KFFL.com 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rounds 1-2

by Cory J. Bonini on April 26, 2012 @ 01:04:01 PDT

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KFFL.com has released an updated mock of the 2012 NFL Draft season. Commentary is included in this mock draft to help you better understand the reasoning behind the projected selection, and be aware that this will receive many updates and additions over the coming months. Please feel free to leave comments below.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick	Team	Player	Pos	School	Comments
1	Indianapolis Colts	Andrew Luck	QB	Stanford	It was the worst kept secret in the NFL ... Indy will take Luck, which has now been confirmed by the team. Luck is the best prospect in the draft, and he just so happens to fill the biggest need the Colts have at the moment.
2	Washington Redskins (from Rams)	Robert Griffin III	QB	Baylor	RG3 is Washington's guy after trading with the Rams to acquire the pick. Griffin is likely to be the starter from Day 1 and, even as a rookie, should immediately upgrade Washington's passing game.
3	Minnesota Vikings	Matt Kalil	OT	USC	A blindside protector for Christian Ponder is a must, and the offensive line needs a boost in the run-blocking department, as well. Kalil is as good as it gets in this draft class, but I think Justin Blackmon at least warrants consideration, unless Minnesota feels they can upgrade in the second round.
4	Cleveland Browns	Trent Richardson	RB	Alabama	Cleveland would be dumb not to give Colt McCoy a strong running game, and Richardson's style of play is ideal for the cold weather of Cleveland late in the season. Justin Blackmon could be an option, too.
5	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Morris Claiborne	CB	LSU	Trent Richardson is a possibility, if available, but I think they will complement LeGarrette Blount with a speedy, pass-catching back. Claiborne fills a huge need for this defense and brings much-needed help on the back end. Aqib Talib is in the final year of his contract, too.
6	St. Louis Rams (from Redskins)	Justin Blackmon	WR	Oklahoma State	Sam Bradford needs weapons, and Blackmon could be a stud at the next level. With Brandon Lloyd gone, the Rams' receiving corps is wide open for the No. 1 target.
7	Jacksonville Jaguars	Quinton Coples	DE	North Carolina	Perhaps Jacksonville likes Courtney Upshaw or Nick Perry better? I think Coples should be their guy, and we all know they need pass-rushing help. Offensive line or wide receiver options could be considered.
8	Miami Dolphins	Ryan Tannehill	QB	Texas A&M	While I am not a fan of Tannehill going this high in the draft, Miami would be foolish for not considering him. In all likelihood, another team may trade with the Jaguars to take the former Aggie.
9	Carolina Panthers	David DeCastro	OG	Stanford	A stud for years to come, DeCastro bolsters their guard position from the moment he walks on the field. Mike Pollak is just a depth chart filler and an upgrade is needed. They could look to cornerback, wide receiver and defensive tackle help. Michael Brockers is also in the conversation. Defensive tackle need is overrated, because their two rookies last year didn't get the proper training due to the lockout. Michael Floyd is intriguing here, as well.
10	Buffalo Bills	Riley Reiff	OT	Iowa	With the loss of Demetress Bell to Philly, Reiff makes a lot of sense for a team that shored up their pass-rushing need with Mario Williams. Wide receiver is still an option to give Ryan Fitzpatrick more targets. Michael Floyd could very well be their man.
11	Kansas City Chiefs	Michael Brockers	DT	LSU	KC has enough time to develop Brockers as a 3-4 end. He should see time in a rotation with Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey, both of whom have underachieved in the pros. If Carolina opts for Brockers, expect David DeCastro to be their choice if he makes it past the Bills.
12	Seattle Seahawks	Luke Kuechly	MLB	Boston College	Seattle signed Barrett Ruud at middle linebacker, but he was added with a one-year pact and is coming off an injury-plagued season. Kuechly gives them a great tackler who is adept in pass coverage as the future of the position.
13	Arizona Cardinals	Michael Floyd	WR	Notre Dame	Assuming he makes it past the Bills, Floyd gives the Cardinals a target to work with opposite Larry Fitzgerald. More weapons in the passing game are needed, and Floyd could be a steal at No. 13.
14	Dallas Cowboys	Mark Barron	SS	Alabama	It is hard to imagine Dallas passing on Barron, assuming he is even available for them at this pick. A pass-rushing edge rusher could be in the cards if Barron is gone. Trading down makes sense, as well.
15	Philadelphia Eagles	Fletcher Cox	DT	Mississippi State	Cox gives Philly an interior rotation and upside for the future at the position. Cordy Glenn could be an option at right tackle, but the Eagles should look for a player with immediate impact potential.
16	New York Jets	Melvin Ingram	OLB	South Carolina	Outside linebacker makes a lot of sense, even with Bryan Thomas (Achilles') returning. The Jets also need more weapons for Mark Sanchez ... or Tim Tebow. Given the depth of the position in this year's class, wideout will have to wait.
17	Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders)	Kendall Wright	WR	Baylor	Jerome Simpson won't be returning, so wide receiver is a big priority for this blossoming young offense. Wright gives them a downfield presence that is much needed.
18	San Diego Chargers	Harrison Smith	SS	Notre Dame	A.J. Smith is no stranger to making bold picks, and now that Mark Barron is off the board, Notre Dame's Smith joins the Bolts. San Diego's GM is rumored to be infatuated with this youngster's skill set, so look for this bold pick in the middle of Round 1.
19	Chicago Bears	Courtney Upshaw	DE	Alabama	The Bears would consider the right wide receiver here, but no one of their liking will be available. Dre Kirkpatrick is a possibility, but another pass-rushing end in the mix is a higher priority.
20	Tennessee Titans	Dre Kirkpatrick	CB	Alabama	The Titans need a dynamic pass rusher from the edge, even after adding Kamerion Wimbley. However, that will have to wait, as the secondary needs to be shored up after the loss of Cortland Finnegan and a major injury to Ryan Mouton (Achilles').
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Dontari Poe	DT	Memphis	The Bengals are a few key additions away from winning the AFC North, and Poe could be an immediate starter or no worse than a heavily involved rotational player upfront.
22	Cleveland Browns (from Falcons)	Stephen Hill	WR	Georgia Tech	This is probably too early for Hill, but his size and downfield ability will help open up this offense. Outside linebacker and offensive guard are possibilities, too.
23	Detroit Lions	Janoris Jenkins	CB	North Alabama	Detroit's secondary was their weak spot on D, but defensive end is a possibility here since Kyle Vanden Bosch is long in the tooth and Cliff Avril is a free agent.
24	Pittsburgh Steelers	Cordy Glenn	OG/OT	Georgia	Doug Legursky is serviceable, but he isn't the future at left guard. Glenn has the size to be a staple along this line, and he also offers flexibility to play right tackle. Dont'a Hightower is likely a strong possibility, too.
25	Denver Broncos	Stephon Gilmore	CB	South Carolina	Denver needs help at running back, defensive tackle and cornerback. Gilmore is flying up draft boards and gives Denver more youth at the position.
26	Houston Texans	Rueben Randle	WR	LSU	Houston wants to upgrade their receiving corps, and Randle's strong workouts should put him in the conversation. Alshon Jeffery is also in the mix here. For now, I am not sold on him being a player of choice for Houston. Outside linebacker is possible, too.
27	New England Patriots (from Saints)	Devon Still	DT	Penn State	Kendall Reyes, offensive line help or a pass rusher could be the pick. Of course, New England is no stranger to trading down.
28	Green Bay Packers	Zach Brown	OLB	North Carolina	Green Bay will look to ramp up their pass rush, and it all starts at the outside linebacker position for the Pack's 3-4 alignment.
29	Baltimore Ravens	Dont'a Hightower	ILB	Alabama	Ray Lewis is getting up there in age, and Jameel McClain is just an average defensive player. Offensive line help is possible, as well.
30	San Francisco 49ers	Nick Perry	DE/OLB	Illinois	Perry is more of a 4-3 defensive end, but he can stand up and rush from the edge. Aldon Smith will have a long-term tag team partner to rush the quarterback with.
31	New England Patriots	Whitney Mercilus	DE	USC	Mercilus should immediately upgrade New England's pass rush as a rotational player. It may take him a few years to develop into being an every-down player, but last year illustrated his potential.
32	New York Giants	Chandler Jones	DE	Syracuse	Middle linebacker is no longer a priority. Jones gives them insurance at defensive end and a bright future if Osi Umenyiora doesn't return after this season. Coby Fleener remains an option.

Also see: Round 2

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow @CoryKFFL