2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rams snag Justin Blackmon
Let’s say Payton Manning ends up in Miami, the Dolphins clearly want stars and they have enough pieces for them to make a real championship run if they can continue to add to their offense and they had a Peyton Manning type at quarterback.
This mock draft is a slight variation of the one I posted at nflmocks.com yesterday, with at least five different selections.
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)-Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal
The only pick here. Colts owner Jim Irsay has reportedly already decided on Luck and for good reason. The new G.M. will have to be on board with that decision if he wants to be the Colts general manager.
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)-Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
I’ve mocked Matt Kalil here forever, but maybe the team decides they desperately need a WR (I don’t think that terribly with Brandon Lloyd if he stays and if they improve their OL their passing game could look much better). I think Kalil offers better positional value and is a better overall talent and fixes a more immediate need, but Charlie Casserly yesterday said he would take Blackmon and maybe the Rams general manager will feel pressure to do the same.
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)-Matt Kalil, T, USC
Absolutely ideal situation for the Minnesota Vikings. They will sprint to the podium to select Matt Kalil if he’s available with the second overall pick.
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)-Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Claiborne is a better coverage cornerback than last year’s 5th overall pick Patrick Peterson. Peterson offers more upside and has dynamic return ability, but Claiborne is that good. If the Browns were able to pair Claiborne with Haden they would have the young best cornerback duo in the entire league which would only help their pass rush (which also needs to improve). Unless they are drafting Robert Griffin III or Trent Richardson here the value isn’t available at positions of need so they should just make sure they improve instantly.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)-Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
This is not the typical pick, but I like to explore different options. Jeffery is a very talented WR prospect whose numbers took a big hit this season and right now this looks like a reach, but Jeffery has the entire pre-draft process to improve his draft stock up into this range. 6-4 229 WR do not grow on trees. But what are the great options for the Buccaneers here? They could take Trent Richardson. Whatever they do there really aren’t a ton of terrific options for them here.
6. Washington Redskins (5-11)-Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor Bears
Easy pick here. I just have a feeling as of today that the Redskins will really consider moving up to select Griffin so I can’t imagine them passing up on him here.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Jaguars ability to put up a similar year from their secondary next year as they did in 2011 because they don’t have great secondary talent. Kirkpatrick is extremely gifted with great size and has plus instincts. He has loads of potential and though has played inconsistent at times is worth the pick here at #7 overall.
8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) (coin flip)-Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford Cardinal
If both of the top Wide receivers are gone here tackle becomes very likely pick for the Panthers.
9. Miami Dolphins (6-10) (coin flip)-Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
In this scenario the Dolphins secured Peyton Manning and while they could easily take a T I just want to ponder the possibility of someone reaching here for Poe if he is impressive in the pre-draft process.
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10) -Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
This would be a smart move for the Bills so the likelihood of this selection occurring is nil! Bazinga! Well that’s not entirely true. Demetrius bell has flashed LT ability, but can’t stay healthy. The offense really struggled at times this year after Fred Jackson got hurt. The Bills need a lot of talent upgrades. They need a pass rusher, but they also have to protect the Quarterback better as well.
11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) (coin flip)-Zach Brown, LB, UNC
I don’t love the talent in this draft class, but I like Brown. Brown is one of the few players who bothered to show up for North Carolina’s bowl game. Brown has tremendous speed you can’t teach and could appeal to the Seahawks. They could also consider making a play for Ryan Tannehill here. If not, maybe Coples?
12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) (coin flip)-Devon Still, DL, Penn State
The Chiefs dip one more time into the Defensive line pool to see if they can come up with a score. Devon Still is a player many have rising up boards and that’s because of the struggles of Quinton Coples and the lack of overall talent at the defensive line position .With Still
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)-Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
The Cardinals really need help along their offensive line. Adams is not yet in the top15 conversation, but if he has a good pre-draft process and can show better than anticipated agility he will be. He has massive arms and hands which scouts drool over (hand size and arm length are the “40 yard dash” for Offensive linemen).
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)-Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The last thing the Cowboys need is probably a running back as Demarco Murray came on strong at the end of the year. But they have taken BPA often and Richardson is clearly BPA here. One name to watch out for moving forward is DL Devon Still. I think the Cowboys will really consider a Defensive linemen here.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame
Even though DeSean Jackson is looking and more like he’ll return to the Eagles you can’t assume it. At this spot in this draft I doubt the Eagles take any linebackers based on Andy Reid’s extensive draft history. They have struggled in the Red zone for a few years maybe they hope that adding Floyd can allow them to give them a really nice red zone presence and improve their red zone offense.
16. New York Jets (8-8)-David DeCastro, G, Stanford Cardinal
The Jets need to improve their offensive line one way or the other. The big problem spot is actually right tackle, but there isn’t a great option at right tackle available at this juncture so they take the best offensive linemen available. DeCastro is perhaps the safest prospect in this draft class. He does everything well, he doesn’t offer great positional value, but is a great player value here.
Rest is continued on page two