NFL Draft 2012: Players View’s Final Mock Draft

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The moment of truth has arrived. The NFL draft is less than 32 hours away. Our final mock draft has a few dips and curves but in many cases, we’re still pretty strong with where we were last time around.

#1 Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Luck –QB-Stanford

The Colts have made it official. Like a wise man once said ‘it’s all over but the shouting, I have come to take what’s mine.’

#2 Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor

With all of the recent hating, some people are backtracking on their initial proclamations of RG3’s greatness.

Here is the deal, it’s not about how great he is today (which he is), it’s the scary thought of how much better he is about to be.

#3 Minnesota Vikings- Matt Kalil- OL-USC

The one thing that is to be disliked about this portion of the process is all of the second-guessing. Kalil is the guy that’s going to get in the mud and do the dirty work that must be done.

The Vikings don’t have anyone on their line currently that is better than him.

Here’s the thing, the casual fan only notices the offensive line play when quarterbacks are getting killed and the run game is getting stuffed.

If the Vikings are really thinking about going in another direction, they are foolish.

With their stadium deal progressing, there is not a need to do the flashy thing. There is however the need to do the “football” thing.

#4 Cleveland Browns- Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama

I still have Richardson here for the simple fact that Cleveland is not set-up to bring in a new QB and win without a running game.

Richardson’s name has been attached to other teams but that really doesn’t matter when all of those teams are picking after the Browns.

The Vikings have Adrian Peterson so they won’t go Richardson but if they don’t pick Kalil would the Browns they pair him at the right tackle spot and form a super-group with LT Joe Thomas?

No.  Trent Richardson is headed to Cleveland.

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB Morris Claiborne-LSU

We had Claiborne here before Bucs captain Ronde Barber went on the radio and said this was going to be so.

I’ll stick with that call in the realm of common sense. Only the Vikings can make that mountain move.

If they don’t go Kalil they most certainly will pick Mo Claiborne. So as good as Donald Penn is, the Bucs would be excited to pick the upgrade Kalil.

#6 St. Louis Rams- Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State

There are  three other wide outs that I like more than Blackmon in this draft. Truth be told, my evaluation doesn’t matter. The Rams have graded him as their best available option.

They are one of the teams linked with Richardson but they would have to offer the Browns their future for him and including the declining Steven Jackson in the deal won’t sweeten the deal.

#7 – Jacksonville Jaguars-Dre Kirkpatrick-Alabama

The Jags have signed Lee Evans since we last spoke on this topic. He’s not enough to make me budge off of Notre Dame’s WR Michael Floyd.

What happened to get me move is their glaring need at the CB position. Kirkpatrick is amongst the best corners in this draft and after he visited recently with the Jags, it all but assured me they will get him before Carolina will.

In a division with that hosts Andrew Luck, Andre Johnson and the emerging Jake Locker, the Jags can’t afford to pass on a kid that can step out on the big stage and ball from day one.

#8 Miami Dolphins- Ryan Tannehill-QB-Texas A&M

Tannehill’s presence in this draft is holding the Dolphins hostage. The fans are hungry for a new QB and now that Dan Marino has co-signed the him, GM Jeff Ireland really doesn’t have a choice here.

#9 Carolina Panthers-Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina

The Panthers could possibly draft a DT like Fletcher Cox here.

They also need to add an explosive replacement for Steve Smith much sooner than later.

Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd gives them the potential to go neck and neck in a shoot out with anybody.

Overall, Gilmore’s buzz is stinging right now and the Panthers must revamp their secondary to go to the next level.

#10 Buffalo Bills- Fletcher Cox-DT, Mississippi State

They are said to have been very impressed with Cox during a visit, so much so that Riley Reiff is no longer sitting here for me.

What’s so special about Cox? Everything. The kid hurts people inside with an insane amount of tenacity.

#11 Kansas City Chiefs- David DeCastro-OL-Stanford

DeCastro is exactly what the Chiefs need. They lost multiple QBs and RBs last year and that derailed their season in the one year that they had the chance to dominate their division.

Even with Matt Cassel at QB, DeCastro’s familiarity with the pro style system automatically makes them better. If he’s still available here, they will jump at him.

#12 Seattle Seahawks-Quentin Coples-DE-North Carolina

Sticking with the beast from North Carolina here.  I also can see a situation where the Jets trade up with someone like the Jags to get him.

#13 Arizona Cardinals- Riley Rieff-OL-Iowa

I had Cordy Glenn here but Reiff is the higher graded prospect so it all rolls downhill.

#14 Dallas Cowboys-Dontari Poe-DT-Memphis

Janoris Jenkins used to live here but he’s had so much drama envelope him as of late, that its hard to see even Jerry Jones getting in bed with him.

The word is that the Cowboys really like Poe and he will only help fortify their front seven.

#15 Philadelphia Eagles-Jonathan Martin-OL-Stanford

The Jason Peters injury rocked the foundation of their offensive line for 2012. Martin will balance out that group and help them stay explosive on the offensive side of the ball.

#16 New York Jets-Melvin Ingram-DE/OLB-

Melvin Ingram has that killer instinct that Rex Ryan appreciates and Ryan has the tools to turn him into a monster, even if that means sending him to his father’s house for a weekend.

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