2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, 17-32, 4/23

Round 1, Picks 17-32, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7,

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17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame:

One of the Bengals top priorities this offseason is to add weapons for Andy Dalton. While A.J. Green was a good first step, the Bengals need to add more targets. Running back is a greater need, but I don’t see another one being worth a first round pick beyond Richardson. Floyd though does give Cincy a top notch offensive weapon, and one that should make Dalton’s life much easier.

18. San Diego Chargers- DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State:

The Chargers could go offensive line or corner back here, but they could use some help along their defensive line as well. Cox could be an interesting pass rusher going forward, and would be a nice boost to their defense.

19. Chicago Bears- OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

The Bears have addressed their WR need, and now they need to find a way to protect Jay Cutler. Adding Martin to last year’s 1st rounder Gabe Carimi is a great start. If Chicago can keep Cutler upright they have a real good shot of taking the division.

20. Tennessee Titans- DE Nick Perry, USC:

The Titans could use an upgrade at the defensive end position. The Titans ends struggled to get pressure on the quarterback and Nick Perry would be a major addition in this area.

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

The Bengals need to add a cornerback early in this draft, and Jenkins would be the smart pick here. The Bengals are also less likely to be concerned with some of his off the field issues.

22. Cleveland Browns- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor:

The Browns are expected to go offense here, and they are likely to add a complementary weapon for Greg Little. Wright is a nice pick-up here and can stretch the field for the Browns.

23. Detroit Lions- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin:

The Lions will need to address their offensive line in this draft, and could look at adding either a center or tackle. They really could go in either direction, but my guess is if Peter Konz is still on the board they will grab him. Konz should be an instant starter for the Lions and help strengthen Detroit’s line.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia:

The Steelers need to find some upgrades at a number of spots, with the offensive line being perhaps the most pressing need. Pittsburgh could look for help at either guard or tackle making Glenn a smart selection.

25. Denver Broncos- DT Dontari Poe, Memphis:

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 Poe comes in. He flashes the potential to be an absolute force in the middle, and if he puts it all together figures to be both a top level pass rusher and run stopper.

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26. Houston Texans- WR Rueben Randle, LSU:

The Texans should look to give Matt Schaub a welcome back gift with this draft pick. Randle would be a nice complement to Andre Johnson, and would move Kevin Walter to the slot (where he is a better fit). A Randle-Johnson combo could be extremely dangerous, and could be the final cog to their offense. Don’t be surprised if a move up for a tackle after the release of Eric Winston.

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

The Patriots need to find some major defensive upgrades in this draft. If Mark Barron is on the board they will probably grab him. Pairing him with 2009 2nd rounder Patrick Chung could give New England a very impressive safety pairing to build their defense around.

28. Green Bay Packers: OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois:

The Packers could look at a corner or 5-tech DE here, but I think they might reach a bit for a pass rusher. Mercilus is a slight 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- OT Mike Adams, Ohio State:

The Ravens could look to find a tackle here as Bryant McKinne doesn’t seem to be the long term answer at LT. Also Michael Oher’s struggles at RT could lead to the team looking to move him inside. It might not be the most pressing immediate need for Baltimore, but it is a smart pick here.

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. With the signing of Randy Moss I believe now more than ever that Fleener could be the pick here.

31.  New England Patriots: DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State:

The Pats go in a number of different ways here, but I think they look to address their defensive line with this pick. Pairing Worthy with Vince Wilfork inside will cause a number of issues for opposing offenses.

32. New York Giants: G Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State

The Giants could go a few different directions, but I think they could look to grab the top offensive lineman available. Their line has gotten pretty old, pretty fast and they should look to amend that. Silatolu has a lot of promise, and while his best position is probably guard, he could be an option at RT as well.