2012 NFL Mock Draft (Willy): Round 1, 17-32, 3/16

Round 1, Picks 17-32, Round 2, Round 3,  Draft Blog, NFL Draft Page,Senior Bowl Coverage

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- SS Mark Barron, Alabama:

-The Bengals need to remake their secondary. With a weak safety market in free agency, Cincinnati’s best option is to take Barron here.

18. San Diego Chargers- OT Mike Adams, Ohio State:

The Chargers entire offensive line could basically use an upgrade. landing a tackle like Adams would be a coup for them.

19. Chicago Bears- DT Michael Brockers, LSU :

-The Bears could look at some defensive ends, or even a WR to pair with the newly acquired Brandon Marshall, but I just can’t see them passing up a falling talent like Brockers. Brockers has elite potential and is a blue chip prospect. For the Bears to get him this late is an absolute steal. He will help strengthen both the Bears run and pass defenses by generating a strong push up the middle.

20. Tennessee Titans- DE Nick Perry, USC:

The Titans need to find a major boost to their pass rush and could target Perry here in the first round. Tennesse could look at WR or CB as well, but defensive end appears to be their biggest need right now.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama:

-This would be a steal for the Bengals as CB is one of their biggest needs, and Jenkins is probably a top 15 talent on the field. While the off the field needs are a moderate concern Cincy has overlooked those in the past.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta)- RB Doug Martin, Boise State:

-This might be a little high for a running back, but Martin is a very good talent. He projects as a three down back, and could fill Cleveland’s rushing void. Adding Blackmon and Martin in this first round is a major weapons upgrade for Cleveland.

23. Detroit Lions- OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford:

The Lions have some serious offensive line questions plaguing them this offseason and Martin would answer one of them. Matt Stafford should be lobbing the Lions hard for this pick, and I can’t see them passing him up.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- ILB Don’ta Hightower, Alabama :

-The Steelers could look to move back here and stockpile picks, but they will highly consider adding a top inside linebacker to replace James Farrior.

25. Denver Broncos- DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State:

-The Broncos could look at some other areas, but I think grabbing one of the top DT’s would be key for them.

26. Houston Texans- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin:

The Texans could go receiver, but if they lose star center Chris Myers to free agency, they could grab Konz here. The Texans offensive line is their strength, and they can’t take a chance by letting it weaken too much.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans)- DE/OLB Andre Branch, Clemson:

-The Pats need to focus on defense here and adding a pass rusher is key. Both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson had big years for them, but both are free agents and both are older veterans. Adding some youth here is key, and a player like Branch who could fit either odd or even man fronts is a bonus.

28. Green Bay Packers: OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois:

The Packers have to come away from this draft with a pass rusher, and Mercilus is a nice fit here. He’d be a solid complement to Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens- DT Devon Still, Penn State:

The Ravens lost Cory Redding in free agency and they could use another force along that defensive line to pair up with Ngata. Baltimore has bigger needs at this point, but Still is too much of a value to pass up.

30. San Francisco 49ers- TE Coby Fleener, Stanford:

The 49ers need to add weapons to their offense, and Fleener is a nice value here. Having him and Davis in the same lineup could be really tough for opposing defensive coordinators to stop.

31. New England Patriots: DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State:

-The Pats interior line is a bit soft after Vince Wilfork, so adding a complementary piece is key.

32.  New York Giants- OLB Zach Brown, UNC:

-The Giants don’t have a pressing need at outside linebacker, but given their practice of taking top available players Brown makes sense here. He projects as a good 3 down linebacker and those aren’t the easiest to find.