2012 NFL Mock Draft

The day is upon us! Tonight we will find out the future faces of franchises across the NFL and hope that our teams find the key elements necessary to make a run at the Super Bowl. This draft has many intriguing features as we know the first two picks already, but it seems we know absolutely nothing after. Below is my first mock draft, breaking down my prediction of what may happen this evening. I would like to make note that I have not included any predicted trades and have simply made my decisions off the draft order heading into draft day. I encourage you all to comment and give me your opinions about the draft and anything that you may have in response to my mock draft. I look forward to a great night, and hopefully it is as eventful as it appears it will be.

Helmer's Quick Hits: 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1		QB	Andrew Luck	Stanford University
Any explanation necessary? With Peyton Manning gone to the Broncos, the Indianapolis Colts are set to hand the keys to their franchise to a new signal caller for the first time since Manning was drafted in 1998. Luck is a player that will provide a nice franchise player for Indianapolis, and a very talented one at that. Potential Alternates: NONE
2		QB	Robert Griffin III	Baylor University
There hasn't been a single player who has made greater strides this year than RG3. There was never any question that Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, would be the second player drafted, and the Redskins made an aggressive trade offer for the right to draft his services. Griffin has a limitless amount of potential and even with the adjustment from his college shotgun offense, he offers a tremendous talent. The Redskins never had any question about who they wanted in the 2012 NFL Draft. Potential Alternates: NONE
3		OT	Matt Kalil	University of Southern Cal.
Amidst the many rumors about the Vikings working a trade to get out of this pick and their equal interest in Kalil and Morris Claiborne (CB – LSU), ultimately I feel this is where they go and protect second year quarterback Christian Ponder. With a need at both corner and tackle, I believe they decide to take the best tackle in the draft now and address the wide receiver need in the second round. The wide receiver class is very deep this year and the tackle class simply is not. Look for a trade possibility here, but if Minnesota can’t trade the pick, they will go with Kalil. Potential Alternates: Morris Claiborne (CB - LSU)
4		RB	Trent Richardson	University of Alabama
The Cleveland Browns have one need that must be addressed with this pick; a playmaker. The Browns need a player to supplement Colt McCoy and the skill to get into the end zone frequently, hence Trent Richardson. This pick could very easily go to Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State), but I think at the end of the day the Browns realize the rare talent that Richardson has to become a top five back in the league. The tailback has been regarded as the best back since Adrian Peterson and the Browns cannot afford to let him slip away or draft defensively again. My motto for this pick is, “No Quarterback, No Defense, We Want Touchdowns”. Cheers Cleveland. Potential Alternates: Justin Blackmon (WR- Oklahoma State), Morris Claiborne (CB – LSU)
5		CB	Morris Claiborne	Louisiana State University
The Buccaneers get lucky here as they address a serious need with an aging Ronde Barber and frequent criminal Aqib Talib as there only options at corner for the 2012 season. There really isn’t another player as an option here and the Buccaneers are happy to have Claiborne. Although he scored embarrassingly low on the Wonderlic, his skills cannot be denied and he is by far the best man coverage corner in this draft. The Buccaneers have been mentioned as trade partners with the Vikings, but I think they hold out from making a deal and still get Claiborne at five. Potential Alternates: Justin Blackmon (WR – OSU)
6		WR	Justin Blackmon	Oklahoma State University
St. Louis cashed in big time when they received three first round picks and a second rounder from the Redskins when they swapped picks in March. The Rams acquired the picks that are sure to help new head coach Jeff Fisher rebuild the franchise and give third year quarterback Sam Bradford all the support he needs. Even after moving from the second pick, the Rams get a player in Justin Blackmon that will make an impact on day one and improve the abysmal offense from a year ago. Although Blackmon is not regarded nearly as highly as AJ Green and Julio Jones were last year, he is a very solid receiver that gives the Rams a weapon besides Stephen Jackson.    Potential Alternates: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame), Fletcher Cox (DT – Mississippi State)
7		CB	Stephon Gilmore	University of South Carolina
The Jaguars are in a unique situation here as many only see six players in the top tier of this draft, all of which are now gone. Jacksonville has a large need at wide receiver and corner, and even with Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) still available here, my pick is Gilmore. Many have the Jags slotted to take a pass rusher, but I don’t see that as a valuable pick for them. There have been rumors that the Jaguars are very interested in the South Carolina product and although this may be a surprise pick for many people, it is the pick that will immediately impact a porous pass defense. Potential Alternates: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame), Melvin Ingram (DE-South Carolina)
8		QB	Ryan Tannehill	Texas A&M
This could be the pick that changes draft day drastically. The natural fit is here for Tannehill to land in Miami, but many do not value him as a top ten pick. Tannehill has a connection with the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, his former coach at Texas A&M, and it has been rumored that the Dolphins’ owner wants Tannehill. This could be very tricky, but I think the Dolphins pull the trigger and have Tannehill learn for one year behind Matt Moore, transitioning him to the NFL game. Potential Alternates: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame), Melvin Ingram (DE-South Carolina)
9		DT	Fletcher Cox	Mississippi State University
There is no question that the Panthers need to address their defense in the draft after ranking 29th in the league in overall defense in 2011. I think they grab the best front seven player here in Fletcher Cox. Cox is an immediate upgrade and will help free up linebackers on a defense that ranked 25th in the league against the run. They could go with Luke Kuechly (Boston College) here to upgrade the front seven, but I think that Cox’s ability to dominate in the trenches grabs the Panthers’ attention. Potential Alternates: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame), Luke Kuechly (ILB- Boston College)
10		OT	Riley Reiff	University of Iowa
This was one of the toughest picks to break down as two great players at need positions are available. At the end of the day, I think the Bills will take Reiff to help protect the $59 million investment they made in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last season. Michael Floyd is very intriguing here though as the Bills need another threat at the receiver position, but in order to throw the ball you must have solid pass protection. Potential Alternates: Michael Floyd (WR-Notre Dame)
11		ILB	Luke Kuechly	Boston College
This would be a dream scenario for the Chiefs as it leaves what would seem to be the top two players on their board still available. There is a strong need for a guard on offense, but I think the Kansas City chooses to solidify one of the best front seven in the NFL by making it better. I just feel they decide that the guard position does not warrant a pick this high and find a gem in Kuechly for many years to come. Potential Alternates: David DeCastro (G - Stanford), Mark Barron (S – Alabama)
12		DE	Melvin Ingram	University of South Carolina
Simply, the Seahawks need a pass rusher, and they get the best one in the draft here with Ingram. With a relentless motor and a unique blend of size and speed, Seattle and head coach Peter Carroll would be giddy to get Ingram (a top ten talent) at twelve. Potential Alternates: Quinton Coples (DE - North Carolina), Michael Floyd (WR – Notre Dame)
13		WR	Michael Floyd	University of Notre Dame
The Arizona Cardinals finally end Michael Floyd’s long wait here and appease their superstar Larry Fitzgerald, who has been calling to draft Floyd. Although they really should be addressing the need at offensive line, or finding a pass rusher, I think the Cardinals’ front office trust Fitzgerald and give quarterback Kevin Kolb a new weapon on offense. This pick probably isn’t very smart, but definitely brings a great talent to a team that underperformed last season. Potential Alternates: David DeCastro (G – Stanford), Quinton Coples (DE – North Carolina)
14		S	Mark Barron	University of Alabama
The Cowboys secondary has been awful for the last couple years and they finally get a chance to find a safety to replace the hole left by Roy Williams’ departure after the 2008 season. Barron is known as an imposing defender and pushes to be the best player possible. This is a great fit for the Cowboys. Potential Alternates: Michael Brockers (DT - LSU), David DeCastro (G – Stanford)
15		DT	Michael Brockers	Louisiana State University
Philadelphia has been reported to be very interested in Fletcher Cox as the future at defensive tackle, but since he is gone they take the next best with Brockers. Although Brockers is ranked lower than Cox, he plays the run stronger than anyone in the draft and they can never be a bad thing for a team that gave up 4.5 yards per carry in 2011. Potential Alternates: Dontari Poe (DT- Memphis), Quinton Coples (DE – UNC)
16		OLB	Courtney Upshaw	University of Alabama
The “Guarantee a Title Every Year” Jets and Rex Ryan must find a pass rusher for an aging and slow defense, especially from the linebacker position. Upshaw recorded 9.5 sacks in 2011 at Alabama and loves to get after the quarterback. I believe Upshaw is a great fit for the Jets and Rex Ryan’s philosophy of getting after the quarterback and dominating up front. Potential Alternates: Dontari Poe (DT - Memphis), Nick Perry (OLB – USC)
17		CB	Dre Kirkpatrick	University of Alabama
The Cincinnati Bengals come into the draft with a glaring hole in the secondary. Even with an elite corner in Leon Hall, the other side is manned by 32 year old Nate Clements who will be a free agent after 2012 and must be replaced. Fans want the team to draft DeCastro (Stanford) at this spot, but Marvin Lewis was quoted saying “we have neglected the defense” earlier this week. Potential Alternates: David DeCastro (G - Stanford)
18		G/T	Cordy Glenn	University of Georgia
San Diego is in need of offensive lineman to replace the cut Marcus McNeill and retired Kris Dielman. A natural fit that can play both positions can be found here in Cordy Glenn. Glenn is a very versatile player with a lot of size who played left tackle at Georgia in 2011 and could be great at both guard positions and at right tackle well into the future. Potential Alternates: David Decastro (G-Stanford), Johnathon Martin (T- Stanford)
19		DE	Quinton Coples	University of North Carolina
This is just a gut feeling prediction as this pick does not meet a need and there are players left that do, but the Bears love to rush the passer. The Bears were in hot pursuit of new Bills’ defensive end Mario Williams in free agency and have continued to look for another rusher to compliment Julius Peppers. Coples loves to rush the passer and is definitely a steal at nineteen (could go top ten). Potential Alternates: Chandler Jones (DE- Syracuse), Stephen Hill (WR- Georgia Tech)
20		DE/CB	Whitney Mercilus	University of Illinois
With all of the true first round cornerbacks off the board, the Titans address a need at defensive end to help a defense who had an AFC worst 28 sacks in 2011. Mercilus provides an elite edge rusher who recorded 16 sacks in his 2011 campaign at Illinois. Although Tennessee doesn’t find a way to replace the departure of Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis, they do find a way to help the corners on the team currently by adding a pass rusher. Potential Alternates: Stephen Hill (WR- Georgia Tech), David DeCastro (G – Stanford)
21		G	David DeCastro	Stanford University
Bengals executives and fans will be jumping for joy if this actually plays out. Having to pass on DeCastro with the seventeenth pick in favor of a defensive back, they still get the guard to fill another huge need. DeCastro has been projected as high as the eleventh pick in the draft and as low as twenty-three. It’s hard to place a value on guards, but I think the Bengals would be hard pressed to pass on DeCastro in this spot. Potential Alternates: Stephen Hill (WR- Georgia Tech), Kendall Wright (WR- Baylor)
22		WR	Kendall Wright	Baylor University
Another very interesting pick to watch as the Browns find themselves with the opportunity to draft another playmaker, a quarterback, or a solid offensive tackle. My best guess is that Mike Holmgren decides to hold out on going after Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State) with this pick, hoping he falls to them with the fourth pick in the second round. Wright gives the Browns another touchdown threat and could complete the offensive overhaul at the skill positions that fans have been calling for since their last playoff appearance in 2002. Potential Alternates: Johnathon Martin (OT- Stanford), Brandon Weeden (QB- Oklahoma State)
23		OT	Johnathon Martin	Stanford University
The Detroit Lions will be utilizing this pick to secure the future protection of quarterback Matthew Stafford. The offensive line is pretty solid and could return all of the starters from the 2011 season, but left tackle Jeff Backus is thirty-four and will need to be replaced. With multiple years protecting Andrew Luck’s blindside, Martin can provide the same service to the Lions’ franchise and is a great value after slipping this far. Potential Alternates: Mike Adams (OT- Ohio State), Nick Perry (DE/OLB – USC)
24		ILB	Dont’a Hightower	University of Alabama
Even with holding the twenty fourth selection in the draft, the Steelers get exactly what they need from a first round pick. Hightower is a beast and a leader as he served as Alabama’s captain in 2011. The Steelers have parted ways with James Farrior, their previous leader in the middle, and Hightower provides an immediate replacement that will bring fire to the Pittsburgh defense. Potential Alternates: Dontari Poe (DT- Memphis), Kevin Zeitler (G- Wisconsin)
25		DT	Dontari Poe	University of Memphis
This may be the largest fall that we see on draft day as Poe was once regarded as a lock in the top ten after his freak combine workout (4.98 40 yard dash at 350 pounds). The Broncos have been in pursuit of defensive tackles all off-season and have yet to land a big name. Although he dropped, Poe presents a physical and athletic presence in the middle that will be hard to handle for NFL guards. Potential Alternates: Jerel Worthy (DT- Michigan State), Devon Still (DT- Penn State)
26		WR	Stephen Hill	Georgia Tech University
Kendall Wright is off the board and the Texans have a void to fill at the wide receiver position. Two names of note are Reuben Randle (LSU) and who I believe they will take, Stephen Hill. Hill is a receiver that brings all the physical attributes that a team looks for in a premium wide receiver, but is very raw coming from the triple option offense at Georgia Tech. With the proper development, and the guidance of Andre Johnson, Hill will provide a great number two wide receiver and potentially a number one down the road. Potential Alternates: Coby Fleener (TE- Stanford), Reuben Randle (LSU)
27		OLB	Shea McClellin	Boise State University
Shea McClellin is the epitome of a Patriot. From the linebackers like Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrable, Bill Belichick finds his guy in McClellin. Many see McClellin as a second round prospect, but I don’t think Belichick will let another team grab McClellin. He is a hybrid 3-4 outside linebacker that can play standing up, or with his hand in the dirt, a trademark of New England’s front seven. Potential Alternates: Devon Still (DT – Penn State), Nick Perry (DE/LB – USC)
28		OLB	Nick Perry	University of Southern Cal.
With McClellin off the board, a guy that may have been the perfect fit opposite of Clay Matthews, Nick Perry provides an explosive pass rusher from the outside linebacker position. I think the Packers wanted a strong run stopper like McClellin to compliment Matthews’ pass rushing ability, but Perry has the skills to become both an impressive pass rusher and run stopper. Potential Alternates: Devon Still (DT – Penn State),
29		C	Peter Konz	University of Wisconsin
The Ravens will be working on draft day to get ahead of the Steelers and grab Ray Lewis’ protégé in Dont’a Hightower, but if they don’t, Konz is a great choice. Matt Birk needs to be replaced due to age in the next few years and Konz has the flexibility to play both center and guard. After losing Ben Grubbs in free agency, the Ravens can have Konz play guard for a couple years and then make the transition to center when Birk calls it quits. Potential Alternates: Chandler Jones (DE/OL– Syracuse)
30		TE	Coby Fleener	Stanford University
A very intriguing pick with a need at guard and corner, but Fleener provides a great weapon to improve the weak San Francisco passing offense. Even with Vernon Davis on the 49ers’ roster, Fleener fits John Harbaugh’s two tight end sets and look what the Patriots have been able to do with two elite tight ends. The familiarity created from Harbaugh being Fleener’s coach at Stanford drives this pick and brings a great player to San Francisco. Potential Alternates: Kevin Zeitler (G – Wisconsin), Amini Silatolu (G – Midwestern State)
31		FS	Harrison Smith	Notre Dame
Once again another guy that fits the philosophy of Bill Belichick. Smith is a very smart and athletic safety who thrives in zone coverage schemes, another Patriot trademark. A four year starter at Notre Dame and captain as a senior, Smith provides a very solid player that can come in a make a difference on day one with the Patriots. Potential Alternates: Kevin Zeitler (G – Wisconsin), Devon Still (DT – Penn State)
32		RB	Doug Martin	Boise State University
New York executives are frustrated that Fleener gets taken by San Francisco, but still finds a great fit with Martin. With the loss of Brandon Jacobs (also to San Francisco), the Giants need a player to supplement the smaller Ahmad Bradshaw who is coming off a fractured foot injury. Martin has a solid foundation in his legs and although he isn’t lightning quick or overly powerful, he is great in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. I think the Giants will draft the best player available on their board and that guy is Doug Martin. Potential Alternates: Mike Adams (OT- Ohio State), Devon Still (DT – Penn State) Follow Me on Twitter: @Jhelmer518