| NFL Mock Draft - 4/4/2012 |
| Round 1 |
| 1. Indianapolis Colts |
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Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck wasn't quite as athletic in drills or magnetic during the interview process as Robert Griffin III but if the Colts are committed to building their team around a conventional pro-style attack, it is virtually impossible to imagine a scenario in which the Stanford product isn't their choice. |
| 2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) |
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Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: Possessing as lethal a combination of mobility and touch on the deep ball as any quarterback in history, RG3 brings instant excitement to a team desperately needing an offensive identity. The Heisman Trophy winner isn't just exciting, he's also an ideal fit in Mike and Kyle Shanahan's offense. This time, owner Daniel Snyder's willingness to make the splashy move could pay off brilliantly. |
| 3. Minnesota Vikings |
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Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California: Considering the pass rushers in the NFC North division, high-caliber blindside tackles are required. The Vikings aren't likely to pass on an opportunity to draft a future Pro Bowler. That's exactly what Kalil represents. Scouts would like to see Kalil play with more consistent technique, but he's been able to dominate at the collegiate level based only on his size (6-6, 295) and athleticism. |
| 4. Cleveland Browns |
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Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: The Cleveland Browns missed their best opportunity to improve at the quarterback position when they lost out to the Washington Redskins for the rights to the No. 2 overall pick. Rather than reach for the next best talent at the position, they attempt to improve their passing game in another way, by adding the two-time Biletnikoff Award winning Blackmon. Perhaps Colt McCoy would be more productive if Cleveland's receivers caught the ball; the team led the NFL in drops last season. |
| 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: New head coach Greg Schiano will attempt to emulate the same strategy that two other former college coaches, Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh, made when adjusting to the NFL - he'll stick to the physical brand of football that helped put Rutgers football onto the BCS map. Schiano could gamble that LeGarrette Blount returns to the level of success he had as a rookie or take the safer route with Richardson, widely regarded as the elite running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. |
| 6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) |
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Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: In signing cornerback Cortland Finnegan to a five-year, $50 million dollar deal as their first move in free agency, the Rams took a significant step in improving their secondary. The team still lacks depth at the position and would likely nab Claiborne, the unquestioned top cornerback in 2012 draft and a more technically refined player than Patrick Peterson, his former LSU teammate taken fifth overall by Arizona last year. |
| 7. Jacksonville Jaguars |
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Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: The Jaguars' jumped from 28th in the NFL in total defense in 2010 to sixth last season despite a disappointing season out of talented run-stuffer Terrance Knighton. Re-signing last year's top pass-rusher Jeremy Mincey was a step in the right direction for Jacksonville but another move to fortify the defensive line is wise with Knighton entering the final year of his contract. Cox is quietly the most talented and versatile defensive lineman in this draft and plays with the passion. |
| 8. Miami Dolphins |
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Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: By essentially trading the relatively young Chad Henne (26) for David Garrard (34) as the main competition for the gritty but limited Matt Moore, the Dolphins might have announced to the league that they're planning on taking a quarterback early in the 2012 draft. New Dolphins' offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was Tannehill's head coach with the Aggies. He knows better than anyone that Tannehill has all of the physical traits needed to become a franchise quarterback -- but might need a year operating behind a veteran (or two) to develop after starting just 19 games at quarterback in college. |
| 9. Carolina Panthers |
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Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: The Carolina Panthers allowed an average of 130.8 yards on the ground in 2011 and will almost surely be looking to add talent and size up front to improve in this area. They'll have their choice of several talented defensive tackles but could ultimately fall in love with Poe's incredible upside. At 6-4, 346 pounds, the Memphis junior should be able to help shut down those interior running lanes. |
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