The NFL Draft is just 3 weeks away, so don’t lose site of what your team is going to be doing amidst a big weekend in sports with the Masters, MLB Opening Day, the NBA Playoff race all vying for attention. This week I’ll keep the analysis nice and quick this week and focus on the players that will have fantasy impact since (as we saw last year) rookies can be game-changers in fantasy football and across the League. As you get geared up for the draft make sure you think about your fantasy football team as well as your real team.
Each FantasyCPR mock draft is featured in the mock draft databases at WalterFootball.com, DC Pro Sports Report, Sports Jabber, hailredskins.com, eatdrinkandsleepfootball.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 to get daily draft-dedicated coverage visit Fansided brethren nflmocks.com and withthefirstpick.com
Mar 22, 2012; Stanford CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck during pro day at Stanford Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE
1. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
Fantasy Impact: Luck looks like he’ll be a great QB for year and most experts are expecting him to be good right away. He’s still risky as a QB1 headed into the fantasy football season but I’d rank him around 15 depending on if your league rewards accuracy (completions/attemps/percentage)
2. Washington Redskins (Trade with the Rams)
Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: Looks like RG3 will be the starter from day 1 for the ‘Skins. He’ll have some weapons in that offense after the Reskins added Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. He’ll be a popular pick in fantasy drafts as owners look for this year’s Cam Newton. Due to the team around him and his rushing ability, I would definitely rank him ahead of Luck in fantasy football for the coming year. He’ll still be a rookie QB so there’s quite a bit or risk. In most league’s he’ll go as a top 10 QB, but I’d stay away until about 12-15 and take him as a QB2 if at all possible.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil-OT-USC
Analysis: No surprising, but it’s a good pick for the long-term and the short-term.
April 1, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Baylor Bears former quarterback Robert Griffin III celebrates after the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA women
4. Cleveland Browns
Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
Fantasy Impact: The Browns turn this draft with the pick. It looks more and more to be Richardson who’s the pick here. He’s a power back that makes a nice RB2 if he becomes the feature-back right away in Cleveland. He’ll be ready to jump right in and contribute coming from Alabama’s offense.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU
Analysis: Claiborne fits a big need on the Tampa D and could be an elite CB in the leagues as early as this year.
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins)
Justin Blackmon WR-Oklahoma State
Fantasy Impact: The Rams could move even further back to continue their pick collection. Some team who wants to get the top receiver in the draft might make the Rams draft haul even more impressive, but if a trade isn’t there the Rams will be happy to add a nice weapon for Sam Bradford.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Melvin Ingram-DE-South Carolina
Analysis: Another team that might look to move back, Ingram is a nice addition to the Jags pass rush. Although he doesn’t have the upside of Quinton Coples, his motivation is unquestioned and he’s the safer pick to step in and make a difference right away.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE
8. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill-QB-Texas A&M
Fantasy Impact: We’ve all heard the “Joe Philbin coached up Aaron Rodgers” and “Tannehill’s former A&M coach Mike Sherman is the new OC” lines of reasoning. I think both of those things are true and valid, but the Dolphins are so desperate at QB I can’t see them passing on the upside of Tannehill even with his raw skill set.
9. Carolina Panthers
Dontari Poe-DT-Memphis
Analysis: I’m not high on Poe since he seems to be a workout wonder, but I think the Panthers need a run stuffer in the middle and Poe’s freakish athleticism makes him the pick here. It’s not a pick I like, but it’s the one I think they’ll make.
December 29, 2011; Orlando, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd (3) makes a touchdown catch over Florida State Seminoles cornerback Greg Reid (5) and Florida State Seminoles safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) in the second half at the Champs Sports Bowl at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE
10. Buffalo Bills
Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Fantasy Impact: Floyd has a nice skill-set to complement Stevie Johnson. His addition boosts Ryan Fitzpatrick and Johnson’s value. I think Floyd could be a WR1 in the future but is a high upside WR3 for this season.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Luke Kuechly-LB-BC
Analysis: Kuechly had a great combine and will further enhance Romeo Crennel’s D as they have to deal with Peyton Manning in their division now.
12. Seattle Seahawks
Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina
Fantasy Impact: He could absolutely freefall down this draft, but Pete Carroll may not be able to pass up on the DE with the most upside in the draft as he looks to build the speed and playmaking ability on his defense.
13. Arizona Cardinals
Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Analysis: Kirkpatrick is a shut down corner that will either play opposite last year’s pick Patrick Peterson or allow him to move to safety where some say he’s a better fit.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Riley Reiff-OT-Iowa
Analysis: Reiff represents great value at this point and should help keep Tony Romo upright and in the game.
Nov 19, 2011; Little Rock, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Fletcher Cox (94) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi State 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox-DT-Mississippi State
Analysis: Many think that Cox is the best DT in the draft and getting him here to strengthen the middle of the line. The Eagles may have considered going O-Line before they signed Demetress Bell to replace the fallen Jason Peters.
16. New York Jets
Courtney Upshaw-DE/OLB-Alabama
Fantasy Impact: The Jets signed LaRon Landry but still may look to further strengthen the Safety spot by going with Mark Barron, but Upshaw is a perfect fit for the Rex Ryan system and makes plays both in the pass rush and in rush defense.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
David DeCastro-OG-Stanford
Analysis: DeCastro is a huge value and upgrade for Cincy here.
18. San Diego Chargers
Whitney Mercilus-DE/OLB-Illinois
Analysis: Mercilus is continuing to rise up boards due to his athletic ability to get to the QB. The Chargers need a pass rush and they’ll take the best available edge-rusher.
19. Chicago Bears
Cordy Glenn-OG/OT-Georgia
Analysis: Glenn’s versatility has him rising up draft boards and he could be a huge part of keeping Cutler healthy enough throughout the season.
20. Tennessee Titans
Michael Brockers-DT-LSU:
Analysis: Brockers is a great value at this pick and could develop into a Albert Haynesworth (the good version) type talent for the Titans in Mike Munchak’s defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina
Analysis: If the Bengals can land Gilmore or Jenkins at CB and a DeCastro/Martin linemanin their 2 picks they’ll be thrilled.
Mar 21, 2011; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright (1) catches a pass during the Baylor pro day at the Allison Indoor Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor
Fantasy Impact: The Browns can go Richardson early and grab whatever WR is still on the board with this pick. Wright’s speed was on display on his pro-day where he allayed some concerns after a slow Combine time. The Browns offense would be transformed with these 2 offensive playmakers.
23. Detroit Lions
Janoris Jenkins-CB-North Alabama
Analysis: Jenkins is best player available and the Lions overlook character issues when they need to in order to improve their team.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jonathan Martin-OT-Stanford
Analysis: Martin falling this far is great for Pittsburgh who can develop him into either a right or left Tackle to reinforce their line
25. Denver Broncos
Devon Still-DT-Penn State
Fantasy Impact: Still gives the Broncos the pass rush they want up the middle.
Dec. 31, 2011; El Paso, TX, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Stephen Hill (5) catches a 31 yard touchdown as Utah Utes defensive back Conroy Black (9) defends during the second half during the 2011 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Utes beat the Yellow Jackets 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
26. Houston Texans
Stephen Hill-WR-Georgia Tech
Fantasy Impact: If the draft falls out this way, it would be a no-brainer pick for the Texans to go receiver at this point. Hill had a huge combine, and looks to be the best fit for the Texans across from Andre Johnson. If Shaub is healthy he could be the best rookie receiver for fantasy purposes next year since Andre Johnson will get plenty of attention on the other side.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Dont’a Hightower-OLB/DE-Alabama
Fantasy Impact: Hightower’s versatility will let Bill Belichick move him all over the field playing multiple positions and making plays all over the field.
28. Green Bay Packers
Nick Perry-OLB/DE-USC
Analysis: Getting mocked all over the first round, the Packers would love to have Perry here since he could help get pressure opposite Clay Matthews.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Peter Konz-C-Wisconsin
Analysis: Matt Birk’s replacement is a nice value if he’s still on the board.
March 28, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Alshon Jeffery participates in drills during the South Carolina pro day at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE
30. San Francisco 49ers
Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
Fantasy Impact: Jeffery is a steal this late. He was expected to be the best receiver in the class before a tough 2012 where he was limited/derailed by QB issues. He and Crabtree could make the San Fran passing game way more dangerous as they complement Vernon Davis. Jeffery (or another young WR) could help Alex Smith be a solid QB2 again this coming year.
31. New England Patriots
Chandler Jones-DE-Syracuse
Analysis: Chances are the Pats don’t pick 27 and 31. They always move around on draft day, but getting 2 key pieces for their defense and getting consistent pressure on opposing QB’s could go a long way to getting New England back to the Super Bowl.
32. New York Giants
Lamar Miller-RB-Miami
Fantasy Impact: Giants need help after losing TE’s, but Miller is a nice value at the last pick of the first round and is a solid replacement for Brandon Jacobs. Miller could be a decent RB2 depending on his time-share with Ahmad Bradshaw.
Continue to Round 2
Topics: 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, Fantasy Football Draft Prep, Mock Draft, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson
I'm an avid Boston sports fan and fantasy sports enthusiast. When I'm not blogging, I serve as Audio and Video producer as well as High School History teacher at Harvest Ministries on the island of Guam. The 14-hour time difference can make things challenging, but I'll play any fantasy sports just about anytime I can.
Zach Thompson
Fantasy CPR
