Richie’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft

2012 NFL Mock Draft by Richie

 

1. Indianapolis Colt – QB Andrew Luck – Stanford

With Peyton Manning out, it is clear the Colts are ready to move forward with a new QB. Griffin is no doubt a top QB prospect and more electrifying than Luck, but I don’t see how you pass up Luck. Even if he doesn’t live up to the ridiculous hype surrounding him, he should still be a very solid QB in the NFL.

 

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) – QB Robert Griffin III – Baylor

Well, I was right in my previous mock draft in predicting the Redskins would trade up to draft Griffin, I was just one draft slot off. By officially trading up to the 2^nd spot here, they have determined RG3 is worth all the picks they gave up for him and can be a franchise QB for years to come.

 

3. Minnesota Vikings – OT Matt Kalil – USC

Minnesota believes that Christian Ponder is their quarterback, and they know in order to provide him with the best opportunity to succeed, he needs a good offensive line. Kalil is by far the best offensive lineman in this draft, and could even be one of the best to come out in the last few years.

 

4. Cleveland Browns – RB Trent Richardson – Alabama

They missed out on Griffin, so now they’ll have to turn elsewhere to find offensive help. Peyton Hillis is gone to the Kansas City, so a new running back would help the offense tremendously, especially a guy like Richardson. Richardson is a complete all-around back and would be a great value and positional pick here.

 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Morris Claiborne – LSU

They could use an offensive tackle, but after a very disappointing season, I think they need to start by improving on the 30^th ranked defense. They have the offensive pieces in place, so why not improve the defense with the best corner in the draft. Even with the signing of corner Eric Wright, they could still use another corner to play on the other side of him.

 

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) – WR Justin Blackmon – Oklahoma State

By trading down, the Rams now have more picks and should be able to improve their team even more than if they stayed at number 2. Here, a wide receiver would make sense as they lost Lloyd to free agency, and Blackmon is just a beast for a WR.

 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Quinton Coples – North Carolina

Offense was the primary concern for Jacksonville heading into the draft, but signing WR Laurent Robinson takes reaching for a WR off the board here. Trading down is definitely a possibility, as they could get a WR later in the first round if they want. For now, I have them  improving their pass rush with Coples.

 

8. Miami Dolphins – OT Riley Reiff – Iowa

QB Ryan Tannehill is in play here for Miami, but I believe they will end up signing Matt Flynn in free agency. If that is the case, a tackle would be the right pick here to sure up the O-line.

 

 Picks 9-16 >>>

>>>Sports Guide 2012 Mock Draft <<<