| 2012 Mock Draft - 1st Round |
| Last Updated: January 29, 2012 |
Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 - Picks 17-32 - Round 2 - Round 3 - Rounds 4-7 |
| 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) |
University of Alabama
If the Bengals add Richardson to an offense that already features A.J. Green and Andy Dalton they may end up having one of the most exciting young offensive cores in the NFL. With Cedric Benson hitting free agency the Bengals would be wise to shore up the running back position and Richardson is a stud. He has an incredible combination of speed and size and might be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson or Darren McFadden, making him a steal with this pick. Richardson is both one of the fastest and strongest backs in this class and should blow people away in workouts with his strength, speed, and explosiveness. He has all the makings of a future Pro Bowler and will be considered by several teams starting with Cleveland at #4.
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Also Considered: none
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| 18. San Diego Chargers |
University of Southern Cal
Shaun Phillips has been hurt and the Chargers could certainly improve upon Travis LaBoy to fill the hole that Shawne Merriman has left since his injuries and subsequent waiving in 2010. The Chargers struggled to pressure the quarterback this season, recording just 32 sacks, which ranked 23rd in the NFL. Perry is a great pass rusher and would be a perfect fit in San Diego's 3-4 scheme in a similar role to Merriman's during his career with the Chargers. Perry also has the versatility to line up at defensive end if the team wants to show some 4-3 looks. The Chargers have shown a propensity for taking guys with positional versatility, including Corey Liuget and Marcus Gilchrist last season.
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Also Considered: Kendall Wright (WR-Baylor), Mike Adams (OT-Ohio State)
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| 19. Chicago Bears |
Ohio State University
Jay Cutler gets hit way too much and the Bears don't have a legitimate NFL left tackle on the roster. The Bears allowed an NFL-most 56 sacks in 2010 and followed that up with the fifth most sacks allowed in the league this season (49). 2011 first round pick Gabe Carimi was injured all season but he's better fit on the right side anyway. Adams has the athleticism to lock down the left side of the line and would be a good fit under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Mike Tice. He had a good week of Senior Bowl practices and is now firmly locked in to the first round, and is an instant upgrade of J'Marcus Webb, who has some potential as a backup right tackle.
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Also Considered: Janoris Jenkins (CB-North Carolina), Kendall Wright (WR-Baylor)
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| 20. Tennessee Titans |
University of Wisconsin
Protecting 2011 first round draft selection Jake Locker is going to be key for the Titans moving forward. Eugene Amano rated 32nd out of 36 eligible centers in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Finding a center to learn and grow comfortable with Locker will be huge, and there's no better choice at this spot than Konz. He's from Wisconsin, so he's used to playing bruising smash-mouth football. He's a very good run blocker and can hold his own in pass protection, which fits perfect with the Titans. The other four starters on the Titans offensive line are all above average at their positions, so Konz could make this unit the best in the entire league.
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Also Considered: Whitney Mercilus (DE-Illinois), Mark Barron (S-Alabama)
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| 21. Cincinnati Bengals |
Baylor University
Kendall Wright is an athletic freak and a great fit to start opposite A.J. Green. He doesn't have ideal size, but he makes up for it with great hands, and an instinctual play-making ability. He's got breakaway speed and incredible field vision. He's got the moves of a running back with the big-play potential of a stud wide receiver. Free agent Jerome Simpson was indicted this offseason for trafficking marijuana in excess of eight ounces and is likely facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse. He might re-sign with the Bengals because he doesn't have much appeal anymore on the open market and should re-sign for cheap. In the commentary of Cincinnati's selection of Trent Richardson it was noted the Bengals would feature one of the most exciting young offensive cores in the NFL and the thought of adding Wright to that sounds too good to pass up.
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Also Considered: Janoris Jenkins (CB-North Carolina), Cordy Glenn (OG-Georgia)
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| 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) |
University of Miami (FL)
Peyton Hillis has gone from Madden cover boy and bruising running back to a blueprint for what not to do in a contract year, and almost certainly won't be back in Cleveland next year. The Browns need a new weapon on offense and although Montario Hardesty has shown flashes, he has a history of injury problems. Miller has great field vision and runs angry. He hits the hole and doesn't look back, and if you get in his way he will try to run you over. A playmaker like Miller should open the passing game for Colt McCoy and make life easier on everyone in Cleveland. Given that the Browns have added both Justin Blackmon and Lamar Miller in the first round of this mock draft the offense should start showing signs of life and if not the McCoy era could be over in Cleveland after two seasons.
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Also Considered: Whitney Mercilus (DE-Illinois)
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| 23. Detroit Lions |
University of North Alabama
Every mock draft in the world is probably going to project an offensive lineman to Detroit but they've proven in the past they'll ignore team needs and simply draft the best player available. Detroit's offense is leaps and bounds ahead of the defense and their secondary was exploited in the regular season finale and playoff opener to the tune of 946 yards and nine touchdowns combined from Matt Flynn and Drew Brees. Before the 2011 season, Jenkins was dismissed from Florida's football team following two drug related arrests in three months, but he would have been a first rounder had he entered the 2011 Draft. He's simply too good for the Lions to pass up, especially if Eric Wright leaves. The Lions draft to improve their strengths and won't reach to fill a need, and they might even consider Whitney Mercilus or Vontaze Burfict here as well.
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Also Considered: Whitney Mercilus (DE-Illinois), Vontaze Burfict (MLB-Arizona State)
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| 24. Pittsburgh Steelers |
University of Memphis
Casey Hampton recently underwent surgery to repair his torn left ACL on Friday, the third ACL surgery of Hampton's 11-year career. Hampton told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he wants to play in 2012, but the injury will probably cost him several games to open the 2012 season. Hampton's cap number is $8.1 million, so it's more likely Hampton will be released unless he's willing to restructure his contract. The Steelers have spent two of their first round picks in the previous three years on defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward, but the lack of depth behind Hampton might finally be exploited next season unless they use an early selection on a nose tackle. At 6'5", 350 pounds Poe is a very big man, and that's somewhat of an understatement. He definitely can take up a ton of room at nose tackle and is great against the run. He should demand enough double-teams to allow the Steelers linebackers plenty of room to roam around.
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Also Considered: Cordy Glenn (OG-Georgia)
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| 25. Denver Broncos |
University of Nebraska
The Broncos need to find a formidable player to put across from Champ Bailey at the cornerback position, and they eventually may want to find his replacement. Dennard is the guy for the job, and with Bailey's help he could become a very good corner in the NFL. Dennard is a good fit in press coverage, and doesn't allow much separation on short and intermediate routes and his man and zone coverage skills are both slightly above average. Dennard struggled in Senior Bowl practices in a scheme not best fit to his abilities and there's some unwarranted speculation he'll fall out of the first round but I have a hard time envisioning that happening.
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Also Considered: Michael Brockers (DT-LSU), Jerel Worthy (DT-Michigan State)
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| 26. Houston Texans |
Rutgers University
Houston's lack of depth at wide receiver was on full display after Andre Johnson went down with injury earlier this year and Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter became the top two targets. Adding another consistent threat on the outside should be one of Houston's top priorities after the team focused on defense in the 2011 Draft. Sanu has tremendous size and strong hands to be a dependable wide out in the NFL. With Johnson entering his thirties, Sanu also has the potential to develop into a number one receiver in the future.
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Also Considered: Cordy Glenn (OG-Georgia), Alameda Ta'amu (NT-Washington)
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| 27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) |
University of Illinois
The easiest way to improve your pass coverage is to put the quarterback on the ground, and that's going to be a need the Patriots will fill here with Mercilus. He's your traditional 4-3 defensive end, and has a great instinct for finding the quarterback. He racked up 16 sacks this past season with Illinois, and has the potential to be very disruptive in the NFL. He can play both sides of the line of scrimmage, and also has the ability to rush the passer standing up at linebacker in a 3-4 defense. This fits perfectly into the Patriots defensive scheme, which can be somewhat of an enigma at times.
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Also Considered: Stephon Gilmore (CB-South Carolina), Mark Barron (S-Alabama)
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| 28. Green Bay Packers |
Louisiana State University
The Packers employ a very aggressive 3-4 defense, which means they give up a ton of yards, but also get a ton of turnovers. Injuries to the linebacker crew have been a concern this year, but this is an organization known for their depth. Brockers is a very versatile and athletic defensive end that can be moved around the line of scrimmage. The Packers would love to use him as the end in their scheme though, especially since the lack of Cullen Jenkins was really noticed this year. Brockers had 10 tackles for loss as a redshirt sophomore this season and also has plenty of potential and room to grow as a pass rusher.
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Also Considered: Andre Branch (OLB-Clemson)
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| 29. Baltimore Ravens |
University of Georgia
Vince Wilfork had a field day with the Ravens interior offensive line in the AFC Championship. Glenn is an incredible pass protector and displays excellent footwork. He's speedy and has quick feet and good hands, which really comes as a plus in pass protection. He can stay in front of defenders no matter what they try to counter with. He's got the ability to get to the second level and get a hat on the linebacker, and can be very good as a pulling guard, especially to the left. He's a great fit for the Ravens offense. Glenn is the best interior lineman available and his ability to play on the inside or right tackle gives the Ravens some options depending on what they decide to do with Bryant McKinnie after next season.
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Also Considered: Vontaze Burfict (MLB-Arizona State), Dont'a Hightower (MLB-Alabama)
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| 30. San Francisco 49ers |
University of South Carolina
The 49ers' secondary is the weak link on an otherwise elite defense. San Francisco leads the NFL in total defense; they are the best team stopping the run but just 16th at defending the pass. The aging Carlos Rogers made a difference this year, but was only locked up through 2011. Even if Rogers re-signs, San Francisco still might take an early cornerback. At the very least, Gilmore adds depth to the secondary. Even though Gilmore plays mostly in a zone system, he is physical enough and has shown the ability to play up near the line. If the 49ers decide to take a player on the offensive side of the ball they need a wide receiver who can stretch the field or could consider a right guard even though Adam Snyder is a solid blue collar guy and played well in 2011, but he isn't the long-term solution.
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Also Considered: Rueben Randle (WR-LSU), Mark Barron (S-Alabama)
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| 31. New York Giants |
Arizona State University
The Giants play a very aggressive 4-3 defense, and their front four may be second to none in the NFL. With their front four causing so much pressure on the quarterback and in the backfield, having a linebacker that can play in open space and pursue the ball will be huge, and Burfict is the right fit. Burfict was in head coach Dennis Erickson's doghouse all season and didn't see the field for long periods of time due to lack of discipline and mental toughness, but he has a high ceiling if he can keep his head on straight. Pulling the trigger on Burfict with a late first round selection is a gamble worth taking.
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Also Considered: David Wilson (RB-Virginia Tech)
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| 32. New England Patriots |
University of Alabama
The Patriots already addressed their defensive front earlier with the Whitney Mercilus selection from New Orleans and now they look to address their lackluster secondary. New England was the second worst team in the NFL against the pass in the regular season, allowing on average 293.9 yards per game through the air. Barron is a ball-hawk with 12 interceptions over the past three years and is also very good in run support. In a weak safety class, Barron is the only safety that will receive first round consideration and the Patriots would do well to grab him now as there's a big drop-off at the position once he comes off the board.
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Also Considered: Chase Minnifield (CB-Virginia)
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