CBSMiami 2012 NFL Mock Draft
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The NFL Draft is just days away and teams are putting out misinformation, fans are trying to figure out who their team will draft, and mock drafts rule cyber space and the sports networks.
CBSMiami.com is joining in the mix of mocks with its 2012 NFL Mock Draft. The top of the draft was easy to figure out, but after the top two picks, things go haywire in a hurry. So without further adieu, here's the CBSMiami Mock Draft.
- Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts ditched Peyton Manning and take their next franchise QB in Luck. - Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin, III, QB, Baylor
Washington traded the farm for the phenomenal Griffin who may be what people hoped Michael Vick would become. - Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Kalil, LT, USC
They have their quarterback in place, now they fill the void left last year when they cut Bryant McKinnie - Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Browns are willing to give QB Colt McCoy another year. Giving him Richardson will open up the play action fake and finally give the Browns a solid running back to pound the ball in December. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
With Aqib Talib's status uknown, Claiborne fits a need and is the top cornerback in the draft. - St. Louis Rams – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
For months it's looked like St. Louis had Justin Blackmon in its sights, but a day 1 starter at defensive tackle would help St. Louis' defensive ills. - Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Jacksonville has a decent offensive line, quality running back, good tight end and will add a talented receiver. Now it's all up to Blaine Gabbert to develop into a quarterback this season. - MIAMI DOLPHINS – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Fins roll the dice on Tannehill who could develop into a franchise quarterback in a West Coast Offense, or set the franchise back another decade. No pressure there Ryan. - Carolina Panthers – Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College
Carolina coach Ron Rivera needs to rebuild a defense and having a three-down linebacker in the mold of Zach Thomas and Ray Lewis will only fortify an improving squad. - Buffalo Bills – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Corner is a need when you play the Patriots. He helps lock up a secondary on a vastly improved defense from last season. - Kansas City Chiefs – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
The Chiefs run a 3-4 defense and a thumper of an inside linebacker with great versatility only makes the young defense that much better. - Seattle Seahawks – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Hawks coach Pete Carroll isn't afraid of taking a chance on a player. If Coples is motivated, he could be the steal of the draft at number 12. - New England Patriots (via trade with Arizona Cardinals) – Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
The backend of the Pats defense has needed work since Rodney Harrison left the team. Barron is as good as they get and will plug into the Pats lineup immediately. - Dallas Cowboys – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Missing out on Barron hurts, but a pass rushing defensive end/linebacker is always a good medicine for a team playing the Giants and Redskins with RGIII in the backfield. - Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Philly is perpetually searching for quality interior line play. Brockers is very raw, and could have used another year in school, but the Eagles gamble and may hit paydirt with the athletic Brockers. - New York Jets – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Jets have Santonio Holmes and some stiffs at wide receiver. With Holmes a headcase, Floyd will be the true safety net for Mark Sanchez, and possibly Tim Tebow. - Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Cincy lost Jonathan Joseph before last season and need a replacement. Kirkpatrick is similar to the Fins' Sean Smith in height, but is much more developed than Smith as a rookie. - San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, G, Stanford
The Chargers lost a starting guard to retirement, so they draft his replacement who will start from day 1 protecting Phillip Rivers. - Chicago Bears – Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
What a great name for a defensive end. Mercilus will start opposite Julius Peppers which means if he takes well to coaching and developing technique, he could be a monster of the midway. - Tennessee Titans – Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
You can never have enough lineman who can start multiple positions. Glenn is a beast who will help open up massive holes for Chris Johnson to pursue 2,000 yards rushing again. - Cincinnati Bengals – Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
Versatility, plus experience in a pro-style defense will allow Upshaw to challenge for a starting job in year one. - Cleveland Browns – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
If Cleveland gets Richardson and Wright in the first round, no one will be able to wipe the smile off quarterback Colt McCoy's face. - Detroit Lions – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
The Lions have to replace Jeff Backus eventually. Give him Adams as an understudy for a year and then Matt Stafford has his blind side protected for years. - Pittsburgh Steelers - Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
If Poe can ever match his skills up with his massive athleticism, he'll be a beast in the NFL in the vein of Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata. - Denver Broncos – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Denver fixed its offense for the most part in the offseason, now, John Elway looks to fortify his run defense to really take the team to the next level. Worthy is rising on boards and is a perfect fit for John Fox and the Broncos. - Houston Texans – Stephen Hill, WR, Ga. Tech
Andre Johnson has faced double coverage for years, now the Texans bring in a complimentary receiver to hopefully free up Johnson more throughout the game. - Arizona Cardinals (via trade with New England Patriots) – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
The Cardinals need offensive line help and nothing can help a line more than a solid anchor in the middle making the calls. Konz may start from day 1. - Green Bay Packers – Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
Versatility will be McClellin's selling point. Giving Clay Matthews some help as a pass rusher will make the Packers defense that much more stout, especially with Jay Cutler getting Brandon Marshall to throw to in Chicago. - Baltimore Ravens – Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State
He's a mauler at offensive guard and will add the wealth of riches along the offensive line in Baltimore including Bryant McKinnie and Michael Oher. - San Francisco 49ers – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
The pick makes too much sense. Fleener knows Harbaugh's offense and is a capable blocker. Still, don't be surprised if Reuben Randle of LSU is the pick. - New England Patriots – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
The Pats always need offensive line help to keep Tom Brady upright. Plus, if Solder doesn't fit at left tackle, Martin could plug into the left tackle spot for the rest of Brady's career. - New York Giants – Reuben Randle, WR, LSU
Jerry Reese is a draft whiz and he takes the best player available here to hopefully give quarterback Eli Manning another big target on the outside to go against the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins
That's CBSMiami.com's Mock Draft. If you want another perspective, take a look at what our partners in New York came up with on their own mock draft by clicking here.
