2012 NFL Mock Draft (Willy): Round 1, 17-32, 3/30

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17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- DT Dontari Poe, Memphis:

-The Bengals could go in a couple of different directions here. While Poe isn’t a ‘need’ pick, teaming him up with Atkins might be too tempting for Cincy to pass up.

18. San Diego Chargers- CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina:

The Chargers could use a corner back upgrade. Gilmore is moving up draft boards and while he’s a bit raw, he does have elite potential.

19. Chicago Bears- SS Mark Barron, Alabama:

-The Bears could look at some defensive ends, or even a WR to pair with the newly acquired Brandon Marshall, but they also need help in their secondary and adding a safety like Barron could be huge.

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)- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame :

-The Browns should look to land a top WR to go with Greg Little. Floyd is a very talented receiver, with great size and physicality. Him and Little would give Cleveland the makings of a very good young receiving corps (that hopefully they will be adding a quarterback to throw to the pair later).

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- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin:

-The Broncos could look at some other areas, but I think grabbing a top center to protect Peyton Manning is a good move.

26. Houston Texans- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor:

The Texans could go rush linebacker, but if adding a WR complement to Andre Johnson has to be a priority. Wright is a nice fit next to Johnson, given that he is one of the top deep threats in this draft.

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 Fletcher Cox, Mississippi 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.