2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32, 11/28

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17. Denver Broncos- DT Brandon Thompson, Clemson-

The Broncos have the makings of a really great defense, but they need to add more help in their secondary and at defensive tackle. Thompson is the 2nd best defensive tackle on the board and gives Denver a quality interior presence.

18. New York Jets- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama-

The Jets could think about an offensive linemen here, but a pass rusher makes more sesne. Upshaw is a ‘do everything’ type of linebacker and I’m sure Rex Ryan will find plenty of creative ways to get him after the quarterback. Upshaw has the potential to be an elite pass rusher, which is the one thing the Jets have lacked for sometime there.

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

The Bears once promising season could collapse due to the injury to Jay Cutler. While it wasn’t the offensive line’s fault that he was injured, they are by far the weakest unit on the team. Fluker has left tackle talent and should be able to be given a look there as a rookie. With Fluker and last year’s first rounder, Gabe Carimi, the Bears will have the bookend tackles that have alluded them for years.

20. New York Giants- G David DeCastro, Stanford-

The Giants need to get younger and more talented along the interior of their offensive line, making DeCastro a perfect pick for them. He excels at run blocking and is a great fit for their offensive style.

21. Houston Texans- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame-

The Texans could look to go defense here or even offensive line, but I think the chance to add another top target could be too much to pass up. Floyd I think has move ahead of Jeffery among receivers in this class and would be a great complement to Andre Johnson. Adding him will make Schaub’s return much easier next year, and should help keep the passing game among the better units in the league.

22. Detroit Lions- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin-

The Lions need to go offensive line with this pick, and will likely look at either a LT prospect or a center. With Konz on the board, I could see the Lions grabbing him with this pick. He’s a good all-around blocker, who is advanced enough to start as a rookie. While his strength is run blocking, his addition will be a major boost to Matt Stafford‘s protection.

23. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta)- WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina-

I think it is pretty likely that Jeffery slides some in this draft. While he’s a very talented receiver he hasn’t taken over games the same way other top WR prospects have over the years. He’d be a good fit in Cleveland though where he can pair up with Greg Little to give the Browns a nice young pair of receivers.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska-

The Bengals should be thrilled if Dennard makes it this far in the draft and turn this pick in with about 9 minutes and 50 seconds to go on the clock. Dennard is a high upside corner, who long term could pair up with Leon Hall, to give the Bengals a pair of front line corners. Also given Hall’s recent injury, this pick makes even more sense, since they could be without him at the start of next season.

25. Dallas Cowboys- CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama-

The Cowboys could look at an interior lineman with this pick, but I think they look to strengthen that weakened secondary. Jenkins has a ton of talent and while some off the field issues forced him to leave Florida, I don’t see them being much of a hangup come draft day.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- RB Lamar Miller, Miami-

The Bengals could look to add some help along the offensive line, but the chance to add a big play running back like Miller could be too good to pass up. Miller would give them a nice weapon out of the backfield and is a long term feature back. While there are some other needs, this could be enough of a ‘want’ that it warrants picking.

27. Baltimore Ravens- ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College-

The Ravens have to begin to prepare for life after Ray Lewis, and with such a strong (albeit top heavy) ILB class Baltimore should be able to find their man. Kuechly is a tackling machine at Boston College and could learn beside Lewis for a couple of years before taking over as the heart and soul of that defense.

28. San Francisco 49ers- OG Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State-

The 49ers don’t have many weaknesses, but one of the main ones is at RG where Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal have combined to be among the worst RG units in the league. Osemele is a strong power guard, who also has experience at tackle and could possibly get a look along the right side. He would fill a huge need, and should be a day 1 starter.

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

The Patriots are likely to deal one of these picks, but if they keep them then Minnifield makes too much sense here for the Patriots to pass up. New England continues to have a major need in the secondary, and Minnifield’s father was a former star corner for Bill Belichick when he coached the Browns in the early 90’s.

30. New England Patriots- OLB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma-

Again, I wouldn’t bet on the Patriots actually making this selection, but if they do look for it to be on defense. New England’s pass rush could use a boost and Lewis has been moving up draft boards of late.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia-

The Steelers could go a number of different ways here, but adding a guard here wouldn’t hurt. While part of it is due to injuries, the Steelers offensive line remains one of their weaker units. Given their style of football they need to beef up that line to protect Big Ben, and give Mendenhall more room to work with on the ground.

32. Green Bay Packers- OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois-

The Packers continue to search for a rush linebacker complement to Clay Matthews, and should look to grab one early in the draft. If Whitney Mercilus is still on the board when they select, they should look no further. Mercilus has been garnering some Simeon Rice and Terrell Suggs comparisons and would be a nice addition to their defense.

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