2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 10/31

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1. Miami Dolphins– QB Andrew Luck, Stanford-

The Dolphins weren’t exactly on fire this season before Chad Henne went down, so now their season looks even more grim. The only positive is they get to land the ‘next great quarterback’ in Andrew Luck. Given their need and pursuit of a signal caller of late, this is the easiest selection they will ever make.

2. Indianapolis Colts– QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma–

Curtis Painter has been adequate (prior to the Saints game), but they are still losing games. The Colts need to highly consider drafting Manning’s replacement here, and I think if any of the top three guys are still on the board here, Indy goes with the QB. This is probably the best fit for Jones, as he gets to learn under Peyton Manning, and he goes to one of the few offenses that is pass heavy with a lot of shotgun and spread formations. Jones should me more comfortable in those sets, quickening the time it takes for him to become a viable starter.

3. Denver Broncos- WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina-

Brandon Lloyd is now a Ram, and Eddie Royal is likely to follow him out the door this offseason.While Denver has some other interesting young receivers, they could use a weapon like Jeffery for Tebow to grow with (hopefully). Jeffery is arguably the best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson, and should be a major weapon for the Broncos.

4. 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.

5. Seattle Seahawks- QB Matt Barkley, USC–

Pete Carroll wasn’t able to trade for his first QB at USC, Carson Palmer, this offseason, but that should allow him to draft his last, Matt Barkley. Carroll only had one year with Barkley, but he did recruit him so he knows his strengths and weaknesses. Barkley gives Seattle their QB of the future and if he develops a very bright future. I think he is more of a risk than some, but if anyone can get him to succeed it should be Carroll.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars– WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.- 

The Jaguars receivers have been pathetic this year, and they desperately need to add some weapons for Blaine Gabbert, for him to have any chance of being successful. Blackmon is a huge target and looks to be a number one receiver going forward. I think he’s more advanced than Dez Bryant was at this point two years ago, and he’d be an excellent pick for Jacksonville.

7. Arizona Cardinals-OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford–

The Cardinals have a number of issues, but they need to make fixing their offensive line a priority, or Kevin Kolb will be doomed to fail. Kolb is among the most pressured and sacked quarterbacks in this league, and it gives their offense zero chance to succeed. Martin would be an instant upgrade for the Cards offensive line and a day one starter for them. He’s strong in both the run and passing games and gives them the first piece in rebuilding that line.

8. Minnesota Vikings-  OT Reilly Reiff, Iowa –

Now that the Vikings have gone to Christian Ponder they need to prioritize getting a new left tackle to protect him. While Minnesota is solid to good at 3/5 of their line spots they are down right bad at LT and RG. Finding a guy who can fix either one of those needs helps Ponder and Adrian Peterson be that much more effective going forward. Reiff isn’t as good as Kalil or Martin, but he’s worth this selection (they could also look to trade down), based on need. He might not be perfect as a rookie, but he has a good upside and will be a nice upgrade regardless.

9. Washington Redskins- QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor- 

I’ve long resisted putting a quarterback at this spot for the Redskins, but if they have a shot at Robert Griffin, I think they might take it. While this might be slightly high for him, Griffin’s upside is ridiculous. He is an incredibly smart, cerebral quarterback, with incredible accuracy, and an extremely strong arm. On top of all of that, he is a track star (literally, and if he doesn’t come out this year he plans on trying out for the Olympic track team), and could be as dangerous as Michael Vick running the ball. Now trading back could also be an option as the Redskins have numerous needs, but if Griffin is on the board and he continues to trend upwards he’d be a nice pick here for Washington.

10. Cleveland Browns- OLB Zach Brown, UNC-

It is odd to draft a non-pass rushing OLB in the top 15, but not unprecedented. Brown is a guy who deserves to be drafted this high, and the Browns are a team with zero talent in their outside linebacking corps. This seems like a great fit and can help make the Browns defense become a force in the AFC North.

11. Carolina Panthers- DT Brandon Thompson, Clemson

The Panthers are a team on the rise, but they still have some major needs going forward. One of their biggest needs is getting more talent in the middle of that defensive line. Thompson is quickly separating himself among defensive tackles, and has shown the talent that makes him a potential top 10 pick. He would be a huge upgrade in the middle of the Panthers defense and make their pass rush that much more effective.

12.  Kansas City Chiefs– DE Quinton Coples, UNC-

The Chiefs could use a pass rusher, and Coples is an absolute steal at this spot. He is probably a top 5 player in this class, but given team’s needs or their preference for QB’s and WR’s he could fall. He’d be a huge addition for the Chiefs and could team up with Hali to give them a great pass rush. Coples gets a knock in the consistency department, but overall I think it is overblown.

13. Tennessee Titans-ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State-  

The Titans need to find a new middle linebacker. Barrett Rudd was signed this offseason and has been just a disaster for Tennessee. Burfict would be a huge upgrade and help improve a solid defense. Burfict has elite upside and could be the next Ray Lewis is he stays focused. He should be a tackling machine in this defense and give them that star to really bring them all together.

14. Chicago Bears- CB Morris Claiborne, LSU-  

The Bears could (and probably should) go for an offensive lineman here, but they also have a serious need at cornerback as well. Right now Chicago has been torched by just about every quarterback they’ve faced this season, and that is a big problem when you have four games against the Packers and Lions every year. Claiborne is arguably as good as Patrick Peterson last year and he was a top 5 selection.

15. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta)– RB Trent Richardson, Alabama-

The Falcons are reeling right now, which isn’t good considering they have already given up their 1st and 4th rounders to the Browns. The Browns could go a number of ways here, but Richardson might be too good to pass up. The Browns look to be in the middle of a bad contract battle with Peyton Hillis, which means they are likely in the market for a running back. Richardson has established himself as the best of the bunch and a smart pick here for Cleveland.

16. Dallas Cowboys- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

The Cowboys could use an upgrade and corner and get excellent value here with Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick is a big time player, and has the potential to be a shutdown corner. He should instantly upgrade the Cowboys secondary, and could be the best playmaker they have had since Deion Sanders.

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