2012 NFL Mock Draft: Brendan Donahue
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Updated: Saturday, February 18, 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 (see his first mock). 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. (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 (updated 2/13/12).
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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: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
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Rams Draft History
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I still think the Rams will be trading out of this pick but for this mock let's assume they stay. Rumors have them
targeting a WR in free agency so I now believe they go with the franchise left tackle to keep former No. 1 overall pick
Sam Bradford upright long enough to get the ball to his wide receivers. If they fail to land a WR before the draft, they
may still be tempted to go with Blackmon but Kalil may be too much of a sure thing to pass up.
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3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Vikings Draft History
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The Vikings have made it clear they want Christian Ponder to be their starting QB going forward and what better way to
help him succeed then by adding the most prolific wideout in the draft. Blackmon has absolutely dominated college
football the past 2 years amassing 232 receptions for 3,304 yards and 38 touchdowns combined.
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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: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
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Panthers Draft History
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The Panthers certainly didn't struggle on the offensive side of the ball with the surprise performance of rookie QB Cam
Newton; however, Carolina pretty much struggled in every aspect on the defensive side of the ball. Brockers should be
able to help not only stopping the run but also being disruptive enough with penetration to affect the opponents passing
game as well.
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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: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
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Seahawks Draft History
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Ingram is a player along with Brockers who is seeing his stock rise a bit from the earlier projections. The Seahawks
could certainly use an upgrade in their pass rush and that is exactly what Ingram will provide them. Depending on how
Seattle wants to use him, he can provide an edge rush from a 4-3 or line up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but either
way he will help them get to the QB.
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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: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
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Jets Draft History
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The Jets will be very happy if the draft breaks this was as they would love to upgrade from Wayne Hunter at the right
tackle position. In my previous mock I had him penciled into the Panthers but since some defensive players are
moving up the board, this allows a talent like Martin to slip to the Jets and immediately upgrade the right side of their
line.
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17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
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Bengals Draft History
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The Bengals need help in the secondary and Jenkins has emerged as the best cover corner left in the draft. 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. The Bengals have been known to overlook some off-the-field issues for production on the field
as you don't have to look back too far to see they did that for another former Gator just a couple years ago in Carlos
Dunlap and that has panned out very well for them.
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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: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
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Bears Draft History
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At 6-4/208, Randle certainly has the size at WR the Bears desperately need so as long as he runs a respectable 40
time during the combine I can really see him being considered here by the Bears. He was still very productive last
season with LSU compiling over 900 yards and 8 TDs while having a subpar passer throwing him the ball and being in
a run-dominated offense.
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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: 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: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
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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. Dennard is a solid cover corner and the Lions have to take the best
corner left on the board here.
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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: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
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Broncos Draft History
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I still don't think the Broncos go with a QB here even though I have seen some projections otherwise -- instead I see
them going with the best available player on the board which is Devon Still. In my first mock draft I had the Seahawks
taking him at 12 so there is great value here and he will be immediately plugged in and improve the middle of that line.
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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): Nick Perry, DE, USC
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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. Perry is the best pass rusher left
on the board so look for the Patriots to address that need here.
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28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
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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 Cox, who can be disruptive up the middle and draw more attention, which should free up Matthews on
the outside.
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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 England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
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Patriots Draft History
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Going into the draft I believe the Patriots will look to trade out of this spot -- most likely to someone trying to jump up
here to grab Ryan Tannenhill. However, if Barron does slip down this far (I had him going 16th overall to the Jets in the
first mock), the Patriots should jump at the chance to take him. He is simply too good to pass up here and fills a need
for the Patriots not only talent wise but also as a leader in the secondary.
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32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
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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 Allen 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 ACLs, 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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