2012 NFL Mock Draft: Brendan Donahue
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Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 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
first-round projection from EDSFootball.com contributor Brendan Donahue. This mock draft will be updated from now
until draft day with changes, as needed.
For more mock drafts from around the web, check out our 2012 NFL Mock Draft Database.
Here is the 2012 NFL Mock Draft from EDSFootball.com owner Kevin Hanson (updated 1/29/12).
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1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Colts Draft History
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This is already a done deal according to owner Jim Irsay. 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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2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Rams Draft History
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I could see the Rams being tempted by a team trying to trade up to get RG3 and moving this pick, but if they stay put I
look for them to add the most dynamic weapon available in the draft. Although I don't have Blackmon as highly rated as
Calvin Johnson, I do see him having an instant impact in the NFL and developing into a Pro Bowl receiver down the
road.
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3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
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Vikings Draft History
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Maybe the safest pick in the entire draft. The clear cut best tackle in the draft and someone that the Vikings can put on
Chrisian Ponder's blind side and protect him for the next 10 years (this is if Ponder plays for the next ten years...). If
Rams trade their pick or pass on Blackmon for some reason, look for Vikings to snatch him up here.
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4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
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Browns Draft History
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The Heisman winner has been rapidly moving up draft boards and could eventually move up to #2 come draft day but
for this mock were going to assume everyone drafts where they are slated and the Browns would be very happy to draft
RGIII here. I think they are ready to concede that Colt McCoy is not a franchise QB in the NFL and will jump at the
opportunity to add one here.
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5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
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Bucs Draft History
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Based on how the Bucs finished the year, they could clearly use help in just about every area. With Blackmon off the
board however, I look for them to add the best cornerback available in Morris Claiborne. A big physical corner who is
also considered the best cover corner in the draft is exactly what they need as they battle in the same division with the
air attacks of the Saints and Falcons.
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6. Washington Redskins: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
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Redskins Draft History
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If the draft plays out this way the Redskins will be very disappointed to say the least. They desperately want to land a
star QB but this is too high to draft Tannenhill or Foles so expect them to look to trade down or be very active if Peyton
Manning becomes available. For this mock, we're going to assume they stay here, and if so, they will take the 6-3
Kirkpatrick to go up against Nicks and Bryant in the NFC East. I know Kirkpatrick got in trouble last week but a little
trouble never seemed to bother owner Daniel Snyder before.
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7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quintin Coples, DE, North Carolina
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Jaguars Draft History
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I would love to make a splash here and say the Jaguars take Michael Floyd but I don't think they can pass up on the
best pass-rusher in the draft as the Jags really struggled to get to the QB last year. At 6-6, Coples reminds me a bit of
JJ Watt where even if he can't get to the QB on a play he has the length to disrupt the passing lanes and is big enough
to still be effective against the run.
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8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
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Dolphins Draft History
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Another team disappointed that they aren't able to land a franchise QB at this spot in the draft. Instead they will give Matt
Moore another year as their starter and do their best to protect him with the best right tackle in the draft. Reiff will be
immediately plugged in as the starter and will bolster a young and improving offensive line.
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9. Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
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Panthers Draft History
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The Panthers could use help on the defensive side of the ball but without a shutdown corner available here I see them
protecting last year's No. 1 pick with the next best tackle in the draft. Martin did a great job of protecting this year's No. 1
pick and should be able to do the same for Cam Newton's blind side for many years to come.
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10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
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Bills Draft History
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At times the Bills were, dare I say explosive on offense last year. The defense really let them down in games that the
offense clearly put up enough points to win so look for them to add the explosive Courtney Upshaw that anchored one
of the best defenses in college history.
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11. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
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Chiefs Draft History
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While I don't see him sliding down here because I feel his talent is too good for another team not to trade up to get - I do
believe the Chiefs would be happy to snatch him up with the 11th pick. Jamaal Charles is coming off of a devastating
knee injury and he really was most productive when he had another workhorse in the backfield with him to split the load
so look for KC to add a top 5 talent to their roster.
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12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
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Seahawks Draft History
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Best defensive player left on the board and the Seahwawks could definitely use help on their defensive line. The
Seahawks were in the bottom 10 in sacks last year and Still has the ability to get to the QB but also big enough to
provide stout run defense as well. Good value pick here for the Hawks.
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13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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Cardinals Draft History
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The Cardinals really came on towards the end of the year last year - particulary on defense so I am going out on a limb
here a bit and think the Cardinals will look to add a bonafide No. 2 wideout along with superstar Larry Fitzgerald. I think
Floyd will be a great compliment to Fitzgerald and could really take a lot of pressure off of him much like the Falcons did
last year in drafting Julio Jones to go along with Roddy White.
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14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
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Cowboys Draft History
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Nobody will argue with the skill positions of the Dallas Cowboys especially after they got a steal in DeMarco Murray in
last year's draft. The one issue they have is giving those playmakers enough time to well, make plays. DeCastro will
be an immediate upgrade at guard and if plugged in next to last year's first-round pick Tyron Smith, they have solidified
the left side of the line for many years to come.
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15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
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Eagles Draft History
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This would be a perfect marriage if the Eagles are able to land the best ILB in the draft in Kuechly. The former Boston
College Eagle is a tackling machine and can address a glaring hole in the middle of the field that Philly had last year.
Look for the Eagles to run to the podium if Kuechly is still on the board here.
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16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
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Jets Draft History
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The Jets would love to upgrade their right tackle position, but unless they trade down there really isn't another right
tackle that warrants this high of a pick. So look for them to upgrade their second biggest need which is at safety with
one of the cornerstones of Alabama's championship defense.
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17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
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Bengals Draft History
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While I believe the Bengals would really like to upgrade their running back position first - they will wait to do so based
on their draft board. Dennard is a solid cover corner and fills a need for the Bengals as they will soon need to replace
the aging Nate Clements.
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18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
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Chargers Draft History
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Chargers could go in a couple different directions as they again fell short of expectations and missed the playoffs.
However, if it wasn't for a rough stretch during the middle of the season where Philip Rivers really struggled, they most
likely would have won a weak AFC West. Most think the problems were more with them protecting Rivers and not
Rivers himself so the Chargers will go with the safe pick and take Glenn to immediately upgrade their offensive line.
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19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
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Bears Draft History
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It was pretty evident down the stretch that the Bears lacked players that could step up and make plays on offense.
While I do think they would like to add a wide receiver here, I believe they will instead follow the evolution of the NFL and
take the best tight end in the draft in Allen.
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20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
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Titans Draft History
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The Titans ranked 31st in getting to the QB last year so look for them to definitely add a pass rusher to their roster with
this pick. They will be very happy if Ingram falls to them at No. 20 and he will provide a nice edge rush either from the
defensive end postion or he can even line up as an outside linebacker depending upon how they want to use him. But
either way, he will help them get to the QB.
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21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)
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Bengals Draft History
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The Bengals could be that team that I mentioned before that could put together a package to move up and get Trent
Richardson if he starts to slip as they certainly have the ammo with two first-round picks. If they do stay put - they will
reach a little bit to grab the second best running back in the draft but for a team that averaged just 3.9 yards per carry
last year. It is their biggest need so look for them to address it here.
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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 draft actually breaks out this way, the Browns will have to think they hit a home run with their two first-round picks
being able to pair RGIII with his favorite target in teammate Kendall Wright. Even if they don't end up with RGIII, I still
look for the Browns to take Wright here as he adds a downfield threat that the Browns were desperately lacking last
year.
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23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
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Lions Draft History
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It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Lions desperately need help in their defensive secondary. The offense
is good enough to play with anyone in the league, but until they upgrade their defense they won't beat the upper echelon
teams as we all saw against the Saints this year. Jenkins has the physical ability and was considered a top talent at
the University of Florida but some off-the-field issues caused him to be kicked out of school and have to transfer to
North Alabama. So let's see if the Lions are willing to overlook that to take the most talented cornerback left on the
board.
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24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
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Steelers Draft History
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Another team that fell short of expectations this year, but it was mainly due to injuries so look for them to add depth to
key positions. The team is also well above the cap going into next year and will have many difficult decisions on some
Steeler mainstays which includes their Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton. Even if they do keep him, they will add
his heir apparent here in the form of the gigantic Dontari Poe.
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25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
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Broncos Draft History
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John Elway and the Denver Broncos have declared Tim Tebow (not sure if you have heard of him?) their starting QB
going into training camp next year. So while I think they eventually will replace him, I don't think they do it with their
first-round pick this year but instead look to improve a defense that was torched by the Patriots in the playoffs. They
have two great pass rushers on the edge so they will look to improve the middle of their line with Cox who will
immediately help their run defense as well.
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26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
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Texans Draft History
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If we had done this mock draft a year ago, it probably wouldn't have even been published if I had put Mohamed Sanu
over Alshon Jeffrey, but what a difference a year makes. Sanu caught 115 balls for Rutgers last year and while he
doesn't have the size of Jeffery, he is clearly more explosive and has the ability to stretch the field opposite Andre
Johnson. With Johnson out, it was clear the Texans did not have a reliable No. 2 receiver and after the mistakes Jacoby
Jones made in the playoffs, the Texans will definitely look to address this position here.
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27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
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Patriots Draft History
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The Patriots are traditionally the toughest team to predict in a mock draft as they are constantly wheeling and dealing
their picks and their draft board is usually a lot different than we project it to be. However, it is clear they need help on
the defensive side of the ball particularly on the defensive line and in the secondary. Having watched Brockers a lot this
year, he can dominate games at times and is big and athletic enough to play tackle or end in the NFL and Belichick
loves that type of versatility.
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28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
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Packers Draft History
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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 Mercilus who led Division I football in sacks last year.
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29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State
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Ravens Draft History
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Ray Lewis announced that he will be returning immediately after their playoff loss against the Patriots, but that doesn't
mean the end isn't near. It is clear he has lost a step (or more) and the Ravens need to think about evenutally replacing
him no matter how difficult that sounds. Burfict is clearly the next best inside linebacker in the draft and while he won't
be the next Ray Lewis he will be the next starter for Ray Lewis and should have a very productive career for the Ravens.
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30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
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49ers Draft History
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In what was a great season for the 49ers as they surpassed many of the pundits expectations, they probably feel they
should be playing in the Super Bowl if they were only able to avoid a couple mistakes on special teams and make a
couple more plays on offense. Jeffery could be a perfect fit as he is an ideal red zone target and could help the Niners
turn all of those field goals into touchdowns next year.
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31. New York Giants: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
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Giants Draft History
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Based on how the Giants defend the dynamic tight ends of the Patriots, this pick could change but I am going to
assume that they have trouble covering them as have most teams this season. Either way the Giants could definitely
use help in their linebacking corps and Brown would be an instant upgrade as he has the speed and range to cover
most tight ends in the league but also to rush the passer if asked to.
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32. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
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Patriots Draft History
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The Patriots seem to have made the decision that last year's Pro Bowl cornerback Devin McCourty will now be their
starting safety going forward, which leaves a real glaring hole at the cornerback position as evidenced by Julian
Edelman having to (try) and cover Anquan Boldin last week. Again the Patriots could easily trade this pick, but if they
stay put look for them to add depth to this position and take the next best cornberback available in Gilmore.
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