We are half a year away from the 2012 NFL draft, which is sure to be one of the best in recent memory. With top prospects like Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Justin Blackmon and more set to come out, there are plenty of talented players available in all rounds.
Almost seven weeks into the season, it’s easy to tell which teams are struggling in a certain department. For example, it’s pretty obvious the Bears could use an offensive lineman and the Patriots would love to get a talented shut-down cornerback.
Then again, wouldn’t we all?
Their are three teams in the NFL currently without a win. The Rams, Colts and Dolphins are all looking at terrible years, and it’s virtually a lock that they will all be picking in the top ten.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at who your team will be taking in the first round this coming April!
1. Miami Dolphins – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Chad Henne possessed a ton of promise coming out of college, but he has failed to live up to those expectations in Miami, despite many opportunities to lead the team to success. Tony Sparano is as good as gone in Miami, and typically a new regime brings along a new, young quarterback.
Andrew Luck is just about as good as it gets. Billed as the next Peyton Manning, Luck is going to be an instant starter for the Dolphins. I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch, but Miami will likely be a serious contender in the AFC within two years time.
2. Indianapolis Colts – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
I know that the Colts have a talented defensive line, believe me, but both of their defensive ends are nearing the end of their great careers. Robert Mathis will be a 31-year-old free agent this offseason, and Dwight Freeney is 33-years-old, which will likely cause him to contemplate retirement in the near future. Oh, and Jerry Hughes has been an absolute bust thus far.
Quinton Coples likely won’t see much time in his rookie year if Mathis is resigned. However, if the Colts elect for Mathis to walk, Coples could wind up in the starting lineup before he knows it.
3. St. Louis Rams – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Sam Bradford had a tremendous rookie season, which saw him win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. This year, however, is a much different story for Bradford. The Rams’ offensive line has been terrible all season long, giving up a whopping 22 sacks, and that’s only in five games. Jason Smith hasn’t been nearly the player St. Louis thought he would be, and it appears his future with the Rams is in serious question.
Matt Kalil, who holds the responsibility of protecting Barkley’s blindside, will be an instant starter on the worst offensive line in all of football.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Levi Brown and Brandon Keith, Arizona’s two starting offensive tackles, have been absolutely destroyed this year. Both players are awful in pass and run protection, and will likely be somewhere else next year.
Kevin Kolb could be a great quarterback with the Cardinals if he had more time to throw the ball. Unfortunately, there aren’t many talented offensive lineman on Arizona’s roster.
Jonathan Martin has been Andrew Luck’s blindside protector for the last three years, and there’s a strong chance he’ll be assigned to help protect Arizona’s investment under center.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Jaguars’ future is very bright with Blaine Gabbert at the helm of the offense, but he’s going to struggle if his only weapons are the inconsistent Mike Thomas and the oft-injured Marcedes Lewis.
Jacksonville was so desperate for wide receiver help that they signed Mike Sims-Walker, who the Jaguars had cut this past offseason.
Justin Blackmon is an incredibly talented receiver with great athleticism, strength and a tremendous vertical leap. Jacksonville may be looking at the next Calvin Johnson. Yikes.
6. Minnesota Vikings – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
I know that the Vikings need help at wide receiver, but it’s obviously more important to protect your quarterback. After all, if your QB has no protection, how can he even throw the ball downfield? Vick, Kolb, Bradford, Stafford (at least last year) and Cutler can assent to that.
Charlie Johnson has been miserable all season long, as expected, and Phil Loadholt isn’t exactly dominating defensive lineman on the right side.
Riley Reiff may be a slight reach here, but as the top lineman available, to this point, Minnesota must make the move. Reiff should be an instant starter at either left or right tackle.
7. Cleveland Browns – Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Settle down, Cleveland fans, I know you think Colt McCoy is the greatest, but he’s not. Colt is simply an average quarterback with arm strength that has gotten him nowhere.
Besides, if Colt really were an amazing quarterback, the Browns would have a much easier time winning games. His 10-yard dump-off passes have got to be getting old, anyway.
Landry Jones is a tremendous quarterback that actually possesses a strong arm, unlike McCoy. The Browns simply can’t go into next year with a mediocre quarterback.
8. Denver Bronc0s - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
It’s obvious that the Broncos have zero faith in Knowshon Moreno, who was their first-round selection back in 2009. After just two years, Denver was already considering cutting or trading him.
Head coach John Fox has always been a run-first coach, and there’s little chance that he’ll ever change his style. If that’s the case, the Broncos will need at least two running backs that can handle the ball.
Trent Richardson is easily the best running back in college. Even with Ingram in Alabama’s backfield last season, I always preferred Richardon’s running style.
9. Seattle Seahawks – Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC
In case you were unaware, Pete Carroll is the former head coach for the USC Trojans. Barkley played one season under Carroll, but that should be enough for the Seahawks to take him early on.
Tarvaris Jackson has been just like everybody thought he would be with Seattle this year: terribly inaccurate, suspect arm strength and injury-prone. Matt Barkley has made USC watchable again after two years of obscurity. He shouldn’t struggle with beating out either Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst for the starting job.
10. Kansas City Chiefs – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Don’t get me wrong, Brandon Flowers is a great cornerback, but he’s not going to be able to get the job done all on his own. The Chiefs are constantly getting burned in the passing game, and an additional shut-down cornerback would be much appreciated.
Kansas City definitely has far more pressing needs than at cornerback, but there aren’t any first-round offensive tackles available.
Morris Claiborne is the top cornerback prospect in the draft, and he should be a starter right away, wherever he goes. That said, there’s no guarantee that the Chiefs will let go of Brandon Carr.
11. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
If the Redskins still feel like either John Beck or Rex Grossman can hold down the fort for the next few years, they are sadly mistaken.
Grossman has never been more than a second-string talent, and Beck hasn’t proven anything in the league, despite numerous chances at a starting job.
Robert Griffin III has had a monstrous season with Baylor, and he’s a sure-fire first round selection.
12. Carolina Panthers – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Steve Smith is having a great season thus far, but he’s 33 years old now, and it’s highly unlikely that Smith will be in the league in three years time.
Brandon LaFell hasn’t been lighting it up by any means, David Gettis hardly sees the field and Legedu Naanee has only 14 catches for zero touchdowns.
If the Panthers want Cam Newton to be a top-five quarterback for years to come, they need to get him more weapons. Greg Olson, Steve Smith and Alshon Jeffery will be Carolina’s three main targets going into next year.
13. Cincinnati Bengals – Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State
Manny Lawson, who was signed to a one-year contract this past offseason, has been decent for the Bengals, but he’s easily replaceable, and it’s not likely that Cincinnati will bring him up.
The Bengals’ defense has been stellar this year, and for two weeks running they were the top defense in the NFL. Not bad for a team that everybody thought would have about two wins.
Vontaze Burfict is definitely a bit of a head-case, but the Bengals have tolerated head-cases in the past. Names like Chad Ocho Cinco, Tank Johnson, Cedric Benson and Adam Jones come to mind.
14. Tennessee Titans – Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Since losing Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins two years ago, the Titans have went through several different changes on their defensive line.
With Jurrell Casey handling one of the defensive tackle spots, well, the Titans’ defensive line hasn’t been all that awful, but they could still use some depth, and a chance to remove Shaun Smith.
Brandon Thompson is the top defensive tackle in this years class, and a sure-fire top-20 pick. He may have a tough time beating out Karl Klug from the start, but it shouldn’t be long before Thompson is promoted to the starting lineup.
15. Cleveland Browns – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
The Browns actually have one of the most underrated linebacker groups in the NFL, but if D’Qwell Jackson decides to leave in free agency, they’ll need a talented prospect to replace him. Chris Gocong was resigned this offseason, and he’ll be a part of Cleveland’s defense for years to come. However, the other two spots at linebacker are in question.
Luke Kuechly could actually be the first linebacker off the board if teams deem Vontaze Burfict to be too much of a hot-head.
16. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Surprised the Bears aren’t taking an offensive tackle? Don’t be. At this point in the draft, there are no offensive lineman left that are worthy of being taken in the Top 20. Brian Urlacher turns 34 years old this coming May, and he’s likely going to hang up his cleats before it’s too late.
Manti Te’o can play at any linebacker spot, which doesn’t help Nick Roach’s chances of staying in the starting lineup. Look for Te’o to see plenty of time in his rookie year.
17. Philadelphia Eagles – Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
The Eagles have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season, and it’s due to the fact that they can’t protect Michael Vick, their linebackers are average-at-best and the secondary hasn’t been exactly what everybody thought it would be.
Philadelphia could opt to go with Kirkpatrick to replace Asante Samuel, but it’s no guarantee that Samuel won’t restructure his contract in order to remain with the Eagles.
Cordy Glenn would be a slight reach here, but with the way Philly’s offensive line has played this year, they need to reach.
18. New York Jets – Courtney Upshaw, Hybrid LB, Alabama
The Jets, despite having a defensive-minded head coach, haven’t been consistent on defense whatsoever this season. Besides Revis, nobody on the Jets’ defense has been tearing it up.
Even with the addition of Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets need to improve their pass-rush. Bryan Thomas recently tore his achilles tendor, and there’s no saying if he’ll be the same kind of player.
Courtney Upshaw is just one of many starts on Alabama’s defense. Under Rex Ryan, he will be utilized from the start.
19. Houston Texans – Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
Houston’s defense has been much-improved this year under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, but they could still use an upgrade at nose tackle.
Despite not being the prototypical size for a nose tackle, Josh Chapman is able to stuff the run and can get to the passer as well as any other nose tackle around.
The Texans typically prefer players from the southeast area when they’re drafting. Kareem Jackson, who also went to Alabama, will be reunited with his former teammate.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Dennard over Kirkpatrick? You better believe it. While Kirkpatrick is the better prospect at this point, the Bucs have never been shy to choose potential over ranking.
Aqib Talib may be headed for prison soon, while Ronde Barber has about one year left in the tank, if even that. Tampa Bay needs serious help in their secondary.
Alfonzo Dennard, who was the “other guy” in Nebraska’s secondary last year, is now the top cornerback in the draft. By the way, people referred to him as the other guy because of Prince Amukamara, who started at cornerback on the opposite side of Dennard.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland) – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Not only were the Bengals able to get their hands on the best linebacker in the draft (Vontaze Burfict), but now they are able to bring Dre Kirkpatrick, the top-rated cornerback, into the fold. Nate Clements, who turns 32 years old in less than two months, likely won’t be playing for the Bengals next season, due to his obvious inconsistency.
22. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brewster, Center, Ohio State
Tony Romo is likely going to be a major factor on who the Cowboys take in the 2012 draft because he’s the one that has been taking the most hits, all season long. Dallas just lost guard Bill Nagy for the season, but he’s not even starter quality anyway. The Cowboys would obviously love to get their hands on Cordy Glenn, but he’s been gone for five picks now. The Cowboys could also use help at center, one of their biggest weak spots on the entire team. Michael Brewster, like Maurkice Pouncey for the Steelers, should be a 16-game starter in his rookie campaign.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alameda Ta’amu, NT, Washington
The Steelers have obvious needs on their offensive line, but they’ve always been the type to start veterans over unproven rookies. Maurkice Pouncey is the only exceptional to that rule, however.
Pittsburgh is a defensive-minded team, but Casey Hampton is nearing the end of his great career. Alameda Ta’amu will start in Hampton’s place, whenever he does hang up the cleats.
24. New York Giants – Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
If the Giants had better linebackers, it’s not out of the question to say that they would be the best team in the NFC. Yes, even better than the almighty Packers. Jonathan Goff, who tore his ACL recently, is a free agent this March, and the Giants will likely let him walk. Zach Brown has the ability to play at any linebacker spot, even though he’s spent the majority of his time in the middle for the Tar Heels.
25. San Diego Chargers – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
San Diego definitely has far more pressing needs than at wide receiver, but if Vincent Jackson is traded, they’ll need all the help they can get.
Malcom Floyd has been awful as the Chargers’ No. 2 receiver, while Vincent Brown hasn’t shown anything this season, despite being a third-round-pick.
Michael Floyd, no relation to Malcom, has had some off-the-field troubles in the past, but A.J. Smith has the personality that can turn around somebodies career.
26. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Jenkins, Hybrid LB, Florida State
The Bills have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season, but their pass-rush is arguably the worst in the entire NFL.
With just five sacks on the season, Buffalo has shown that they can’t get to the quarterback. History shows that if you want to win games, you need to be able to blitz the quarterback.
Buffalo miserably failed with Aaron Maybin, but they should have an easier go-around with the much more level-headed Brandon Jenkins.
27. Detroit Lions – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Detroit doesn’t have that many needs that they need to address, but their secondary could use some work, if the Lions want to be a top-five defense.
The Lions could also use some help at center and offensive tackle, but Brewster is off the board and there aren’t any tackles worthy of taking here.
Janoris Jenkins who starred at Florida for two years, has switched to North Alabama, where, as expected, he’s been completely dominant.
28. Baltimore Ravens – Bruce Irvin, Hybrid LB, West Virginia
Sergio Kindle, who suffered a fractured skull prior to the 2010 season, has still hardly seen the field, despite the fact that he claims himself to be at full-health.
The Ravens have a great defense, but they aren’t exactly filled with young talent. With Kindle unlikely to be a major force anytime soon, Baltimore might just decide to move on from the former second-rounder.
Bruce Irvin is the perfect pick for the Ravens, late in the first, and he should have no problem replacing Kindle.
29. San Francisco 49ers – David DeCastro, G, Stanford
The 49ers made two solid selections with Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati in the first round of the 2010 draft, but they could still use help at the guard position.
Adam Snyder has played well in place of Chilo Rachal at right guard, however, he’s awful in pass-protection, which is something Alex Smith will need if he wants to be a top-15 quarterback.
DeCastro, who played under Harbaugh for three years at Stanford, could be an instant starter on one of the youngest offensive lines in football.
30. New England Patriots (From New Orleans) – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Unlike in years past, the Patriots have played in both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme on defense, which has worked to their benefit at times. That said, New England needs players that can get to the quarterback.
Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth have both looked great this year, at times, but New England has a serious lack-of-depth behind the “twin towers”.
Jerel Worthy is capable of playing in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, which is perfect for the Patriots’ new defensive philosophy.
31. New England Patriots – Ronnell Lewis, Hybrid LB, Oklahoma
And the rich get richer, folks. New England’s main issues are obviously on defense, and as I mentioned in the last pick, the Patriots are in desperate need of some pass-rushers.
Ronnell Lewis, who is expected to declare for the 2012 draft a year early, will be a big part of New England’s offense in his rookie year.
32. Green Bay Packers – Billy Winn, DL, Boise State
Green Bay has nearly the perfect team, but if there’s one area that could use a boost, it’s the defensive line.
Jairus Wynn has played solid in fill-in games for whichever Packer defensive lineman is injured that week, but he’s not full-time starting material.
Billy Winn, the best player available, has the potential to be an instant starter if Mike Neal continues to stay on the injury shelf.
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