The WGRD 2012 NFL Mock Draft!

So it is a week before the first big event of the 2012 NFL season, the NFL Draft, and it is time to discuss the angles many teams may take. So that means every so called expert, myself included, has an opinion of who is going to take who and where the big names are going to land.  I'm not a guru, just a critic, so allow me to share my 2012 Mock Draft with you.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Face it, the Colts did not let Manning go to pass on the hands down surest thing at QB in a long time.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
Likewise, the Rams didn’t rape the Skins of draft picks because the Skins wanted and OT. This is the player they moved up for... and to show McNabb he is WRONG.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Left tackle is Minnesota’s biggest need at the time. Kalil is a big talent that improves both Peterson and Ponder. There are a lot of big pass rushers in the NFC North, the OL can be crucial.

4. Miami Dolphins via Trade with Cleveland: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
I don’t really know what the details would be here, how can I? But for shizz and giggles let’s say it’s something like Daniel Thomas and the 8^th pick. I think they do it as the Browns would take TRich otherwise. Either the Browns really want Tannehill, or they are going to make Miami pay to move up. But I do not think you can trust McCoy long term. Let’s hope for JTs sake they do not bust on this pick.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Tampa needs someone to play Defensive Back pretty bad. The team is getting pretty old back there, and they seem to be getting in trouble to, some may be facing suspensions.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
Who is gonna catch the ball? They need someone now that Lloyd left, and rumor has it no Jeff Fisher coached team has ever selected an OT in the first round, although there are firsts for everything. This is not the time, Blackmon is an elite player, and he will not get past here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
They will be passing on some pretty good DEs, but the Jags decide to ride Gabberts horrible arm and pick up a guy who is ready to contribute. Jacksonville has a pretty boring team, but a new owner and new uniforms, so it’s time to turn it up by picking a solid player who caught 100 balls last year against some pretty good competition at Notre Dame.

8. Cleveland Browns via Trade with Miami: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
The Browns have a pretty solid OLine already with Joe Thomas playing as a huge anchor. Adding one of the best RT in the draft cannot be a bad thing as it completes the pieces up front. Remember they swapped for a RB in the trade earlier, so TRich is not an option. Although, the RB and QB may have better results now, because of a good OLine.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Cox is a big dude with big play making skills. He is the type of guy in the middle who can become the focus of your defense. Panthers have no identity on the DLine or on the defense side of the ball, period... they need one.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Mario Williams is a $100 million type of stud. The other Williams and Darius are solid, but Mark Anderson is nothing special so putting a guy like Ingram on the DLine can really make this D a force. Look Out!

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Not a lot of great cover corners in this year’s draft, but despite paying a lot for Routt in Free Agency, Gilmore is such a talent that I find it hard for them to pass on him... considering the KC secondary was torched last year.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, Carolina
Hawks have many needs, but primarily are looking for LB and a quick DE. Most of us know that a guy who can get to the QB is huge. Seattle gets their man here with Coples.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David Decastro, OG, Stanford
Cards have invested a lot in the running game. They seem to like the big guys they have up front and they resigned Levi Brown as well, but they need more. Decastro is rumored to be the best prospect at the guard position in years, Cards will see if he can provide the help they need.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Kirkpatrick is just too talented to keep letting slide down the board. Jerry Jones does not like to see that happen. They need some secondary help and Jones loves some SEC boys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Poe is a guy that can rotate with Jenkins and Patterson and develop into an elite player. The key is keeping him focused and not falling victim to the Dream Team mentality.

16. New York Jets: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
When the Jets traded for Tebow it said to me that they are not happy with the running game, and how can you be. If Richardson falls past the Bucs, he may keep falling as RBs are not the premium they once were. Richardson, Tebow, and Greene would give the Jets a stronger run game then they have had before.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Cincy really wanted the other guy in the secondary from Alabama in this draft, but the Cowboys ripped him away a few picks ago. They need some heavy hitters in that secondary. Barron will come to the rescue to help with that.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, DE/LB, Alabama.
Chargers don’t have a ton of pressing needs, but a good fast pass rusher off the edge would make them much better, especially with a QB like Manning coming to the Division. I think Upshaw and his versatility will be helpful.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
If you listen carefully you can hear the people in the war room jumping up and down. They finally have the well rounded team they are looking for.  That OLine has been something awful, so they need the help protecting their prize possession in Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
With Johnsons production way down last year, the center had a huge part in that. They can use the help anywhere on the Line. The center is the biggest need and drafting one who will grow with Locker is no small issue. Draft a guy like this whenever you can, it will only help your team.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Cincy already filled one need by picking up Barron. Now they make their passing game explode with the addition of Hill, who I believe to be the third best WR in the draft. He has been compared to Calvin and is another boy from the state of Georgia who can produce with Green on the other side.

22. Cleveland Browns: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford.
He is by far the best TE in the draft. A good extension on either end of the line and a great addition in both the run and passing games, as he has great hands, quick feet, and can block very well.

23. Detroit Lions: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Detroit could go O-Lineman here, and I hope they do, so in order not to jinx it.  I’ll say they pick a LB that can play both inside and outside and gives them a player who can go all three of the downs.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss
In typical Steelers fashion they will grab an OLineman that can push people around and play their type of football. Plus they need Olineman as they were pretty thin last year with injuries.

25. Denver Broncos: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
No Way the Broncos let him slip from their hands. He is versatile and again as it is a theme, pass rushers are hard to come by, and Denver is trying to corner the market with Miller, Dumervil, and Mercilus.

26. Houston Texans: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Lots of needs, especially after the random trade of Ryans. But Kuechly should step in nicely and become a huge part of the Texans Defense next to Cushing.

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise St.
The Patriots make this a nice little run of LBs. They have liked this guy for a while and should steal him right in front of the Packers who also like and want him.

28. Green Bay Packers: Doug Martin, RB, Boise St.
I know they have Starks and this is a passing offense, but Martin is good, and can pass block. That running game does not help out that passing game at all, and it is the reason they ran out of gas against the Giants late in the playoffs.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Since Boldin is becoming ancient and Torrey Smith is still not an elite type of player, Wright starts as a backup. But they did not draft him this high to stay there for long. He is a fast WR with tons of potential, and WR has always been a big issue in Baltimore.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Perry, DE, USC
49ers don’t have a ton of glaring needs, but another pass rusher off the edge would make them much better. I think Perry can do that something to what Justin Smith did last year.

31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan St
Billy Boy is smart, he already helped out his LB core, now time to do the same at DL as well. This guy is a huge dude who can play NT or any of the ends.  He has shown versatility and strength, something Haynesworth did not.

32. New York Giants: Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
This guy will be a menace as he can get to the passer and cause issues.  He can play on the line or in coverage, and the G-Men love that.  They have always had a solid D, and this is why, they find great talent in the draft.

Hope this gives you a little insight to what the teams are looking for in the 2012 NFL Draft. Remember I'm not a Guru, just like to insert my opinion.  As the football season gets going you can follow me and all my updates for your favorite NFL team and Fantasy team on Twitter @Knightlines.  I have been pretty quiet since it is the offseason, but that will change soon enough once the season gets going.