The Professor - 2012 NFL Draft Mock 2.0

The Professor - 2012 NFL Draft Mock 2.0

1. Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Now, I know everyone is starting freak-out over RG3’s arm strength, but the Combine be damned, in the end Irsay is a white guy who will pick a white guy to be the face of the franchise. Privately, the merchandize excuse will be given. So relax Johnny U., the only thing black will be your high-tops and the night they snuck out of Baltimore. Pollan would have chosen RG3.

2. Browns: Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor

Good fortune shines on Coach Fisher. First Cam explodes, the Colts pass on RG3, and the next big thing (aka the “Evolution”) is there for the taking! Sam Bradford has so much promise that the Rams find a partner with deep pockets. Make it rain! TRADE!

3. Ravens: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Ozzie purchases a ticket to the Super Bowl for the Ravens! Harbaugh can manage aging superstars and Peyton will extend the shelf life of the roster. Evans will not be invited back. Vikings are more than one player away. Ravens shoot for the moon. The Gods return a/the Colts to Baltimore. The Vikings need a little of everything. TRADE!

4. Rams (from Browns): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Fisher gets real, not flashy. Kalil will provide time for Bradford to get the ball down field, and Fisher knows his brilliance is tied to Bradford’s health.

5. Buccaneers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Teams must be effective attacking the passer with 4. Top QB’s check away from schemes. Coples is a freak, and Butch Davis is joining the Bucs coaching staff as an advisor.

6. Cowboys: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Redskins sign Flaco so RG3 is not in the plan. There is a lot to like at 6, but Jerry does Dallas. He is hungry for big moves, and to upgrade a weak secondary after dropping Kirkpatrick down their board. Cowboys reach for the best CB prospect in this year’s draft. TRADE!

7. Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Everyone is down on Blaine Gabbert, except Jacksonville. Improved protection is a must. The expectation is improved play from their young QB, unless he starts dating a Kardashian!

8. Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

After missing out on Manning, I expect the Dolphins to sign Matt Flynn. Duh, there is an early run at OT. They are tempted to draft Kendall Wright. Wright’s speed would help clear the mid-range zones for Marshall. Caveat Emptor, Flynn could be the second coming of Kolb. Poor little fishes, there are very few quick fixes in the NFL.

9. Panthers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Cam now DeCastro. This is too easy.

10. Bills: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a man-child. He will be ready when the Bills are. Perfect timing and not too soon. Bills are close.

11. Chiefs: Devon Still, DE/DT, Penn State

Defenses must attack. Add Still to a good group of LB’s.

12. Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Pete Carroll feels lucky and everyone loves speed on the edge. Upshaw falls to the Trojans, I mean the Seahawks.

13. Cardinals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Best player on their board. They add to last year’s standout Patrick Peterson.

14. Redskins: (from Cowboys) Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Redskins add insurance for newly acquired Joe Flaco. Shanahan knows Flaco will fit with his run first offense. Redskins will sign a top free agent WR, and draft one in the later rounds. Shanahan has visions of Elway. “A man’s greatest strength is his greatest weakness”.

15. Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If the Eagles don’t over think the pick, it will be Kuechly. Andy loves to look smarter than the rest of the room. That understated stuff is a front.

16. Jets: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Pound and ground. LT retires. They stick with Sanchez for another year, so they must effectively run the ball. Sanchez may develop like Eli, or become David Carr. Play action may be the key.

17. Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has too much talent to pass because of past personal issues. He checks out.

18. Chargers: Kendall Wright, WR/KR, Baylor

Need an injection of speed. Never replaced Sproles.

19. Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Cutler is all piss and vinegar. Privately he is pleased with the new direction. In with Floyd and out with Martz. They will find a TE later in the draft.

20. Titans, Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Big, strong, possession receiver. Great value at 20.

21. Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

I know! The Bengals double dip. They miss Jonathan Joseph that much.

22. Rams: (from Browns) Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Prototypical edge rusher. High risk, high reward.

23. Lions: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Lions want to attack on defense. Mercilus fits the program.

24. Steelers: Don’t’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

No longer the best LB group in the league. Steelers are acting strange. This pick quiets the critics.

25. Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Teams play nickel and dime 25% of the time. Personal must reflect the new dynamic.

26. Texans: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The early run on WR leads Texans to plan B. Must look to free agency and for value later in the draft to add a WR. Bigger nose added to an excellent 3 – 4.

27. Pats: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Must stretch the field. Giants, as expected, crowded the box. Brady must do more than run the football through the air. Sanu offers an option to 3 yards and a cloud of dust.

28. Packers: Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State

Raji plays too many downs. Need a viable rotation. Wore down.

29. Vikings: (from Ravens), Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Lawrence Taylor or Taylor Lawrence? Worth the risk at 29.

30. 49ers: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

They resign Smith, but they press for the next step. WR is an option, but must wait to the 2nd round. 1st tier wide outs already off the board.

31. Pats: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

The 6th player from Alabama taken in the first round. Roll tide. Barron’s a steal at 31.

32. Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown already has Pro Bowl coverage skills. Needs to improve at the point of attack. If the Giants don’t resign Deon Grant, then either Jones or Sash must step up. The other option is to play less 3 safety. Kiwanuka, Boley, Williams, and Brown would make for the fastest LB group in the league and mitigate the loss of Grant. Rolle can step out of the box and into Grant’s slot. If Barron falls, he could be an option. TE is needed. Reese will take the player that falls to him, with Brown being the first choice.