Mock Draft 3.0 (Pre-Combine Edition, 2 Rounds): Steelers Select ILB Dont’a Hightower and OG Kevin Zeitler
12. Seattle Seahawks (Flip): Michael Brockers DT (Louisiana State)
Seattle could look to trade back and possibly acquire QB Ryan Tannehill at the end of the 1st Round if they don’t see any players they like at #12. Yet Seattle has a dire need to upgrade their Defensive Line at both DT and DE, and there is one player in particular that has scouts salivating over his upside: DT Michael Brockers.
And sporting 6’6″ and 306 lb. frame, Brockers could help out at the 1 Technique DT or the 3 Technique for a team that is in search of help at both spots like the Seahawks. With Red Bryant facing Free Agency, Seattle could take a gamble on a physical specimen like Brockers who could help an already improving Seahawks Defense.
(Previous Selection: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro OG (Stanford)
Finally, a top tier O-Lineman for Russ Grimm to work with. DeCastro fits the mold of what Arizona would like to do on Offense: Pound the rock and hit the opposition through the air on play-action fakes to the League’s best WR in the form of Larry Fitzgerald.
DeCastro kind of reminds me of former Steelers Guard and future Hall of Fame candidate Alan Faneca. He gets to the 2nd Level quickly, he pulls very well, his pass blocking is solid, and he’s got some tenacity to him.
If Kevin Kolb/Jon Skelton want to keep from getting planted next season, and Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams want holes to run through between the Tackles, then Arizona could very well be looking in DeCastro’s direction.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick CB (Alabama)
Leave it to Dallas to go after players with “character concerns” (Kirkpatrick may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time though) but boat-loads of talent. Jerry Jones has illustrated over the course of his career as a G.M. that a players’ issues don’t matter very much unless they can actually play the game (see Bryant, Dez). That being said, if Dre’ Kirkpatrick falls to Dallas at #14 and DeCastro is taken by Arizona at #13, the Cowboys could end up taking Kirkpatrick.
Before they can make more upgrades to their lowly Offensive Line, Dallas must first find a way to stop the opposition through the air. Dallas had the N.F.L.’s 23rd Ranked Pass Defense in 2011, and their ineffectiveness really cost the team at some crucial points in meaningful games (both Giants contests). If Dallas wants to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009, fixing the CB situation is of the utmost importance.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly ILB/OLB (B.C.)
“The Dream Team” faced quite a bit of nightmares in the early going during the 2011 season, and just couldn’t get back on track enough to qualify for Postseason play. One of Philadelphia’s biggest issues however was at the Linebacker position. And the Eagles problems at LB proved to be an Achilles Heel for their already shaky Defense.
Thankfully, Philly can get exactly what they need in the form of Boston College’s Luke Kuechly. Kuechly has the size (6’3” 237 lbs.), athleticism, and positional flexibility to play the MLB or OLB spot in a 4-3 Defense like Philadelphia’s.
With Philly’s “Wide 9” sets on the Defensive Line, it is imperative that the Linebackers are able to not only shed blocks, but make tackles as well. Kuechly himself proved to be a tackling machine at B.C., and could step in Day 1 to help Philadelphia’s undersized and underachieving LB corps.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw OLB (Alabama)
If Rex Ryan ever wants his crazy Super Bowl predictions to come true he had better think about upgrading his team on the Defensive side of the ball in a couple of months. The Jets must be relentless in their pursuit of pressuring the opposing QB, and if Courtney Upshaw fell to them at #16, there is no way they would pass on him.
The 6’2″ 265 lb. All-American Upshaw is a beast in terms of his versatility and tenacity. He could come off the edge as a down lineman in a 4-3 system, or he could stand up as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme, and move all around in the exotic Defensive sets which the Jets employ.
(Previous Selection: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama)
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins CB (North Alabama)
The Bengals have a litany of problems at the CB position heading into 2012 due to poor performance and injuries hitting in 2011. Cincinnati’s Secondary was dealt a major blow after Jonathan Joseph left for Houston, Leon Hall was hurt at midseason, and Pacman Jones proved to be utterly useless down the stretch. The dude basically melted-down in Cincinnati’s Wild Card loss to Houston a few weeks ago.
Thus, I believe Cincinnati will be looking to select North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins at #17. The Bengals (probably more than any team) will probably look past Jenkins’ off-the field issues and look to him to help out at the Nickel Back right away. In spite of his run-ins with the law, the 5’10” Jenkins started as a Freshman on Florida’s 2008 B.C.S. National Championship team, and established himself as one of the S.E.C.’s top CB’s during his three year career in Gainesville. Had Jenkins declared for the Draft last season he would have likely been a Top 15 Pick.
18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams OT (Ohio State)
San Diego has some issues surrounding the status of their Tackles entering 2012. I personally don’t believe that Jared Gaither, a hurt Marcus McNeill, and Jeromy Clary are the solution for San Diego 2-3 years down the road. If the Chargers do not decide to acquire a Pass Rusher in Round 1, they would be wise to add a solid Tackle to the mix along their Offensive Line.
The massive (6’8″ 320 lbs.) Mike Adams from Ohio State could give San Diego the answer it is looking for at either Tackle spot. Adams is a road-grading OT who would best be served opening holes for Matthews, Tolbert, and any other of the Chargers’ Backs in the future. But Adams’ is also athletic enough to hold his own in pass-protection, which of course would make Philip Rivers happy as well.
(Previous Selection: Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal)
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd WR (Notre Dame)
While Chicago’s Offensive Line is still in need of help, they can’t pass up a chance to take a talented player like Michael Floyd. To be perfectly blunt, Chicago’s WR corps is arguably the worst as a whole in the entire League. If Jay Cutler is going to succeed in the “Windy City” he must have better targets than Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Earl Bennett to throw to, plain and simple.
Even with his off-field issues (D.U.I.), Floyd played incredibly at Notre Dame during his 4 year career in South Bend. Floyd’s got the body type (6’3″ 224 lbs.), the speed, the route running ability, and the attitude to make it in this League. Now it’s just a matter of him getting his shot. And with Chicago, he could inevitably be a starter when Training Camp begins.
20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn OG/OT (Georgia)
If Tennessee decides that fixing the interior of their Offensive Line is a higher priority than helping to bolster their pass rush, the Titans will look to target a Guard like Cordy Glenn this April. Glenn is a very versatile prospect who played both Guard and both Tackle spots in college (he projects as a Guard by most scouts), and has tremendous athleticism for his size (6’5″ 346 lbs.) which would be of added interest to the Titans.
Adding a player like Glenn could immediately help the Titans in the running game with CJ2K, but also give QB of the future Jake Locker a terrific Lineman to protect him. The Titans are a team that is on the cusp of the postseason, and if they continue to add solid players like Glenn in future Drafts, they could make some real noise in the A.F.C. South.
(Previous Selection: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois)
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller RB (Miami FL)
With Cedric Benson entering his early 30′s and Bernard Scott’s production dwindling, the Bengals I believe will look to address the RB position early in the 2012 Draft. With Richardson off the board (although they could trade up for him), Lamar Miller could very well be the guy that Cincinnati selects.
Miller is known as a solid and speedy “one-cut” guy that can shoulder the load at first with Benson and/or Scott. Inserting Miller in the game and getting him close to 15 touches would immediately help the Bengals 19th ranked rushing Offense out next season. A RS-Sophomore at 5’10” 215 lbs. that averaged 5.6 YPC on 1,272 Yards and scored 9 TD’s last season, Miller doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires, and Cincinnati should be getting him for the best years of his career barring an injury. If Cincinnati doesn’t select Miller here, they will likely go after a David Wilson or a Doug Martin in Round 2 because they need to improve their running game if they want to compete with the likes of Pittsburgh and Baltimore this season.
(Previous Selection: Mark Barron, S, Alabama)
22. Cleveland Browns: Nick Perry DE (Southern Cal)
If Cleveland does indeed hold onto their second 1st Round pick, they should look to upgrade their Defensive Line and add a pass rushing DE like Nick Perry to their roster. Perry, a 4-3 DE in college, who also led the Pac-12 in Sacks with 9.5 in 2011, will get his chance step in Day 1 and help the Browns across from 2nd year man Jabaal Sheard if he is indeed selected.
If Cleveland wants to compete against the A.F.C. North’s great QB play (Big Ben, Flacco, and Dalton), finding a way to harass the passer is the #1 priority. Perry has great quickness and speed off the edge, and Cleveland must be alert and ready to find a talented DE in this April’s Draft.
(Previous Selection: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State)