2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32 11/14

Round 1, Picks 17-32, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Draft Blog, NFL Draft Page

17. Dallas Cowboys- ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College 

The Cowboys need to find a replacement for Keith Brooking who is winding down an impressive NFL career. Kuechly could team up inside with Sean Lee to give the Cowboys a formidable pair in the middle, and should really help their run defense.

18. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta)–  CB Alonzo Dennard, Nebraska

The Browns would love to put a top level guy like Dennard across from Joe Haden. LB is another option as is RT, but they can probably add that later.

19. New York Jets– OLB Bruce Irvin, WVU- 

Jets could miss the playoffs unless Mark Sanchez really steps up this season, and if that is the case I’d look at two main culprits (outside of Sanchez). The offensive line and their rush linebackers. While they could go after an offensive lineman, they have more depth and talent there than at OLB. Both Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas are good pass rushers, but neither is great, and both are starting to get up there in age. Adding a young pass rush specialist like Irvin could be huge for the Jets and give them the sack artist to go along with the rest of that elite defense.

20. Buffalo Bills- CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama–

The Bill need to get some corner back help if they want to take their game to the next level. They are giving up a ton of yards through the air and that’s not a good thing when you face Tom Brady twice a year. Jenkins seems to have his legal issues behind him and would be a solid value at this spot. I think he can step in and start right away, and should upgrade that secondary.

21. Detroit Lions– LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame.- 

Linebacker isn’t the biggest need for the Lions, but with Tulloch a free agent and Durant having some injury issues this is a smart choice given that uncertainty. Te’o could play either inside or out, giving Detroit plenty of versatility. Corner back and offensive tackle should also be on the short list for the Lions.

22. Cincinnati Bengals– WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame-

The Bengals could use another target for Andy Dalton as both Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell are free agents. Floyd could team up with Green and give Dalton two extremely talented targets.

23. Chicago Bears- OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama-

The Bears offensive line is still their weakest link. Adding a guy like Fluker could give the Bears bookend tackles for the next 10 years. He’s a high upside player, and while he is a little raw, both Cutler and Forte should be lobbying for this pick.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- G David DeCastro, Stanford-

The Bengals should be ecstatic if they can land both Floyd and DeCastro. Their offense which is pretty solid to begin with, could really be something special with those two moves. DeCastro would fill a big hole at guard for the Bengals, and would be an excellent pick here.

25. Houston Texans- DT Alameda Ta’amu, Washington-

I really like what the Texans have done this offseason and I think this new defense will take them pretty far. They will still need some help though going forward and I think their primary need will be at NT. Ta’amu is a fantastic run defender and profiles to be a starting NT in the NFL. He’d be a great pickup here late in round 1, and should start right away.

26. New York Giants– C Peter Konz, Wisconsin-

The Giants line isn’t the dominant unit it once was and needs to keep adding parts. While David Baas has been a good center this year, he could move to guard to make way for Konz, who has Pro Bowl potential. The Giants could consider CB or DT as well, but they should have a focus on the offensive line.

27. San Francisco 49ers- G Cordy Glenn, Georgia-

The 49ers need to upgrade the interior of their line (with the exception of Iupati) Glenn is a nice value pick here and can give them a big boost. This is one of their few weaknesses so don’t be shocked if they look to trade up for Harbaugh’s former player G David DeCastro.

28. Baltimore Ravens- OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin–

The Ravens biggest weakness this season has been their offensive line play. While some of that can be attributed to injuries, I think it is clear they need to upgrade the unit. Wagner is a LT who is rising, and if he declares should be in the first round mix. He’s more of a road grinder, but that fits the Ravens offensive philosophy. He would be a big upgrade to Baltimore and give them the protection they need on the left side.

29. New England Patriots (via New Orleans) CB Chase Minnifield, UVA-

The Patriots likely won’t keep both picks, but if they do they should look to add another defensive player. Minnifield is one of the top guys on the board here and gives them yet another good young defensive back. Minnifield’s father was an All-Pro corner back in the 80’s, and actually played his final two years under Belicheck with the Browns. Belicheck might take a shot on his son and see if he can be the same shut down corner his father was.

30. New England Patriots-DE Billy Winn, Boise State-

The Patriots aren’t likely to keep both picks, but if they do they are likely to add a defensive player. Winn profiles best as a 5-tech DE, but he can help out in other formations as well. Winn was likely a top 15 pick, but a recent injury should knock him down to the end of the round. This is a good value pick for New England if they choose to make it.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- DT Josh Chapman, Alabama-

With the AFC jumbled up right now it is hard to say who is going to Indy, but Pittsburgh is playing really good football, and that is despite some key players being injured. While Pittsburgh could look to address a couple of different issues, one that stands out is their lack of depth at NT. Casey Hampton is nearing the end of his career, and Pittsburgh needs to find a replacement. Chapman is a slight reach here, but he fills a big need. He might not start as a rookie, but he’d see significant snaps, and should be able to assume the starting role by year two.

32. Green Bay Packers- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama–

The Packers need to find a pass rush complement to Clay Matthews and Upshaw could be their man. Upshaw is a very versatile LB who could play in any system at just about any spot. He is a very good pass rusher though and could be a nice fit here for the Packers. He’s smart, instinctive and takes good angles at the quarterback. With all the attention placed on Matthews, Upshaw could have a field day for Green Bay.

Round 1, Picks 17-32, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Draft Blog, NFL Draft Page