1) Indianapolis Colts- QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Peyton Manning is 35-years-old and has had three surgeries on his neck. The 49ers moved on from a legendary quarterback (Joe Montana) and so must the Colts. The immediate and long-term future of Indianapolis belongs to Andrew Luck.
2) St. Louis Rams- WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
The Rams believe that Sam Bradford is their franchise quarterback. St. Louis has a bunch of 3rd receivers and lacks a true quality number one receiver. Blackmon can be Bradford’s go-to receiver. The two-time Biletnikoff Award winner’s run after the catch ability will complement nicely Bradford’s ability to deliver accurate and on-time passes.
3) Minnesota Vikings- OT Matt Kalil, USC
The Vikings are committed to Christian Ponder as their quarterback. Ponder had some injury issues in college and also as a rookie. Kalil will help keep Ponder upright as Minnesota’s answer at the all-important left tackle position. The Vikes will strongly consider Morris Claiborne, but decide to go with the big man.
4) Cleveland Browns- -QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
The Browns need so much on offense and it starts with a playmaking quarterback. Nothing improves an offense faster (just ask Carolina) than adding juice at the quarterback position. Sure, Colt McCoy would be better with a much better supporting cast. However, McCoy has looked very pedestrian and has average physical skills for the NFL. McCoy’s ceiling is not high. Griffin has a much stronger arm than McCoy and he is also far superior athletically. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner led Baylor to victories over Oklahoma and Texas in the same season. That is what a top quarterback can do.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
The Bucs were a mess (surrendering 31 points per game last season) defensively in 2011. They have some talented, young defensive linemen who hopefully will develop into productive defenders. Claiborne is the 2012 NFL draft’s top cornerback and can replace Ronde Barber who is 36 years old.
6) Washington Redskins- OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Skins badly need a top quarterback and receiver, but the cream of the crop are all gone at this point in the draft. Jamaal Brown’s best days appear to be behind him at right tackle. In addition, Trent Williams has not proven himself to be a dependable professional at left tackle. Martin can be the answer at right tackle and provide insurance in case Williams continues to struggle with off-the-field issues (substance abuse).
7) Jacksonville Jaguars- WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
The Jags will be drafting in the top 10 for a while if Blaine Gabbert does not develop. The team needs to add a top wide receiver to help him. Jacksonville has not had much luck with wide receivers lately, but that has to change with this draft.
8) Carolina Panthers- DT Michael Brockers, LSU
Carolina allowed 4.6 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns last season. The pass rush was not much better. The Panthers have some talent at defensive end (Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy), but not much at defensive tackle. Brockers is a big, athletic defensive tackle with a lot of upside. The redshirt sophomore is very young, but he has the potential to be the anchor up the middle of Carolina’s defense.
9) Miami Dolphins- OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
The Dolphins could use an outside linebacker to pair with Cameron Wake now that Jason Taylor has retired. However, Riley Reiff excelled at right and left tackle for the Hawkeyes. The thought of pairing Reiff and Jake Long as bookend offensive tackles for years to come is very appealing.
10) Buffalo Bills- DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Dave Wannstedt is Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator. His experience has been as a 4-3 defensive coach. Marcel Darius, the cornerstone of last year’s draft, can play in the 4-3 or the 3-4. Buffalo could be playing the 4-3 just as much as the 3-4 in 2012. Coples is a versatile defensive end who can play tackle or end in the 4-3. He even has the length to play defensive end in the 3-4. The Bills need more talent on their defensive line and Coples has a lot of ability.
11) Kansas City Chiefs- G David DeCastro, Stanford
The Chiefs want to run the ball and that means winning the battle in the trenches. The addition of the nasty and physical DeCastro will help Kansas City do just that. The Chiefs need an upgrade at right tackle, but Jonathan Martin and Riley Reiff are not available. DeCastro has a chance to be another Brian Waters for the Chiefs.
12 Seattle Seahawks- DT Devon Still, Penn State
The Hawks do a good job defending the run, but have to pressure quarterbacks more. Still had a breakout senior season and demonstrated the ability to penetrate. He has a chance to provide Seattle with quarterback pressure up the middle and run stops behind the line of scrimmage.
13) Arizona Cardinals- DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
The Cards came on late in the season. The addition of a good, young pass rusher to join Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield makes sense. Upshaw can get after the quarterback and also is tough against the run. Arizona does not have a 2nd round pick due to the Kevin Kolb trade. The team may explore trading down in the 1st round to acquire a 2nd round selection. Arizona would strongly consider selecting OT Mike Adams in such a scenario.
14) Dallas Cowboys- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
The Dallas secondary has been a weakness the past two seasons. Terence Newman is past his prime and may have played his last season for Dallas. Kirkpatrick provides the Cowboys with a potential number one cornerback. He will combine with Mike Jenkins to give Dallas a pair of athletic cornerbacks with size.
15) Philadelphia Eagles- ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College
The Eagles’ linebackers were a major area of weakness on the defense last season. Kuechly is a tackling machine with terrific instincts. He also will eventually grow into being the leader of Philadelphia’s defense due to his football IQ and passion for the game.
16) New York Jets- RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
The Jets rushed for only 1,692 yards and 3.8 yards per carry in their disappointing 2011 season. That is not exactly “ground and pound” production. Shonn Greene is a solid number 2 back, but he is not good enough to anchor a team’s ground attack. Trent Richardson has better vision and quickness compared to Greene. He also is built to wear defenses down in the 4th quarter. Richardson can help Mark Sanchez get back to being productive throwing off of play-action passes.
17) Cincinnati Bengals- CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
Dennard could be the answer at cornerback to pair with Leon Hall after the departure of Jonathan Joseph.
18) San Diego Chargers- DE/OLB Nick Perry, USC
San Diego’s pass rush has never been the same since Shawne Merriman’s career nose-dived due to injuries. Larry English (1st round, 2009 NFL draft) also has been frequently hurt and never panned out. Perry will be the Chargers’ latest attempt to improve their pass rush.
19) Chicago Bears- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
The Bears need a big receiver who can go up and catch the ball in traffic. Floyd can do this and he is productive in the red zone.
20) Tennessee Titans- DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
The Titans are still waiting for Derrick Morgan to produce like a high 1st round pick should. The team needs more talent at defensive end and Ingram is big, strong and can really run.
21) Cincinnati Bengals- RB Lamar Miller, Miami
Cincinnati is building a fine young offense. They have a solid quarterback (Andy Dalton), a soon-to-be superstar receiver (A.J. Green) and a quality pass catching tight end (Jermaine Gresham). What they lack is an explosive running back with young legs. Cedric Benson rejuvenated his career in Cincy, but he is 29 and lacks speed. Lamar Miller can add a big play element to the Bengals’ ground game.
22) Cleveland Browns- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
The Browns scored a mere 218 points (13.6 per) in 2011. Cleveland struck out on a pair of recent 2nd round receivers (Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie). Those misses have really hurt the offense. The team needs a playmaker at wide receiver. Wright can turn a short pass into a big play and also get deep.
23) Detroit Lions- OT Mike Adams, Ohio State
LT Jeff Backus tore a bicep in the playoff loss to the Saints. He also will be 35 soon and is a free agent. It is time to find Matthew Stafford’s new left tackle protector. Adams is a huge man and comes from a fine program for offensive linemen.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers- G Cordy Glenn, Georgia
Ben Roethlisberger will be 30 in March. He is one of the toughest and strongest quarterbacks in the NFL. However, even Big Ben cannot keep taking so many hits every season. Glenn is a huge and powerful blocker who will help open holes in the running game and stop pressure from coming inside.
25) Denver Broncos- TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson
Denver needs to improve their passing game with Tim Tebow at quarterback. Daniel Fells was the Broncos’ leading receiver from the tight end position last season with only 19 receptions. Every quarterback benefits from having a big tight end as a target. Allen has size, speed and can also block.
26) Houston Texans- WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
The Texans have long had Andre Johnson and not much else at wide receiver. Johnson is 30 and is coming off of an injury-riddled season. Sanu is big and physical. He could be a solid number two receiver for Houston.
27) New England Patriots- LB Zach Brown, North Carolina
The athletic Brown would add much needed speed to New England’s linebacking unit. Brown is a versatile defender who could help in pass coverage and putting pressure on the quarterback.
28) Green Bay Packers- DT/DE Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
The Pack allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season to opposing backs. Cox has the length to be converted from defensive tackle to end in Green Bay’s 3-4 defense. He defends the run well and has enough quickness to put some pressure on the quarterback. Cox would be Green Bay’s attempt to replace Cullen Jenkins.
29) Baltimore Ravens- ILB Don’t’a Hightower, Alabama
Ray Lewis is 36 and is very near the end of a brilliant career. Lewis is irreplaceable, but Hightower has the potential to develop into a good inside linebacker. He is a solid run stuffer who can help the Ravens continue their tradition of making opposing offenses one-dimensional.
30) San Francisco 49ers- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin
Jim Harbaugh is a nuts and bolts type of head coach. This means great emphasis is placed on the offensive and defensive lines. Jonathan Goodwin is 33 and Konz can be groomed to be his successor.
31) New England Patriots- CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
The Pats’ cornerback play last season was a big weakness. Bill Belichick is close to Urban Meyer who used to coach Janoris Jenkins. The former Gator cornerback is very talented, but had issues with marijuana use. New England will feel comfortable that Jenkins has matured enough to be productive in the NFL. Remember, Aaron Hernandez’s marijuana use at Florida dropped him to the 4th round of the 2010 NFL draft and he proved to be a steal. Jenkins will not have to wait nearly as long to hear his name called.
32) New York Giants- MLB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
The Giants allowed opposing running backs to average 4.5 yards per carry in 2011. A strong linebacking unit is a Giants’ tradition. New York is especially weak at middle linebacker. Chase Blackburn played well late in the season, but he does not possess Burfict’s talent and upside. Burfict is a big, fast, nasty and instinctive middle linebacker who could be another Harry Carson. New York takes a chance that Burfict’s volatile personality can be reined in enough to make this pick a success.
Articles 
