2012 NFL Mock Draft: 1-16, 11/28

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1. Indianapolis Colts– QB Andrew Luck, Stanford-

The Colts are now the ‘last man standing’ when it comes to win-less teams, which should make their decision relatively easy next April. While having Andrew Luck next year will be redundant if Peyton comes back, I don’t see how you can pass on him. Yes a trade back is possible, but Luck should be the pick here, as the Colts go from one Franchise QB to another.

2. St. Louis Rams– OT Matt Kalil, USC-

Sam Bradford and the Rams are struggling this season, but it has little to do with Sam Bradford. The Rams receivers are dropping balls left and right, while the offensive line has allowed Bradford to be the most pressured quarterback in the league. He’s taking far too many hits this year, which is just not acceptable if the Rams are ever to become a serious contender. Kalil could lineup from day one at LT shifting Roger Saffold over to the right side and Jason Smith to the interior.

3. Minnesota Vikings-  OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford-

The Vikings LT void is the team’s biggest need heading into this offseason and Martin is a perfect plug and play guy. Drafting him makes both Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson better, and means that this will be their top choice. They could look to trade back to a team that is desperate for a quarterback, but otherwise this should be their pick.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars– WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State- 

While this has been a rough season for Blaine Gabbert the Jaguars only have themselves to blame as they put him in a bad situation with limited weapons. Drafting Blackmon will go a long way to fixing the lack of weapons and will hopefully salvage this team.

5. Miami Dolphins- QB Matt Barkley, USC–

The Dolphins need to find their next signal caller next offseason and they are likely to find their guy through the draft. While Matt Barkley might not be Andrew Luck, he’s a quality quarterback prospect who should grow into a really good quarterback. He might not be the second coming of Dan Marino, but he should be the best quarterback in Miami since Marino left.

6. Carolina Panthers- CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

The Panthers could go in a number of different directions, but I could see them popping Claiborne here. Claiborne is moving up draft boards and looks to be a top 10 guy at this point. While you can make a strong case for WR, OT, or DT, Claiborne is the best value for this pick and could really help that secondary.

7. Arizona Cardinals-OT Riley Reiff, Iowa-

The Cardinals desperately need to address their offensive line in this draft, with finding a LT a top priority. Reiff is a really talented prospect, and while he might not be a day one stud, he should be an immediate upgrade.

8. Washington Redskins–  QB Robert Griffin, Baylor –

The Redskins are another team that has to revamp their quarterback depth chart, and are a near lock to draft a guy early. While they would probably like Matt Barkley, they can land a higher upside guy here in Griffin. Some might want to classify Griffin as a ‘running quarterback’, but he’s more accurate and precise than any other quarterback in this class. He also doesn’t have near the same level of talent around him that other top signal callers do. The Redskins could look to trade back from this spot, given their variety of needs, but Mike Shanahan has always liked big name quarterbacks, so my guess is Washington pulls the trigger on this one.

9. Cleveland Browns– RB Trent Richardson, Alabama-

The Browns desperately need an upgrade at running back, and with a pair of 1st round picks they can select the top guy here and still strengthen one of their many other needs. Richardson has the potential to be another Adrian Peterson, and has displayed advanced pass protection for a young back, meaning he should be good for every down.

10. Seattle Seahawks– QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma-

The Seahawks missed out on the top quarterbacks, but that doesn’t mean they are out of the QB market completely. Jones has slid down some draft boards, but he is still a talented quarterback prospect. He probably needs to sit a year or two, but afterwards he should be a good starter in this league.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs– ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State-

While they have a number of needs one that makes sense here is ILB. Derrick Johnson is a stud at one position, but the Chiefs could use an impact guy at the other spot. Burfict would be a huge addition here and really add a lot to that front 7.

12.  Philadelphia Eagles– DT Devon Still, Penn State-

The Eagles could go a couple of different directions, but grabbing the top DT off the board is a pretty safe call. Philly has to generate a better pass rush up the middle, and Still could be a major addition for their defense.

13. San Diego Chargers–CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama-

The Chargers could look for help at receiver or offensive line, but if they go best player available Kirkpatrick should be the pick here. He has true shutdown corner potential, and offers great size with really good speed.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– OLB Zach Brown, UNC-  

The Bucs have a variety of needs, but adding the top 4-3 OLB makes a lot of sense here. Tampa’s linebacking play has been pretty poor of late, making Brown a pretty solid need.

15. Buffalo Bills- Quinton Coples, UNC- 

The Bills have to land some more defensive help in this draft, and finding a pass rusher is a top priority. Coples is the top pass rusher on the board, but is a guy who I could see fall to the mid-round range given his inconsistency this season. He might not be a huge impact as a rookie, but he should be able to be a solid playmaker early on.

16. Tennessee Titans- LB Manti Te’o

The Titans have a major hole at middle linebacker and could fill it with Te’o at this spot. Defensive end or wide receiver could also be good options, but I’d look for them to add that stud linebacker with this pick.

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