2012 NFL Mock Draft Christopher James, Sr. Draft Analyst
1st Round (5/31/11)
 10. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS select- Zach Brown-LB-UNC- The Jackson/Whitehurst debate is just a front for the Seahawks’ real plan. Carroll wants either Luck or Barkley and he gets one of them in this mock.
 19. CINCINNATI BENGALS select- Manti Te'o-LB-Notre Dame-The Bengals are gaining on offense through youth with the addition of Dalton and Green. Dunlap had a great rookie season but Odom is still a question mark coming off of an injury.
 9. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS select- Quinton Coples-DE-UNC-The additions made last season should provide a solid base for the future but things didn’t go well if you’re drafting this high. Pressure on Cassel is the reason for this and Kalil should help alleviate this situation.
 7. DENVER BRONCOS select- Matt Barkley-QB-USC-People will probably expect Elway to go QB here but Luck is the only one he’d take this early in the draft. Instead he’ll focus on strengthening the secondary. Champ is still a Pro Bowler, but for how long?
 17. TENNESSEE TITANS select- Alfonzo Dennard-CB-Nebraska- The Titans took Locker in the 1st round and gave Chris Johnson a one billion dollar deal. Let’s protect them both with a solid combo OT.
 13. WASHINGTON REDSKINS select- Ryan Tannehill-QB-Texas A&M- If we learned anything from the 2011 draft it’s that there is a premium set on QBs. Teams in need of young talent at the position will stretch to take the best available guy.
 11. CAROLINA PANTHERS select- Brandon Thompson-DT-Clemson- Cam Newton had the displeasure of playing for an offense with a glaring hole at WR. Steve Smith will be in a new uniform by this point, which calls for a new go-to-guy. Let’s take the local kid over Blackmon.
 4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS select- Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State- The Jags are looking to the future and building a formidable offense for Gabbart. The current #1 guy (Mike Thomas) is more of a complimentary piece. Blackmon will have the fans remembering the days of Smith and McCardell.
 20. BUFFALO BILLS select- Jerel Worthy-DT-Michigan State -After passing on Pryor in the prior year’s supplemental draft the Bills will be inspired to take a high profile QB. Jones fits that mold as he is poised to have a great 2011 campaign.
 16. CHICAGO BEARS select- Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame-The strength of the Bears during their ’06 Superbowl run was a dominant defensive front. Even though they added Stephen Paea they still need depth and talent which Thompson is sure to provide.
 28. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS select- Peter Konz-C-Wisconsin- In an NFC West with young budding QB’s San Fran sits with a lack of depth at CB. Harris can play either side of the field plus coach Harbaugh is very familiar with him.
 27. DETROIT LIONS select- Vontaze Burfict-ILB-Arizona State- The new look Lions seem to like defenders with a nasty streak. Burfict will fit in perfectly with Suh, Delmas, and Fairley.
 1. MIAMI DOLPHINS select- Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford- Daniel Thomas just isn’t a go to guy in the backfield and Reggie Bush is better served playing in the slot. The Dolphins won’t make the same mistake this year as they jump on the best back in the land.
 . OAKLAND RAIDERS select- Zach Brown-OLB-UNC- The Raiders covet speed and exceptional talent; Zach Brown is the pinnacle of both points. They have struggled for years to stop the run and Brown might help.
 5. ST. LOUIS RAMS select- Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama- The Rams are looking to make a move into the upper echelon of the NFC. Doing that will require them to keep up with the likes of the Eagles, Falcons, Packers, and Saints who all have great QBs.
 22. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS select- Janoris Jenkins-CB-North Alabama- The Bucs have tried to get back to the Bucs ball of old. They addressed the D-line in the last two drafts and now they’ll improve the secondary. Claiborne is a solid tackler who could step in for an immediate impact.
 18. CLEVELAND BROWNS (via Atl) select- Riley Reiff-OT-Iowa- A strong force across from Joe Thomas will help future star Colt McCoy stay upright in a tough division. Reiff will add depth and talent to a necessary position in a division like the AFC North.
 3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS select- Jonathan Martin-OT-Stanford- The loss of Ray Edwards didn’t seem like a huge deal but it could be the reason for them missing the playoffs. The Vikings thrived on a solid 4 man rush which made things easier on the back end. Crick also has the ability to move inside on passing downs.
 21. NEW YORK GIANTS select- Dont'a Hightower-ILB-Alabama- The pieces along the line just don’t seem to fit in New York. The make additions but injuries and underachieving have forced the Giants hand again. Glenn is a versatile lineman that can play inside or outside.
 2. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS select- Landry Jones-QB-Oklahoma- This is an unlikely pick with the depth at WR in Indy but this sort o thing happens quite often. Reggie Wayne is starting to slow and no other receiver on the roster has true number one ability.
 14. NEW YORK JETS select- Alshon Jeffrey-WR-South Carolina- The Jets regressed this season due to a lack of pressure on the oppositions QB. Irvin will adapt quickly because of the system run at WVU.
 6. ARIZONA CARDINALS select- Matt Kalil-OT-USC- A lack of depth and talent at LB is what ails the Cardinals defense. Jenkins can play outside and put his hand on the ground when they use a four man line.
 31. BALTIMORE RAVENS select- Lamar Miller-RB-Miami- Ray Lewis is still able to make plays but he’ll be 37 at the start of the 2012 season. Te’o has amazing upside and should fit right in with the Ravens hardnosed style of play.
 15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES select- Luke Kuechly-ILB-Boston College- An interior offensive lineman might seem to be the more sensible choice but I think they’ll address the defense. The interior of the defensive line won’t be able to keep blockers off of Matthews but Worthy could help.
 12. DALLAS COWBOYS select- Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU- The Cowboys might lose both ILBs after the 2011 season and I don’t expect them to keep both. Hightower can step in from day one to help fill the void.
 24. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS select- Ladarius Green-TE-Univ. of Louisiana-The Chargers seem to love drafting LBs in the 1st round and this year is no difference. Upshaw has the ability to play all the LB positions as he has done so at Alabama.
 25. HOUSTON TEXANS select- Rueben Randle-WR-LSU-The Texans, namely Schaub, continues to make strides towards an elite status. Johnson is a beat and a great compliment to him would be a WR with the ability to deter double teams. This piece combined with a strong running game will make them a force.
8. CLEVELAND BROWNS select- Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama- The Browns gained in the Julio Jones deal because they have the opportunity to get an elite CB. Jenkins is the 5th CB taken in this draft because of off the field issues. He’ll love the location because he’s a physical guy who’ll fit in nicely in Cleveland.
 26. PITTSBURGH STEELERS select- Alameda Ta'amu-NT-Washington- The interior of the Steelers line has gotten better over the last couple of years but it’s still lacks depth. Osomele can come in and start immediately for the Steelers should everything work out.
 32. GREEN BAY PACKERS select- Nate Potter-OT-Boise State- The ILBs for the Pack just aren’t as good as the rest of the defense. They can get back to the Superbowl with a superior player like this.
 29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (via NO) select- Courtney Upshaw-OLB-Alabama- The Haynesworth experiment just isn’t going as it should. Now they have to add more depth to that line to repeat in 2012.
30. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS select- Chase Minnifield-CB-Virginia- The Patriots have been lucky enough to withstand injury at some key positions, including WR. Now they have to strengthen the unit and add a talented wide out with the capability to start as a rookie.
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