2012 NFL Draft-Mock Draft update-February 10

As the Giants fans continue to bask in the glory of their Super Bowl win and the Patriots fans overreact en masse, teams turn their attention to what is sure to be a compelling offseason. Everything starts with Peyton Manning who will most likely be the biggest name to change places this offseason and has a profound impact on the draft since he would answer a team’s QB needs at least short-term.

Last year’s draft proved that the draft can have an instant impact both in the NFL and in fantasy leagues. Cam Newton, AJ Green, Julio Jones, and Andy Dalton transformed the way we view their NFL teams and broke into weekly fantasy starting lineups as well. Knowing the incoming rookies and where they’re headed will be a big part of 2012 Fantasy Football draft prep. So get started early by following our weekly mock draft updates with a fantasy spin…

In this mock, we’ll just do the first round, but I will 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.

Each FantasyCPR mock draft is featured in the mock draft databases at WalterFootball.com, DC Pro Sports Report,  Sports Jabber, hailredskins.com and fftoolbox.com. Each site keeps track of a huge number mock drafts all over the web, so if you’re a draft junkie they’re great places to get your fix of info. 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 will be headed to Indy, but will he start or sit this year? Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
Fantasy Impact: Luck’s still the most sure pick in the draft. He is still the obvious and correct choice for the Colts. The rumors about Peyton Manning are thick and cloudy. Miami and Washington are the names you here most often, and both make sense for a variety of reasons. The Jets have been the latest buzz, but a dark horse that I really like is Seattle. ESPN’s Matt Williamson was the first I saw bring it up as an option and it seems to be a good fit, in my opinion. Check their pick out later… Back to Luck, if he starts he’ll be QB2 with keeper-league upside. I think he’ll be a good NFL QB, but it’ll be hard to see him cracking the top 12-15 this season with the roster that’s in place around him in Indianapolis. They do have the #1 pick for a reason.

2. St. Louis Rams
Matt Kalil-OT-USC
Fantasy Impact: Let’s say for the sake of this Mock Draft that the Rams keep pick #2. If new head coach Jeff Fisher is sold on Sam Bradford (which he appears to be since he took the St. Louis job after meeting with him), the first order of business has to be to reinforce the porous O-line that allowed Bradford to be knocked around and ultimately knocked out this last season. Kalil would allow the reshuffling that is necessary up front and be a big piece of the Rams rebuilding puzzle. Anything that helps Bradford stay upright helps his fantasy value, so I like the Kalil pick here for him, Fisher, and the Rams.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
Analysis: The Vikings pass defense was a major weakness, and needs to be a top priority with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford on the schedule twice a year. Claiborne is an elite-talent and addresses one of the team’s biggest needs so I don’t think the Vikings can afford to pass him up.

4. Cleveland Browns

Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III runs for the Browns if this Mock Draft is correct. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE

Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: In the no-trade scenario I still think the Browns have to make this pick. RG3 instantly makes the Browns offense compelling. If they get Griffin and can resign Peyton Hillis and get him back to full health while also adding a receiver later in the draft, their offense could be good enough to get them back around .500 next year with a defense that’s been steadily improving over the past few years. RG3 could be the best fantasy QB from the draft for next year since he’ll enter a little bit better offense (especially if Peyton Hillis returns) and he’s got the rushing element to his game very similarly to Cam Newton.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Riley Reiff-OT-Iowa
Analysis: The Bucs have multiple areas of need to be sure but Reiff’s value has been skyrocketing recently and Greg Schiano knows the value of a solid offensive line. The Bucs don’t have one, and Reiff is a good step in that direction.

6. Washington Redskins
Justin Blackmon-WR-OSU
Analysis: The Redskins no doubt need help in multiple areas, but they’ll need a receiver whatever they decide to do at QB. They’ve made “splashy” first round picks before and Blackmon at 6 is a great value pick as well as meeting a big need. Santana Moss is injury-prone and nearing the end of his effectiveness as #1 threat. Blackmon’s size make him a nice complement to Moss for the coming year.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina 
Fantasy Impact: The Jags may trade down to try and get a WR later, but if they stay here don’t be surprised if they take Coples despite questions about his motivation. He had a great Sr. Bowl and projects to be a dynamic end in a 4-3 like Jacksonville’s. He and Tyson Alualu will anchor the Jags D-line for years to come.

8. Carolina Panthers
Devon Still-DT-Penn State
Analysis: Still is a run-clogging DT who will fit ideally in the middle of the Panthers line. They ranked 25 against the run last year and can become a run/stop-the-run team if they can refortify their line with Still.

Baylor Bear wide receiver Kendall Wright (1) continues to rocket up draft boards. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

9. Miami Dolphins
Kendall Wright-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: Miami needs to figure out it’s QB situation, but whether Matt Flynn, Matt Moore, Peyton Manning, or another option gets the nod they’ll love having Wright’s speed opposite Brandon Marshall. Wright’s fantasy value will depend on his QB, but he could be as high as a WR2 like Julio Jones was when healthy opposite Roddy White.

10. Buffalo Bills
Courtney Upshaw-Alabama
Analysis: Buffalo has no pass-rush and needs to adress that in this draft. Upshaw was one of if not the best pass-rusher in the country. It’s a perfect fit and almost a sure pick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs
Trent Richardson-RB-Ala
Fantasy Impact: This would be a great value pick at this point. The Chiefs have Thomas Jones at the end of his career and Jamaal Charles coming back off a serious injury. Richardson could be the pick of the draft if he does fall this far since he could be a feature-back in the league for years to come.

12. Seattle Seahawks
Melvin Ingram-DE-South Carolina
Analysis: Ingram would bring the pass-rush off the edge which the Seahawks defense lacked this last season. If they can add a dynamic pass-rusher and Peyton Manning this team should make the playoffs this coming season while challenging the Niners for the NFC West.

13. Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Martin
OT-Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys
Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Analysis: Dallas would get a great CB at this point in this scenerio, but with the depth of cornerbacks it’s not unreasonable that Kirkpatrick would still be on the board. If he is, the Cowboys will celebrate and happily snatch him up despite drug issues.

15. Philadelphia Eagles
Luke Kuechly
LB-Boston College

Michael Floyd enjoyed in time in Notre Dame green. Could he move on to "Gang Green"? Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-US PRESSWIRE

16. New York Jets
Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Analysis: The Jets may get involved on Peyton Manning, but they’ll need a receiver whether they do or not. Mark Sanchez, Manning, or whoever they end up with will need more than the inconsistent Plaxico and the malcontent Santonio Holmes to throw the ball to. Floyd could be a number 1 receiver for years to come and depending on the QB situation may very well be fantasy relevant right off the bat. He’d be a WR2 if NY becomes the city of 2 Mannings, but with Sanchez he’d only be a WR3 with upside.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
Janoris Jenkins-CB-Alabama State
Analysis: Jenkins has ascended quickly up many draft boards after a great Senior Bowl week. Getting him here would be a great grab for the Bengals as they get a potential shutdown corner to replace Jonathan Joseph who left via free agency last year.

18. San Diego Chargers
Mike Adams
OT-Ohio State 

19. Chicago Bears
Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
Fantasy Impact: Jeffery is a great value at this point in the draft. He’s the last of the big-name first round receivers. I think his possession style is what the Chicago offense needs for Jay Cutler. If Jeffery goes to Chicago he has potential to be an impact receiver right away. He should be drafted as a low end wr2 with upside to end up in the top 10. Cutler should return healthy and if he does, Jeffery will be in for a good year.

20. Tennessee Titans
David DeCastro-
OG-Stanford

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Cordy Glenn
OG/OT-Georgia

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Mark Barron
S-Alabama

23. Detroit Lions
Zach Brown
OLB-North Carolina

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Brockers
DT-LSU

25. Denver Broncos
Fletcher Cox
DT-Mississippi State

Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (6) reacts after winning the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Rutgers won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

26. Houston Texans
Mohamed Sanu-WR-Notre Dame
Fantasy Impact: Sanu’s versatility and wide array of skills would be a huge upgrade opposite of Andre Johnson for the Texans. They may look to trade down with a team in need of a CB in this scenario since there are still some elite options out there… Sanu would be a WR3 with Matt Schaub’s return, and could be in for much more if injuries to Andre Johnson recur or linger

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Alfonzo Dennard-CB-Nebraska
Analysis: The Pats would love this scenario to play out with WR being the focus and CB’s falling down the board. Dennard or Stephon Gilmore (S. Carolina) would both be a huge upgrade for the Pats if they decide to move Devin McCourty to safety or not. New England’s always a candidate to move back down the draft and get more picks next year as they seem to each year.

28. Green Bay Packers
Nick Perry 
DE-USC

29. Baltimore Ravens
Dont’a Hightower-LB-Alabama
Analysis: Ray Lewis’s eventual replacement, Hightower is a versatile LB who would be plenty useful while learning the ropes.

30. San Francisco 49ers
Chase Minnifield-CB-Virginia
Analysis: Minnifield is a smooth cover corner that will continue the Niners defensive rise. They’d love to get a WR here, but the 1st rounders are gone and Dwight Jones from UNC might be a big of a reach.

31. New England Patriots
Whitney Mercilus-DE-Illinois
Analysis: The Patriots need someone who can pressure the passer. Mercilus is a good option at this point or they could go with Andre Branch from Clemson or Chandler Jones from Syracuse.

32. New York Giants
Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina
Analysis: The Giants would be thrilled to get a players with this much talent with the last pick in the first round at a big position of need for them.

There’s definitely some good prospects falling out of this first round in this scenario, and the situation will continue to be pretty fluid especially in the middle-to-late first round until at least after the NFL combine.

Let me know your feedback in the comments and check back next week to see what adjustments are made as the draft approaches.

Tags: 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, Featured, Justin Blackmon, Kendall Wright, NFL Mock Draft, peyton manning, Robert Griffin III