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2012 NFL Mock Draft - Greg Cox

Last update: Friday, Sept. 9, 2011.
2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | GREG'S 17-32 PICKS | GREG'S ROUND: 2 | 3
Greg Cox was a senior writer at TheFootballExpert.com and appeared as a guest on the NFL Network's Path to the Draft.
Send Greg an e-mail here: greg@thefootballexpert.com
Follow Greg on Twitter @ActuallyGregCox for updates.

Carolina Panthers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

First, let me get some housekeeping out of the way. The draft order is based on the betting line over/under win totals I found two weeks ago. Hopefully, this way readers can just focus on the picks without whining to me about my slighting of their team. Bickering over draft order will be back in my next version, when I actually try to figure out for myself where teams will wind up.

Having Carolina first obviously presents a problem, which I love because it's too easy to craft a mock without solving problems. Clearly, the Panthers would be in an excellent, rare position to move out from the top spot. The 2012 NFL draft will not really be the first under the new rookie salary structure (just ask Cam Newton) but it will be the first with teams knowing the situation going in. I could see them trading down here and still landing Alshon Jeffery, but projecting trades is ridiculous at this stage of the process.

As for the pick itself, Jeffery does have the physical tools to justify going high, like his fellow SEC receivers A.J. Green (Georgia) and Julio Jones (Alabama) last year. With defenses forced to pay attention to star running back Marcus Lattimore, Jeffery is set for another big season. The Panthers desperately need a No. 1 for their young franchise quarterback to lean on and this would be an easy choice.

Buffalo Bills: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

During the 2011 NFL draft process, I never believed the Bills would target a quarterback because of their relative confidence in Ryan Fitzpatrick. He is the equivalent of what Denver has in Kyle Orton, and for now let's call that foreshadowing. Fitzpatrick is savvy enough to win some football games and put up some yards. He is not going to get them back to their glory days of losing Super Bowls.

Teams are going to be wheeling and dealing for Andrew Luck's services. The Bills would likely move up one spot to get him in this scenario for fear of another team jumping them. The trade value chart is just about out the window because the rookies are paid so much less money. Aside from that, assuming Luck performs as expected, no team would worry about drafting him this high in the old system. He has the mobility Chan Gailey covets and would give this franchise a fighting chance in the AFC East.

Arizona Cardinals: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Yes, I know the Cardinals do not typically draft offensive linemen early. They would rather coach talent up. I'm not sure this strategy has been all that successful and it might be time for a change. If there is a player who would cause them to switch up their plan, this is it. Kalil is the guy who forced top-10 pick Tyron Smith to play the right side at USC. His brother is a successful center with the Panthers. If those two sentences don't convince them he is worthy of being taken this high, I'm not sure what will. Now that Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald have been established as the key for this offense going forward, a big-time left tackle would be nice to add.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Rashean Mathis does not have much tread left on his tires. He will turn on whatever he has this season because his contract is up, but Father Time is undefeated. They are very thin at the position anyway and coming off a year ranked near the bottom of the league in pass defense, can't have another draft ignoring this need early on.

It is hard not to like Dre Kirkpatrick from a freak athlete standpoint. His combination of height and speed is rare at the cornerback position and could catapult him up the draft board. I have him as the first Crimson Tide defender to be taken, but plenty of his teammates will follow.

Denver Broncos: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

I was never on board with Tim Tebow as an early pick, but still believe he can develop as a pro, eventually. It does not look like this will be happening a mile over sea level though. Kyle Orton is the starter for new head coach John Fox because he wants the best chance to win football games. This is understandable in the cutthroat world of the NFL. They are not committed to him beyond this season though.

There have been plenty of NFL quarterbacks to come out of USC since the turn of the millennium, which is why Mel Kiper Jr. long ago proclaimed Matt Barkley would be a first overall pick. For lack of a better way to say this, he looks and walks like a duck. In USC's opener against Minnesota, Barkley completed 34 of his 45 passes for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns; leaning on Robert Woods was basically half of that production. So far, so good.

Minnesota Vikings: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Ray Edwards was lost in free agency to the Falcons. They had already locked up Brian Robison prior to his departure, so they were not totally surprised by it. However, I think it would be tough to pass on a talent like this. It all depends on how Robison performs, and how inside/outside rookie Christian Ballard is utilized. Someone is going to take Quinton Coples early in the draft.

Washington Redskins: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

This is kind of a wild-card pick. The Redskins could use a little nasty in the middle of their defense. London Fletcher has had a long, successful career. I keep trying to retire him and he keeps playing on. Next to him, Rocky McIntosh leaves something to be desired. Something has to give on the inside. Vontaze Burfict is going to be a polarizing prospect because he has some red flags off the field. Between the lines, he is talented enough to go this high.

For those wondering about the quarterback position, I think the Redskins will be very interested in trading up for either Luck or Barkley. I am less convinced of them going with Oklahoma's Landry Jones here. Maybe that is their play.

Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If the Browns are picking this high again, look for them to again trade down. Since I have to use the pick as best I can, a player to bookend with Joe Thomas, while he has plenty of prime years left, makes sense. It might not be their biggest need, but the offensive line has to create a nice pocket for young quarterback Colt McCoy. He is not the type of player capable of absorbing a lot of hits and getting back up.

Tennessee Titans: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Coming out of California, I liked Lavelle Hawkins as a complementary receiving threat, but he barely made the roster in this his fourth season with the Titans and has just 19 career receptions. This offense is sorely lacking production behind Kenny Britt, who is not exactly reliable himself. Justin Blackmon could have come out last year and been selected in the middle of the first round. He took a calculated risk by going back for another year with the Cowboys, but if he blows up the stat sheet again he could go in the top 10. If his opener (144 yards) is any indication, he will do just that.

Seattle Seahawks: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Tarvaris Jackson? Really? I knew that given the uncertainty preceding the 2011 NFL draft and ensuing lockout there would be teams with messed up quarterback situations, but hopefully the Seahawks realize T-Jax is not taking them anywhere. I have reservations about Landry Jones as a top quarterback prospect, notably his accuracy down the field. He has shown the ability to get the football in the hands of his many playmakers with the Sooners though, and might be a decent fit in this offense.

St. Louis Rams: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

When two of the top defensive line prospects in the 2011 NFL draft fell to the Rams at No. 14, they went with the pass rusher in North Carolina's Robert Quinn to pair up with Chris Long. Free agency brought them Justin Bannan, who is on his fourth team. Fred Robbins will be 35 when this draft takes place. Steve Spagnuolo loves to load up on the defensive line. Jared Crick should see his draft stock go back up this season, after it dipped in 2010 following the departure of college teammate Ndamukong Suh.

Oakland Raiders: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

New secondary coach Rod Woodson has his work cut out for him. Nnamdi Asomugha has joined the "dream team" with the Eagles. The Raiders drafted Marcus Van Dyke, and his trial by fire in the preseason was more like a trial by torching. They also selected Chimdi Chekwa, but he dislocated his shoulder. I don't see this pair impressing enough in the 2011 season for Al Davis to buck his trend of repeatedly drafting defensive backs early. It is also worth noting that Chris Johnson will turn 33 early next season.

While it is true the Raiders draft speed, they also want their cornerbacks to have some height. Stephon Gilmore gives them that and since Stanford Routt is likely to get the "Asomugha treatment," this defense needs a reliable player on the other side.

By the way, this is the last we will see of the Raiders over the first four rounds of mock drafts because they traded away their picks in the second and fourth round, and selected Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third round of the supplemental draft. There will be a nice bounty of compensatory picks coming their way after losing Asomugha, tight end Zach Miller and guard Robert Gallery, but, at best, they will be picking next in the late nineties. Those choices are announced in the spring.

Detroit Lions: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

I have no idea what this season will hold on the offensive line for the Lions. The biggest question is the future for Jason Fox, a potential successor to Jeff Backus on the left side. There were health scares for starters Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus, but they appear to be healthy. However, if this team is going to be a serious threat to the Packers going forward in the NFC North, the offensive line needs to be great. Going after a top blind-side protector should be a priority. Riley Reiff comes well prepared for the NFL out of Iowa.

Cincinnati Bengals: Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State

There are other holes on the roster for the Bengals, obviously, but sometimes value trumps that. I think Jerel Worthy, a prospect many are counting on to live up to his potential and rise up the draft board, gives them a "wow" factor in the middle of their defensive line. Michael Johnson might emerge this season outside and, certainly, Carlos Dunlap is a keeper. Another good piece for the rotation will solidify this defense up front.

Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

If you had the patience to make it through the weather delays at South Bend, you saw some of what Michael Floyd brings to the table. Head coach Brian Kelly suspended him during the offseason, and teams will take that into consideration depending on how he handles himself during the draft process. On the field, there is no questioning his talent. He is a man among boys at the college level. The Texans loaded up on defense in the 2011 NFL draft, and we already know they can score in bunches. It does make sense for them to select someone capable of hurting defenses opposite of Andre Johnson, much like the Falcons did in securing Julio Jones to play on the other side of Roddy White.

Miami Dolphins: Donte Paige-Moss, DE/LB, North Carolina

Usually, drafting depth is not something a team does in the first round. A rare exception would be adding a rush linebacker. The fact that Jason Taylor can earn a roster spot clearly illustrates the lack of depth. Koa Misi might be so good this season that people question my sanity in ever suggesting Miami would do this in the first round. However, the value is there and getting after the passer is the first priority on the defensive side of the ball.

Go to Greg Cox's 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.

Greg Cox's 2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2

Greg Cox's 2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3

2012 NFL Mock Draft - Walt's

Connor P 02-21-2012 12:42 am xxx.xxx.xxx.185 (total posts: 1)

^ See the blankness above? That symbolizes boring and old, your Mock Draft is blank.

HILL31Consuelo 02-16-2012 01:22 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

Rivers19MAMIE 02-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

Warren27FREDA 02-07-2012 05:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

Francine30Chen 02-02-2012 03:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

GallagherOra33 02-02-2012 11:38 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

PowersBRIANA 02-02-2012 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

josh 01-31-2012 03:56 am xxx.xxx.xxx.222 (total posts: 1)

wow

BryantRena31 01-30-2012 10:42 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.63 (total posts: 13)

MillsCelina19 01-18-2012 07:34 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.16 (total posts: 11)

Greg 01-15-2012 02:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.225 (total posts: 1)

Why do u have morris clailborne in round and rg3 in round 3. Plus if u don't call him rg3 you're a nerd

MuhinAnatolij22 01-12-2012 05:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.21 (total posts: 2)

dum 01-07-2012 10:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx5.33 (total posts: 2)

who are these people that only right blank lines? pathetic losers

Dennis Green 01-06-2012 11:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.178 (total posts: 1)

Comment is been abusive and has been removed.

Burch20Katharine 01-06-2012 07:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.16 (total posts: 11)

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2012 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 22

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2012 NBA Mock Draft - Feb. 11

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2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
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Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/16) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/10): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/20)
2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock

2012 NFL Mock Draft - Greg Cox

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