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| BC Linebacker Luke Kuechly |
This is the second installment of my NFL Mock Draft, this time picks 11-21. Still plenty of great talent outside of the Top 10 picks.
Pick #11: Kansas City Chiefs Select Boston College MLB Luke Kuechly
Kansas City has a very talented group of Linebackers, including the likes of Jovan Belcher, Derrick Johnson, and the surprising strong play of Andy Studebaker. But KC runs a 3-4 Defense, and needs another strong LB to solidify the middle of the field. Kuechly is easily the best Linebacker in the 2012 class, and his presence would immediately help solidify the run defense which was 26th in the league in 2011. If Kansas City does not take him, Seattle would be sure to at pick #12.
Pick #12: Seattle Seahawks Select North Carolina DE Quinton Coples
Coples, once a surefire top 10 pick has been sliding down draft boards all over. However, he will not get to far, as the Seahawks would be smart to snatch him up. He spent time playing Defensive End and Defensive Tackle while at North Carolina, and racked up 17.5 sacks in his last two seasons. He is very explosive off the snap, and will have linemen all over the NFL on their heels. Lately Coples has been subject to questions about his character. He has been labeled as selfish, and reportedly refused to move to DT during his Senior year because it would hurt his draft stock. With a little mentoring from Pete Carroll & Co., Coples could develop into a great pass rusher.
Pick #13: Arizona Cardinals Select Iowa OT Riley Reiff
When the Cardinals drafted OT Levi Brown in 2007, it was expected the former Penn State Linemen would solidify the Offensive Tackle position. Five years later, Brown has not lived up to the hype. With QB Kevin Kolb still learning how to run the offense, he will need a guy like Riley Reiff to protect his blindside. Reiff is a big guy, standing at 6-6, 313 pounds, but is still very athletic. He is able to get out on the run and lead the way for his backs. If Kolb wants to connect with Fitzgerald for multiple touchdowns this year, he is going to need time in the pocket to do it. Reiff is the man for the job.
Pick #14: Dallas Cowboys Select Alabama Safety Mark Barron
The Dallas Cowboys have not had a good safety in years, and it really showed last season. The Cowboys allowed a whopping 336 receiving yards, 24th in the league. Barron is a ball hawk, plain and simple. With Barron in the 'Boys secondary, he will make it much harder for defenses to go over the top. He is quite the good blitzer, and gets into the backfield quickly. Plain and simple, the Cowboys need a guy like Mark Barron.
Pick #15: Philadelphia Eagles Select LSU DT Michael Brockers
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| LSU DT Michael Brockers |
Pick #16: New York Jets Select Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw
When it comes to athleticism, Courtney Upshaw is easily the best LB in that department. The Jets play a 3-4 defense, but that should not be a problem for Upshaw, according to his former coach at Alabama Nick Saban. Saban says Upshaw could play Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 or "stick his hand in the dirt and play defensive end". In a league that is all about versatility, teams will drool over an athlete like Upshaw. One thing he specialized in at Alabama was locating the running back. With NT's Sione Pouha and Muhammad Wilkerson pushing the way for the Jets, Upshaw could get in the backfield with ease.
Pick #17: Cincinnati Bengals Select Stanford G David DeCastro
There is no better Guard on the board than David DeCastro. Standing at 6-5, 316 pounds, he spent three years at Stanford protecting QB Andrew Luck. Luck will be going #1 to the Indianapolis Colts, and he can thank DeCastro for helping him get there. Andy Dalton had a fantastic rookie season, but the addition of DeCastro to the O-line would give him some peace of mind.
Pick #18: San Diego Chargers Select South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore
Stephen Gilmore's stock has been through the roof so much so, some have him going to Jacksonville at pick #7. However, I feel he will fall to the Chargers at Pick #18. The Chargers run a zone defense, and Gilmore played in one while at South Carolina. At 6-1, 190 pounds, Gilmore stands taller than most Cornerbacks in the league. His size helps him muscle around Wide Receivers and puts him in position to make plays. Quentin Jammer is 32 now, and will soon need a predecessor. Gilmore can be that guy for San Diego.
Pick #19. Chicago Bears Select Memphis DT Dontari Poe
Dontari Poe has been overshadowed by fellow DTs Fletcher Cox and Michael Brockers, but has the ability to make a name for himself in the NFL. Poe is 346 pounds, yet ran a 4.98 40 time. He is a strong guy with a massive frame, but his 40 times shows his athleticism. Poe recorded just five sacks, but had four forced fumbles to go with it. Poe will have to learn to play against better talent, as he played in the Conference USA, and average conference at best. But Chicago lost stalwart DT Amobi Okoye this offseason, and Poe is the best guy on the board for "da Bears".
Pick #20: Tennessee Titans Select Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus
22.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. That is not very indicative of a guy who is a mid-late 1st rounder. But Mercilus will be on the board at pick #20, and the Titans would be wise to snatch him up. Mercilus is explosive off the line, and his pure speed helped him rack up those 16 sacks in the QB heavy Big 10. The Titans only proven LB is Will Witherspoon, and he plays inside. If the Titans select him, Mercilus will bring stability to the outside, as well as a ferocious pass rush.
eagles probably arent going to get brockers although its a good choice. their first round draft pick is always a surprise.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Their #1 is Fletcher Cox, but they would have to slide into the Jags spot to do it. They'd be willing, but price may be too high. A guy like Chandler Jones from 'Cuse has been mentioned lately, Quinton Coples of UNC. Not in love with either of em'.
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