2012 NFL Mock Drafts

[BINGO]

Do we already have a thread created for this topic? I'm not sure, but if we do Ray/Clyde please merge the two threads into one. Thanks.

Anyway...Walter's recent mock has us picking at 21:

San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia San Francisco's run blocking improved when Adam Snyder replaced Chilo Rachal at right guard. However, Snyder is still a liability in pass protection, and both players will be free agents in March anyway. The 49ers need to improve the interior of their offensive line. Cordy Glenn is the top available prospect who makes sense for them.

Pick change; previously Alfonzo Dennard, CB

Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Many mocked Prince Amukamara to the Cowboys this past April for good reason. Mike Jenkins was coming off an awful year, while Terence Newman has nothing left in the tank. Cornerback help is desperately needed, and Janoris Jenkins is the top player available.

Jerry Jones always regretted passing up on Randy Moss in the 1998 NFL Draft because of his character concerns. Jones learned his lesson and made amends with Dez Bryant in the 2010 NFL Draft. Maybe that means he'll take a shot with Jenkins, who would be a top-10 selection if he didn't have any off-the-field issues.



In the above scenario, I would much rather draft Jenkins instead of a guard. Whoever drafts Jenkins this late is getting a one heck of a steal, IMO.

 

[CalamityX11]

So they have Dallas finishing better than us?

 

[deep9er]

Do we already have a thread created for this topic? I'm not sure, but if we do Ray/Clyde please merge the two threads into one. Thanks.

Anyway...Walter's recent mock has us picking at 21:

San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia San Francisco's run blocking improved when Adam Snyder replaced Chilo Rachal at right guard. However, Snyder is still a liability in pass protection, and both players will be free agents in March anyway. The 49ers need to improve the interior of their offensive line. Cordy Glenn is the top available prospect who makes sense for them.

Pick change; previously Alfonzo Dennard, CB

Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Many mocked Prince Amukamara to the Cowboys this past April for good reason. Mike Jenkins was coming off an awful year, while Terence Newman has nothing left in the tank. Cornerback help is desperately needed, and Janoris Jenkins is the top player available.

Jerry Jones always regretted passing up on Randy Moss in the 1998 NFL Draft because of his character concerns. Jones learned his lesson and made amends with Dez Bryant in the 2010 NFL Draft. Maybe that means he'll take a shot with Jenkins, who would be a top-10 selection if he didn't have any off-the-field issues.



In the above scenario, I would much rather draft Jenkins instead of a guard. Whoever drafts Jenkins this late is getting a one heck of a steal, IMO.

i dunno.......hard to think an OG will be BPA at 21st? yeah we have our own example in Iupati, but this isn't the norm at 21st. so not going to eliminate it, but certainly opine.........not likely.

 

[FourBeeDen]

... It's highly doubtful considering the Niners drafted Kilgore this year by moving up in the draft. They are very high on him as well...

 

[NinerSickness]

I'd be extremely happy with Cordy Glenn at 21. He's a beast. He impresses me more and more every snap I watch him. He's a better interior lineman than Mike Pouncey IMO. Maybe even as good as Iupati. And I'm not convinced he can't play LT.

 

[BINGO]

I'd be extremely happy with Cordy Glenn at 21. He's a beast. He impresses me more and more every snap I watch him. He's a better interior lineman than Mike Pouncey IMO. Maybe even as good as Iupati. And I'm not convinced he can't play LT.

I don't Sick, I disagree with you on this assessment. Yes he's been good, but he's not dominating from what I've seen of him this year. Do you remember how Iupati dominated during his days at the University of Idaho?! That guy was literally a man playing against boys. I'm sorry but I have not seen that same level play from Glenn. How about Kelechi Osemele?! You don't like him as a guard?

 

[Excel]

I believe that the games are decided in the trenches, however spending another first rounder on a guard would be depressing. Would love to see the niners try and draft a playmaker in the first next year. My homer pick is Kellen Moore, but thats not very likely.

 

[mem49er]

I believe that the games are decided in the trenches, however spending another first rounder on a guard would be depressing. Would love to see the niners try and draft a playmaker in the first next year. My homer pick is Kellen Moore, but thats not very likely.

Maybe it's too small a sample size that I have on him, but I just don't see it. Sawry.

 

[CalamityX11]

Not in the first at least for Moore....

Depending on who's left for WR for us, could be WR.... if we're talking about 20s.... WR, FS, CB, OG wouldn't be a problem for me.

 

[Excel]

Maybe it's too small a sample size that I have on him, but I just don't see it. Sawry.

Like i said though, homer pick from a boise state fan. Its his accuracy, and intelligence that make him good. When you watch him every game its really noticable. His size is holding him back big time though. :pb:

 

[luckyluke22]

I'd think if we are picking in the 20's we'd target WR, CB, OLB, and maybe even TE. I don't see another high rounder on OL, especially if we keep mauling like the past few games. With three OLB on the roster and coach's affinity for TE's -I've included them. What's this draft look like for depth, position strength, etc?

 

[Flyingiguana]

honestly, i'd rather move down to the 2nd and take a RT. then move davis inside to RG where i think he can be a pro bowler.

however i'm still hoping floyd falls to the mid teens

 

[NinerSickness]

I don't Sick, I disagree with you on this assessment. Yes he's been good, but he's not dominating from what I've seen of him this year. Do you remember how Iupati dominated during his days at the University of Idaho?! That guy was literally a man playing against boys.

Well, I did say "maybe." But here's the difference: Glenn is playing LT. And he's doing it in the SEC. He's going up against guy who might and / or will be in the NFL, and his primary job is pass protection. A mauler like Iupati is going to look more "dominant," but a pass protector is like a CB; you notice him when he's NOT doing his job.

Glenn is huge, and his pass protection has been great this year against excellent D-lines. Look at the game against South Carolina. They have 3 NFL pass rushers on that team! Clowney got that sack, but that wasn't him getting beat; someone screwed up the assignment. Glenn went for the LB...

I'm sorry but I have not seen that same level play from Glenn. How about Kelechi Osemele?! You don't like him as a guard?

I've heard good things about him, but I haven't seen any Iowa St games this year. I want to though. This year's interior lineman class looks super strong especially if Osemele is as good as advertized.

 

[clyde_carbon]

I believe that the games are decided in the trenches, however spending another first rounder on a guard would be depressing. Would love to see the niners try and draft a playmaker in the first next year. My homer pick is Kellen Moore, but thats not very likely.

Sure, why not? What's your plan for the first six rounds?

 

[Excel]

Sure, why not? What's your plan for the first six rounds?

Ok a non homerish speculative draft
1st: Michael Floyd / Stephon Gilmore
2nd: Ben Jones / Dwight Jones
3rd: Nate Potter / Coryell Judie
4th: Emmanuel Acho / Mike Martin
5th: Chris Gallipo / George Iloka
6th: Matt Daniels / Kase Keenum
7th: Tony Jerod Eddie / Jake Bequette

Highly speculative at this point

 

[numone9er]

I would rather have Jenkins in this scenario. I feel as if we have given up too many early draft picks on the offensive line already, but if we are getting Glenn that late i could see us doing worse. I think right now our needs are still QB/CB/WR/OG in that order.

 

[calison3]

I'd take Jenkins based on talent but I doubt he will stay out of trouble. If it was only the weed stuff I could get over it, but the resisting arrest and evading police thing kind of worries me.

 

[BINGO]

Originally Published: December 21, 2011
QBs, underclassmen dot early mock
Trio of quarterbacks makes the top 10; plenty of surprises throughout Round 1

By Todd McShay
ESPN.com

College bowl season is in full swing and underclassmen have begun declaring themselves eligible for the 2012 NFL draft, and plenty of teams are out of the playoffs and beginning draft preparations, so what better time to offer up my initial first-round projection for 2012?

The order below represents the inverted overall NFL standings, with the league's strength-of-schedule tiebreaker determining the order for teams with the same record (teams with the lower opponent winning percentage get the higher pick).

Much can and will change as the playoff field is set and postseason results shuffle the lower part of the board, but this early look offers some perspective on where prospects might find fits given what we know at this point.

The board is split evenly with 16 players each from the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but there are three quarterbacks and seven offensive players in the top 10 right now.

The SEC leads the way with 10 prospects in this projection, followed by the Pac-12, ACC and Big 12 with six each. Among individual schools, Alabama is tops with four players on the list (all in the top 15), while Stanford (3), USC (2), Baylor (2), North Carolina (2), South Carolina (2), Oklahoma (2) and Mississippi State (2) also contribute multiple prospects.

Indianapolis Colts
Record: 1-13
Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford
Luck is a once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect, and Colts legend Peyton Manning will be 36 next season and is coming off multiple neck surgeries. Given the financial implications, it looks like the smart decision is to draft Luck and part ways with Manning.

St. Louis Rams
Record: 2-12
Matt Kalil*, OT, USC
The Rams need to better protect the investment they made in 2010 No. 1 overall pick QB Sam Bradford, and current LOT Jason Smith has not lived up to expectations as the No. 2 overall pick in 2009. With his size and athleticism, Kalil is ready to step in right now and take over at left tackle.


Minnesota Vikings
Record: 2-12
Morris Claiborne*, CB, LSU
Claiborne is the premier cover corner in the 2012 class, and the Vikings rank 30th in the NFL in pass defense (260 ypg). He has size, fluid hips, good top-end speed and outstanding body control, and Claiborne excels at locating and attacking the ball over his shoulder.


Cleveland Browns
Record: 4-10
Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama
Richardson is a more complete back than former Crimson Tide teammate Mark Ingram, the No. 28 pick to New Orleans in 2011. Richardson has a rare combination of size, speed, power, agility, burst and versatility, and is the rare exception to the don't-take-an-RB-in-the-top-10 rule.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 4-10
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
The Jaguars have a pressing need at defensive end, and while Coples is not a speed rusher his blend of size, power and quickness allow him to be a productive pass-rusher (17.5 sacks the last two seasons) and disruptive against the run.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-10
Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama
Ronde Barber is aging and Aqib Talib's future is up in the air, so Kirkpatrick makes sense. He flashes good instincts in off-man coverage, is physical in run support and has great size. Kirkpatrick is not elite in man-to-man coverage, but he's made huge strides overall the last two season.

Washington Redskins
Record: 5-9
Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor
Finding a quarterback is a must for the Redskins, and this will be an interesting call if Griffin and USC's Matt Barkley* are still on the board. Barkley would make sense, but it might be hard for Washington coach Mike Shanahan to pass on a dynamic athlete like Griffin.

Miami Dolphins
Record: 5-9
Matt Barkley*, QB, USC
Another team with obvious need at quarterback, the Dolphins would be wise to take a young talent they can build their offense around for years to come.

Carolina Panthers
Record: 5-9
Justin Blackmon*, WR, Oklahoma State
I'm not a fan of taking wideouts in the top 10 unless they are in the elite category -- think Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green -- and Blackmon is not in that class. However, the Panthers will be searching for weapons to put around QB Cam Newton, and Blackmon is clearly the top receiver on the board. He has outstanding body control to make all kinds of catches, and it will be interesting to see whether the Panthers pull the trigger.

Buffalo Bills
Record: 5-9
Riley Reiff*, OT, Iowa
The Bills have had a pressing need at left tackle for years, and haven't drafted one since they missed on Mike Williams at No. 4 overall in 2002. Reiff isn't a finished product but has good natural feet for his size and projects as a very good starting left tackle if developed properly. And despite the money Buffalo recently committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick, I think a quarterback would have to be in play here as well, but the Bills wouldn't be likely to take Oklahoma's Landry Jones* at this point.

Philadelphia Eagles
Record:6-8
Luke Kuechly*, ILB, Boston College
The Andy Reid regime has not used a first-round pick on a linebacker in 13 years in Philadelphia, but this might be the time. Kuechly is perhaps the most productive linebacker in the nation, using elite instincts and anticipation to mask a lack of ideal athletic ability.

Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 6-8
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Barry Richardson will be a free agent after this season and Branden Albert might be a better fit at guard, so Martin would be a good fit here. The Chiefs need to solidify their offensive line and Martin projects as a very good right tackle given his run-blocking prowess.

Arizona Cardinals
Record: 7-7
Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
Offensive tackle is a bigger need, but there is a big dropoff in talent after the top three tackles on the board. Upshaw is a good fit for the Cardinals' system with his size, strength and ability to set the edge against the run, and his finishing power as a pass-rusher.

Tennessee Titans
Record: 7-7
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Three of the teams top nine tacklers are from the 2011 draft -- LBs Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy, DT Jurrell Casey -- but the Titans are still looking for reinforcements on that side of the ball. With his quickness, motor and strength Branch is a perfect fit at right end opposite former first-round pick Derrick Morgan. Tennessee also has a huge need at wide receiver, and this would be a good time to draft a young playmaker if Blackmon were to fall.

San Diego Chargers
Record: 7-7
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
There is not an offensive tackle available who could fill the Chargers' huge need there, and Barron is the best player available at their other need positions (SS, NT, WR, ILB). He is physical in run support, can play the point in deep coverage, and would team with Eric Weddle to give San Diego one of the premier safety duos in the league.

Seattle Seahawks
Record: 7-7
Landry Jones*, QB, Oklahoma
The Seahawks have a clear need at quarterback, and while Jones' stock has dropped a bit and he may return to school, he still has first-round tools. He did not play well down the stretch, but his supporting cast is partly to blame, and if he can regain his confidence Jones' natural ability is impressive.

 

[BINGO]

New York Giants
Record: 7-7
Vontaze Burfict*, ILB, Arizona State
Current starting MLB Chase Blackburn is a free agent after this season, and while I'm not sure Burfict has the discipline and character the Giants would be looking for in the quarterback of their defense, he is double-stuffed with raw ability. He has impressive size, is a thumper against the run and shows good range in underneath coverage.

Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
Record: 8-6
David DeCastro*, G, Stanford
DeCastro isn't a sexy pick, but he's by far the best interior lineman in the 2012 class and ready to be an NFL starter right now. Both current Bengals starters -- Bobbie Williams and Nate Livings -- are set to become free agents, and DeCastro is the best player available at a need position.

Chicago Bears
Record: 7-7
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Bears haven't take a receiver in the first round since David Terrell in 2001, and I understand their hesitation to draft wideouts so high. However, they must find weapons for QB Jay Cutler, and Roy Williams clearly doesn't make the cut. Floyd seems to have put off-field issues behind him, and his size and ability to play the deep ball make him an attractive option.

Dallas Cowboys
Record: 8-6
Fletcher Cox*, DT, Mississippi State
Dallas doesn't have a specific pressing need, but it could upgrade at safety, cornerback and outside linebacker, and free agency could create holes at guard and inside linebacker. However, Cox has come on this season and is an underrated player with the versatility to play end in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.

Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 8-6
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
The Bengals' marginal depth at cornerback was exposed when starter Leon Hall went down for the season, and while Dennard has size limitations and might be a reach at this point he's a fluid athlete with good instincts and mental toughness.

New York Jets
Record: 8-6
Alshon Jeffery*, WR, South Carolina
The Jets could be staring at a host of needs -- SS, DE, WR, NT, OLB -- on draft day, but Jeffery makes sense here if the team decides not to bring back Plaxico Burress. There are questions about Jeffery's quickness and ability to separate, but his ball skills down the field are simply too good to ignore.

Denver Broncos
Record: 8-6
Devon Still, DT, Penn StateTim
Tebow is not yet locked in as the Broncos' long-term starting quarterback, but assuming Tebow does hold on to the job Denver would do well to continue building on defense to complement a low-risk offensive philosophy. Still could help do that with his ability to disrupt plays and cause havoc in the middle.

Cleveland Browns (from ATL)
Record: 4-10
Kevin Reddick*, OLB, North Carolina
Reddick is tough and instinctive with the overall physical tools to offer an upgrade on the weak side in defensive coordinator Dick Jauron's 4-3 scheme.

Detroit Lions
Record: 9-5
David Wilson*, RB, Virginia Tech
It would be a tough pill to swallow having to spend another high pick on a running back, but Jahvid Best has proven he's not durable enough to be a workhorse back. Wilson is a burner with toughness and improved inside running skills, and he could provide big-play potential.

Houston Texans
Record: 10-4
Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
Sanders isn't a massive mauler, but he is a perfect fit for the Texans because of his versatility -- he played both tackle spots at FSU and could move inside to guard if necessary -- and experience in a zone-blocking scheme with the Seminoles.

Baltimore Ravens
Record: 10-4
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
The Ravens have several offensive linemen headed toward free agency and other issues still to be sorted out on defense. Adams is quick and long enough to ride pass-rushers past the pocket, and he has the ability to get into position and wall off defenders in the running game.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 10-4
Jarvis Jones*, OLB, Georgia
Jones might be headed back to school and outside linebacker is not a big need for the Steelers, but at this point they could afford to use a luxury pick on a player with the skill set to possibly become the team's next great pass-rusher.

New England Patriots (from N.O.)
Record: 11-3
Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Ingram's versatility makes him a perfect fit with the Patriots. He can play end or outside linebacker and also has experience rushing the passer from the inside, and Ingram emerged as a big-time playmaker (8.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 2 INT) as a senior.

San Francisco 49ers
Record: 11-3
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
The 49ers need to continue adding weapons on offense, and Wright is an explosive athlete who can stretch the field vertically, create after the catch and also contribute in the return game.

New England Patriots
Record: 11-3
Johnthan Banks*, CB, Mississippi State
Banks is flying under the radar and could very well return to school, but he has the size and fluidity to help a New England pass defense that ranks dead last in the NFL (297 ypg) and has had trouble finding long-term secondary help in the draft.

Green Bay Packers
Record: 13-1
Ronnell Lewis*, OLB, Oklahoma
Clay Matthews is the team's only legitimate edge-rushing threat, and he needs some help. Lewis might be better off returning for his senior season to continue his development, but if he enters the draft he flashes the kind of explosiveness that could help take some pressure off Matthews.

Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.

Follow Todd McShay on Twitter: @McShay13

 

[deep9er]

too bad we can only go by need, or at least mainly Need. our BPA could be any number of positions and thats who we should draft. anyways, having options is obviously a good thing.

our biggest Need is QB but can't see us going there next draft. Alex Smith will be re-signed and CK has to get the rest.

if we think about it, RG could very well be our next biggest need?