesn't end up sliding too far as the Browns are desperate to add another target for Colt McCoy to throw to.

23) Detroit Lions, 10-6 - Alfonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska - The Lions secondary has some pretty good pieces in Chris Houston and Eric Wright, but Alfonso Dennard is too good of a talent to pass up on. It is especially important for a team that players the Packers twice a year to have a very good secondary.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers - Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama - James Farrior was just cut and Cordy Glenn is off the board so Hightower makes the move from one elite defense to another.

25) Denver Broncos - Devon Stll, DT, Penn St. - The Broncos will look to upgrade their defensive line at this pick and I believe Still is the best defensive tackle left.

26) Houston Texans - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - 6'4 frame and he ran a 4.36 40? Imagine trying to cover him and Andre Johnson.

27) New England Patriots (From New Orleans) - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - Ingram likely will not fall this far come April, but if he does expect the Patriots to waste no time in picking him.

28) Green Bay Packers - Andre Branch, DE, Clemson - I believe the Packers bring in Andre Branch to play the 3-4 OLB position opposite of Clay Matthews. Andre Branch has a high motor and is very strong, and he will benefit from learning alonside Clay Matthews.

29) Baltimore Ravens - Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida St. - Sanders will come in and challenge McKinnie for his starting tackle position.

30) San Francisco 49ers - Whitney Mercilius, DE, Illinois - Mercilius led the NCAA in sacks last year and he will help make the defense of the 49ers even better.

31) New England Patriots - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - The Patriots secondary is pretty bad and part of that is due to their lack of quality safties. Barron is the top safety in this year's draft and will help stablize the Pats D.

32) New York Giants - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Ballad tore his ACL and the Giants are happy to bring in the best tight end in this year's draft.

Number of comments: 15

1/18/2012 4:44:00 PM - Casey

I am beginning to fall out of favor with Upshaw, from various Jets website I keep hearing him be compared to Bryan Thomas. He isn't that great of a pass rusher and he is below-average in man coverage. Other comparable prospects like Whitney Mercilus who is gone by the time the Jets pick anyway is compared to Jason-Pierre-Paul. The guy can do more than just run around defenders like Maybin he can power over OT's as well. Steelers need O-Line help desperately everywhere except C. But with Cordy Glenn gone they isn't anyone worth taking, I would then say NT, is a bigger need Casey Hampton is 35 and just tore his ACL.

1/18/2012 4:53:51 PM - Casey

Also Tannehill broke his foot, might not be able to attend combine, and Mercilus had 16 sacks not 13.5 I believe.

1/19/2012 1:26:19 AM - Nick

I can see the similarities between Bryan Thomas in college and Courtney Upshaw, but I still think Upshaw has a much higher ceiling that Thomas did. Upshaw is pretty much guaranteed to be a great player at the next level, imo. That being said I think the Jets will strongly consider Nick Perry, because like I said in the mock draft he's probably one of the best, if not the best, pure pash rusher in the draft. Also, thanks for the information on Casey Hampton and Ryan Tannehill. I wasn't aware of their injuries.

1/26/2012 9:35:55 PM - Bill Maloni, billmaloni@aol.com

Steelers go for Hightower or NT Poe, worry about OL in later rounds.

1/28/2012 5:20:10 PM - Splicer2203

If Colts take Luck, what happens with Peyton Manning?

1/28/2012 5:54:02 PM - Nick

I could see him signing with a team like the Chiefs, Redskins or even the Jets.

1/28/2012 6:04:25 PM - Casey

49ers, Cardinals, Dolphins also seem to be possibilities although the Dolphins are currently the favorites for Flynn

1/28/2012 6:26:59 PM - Brock

Say the Eagles snatch Luck, how does this affect the Dolphins

1/28/2012 8:26:33 PM - Splicer2203

The Eagles will have no Luck

1/31/2012 2:06:10 PM - Brock Sherman

Nick the jets have invested way to much in sanchez to give up on him and sign manning. Anyway now that Shitty is gone I think that we'll be seeing a much better performance from Sanchez

2/3/2012 10:27:04 PM - Nick

That doesn't mean that Peyton signing with the Jets isn't a possibility

2/14/2012 9:51:57 PM - Brock Sherman

Do you think Johnson and Tannenbaum would pay that much for Peyton to be a backup? Don't you think he'd rather take a deal starting somewhere?

3/1/2012 10:17:28 PM - Nick

I never said he would be a backup Brock. Obviously if the Jets signed Peyton, Sanchez would be released/traded and Peyton would start.

3/17/2012 11:00:56 PM - bunny, blog4@windowslive.com, 9kick.com/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%...

Steelers go for Hightower or NT Poe, worry about OL in later rounds..

3/20/2012 11:18:44 AM - Nick

I have the Steelers taking Hightower
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