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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trades Allow RG3, Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon to Find New Homes

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

By Daniel Wolf
Senior Writer


Traditionally, a mock draft should be without trades since they are too hard to predict. But sometimes, certain trades just make sense and need to be included in a mock—especially for the 2012 NFL Draft.

The following mock shows not one, but two trades in the first round that are logical and could be based on need or draft history.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB Stanford 

Unless a historic, Ricky Williams-like trade offer happens, then this is a no-brainer.


2. TRADE: Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has been known to throw around his draft picks for players he likes, and RG3 is the next in line as Snyder packages a bevy of current and future picks to out-bid all other teams. This trade gives new Rams head coach Jeff Fisher a big ol' smile from ear-to-ear.


3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC 

The Vikes got their franchise quarterback last year and this year they get the guy who will protect Christian Ponder's blindside for the next decade. 


4. TRADE: Dallas Cowboys – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU 

The second trade of the first round goes to the Cowboys, who are so desperate for help in their secondary. They swap first rounders with the Cleveland Browns and give them their second round pick this year and their third round pick in 2013. Claiborne instantly upgrades a secondary which has been consistently inconsistent the past few seasons. 


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

The Cowboys took Claiborne before the Bucs could, so they go with the second-best cornerback in Kirkpatrick. The fall off from Claiborne to Kirkpatrick is minimal, despite Kirkpatrick's recent off-field issue. 


6. TRADE: St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State 

When the Rams traded out of the No. 2 overall pick, they figured the Browns would select Blackmon, but Cleveland traded down as well to acquire more picks to fill their roster—just like the Rams did. Blackmon brings quarterback Sam Bradford his first real, top-tier wideout. 


7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

The Jags could go with Baylor's Kendall Wright here—who's rocketing up big boards due to his speed—but they already have a smaller wideout in Mike Thomas, who is 5'8”. Floyd's 6'3” height will help balance out the position. 


8. Carolina Panthers – Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

The Panthers need to get better on their defensive front, and Still is a load at 310 pounds.


9. Miami Dolphins – Quinton Coples, DE, UNC 

With Jason Taylor retiring, the Fins need to find another top-tier pass rusher to replace him. Coples is the guy to complement Cameron Wake on the other side of the defensive line. 


10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

The Bills just invested a ton of money into starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and now they need to make sure he is better protected. 


11. Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

It doesn't make a lot of sense why so many mocks have the Chiefs selecting running back Trent Richardson when they already have Jamaal Charles. Kansas City already has plenty of weapons on offense, but what they need is better protection and blocking on the line. 


12. Seattle Seahawks – Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama 

The 'Hawks were one of the worst pass rushing teams in the NFL last season and Upshaw is an instant upgrade at defensive end. Many project Upshaw as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he is versatile enough to play in either. 


13. Arizona Cardinals – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

Signing Stewart Bradley turned out to be a bad move so the Cards turn to Kuechly to play in the middle next to Daryl Washington. 


14. TRADE: Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

Since the Cowboys were willing to move up, Cleveland gladly steps back and lands a replacement for Peyton Hillis. Picking any running back in the first round could be a risk, but picking one at No. 14 is much better than 10 spots earlier. Richardson is a great fit for the West Coast offense and Cleveland's colder climate. He's an instant impact, game-breaking version of Hillis.


15. Philadelphia Eagles: Donta' Hightower, ILB, Alabama 

The Eagles need more linebackers and they are fortunate to land the top inside linebacker in the draft to bolster their defense. 


16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, OLB, USC 

Rex Ryan is a defensive mind and the chance to have Perry and groom his potential into a top pass rusher is too much to pass up. Think of Jason Pierre-Paul-type of potential for Perry. 


17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.) 

The Bengals need to find a replacement for Cedric Benson and Miller is the top running back on the board after Richardson was taken several picks earlier. 


18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina 

Ingram is being projected as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker, which is exactly the type of talent needed in the Chargers' 3-4 defense. 


19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State 

Adams may have missed games in 2011, due to tattoo-gate, but his draft stock improved after his showing at the Senior Bowl. Adams' size and power are needed to better protect quarterback Jay Cutler and open up bigger holes for running back Matt Forte—if he is re-signed. 


20. Tennessee Titans: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU 

Tennessee needs defensive line help and since the top pass rushers are already taken, they go with beefing up the middle. 


21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama 

Jenkins may have some question marks surrounding him, but his talent speaks for itself. Who better to help mold a player like this than Marvin Lewis?


22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

Cleveland traded down and picked up their future running back and now they pick up a speedy, down field threat in Wright. Talk about landing some playmakers on offense, which is sorely needed.


23. Detroit Lions: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

The Lions upgrade the offensive line which will help make their already potent offense more potent.


24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

After the Senior Bowl Glenn is being projected as both a tackle and guard in the NFL. The Steelers just need more depth on their line period. 


25. Denver Broncos: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson 

Tim Tebow is the future in Denver and what better way to help out your quarterback then drafting a position which is often called, “the quarterback's best friend.” Allen is the next in line of playmaking tight ends to enter the NFL.


26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

The Texans love bigger wideouts—every wideout on their roster is over 6'2” except one—and Jeffery is as big as they come in this draft class. Bottom line is Houston needs a better complement to start opposite of Andre Johnson and Jeffery is just that. 


27. New England Patriots: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis Tigers 

Vince Wilfork isn't getting any younger. Poe and his 330-plus pounds are brought in to be Wilfork's future successor. 


28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois 

The Packers have zero pass rush opposite of Clay Matthews. Mercilus upgrades this immediately.


29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State 

Burfict has the demeanor of a Ray Lewis. The Ravens know Lewis is close to retirement and he is the perfect mentor for Burfict. 


30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers 

Braylon Edwards was a bust and cut last season. There is a need at the position this offseason and Sanu fills that need.


31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama 

Brandon Merriweather was a bust so the Pats pick their next strong safety and land the top safety in this draft class at the bottom of the first round.


32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC 

It seems the G-Men need linebackers every season. Since this is the case, they pick the top one on their board. 


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