* Ye Official 2012 Mock Draft Thread!! *

[Off The Grid]

IT...is TIME.


A Glance Back to 2011's Mock Drafts!!

Also: The earlier "Top 64" Thread!!

Rules​

I presume NOT, to impose any.

Top 64 only??

Entire Draft??

As you please, Gentlemen...and Ladies.

Submit as many versions as you please.

Submit what you wish, and I will do my best to jazz it up, as time allows.

All right, here we go...

 

[Off The Grid]

Who BETTER to start things rolling than the legendary Brother Mayo Clinic, erstwhile contributor, hereabouts, OutSide The Box Thinker, Revolutionary and Visionary??? :rocker:

Without Further Ado...Brother Mayo??


Mayo Clinic's 2012 Mock Draft ~ 3 Rounds ~ Version 1.0!!

Here's my initial "top 96" (Day 1 and 2) picks for 2012:

1a. Billy Winn DE Boise State / Quinton Coples DE North Carolina / Vontaze Burfict LB Arizona St. / Devin Taylor DE South Carolina. In that order. One of the 3 should be available. Coples is rated top 10 now, but he's not a sack artist and he may slip a bit.

1b. Dontari Poe DT Memphis St. / Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington. "Super Grizzly" to add to the interior DL mix. One of the strongest players in college football, Poe could be another Haynesworth for the long term.

2a. David DeCastro OG/C Stanford / Peter Konz OC Wisconsin / Mike Brewster OC Ohio St. Dominant interior nasty man to anchor the OL for the next decade. Again, one of the 3 should hopefully be available, or could switch priorities with the 1b pick.

2b. Trumaine Johnson DB Montana / TJ McDonald FS USC. Both are rangy 6'3" DBs with good run and pass skills. Both could play FS, Johnson could also play man and press CB.

3. Coby Fleener TE Stanford / Zach Ertz TE Stanford / Michael Williams TE Alabama. I'd rather add more TEs to the mix than a WR here - more versatility. Fleener and Ertz are Jimmy Graham/Jermichael Finley kind of stretch the field options. Michael Williams is a baby Gronk in the making.

That's a lot of options. If you want you can pick whichever ones you prefer. My preferred list at this point:

1a. Billy Winn, DE, Boise St. 6'4" 288#.

This year's version of Cam Jordan, can play 4-3 DE, 3-4 DE, 4-3 DT, and even stand up. Versatile, non-stop motor, violent hands, thick hindquarters. Similar style player.

1b. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis St. 6'5" 340#.

In the Phil Taylor mold. Great movement skills for his size. Very strong. Could potentially be another Albert Haynesworth.

2a. Mike Brewster, Ohio St. 6'5" 305#.

I'd prefer Konz or DeCastro, but Brewster looks more likely to be available at 2a. Great field general with solid skills, will anchor the line for 10 years. More Alex Mack than Nick Mangold, but that's still pretty damn good.

2b. Trumaine Johnson, DB, Montana. 6'3" 204#.

Former point guard and QB with great physical skills. Strong against the run, able to play press and man. Could play FS or CB.

3. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford. 6'6" 254#.

Jimmy Graham II. Great hands and speed for a TE. Not a Gronkowski, but blocking skills are adequate and developing.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I'm guessing we go back to the 3-4. Need some olb's. I'm picking two. Yes two!! Hell, I'm even trading up a little for the first one.

1a - Courtney Upshaw - olb - Alabama - Trading 3 to move up. Hopefully starts at ROLB. Beats out Cunningham.

1b - Vinny Curry - olb - Marshall - Backs up Ninko. Comes in on passing downs. Provides more athleticism to front 7.

2a - Nick Toon - WR - Wisconsin - Need wr to eventually replace Branch. Would like to bring Deion back for another year and groom Toon to replace him.

2b Robert Lester - FS - Alabama - Hope he falls this far.

3 traded

Would like to get a 2-gap de. But, can't have everything. Another thing is that in more than 50pct of plays you're in a nickel. More of a 4-2-5 allignment. Hoping Upshaw plays one de. Curry pushes Ninko at the other. Also, would have liked to get a C. But, I think Koppen and Connolly both come back next year.

 

[Off The Grid]

A few thoughts...

The greatest reason that I love corresponding with Brother Mayo, is that he Makes Me Think...and he actually employed that very term when describing his choices, here: These are not only his ~ early ~ inclinations, but were chosen with a mind to provoking thought and discussion.

I have a similar approach.

1 ~ In particular, the Dantari "Edgar Allen" Poe Pick is one I love. I don't feel I have a strong enough grasp on the guy, at this early stage, to say for sure, but anyone who's read my ramblings knows I am FANATICAL about amassing athletic Super Grizzlies like Vince Wilfork, Albert HaynesWorth, Haloti Ngata, and the like...and DESTROYING O Lines!! :rocker:

2 ~ Flex End Coby Fleener ~ Flex End = The Gronk!! ~ is, in my view, the CLEAR Alpha Tight End, at this early juncture. I couldn't've put it better than did Mayo, himself: Jimmy Graham II. In English, that's a guy who's as deadly downfield as Aaron The Navigator, but has the build ~ and the potential ~ to become an excellent Blocker.

 

[Off The Grid]

patsfaninpa's 2012 Mock Draft!!

I'm guessing we go back to the 3-4.

I'm guessing you're RIGHT!!

Need some olb's. I'm picking two. Yes two!! Hell, I'm even trading up a little for the first one.

1a - Courtney Upshaw - olb - Alabama -

Trading 3 to move up. Hopefully starts at ROLB. Beats out Cunningham.

1b - Vinny Curry - olb - Marshall -

Backs up Ninko. Comes in on passing downs. Provides more athleticism to front 7.

2a - Nick Toon - WR - Wisconsin -

Need wr to eventually replace Branch. Would like to bring Deion back for another year and groom Toon to replace him.

2b Robert Lester - FS - Alabama -

Hope he falls this far.

3 traded

Would like to get a 2-gap de. But, can't have everything. Another thing is that in more than 50pct of plays you're in a nickel. More of a 4-2-5 allignment. Hoping Upshaw plays one de. Curry pushes Ninko at the other. Also, would have liked to get a C. But, I think Koppen and Connolly both come back next year.

 

[Off The Grid]

Looking good, Brother Penn Pat Fan.

***

Does this format ~ flushing the Quotes and the "titliing" it with your name ~ work for you guys??

Let me know ~ I'm easy on this.

 

[Frick]

Good thread and great thoughts all!

First off I'd say the signing of Wendell means we don't go after a center this year. Wouldn't be surprised if our off week we sign Welker & Connelly to new contracts. I and many others wanted Brewster, if and only if he was the next Mangold. A call to Mike Vrabel who played against Mangold, problaby closed the book on Brewster.

We go all defence- 1a. OLB a gamechanger. 1b. traded for a 1st 2013 & a 2nd in 2012. Trade Hoyer for a 2nd in 2012 or a 3rd in 2012 & a 3rd in 2013.

Depending on what picks we used to get 1a., we should still have 2 2nds.
A free safety & 3-4 DE. Since DTS. that can play DE.in a 3-4 run so deep, maybe another DLman.

If we have another 2nd or 3rd trade it into 2013, we need it there. If we still have a 4th trade it down till we get a bunch of 7th rounders and grab some sleepers & small school possibilities. We might get lucky there.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Just want to say that Price is a better faster version of Branch. If only we could see it in the reg season and not the preseason.

 

[Frick]

Ninja as always good point about Price. Next year I'd like to get V. Jackson & work Price in alternating with Branch. It's hard to believe Price wouldn't have more receptions than Chad.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Ninja as always good point about Price. Next year I'd like to get V. Jackson & work Price in alternating with Branch. It's hard to believe Price wouldn't have more receptions than Chad.

True. Price is behind Branch, Wes, Chad Johnson and Julian in the depth chart. And since we always run sets w. 2 TE on the field...It's hard for him to get on the field. But I do think they like Price. Other wise he would have been cut.
Also, I don't see them getting Vjax. They have to pay him tons of money and Wes is due for a deal, also he has 2 DUI's and is 1 suspension away from being suspended for 6-16 games. No thanks.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm guessing we go back to the 3-4. Need some olb's. I'm picking two. Yes two!! Hell, I'm even trading up a little for the first one.

1a - Courtney Upshaw - olb - Alabama - Trading 3 to move up. Hopefully starts at ROLB. Beats out Cunningham.

1b - Vinny Curry - olb - Marshall - Backs up Ninko. Comes in on passing downs. Provides more athleticism to front 7.

2a - Nick Toon - WR - Wisconsin - Need wr to eventually replace Branch. Would like to bring Deion back for another year and groom Toon to replace him.

2b Robert Lester - FS - Alabama - Hope he falls this far.

3 traded

Would like to get a 2-gap de. But, can't have everything. Another thing is that in more than 50pct of plays you're in a nickel. More of a 4-2-5 allignment. Hoping Upshaw plays one de. Curry pushes Ninko at the other. Also, would have liked to get a C. But, I think Koppen and Connolly both come back next year.

Wow! what a stacked mock. Absolutely love Upshaw and Curry as bookends in our 3-4. Excellent effort on this.

 

[jsull87]

Short and sweet for the initial draft:

1A: Devin Taylor DE/OLB like his athleticism and the fact he plays on his feet and drops into coverage. Quick 1st step and great closing speed. Negatives are like most of the DE/OLB conversions... can he stand up against NFL tackles against the run?

1B: Trade for 2012 #2 and 2013 #1

2A: Robert Lester FS Alabama Really need to add some talent there to let Chung play his more natural Safety position rather than center field.

2B: Peter Konz C Almost wouldn't make this selection except it's pretty good value here. Could also look for a 3-4 DE but thats too much of a need so BB would never do it. So i instead have him drafting a talented player on the OL here... Protect Brady and run the ball i say.

2C:Melvin Ingram-DE/DT-South Carolina-6’4” 276lbs after my little rant i go with the 3-4 DE and hope he can develop. even tho at 276 he might need to put on some more muscle (these possitions are hard to find i guess)

3: Trade for 2013 #2 (Rinse and Repeat)

 

[Dobbo]

Short and sweet for the initial draft:

1A: Devin Taylor DE/OLB like his athleticism and the fact he plays on his feet and drops into coverage. Quick 1st step and great closing speed. Negatives are like most of the DE/OLB conversions... can he stand up against NFL tackles against the run?

1B: Trade for 2012 #2 and 2013 #1

2A: Robert Lester FS Alabama Really need to add some talent there to let Chung play his more natural Safety position rather than center field.

2B: Peter Konz C Almost wouldn't make this selection except it's pretty good value here. Could also look for a 3-4 DE but thats too much of a need so BB would never do it. So i instead have him drafting a talented player on the OL here... Protect Brady and run the ball i say.

2C:Melvin Ingram-DE/DT-South Carolina-6’4” 276lbs after my little rant i go with the 3-4 DE and hope he can develop. even tho at 276 he might need to put on some more muscle (these possitions are hard to find i guess)

3: Trade for 2013 #2 (Rinse and Repeat)

I like that one. Would rather we got Upshaw with the 1A, but i agree with the position to be addressed!

If we can grab 2/3 defensive starters and a potential playmaker i will be pretty pleased.

There are a few good FA's out there in our positions of need and we may be able to do something there.

Glad the Bucs got the win against the Saints - anything to raise the draft pick!! (and Jason Campbel's shoulder...)

 

[patsfaninpa]

I like that one. Would rather we got Upshaw with the 1A, but i agree with the position to be addressed!

If we can grab 2/3 defensive starters and a potential playmaker i will be pretty pleased.

There are a few good FA's out there in our positions of need and we may be able to do something there.

Glad the Bucs got the win against the Saints - anything to raise the draft pick!! (and Jason Campbel's shoulder...)

Saints loss was good news. If the season ended tonight, they would be the 6th seed and have to go on the road. Didn't work out too well for them last year in Seattle. TB has Chicago at home and then a bye. They travel to NO after the bye. NO has 2 easy games going into that game Indy and St.L. That's a huge game in that division. NO wins and they're probably going to run free. If they lose they are a game behind and losing the tie-breaker. Really 2 games. A 1st round loss and that pick is 21-24. If they win division and get a bye, make NFCCG and lose. It's 29 or 30.

Bad news for Raiders. But, their schedule doesn't look too daunting. KC at home, a bye and Denver at home to finish the 1st half. Should be 6-2. 2ND half tougher but still a couple they should win. At Minny, at Miami and at KC. Imperative for them that DMc stays healthy now. And, he's had trouble doing that in the past.

 

[Off The Grid]

Short and sweet for the initial draft:

1A: Devin Taylor DE/OLB

like his athleticism and the fact he plays on his feet and drops into coverage. Quick 1st step and great closing speed. Negatives are like most of the DE/OLB conversions... can he stand up against NFL tackles against the run?

1B: Trade for 2012 #2 and 2013 #1

2A: Robert Lester FS Alabama

Really need to add some talent there to let Chung play his more natural Safety position rather than center field.

2B: Peter Konz C

Almost wouldn't make this selection except it's pretty good value here. Could also look for a 3-4 DE but thats too much of a need so BB would never do it. So i instead have him drafting a talented player on the OL here... Protect Brady and run the ball i say.

2C:Melvin Ingram-DE/DT-South Carolina-6’4” 276lbs

after my little rant i go with the 3-4 DE and hope he can develop. even tho at 276 he might need to put on some more muscle (these possitions are hard to find i guess)

3: Trade for 2013 #2 (Rinse and Repeat)

Nicely done, sir.

 

[jsull87]

I like that one. Would rather we got Upshaw with the 1A, but i agree with the position to be addressed!

If we can grab 2/3 defensive starters and a potential playmaker i will be pretty pleased.

There are a few good FA's out there in our positions of need and we may be able to do something there.

Glad the Bucs got the win against the Saints - anything to raise the draft pick!! (and Jason Campbel's shoulder...)

That was the aim really... because the way i see it at the moment, our OL is (theoretically) pretty set for the next 2-3 years. Our WR corps (in my opinion) does not need to change at all for the next year at least (Depending on Branch's play and Price's development). We are also set at RB and QB.

This Leaves only depth at these positions on O and the ability to focus the draft on trying to build a championship caliber D. I personally believe we are close there specially up the middle with Wilfork/Haynesworth, Mayo/Spikes and Chung up the middle. We have also thrown talent at CB so i don't see that being a need as i don't think the stable of McCourty, Bodden, Arrington and Ras-I needs tinkering other than ST'ers.

This really only leaves me with Rush OLB (Ninko/Cunningham (of last year) are in my opinion a very good all round 3-4 OLB but no one will get them confused with Pierre Paul any time soon) FS and RDE.

With that in mind i drafted for need (something the pats never do) but hey thats why we mock right.

I am more optimistic than most but if you add something to the edge of the pats pass rush and i think this defense transforms.

Reason i didn't pick Upshaw was i was going through tape and i just thought my guy had that elite 1st step that is hard to find specially with his large wingspan and athletic ability. In saying that Upshaw is a very good player too probably more of a BB pick as he seems to be more of a complete footballer.

 

[Sciz]

^ Great post. There are tons of positions that really don't need any picks.

1a. Devin Taylor, OLB, South Carolina [6'7", 260]
He's not the most NFL-ready OLB prospect, but he's got the highest ceiling. You can't teach that length with that athleticism. You can "teach" bulk and technique.

1b. Traded for a late 2nd and 2012 1st (I WANT TYRANN MATHIEU!)

2a. TJ McDonald, FS, USC [6'3", 205]
A FS with good range who can cover and hit. His hitting is a bit of a problem right now, but not every safety prospect is as uncoachable as Meriweather. On the scale of USC safeties, he's a lot closer to Troy Polamalu than Taylor Mays.

2b. Kheeston Randall, DE, Texas [6'5", 295]
He's the closest to a 3-4 DE prospect that there is available at this point. Has length and room to add more bulk, but needs technique work.

2c. Kenny Tate, SS, Maryland [6'3", 220]
In 2010, it was the TEs. In 2010, it was the RBs. In 2012, it will be the safeties. Tate doesn't have the coverage skills to be a full-time safety right away, but his skill set will make him an asset in the big nickel. In his time at Maryland, he has lined up out wide as a CB, back deep as a safety, in the box as an LB, and in a three point stance as a DE. With receiving TEs becoming more popular, a quality 3rd safety will be as much of a necessity as the slot corner is right now.

3. Traded for 2 4ths

4a. Logan Harrell, DE, Fresno State [6'2", 275]
Harrell is a very impressive interior pass rusher, with 15 sacks in his last 20 games. With Ellis leaving in free agency most likely, he's a good fit at the 4-3 LE position and as a DT in subpackages.

4b. David Molk, C, Michigan [6'2", 288]
An undersized but athletic college center? Yep, that's a Belichick pick. This assumes Connolly is resigned as the starting center, but Wendell and Koppen are both gone.

4c. Jeff Demps, RB, Florida [5'7", 191]
I love Vereen as an every-down RB for the future, Ridley as a late-game closer, and Woodhead as a third down back who can line up as a slot receiver. However, one thing the Pats' RBs are missing is speed. Demps is going to run in the 4.2s and would likely be the fastest player in the NFL as a rookie. He doesn't have a ton of football skills, but he has enough speed to be used in a few certain plays (and kick returns) that take advantage of his speed while he learns the finer points of being an RB.


Yep, the first 5 picks on defense. Makes tons of sense.

 

[I Augustus]

1). Joshua Chapman DT , Alabama
2). Bruce Irvin OLB , West Virginia
3). Shawn Prater CB , Iowa
4). Dwight Jones WR , North Carolina
5). Aaron Henry FS , Wisconsin
6). George Bryan TE , North Carolina State

 

[Off The Grid]

That was the aim really... because the way i see it at the moment, our OL is (theoretically) pretty set for the next 2-3 years. Our WR corps (in my opinion) does not need to change at all for the next year at least (Depending on Branch's play and Price's development). We are also set at RB and QB.

This Leaves only depth at these positions on O and the ability to focus the draft on trying to build a championship caliber D. I personally believe we are close there specially up the middle with Wilfork/Haynesworth, Mayo/Spikes and Chung up the middle. We have also thrown talent at CB so i don't see that being a need as i don't think the stable of McCourty, Bodden, Arrington and Ras-I needs tinkering other than ST'ers.

This really only leaves me with Rush OLB (Ninko/Cunningham (of last year) are in my opinion a very good all round 3-4 OLB but no one will get them confused with Pierre Paul any time soon) FS and RDE.

With that in mind i drafted for need (something the pats never do) but hey thats why we mock right.

I am more optimistic than most but if you add something to the edge of the pats pass rush and i think this defense transforms.

Reason i didn't pick Upshaw was i was going through tape and i just thought my guy had that elite 1st step that is hard to find specially with his large wingspan and athletic ability. In saying that Upshaw is a very good player too probably more of a BB pick as he seems to be more of a complete footballer.

A lot of good points, Mon.

Upshaw DOES seem more "Belichickian". Very good point.

It's very gratifying ~ and rare ~ to see someone say we DON'T need more Wide Receivers.

 

[Off The Grid]

Ah!! Great Blue has finally busted out their Draft Order Report.

I figured I'll just start bringing that over here ~ sort of merge the Draft Order Thread with this one. Here it is:

Great Blue North Draft Report

And here's The Huddle's, for those who prefer theirs:

NFL MOCK DRAFT - THE HUDDLE REPORT

1 COLTS 0 0.516
2 DOLPHINS 0 0.567
3 RAMS 0 0.580
4 CARDINALS 1 0.466
5 JAGUARS 1 0.495
6 PANTHERS 1 0.516
7 BRONCOS 1 0.600
8 VIKINGS 1 0.604
9 BROWNS 2 0.483
10 SEAHAWKS 2 0.489
11 EAGLES 2 0.500
12 COWBOYS 2 0.522
13 CHIEFS 2 0.538
14 TEXANS 3 0.418
15 TITANS 3 0.419
16 REDSKINS 3 0.422
17 FALCONS 3 0.468
18 JETS 3 0.511
19 BEARS 3 0.554
20 SAINTS 4 0.447
21 BENGALS 4 0.460
22 RAVENS 4 0.472
23 BUCCANEERS 4 0.479
24 STEELERS 4 0.483
25 GIANTS 4 0.500
26 CHARGERS 4 0.511
27 BILLS 4 0.511
28 RAIDERS 4 0.523
29 PATRIOTS 5 0.449
30 49ERS 5 0.465
31 LIONS 5 0.543
32 PACKERS 6 0.489