2012 NFL Mock Draft (1-10)

Andrew Luck is set to be the #1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With the 2012 NFL Draft right around the corner, I decided it was time to make one of my own. I have no idea who will be picked after the Colts and Redskins are off the clock, but here is who I think fits best:


Pick #1: Indianapolis Colts Select Stanford QB Andrew Luck
This pick should come as no surprise to anyone. The Colts dumped the face of their franchise, Peyton Manning, in hopes of Andrew Luck becoming their savior now. The former Stanford Quarterback has all the tools to be just as good as Manning was in Indy.


Pick #2: Washington Redskins Select Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
The Redskins almost sacrificed as much as the Colts to move into the second pick. Originally held by the St. Louis Rams, the Redskins traded 3 first round picks and a second round pick to move up from #6 to #2 to select RG3. Griffin III is, in my opinion, and even more talented athlete than Luck is. The 2011 Heisman Winner has drawn comparisons to last year's #1 pick Cam Newton. However, I consider RG3 as Michael Vick 2.0. Griffin has the smarts, the speed, and most importantly, an arm Mike Vick could only dream of. Ten years down the road, the Redskins may be able to say RG3 was better than Luck.


Pick #3: Minnesota Vikings Select USC OT Matt Kalil
Last season, rookie QB Christian Ponder was thrown thrown right into the middle of the battlefield, and basically left to die. The Vikings O-Line gave up 49 sacks last season, good enough for 5th worst in the league. Matt Kalil is the best non quarterback on the board, and if Minnesota wants Christian Ponder to even make it out alive this year, they will draft Kalil.


Pick #4: Cleveland Browns Select Alabama RB Trent Richardson
Although the Cleveland Browns have been rumored to be interested in selecting A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, the would be silly to pass up on a talent like Trent Richardson. With Peyton Hillis signing in Kansas City, the starting RB job has been vacated. Enter Trent Richardson, who only stands at 5-9, but weighs 228 pounds. He was a bruiser his entire collegiate career at Alabama, and ran a 4.45 40 time. Oh, and he can bench 475 lbs. There is no doubt among anyone that Richardson won't become a bonafide star.


Pick #5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select LSU CB Morris Claiborne
As much as Bucs fans do not want to believe, Ronde Barber's career is wrapping up. It has been reported that Barber had been taking reps during OTAs as a Safety, which opens the door for Claiborne at Cornerback. The former receiver is a ball hawk, and has the chance to return anything he gets in his hands for a Touchdown. Back in 2010, teams targeted Claiborne because Patrick Peterson was on the opposite end of the field. However, Claiborne held his own and won the Jim Thorpe trophy for top defensive back in the nation. Needless to say, Claiborne would fit nicely in Tampa.


Pick #6: St. Louis Rams Select Okla. St. WR Justin Blackmon 
Even if the Rams were unable to trade down from the #2 spot, they would have most likely drafted Blackmon anyway. The Rams became one dimensional last year; the passing game stalled and the Rams were forced to give Steven Jackson the ball constantly. By drafting Justin Blackmon, QB Sam Bradford now has a #1 target to throw to. Standing at 6-1, 207 pounds, Blackmon is able to create separation from opposing cornerbacks, and his 35 inch vertical will allow him to make many highlight reel plays. Blackmon is also a burner too, clocking in at a 4.46 40 time at his Pro Day. St. Louis would be insane to pass up an incredible offensive talent like Blackmon. 


Pick #7: Jacksonville Jaguars Select South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram
Jacksonville needs help....everywhere, and the pass rush is a good place to start. During his three seasons with the Gamecocks, Ingram tallied 21.5 sacks, as well as 30.5 tackles for loss. Ingram provides a lot of speed on the line, but his explosiveness off the snap is somewhat inconsistent. With a little mentoring, Ingram could develop into a beast. 


Pick #8: Miami Dolphins Select Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill 
Without a doubt Miami will be totally reaching for Tannehill, but they quite frankly have no choice but to draft him. Tannehill possesses an NFL arm, and was very good outside of the pocket as well as inside. However, Tannehill struggled severely with pre snap reads, mostly because he is still learning to play the position (came to A&M as a WR). Miami needs to take a Quarterback, but are setting him up for disaster because he has few offensive weapons.


Pick #9: Carolina Panthers Select Miss. St. DT Fletcher Cox
Fletcher Cox has been flying up draft boards, and for good reason. Once considered a mid first round pick, many have him in the Top 10. Cox is an explosive pass rusher, and is able to muscle his way through offensive linemen on his way to the Quarterback. Cox, who only weighs 298 pounds, would be even more of a force to be reckoned with if he bulked up a bit. The Panthers play a 3-4 defense, and Cox would command a lot of attention as a nose tackle. If the Panthers do not select Cox, it may haunt them for years to come.


Pick #10: Buffalo Bills Select Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
The Bills have a very hard decision with the 10th pick: take a OL like Riley Reiff, or surround  Ryan Fitzpatrick with more talent? My guess is they go with the latter. The Bills made a serious commitment to Fitzpatrick when they signed him to a $59 million extension, and will need plenty of talent for him to flourish. The wide receiver tandem of Stevie Johnson and Michael Floyd would cause headaches for any defense. Johnson beats the corners with speed, while Floyd muscles them around on the other side. Floyd had three alcohol related incidents, but if he can avoid off the field issues in the NFL, Buffalo will not regret drafting him.