Rev’s Early 2012 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
REVEREND’S EARLY 2012 MOCK DRAFT 1.0
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB-Stanford)- Indy is ready to turn the page on the Bill Polian/Peyton Manning era by bringing an NFL-ready prospect with the arm, mind and athleticism of a future Hall-of-Fame inductee.
2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil (OT-USC)- Blackmon in this spot looks awfully tempting, but the number-one priority should be to keep an injury-prone Sam Bradford upright. Right tackle Jason Smith has been a colossal bust…it’s time to move on.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Jonathan Martin (OT-Stanford)- Much like the Rams, the Purple People Eaters need to safeguard Christian Ponder first and foremost. Charlie Johnson on the blindside can be hazardous to any quarterback’s health. Martin brings the agility and foot quickness the Vikings covet.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III (QB-Baylor)- Colt McCoy is a solid citizen and a very hard worker, but he lacks the type of arm and decision-making the Browns will need to get them back into the playoffs. RGIII’s accuracy on deep balls will bring high hopes to a downtrodden franchise.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson (RB-Alabama)- LeGarrette Blount is an amazing physical specimen, but he’s somewhat limited as a running back and has a nasty habit of fumbling the ball. T-Rich is the more complete and elusive player, who will allow the Bucs to use Blount as a short-yardage battering ram…although the former Crimson Tide can excel in that type of role as well.
6. Washington Redskins: David DeCastro (OG-Stanford)- Taking a guard this high will leave some fans scratching their noggins. But DeCastro is no ordinary guard; he’s quite simply the best run blocker in the nation. Watching the former Cardinal pull will remind people of a bigger Kevin Mawae. The quarterback issue will be solved by Dan Snyder providing Peyton Manning with a blank check for his services.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon (WR-Oklahoma State)- This is probably the biggest no-brainer selection, as the Jags have nothing in the way of a deep threat. Blackmon has the size, strength and explosive burst to accelerate Blaine Gabbert’s development.
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame)- Although Ron Rivera will be clamoring for a defensive player in this spot, Carolina’s front office decides to supply Cam Newton with another game-breaking toy. Steve Smith is coming off a magnificent year, but he’ll soon be 33 and doesn’t have any potential stars backing him up.
9. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Jenkins (OLB-Florida State)- The outside linebacker position becomes an immediate need for the ‘Phins following the retirement of Jason Taylor. Koa Misi’s lack-luster play and Cameron Wake’s dip in sacks make this a solid pick that no one will argue with. The quarterback issue will be addressed by Miami paying a king’s ransom for Matt Flynn.
10. Buffalo Bills: Morris Claiborne (CB-LSU)- One can make a case for taking an offensive tackle here, but the Bills have arguably the sorriest collection of corners in the league. Claiborne has the length, instincts and foot speed to be a shut-down cover man.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Konz (C-Wisconsin)- Casey Wiegman has had an outstanding career, but the guy is 38-years-old. My guess here is that he’ll be riding into the sunset if he has any plans on being able to walk his dog by the time he’s 55. Konz is a road grater that can easily get to the second and third levels and allow the Chiefs to average over four-yards-per-carry.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples (DE-North Carolina)- The Seahawks have a middle-of-the-road pass rush. Outside of Chris Clemons, none of Seattle’s defenders were able to crack five sacks. Coples gives Pete Carroll that quickness off the snap that could turn Clemons into a 15-sack monster.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff (OT-Iowa)- Bookends Levi Brown and Brandon Keith aren’t exactly two blocks of granite. In fact, the Cards ranked just behind the Rams in sacks allowed to the opposition with 54. Reiff has the long arms and footwork to be an immediate starter and decisive upgrade.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB-Alabama)- The 6’2” corner’s penchant for jumping routes, leaping prowess and overall tackling ability will soon make Terence Newman nothing more than a distant memory.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly (ILB-Boston College)- The Iggles get themselves a much-needed three-down presence at middle linebacker, who is scheme-versatile and durable.
16. New York Jets: Nick Perry (OLB-USC)- Perry made the highly-touted Jonathan Martin look a lot like Wayne Hunter the last time they locked horns. The Jets desperately need the former Trojan’s explosiveness off the edge given Calvin Pace’s dismal showing in 2011.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron (S-Alabama)- Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has miraculously worked wonders with Reggie Nelson, but Chris Croker continues to be a liability in pass coverage. Barron would give the Cats a complete safety with the size and athleticism to make game-changing plays.
18. San Diego Chargers: Janoris Jenkins (CB-North Alabama)- Those wondering just how special Jenkins is, would be well advised to look up video clips of the former Gator putting the clamps on Julio Jones. This is a kid who can body up on bigger receivers and give Quentin Jammer the opportunity to move to strong safety, which is a real problem area for the Bolts.
19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffrey (WR-South Carolina)- The towering wide out is the dominant big man Chicago has been looking for quite some time. Roy Williams can take his disappearing act elsewhere.
20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus (DE-Illinois)- He’s a one-year wonder, but he also led the nation in sacks (16). Mercilus is a gifted pass rusher who makes great use of his hands and should be an upgrade over Derrick Morgan.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller (RB-Miami)- Cedric Benson is solid, but limited. Miller offers break-away speed along with enough power and leg drive to fight through tackles.
22. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard (CB-Nebraska)- Those who watched the Packers game should be well aware of the fact that the Lions just don’t have enough manpower to shut down or even contain the best passing attacks in the NFL. Dennard is a physical corner, who can turn, run and track the ball with the best of them.
23. Cleveland Browns: Chris Polk (RB-Washington)- What better way to accommodate Griffin than arming him with a bruising running back, who can carry the load? Polk has the skills to be the next Michael Turner.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn (OG/OT-Georgia)- The Steelers need to do a better job of protecting Big Ben and running the ball. Glenn is the type of versatile performer, who can contribute at guard or right tackle. The former Bulldog has the agility of a man half his size.
25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still (DT-Penn State)- Still isn’t your run-of-the-mill wide body, who serves primarily as a run stuffer. The 6’5”, 305-pound trench man has the ability to explode out of his stance and penetrate the backfield as a pass rusher. That type of interior presence should only make life a lot easier for Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil on the edges.
26. New York Giants: Devin Taylor (DE-South Carolina)- The G-Men are just salivating at the thought of pairing up the freakish Taylor alongside the ridiculously athletic Jason Pierre-Paul. The 6’7” prospect’s vine-like arms and incredible speed not only make him one heck of a pass rusher, but give him the ability chase down back-side plays.
27. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright (WR-Baylor)- It’s time to recognize that Jacoby Jones will never develop into a consistent deep threat capable of taking pressure off Andre Johnson. Wright is not only a blazer, but he’s fast in executing his routes and can cut on a dime.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict (ILB-Arizona)- The gifted middle linebacker is coming off a down year, but has the brute strength to jack opponents off their feet and drive them to the ground. Burfict’s ability to fly over the line of scrimmage will remind some people of LaVar Arrington. The underclassman will do lots of watching and learning under the tutelage Ray Lewis in his first year.
29. New England Patriots: Brandon Thompson (DT/DE-Clemson)- The 310-pound power pig can take on double teams as a 3-4 lineman, as well as collapse the pocket in a 4-3 alignment. Plus, he’s the type of hard-working grinder that Bill Belichick will love.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Tannehill (QB-Texas A&M)- The Niners come up empty in their quest to sign Peyton Manning and decide to add Tannehill to the mix. The William V. Campbell Trophy finalist has the quick feet, smarts and NFL arm to give Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick a run for their money for the starting job.
31. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw (OLB-Alabama)- Upshaw has the hand skills and raw strength to manhandle offensive tackles, but also gives Belichick the freedom to line him up at a number of different positions in either the 3-4 or the 4-3.
32. Green Bay Packers: Markelle Martin (S-Oklahoma State)- The Packers must find a suitable replacement for Nick Collins, who suffered a serious neck injury that will likely put an end to his playing career. Martin is an active defender, who hits ball carriers square in the mouth, but also breaks up a number of passes with his long arms.