2012 NFL Mock Draft

By Justin Worsley
The draft order is represented by my preseason projections and is adjusted each week.

1. Oakland Raiders (4-12) - Dre’ Kirkpatrick (CB/Alabama)

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like Jim Kelly in the second half against the Raiders. Their defense is awful.
Oakland needs to replace Nnamdi Asomugha and Dre’ Kirkpatrick is one of the best defensive back available this off-season. He also fits the typical Al Davis mold (6’3, 195 lbs.)
Of course, Andrew Luck is a possibility, but the team seems very invested in Terrelle Pryor, so for now I won’t mock him here.
Offensive line is also an area of need, but would Al Davis really use the first overall pick on someone who doesn’t play a skill position? He has before in the first round, but with this high of a pick, you can bet that won’t be the situation.

2. Carolina Panthers (4-12) - Alshon Jeffery (WR/South Carolina)

Cam Newton has taken the NFL by storm, but the Panthers still can’t win. Perhaps improving a group of no-name receivers will help.

Steve Smith is aging and looks like a shell of his former self. Providing Newton with a true no.1 receiver will give Carolina a scary offense if Newton continues to play well.

Jeffrey is a hometown product and will provide a huge boost for the Panthers. Last season, Jeffrey caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. At 6’4”, 235 lbs. Jeffrey is a physical freak.

3. Tennessee Titans (5-11) - Justin Blackmon (WR/Oklahoma State)

Had Blackmon declared last season, he could have been a top-five pick. Last year, Blackmon had the difficult task of replacing Dez Bryant in Oklahoma State’s line-up and seamlessly took over, winning the Biletnikoff Award in the process.

The Titans need another receiver to line up across from Kenny Britt. With Blackmon, Britt and Chris Johnson, Jake Locker could have an offensive advantage that was never given to Vince Young

4. Buffalo Bills (5-11) - Quinton Coples (DE/North Carolina)

Given the way Ryan Fitzpatrock has been playing, Ralph Wilson may avoid picking Andrew Luck, something that may be a huge mistake, but not something that is generally surprising, considering his recent draft history with quarterbacks.
Buffalo seriously needs to upgrade their defensive line. Aaron Maybin was given up on after two sackless seasons and so far, Buffalo has only gotten to the quarterback twice.
Last season, Coples was named to the all-ACC team after having a 10 sack season

5. Cincinnati Bengals (5-11) - Matt Kalil (OT/USC)

Andrew Luck is a possibility, but would the Bengals really give up on Andy Dalton after one season? After seeing how Mike Brown operates, I doubt it.

Offensive line, however, is a concern for the Bengals. Andre Smith finally reported to camp in shape this off-season, but he has had an injury-riddled career thus far in the league. Anthony Collins is a free agent.

Kalil, the younger brother of Carolina’s Ryan Kalil, is a major reason why Tyron Smith was stuck at right tackle in college. USC has surrendered only two sacks so far this season.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Vontaze Burfict (MLB/Arizona State)

Cleveland has many needs on defense, especially in the front seven. They looked good against Indianapolis, but everyone is at the moment.

Burfict had 90 tackles (8.5 for a loss) and two forced fumbles last season during an All-American campaign. He does, however, draw a high number of personal foul penalties.

7. Miami Dolphins (5-11) - Andrew Luck (QB/Stanford)

Did hell freeze over? Because, in this mock draft, Andrew Luck has somehow slipped to seventh overall.
The previous six teams had some sort of situation at quarterback, which prevented Luck from being drafted.
Miami is getting a huge steal here. Chad Henne has no running game and Brandon Marshall has never developed a chemistry with Henne.
Luck, the consensus best player available, is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy this season.

8. Detroit Lions (6-10) - Jonathan Martin (OT/Stanford)
If Detroit keeps destroying teams the way they are this season, they will be picking much higher than eighth overall, but the biggest part of that success depends on whether or not their offensive line can protect the right shoulder of Matt Stafford.
In his first two seasons, Detroit has been unsuccessful in protecting Stafford, forcing him to miss 20 of his first 32 career games. SO far, the Lions have not made any changes to their line.
The Lions like to draft the best player available and if they follow suit, Jonathan Martin will be their pick. Martin has blocked admirably for Andrew Luck in college and will be an immediate contributor to any team.

9. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Matt Barkley (QB/USC)

Jim Harbaugh would’ve loved to have Miami’s pick, but that just isn’t the case in this draft. Barkley, however, isn’t that bad of a consolation prize. Not to mention, Harbaugh has seen Barkley live twice, so he has a better idea of him as a quarterback than Landry Jones.

Alex Smith is out of chances in San Francisco. If the 49ers finish with a top 10 draft pick again, I’d be surprised if Smith even found a job in 2012.

Barkley is only a junior this season, so there is a chance he will remain at school, something that may appeal to him since USC will be post-season eligible next year. So far this season, Barkley has completed 69-percent of his passes for 892 yards with nine touchdowns and only one interception.

10. Denver Broncos (6-10) – Jerel Worthy (DT/Michigan State)

Denver cut practically all of their defensive tackles during the summer and are now relying on journeyman Kevin Vickerson and undrafted rookies Ronnell Brown and Colby Whitlock to anchor the defensive line. Clearly, this is an area of need.

Worthy can fit anywhere in the 10-20 range of this draft, but if Denver has this pick, he has to be the best player available on their board.

Worthy, who many scout compare to last year’s first round draft pick Corey Liuget, has the explosiveness and athleticism to play in the NFL, but is still considered a work in progress.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) – Landry Jones (QB/Oklahoma)
The Chiefs benefited from having a soft schedule last season and found their way into the playoffs. This year, however, Charlie Weis has left and three starters are out for the season, including running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry.

The Matt Cassel experiment is also failing in Kansas City. So far this season, Cassel has passed for a pedestrian 252 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. He still has three years remaining on his contract, but don’t be surprised if Kansas City cuts ties with him, especially if Jones is available.

Jones is another Heisman Trophy contender and a big reason why Oklahoma is the top-ranked team in the nation. Last year, Jones passed for 4,718 yards with 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, all with a 65.8 completion percentage.

12. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) – Stephon Gilmore (CB/South Carolina)
Former CFL player Brandon Browner is currently a starting cornerback in Seattle, making the need to upgrade at this position imperative.

Quarterback is also a major option here, but since the top three quarterbacks are already gone, the Seahawks need to address their next biggest need. Gilmore is also the best player available, so this pick make sense for them.

Gilmore is a multi-dimensional player who has the speed to keep up with NFL wide receivers

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) – Morris Claiborne (CB/LSU)
Last year, LSU has Patrick Peterson shutting down half of the field. Morris Claiborne has followed suit and opponents are having a very difficult time passing against the Tigers.

Rashean Mathis is on the downside of his career, and will be a 32-year-old free agent this off-season. With a plethora of cornerbacks available, Jacksonville doesn’t need to go out of their way to re-sign him.

14. Washington Redskins (7-9) – Trent Richardson (RB/Alabama)
Mike Shannahan has made a career out of taking late draft pick running backs and making them stars, but considering that their current running back is Tim Hightower, now would be a good time to change that approach.
Richardson, finally out of the shadows of Mark Ingram, has emerged, rushing for 315 yards and eight touchdowns on only 50 attempts. Wow.

15. Indianapolis Colts (7-9) – Riley Reiff (OT/Iowa)
Considering how the Colts are performing so far this season, don’t be surprised if they have a higher pick than this.

Their offensive line has already allowed five sacks and 14 quarterback hits.; If defenses keep putting pressure on the Colts, Kerry Collins may be in a wheelchair before Halloween.

Anthony Castonzo was drafted last year, however, don’t be surprised if Indianapolis double-dips at this position. Especially now considering the severity of Peyton Manning’s injury.

16. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) - Luke Keuchly (MLB/Boston College)
E.J. Henderson has done a phenomenal job emerging from a career that seemed to be doomed early with injuries, but he will be 32 this off-season and a free agent. Minnesota needs to replace him.

Keuchly is a defensive captain for Boston College and a force against the run. Last season, he was a unanimous All-American selection.

17. Arizona Cardinals (7-9) – Donte Paige-Moss (DE/OLB/North Carolina)
Last year, the focus of the Cardinals was on the loss of Kurt Warner and how the offense wasn’t able to function without him. What everyone seemed to miss was how their defensive captain left the team as well.
Karlos Dansby signed with Miami as a free agent last year and the team never replaced him. Upgrading their pass rush will be a necessity this off-season, especially with the emergence of Sam Bradford.
Paige-Moss has had a slow start so far this season, with only five tackles and one sack, but he has also spent much of the season being double-teamed on pass downs.

18. New York Giants (8-8) - Manti Te’o (MLB/Notre Dame)
It seems like every year the Giants need to improve at linebacker and the team just refuses to make any changes. Considering that the team’s defense is getting destroyed with injuries, that may change.
Te’o has 26 tackles and a sack for the Fighting Irish so far this season.

19. Chicago Bears (9-7) – Michael Brewster (C/Ohio State)
Olin Kreutz has been a leader of the Bears for nearly a decade now, so it will be hard to replace him. Considering how horrible the Bears offensive line has looked so far, it looks like they will be taking an offensive lineman with their top pick for the second straight year.

Brewster is a three-year starter for the Buckeyes is the consensus best center available.

20. Dallas Cowboys (9-7) – Janoris Jenkins (CB/North Alabama)
Jenkins made a name for himself at Florida, where he shut down top-flight receivers like A.J. Green. The problem, however, was he had plenty of off-field issues as well. After announcing that he would skip the NFL Draft last year and return to Florida, he was kicked off the team for his second drug-related arrest.
He is now enrolled at FCS school North Alabama and hoping to rehab his image. His stock could plummet, but he is definitely a first-round talent.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) – Alfonzo Dennard (CB/Nebraska)
As great as Prince Amukamara was last season for the Cornhuskers, Dennard looked just as good. The tandem was a big reason why Jake Locker went a combined 9/36 with 127 passing yards and one touchdown and two interceptions in two games. Not bad considering that Locker was a top-10 draft pick last April.
Tampa Bay had a need at cornerback. Ronde Barber is aging and Aqib Talib can’t stay out of trouble.

22. St. Louis Rams (8-8) – Michael Floyd (WR/Notre Dame)
The Rams need to provide Sam Bradford with a true no. 1 receiver. Donnie Avery and Mike Sims-Walker cannot be long-term solutions.
Floyd has had a fair share of legal issues and was suspended by Notre Dame for a period of time, but he is a dominant receiver and could provide a huge boost for St. Louis’ offense.

23. Houston Texans (10-6) – Brandon Jenkins (DE/OLB/Florida State)
The pass defense finally looks good and Mario Williams is having a monster year so far as an outside linebacker. The Texans, however, need an upgrade over Connor Barwin.
Jenkins is a hybrid defensive end or linebacker who can put pressure on the quarterback, but is also stout against the run. Houston’s defense could become even scarier than their offense in years to come.

24. San Diego Chargers (12-4) – Bruce Irvin (DE/OLB/West Virginia)
Once upon a time, San Diego had a strong core of linebackers and were able to continually pressure the quarterback. Since then, Shawne Merriman was shown the door and Larry English has been a bust of s first-round pick. If San Diego wants to continue to dominate the AFC West, they will need to upgrade here.
Irvin had 14 sacks and a forced fumble last season.

25. New York Jets (10-6) – Courtney Upshaw (DE/OLB/Alabama)
Opposing offenses may have a plan against the Jets this year. Rex Ryan was exploited often last year with the lack of quality pass rushers as he blitzed nearly every down. If the Jets want to get over the hump of the AFC Championship, upgrading the pass rush is a must.
Upshaw will be an immediate upgrade for a Jets pass rush that has finally severed ties with Vernon Gholston.

26. Green Bay Packers (10-6) – Brandon Thompson (DT/Clemson)
Cullen Jenkins left Green Bay to join the Eagles and now only have journeyman Howard Green to spell B.J. Raji.
Thompson will help solidify the Packers defensive line and he is able to line up at both end or tackle. Green Bay is a hard team to mock, since they have very few glaring needs.


27. New England Patriots (14-2) – Zach Brown (OLB/North Carolina)
New England acquires this pick via the trade last year with New Orleans.

New England will most likely trade this pick away, but I’m not going to sit here and predict who is going to take the bait and grab this pick.

New England desperately needs to upgrade the pass rush, which ironically is not something Zach Brown does well. At 6’3” 235 lbs. Brown is more of a cover linebacker. Regardless, the Patriots have two picks in this round and linebacker is a need as well. He does have 2.5 sacks so far this season though.

28. New England Patriots (14-2) – David DeCastro (G/Stanford)
Along with their need to upgrade the pass rush, the Patriots are also re-tooling their offensive line.
Nate Solder was their top pick last season, but the team isn’t finished with the changes. New England always goes with the best talent available and with the top defensive lineman gone, they will shift their focus on the line.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Alameda Ta’amu (NT/Washington)
Casey Hampton is 34 and Pittsburgh needs to integrate a new nose tackle to replace him within the next 2-3 years.
Ta’amu is bigger than Hampton and is a force right now for the Huskies. Nebraska got most of their yards against Washington last week by running outside, avoiding Ta’amu.

30. Cleveland Browns (5-11) – LaMichael James (RB/Oregon)
Cleveland acquired this pick from Atlanta via the Julio Jones trade.
Peyton Hillis is going to be worn out unless Cleveland adds a bit of flash into their backfield. James has clocked in at 4.32 in the 40-yard dash and will give the Browns another dimension along with the bruising style of Hillis.
Many see James slipping into the second round, but with Knile Davis being out for the year, James could sneak into a late first round selection.

31. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – Jared Crick (DE/Nebraska)
One of the reasons Ndamukong Suh was so successful in college is because teams were unable to double-team him with the presence of Crick.
Haloti Ngata, Brandon McKinney and Corey Redding are all free agents in 2012, so Baltimore will need to replace at least one of them.

32. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – Andrew Datko (OT/Florida State)
The Eagles invested way too much money into Michael Vick to simply allow him to get slaughtered due to a subpar offensive line. In last Sunday’s game against Atlanta, Vick suffered a concussion in a freak play. I will remind everyone now that Vick has only played a full NFL season once in his career.
Datko is the top tackle available at this spot of the draft and fills an obvious need for the Eagles.

Mock Draft Round 2:

33. New England - Justin Houston (OLB/Georgia)
34. Buffalo - Ryan Mallett (QB/Arkansas)
35. Cincinnati - Da'Quan Bowers (DE/Clemson)
36. Denver - Stephen Paea (NT/Oregon State)
37. Cleveland - Torrey Smith (WR/Maryland)
38. Arizona - Akeem Ayers (OLB/UCLA)
39. Tennessee - Brooks Reed (DE/Arizona)
40. Dallas - Aaron Williams (CB/Texas)
41. Washington - Andy Dalton (QB/TCU)
42. Houston - Brandon Harris (CB/Miami FL)
43. Minnesota - Marvin Austin (DT/North Carolina)
44. Detroit - Benjamin Ijalana (OT/Villanova)
45. San Francisco - Ras-I Dowling (CB/Virginia)
46. Denver - Kyle Rudolph (TE/Notre Dame)
47. St. Louis - Randall Cobb (WR/Kentucky)
48. Oakland - Stefen Wisniewski (C/Penn State)
49. Jacksonville - Jabaal Sherard (DE/Pittsburgh)
50. San Diego - James Carpenter (OT/Alabama)
51. Tampa Bay - Davon House (CB/NMSU)
52. New York Giants - Mikel Leshoure (RB/Illinois)
53. Indianapolis - Jaiquwann Jarrett (S/Temple)
54. Philadelphia - Rahim Moore (FS/UCLA)
55. Kansas City - Allen Bailey (DE/Miami FL)
56. New England - Rodney Hudson (G/Florida State)
57. Seattle - Colin Kaepernick (QB/Nevada)
58. Baltimore - Leonard Hankerson (WR/Miami FL)
59. Cleveland - Jarvis Jenkins (DE/Clemson)
60. New England - Sam Acho (DE/Texas)
61. San Diego - Jerrel Jernigan (WR/Troy)
62. Chicago - Jurrell Casey (DT/USC)
63. Pittsburgh - James Brewer (OT/Indiana)
64. Green Bay - Martez Wilson (LB/Illinois)

2011 NFL Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers (2-14) - Cam Newton (QB/Auburn)

Two months ago, I mocked Newton here and everyone thought I was crazy. Now it looks like it is almost a lock. Nearly every mock draft on the internet has Newton as the top dog and all signs are pointing to Panther new head coach Ron Rivera having his heart set on Newton.

Newton is a natural leader and has won it all on every level so far. Regardless, he makes a lot of bad decisions on the field which need to be worked on before he becomes a starter.

Once a new CBA is set, expect Jimmy Clausen to get traded. Matt Moore will most likely start this season while they get Newton ready for 2012.

2. Denver Broncos (4-12) - Patrick Peterson (CB/LSU)

Marcell Dareus is practically the consensus pick here as well, but it doesn't make too much sense to me.

Yes Denver finished dead last int he NFL last season in sacks, but they were also without Elvis Dumervil, their best pass rusher. He needs another man across from him, but not as bad as the team needs a cornerback.

Champ Bailey is aging and has already announced that he will play safety in order to extend his career in the late years. He is near the end of his career, so it will be sooner rather than later that he will make that transition. The other starting cornerback on last year's squad, Perrish Cox, is facing a prison sentence that could put him behind bars for life is convicted on a sexual assault charge.

Patrick Peterson is the best player available in this draft and is good enough to go no. 1, but the Panther won't take him. He can be the no. 2 cornerback for a year or two while Bailey lines up across from him until he moves to safety.

3. Buffalo Bills (4-12) - Von Miller (OLB/Texas A&M)

Buffalo would really love Cam Newton, but it isn't going to happen. Von Miller isn't that bad of a consolation prize though.

Miller is a sack machine who tore apart the Big XII in the last two seasons. He is also very intelligent and has no character issues. Buffalo needs all the help it can get in their pass rush, especially considering Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez are in their division.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) - A.J. Green (WR/Georgia)

There is absolutely no chance that Cincinnati drafts a quarterback in the first round. The organization still has hope that Carson Palmer is just bluffing and drafting a quarterback in the first round is not going to help their chances.

Giving him a new target, however, can help their chances of retaining him. Terrell Owens definitely will not be on the team next season and there is a good chance Chad Ochocinco will not be either. Green is speedy and has the ideal size of a wide receiver. He is not afraid to stretch out for played and dominated in the SEC last season when he played.

5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) - Robert Quinn (OLB/North Carolina)

Arizona needs to generate a pass rush defense that was vacated by the departure of Karlos Dansby.

Quinn is a pass rushing outside linebacker who can also play defensive end and will be able to fill this role for the team.

Julio Jones could also be looked hard at in this spot. The lack of another elite receiver across from Larry Fitzgerald and the lack of consistency at quarterback led to Fitzgerald's numbers taking a hit.

Quarterback will not be the pick here. Ken Wisenhunt is on the hot seat right now and it makes no sense for a man who's job is on the line to trust his team on the arm of a rookie.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Marcell Dareus (DT/Alabama)

Cleveland needs to address their front seven, which has never been great since the team rejoined the NFL in 1999.

Dareus has been mocked by nearly every team to the Denver Broncos, but I am still a bit of a skeptic. Regardless, Dareus is the best defensive tackle available and could also line up as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

Julio Jones could also bee looked at here. Cleveland would love to give Colt McCoy a reliable weapon.

7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Blaine Gabbert (QB/Missouri)

Jim Harbaugh has mentioned that he likes what he has seen out of Alex Smith, which has caused 49ers fans to groan, but I feel Harbaugh is only saying that so that he has more value when he gets traded.

That being said, expect San Francisco to look into quarterback early in this draft. The team is desperate for a franchise quarterback and Gabbert seems to be able to drop back down to here now.

Pricne Amukamara is also an option here, but I think the 49ers are too focused on fixing their offensive woes.

8. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Nick Fairley (DT/Auburn)

Tennessee is currently in rebuilding mode so there are needs all across the board. If Fairley is available, the Titans will definitely take him. Tennessee has lacked a true run-stuffing tackle since Albert Haynesworth left the team. There were rumors that Tennessee would trade with Washington to bring back Haynesworth, but his old defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, is in Detroit and former head coach Jeff Fisher is gone, consider that trade dead.

The Titans have a penchant for being a dirty team, which shouldn't be a problem for Fairley, who was dubbed a dirty player by many before the National Championship where he proved he is.

9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) - Prince Amukamara (CB/Nebraska)

Terrence Newman just turned 31 and is on the downside of his career. He will most likely become a safety soon. Mike Jenkins looked like a junior varsity player last year as he was not only numerously torched, he was targeted on nearly every pass play last year. Dallas needs to fix this.

While Patrick Peterson is the best cornerback available, Prince Amukamara is not that far behind him.

Dallas also needs an offensive lineman, but Jerry Jones has never spent a top pick, let alone a top 10 pick, on an offensive lineman. I would be surprised if that trend changes now.

10. Washington Redskins (6-10) - Julio Jones (WR/Alabama)

One of the reasons why Donovan McNabb struggled this year is because he has no weapons and an ineffective Clinton Portis to work with. Regardless, he won't be there next year.

A new weapon for the team, however, will be.

Teams fell in love with Jones' toughness during the season when he played despite a broken hand and ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine, despite having a broken foot.

11. Houston Texans (6-10) - Aldon Smith (DE/Missouri)
Houston will draft defensively this year, specifically on personnel who can fit their new 3-4 defense and players who can put pressure on the quarterback.

The Texans pass defense last year was atrocious and one reason why is because they had trouble getting to the quarterback. Brian Cushing regressed and was playing inside linebacker last season, allowing teams to double team Mario Williams.

Like Jason-Pierre Paul last season, Aldon Smith has a lot of upside which will make him a top-15 pick in the draft. Smith missed a big chunk of last season with injuries.

12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) - Jake Locker (QB/Washington)
Locker-to-Minnesota has gained a lot of steam lately and it seems more and more realistic for the Vikings to draft him in this spot. Minnesota needs a new franchise player and they feel Locker has what it takes to do the job.

Locker missed out on a lot of money by staying in school and if he is not taken here, he may fall out of the first round. The Vikings could also look at taking Da'Quan Bowers or Tyron Smith with this pick.

13. Detroit Lions (6-10) - Tyron Smith (OT/USC)
The Lions are finally admitting they have a problem at the tackle position and before Matt Stafford ends up in a wheelchair they need to fix it.

Tyron Smith can immediately play left tackle and Jeff Backus will be able to slide in at guard, a position he is better suited for.

Detroit may also look at Da'Quan Bowers to take the pressure off of Ndamukong Suh. If Prince Amukamara is available here, he will be the pick.

14. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Corey Liuget (DT/Illinois)
The Rams would love to take Julio Jones, but unless they trade up that isn't happening.

Multiple reports have pegged the Rams looking at Corey Liuget as their second-option, however, and he will easily be available here.

After Chris Long finally posted a breakout season last year, but St. Louis is a little toothless after that. Liuget is a run-stuffing tackle who will be an immediate starter on this team.

15. Miami Dolphins (7-9) - Da'Quan Bowers (DE/Clemson)
Mark Ingram may fall out of the first round now due to his bad knee. If The Dolphins are truly scared of that then their options will become to either trade out of the first round or work on their pass rush.

Bowers has dropped due to the overwhelming amount of question marks about him frin his knee problems to his one year of productivity. Regardless, Bowers had a monster campaign last year and led the nation in sacks.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) - Ryan Kerrigan (DE/Purdue)
Jacksonville was hoping Aaron Kampman would revive his career in Jacksonville, instead he tore the ACL in his other knee.

That being said, Jacksonville is a team that believes they should be on Indy's level and will therefore continue to generate a pass rush to stop the Colts.

Kerrigan was an academic All-American and a team leader for Purdue. He has no character issues and has a non-stop motor.

17. New England Patriots (14-2) - Cameron Jordan (DE/Calfironia)
The Patriots acquired this pick via the Richard Seymour trade, another reason why Oakland should be banned from trading with New England.

New England needs to address their defense and what better way to do that than replacing Richard Seymour with the pick you received to give him up?

The Patriots have had their eye on Jordan and if he lasts this long, they will most likely take him. Otherwise, expect New England to trade this pick.

18. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - Cameron Heyward (DE/Ohio State)
The Chargers have lacked a pass rush since Shawne Merriman became injury-riddled. They drafted Larry English as his replacement, but he hasn't been impressive so far.

Heyward will line up as a defensive end in San Diego's system and has been a key to the Buckeye's pass rush for three years.

19. New York Giants (10-6) - Anthony Castonzo (OT/Boston College)
The Giants have two needs entering this draft, the offensive line and linebacker. Anthony Castonzo is the best player available which satisfies their needs.

New York's offensive line is getting older and was hit with injuries last year. One of the reasons the Giants rarely find themselves picking in the top-20 is due to their offensive line, which is always amongst the league's best.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) - J.J. Watt (DE/Wisconsin)
Tampa Bay wants to continue to bring a young, healthy pass rush up fron that can harass Drew Brees and Matt Ryan for years.

Watt played tackle in college, but has a non-stop motor and a nose for the quarterback. He will excel in the NFL.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) - Akeem Ayers (OLB/UCLA)
Kansas City doesn't have much of a pass rush across from Tamba Hali and they need to take care of this.

Ayers is a great fit for the Chiefs, a team captain at UCLA and good against both the run and pass.

22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) - Derek Sherrod (OT/Mississippi State)
Indy's line is getting old and the Colts will look to draft here to prolong Peyton Manning's career.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) - Gabe Carimi (OT/Wisconsin)
It's no secret that the Eagles are looking to protect Michael Vick, who has only played one full season in his career.

Vick found himself running more than he needed to last season due to the fact that his offensive line just could protect him long enough.

Carimi can be the cornerstone of the Eagles offensive line.

24. New Orleans Saints (11-5) Muhammad Wilkerson (DT/Temple)
Don't think that just because the Saints drafted Shaun Rodgers last year that they are set on the defensive line.

Rodgers is 31 and will not be an every down tackle. Wilkerson is versatile enough to play end or tackle and will line up very well next to Will Smith.

25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) - Mike Pouncey (G/Florida)
Seattle needs to improve on their interior offensive line, along with their secondary or quarterback.

Pouncey is the best player available that fits the needs of Seattle. Many teams will take a hard look at Pouncey, who's twin brother, Maurkice, was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year.

26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) - Jimmy Smith (CB/Colorado)
Before last season began, there were concerns about the Ravens secondary. The unit played better than they were expected to, but they still need to improve.

Smith has been flying up people charts, but character concerns will drop him into a late first-round pick.

27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Torrey Smith (WR/Maryland)
Atlanta needs another weapon for Matt Ryan otherwise teams will be loading on Roddy White.

Torrey Smith looks great at the combine and is sliding up the mock boards.

28. New England Patriots (14-2) Mark Ingram (RB/Alabama)
Surely, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead aren't long-term answers in New England.

Ingram has scared a few teams with his knee problems, but New England is surely to bite on this pick. Ingram also won't receive an overload of carries with the Patriots, which will help his knee for now.

29. Chicago Bears (11-5) - Nate Solder (OT/Colorado)
The Bears offensive line is horrendous. Chris Williams has not played to his abilities and Jay Cutler has been running for his life all year.

Solder has taken a bit of a hit in his draft stock, but will still be taken in the first round, most likely between 21-30. The Bears desperately need to upgrade their offensive line of Cutler will be out of the league.

30. New York Jets (11-5) Adrian Clayborn (DE/Iowa)
The Jets struggled to generate a pass rush when they weren't blitzing and a lot of teams were able to figure out their scheme late in the year.

Clayborn has some character concerns, but the Jets track record shows they don't seem to care too much about that.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Phil Taylor (NT/Baylor)
Casey Hampton is going to be 34 on opening day and has seen a significant cut in playing time. Pittsburgh needs to draft his heir and groom him.

32. Green Bay Packers (10-6) Justin Houston (OLB/Georgia)
Houston is versatile enough to play either end or linebacker and will be a big contributor to the Packers, who's linebacker core can resemble the Steelers if Houston is added to their squad.