2012 NFL Mock Draft: Brendan Donahue
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Updated: Sunday, April 22, 2012
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The 2012 NFL Draft will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26-28. Below you will find the
updated first-round projection from EDSFootball.com contributor Brendan Donahue.
For more mock drafts from around the web, check out our 2012 NFL Mock Draft Database. (Or get a jump on 2013 and
check out our 2013 NFL Mock Draft Database.)
Here is the 2012 NFL Mock Draft from EDSFootball.com owner Kevin Hanson. In addition, Hanson and
EDSFootball.com contributor Sean Beazley did a collaborative mock alternating picks.
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1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Colts Draft History
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Owner Jim Irsay has comfirmed publicly what everyone already knew. Andrew Luck has been rated as the best QB
prospect since John Elway so this is pretty much a no-brainer especially now that the Colts have made it clear that they
are clearing house and going into a full rebuilding mode.
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* Trade: The Rams have traded the No. 2 overall pick to the Redskins, who gave up their first- and second-round picks
this year and 2013 and 2014 first-rounders as well.
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2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
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Redskins Draft History
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The moment the Redskins traded up to the second pick in the draft, everyone knew their target was RGIII. He has a
unique blend of size, speed, arm strength, and intelligence. If he is even 90 percent of what some scouts are projecting,
we will look back at this trade as a steal for the Redskins.
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3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
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Vikings Draft History
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I'm not as confident as most are that this pick is a sure thing for the Vikings. I think they will still be tempted to take
Blackmon or Claiborne here, but at the end of the day, they most likely will stay pat and take the franchise left tackle who
is clearly the best lineman in the draft.
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4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
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Browns Draft History
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As much as I would like to be different and stick to my previous mock, which pegged Ryan Tannehill to the Browns, with
only one week left to the draft, I think that it's a little too far fetched to see Tannehill going this high. According to former
Colts GM Bill Polian, Richardson is one of only three players in this draft that in his view that are can't-miss prospects.
He has the talent to be an every down back which in this day and age is a rarity. Look for Mike Holmgren to go with the
sure thing and use Richardson as his workhorse next year.
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5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
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Bucs Draft History
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The Bucs are going to go with the best available player here. They have questions at CB even after the signing of Eric
Wright with the possible suspension or even jail time for Talib and the sand in the hour glass running out on Barber.
Claiborne is thought to be a better prospect than his former teammate Patrick Peterson, who was taken 5th in last
year's draft.
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6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Rams Draft History
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If it is true the Rams were debating taking Blackmon when they originally held the No. 2 overall pick, they have to be
happy to have him fall to them here with the sixth pick and being able to stock pile draft picks in the process. Now that
teams have had the opportunity to breakdown Blackmon, it seems he is losing that can't-miss prospect label, but he
was so productive in college amassing 232 receptions for 3,304 yards and 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons
that it is hard to see him not succeeding at the next level.
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7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
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Jaguars Draft History
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If the Rams do move out of the six spot, as is rumored they are looking to do, and Blackmon is still on the board for the
Jags then I think he is the pick as they would like to give last year's first round pick Blaine Gabbert some more
weapons. Michael Floyd has some character issues that the Jags tend to stay away from so instead they look to
upgrade their defense - in particular their pass rush, which ranked in the bottom ten in the leagure the past three years.
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8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
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Dolphins Draft History
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This seems to be the most logical landing place for the most talked about (and debated) prospect in this year's draft.
There are prognosticators that think he should go as high as No. 4 and others who think he is a borderline first-round
pick. All the physical tools are there, but with only 19 starts at the collegiate level, it is clear that he isn't ready to start at
the next level. What better situation for him then to go to where his college coach has been hired as the offensive
coordinator to help continue to groom him and will understand best not to rush him into the starting lineup.
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9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
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Panthers Draft History
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It's clear the biggest need area for the Panthers is a run-stuffing defensive tackle so they will have their choice here
between Poe and Cox. I think they take the better run stopper in Poe, who solidified this high of a pick after his freakish
workouts at the combine. He has been compared to Haloti Ngata from Baltimore so the Panthers will have themselves
a heck of a player if the comparisons prove to be accurate.
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10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
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Bills Draft History
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Now that the Bills have addressed their pass rushing needs with the signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson,
they can utilize the draft to address their new biggest need which is at offensive tackle. They will be happy to see the
second best tackle in the draft still on the board in Reiff, who can play left or right tackle.
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11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
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Chiefs Draft History
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I think the Chiefs end up taking the defensive tackle the Panthers don't between Poe and Cox. These picks could easily
be flip flopped but since the Panthers were so anemic against the run last year I gave the nod to Poe but Cox could
easily go there as well. Cox is a guy that on film was a bit inconsistent at times but also at times showed he can be
dominant particularly in big games against Alabama and Arkansas. The Chiefs look to upgrade their defensive line
with Cox who is big enough to stop the run but also quick enough to give them some inside pressure which they lacked
last year.
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12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
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Seahawks Draft History
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The Seahawks might be tempted to go with bigger risk/reward type players in Quinton Coples and Michael Floyd, but I
think coach Pete Carroll decides to go with the safest pick and and a player than can help him win right now in Kuechly.
With last year's starting inside linebacker David Hawthorne leaving in free agency, this is now a big need area for
Seattle and Kuechly is too good to pass up here.
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13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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Cardinals Draft History
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I am giving myself credit and going back to my original mock draft that I did in January that was one of the first to project
Floyd to the Cardinals and now it seems to be a popular pick amongst many of the prognosticators. The Cardinals
certainly could look to address their offensive line needs here but I think the thought of Floyd lined up across from Larry
Fitzgerald is too enticing for the Cards to pass up on. It has been noted that several scouts now have Floyd higher on
their draft board than Justin Blackmon, who is projected to go seven spots earlier.
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[Related: Take our poll on how high Michael Floyd will be drafted.]
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14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
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Cowboys Draft History
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I had the Cowboys taking David DeCastro in all of my previous mock drafts but the more I hear and read the Cowboys
(Jerry Jones) is pretty much set on taking Alabama safety Mark Barron (if he is available). I happen to agree with that
pick as the Cowboys have really struggled in their secondary and Barron can come in and immediately shore up a
defense that had a propensity of giving up big plays.
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15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
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Eagles Draft History
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Brockers has been a very difficult player to project in the mock drafts as he has been as high as No. 7 overall to the
Jags and as far down as No. 27 to the Patriots so with under a week to go let's put him in the middle to the Eagles, who
could use help up the middle. They will be a little disappointed not to be able to grab Mark Barron here so instead they
go with the best defensive tackle in the draft in Brockers who might be a bit of a project but could potentially be the best
one of the bunch when all is said and done.
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16. New York Jets: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC
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Jets Draft History
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Who likes to take on more risk/reward type players than Rex Ryan and the Jets? In this case it is actually a need area
for the Jets and at this point in the draft is probably worth the risk. Coples who has all of the size, speed, and talent you
want in a defensive lineman but seems to lack the competitive fire needed at the next level could be a Pro Bowler or the
next Vernon Gholston.
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17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Raiders): David DeCastro, G, Stanford
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Bengals Draft History
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Thanks to the heist they pulled on the Raiders, the Bengals are setup nicely in this year's draft. A surprise playoff team
last year, due in large part to their first two draft picks last year in A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, the Bengals hope to
continue to build on their success this year with two first-round picks. They will be very happy to see DeCastro still
available here who is considered by many the best guard in the draft and ready to step in and play on day one.
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18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
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Chargers Draft History
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The Chargers had needs on the offensive line going into the offseason but now with the release of tackle Marcus
McNeill, this is the number one priority for the Chargers. Luckily Martin has slipped down some draft boards but would
still be an immediate upgrade at a need position for the Chargers so look for him to be the pick here.
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19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
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Bears Draft History
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An offensive lineman that did solidify his draft position after the Senior Bowl and combine is Glenn. He has the ideal
size to play guard but can also fill in at tackle if need be. I don't believe offensive line coach Mike Tice when he says he's
optimistic about his current offensive line and he will love Glenn's versatility and should be able to utilize his size,
speed, and strength to improve the protection for Jay Cutler.
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20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
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Titans Draft History
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The Titans ranked 31st in getting to the QB last season so definitely look for them to add a pash rusher with this pick.
What better way to do that then to add the man who led Division I football in sacks last year with 16.
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21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
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Bengals Draft History
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This is an ideal draft scenario for the Bengals as they are able to address their two biggest needs with their first two
picks and not have to reach for either. Gilmore has seen his stock rise with an impressive showing at the combine and
has the ideal size and speed teams are looking for at the position the Bengals may need to move up to ensure they get
him or if he is gone look for them to take Dre Kirkpatrick.
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22. Cleveland Browns (via Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
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Browns Draft History
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If the Browns have any hope of Colt McCoy succeeding as their starting quarterback they need to upgrade his weapons.
With their first pick in Richardson, they look to now give him a passing weapon in Kendall Wright who was a very
productive college player catching passes from RGIII. Wright has sure hands and is said to play faster on the field than
on the track which is nice since he recovered from his slow combine time with times in the 4.4 range at his pro day.
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23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
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Lions Draft History
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Based on talent Kirkpatrick should not still be available to the Lions but due to some off-the-field concerns the nearly
6-2 corner fills an immediate need for the Lions. Anyone who watched the Lions could see they desperately need help
in the secondary and in Kirkpatrick could have themselves a corner who can shutdown some of the bigger wideouts in
the league, which is a rarity.
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24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
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Steelers Draft History
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This is about as perfect of a marriage as you can see at this point in the draft. Hightower is a hard-nosed defender who
has the size and speed to control the interior defense and is a high character player that seems to fit the Steelers mold
to a T. I don't think they can go wrong with either Hightower or his former teammate Upshaw here.
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25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
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Broncos Draft History
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Unless the Broncos ask Peyton Manning who he would like to pick here, I think they have to go with defensive tackle
with this pick or even possibly trade out of it as Worthy may still be available early in round 2. He has the potential to be
a very productive and disruptive player in the middle of the line which the Broncos desperately need, but his
inconsistency on film causes him to slide late in the first round or possibly to the second.
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26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
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Texans Draft History
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In earlier mocks, I thought Rueben Randle would be the receiver that could be the surprise pick of the first round, but
after one of the most impressive combines ever for a wide receiver, I now think Stephen Hill will be that guy. At 6-4, he
certainly has the size teams covet but then couple that with running a sub-4.4 forty time gives him a very unique blend of
size and speed that the Texans showed they so sorely need in the absence of Andre Johnson.
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27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
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Patriots Draft History
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Upshaw is a guy that seems to be slipping down some draft boards and I am not exactly sure why. He is an intelligent
and instinctive player who has the size and adequate speed to get to the QB but also provide support against the run.
This is the exact type of player Belichick loves as he isn't just a one-trick pony and can be utlized on every down.
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28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE, USC
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Packers Draft History
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Much like the Patriots, the Packers are another team that seems to be all set on one side of the ball but could
desperately use help on the other. It was amazing to see the amount of time Eli Manning had against the Packers as
opposed to how much time he had against the Niners, who knocked him down 20 times during the game. While
Manning was able to defeat both teams, I think the Packers noticed they need to put a little more pressure on the QB if
they want to get back to the Super Bowl. They can do that by adding Perry, who is the best pure pass rusher left on the
board.
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29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
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Ravens Draft History
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Even though the Ravens did bring back center Matt Birk for one more year, Konz is still the pick here. They did not bring
back guard Ben Grubbs and scouts have said they believe Konz has the size and speed to play guard as well so look
for him to fill in at guard next year while being groomed to be the heir apparent to Birk at center for the long-term.
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30. San Francisco 49ers: Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse
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49ers Draft History
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It's scary to think that the Niners may actually be in a position to upgrade their defense with this pick, but with their
recent acquisitions at the wide receiver position gives them the luxury to do that here. Jones will give them the size and
versatility to lineup at either the defensive end or outside linebacker position given their need on that particular play but
should be able to put pressure on the opposing QB no matter which spot he lines up at.
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31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
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Patriots Draft History
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I have a feeling the Patriots will shop this pick but if they keep it they still need help in the secondary and Jenkins has
emerged as the best cover corner left in the draft (and possibly better than some of the guys drafted ahead of him). The
talent is not questioned but it is his character as he was forced to leave Florida and attend that big school in Alabama -
you know, North Alabama. If any organization can get Jenkins to mature off the field it should be the Patriots so look for
Belichick to take the risk here on a top 10 talent.
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32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
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Giants Draft History
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The defending Super Bowl champions probably have some bigger holes to fill mainly on their offensive line and at the
linebacker position but Fleener is too good of a talent to pass on here. Especially given the uncertainty surrounding the
tight ends on their current roster who both suffered torn ACL's, the Giants will look to bolster that position and give Eli
another weapon to add to that already explosive passing attack.
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More Mock Drafts: Kevin Hanson - Collaborative (Hanson/Beazley) - Mock Draft Database
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Combine Results By Position: QB - RB - WR - TE - OL - DL - LB - DB
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