| 16. NY Jets |
 | Mark Barron, SS, Alabama: For all of the talent the Jets boast outside at cornerback, the play down the middle has been significantly less impressive this season. The Jets have struggled against tight ends this season and could use an instinctive, big hitting safety to fall into their lap. While the team certainly has other needs to consider, if Alabama's Mark Barron is available, perhaps it might be wise to take the easy way out. |
| 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) |
 | David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: The strong play from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green has hidden the reality that the Bengals remain a team that prides itself on running the football. DeCastro is earning comparisons to former Oakland Raider great Steve Wisniewski for his size and physical play. |
| 18. San Diego Chargers |
 | Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina: The Chargers are one of the more fascinating teams to watch in the 2012 draft. General manager A.J. Smith is on thin ice, his past draft failures been called out by ownership, and likely needs impact players from this draft to keep his job. The Chargers could use help protecting Philip Rivers but with offensive linemen unlikely to make the splash San Diego might need, the team focus on finding a pass rusher to give them the production that 2009 first-round pick Larry English has thus far been unable to provide. Ingram played defensive tackle at South Carolina in his breakout 2011 season but at 6-2, 270 pounds and with quick feet, he projects better rushing from the outside. |
| 19. Chicago Bears |
 | Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: With Mike Tice and not Mike Martz heading the Chicago Bears' offense, expect a focus on adding receivers with size and the strength to contribute as downfield blockers. The 6-3, 224-pound Floyd is an ideal match and would be a significant upgrade over veteran Roy Williams at split end. |
| 20. Tennessee Titans |
 | Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois: Rookie defensive tackle Karl Klug led the Titans with seven sacks in 2011. Only two other Tennessee defenders registered more than three sacks. Mercilus posted eye-popping statistics of his own this season (16 sacks, nine forced fumbles) and though not universally graded as a first round talent, the 6-4, 265 pounder's production may prove too impressive for the Titans to ignore. |
| 21. Cincinnati Bengals |
 | Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: The Bengals finished the season ranked 10th in the NFL in rush defense but allowed at least 136 yards rushing in four of their final six games and gave up an average of 200-plus rushing yards in their last two games -- a loss to Baltimore to end the regular season and a loss to Houston in the opening round of the playoffs. Considering the fact that Cincinnati also has three defensive linemen (Frostee Rucker, Jonathan Fanene, Pat Sims) entering free agency, reinforcements could be needed via the draft. Poe is a bit raw but at 6-5, 350 pounds, he's tough to move and remarkably light on his feet. |
| 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) |
 | Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M: Strong-armed, accurate and athletic, Tannehill is the prototypical West Coast offense quarterback and certainly possesses greater physical tools than the Browns' current starter, Colt McCoy. With just 19 career starts at quarterback, however, Tannehill could struggle if thrown into the fire immediately. Due to this fact, he could slip by the other QB needy teams in the top 15 and may slip out of the first round entirely if the Browns add Robert Griffin III with their first pick (No. 4 overall) or decide that they want to give McCoy another season as the unchallenged starter. |
| 23. Detroit Lions |
 | Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Jenkins has top 20 talent, but his off-field problems could leap him to slip. The Lions were lauded for snatching up Nick Fairley when he dropped last year and could get better immediate dividends from the playmaking Jenkins. |
| 24. Pittsburgh Steelers |
 | Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: The Steelers seemingly patch up their offensive line annually, only to struggle with injuries and consistency up front. Glenn lacks the consistency to earn a first round grade from all clubs, but the 6-5, 350-pounder has the size the Steelers prefer upfront and, as a rare four-year starter with experience at left tackle, left guard and right guard he has the durability and versatility the team prioritizes on draft day. Roethlisberger was sacked five times against the Broncos. |
| 25. Denver Broncos |
 | Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: Due to the terrific play on the outside by Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil and the big hitting up the middle by D.J. Williams, the Broncos have been surprisingly stout this season against the run despite a relative lack of size and talent at defensive tackle. Worthy is a gamble as he lacks consistency, but he could be a star -- especially when protected by the type of talent John Fox has already on this roster. |
| 26. Houston Texans |
 | Rueben Randle, WR, LSU: The Texans obviously boast one of the league's preeminent receivers in Andre Johnson, but his inability to remain healthy and Houston's relative inconsistent depth behind him make wide receiver an area of concern. Randle has a similar size/speed combination as Johnson, which should allow the Texans to attack both sides of the field vertically, opening up their lethal running game that much more. |
| 27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) |
 | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Cox will appeal to Bill Belichick for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the 6-4, 295-pound junior is just scratching the surface of his potential. And make no mistake, the potential is there for Cox to be a star. The Bulldog defensive tackle earned the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week four times this season and is highly regarded by scouts because of his size, strength and ability to play inside or out in multiple fronts. That type of versatility will also certainly intrigue Belichick. |
| 28. Green Bay Packers |
 | Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut: General manager Ted Thompson loves to use high picks to fortify his offensive and defensive lines. Reyes hasn't generated the same attention as some of the other top defensive linemen in the 2012 draft but is highly regarded due to his size (6-4, 300), burst and power. He played defensive tackle for the Huskies but has the length and strength to hold up nicely in Green Bay's three man defensive line. |
| 29. Baltimore Ravens |
 | Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin: Veteran Matt Birk has played reasonably well for the Ravens but is weighing retirement rather than returning for his 15th NFL season. Guard Ben Grubbs, a former first-round pick and arguably Baltimore's most consistent offensive lineman when healthy, is scheduled for free agency. General manager Ozzie Newsome won't go through the 2012 draft without addressing the interior of his offensive line. Should Konz, a career center with enough size and athleticism to play guard if needed, still be on the board, the former Badger would make a great deal of sense. |
| 30. San Francisco 49ers |
 | Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: The 49ers returned to the playoffs in 2011 in large part due to the fact that they played excellent fundamental football on offense, defense and special teams. The challenge will be tougher in 2012 as they'll be facing a first place schedule which includes games against the Giants, Patriots, Packers, Saints and Lions. Considering the passing attacks they'll be facing and the fact that half of their secondary (cornerback Carlos Rogers, safety Dashon Goldson) is scheduled for free agency a battle-tested cornerback like Dennard could be appealing at this point in the draft. |
|
| |
|
| |