Miller’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft

• By Miller

Round 1:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB Stanford)
Andrew Luck (QB Stanford) will go #1 overall. If the Colts trade away this pick, it’ll be for a hefty price; regardless of the team making the selection, the first pick of the draft will be Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil (OT USC)
Bradford needs 2 things for him to be successful: an O-Line and some weapons to throw to. Both are available with the second pick, but the benefits of Matt Kalil surpass those of Justin Blackmon. Matt Kalil (OT USC) will be the Rams pick.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Quinton Coples (DE UNC)
The Vikings believe that Christian Ponder is the answer. They will need to trade their pick, or do something to shore up that defense. They need someone to help Jared Allen with the pass rush and they need help in the secondary. Quinton Coples (DE UNC) is the top DE prospect in the draft at that point and that’ll be the Vikings pick.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon (WR OK. ST)
Colt McCoy has been criticized, but he doesn’t have much to work within the passing game. The Browns need a top receiver, which will make Greg Little a solid #2 for McCoy. Justin Blackmon (WR OK. ST) will be just the guy that the Browns need to improve the offense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson (RB Alabama)
The next running back in the Buccaneer carousel is none other than Trent Richardson (RB Alabama). The Bucs will have a back who can stay healthy, wear down defenses, and bring explosiveness, as well as provide Josh Freeman with better play action opportunities, causing defenses to bite harder on the run.

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III (QB Baylor)
The Redskins need a QB; Grossman cannot do the job. They will select none other than Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III (QB Baylor).

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram (DE S. Carolina)
The Jaguars will be looking to improve the pass rush, particularly in their division. Melvin Ingram (DE S. Carolina) will be the choice over Devon Still in their defense.

8. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne (CB LSU)
It’s a stretch to think that Morris Claiborne (CB LSU) will fall to the Panthers, but given the needs of other teams it is a likely possibility. The Panthers need someone to help shore up the defense and Claiborne is a phenomenal start to that process.

9. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones (QB OU)
* This mock was made before Landry Jones picked to go back to school.
The Miami Dolphins should get their QB of the future with this pick and it should be Landry Jones (QB OU). With that said, we all remember the Dolphins #9 pick in 2007: the pro bowl returner?!?! Ted Ginn, Jr. Well we’ll see what the Dolphins decide to do this time.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff (OT Iowa)
The Bills will take the best offensive tackle available, which comes down to Riley Reiff (OT Iowa) or Jonathan Martin. The reality is Reiff is the better option of the two and will go to the Bills.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin (OT Stanford)
The Chiefs will select Jonathan Martin (OT Stanford) to help shore up their line.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still (DT Penn St.)
While Tarvaris Jackson needs to be replaced, the top three quarterbacks will be off the board by this point and Barkley is not declared. The Seahawks will draft a QB later in the draft, but will take Devon Still (DT Penn St.) to improve the Seattle defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly (ILB BC)
This is the second easiest pick of the draft: Luke Kuechly (ILB BC) is direly needed in the Cardinals linebacking core.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirpatrick (CB Alabama)
The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of a #1 CB. If you don’t believe me, watch Terrance Newman’s performance over the last 2 years. Dre Kirpatrick (CB Alabama) will be that guy in Dallas.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw (OLB Alabama)
Safety, linebacker, and possibly a wide receiver (depending on Jackson) are areas of interest for the Eagles. I think Jackson will be back, eliminating that need. It’d be quite a stretch for the Eagles to grab Mark Barron here, the best available safety. Instead, they’ll go with Courtney Upshaw (OLB Alabama).

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd (WR ND)
The Jets receiving core needs to improve. Holmes is being criticized as a quitter; Burress is inconsistent; it seems this could be an area of interest for the Jets. Michael Floyd (WR ND) will be a great pickup with this pick. If Sanchez can’t succeed with him on the field, along with his other weapons, then he should not start in the NFL.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard (CB Nebraska)
The Bengals could use upgrades in three key departments: running back, offensive line, and cornerback. With Richardson off the table, there isn’t another back worth taking with this pick. With the top 4 linemen off the table, there isn’t a worthy lineman for this pick. That leaves a corner, meaning the Bengals will select Alfonzo Dennard (CB Nebraska). Janoris Jenkins is a potential candidate, but I think the Bengals are done with knowingly drafting troublemakers.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro (G Stanford)
In theory the Chargers should have a good offensive line; that is if it weren’t constantly riddled with injuries. The best guard in the draft, David DeCastro (G Stanford), would be a nice fit here.

19. Chicago Bears: Zebrie Sanders (OT Florida St.)
Someone please protect Cutler. Without him, the Bears are awful. The Bears will overreach and take the next best available lineman, which is Zebrie Sanders (OT Florida St.).

20. Tennessee Titans: Andre Branch (DE Clemson)
The Titans will want to shore up the defensive front, selecting Andre Branch (DE Clemson).

21. Denver Broncos: Alshon Jeffery (WR SC)
The Broncos desperately need to get Tebow a weapon at receiver. Alshon Jeffery (WR SC) will be the guy to take over that role, moving Thomas to a solid #2 and Decker can excel in the slot.

22. New York Giants: Fletcher Cox (DT Miss. St.)
The Giants have several needs, but the most glaring is at defensive tackle. With Fletcher Cox (DT Miss. St.) still available, the Giants will take him and bring stability to the position.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: (Lamar Miller RB Miami)
The Bengals have two great options with this pick. They can snag a much needed offensive lineman with Cordy Glenn; however, I think they will go the other route and get (Lamar Miller Miami) to fulfill their running back needs.

24. Detroit Lions: Nick Perry (DE USC)
The Lions have a potent offense and a defense that has potential. Linemen will be a need later in the draft, but defense needs improvement (outside of defensive tackle). Nick Perry (DE USC) will fit nicely with the Lions, either as an end or an outside linebacker.

25. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta Falcons): David Wilson (RB VA Tech.)
I don’t foresee Peyton Hillis coming back to the Browns after his performance last season. Even if he does, they need a more reliable back. David Wilson (RB VA Tech.) should help the running game and McCoy can have the weapons in the run and pass game to lead the team to the playoffs

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright (WR Baylor)
The Texans have put together a nice football team, as long as Schaub can stay healthy. Another weapon to go with Andre Johnson will be a great help. The Texans will select Kendall Wright (WR Baylor).

27. Baltimore Ravens: Vantaze Burfict (ILB Arizona St.)
The Ravens linebacking core is aging and it’s time to start looking for the younger talent to groom. Vantaze Burfict (ILB Arizona St.) has potential to be the next great Ravens linebacker.

28. San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn (G Georgia)
The 49ers are going to be in need of two specific: A true DE to replace the aging Justin Smith and a solid guard to slide in at RG. At this point in the draft Cordy Glenn (G Georgia) is the best option for the 49ers. Adam Snyder hasn’t played bad this year, but I think Glenn takes this O-Line to the next level.

29. New England Patriots: Mark Barron (S Alabama)
Can anyone say defense? The Patriots need players at every position on defense, beginning in the secondary. The top corners are off the board, but the top safety is still available. When Patrick Chung is healthy, he is sold; the problem is he is always sidelined for one reason or another. Mark Barron (S Alabama) will be a start to improving the defense.

30. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus (DE Illinois)
PASS RUSH NEEDED. Whitney Mercilus (DE Illinois) will get after the quarterback and provide the Packers with someone other than Matthews to produce much needed pressure.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower (ILB Alabama)
The Steelers are in the same boat as the Ravens with an aging linebacker core. Dont’a Hightower (ILB Alabama) will be the new face of the linebackers.

32. New England Patriots (From New Orleans Saints): Jerel Worthy (DT MSU).
Once again, defense will be the focus. Having made a secondary pick already and with the top-end corners gone, the Patriots will take Jerel Worthy (DT MSU).

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