NFL Mock Draft 2012-Version 1.0

This week was the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft and with the top 28 picks finally set (aside from coin flips) it’s time to roll out the first Mock Draft for the year here at FantasyCPR. There will be a Mock draft tab on the top bar which will have our latest look at what to expect in the draft for the next several months.

Robert Griffin III is the beginning of the intrigue surrounding the 2012 NFL Draft, but there's plenty of drama to fill all 7 rounds. (photo by Bo Rader / The Wichita Eagle)

With the instant success of last year’s draft class, many will be looking at the draft looking for ways for their team to improve-both their real-world team and their fantasy team. Cam Newton and Andy Dalton both succeeded to differing degrees and T. J. Yates showed that even later round picks can prove very important for your team if injuries strike. In this mock, we’ll just do the first round, but I may try and expand to first 2 or 3 in a later version as more information becomes available and the overall picture becomes clearer. Since this is a site dedicated to fantasy sports, a quick analysis of the fantasy impact of the pick is given where applicable.

Clicking the link for the team will take you to the site on the Fansided network dedicated to that particular team and for daily draft-dedicated coverage visit nflmocks.com and withthefirstpick.com

1. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
Fantasy Impact: This is the obvious and correct choice for the Colts. The intriguing part of this pick and the offseason as a whole is what they decide to do with Peyton Manning. If Manning is still in town, Luck won’t have a ton of fantasy worth since he’ll probably be carrying a clipboard on the sidelines (which they don’t give point for). If the Colts move Manning either through trade, retirement, or cuts (shudder), Luck immediately becomes a QB2 with serious upside. This offense has weapons at receiver and TE that would allow Luck to succeed on some level right away. Much depends on the new coach…

2. Cleveland Browns (trade with St. Louis Rams)
Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: RG3 makes a ton of sense for the Browns. They have the picks to make the deal and if they don’t they run the risk of getting jumped by either the Dolphins or the Redskins and RG3 being off the board. It’s a low-risk move for the Rams since they don’t need a franchise QB and will still have either Kalil or Blackmon at #4.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil-OT-USC
Fantasy Impact: Kalil will help protect Christian Ponder and open holes for Adrian Peterson for many years to come. He’s projcted to be a pro-bowler for multiple years to come. Toby Gerhart will be an intriguing sleeper at the start of next year since Peterson will miss the opening weeks of the season with his knee injury and Gerhart showed this year that he can perform on the NFL level.

4. St. Louis Rams (trade with Cleveland Browns)
Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma St.
Fantasy Impact: Blackmon will play opposite Brandon Lloyd and boost the value of Sam Bradford, Lloyd, and sleeper TE Lance Kendricks. How good Blackmon (or this offense) will be remains to be seen, but he has the tools to be one of the most dynamic pass receivers in the NFL.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
Fantasy Impact: Richardson is an elite RB talent, but high-pick RB’s have struggled recently in the league and he may be in a time-share situation. He should be a good NFL player, but will be a risky fantasy pick his rookie year.

6. Washington Redskins
Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
Analysis: This is a great value pick even at 6, and Shanahan could easily draft this top-flight shutdown cover corner.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: Wright will instantly be the best weapon in Blaine Gabbert’s arsenal (outside of MJD). His speed and YAC ability already have his skyrocketing up draft boards with the buzz being some teams have him as the #1 WR overall. Jacksonville hasn’t been afraid to make bold picks in the past, and Wright would continue that.

8. Carolina Panthers
Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Analysis: Despite character concerns, I can’t see Kirkpatrick falling far with his physical tools and size. The Panthers need help all over their defense, so expect this pick to be on that side of the ball whichever direction they decide to go.

9. Miami Dolphins
Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina
Analysis: Miami replaces the retiring Jason Taylor with an elite talent in Coples who underperformed his Sr. season.

10. Buffalo Bills
Courtney Upshaw
LB-Alabama

11. Kansas City Chiefs
Riley Reiff
OT-Iowa

12. Seattle Seahawks
Melvin Ingram
LB/OLB-South Carolina

13. Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Martin
OT-Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys
Stephon Gilmore
CB-South Carolina

15. Philadelphia Eagles
Mark Barron-S-Alabama
Analysis: The Eagles secondary replaces Brian Dawkins with the top Safety in the draft.

16. New York Jets
Vontaze Burfict 
LB-Arizona State

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
David DeCastro
OG-Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers
Nick Perry
DE-USC

19. Chicago Bears
Michael Floyd-WR-ND
Fantasy Impact: Floyd is a steal at this point in the draft for a WR-needy team like the Bears. He should have fantasy value as well if Jay Cutler can come back healthy.

20. Tennessee Titans
Michael Brockers
DT-LSU

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Alfonzo Dennard
CB-Nebraska

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Luke Kuechly
LB-Boston College

23. Detroit Lions
Zach Brown
LB-North Carolina

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kelechi Osemele
OG-Iowa State

25. Denver Broncos
Devon Still
DT-Penn St.

26. Houston Texans
Dwight Jones-WR-North Carolina
Fantasy Impact: Jones could emerge as the best of the WR in this year’s draft class and will be a great #2 receiver behind Andre Johnson. He should be a WR3 next year and could emerge quickly as a Red Zone favorite of Matt Schaub.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Whitney Mercilus-OLB/DE-Illinois
Analysis: As always, the Pats are candidates to move back while letting the ‘Skins, Dolphins, or Seahawks trade up for Ryan Tannehill or another QB they fancy. If they keep the pick, they’ll most likely go D with both 1st rounders, but you never can tell with Bill Belichick.

28. Green Bay Packers
Fletcher Cox
DT/DE-Mississippi State

29. New York Giants
Dontari Poe
DT-Memphis

30. Baltimore Ravens
Dont’a Hightower
LB-Alabama

31. San Francisco 49ers
Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
Fantasy Impact: Began the year projected at the top of this draft, but a tough year saw his draft stock tumble. He’d be a very nice weapon for Alex Smith to complement the speed af Michael Crabtree and give him another big body to throw to. In this emerging offense under Coach Harbaugh he’d be worth a pick in fantasy drafts to see if chemistry between him and Smith develops.

31. New England Patriots
Andre Branch
OLB-Clemson

There’s definitely some good prospects falling out of this first round in this scenario.  Most notably Lamar Miller-RB-Miami, Mike Adams-OT-Ohio State, Janoris Jenkins-CB-North Alabama, and Mohamed Sanu-WR-Rutgers…

Let me know you’re feedback in the comments and check back next week to see what adjustments are made as the draft approaches. If you’re a draft junkie, make sure you catch the East-West shrine game this weekend. in addition of course to the AFC Championship and the NFC Championship.

Have a great weekend!

Tags: 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, Cleveland Browns, Fantasy Football, Justin Blackmon, New England Patriots, NFL Mock Draft, Robert Griffin III