Feb
20
2012
Round 2
33. St. Louis Rams
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| Bobby Wagner – OLB – Utah State
St. Louis is currently home to what may be the least athletic group of linebackers in the NFL. Wagner is an exceptional athlete who would immediately upgrade the Rams’ weak-side linebacker position. |
34. Indianapolis Colts
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| Coby Fleener – TE – Stanford
After securing their quarterback of the future with the first overall pick, the Colts grab him a familiar target here. Fleener is a reliable tight end with the size and speed to develop into one of the league’s premier receivers at his position. |
35. Minnesota Vikings
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| Rueben Randle – WR – LSU
Lacking a top receiver, the Vikings are sure to address the position in free agency or early on draft weekend. Randle is a player on the rise with a combination of size and speed that is sure to draw first round looks. |
36. Seattle Seahawks (f/TB)
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| Brandon Weeden – QB – Oklahoma State
After missing out earlier, the Seahawks make a move here to secure their quarterback of the future. Weeden may be 28 years old, but he has the ability to start in Seattle some time during his rookie season.
|
37. Cleveland Browns
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| Zach Brown – OLB – North Carolina
Once again, the Browns miss out on a potential game-breaking wide receiver and starting quarterback. What they do get, however, is a gifted athlete capable of cracking the starting lineup from day one at weak-side linebacker. |
38. Jacksonville Jaguars
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| Leonard Johnson – CB – Iowa State
Few teams around the league were run as thin as the Jaguars at the cornerback position a year ago. Johnson is gifted in press-man coverage and is among this class’ most impressive on film. |
39. Minnesota Vikings
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| Alameda Ta’amu – DT – Washington
Since the loss of big Pat Williams inside, Minnesota has lacked stability at the defensive tackle spot next to Kevin Williams. Ta’amu looks like an improvement, adding tremendous size and impressive athleticism to the Vikings’ front. |
40. Carolina Panthers
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| Stephon Gilmore – CB – South Carolina
Defense must be the focus for Carolina early on draft weekend and cornerback is among the positions most likely to be addressed. Gilmore possesses impressive physical ability and has the potential to be a very good starter in time. |
41. Buffalo Bills
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| Chase Minnifield – CB – Virginia
While the Bills seemed to find a keeper in 2011 second round pick, Aaron Williams, they lack consistency across from him. Minnifield bring the size and cover skills necessary to contribute immediately. |
42. Miami Dolphins
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| Nick Perry – OLB – Southern California
Having bypassed a pass rusher earlier to add a quarterback, the Dolphins cannot afford to give up this opportunity. A college defensive end, the explosive Perry could be a natural switching to linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. |
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (f/SEA)
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| David Wilson – RB – Virginia Tech
A running back is sure to be high on Tampa Bay’s wish list after a season in which they finished just 30th in the NFL in rushing yards. Wilson’s speed and game-breaking ability should breathe life into an offense that lack explosiveness a year ago. |
44. Kansas City Chiefs
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| Doug Martin – RB – Boise State
With veteran Thomas Jones out the door in Kansas City, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs look to add a running back at some point. Martin is a complete back that looks like he would be an ideal compliment to the explosive Jamaal Charles. |
45. Dallas Cowboys
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| Ronnell Lewis – OLB – Oklahoma
The Cowboys are sure to be looking for an outside linebacker to play across from All-Pro DeMarcus Ware if they are unable to re-sign free agent Anthony Spencer. Lewis is a good fit, a college end with experience standing up and playing in space. |
46. Philadelphia Eagles (f/ARI)
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| Kelechi Osemele – OG/OT – Iowa State
The Eagles continue to surprise here, addressing the trenches before taking a linebacker or defensive back. The immense Osemele fits into the typical Andy Reid mold and has the versatility to start immediately at guard or tackle. |
47. New York Jets
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| Bruce Irvin – OLB – West Virginia
Though New York opted to forego a chance to land a pass rusher in the first round, the opportunity presents itself again in the second. Irvin is one of this class’ most dynamic edge rushers and looks capable of flourishing in a 3-4 scheme. |
48. New England Patriots (f/OAK)
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| Dont’a Hightower – ILB – Alabama
While the Patriots could very well be tempted to make a move up if Hightower falls out of the first round, they sit tight and land him here. The versatile inside backer is capable of rushing the passer from a variety of positions and adds depth and talent to a quickly improving defensive unit. |
Ryan Lownes
Ryan is currently an undergraduate student at Ohio University pursuing a degree in Sport Management. He has been attending the NFL Draft in New York City since 2005 and has aspirations of a career in scouting. He is currently a draft writer and analyst on the Draft Breakdown team, posting his latest rankings, mock drafts, scouting reports, and more. Be sure to follow Ryan on twitter for year-round NFL Draft analysis.
Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanlownes. See all posts for Ryan Lownes
That’s stupid, the Vikings aren’t going to trade back and take Reiff. He’s a RT not a LT. If they trade back they’re going CB or WR.
Thank you for your in depth analysis on why Riley Reiff cannot be viewed as a lady tackle prospect.
Left*, sorry for the typo there.
Hate the first two picks for the Jags. And Poz wasn’t the answer? He played damn fine, and LB is the one position on the team that they have no need at.
This is garbage. Browns must address QB AND WR within first two rounds. I’ll pass on Cordy glenn over Jonathan Martin and Sanu. The browns need explosiveness on offense. Not defense. Zach brown is nice but again, we need offense. Can’t wait until round 3 to hit receiver.
@Vanguard I have to extend an apology to Browns fans. This will be one of the more unsettling drafts you’ve seen out there on the internet. More than likely, Cleveland would shop that 4th pick and move down the board; however, I only decided to include trades for Quarterbacks in this mock. Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn were not factored into these picks at all.
@Dale I received some bad info on Pos that keeps coming up in conversations with Jags’ fans. If I were to change things: cornerback would be a position I’d expect Gene Smith to address there.
Yes, I’d have the Jags go with Coples and one of the 2nd round cbs. Would be very happy with Quick in the third.
Reiff was a TE converted to a OT. His skillset is better suited at RT, Reiff would be good value outside the top 10 as a RT. No way Blackmon makes it out of the top 10
If Zach Brown Stephon Gilmore Burficit and Hightower available when the vikings pick id say pull the trigger on any of them over Randle. Ta’Amu would be great with that second 2nd pick
Brian Quick, Nick Toon, Stephen Hill, Harrison Smith, Markelle Martin, Vontaze Burficit(again)and Boyken are all guys id take over Trumaine Johnson. His arrests make me think of Chris Cook…
@Justin You want to be careful not to think in terms of absolutes in February. Remember four QBs wound up drafted in the top 12 last year, Dez Bryant fell into the 20s in 2010, and LSU DE Tyson Jackson rose into the top three picks in 2009. There are no absolutes before the NFL Combine and it is important to understand that it only takes one team to throw things off. I’m not sure how TE –> OT indicates RT, left tackles Joe Staley and Jason Peters are among many that would suggest otherwise. Protecting the QB has to be the Vikings’ first priority IMO.
I agree that protecting the QB is top priority, but i dont think any OT besides Kalil deserves to be picked top 10.
Ryan I’m a big fan but I’d hate to see the Eagles draft play out like your mock. I understand the Worthy pick in the first, it’s a luxury pick but Andy does love taking lineman and this draft is full of 1st round DT talent. However, your 2nd round picks don’t fill any needs for us, assuming Evan Mathis is resigned. We took Watkins in the first last year and Mathis was the top LG in the NFL last season, why draft a back-up with your 2nd pick? Lavonte David is talented, but doesn’t have the size to play SAM and be a run-stuffer which is what the Eagles need. Broyles in the 3rd could definitely be a steal but the Eagles need a red zone threat more than another slot receiver. I do think you have a very good handle where players will be going come April though, from that perspective this is one of the best mocks I’ve seen yet. Thanks.
No way V.Burfict lasts until round three. Maybe first inside linebacker taken.
@Justin You have to be careful about thinking in terms of absolutes in February. Dez Bryant, who was a more talented prospect than Blackmon, fell into the 20s in the 2010 draft. It’s unlikely that Tyson Alualu was ever mocked close to the top 10 that year also. What I shoot for is a realistic mock draft, not an idealistic one. Not every team will make what fans consider the “best” pick.
@Wayne Unless he absolutely blows the doors off the Combine, there is no way Burfict is drafted before Kuechly and Hightower. The tape never matched the hype in his case.
I see the vikings taking rg.III then trading him to the highest for their picks and their starting left tackle. what do you think of that? that way they fill a need at lt and multiply their picks this year and the next.
I love the Redskins moving to 3 instead of 2.Fisher won’t pass on Kalil and the Vikings would move down.I think they go cb or s in the third.They will address wr in fa.
If Martin and Barron aren’t still on the board, than the Jenkins pick is a good one. But if Martin falls that far, the Lions will absolutely jump at the chance to draft a future LT over a questionable corner.
@Rob The idea of drafting a player than trading his rights is much more NBA than NFL. It’s a nice thought, but probably not a very realistic one.
@Mike That makes sense if they are to in fact believe Martin is a left tackle in the NFL. A lot of different ideas out there on him; many see him more likely to fit on the right side.
Kirkpatrick & Trumaine Johnson in Dallas BABY!!!!!!!
The Lions love drafting the best player available over need. In the second round, do you feel Schwartz is truly the best player available in this scenario? Based on this criteria, who else would they consider.
@Tony I think the Senior Bowl did wonders for Mitchell Schwartz’s stock. Many teams will view him in the mid 2nd-early 3rd range.
@KeepSwinging – Sorry it took me a while to get to your comment. The concept of a luxury pick is fairly subjective. Reid has shown in the past that he prefers to look LB later & while this year could have served as a wake-up call, 15 is still very high for Luke Kuechly. K. Osemele is among the most versatile linemen in this draft, most likely fitting at RT for the Eagles. Lavonte David, despite his size, is a good run stuffing LB and could project to a variety of roles in that Philadelphia defense. I did wonder if Audie Cole would be the better fit there as he shares some similarities. As a native of the Philadelphia area, I’ve been hoping the team would add a big WR for years; however, it seems like they are having much more success with smaller guys. I think you should be careful in assuming Broyles is purely a slot receiver. In my opinion, you can play him anywhere but he gives the Birds a combination of quickness, reliability, & toughness in the slot that they currently lack.
Steelers 1st pick I would love martin to fall to the steelers. As for the next 2, if we do go CB rather go for Fleming at that point much better zone corner and tackler, but both are pretty good. We have a lot of youth and depth and question marks there so no need to add more ?. Rather go back to back Oline picks and make sure the offensive line is ready for more run oriented offense. As for the third pick same thing, lots of ? and guys there. Here I would think there is plenty of value left for us to pick up either a LB, inside or out James Harrison can’t be young forever. Or NT, which we know is a major need.
I’d prefer the Texans take Rueben Randle with their first pick. He’s faster than Sanu and is able to routinely get separation from DB’s, whereas Sanu is not. Just sayin’….
Jamel Fleming’s ok, I guess. I think I’d rather go with Josh Norman, the CB from Coastal Carolina, believe it or not. He tore it up at both the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl practices/workouts.
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