2012 Mock Draft…Rams don’t take Blackmon

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)-Andrew Luck, Qb, Stanford

Easy pick. The more I watch Luck the more he reminds me of Drew Brees. Not elite level arm strength, but elite level accuracy, and an incredible ability to move the defense with his eyes. The comparisons to Peyton Manning are inevitable, but I believe the comparisons to Brees are more accurate. Either way, the Colts hit it big.

2. St Louis Rams (2-14)-Maurice Claiborne, CB, LSU

Jeff Fisher taking over changes things. The common pick here is Justin Blackmon, but I disagree. During Fishers run in Tennessee, he never had a big time dominant reciever. Kevin Dyson, Derrick Mason, Drew Bennent, these were some of Fishers best recievers He had success with Kenny Britt and Damian Williams, but those weren’t top ten picks, much less top two. Blackmon, while supremely gifted, doesn’t fit that mold. Im a Ravens fan, and watched the Rams secondary get toasted by Torree Smith. I think Claiborne is a very safe pick, who will be a perenial pro bowler for the Rams, locking down a side of the field. He will be the first corner taken in the top 2 in history.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)-Matt Kalil, T, USC

Easy pick again. Fortifies Vikings line for years to come.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)-Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Peyton Hillis’ departure seemingly inevitable, and Montario Harnesty not staying healthy, this seems like a dream scenario. With two first rd picks, the Browns could get their reciever to pair with Greg Little later on, and get a world class running back to boot.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)-Justin Blackmon, WR, Ok State

The Bucs were playing the worst football of anyone at the end of the 2011 season. Everything went wrong. Josh Freeman regressed, the defense was terrible, and Mike Williams failed to make the same impact he made his rookie season. While I like Williams and Arrelious Benn, Blackmon is Terrell Owens without the headache. The D needs work too, but Blackmon is cant miss.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11)-Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This is the dream scenario for Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan. Griffin is a rare mix of speed, arm strength, and football iq and could very well have a higher ceiling then Andrew Luck. Griffins a great kid to boot, and fits into the Shanahan scheme with the ability to throw on the run and from bootlegs, which was a stable in Denver with Elway, Cutler, and even…ahem, Jake Plummer.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)-Quintom Coples, North Carolina

The Jags collect defensive ends like others collect Star Wars toys, and frankly, it usually blows up in their faces. People smarter then me like Coples, but they also liked Blaine Gabbert.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) (coin flip)-Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Panthers need D help and OL help opposite Jordan Gross. Martin is BPA, I really believe Kirkpatrick or even David DeCastro could go here, but I like Martin.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10) (coin flip)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Miami has all sorts of holes. Kirkpatrick is BPA here, and has loads of potential with great size and speed. Dolphin fans may lament the Nick Saban connection, but this one to me is a great pick. If Ryan Tannehill has a great combine and recovers from the broken foot, he may go here in a shocker.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10), Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

Buffalo also has plenty of holes. They’re set at offense skill positions, but thats about it. They paid Ryan Fitzpatrick a large sum, now they see to it to protect him.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) (Coin Flip,) Zach Brown, LB, UNC

Pete Carrol needs a qb, but with Landry Jones, Matt Barkley, and Tyler Wilson coming back, plus Tannehill’s foot injury, that isn’t realistic at this spot. With Aaron Curry being traded, look for Carrol and company to find a replacement.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) (coin flip) Devon Sill, DL, Penn State

Sill is really rising in a lot of mock drafts and on peoples boards. KC drafts often for the DL, and hopes for a better return here.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Card’s line isn’t anything to write home about. They paid Kolb and Fitzgerald a whole lot of money, and Beanie Wells is coming along. DeCastro is one of the best guards to come out in years, and will be a pro bowler within two years, possibly as a rookie.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

The Cowboys secondary was rather poor down the stretch, with Terrence Newman and MIke Jenkins really no longer being very effective. Jenkins is a phenomenal talent with off the field issues, but Dallas likes BPA, and this fits a major need.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Philly’s LB corps was a mess. While Casey Mathews could be a good player, they really can’t stop the run at all. Kuechly is a machine, comparible to James Laurinatis because of ability but lack of size. Michael Floyd is in play here, but the Deshean Jackson headache steers them away from another reciever with some issues.

16. New York Jets (8-8) Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Rex Ryan loves to rush the passer. Issue being, he has no pass rushers. In Baltimore he had Suggs and utilized Bart Scott a lot on inside blitzes. Well, Suggs just had a career year and Scott is aging rapidly. Upshaw is the ideal olb for a 3-4 scheme, and could be the answer to the nyj’s issues.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) (From Oakland in Carson Palmer trade) Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Bengals had a fantastic season when compared to expectations, and because of Carson Palmer, get to pick in the top 20. Barron is a big time talent that will help the Bengals secondary grow. When Leon Hall got hurt, they were not even close to the same team. If Janoris Jenkins is still on the board, he goes here.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8) Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The Chargers have a lot of difficulty getting to the passer. Ingram was very productive in the SEC as a defensive linemen-edge rusher, and will play the OLB position in the NFL and be asked to rush the passer.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8) Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Chicago’s biggest issue was health. With Jay Cutler and Matt Forte healthy, they should be a playoff contender. That said, they lack WR talent. Devin Hester isn’t true number one (or two) WR. Earl Bennett seems like a good player with a lot of chemistry with Cutler, but Floyd is a big time talent with great size.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7) Nick Perry, DE, USC

Tennessee needs defense ends, specifically a pass rusher. Perry comes from a good usc d, and will fortify the Titans line. Dont understand mocks where a WR is going here, because I love Damian Williams.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Lamar Miller RB, Miami

Miller is an enormous talent. This is a wise pick, Cedric Benson is aging, and Bernard Scott is more of a change up back.

22. Cleveland Browns (5-11) Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a big time speed threat, which the Browns so desperately need. Greg Little has flashed promise, but also the drops. Wright is good deep and good after the catch. Fits a huge need.

23. Detriot Lions (10-6) Dontae Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Detroit needs linebacker help.  While Vontaze Burfict is the more talented player, his history of personal fouls will scare away the heavily flagged Lions.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers line is aging. Casey Hampton is no longer dominant. In the Raven games this year, Marshall Yanda dominated him. While the conference USA talent isn’t SEC caliber, he fits the scheme well.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8) Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

Tim Tebow proved in the playoff Steeler game that he can throw the ball down the field. Jeffrey is a huge, fast target with excellent hands who played against big time competition in the SEC. Pairing him with Demaryius Thomas will give them big, physical, fast recievers, ala San Diego.

26. Houston Texans (10-6) Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Houston has very few holes. With Schaub healthy, and TJ Yates flashing potential, they’re set at almost every position. However, outside of Andre Johnson, they’re very thin at WR.

27. New England Patriots (13-3) Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

New England’s D isn’t very good, flat out. Brockers is a steal here for them, and could go in the top 15. Look for NE to trade this pick.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1) Andre Branch, LB, Clemson

Green Bay’s defense was awful as well. They desperately need a compliment to Clay Mathews, who gets doubled constantly. Branch is a gifted pass rusher who played end in college, but will play OLB in the pros.

29. New York Giants (9-7) Zerbie Sanders, OT, Florida State

The Giants need to run the ball better. Eli Manning was tremendous this year, as were the wide outs. Play action is a wonderful thing. This helps that.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

I’m hurting as I type this, because Billy Cundiff broke my heart. (I’m a huge Ravens fan.) With Ray Lewis already saying he’s coming back, the Ravens will look to find his heir to the throne. Burfict has immense talent, but is overly intense at times and draws flags too often. However, the Ravens are tremendous at developing discipline in their players.

31. New England Patriots (13-3) Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

New England adds another pass rusher here. If the draft pans out this way, they will really have gotten a couple of first round steals.

32. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Iowa

The 49ers have some secondary concerns, and Dennard is a top 15 talent. He would be a terrific pick with great value, especially for a team picking at least 29th.