2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT 4.0
By Joe Tufaro
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami: A.J. Green, Kendall Wright, Andy Dalton, and Lamar Miller. Couple that with a top defense and you have the makings of one of the best divisions in the NFL. The games between Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati will be epic next year.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: They made a find in Sheard last year on the defensive line, now if this kid can take away half the field on the back end, you have the beginnings of a pretty good defense. Lots of building to do here, but Holmgren is patient and in it for the long haul.
23. Detroit Lions
Zach Brown, LB, NC: Defense, Defense, Defense for this team in this draft. This guy is rangy, fast, side to side OLB that will contribute immediately. The linebacking position has changed some in the NFL, they need to be speedy and quicker than in the past. This guy fits the bill.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Brokers, DL, LSU: A pure steal at this point, and a need also. The Steelers looked old on defense at the end of last year, time to start stock piling some young talent
25. Denver Broncos
Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis: Nothing makes a defense better than a dominant nose tackle. The Broncos have the pass rushers and linebackers, and nothing makes pass rushers and linebackers better than a dominant defensive tackle. If Tebow is the answer, then a great defense is a must.
26. Houston Texans
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: This team is ready for the next level if they can stay healthy. They have all the answers on offense and J.J. Watt took them to the next level on defense along with Wade Phillips. Kuechly becomes available because of the trade with Philadelphia. The need is there and this young man should fit the bill.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Chase Minifield, CB, Virginia: New England usually trades this pick for 4 others, but this defense needs help. The Patriots looked completely over matched in their secondary in the Super Bowl. Look for them to go defense first in this draft before looking for some offensive size and speed for Brady to target.
Nick Perry, OLB, USC: Clay Matthews is a beast, but when their is only one side to block, it makes it pretty easy to reduce him to human on certain Sundays. Adding Perry from the same system that Matthews came from will make their defense all that much better. Defense is the way to go for this team at this point.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama: The Raven defense will look to restock as it grows older. I think they need to find Flacco a weapon on the outside, but this pick is too good to pass up. Dont’a will learn from Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs, that alone makes him better already.
30. San Francisco 49ers
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech: We originally had the Niners taking a WR here, but they have since signed Randy Moss, and Mario Manningham. Couple them with Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and Vernon Davis and there seems to be no need to address the position any further. Gore was hurt last year, and needs some help.
31. New England Patriots
Mark Barron, SS, Alabama: The Patriots need as much young talent on defense as they can find. The combination of Mayo and Spikes, along with Wilfork and Love make for a great front end, now they need some help in the secondary.
32. New York Giants
The Giants have quietly built up some places of need like TE and DB thru Fee Agency and re-signing players. Believe it or not you might get another defensive lineman picked here depending on what happens above. Best Available Athlete is the pick.
