2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, 17-32, 2/28

NFL Draft

Round 1Picks 17-32Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Draft BlogNFL Draft Page,Senior Bowl CoverageNFL Combine Coverage

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- RB Trent Richardson, Alabama:

Bengals can immediately upgrade their rushing attack with Trent Richardson.

One of the Bengals top priorities this offseason is strengthening their rushing attack. Adding the best RB in this draft would be a surefire way to do this. Richardson should be a stud, but falls some due to lack of need or undervaluing of the position by other teams. The Bengals would gladly make this pick, as a top running back could be the key for this offense.

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

The Chargers offensive line was in shambles last year and needs to be San Diego’s top focus this offseason. Adams is moving up draft boards after his strong Senior Bowl performance, but still could be on the board here. He would be an instant starter for them at one of the tackle positions and exactly the type of pick they need.

19. Chicago Bears- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

The Bears have lacked a big play receiver for quite some time (ever is a possible answer here). While the team could be rumored to trade up for Justin Blackmon, staying put could land them a good receiver as well. Wright has game breaking speed and excellent hands. Some teams might shy away, given his lack of size, but he’s an excellent down field threat.

20. Tennessee Titans- DE Courtney Upshaw, Alabama:

The Titans could use an edge rusher despite spending a first rounder on the spot two years ago. Upshaw should help fix their needs on the edge.

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

The Bengals got their running back, and now they can fill their 2nd biggest need at CB. Jenkins will slide down some draft boards due to his off the field incidents, though Cincy shouldn’t be one of those teams. Jenkins should be able to start early on and give the Bengals a pretty nice CB pairing.

22. St. Louis Rams (via Cleveland)- OT Cordy Glenn, Georgia

The Rams have to find some major protection for Sam Bradford in these early picks. Glenn i feel has proven that he can play outside at tackle. He’s not as strong as a LT, but he could be good enough there.

23. Detroit Lions- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin:

The Lions will need to address their offensive line in this draft, while tackle is their primary need, center is as important as well. Konz is a plug and play guy who should be able to start from day one.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- NT Dontari Poe, Memphis:

The Steelers need to find some upgrades at a number of spots including NT. After Poe’s fantastic combine they might not even be able to get him here, but if he is on the board that is probably their pick.

25. Denver Broncos- DT Devon Still, Penn State:

Still would add to an already improved Broncos defense.

The Broncos still need help along both of their lines, with defensive tackle being a more primary need. The Broncos tackles played solid this year, but they could use that singular dominant presence in the middle. That is where Still comes in. Still flashes the potential to be an absolute force in the middle, and figures to be both a top level pass rusher and run stopper.

26. Houston Texans- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame:

The Texans should look to give Matt Schaub a welcome back gift with this draft pick. Sanu would be a nice complement to Andre Johnson, and would move Kevin Walter to the slot (where he is a better fit). A Sanu-Johnson combo could be extremely dangerous, and could be the final cog to their offense. While Floyd’s impressive Combine could move him up, there is so much natural talent in this class he could still be on the board here.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans)- S Mark Barron, Alabama:

The Patriots need to find some upgrades to their defensive backfield. A unit that was so thin that WR’s had to step in to help during the season. The Patriots defense was at it’s best when Rodney Harrison was patrolling back there, and Barron could be that guy that they are looking for.

28. Green Bay Packers: DE Andre Branch, Clemson:

The Packers could look at a corner or 5-tech DE here, but I think they might reach a bit for a pass rusher. Branch is a bit of a reach, but he fills the Packers biggest need. He’s an accomplished pass rusher, who takes good pursuit angles. Teaming him up with Matthews would be a major boost for this defense. Given this being a bit of a reach, don’t be surprised if the Packers look to move up for one of the bigger name pass rushers.

29. Baltimore Ravens- OLB Mercilus Whitney, Illinois

The Ravens could lose their rush linebacker opposite Terrell Suggs this offseason, so they will need to be on the lookout for an edge rusher come April. .

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

The 49ers don’t have a lot of weaknesses, but they could look to bring in a former Stanford player of Coach Harbaugh. While TE isn’t a huge, the 49ers could look to create some mismatches with this pick.

31.  New England Patriots: DT Fletcher Cox, Miss. State:

The Pats go in a number of different ways here, but they usually stick with the best player on the board, and here that would be Cox. I know the Pats have already spent one first rounder on the defensive side of the ball, but it is such a need that they could spend both.

32. New York Giants: TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson

The Giants could have some serious TE issues next year as their top two guys, both got injured (very seriously I might add) in the Super Bowl and might not be ready by the start of the season. Allen will be battling Coby Flenner for the top TE spot come April. Allen is probably slightly ahead at this point, but it is close, and if Fleener didn’t have an advantage in San Francisco, he’d probably be first. He’d be a definite pass catching upgrade and should be a nice fit on their offense.

Round 1Picks 17-32Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Draft BlogNFL Draft Page,Senior Bowl CoverageNFL Combine Coverage


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