Post Classifieds
The Record staff mock draft
By Staff Reports
On April 26, 2012
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
No surprise here, as the Colts made the pick official yesterday. Luck will serve as the heir apparent
to Peyton Manning and, as the most highly-touted quarterback prospect to come out of college since
his predecessor, will help to re-build a Colts franchise that finished 2-14 last season.
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
The Redskins didn't give up four draft picks for nothing. Griffin is the real deal, and the 'Skins will
be more than happy with him as their consolation prize to Luck. The Heisman winner will instantly
uplift the struggling franchise, working as Steve McNair 2.0 to carry Mike Shanahan's offense for
years to come.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Pick by reporter A.J. Speier
The Vikings are in dire need of a left tackle, and Kalil is the only tackle prospect who possesses the
ability to step in and have an immediate impact in protecting Christian Ponder's blindside.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Pick by staff writer Aaron Garland
If the Browns want Colt McCoy to succeed, they need to get him some offensive playmakers, and
there is no bigger one in this draft than Richardson. McCoy showed good flashes two years ago
when Peyton Hillis, now in Kansas City, had a career year. Getting a do-all running back can go a
long way in the run-heavy AFC North.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Pick by associate sports editor Tony Fiorello
The Buccaneers have a glaring need at cornerback, where Ronde Barber is nearing retirement and
Aqib Talib continues to run afoul of the law. Enter Claiborne, who will become part of the solution
to a leaky secondary.
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Pick by reporter Tom Gallagher
This pick is an easy one for St. Louis to make. The Rams need to surround their franchise
quarterback, Sam Bradford, with as many weapons as they can. The team lost Brandon Lloyd to free
agency and needs a receiver. Blackmon is one of the best playmakers in the draft and will instantly
become the team's best receiver.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
Even with the signing of former Bills' WR Lee Evans and ex-Cowboy Laurent Robinson, the Jaguars
are still in need of a ton of receiver help. Despite Jacksonville's need for playmakers on defense,
head coach Mike Mularkey will look offense with his first pick to help quarterback Blaine Gabbert
continue his development.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
The scary thought here is this might be a low projection, as it wouldn't be surprising in the least to
see the Dolphins or another QB-starved franchise jump into a higher pick for a shot at Tannehill.
Although his lofty stock is very much a product all the post-combine media hype, Tannehill does
possess a ton of upside and, with former A&M coach Mike Sherman serving as offensive coordinator
in Miami, this pick makes too much sense for both sides.
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Pick by reporter A.J. Speier
Pro Football Focus rated the Panthers' Terrell McClain as the worst starting defensive tackle against
the run last year. Cox is highly regarded as the top defensive tackle in the draft and should be a nice
fit for Ron Rivera's defensive scheme next to Ron Edwards, Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.
10. Buffalo Bills: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Pick by staff writer Aaron Garland
Buddy Nix is usually a straight shooter and has recently expressed his view of depth at the offensive
line and wide receiver position in this draft. On top of that, Nix seems infatuated with getting a
shutdown corner and has gushed over the prospect of Gilmore.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Pick by associate sports editor Tony Fiorello
Offensive line has been an area of concern for the Chiefs, who have been rebuilding that unit since
Willie Roaf and Will Shields left. DeCastro is a stud, and Kansas City won't pass up a player of his
talent here.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Pick by reporter Tom Gallagher
Seattle could go in several directions with this pick, but Ingram, arguably the best pass rusher in the
draft, would go a long way in solidifying the team's defense. Ingram, opposite Chris Clemons, could
make for one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the league.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
This is where best available vs. need can come up for the Cardinals. They would've loved Fletcher
Cox and may go after Dontari Poe, but shoring up the offensive line can go a long way for a team
who has a lot invested in QB Kevin Kolb. Reiff can come in and play on the right side, where a lot of
analysts project him, while Levi Jones holds down the blind side.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
If Barron falls to No. 14, the Cowboys will sprint to the podium with their pick. Barron is possibly
the safest prospect in the entire draft and is easily the most talented, complete safety. The Cowboys
have struggled at the safety position for years and their secondary was horrendous last season. This
pick gives them an instant solution.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Pick by reporter A.J. Speier
While the Eagles already have Cullen Jenkins, they have two other defensive tackles that are coming
off injuries in Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon. Michael Brockers is ranked as the second best
defensive tackle in the draft and should be able to contribute right away if called upon.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
Pick by staff writer Aaron Garland
The Jets dropped off a bit last year, and their defense is starving for a dynamic player to return the
unit to its 2009-10 form. They ranked 17th in sacks a year ago, and need to keep up with recent
Bills signings while keeping consistent pressure on Tom Brady.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina
Pick by associate sports editor Tony Fiorello
The Bengals are in need of a pass rusher to play opposite Carlos Dunlap, and Coples is the best one
left on the board for Cincinnati. Once a top-10 talent, we may also see Coples free fall much like
Da'Quan Bowers of last year's draft.
18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
Pick by reporter Tom Gallagher
The Chargers had a porous third-down defense last season and covet a pass rusher to assist in that
facet of the game. Adding a rusher like Mercilus, who led the NCAA in sacks with 16 in 2011, to the
defensive line to compliment the likes of Shaun Phillips and Antwan Barnes would improve the
team's secondary.
19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
In light of the Bears trading for receiver Brandon Marshall, re-uniting him with Jay Cutler, it's in
the Bears' best interest to look for line help to protect the oft-injured Cutler. The Bears were the
hottest team in the NFC before Cutler went down, so keeping him healthy is obviously priority No.
1. Chicago could go defense to help Julius Peppers out, but they need to cut down on the 49 sacks
they gave up last season.
20. Tennessee Titans: Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
With the departure of Cortland Finnegan in free agency, the cornerback position is a glaring need
for the Titans in this year's draft. It's likely they'll simply go with the best available cornerback at
this spot, and with his combination of size, speed and instincts, Kirkpatrick is easily worthy of that
distinction.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia
Pick by reporter A.J. Speier
There have been concerns about Cordy Glenn playing tackle in the NFL and as a result his stock has
taken a hit. The Bengals need to upgrade their offensive line and Glenn could slide right in at the
guard position.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Pick by staff writer Aaron Garland
A bit of a surprise here, but if a freakish athlete of Jones' caliber is available here, they have to go
with the best player on the board. A wide receiver or quarterback is also a possibility, but at this
point in the first, Jones gives them the best value.
23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Pick by associate sports editor Tony Fiorello
Jenkins may be immature off the field, but on the field, he evokes comparisons to Asante Samuel.
With the Lions in dire need of a cornerback, they will select him here.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Pick by reporter Tom Gallagher
It's doubtful that Kuechly slides out of the top 20, but if he's there when the Steelers pick, it's a no-
brainer for the Steelers, who are searching for the heir to James Farrior.
25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
The Peyton Manning signing obviously solidifies the Broncos' offense, and by picking low in the
draft, Denver can afford to take a chance on a boom-or-bust prospect like Poe. With the heat
coming off the edge with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos need some help inside to stop
opposing running backs.
26. Houston Texans: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
There's no way Hightower makes it all the way to the Texans at No. 26 in the real thing, but the free
fall of Kuechly in our mock makes it possible for Houston to draft an exceptional prospect to fill the
hole left by the DeMeco Ryans trade. Should Hightower come off the board, the Texans could also
look to finally get Andre Johnson some help at wide receiver.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
Pick by reporter A.J. Speier
The Patriots had the second-worst defense in the NFL last season and Shea McClellin would provide
an immediate upgrade at the linebacker position over Rob Ninkovich. He's exactly the kind of
intelligent player that Bill Belicheck would want on his team.
28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Pick by staff writer Aaron Garland
There does not seem to be much disparity between the pass rushing talent toward the end of the
first round, and the Packers could use a game-changing rusher opposite Clay Matthews. With Grant,
the Packers might look to get a guy who can get after the quarterback, but it's just a hunch.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Pick by associate sports editor Tony Fiorello
After losing Ben Grubbs to the Saints in free agency, and with center Matt Birk in the twilight of his
career, Konz would be an excellent fit in a Ravens uniform.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Pick by reporter Tom Gallagher
In what some may consider a head-scratching selection, the 49ers take Fleener, a tight end with
the athleticism of a wide receiver. Fleener played under coach Jim Harbaugh while the two were at
Stanford and would be a perfect complement to Vernon Davis in the 49ers west coast offense.
31. New England Patriots: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
If history repeats itself, this is where New England trades this pick, looking to grab a couple of
second-round picks in the process. If not, Doug Martin makes sense. With Benjarvis Green-Ellis
leaving for the Bengals, the Pats need a physical back that can run between the tackles and catch the
ball out of the backfield while taking some pressure off of Tom Brady.
32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Pick by sports editor Brandon Schlager
Had the 49ers not swept him up two picks prior, the selection of Fleener here would be obvious.
With Fleener off the board, the Super Bowl champs look to fill up a major hole at tackle, as
protecting Eli Manning will of course be priority No. 1 next season. The Giants very well could also
trade out of this pick.
For comments on this story, contact bscrecord@gmail.com.
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