2012 NFL Mock Draft (Willy): Round 1, Picks 1-16, 3/9

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

1. Indianapolis Colts– QB Andrew Luck, Stanford:        

-The Colts finally have their head coach, so now we know who will be popping the champagne for landing Andrew Luck come April. This pick will be one of the easiest in NFL Draft history.

Trade: Cleveland Trades 4, 22, and 3rd round picks in 2012 and a 2nd in 2013 to the Rams

2. Cleveland Browns– QB Robert Griffin, Baylor:

-The Browns need to add a quarterback this year, and while they could go for Matt Flynn, I think they will be heavily involved in the RGIII market. Griffin gives them the young signal caller they’ve been looking for. There is no doubt this is a risk, but with having extra picks the Browns can be more daring.

3. Minnesota Vikings-  OT Matt Kalil:

-This is a no brainer pick for the Vikings. LT is their biggest weakness and Matt Kalil is the top LT prospect in years. Kalil is a top 3 talent easily and a tremendous pick here. While WR and CB are needs, the draft is filled with both positions so they can address it later.

4. St. Louis Rams (via Cleveland) – OT Riley Reiff, Iowa:     

-.The Rams are passing up Matt Kalil, but the extra draft picks make it worth their while. While Riley Reiff isn’t Kalil, he’s a very talented player in his own right. He should be capable of bookending with Roger Saffold to give the Rams and Bradford some protection.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– CB Morris Claiborne, LSU:

-The Buccaneers need to add some defensive back help, and landing Claiborne would be a huge boost to this team. He’s the top corner in the draft, and when you face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton a total of six times a year, it is impossible to have too many corners.

6. Washington Redskins- OG David DeCastro, Stanford:

-I’m sure Redskins fans will hate the idea of taking a guard this high, but really they should be thrilled. DeCastro based solely on talent alone is a top 5 player. While guards don’t get the same consideration as other positions, they do have a pretty important role. DeCastro is probably the best guard prospect in the past 10 years and would be an excellent fit for the Skins.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars– WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State:     

-The Jags need to land a receiver early in this draft, and Blackmon is the top guy on the board. He’s a big play receiver, with excellent hands and should help stretch the field for Jacksonville.

8. Miami Dolphins- QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M:

-The Dolphins could go a number of ways, but if they miss out on Matt Flynn/Peyton Manning, Ryan Tannehill is a good fall back option for them. OC Mike Sherman was his head coach in college, and he’s pretty familiar with the Dolphins style of offense. He’s a bit of a project, and might need a year to develop, but that isn’t a bad thing since they have Matt Moore.

9. Carolina Panthers– DT Michael Brockers, LSU:

-The Panthers are likely to choose between one of the top DT’s and CB’s. While both are needs, a potential stud DT like Brockers could be too much to pass up. Brockers should help solidify the middle of that Panthers defense that really let them down last year.

10. Buffalo Bills- : WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame       

-The Bills inked Stevie Johnson long term, but they need a legitimate secondary threat. Adding Floyd would give them a big target that could work the middle. He could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Bills offense, and really make them a threat.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs– MLB Luke Kuechly, Boston College:

-The Chiefs probably have more needs on the offensive side of the ball, but don’t be surprised if they take Kuechly. It’s a need, and an excellent steal as he is easily a top 10 player in this draft.

12.  Seattle Seahawks– DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina:

-The Seahawks need to prioritize adding a pass rusher this year, and Ingram is a steal here.

13. Arizona Cardinals-OT Cordy Glenn, Georgia:

The Cards need to beg, borrow and steal to ensure they land an offensive lineman (particularly a tackle) with this pick. Their line is in woeful shape and if they ever want to figure out if Kevin Kolb is the answer they should probably keep him on his feet.

14. Dallas Cowboys- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama:

-The Cowboys secondary has completely let them down the past few years, and needs a serious overhaul. Kirkpatrick would be the first piece of that rebuild, and he’s just the type of high upside corner you want to build around.

15. Philadelphia Eagles- DT Dontari Poe, Memphis:

-This isn’t the Eagles biggest need, but it might be too much value for them to pass up. Poe has immense potential, and adding him to the middle with Patterson and Jenkins could be very devastating to opposing offenses.

16. New York Jets- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama:

-The Jets need a star pass rusher to make this defense complete. Given how important defense is to their success, I don’t know if it makes sense to use this pick on a luxury. Upshaw would be a great fit here coming off the edge and getting penetration.