It’s always difficult to do a NFL mock draft for the next year, BEFORE the current one has yet to even occur. There’s the issue of determining the order, and whether to take team needs into account or not. Well, since we have a full blown lockout in our midst, there’s no year like the present to keep the same order.
This 2012 NFL Mock Draft order is based on the official 2011 NFL Draft Order.
Team needs were sometimes, but not often considered in this mock. Sorry to break your heart on that aspect of the mock, but it’s just the nature of the world we live in.
For ROUND ONE of our 2011 NFL mock draft go here
Go here to check out round two.
And our third round is HERE.
Apparently some NFL GMs actually do look at these mock drafts, as I found out here
By Paul M. Banks
1. Carolina, Andrew Luck ,QB, Stanford
Yes, he was extremely nuts to give up all that money that comes with being the #1 pick. And yes, that’s unprecedented, a #1 overall staying in school. We’ll never know why, we just know he’s going to be the first pick next year. As of now.
Luck as a NFL prospect, possibly the #1 NFL Draft prospect,- his strong arm, excellent read-and-recognitions, quickness and mobility, poise and intelligence on the field or his excellent standing off of it.
In preparation for his match-up with Luck and his Stanford teammates this week, Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly discussed what impresses him most about the redshirt quarterback.
“He was hitting the wide field, go route, intermediate, and the thing that really got my attention is his ability to run. I think he had a 50 something yard run for a touchdown. So his ability, his escapability, I didn’t know what it was. I now know what it is. The guy is extremely athletic, as well, and he can run. So he brings a big dimension to the table and not just throwing the football,” Kelly said.
2. Denver, Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
3. Buffalo, Matt Barkley, QB, USC
4. Cincinnati Bengals, Matt Kalil, OT, USC
For bikini photos of the USC Song Girls (their cheerleaders) swim charity event go here
5. Arizona, Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State Spartans
For more on Worthy go here
6. Cleveland Browns, Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
7. San Francisco, Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Tennessee, Donte Paige-Moss, DE/OLB, North Carolina
9. Dallas, Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
10. Washington, Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
When he was a freshman, the 6-2, 245lb LB posted the third-most tackles ever by an Irish rookie; and ranked fourth on ND with 63 stops in 2009. His 2010 season was even better
His defensive coordinator Bob Diaco described him thusly:
“He’s definitely in the top cut of maturity. He’s just a mature person with a big heart. Always in service, in service to the student body, his teammates, his coaches, helping out his buddies. So when you factor that with his tangible skill set on the field, that’s really a special blend.”
Go here for more about Teo
11. Houston, Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
12. Minnesota Vikings, Vontaze Burflict, ILB, Arizona State
13. Detroit Lions, Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas
This year, or next, they should probably add depth at this position to ease the load on Jahvid Best.
For more Lions Draft Analysis
To see a glimpse into the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders calendar go here
14. St. Louis Rams, Cliff Harris, CB/PR, Oregon
For the definitive collection of Hot Oregon Cheerleader pictures go here
15. Miami, Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
16. Jacksonville, Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
17. Oakland, Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
18. San Diego, Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa Hawkeyes
19. New York Giants, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
20. Tampa Bay, Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
21. Kansas City, Mike Brewster, OL, Ohio State Buckeyes
Brewster is a 6-5, 293 Junior from Orlando, FL with three years of starting experience. He’s a NFL ready talent, but it’s difficult to predict where centers will get taken on draft day. The best at the position don’t often get picked until the third round at the earliest. Therefore “Brewster’s Millions” (yeah, you knew it was coming, an ’80s pop culture reference, I just couldn’t past that up) will likely have to wait to 2012. I doubt he’ll forgo his senior season.
For more on Brewster go here
22. Indianapolis Colts, Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State Buckeyes
23. Philadelphia, Baker Steinkuhler, DE/DT, Nebraska
24. New Orleans, Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
25. Seattle, Devier Posey, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes
Posey may not have the same GQ wardrobe or late ’90s boy band good looks of Sanzenbacher, but he does have a ton of NFL potential. Scouts love his ideal size, speed and ball skills for a professional receiver.
But for now Posey is part of a Buckeyes program in peril from the NCAA; or at least their coach might be.
For more on Posey go here
26. Baltimore, Marcus Forston, DT, Miam
27. Atlanta, Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
28. New England Patriots, Devin Taylor, DE/OLB, South Carolina
For a synopsis on NE’s draft prospects, and why they’re the most intriguing team in the league this April go here
29. Chicago Bears, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
For more Bears Draft Analysis go here
Some big news about Bears QB Jay Cutler, and his his girlfriend Kristin Cavallari broke today, Go here for that.
And here for many pictures of Cavallari
30. New York Jets, Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
31. Pittsburgh, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
With three alcohol related legal offenses during his time in South Bend, you know character concerns will be front and center. Of course no story about Michael Floyd is complete without mentioning that the true key to his realization of that enormous potential is staying healthy. Floyd led all FBS wideouts in the nation with a 29.09 yards per catch average and he was tied for the national lead in receiving TDs when he suffered a broken collarbone against Michigan State in ’09.
But last year he only missed one game, and when you look at his stats, ND records and size, you see what makes him a blue-chip prospect.
32. Green Bay Packers, Jeff Allen, OL, Illinois Fighting Illini
For more Packers Draft analysis go here
For ROUND ONE of our 2011 NFL mock draft go here
Go here to check out round two.
And our third round is HERE.
Apparently some NFL GMs actually do look at these mock drafts, as I found out here
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook