NFL Mock Draft 2012: Trades, The Manning Effect, And Mike Wallace

Mar 21, 2012, 2:58 PM UTC

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Following Dan’s excellent mock draft yesterday, the “silent partner” here at MtD now steps in with his mock.

Now, unlike Dan's, which is appropriately calm and steady with its selections, my mocks tend to be a bit wacky. I do it this way in order to draw a contrast with Dan's because, when all is said and done, the actual NFL Draft will likely be somewhere in the middle. I also tend to pick players that I think the teams need, not attempt to guess what teams will and won't do, unless the guessing is just THAT obvious (Hint: Colts and Redskins).

For this mock, I am tossing out trade scenarios, because I suspect the first round will see a lot of movement this year. I also have this mock configured with the scenario that Pittsburgh trades Mike Wallace to the Broncos for their first rounder. So, Steelers and Broncos fans, please keep that in mind. I'm projected that here to provide something different than your usual mock.

Finally, I tend to value the running back position as the least important in any mock. Unless the back is super special (aka, Barry Sanders clone), teams are wise to pass on him and go quarterback or pass rusher. This is a passing league now. Both teams in the Super Bowl this past year had woeful running games but stellar passing attacks. The team that won the Super Bowl also had a devastating pass rush. To win in this league, you must throw well and be able to drop your opponent’s QB.

If you can’t: No chance.

That said, here is the mock, complete with trades and insanity galore.

1. Indianapolis Colts - Stampede Blue

Andrew Luck | Quarterback | Stanford: Luck is being drafted to replace Peyton Manning, not succeed him. In fact, the fact that Luck is so obviously going to be Indy's No. 1 pick is more of a reason why Peyton is now in Denver than the $28 million dollar bonus he was owed if he'd remained on the Colts after March 8th. Luck is a 23-year-old version of Peyton, and hasn't had four neck surgeries.

2. Washington Redskins - Hogs Haven

Robert Griffin III | Quarterback | Baylor: The trade for the No. 2 pick was smart by the Redskins. Yes, they gave up a lot. So what? Franchise QBs are worth it, and RG3 is indeed a franchise QB. He wll transform the Redskins offense and make them a viable threat in the NFC East.

3. Minnesota Vikings - Daily Norseman

Matt Kalil | Offensive tackle | Southern California: Leslie Frazier could go defense here and take Morris Claiborne, but I think that if you are truly investing in Christian Ponder, you have to give him players that help him succeed. Kalil will keep Ponder's blindside protected and open up holes for Adrian Peterson off tackle.

4. Cleveland Browns - Dawgs By Nature

Ryan Tannehill | Quarterback | Texas A&M: Just like Ryan Van Bibber at SBNation.com, I'm one of those idiots who thinks that the Browns will use the No. 4 pick on Tannehill. In fact, I mocked Tannehill to Cleveland pre-Combine! Now, everyone is doing it. After Mike Holmgren royally screwed up a potential trade for RG3, I cannot see him keeping his job if he doesn't find a franchise QB for Cleveland in this draft. Thus, it has to be Tannehill, because Colt McCoy isn't an NFL QB.

5. New England Patriots (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Pats Pulpit

Morris Claiborne | Cornerback | LSU: The Patriots finally start cashing in on the draft picks they always seem to accumulate, sending their two first rounders and a third rounder to Tampa Bay for the right to pick Claiborne No. 5 overall. The Patriots pass defense was ten-kinds-of-awful last year, and the Super Bowl was yet another example of them folding in the clutch. Claiborne would give Bill Belichick the closest thing to shutdown corner he's had since Ty Law.

6. St. Louis Rams - Turf Show Times

Trent Richardson | Running back | Alabama: New Rams G.M. Les Snead did a masterful job with the trade for the No. 2 pick with Washington. Snead was also part of the brain trust in Atlanta that brought in free agent running back Michael Turner to help Matt Ryan. He does something similar here in St. Louis, pairing the outstanding Richardson with quarterback Sam Bradford.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Big Cat Country

Justin Blackmon | Wide receiver | Oklahoma State: The Jags could go with Quinton Coples here, but I think G.M. Gene Smith will be turned off by Coples' effort issues. Smith used a first round pick on Blaine Gabbert last season. Now, it's time to give him somebody who doesn't suck to throw the football to. If Blackmon's 40 time at his Pro Day were higher, he'd have been a Top 5 pick. Keep in mind, this pick could change quickly if Tim Tebow ends up in Jacksonville.

8. Miami Dolphins - The Phinsider

Quinton Coples | Defensive end | North Carolina: Nobody wants to play for G.M. Jeff Ireland in Miami, which explains why the Dolphins offseason has been such a complete disaster. Still, despite all their issues, they land the best pass rusher in the draft.

9. Carolina Panthers - Cat Scratch Reader

Jon Martin | Offensive tackle | Stanford: The Panthers need defensive help, but the engine that makes them run is quarterback Cam Newton, and finding someone who can protect his blindside is more important than stopping the run on defense.

10. Dallas Cowboys (via Buffalo Bills) - Blogging The Boys

David DeCastro | Guard | Stanford: The Cowboys have a big hole in the middle of their offensive line, and fearing DeCastro will be gone by pick 14 (because he likely will be), Jerry Jones makes his move, sending the No. 14 pick and a third rounder (No. 82) to Buffalo. DeCastro is one of the top interior o-linemen to enter the draft in years. He's not just any guard, and will upgrade the Cowboys passing and running game in 2012.

11. Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride

Dontari Poe | Defensive tackle | Memphis: Scott Pioli might give Romeo Crennel what he could never find for Todd Haley, a true nose tackle. The 3-4 defense simply does not function without a true stopper at NT, and Poe provides that. With Peyton Manning now in the division, defense should by K.C.'s top priority in the draft.

12. Seattle Seahawks - Field Gulls

Michael Floyd | Wide receiver | Notre Dame: With Matt Flynn now at quarterback, providing him with talent to throw the ball to must trump defense at this spot. Floyd impressed many people at the 2012 Scouting Combine. His 4.42 40 time coupled with his size makes him a bit more attractive as a WR than Kendall Wright.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Revenge Of The Birds

Riley Reiff | Offensive tackle | Iowa: The Cardinals missed out on Peyton Manning, but that doesn't mean they should neglect their o-line, which has been terrible in recent years. Reiff can play both left and right tackle.

14. Buffalo Bills (from the Dallas Cowboys) - Buffalo Rumblings

Dre Kirkpatrick | CB | Alabama: The Bills trade down and, after spending a boatload on defensive end Mario Williams, they keep going defense by taking a corner. In a division with Tom Brady, a team needs to have people who can stop the pass, a.k.a. pass rusher and corner. They could also go WR here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Bleeding Green Nation

Whitney Mercilus | Defensive end | Illinois: Since 2007, the Eagles have traded traded up, down, or completely out of the first round. However, this year they stay put. After trading with the Texans for veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Philly goes pass rusher at No. 15. Brandon Graham looks like the bust, and he might not be healthy for the season opener. Mercilus would thrive under d-line coach Jim Washburn's guidance. Plus, as Philly saw first hand with the Giants, one can never have enough pass rushers.

16. New York Jets - Gang Green Nation

Courtney Upshaw | Outside linebacker | Alabama: Speaking of pass rushers, the Jets Calvin Pace is 31, and while Aaron Maybin surprised everyone last year, not even Mike Tannebaum is dumb enough to go into 2012 relying on him to be his defense's primary rusher. Upshaw is best used as a 3-4 outside linebacker, which suits Rex Ryan's defensive scheme.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders) - Cincy Jungle

Luke Kuechly | Middle linebacker | Boston College: This is a bit of a gamble here, but by not trading either of their first round picks, the Bengals get players that fill need positions. Corner is a clear need, but with Kuechly still there at No. 17, it's too much for Cincy to pass up. He would provide leadership and toughness to the interior of Marvin Lewis' defense, something Lewis hasn't had since he was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore.

18. San Diego Chargers - Bolts From The Blue

Dont'a Hightower | Middle linebacker | Alabama: The Chargers signed linebacker Jarrett Johnson to help the pas rush. Here, they go with Hightower to boost their run defense in the middle. Remember, A.J. Smith and Norv Turner scapegoated the defense and Greg Manusky for last season's meltdown. This year, the must rebuild it, or it will be their necks on the chopping block in 2012.

19. Chicago Bears - Windy City Gridiron

Melvin Ingram | Defensive end | South Carolina: Lovie Smith is a defensive coach, and with Culter healthy and with weapons around him (and with Mike Martz sent into "retirement"), Smith goes pass rusher here in order to team someone opposite Julius Peppers. Remember, the Bears play in the same division as Aaron Rodgers, and that playoff tape of Rodgers rattled against the Giants rush likely caught Smith's attention.

20. Tennessee Titans - Music City Miracles

Cordy Glenn | Offensive tackle/guard | Georgia: After adding Kamerion Wimbley, the Titans can focus on the interior of their offensive line. Chris Johnson needs blockers, and the best interior guy still available is Glenn. He's big, physical, and Mike Munchak will love him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Cincy Jungle

Stephon Gilmore | Cornerback | South Carolina: Again, I said this was a bit of a gamble, but the Bengals are rewarded for sitting tight, landing the corner that they desperately need. Leon Hall is coming off an Achilles injury, and Nate Clements is old. Last year, Cincy focused on their offense in early rounds. This year, they round out their defense and look primed to take over the AFC North.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons) - Dawgs By Nature

Stephen Hill | Wide receiver | Georgia Tech: Hill turned heads at the Combine with his 4.36 40 time. He's a big, physical player whose broad jump led all wide receivers. He's also a strong blocker. If Cleveland is to draft Tannehill at No. 4, it only makes sense to give him someone to throw the football to.

23. Detroit Lions - Pride Of Detroit

Janoris Jenkins | Cornerback | North Alabama: Jenkins is a potential head case, but he is, arguably, the best cornerback still available. Jim Schwartz was NOT happy with his pass defense in 2011. With Rodgers and Cutler in the division, you have to have someone who can match-up with their receivers. Jenkins can do that.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Behind the Steel Curtain

Michael Brockers | Defensive tackle | LSU: Casey Hampton is 35-years-old, and the Steelers need to find someone who can rotate with him in the middle. Brockers had an impressive weigh-in at the Combine, but he was viewed as sort of "meh" after a slow 40 time and sluggish cone drills. Still, he's a big body who can play NT or DE in a 3-4.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (from the Denver Broncos for Mike Wallace)- Behind the Steel Curtain

Jamell Fleming | Cornerback | Oklahoma: Denver sends this pick to Pittsburgh for Mike Wallace. Steelers fans are still cringing at the highlight reel showing Demaryius Thomas running by their team's entire secondary in overtime in the playoffs. Ike Taylor simply isn't that good anymore. Fleming would infuse a weak secondary with some much-needed young talent.

26. Houston Texans - Battle Red Blog

Kendall Wright | Wide receiver | Baylor: Wright had a crappy Combine, but scouts still say he "plays faster" than his timed 4.61 40. Look, the guy had 108 receptions for over 1,600 yards and 14 TDs last year at Baylor. He must know something about playing the receiver position, and the Texans desperately want to make teams pay for doubling Andre Johnson.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via New England Patriots) - Bucs Nation

Nick Perry | Outside linebacker | USC: The Bucs and new head coach Greg Schiano trade out of the Top 5 because they need more talent, overall, on defense after spending a ton of money on offense in free agency. Schiano and defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan plan to adopt elements of both 3-4 and 4-3 on defense with an emphasis on finding new ways to pressure the QB. Perry is an excellent athlete who projects better as an outside linebacker. He also had a fantastic Combine.

28. Green Bay Packers - Acme Packing Company

Peter Konz | Center | Wisconsin: Former center Scott Wells is off to St. Louis. Aaron Rodgers is the Packers franchise, and he has a history of concussions. This is a no-brainer.

29. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore Beatdown

Coby Fleener| Tight end | Stanford: Come on. At some point, Ossie Newsome has to get quarterback Joe Flacco somebody reliable to throw the football to. In 2010, T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the playoff goat. Last year, it was Lee Evans. Flacco needs a red zone target he can trust, which was exactly what Fleener was for Andrew Luck at Stanford (10 TDs in 2011).

30. San Francisco 49ers - Niners Nation

Kelechi Osemele | Offensive tackle/guard | Iowa State: It looks like Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith have kissed and made up after the 49ers failed to land Peyton Manning. This means that SF needs to address their weakness at right guard. Osemele fills that need while also providing versatility as a tackle or guard.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via New England Patriots)- Bucs Nation

Mark Barron | Safety | Alabama: The Bucs stay with defense, looking to upgrade their woeful secondary. Far too many big plays were given up in the passing game in 2011, and Barron is the best safety in the draft. Also, remember that Tampa Bay gets NE's No. 94 pick in this proposed trade. It's about finding as many pieces on defense as possible.

32. New York Giants - Big Blue View

Doug Martin | Running back | Boise State: Brandon Jacobs is gone, and even though the World Champs were dominant on offense during their playoff run, they need to upgrade their running game. Martin runs low to the ground, is a good receiver, and can block in the passing game.

See More: