2012 NFL Mock Draft
23. Detroit Lions
Zach Brown
OLB – North Carolina
The Lions defense needs some serious help and their LB core could use some upgrading. Brown is pretty raw, but I think Detroit will like his athleticism and big upside. Frankly, any defensive position other then DT is a possibility here.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kelechi Osemele
OG – Iowa State
Some teams are still considering Osemele as a possible RT, but many scouts believe that he could have the ability to be a Pro Bowl caliber player on the inside. The Steelers supposedly fired their OC because they want to get back to more of a run first mind-set. Putting Osemele next to Pouncey on their interior line will help make that happen.
25. Denver Broncos
Michael Brockers
DT – LSU
Denver would probably like to get some help for Tim Tebow, but Brockers is just too good of value at this spot and Denver could use someone to put next to Brodrick Bunkley up front. A defensive back like Mark Barron or Janoris Jenkins is also a possibility.
26. Houston Texans
Mark Barron
S – Alabama
A nose tackle or a number two wide receiver to go with Andre Johnson are also options, but like Brockers to Denver, Barron is just too good of value at this point. He is by far the number one safety and could possibly go higher than this.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Janoris Jenkins
CB – Northern Alabama
The Patriots secondary was a mess this last season. When your slot WR has to play that much nickel back, it’s time to add to your depth at the position. Jenkins has some character issues but his talent is unquestioned.
28. Green Bay Packers
Fletcher Cox
DL – Mississippi State
The Packers missed Cullen Jenkins this season. Cox gives them a talented defensive lineman that can both play 3-4 DE and push the pocket up the middle on passing downs. Another option might be an OLB that can rush the passer opposite of Clay Matthews.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Peter Konz
C – Wisconsin
Matt Birk may retire and Konz is the best C in the draft hands down. This is good value for the Ravens. If they wanted to reload on defense then they might look at Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower who would be a great fit and eventual replacement for Ray Lewis.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Alshon Jeffery
WR – South Carolina
Former first round pick Michael Crabtree has not been as good as the 49ers would have hoped thus far. Jeffery would give Alex Smith another big target to go with Vernon Davis. The 49ers team is pretty stacked. If not a WR then maybe a CB.
31. New York Giants
Dont’a Hightower
LB – Alabama
Hightower might be more of a typical 3-4 ILB but he’s such a talented player with great agility for his size that I think he could be a dominant force behind the Giants defensive line. Hightower is great value at the end of the first round.
32. New England Patriots
Nick Perry
DE/OLB – USC
Perry is very raw, but has great pass rush upside. The Patriots need more pass rush and Perry is just too much value here to pass up. The additions of Perry and Jenkins in the first round would seriously up the talent level on the Pats defense.