2012 NFL Mock Draft: Post Combine And Free Agency
33. St. Louis Rams
Jerel Worthy
DT – Michigan State
Having already landed a wide receiver to help their franchise quarterback, the Rams now grab the best defensive player left on the board. Worthy is a good run stopper who can also push the pocket and the Rams have a need at DT. I think as things stand the Rams will definitely use their first three picks to take a WR, DT, and OL. Two down, one to go.
34. Indianapolis Colts
Alameda Ta’amu
NT – Washington
Indy’s new coach plans on bringing his Ravens style defense to the Colts. That being said, the Colts simply do not have the size the Ravens do up front. Almeda is probably a reach here at #34, but at 6’2”, 348 lbs., he may be the only NT prospect in the draft that could play right away.
35. Minnesota Vikings
Alfonso Dennard
CB – Nebraska
The Vikings were 31st in points allowed and 26th against the pass. Dennard was originally predicted to be a first round pick, but the rise of S. Gilmore and J. Jenkins push him back into the second round where the Vikings are happy to scoop him up. A wide receiver might also be an option here, possibly Rueben Randle of LSU.
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lavonte David
LB – Nebraska
The Bucs could use a new starting LB and David, though undersized, is the best one still on the board. David is a great effort / team leader type player who is also very good in coverage. After taking a RB in the first round Schiano adds a playmaker to the defensive side of the ball here.
37. Cleveland Browns
Rueben Randle
WR – LSU
The Browns got their new franchise QB with their first pick and an offensive lineman to help protect him with their second. Now with their third pick they complete the trifecta by taking a WR. Randle probably doesn’t project as an elite #1 WR, but he’s good enough to be a lower level #1 which is way better then any WR Cleveland has had since Braylon Edwards left town.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars
Alshon Jeffrey
WR – South Carolina
Basically the entire Jacksonville season relies on them being able to get Blaine Gabbert going. They went with defense in round one, so now they add the best WR still available in the second round. If Gabbert still can’t succeed then they will be in position to draft one of the top QBs next year.
39. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Zerbie Sanders
OT – Florida State
I actually think there are several better players available at this point, but unfortunately for St. Louis none of them play OT. Former first round pick Jason Smith has been so bad that they have to look elsewhere to protect Bradford. Sanders is an athletic tackle that has experience at both the right and left sides.
40. Carolina Panthers
Kendall Reyes
DT – Connecticut
Since Maurice Clairborne fell into their lap in the first round the Panthers had to put drafting a DT on hold. They can now take that playmaking DT in the 6’4″ 300 lbs. Reyes. Had Dontari Poe not put on such a show at the combine more people would have been talking about Reyes who also ran well while putting up 36 reps at the bench press.
41. Buffalo Bills
Zach Brown
OLB – North Carolina
Buffalo has plenty of holes so they could go any number of directions here. They could use a starting LB and Zach Brown has the raw ability to be a first round pick. The question will be wether or not he develops into the player he is capable of being. If not LB, the Bills will probably look at a CB, but I think Brown offers better value here then any of the CBs still on the board.
42. Miami Dolphins
Brandon Weeden
QB – Oklahoma State
Poor Miami, no Jim Harbaugh, no Jeff Fischer, no Peyton Manning, no Matt Flynn, and no Ryan Tannehill. I do think this ends up working out for Miami because I really like Brandon Weeden. The Dolphins probably have the run game and defense to be a competitive team if they can get the passing game going. The problem is that even if Weeden comes in and plays well right away, who’s he throwing the ball too?
43. Seattle Seahawks
Vinny Curry
DE – Marshall
The Seahawks already had a good up and coming defense before this draft. Then they go out and land Luke Kuechly and now an up and coming pass rusher in Vinny Curry. If Curry is able to develop into a 7-10 sack guy the Seattle defense could be flat out scary. They could also look for OL or WR depth.
44. Kansas City Chiefs
Kevin Zeitler
OG – Wisconsin
To me this pick just validates the first round selection of Fletcher Cox as the Chiefs are still able to land what many consider to be the #2 OG prospect in this draft at #44 overall. Let’s say they had taken DeCastro in the first round, although he may have been better then Zeitler, the drop off wouldn’t be as drastic as that between Cox and any interior pass rusher they could have drafted in this spot. Zeitler is a great pick who is both physical enough to excel in the run game and agile enough to play in a zone blocking system. Unlike recent OL draft picks Jon Asamoah and Rodney Hudson, I think Zeitler could very well beat out Ryan Lilja in time to start week 1.
So there is my second attempt at a mock draft this offseason. I’m sure many of you will be happy to tell me how wrong I am. So feel free to hit up the comments section and let me know what you think.
As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!