Step aside Kiper, FSB's NFL Mock Draft 2012

1. Colts-Andrew Luck QB Stanford.-Andrew Luck has pretty much been locked into this spot for quite some time. Luck is not only the top prospect in this draft, but perhaps the best prospect in the decade. He is believed to be a once in a lifetime Quarterback that has a high ceiling.  His ability to run an NFL type offense in college, and run it very well makes Luck all the more intriguing. This pick will be either celebrated or scrutinized for the rest of time. Luck is the reason Manning is in Denver. They believe he is worth it, we shall see if he truly is. Can he win right away in Indy?  That seems unlikely, but they will improve slowly but surely.

2. Redskins-Robert Griffin III QB Baylor-The Redskins gave up an arm and a leg for RG3. Griffin's speed, arm strength, and abilities have had scouts drooling over the Heisman winner all year. On most years Griffin's talent would make him a no brainer number 1 pick, but Luck has stolen that nod.  Griffin's main knock is that he comes from a spread offense that did not function under center.  His intangibles and smarts should erase any doubts.  Griffin may be the league's most intriguing scrambling Quarterback since Mike Vick came into the league. Griffin certainly has the talent to electrify crowds for years to come. Will he turn things around? I don't think he can come in and make any noise towards the playoffs. Just look at Cam Newton, he made Carolina better but not a good team. The Skins are well behind their rivals in the NFC East.

3. Vikings-Matt Kalil OT USC-Kalil is a very large imposing force on the offensive front, just exactly what they need to protect last year's top pick, Christian Ponder. Kalil is your prototypical franchise linemen that can start and be a factor from Day one until he retires. He can sure up plenty of questions for Minnesota and help the team grow offensively. Adrian Petersen is an elite Running Back and will appreciate having an elite linemen to open up some lanes. He will be a big impact player and will start right away. Minnesota is a few bounces here and there from competing in the North division. Green Bay is far off, but they can gain ground on Detroit.

4. Browns-Trent Richardson RB Alabama-The Browns have plenty of holes to sure up and have to play in one of the league's best divisions. The quarterback situation is far from being stable, but there is not a player that is worthy of this number four pick with Luck and Griffin off the board.  They could certainly lean in the way of Justin Blackmon, but I think Richardson is the guy they need.  He can be a workhorse back and solidify a struggling offense. McCoy will get more chances to play, and he will need a back to alleviate the pressure.  Hillis did not help matters in 2011 being 'Hurt". Richardson is a back that has a good skill set of strength and speed. He will be a big impact player that should see plenty of action in the physical AFC North.

5. Buccaneers-Morris Claiborne CB LSU-The Tampa Bay Bucs had a big step back after a successful 2010 campaign.  They have an impressive arsenal on offense that is still fairly young. They desperately need a good Running Back, and they may need to make a push to get Richardson or wait things out until the second round.  The Bucs still need help elsewhere, and Corner is a good place to start.  Ronde Barber is not getting any younger, and Aqib Talib always has trouble following him.  Morris Claiborne is an elite prospect that can come in and play right away.  Claiborne has played next to Patrick Petersen and Tyrann Mathieu in his days as a Tiger, and was never talked about as much as the aforementioned. That is not necessarily a bad thing, Claiborne goes out and does his job and takes care of his side of the field. He can come right in and play one side of the field.  He was a consensus All American and a winner of the Thore Award, this guy can play.

6. Rams-Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State-This pick is a match made in heaven.  The Rams have a young and promising franchise Quarterback in Sam Bradford, and he really needs a go to target.  This could be a Stafford-Johnson connection instantly.  Blackmon is not the most athletic receiver out there, but he is a gamer and play maker. He will catch everything thrown his way.  He should help make the Rams a better contender in the usually wide open NFC West.



7. Jaguars-Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame-The Jaguars are in a tough spot. They missed an opportunity to add a ticket selling miracle in the way of Tim Tebow. They also do not have a high enough pick to cause a stir.  Jacksonville has a young quarterback in Blaine Gabbert, and a stop gap in Chad Henne.  They lack a true top target.  Maurice Jones-Drew is a good asset, but the offense needs more of a punch.  They will almost assuredly take Blackmon if he falls here, but won't be terribly upset about reaching on Michael Floyd.  Floyd is a game breaker that can be a solid Number one option for years to come. His size and athleticism can cause fits for defenses. He may be better suited going to a more veteran team because he may have some maturity issues, but Jacksonville really needs his ability. He will make Henne or Gabbert's job much easier.

8. Dolphins-Riley Reiff OT Iowa-The Dolphins need a quarterback. Plain and simple. They will not be getting Luck or Griffin. They failed to add Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. They have David Garrard as their best option to date.  This will not be a very bright year for the Dolphins.  Could they stretch and grab a Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden? Its always possible, like the Vikings getting Christian Ponder last year.  Or Miami can hope they get Weeden later on. Either way, that needs to be addressed one way or another. More than likely they will be in a position to be drafting near the top of next year's draft and Matt Barkley will likely be next year's prize.  I think Miami adds Reiff to sure up the line. Long is a solid piece and Reiff can come in and take the other tackle spot. That will help down the line whenever they do add their quarterback.

9. Panthers-Quinton Cople DE North Carolina-Carolina has a very promising future behind Cam Newton. He is a special talent and will be the face of the franchise for years to come.  They have weapons around him for them to compete next season. The Panthers need to start concerning themselves with defense. They finished 24th in the league in pass defense. That can certainly be attributed to the lack of a solid pass rush.  Quinton Coples can come in and make a big impact.  He has size(6-5,284) and speed(4.7) to be a pretty effective NFL pass rusher. The Panthers invested in a UNC Defensive End before and things worked out, Coples could be a very good pro for years to come.

10. Bills-David DeCastro OG Stanford-The Bills have added some serious talent on the defensive end of the ball in the past few years. Shawne Merriman, Marcell Dareus, and now Mario Williams have really made things on that side the ball significantly better. The Bills on offense have made strides with Fitzpatrick, Jackson,Spiller, and Stevie Johnson leading the way.  This team is in better shape than they have ever been.  They can seriously make push in the AFC East, last year's start was a breathe of fresh air in upstate New York.  They need some help on the line, and DeCastro spent his career blocking for Andrew Luck.  He is a solid football player and should be able to start for the Bills.

11. Chiefs-Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State-The Kansas City Chiefs had a rough season.  They experienced all kinds of injuries. They can win the division this season if everyone is healthy.  This same group did it in 2010.  They need defensive help though.  Fletcher Cox is an athletic, big defensive tackle.  He and Dontari Poe are the consensus 1-2 in the draft at this position.  I give the slight edge to Cox.  He isn't the typical space eater, and is athletic enough to make some plays. KC needs some playmakers, and Cox can provide one at a position where you usually don't have one.

12. Seahawks-Luke Kuechly LB Boston College- Boston College has not had much success lately. That is why you may not even know who Luke Kuechly is. He may be a top 5 prospect had he played for a high profile team.  He is a ball hawk, and a tackling machine. This is exactly what Seattle needs. He can have a defense built around him, and he is a strong presence on the field. Seattle's defense needs a punch.  The offense may be looking at a Quarterback in the near future. Yes, Seattle signed Matt Flynn, but how good is he?  Arizona signed Kevin Kolb in the same type of situation and it has yet to work out. Ryan Tannehill is still available at this point.

13. Cardinals-Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M-This is a must need pick.  Arizona's Quarterback situation is grim.  Kolb has not been what they thought he would be.  Arizona has one of the best receivers in the league in Larry Fitzgerald, yet he does not have a serviceable guy to get him the ball. Tannehill put up two great seasons at QB, after spending time at receiver earlier in his career.  He is an athlete obviously, and may not starts for a few seasons.  They Cardinals will have to go on with Kolb, or find a stop gap. Tannehill can be very good in this league and should be a good project going forward in Arizona.

14. Cowboys-Mark Barron S Alabama-Dallas needs some help on Defense.  They could go defensive line or Safety.  Mark Barron is the best in those categories.  He is a winner coming from Alabama.  He has been an elite college player for a few years now, and should be an immediate impact for a Cowboys team that needs to stay competitive in the NFC East. Barron's athleticism should help an aging secondary for Dallas.

15. Eagles-Dontari Poe DT Memphis- Poe is not supposed to fall this far, but is he does, Philly lucks out.  Poe is a mammoth hole filler that can be in the rotation right away. He is huge and strong and should help free linebackers to make plenty of plays.  The "Dream Team" has a lot of talent, there is no question about it.  They need some pieces still, and defense should be a priority.

16. Jets-Cordy Glenn OT Georgia-The New York Jets have made some interesting decisions recently, you may have heard they brough in this Tebow guy from Denver.  The teams have two quarterbacks that started last year, but it is not a stable situation. The Jets need some offensive help, and perhaps a big tackle may be the best option.  The Defense under achieved last season, but they still possesssome key players that will have it together this season. Sanchez and Tebow is going to be a mess all season long, and it will bring out all the troubles in this organization. I do not envision the Jets having a good year, and they may be drafting in the Top 10 next year. The team has good talent, but lacks the QB to get them where they need to be. Glenn should provide stability on the Line for years to come, and may good enough to be drafted sooner.

17. Bengals-Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina-The Bengals need some defensive help, and Stephon Gilmore could be the answer. Gilmore has the size and athletic tolls to be a very successful corner in the league for years to come.  His popularity has grown of late, and Cincinnati may have their sights set on some other corners in the draft, but after Claiborne, he is the best on the board.  The Bengals will be factor again in 2012, and adding some weapons around Andy Dalton may be a good idea, but they are young on that side of the ball and some new guys may emerge.

18.Chargers-Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin-The Chargers have seemingly underachieved for years. Philip Rivers has always been an elite talent, but has not been able to win the big game. They have backs and receivers, and a fairly steady defense. They just do not play well together at the right times.  Zeitler is a big presence that should make an impact right away. This is a very, very deep class for offensive linemen. Zeitler comes from a good program and should be able to play instantly.

19. Bears-Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama-The Bears have improved their offensive game by adding Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush to a pretty good group already.  Jay Cutler has no excuses not to compete at the highest level. The Defense does need to get younger in some spots.  The defensive backfield is a good place to start, although any level of the defense is getting older. Kirkpatrick is a physical corner that should fit right into Chicago's scheme. He is not the best athlete available, yet he is still a competitor that is coming from a national champion defense.

20. Titans-Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama-The Titans have recently lost Cortland Finnegan, and a replacement should be in order. Jenkins is a former Florida Gator that has plenty of potential if he gets his head on right.  His character issues and there, and they definitely hold him back.  If you look at his talent and if he stays at Florida, he is certainly a top 10 player. The Titans drafted a questionable corner(Pacman) before, so they may be skeptical. If Kirkpatrick or Gilmore happen to be here, I would imagine they would take them instead.

21. Bengals-Jonathon Martin OT Stanford-Cincinnati is already adding a quality player in Stephon Gilmore with the 17th pick.  The Bengals should now focus on beefing up the offensive line.  Jonathon Martin comes from a respected program and had the duty of blocking for Andrew Luck the past few seasons.  He is a smart player with great size and should be a great player down the road. The Bengals are an up and coming franchise that will be around for a while, and Martin fits the mold into what they are building.

22. Browns-Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech-The Browns have added Trent Richardson earlier in the draft and this is just a gravy pick.  The team needs plenty of skill and talent on offense, and adding a top flight Running Back and now a potential number one type receiver.  Colt McCoy may not be the long time option for Cleveland, but when they find that option the offense should have a good supporting cast.  Hill does not come from a big time passing offense, to say the least.  He was mainly the only target in the Yellow Jacket option offense and still got open. His size should get him on the field right away.

23. Lions-Mike Adams OT Ohio State-The Lions need offensive line help to keep Matthew Stafford safe. Mike Adams of Ohio State should fit the bill. He is a mammoth up front standing 6-7 tall and weighing 320. He should sure up a very unsteady line in Detroit. It is amazing to think that the Lions have so few holes on their team. They are a legit contender and will be around again for years to come.

24. Steelers-Amini Silatolu OG Midwestern State-Pittsburgh is starting to get old. There are holes opening up all over the board, and many reasonable players could be drafted here.  Silatolu is a perfect match. He hails from a DII school, but has been considered a first round prospect by many.  The offensive line has been a patched by stop gaps for years, and now they need to build it up as Roethlisberger ages. Maurkice Pouncey is locked in at Center for years to come, and Silatolu should sure up a guard spot almost instantly. The Steelers will still be around next season, but this pick needs to be productive.

25. Broncos-Michael Brockers DT LSU-The Broncos are in need of a presence on the Defensive Line, and Brockers is certainly a presence. Brockers anchored the fierce LSU defense standing tall at 6-5 322. He will make an impact right away and sure up the trenches.  He is a physical specimen with his size and is pretty skilled too. He had 10 tackles for loss this past season, and he will make plays aside from taking on blockers. This pick makes a lot of sense for Denver.

26. Texans-Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama-Houston is really close from going to a good team to an elite team.  They have a very good offense with weapons across the board, and a Defense that has some play makers.  They lose Mario Williams and he leaves a big void. That is why Hightower is a great pick. He is from a top notch college defense and is a very smart player. He is the presence the Texans will need to help anchor the defense.  Hightower is a quality player that will get drafted a bit late, but he can provide plenty of help right away.

27. Patriots-David Wilson RB Virginia Tech-The Patriots are a veteran team that could use some talent all over the place. The Patriots have a pretty glaring need at Running Back with the departure of Benjarvus Green-Ellis, and basically Danny Woodhead is the only option left.  Woodhead isn't capable of supporting a whole running game, but David Wilson is big league ready. He is physical back with great feet. Wilson will be a capable back for years to come and should get carries right off the bat.

28. Packers-Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama-Upshaw will be the fourth member from the Crimson Tide defense to be drafted in the first round.  Upshaw is perhaps the best Outside Linebacker in the whole draft, and will be too good for the Packers to pass up.  The Green Bay defense isn't anything to write home about, but they are opportunistic. Clay Mathews is a dynamic player on edge already, while Upshaw can sure up the other side of the field.

29. Ravens-Harrison Smith S Notre Dame-This is a position of great need for Baltimore. Zbikowski and Nakamura are gone after leaving through free agency, and Ed Reed isn't getting any younger.  Smith may be a bit of a reach, but he is a good player. Smith won't wow anyone with athletic ability but he will be a solid player that will make the play. He is physical and will fit in well in the hard hitting AFC North.

30. 49ers-Jerrel Worthy DT Michigan State-This is a pick for depth and the future. Worthy is a steady defensive tackle that has been very disruptive throughout his Michigan State career. He is mobile and isn't a giant stop gap tackle. He is Harbaugh's kind of guy that will work and get better throughout his career.

31. Patriots-Lavonte Davis OLB Nebraska-David is an athletic linebacker and should bring youth to an aging defense.  The Patriots are drafting for the second time towards the back end of the first round, so they possibly could trade something away.  That will remain to be seen, but adding David would be a nice addition.



32. Giants-Kendall Wright WR Baylor-The Giants appear in good shape with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Now if you throw Kendall Wright into the mix and it could be a deadly trio in New York. Wright is a speedster and can add another element for the world champs. He has elite speed and quickness and reminds many of Mike Wallace.  The Giants are in good shape for next season, and anyone they add won't make or break this team.