New Mock Draft- Trade Up Edition

The Washington Redskins gave up a king's ransom to trade up to the #2 overall pick to select whichever quarterback the Indianapolis Colts do not take. So with this move, it shakes up the draft a whole lot. Not to mention teams have been making cuts to get under the salary cap and player rankings have changed since the combine. So here is my latest prediction on the 2012 NFL Rookie Draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford - With all that's been talked about Robert Griffin III, some people have forgotten about the Stanford quarterback. I still think the Colts are going to go with Luck because most thing he is the most impressive quarterback prospect since another Stanford signal caller, John Elway. The Colts just let go of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, I think they are going to take Luck who's game is a lot like Manning's. He's the traditional pocket quarterback, but he can move around too and pick up a first down with his feet if he needs to. 
2. Washington Redskins (from Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor - The Redskins gave up their 2012 first and second round picks, 2013 first round pick, and 2014 first round pick to the Rams to obtain the second overall pick in this draft. You don't give up a haul like that to select a running back or wide receiver. With Luck off the board, the only option here for the Redskins is RGIII. He can run, he's very accurate (in the pocket and on the run), and he has a rocket launcher attached to his right shoulder instead of an arm. He is the player Mike Shannahan needs the most to turn the Redskins around from NFC East cellar dweller into a playoff and hopefully Super Bowl team.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT Southern California - The Vikings took Christian Ponder in the first round last year. He needs to be protected, and the only smart pick for them to make is the offensive tackle out of Southern Cal. He will not only protect Ponder's blind side, he will be a good run blocker for Adrian Peterson (when he returns from his knee injury) and Toby Gerhart.
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB LSU - Yes, I had the Browns taking Trent Richardson in my last mock draft, but I have since changed my mind on that. The Browns defense is further along than their offense, but it seems that the Pat Shurmer version of the West Coast Offense isn't big on running the football more than 14 times a game very often, so taking a RB here doesn't fit. Yes they could take Justin Blackmon, but I don't think he fits the version of wideout that they want. Claiborne is the best pick here, giving the Browns potentially two shut down cornerbacks if Claiborne works out. With the NFL becoming more and more of a passing league, the need for top defensive backs is going to be high. 
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB Alabama - I had the Redskins taking Morris Claiborne with this pick in my first mock draft, but in this version he's gone to the Browns. If the Browns end up not taking him, then I still have the Pewter Pirates taking him. However, for this mock draft I have them taking Richardson. Yes, LeGarrete Blount is a very powerful runner...but he doesn't understand blocking schemes and he has a high fumble rate. Richardson is a weapon that can be used in run and pass situations because he understands blocking schemes and can catch the ball out of the backfield. While running back isn't their biggest need, there really isn't a player here that fits at this pick for the Buccaneers.
6. St. Louis Rams (from the Redskins): Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State - The Rams got a ton from the Redskins to move back and likely still get the player that they covet the most. Blackmon is by far the best receiving prospect in the draft, but wasn't worthy of the #2 overall pick and the Rams didn't need a quarterback. Now their big money franchise quarterback finally has a real weapon at wide receiver. A guy that can go up and fight for the football, a guy who can get open underneath and then take the ball to the house. Sam Bradford to Justin Blackmon is going to be just about as exciting for Rams fans as Kurt Warner to Torry Holt was. Plus all the extra picks from the Redskins...as long as they draft right the Rams should be a playoff team in a season or two.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT Iowa - Last year the Jaguars took Blaine Gabbert in the first round, but very little protection in front of him. Right tackle Guy Whimper (horrible name for a football player, perfect for a male synchronized swimmer) played much like his namesake....he just wasn't good. He is a free agent and his current immediate backup is a guy who was an undrafted free agent last year, Cameron Bradfield. If they want Gabbert to be a success, they need to protect him. Reiff should be the only option as long as he is still on the board. 
8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Brockers, DT LSU - I still have the Dolphins taking Brockers. Their new head coach wants to take the Dolphins to a 4-3 defense and he needs more bodies along the defensive line. Him and Paul Soliai should be a formidable DT tandem to help stuff the run. If they don't take Brockers, they may opt for Stanford's Jonathon Martin to bookend the line at RT and protect whoever ends up being the Miami quarterback. A lot of people are mocking Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill here in case the 'Phins don't get Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn. Even if they don't get either of those quarterbacks, I don't think they take Tannehill out of desperation/
9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT Memphis - I have him as the second best defensive tackle in the draft, and the Panthers need a defensive tackle. They took two in the third round last year, Sione Fua and Terrell McClain. Fua played well for a rookie, but McClain was horrible against the run. With Poe dominating his blocker, you can rotate the two players they took in the third round beside him depending on the situation. Another choice here could be the player I put here in my first mock draft, Penn State DT Devon Still if they feel he is a better fit for what they want to do on defense. They do need a CB, but I don't think they take Janoris Jenkins this high, but could trade back and target him if they get a good offer.
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina - Some sites have him pegged as an outside linebacker, but I think he can play defensive end in a 4-3 defense. The Bills have telegraphed their picks in the past with this current staff, and they have been complaining about the lack of a pass rush. They play in a division with former NFL MVP Tom Brady of the Patriots, former first round pick Mark Sanchez of the Jets, and they might possibly be getting Peyton Manning in the division if the Dolphins can convince him to bring his talents to South Beach. They need to get to the quarterback. If they don't take Ingram or another DE prospect with this pick, I think they go with a wide receiver to help out Ryan Fitzpatrick who they gave a big contract to last season.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathon Martin, OT Stanford - Todd Hailey waived Jared Gaither last season and now the Chiefs don't have a right tackle. They also need protection in case they are unable to resign LT Brandon Albert. If the Chiefs are going to come anywhere close to winning the AFC West in 2012, they need to protect Matt Cassel and open holes for Jamaal Charles. I really don't see another option for the Chiefs if Martin falls to them. If he is not there, then I see them taking his college teammate David DeCastro to play guard. 
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Couples, DE North Carolina - Another team that had a very weak pass rush last season, the Seahawks need to get to the quarterback. They play two first overall picks in Sam Bradford (Rams) and Alex Smith (49ers) twice a season each, and then could meet them again in the playoffs if the 'Hawks get there. This is the best available option for the Seahawks if they are looking for a pass rush defensive end. Another option would be Boston College middle linebacker Luke Keuechly because their middle linebacker is a free agent who was nothing special and Keuechly would be a run stopper at MLB, and the defending NFC West Champions San Francisco 49ers like to run the ball with Frank Gore.
13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG Stanford - The Cardinals are in the running for Peyton Manning, and even if they don't get him they still need to upgrade their offensive line. They have a good run game with Beanie Wells pounding the rock, and DeCastro would help him out along with protecting either Manning or Kevin Kolb. If he's on the board, there is no question in my mind that DeCastro is their pick.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama- Jenkins has seemed to clean up his act, but he was still kicked out of school by Florida. Jerry Jones doesn't care about character concerns and if it wasn't for the character concerns involved with Jenkins, he would likely be a top ten pick. The Cowboys have a bad defensive secondary and Jenkins would help sure that up some. Another option is Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Keuechly, MLB Boston College - One big problem the Eagles defense had last season was at linebacker, specifically middle linebacker. Teams ran at will on them. I know that Andy Reid doesn't like drafting linebackers high, but after last season he doesn't have much choice but to do so. If the Eagles want to become a playoff team again, they need to fix the middle of their defense.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama - The Jets have to blitz if they want to get a pass rush, and that leaves them vulnerable. Upshaw can help the situation by being for the Jets what James Harrison is to the Steelers. Also, Upshaw is also strong against the run so he can play all downs, he won't just be a pass rush specialist. I think he will be their pick since Rex Ryan is a defensive coach and will urge the Jets to make him their selection. Other options are Like Keuechly if he's there since they will likely be without Bart Scott next season if they can unload him in a trade (and if they can't trade him, they'll likely just cut him). They could also take a wide receiver here since they Plaxico Burress is going to be playing elsewhere and they don't have anyone across from Santonio Holmes. Also they can go with Alabama's SS Mark Barron with Jim Leonhard a free agent and coming off of a season ending injury.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders) - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama - The Bengals do not care very much about character concerns, if at all. Kirkpatrick's marijuana possession charges have been dropped and if anything that would be what scares off the Bengals. Nate Clements is 32 years old and while he played okay last season, is in decline. The Bengals know they made a mistake when they let Johnathon Joseph walk away last offseason to the Texans. Top corner Leon Hall is coming off of an Achillies tendon injury and may not be ready to start the season on time. They need a corner if they want to stay a playoff contender, especially in the rough and tumble AFC North.
18. San Diego Chargers - Mark Barron, SS Alabama - The Chargers have a few needs including the offensive line. However they need a safety too. They signed Bob Sanders last offseason and to nobody's surprise he ended up on injured reserve and is now a free agent. I think they go defense, but it also wouldn't shock me if they took Georgia's guard/tackle Cordy Glenn to help the line.
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame - The Bears have been trying to find a legitimate wide receiver for Jay Cutler. They have yet to find him, with last year's attempt being Roy Williams. Floyd is a big body much like Brandon Marshall was for Cutler in Denver. Getting Cutler a true #1 receiver would open up their offense a lot, which is needed if the Bears want to compete with the Packers and Lions for the NFC North. 
20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE Illinois - The Titans need to upgrade their pass rush. Derrick Morgan tore his ACL ending his rookie season in early October 2010 and then just looked bad last season. Their division is going to have Andrew Luck on the Colts, Matt Schaub on the Texans, and first round pick last year Blaine Gabbert at quarterback in the division, getting to the quarterback is important to win games. 
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT Georgia - I hate making this pick for the Bengals because I want him to fall to the Steelers. However, I think the Bengals snatch him up at this pick to help fortify the inside of their offensive line as they let their current LG, Nate Livings, walk away in free agency. Not only do they get younger on the line with Glenn, they also upgrade the talent at that position. Another option here for the Bengals would be Miami RB Lamar Miller, who I have them taking in my first mock draft. 
22. Cleveland Browns (from Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR Baylor - They didn't get the quarterback they wanted to possibly pair with his college teammate if they could have kept this pick in a trade with the Rams....but they still fix this huge hole on the offense. Now Colt McCoy (or Matt Flynn if they sign him, or Kevin Kolb if they make a trade for him) will have a true #1 receiver to throw to. Getting him would help with making the Browns receivers better as a whole with Greg Little having a legit guy across from him so he can be a #2 receiver and then Josh Cribbs in the slot.
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina - Offense is not the problem for the Lions, they have an explosive offense. If they needed anything on offense, it's possibly a running back due to the fact that Jahvid Best is very injury prone, specifically with concussions. But they need help on defense, the side of the ball head coach Jim Schwartz coordinated in Tennessee with the Titans. Gilmore plays with very good awareness which make him dangerous to challenge. The offensive line is built to get after the quarterback in a division with Aaron Rogers and Jay Cutler...now they need defensive backs that can cover the wide receivers and take advantage of balls thrown under distress.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB Alabama - With the Steelers cutting James Farrior, they have a big hole next to Lawrence Timmons and Hightower looks like a guy who's destiny is to be a Pittsburgh Steelers. Hightower would likely start as a rookie in Pittsburgh's complex 3-4 defense, and he would likely excel. He played the same position in Alabama's 3-4 defense which finished as the top defense in every category last season. He would be another in  along lineage of linebackers, a strong Pittsburgh tradition.
25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State - Brodrick Bunkley was good as a run stuffer last season, but he is a free agent. Even if the Broncos resign him, they need another tackle alongside him. Cox would be that guy, giving the Broncos a side interior defensive line to help stop the run in a division with Jamaal Charles (Chiefs), Darren McFadden (Raiders), and Ryan Matthews (Chargers). 
26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR Georgia Tech - The Texans might resign linebacker Mario Williams since they have signed RB Arian Foster to a long term deal. If they do this, then I think they'll want to get a receiver to team with Andre Johnson. When Johnson got hurt, they were left with Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter as their two starting wide receivers. Drafting Hill brings some insurance if Andre Johnson goes down with another injury, and brings a second big receiver to the starting offense for Schaub to target in the passing game.
27. New England Patriots (from Saints): Devon Still, DT Penn State - The New England Patriots offense isn't the problem, it's the defense that was the worst ranked in the AFC last season. The Patriots transitioned to a 4-3 base defense last season and had lined Albert Haynesworth up next to Vince Wilfork. Haynesworth was released by New England in November and claimed off of waivers by the Buccaneers who then released him after the season, he is currently a free agent. If the Patriots draft Still, they get another piece to fixing their defense and he can also move to DE when the Patriots use 3-4 fronts as the sometimes do.
28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C Wisconsin - The Packers starting center, Scott Wells, is a free agent and in his early thirties and is also a free agent. They may want to draft Konz and just let Wells walk in free agency, replacing him with a player that's going to be there for another decade plus, instead of having to worry about when  age catches up to Wells and having to find a replacement for him then. Even if they resign Wells, Konz can play guard and then take over at center when the times comes later on. 
29. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Adams, OT Ohio State - The Ravens signed Bryant McKinnie last offseason after he was cut by the Vikings. While McKinnie played very well for Baltimore, he's on the wrong side of thirty and has had problems maintaining his weight. Drafting Adams gives the Ravens insurance if McKinnie gets hurt or comes into camp out of shape, or if his play just falls off due to age. Adams would also be able to learn behind one of the best tackles of the past decade.
30. San Francisco 49ers- Rueben Randle, WR LSU - The 49ers made it to the NFC Championship Game based a lot on their defense and running game. However, the divisional round game against the Saints ended up being his coming out party. Many people think he needs one more target in the passing game, and then the 49ers will be ready for a Super Bowl, seeing how they lost the NFC Championship Game by a field goal. Randle is a big body who had an eye popping average of 18.1 yards per reception last season. This would put him opposite of former first round pick Michael Crabtree, who has been rather disappointing after being the tenth overall pick of the 2009 draft.
31. New England Patriots: Nick Perry, DE Southern California - The Patriots, as mentioned before, was one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. Perry would improve their pass rush, which will be needed if Peyton Manning ends up playing in Miami. Not only can he rush with his hand in the dirt at defensive end, he could also play some outside linebacker when they Patriots transition into a 3-4 look at times during games. 
32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson - He is likely the best player available, which fits the Giants drafting philosophy. Jake Ballard tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and nobody knows when he will be available to play this year. Allen is an upgrade over Ballard who is a fine second tight end and a serviceable starter. Allen is also a good blocker. The Giants are likely to lose Mario Manningham in free agenct and Dwayne Allen would bring a dimension to the offense that they haven't had since Jeremy Shockey was lining up at the position. Allen can also move out to the slot if needed.