2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

Last update: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 3:30 p.m. Changes in all 7 rounds.
Next updates: Final (barring major trade in next couple of hours).
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2012 NFL Mock Draft is based on the real 2012 NFL Draft Order.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
    The pot possession charges against Dre Kirkpatrick have been dropped. It's still a bad sign that he's hanging out with losers who put him in a bad position, so there are still character concerns with him. Some teams will still downgrade him on their big board. Some teams, cough, Bengals, sneeze, won't care.
    
    Cornerback is a need for Cincinnati. Nate Clements was inconsistent this past season, while Leon Hall won't be ready to play next year because of his torn Achilles.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Player Who Falls - Someone like Michael Floyd, Quinton Coples or Mark Barron could fall to No. 17. If so, they'll be the pick.
    
    2. Courtney Upshaw, DE - Marvin Lewis loves Upshaw, so he may take him here so the Chargers, Bears and Titans won't be able to.
    
    
    
18. San Diego Chargers: Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse
    The Chargers didn't really address the rush linebacker position last offseason, opting only to sign Travis LaBoy, a rotational player. As a consequence, only one player had more than four sacks this past year. San Diego signed Jarret Johnson recently, but he can't get to the quarterback. Thus, rush linebacker is still a possibility at No. 18.
    
    Chandler Jones is flying up draft boards. He could go as high as No. 12 to the Seahawks, so he's definitely in play at this spot.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Shea McClellin or Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB - Other pass-rushers who make sense.
    
    2. Mark Barron, SS - I had Barron here in a previous update. The Bob Sanders signing was a bust. Atari Bigby won't deter San Diego from drafting Barron. The Chargers may move up for him. They'll have to leapfrog Dallas, so maybe the Cardinals will want to move down if Floyd, Riley Reiff and David DeCastro are all on the board (possible).
    
    
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Brockers, DE/DT, LSU
    All indications are that the Bears will draft the best defensive lineman available. Some would say that is Michael Brockers, whom Chicago reportedly loves.
    
    The Bears need help at defensive tackle next to Henry Melton. They spent a second-round pick on Stephen Paea last year, but I don't think that will preclude them from selecting Brockers. Paea is all they have at nose tackle aside from the pedestrian Matt Toeaina.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Whitney Mercilus, DE - It appears as though Mercilus will be the pick if Brockers isn't available.
    
    2. Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright, WR - Floyd could be chosen if he falls. Wright will also be considered; Smith has been highly impressed with him.
    
    Pick change; previously Whitney Mercilus, DE
    
    
20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
    The Titans just signed Kamerion Wimbley, but that doesn't mean they're finished upgrading the defensive line. They have nothing at defensive end outside of Wimbley and Derrick Morgan, who's an unknown commodity because he's barely played.
    
    Mike Munchak drafted a couple of defensive tackles last year, so he might be looking to double up on defensive ends this time. He'll want to make sure his pass rush is improved because Tennessee's leader in sacks in 2011 was Karl Klug with seven.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Dontari Poe, NT - Dontari Poe could be highest on Tennessee's board if Melvin Ingram isn't available.
    
    2. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB - The Titans could be looking at a cornerback with this pick.
    
    Pick change; previously Melvin Ingram, DE
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
    Marvin Lewis loves Courtney Upshaw. No Bengal defensive end had more than seven sacks last year, so this is an area that Cincinnati will be thinking about upgrading. Upshaw is one of the top prospects on the board, so this would be a really good pick.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Cordy Glenn, G - Cincinnati's offensive line played extremely well as a whole this past year, but the unit has to replace free agent Bobbie Williams - unless the team trusts 2010 fifth-round pick Otis Hudson to start at right guard.
    
    2. Cornerback - If the Bengals don't draft a corner at No. 17, they'll do so here.
    
    
22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR/KR, Baylor
    If the Browns are serious about finding help for Colt McCoy, they'll spend their first three selections on Trent Richardson, Kendall Wright and then the top right tackle available. If McCoy can't succeed with those players, then Cleveland can give up on him and pick Matt Barkley next April, which is exactly what I have them doing in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin, OT - The Browns desperately need help at right tackle.
    
    2. Doug Martin, RB - If Cleveland picks Justin Blackmon at No. 4, Martin would be a nice option at this spot.
    
    
23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia
    The Lions select the top player available. That's just what they do. Sticking with that M.O., they'll take Cordy Glenn in this scenario.
    
    It's doubtful that Glenn would be able to play left tackle, but he can offer an upgrade at either right tackle or guard. Detroit really needs to improve its offensive line to keep Matthew Stafford healthy.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Jonathan Martin, OT - I have a feeling that this pick will be used on either Glenn or Martin, unless something crazy happens and Dre Kirkpatrick falls.
    
    2. Janoris Jenkins, CB - MLive's Anwar Richardson recently reported that marijuana use won't impact Detroit's draft-day decisions. Jenkins is obviously back in play.
    
    
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
    The Steelers usually take the top player on their board, and it would be hard to imagine that it wouldn't be Dont'a Hightower in this case. Pittsburgh just cut James Farrior, so the Alabama product would be a great long-term solution next to Lawrence Timmons. Hightower seems like he was made to play for the Steelers.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Cordy Glenn, G - The Steelers stay true to their draft board and take the best player available. That could be Glenn, who would fill a big need at guard.
    
    2. Dontari Poe, NT - Poe is an option, though the Steelers usually don't pay attention to Combine stars who suck on tape.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
    Woody Paige called me a "self-proclaimed guru" and a "buffoon" in the Denver Post for mocking too many various prospects (11) to the Broncos in the past couple of months. I've never proclaimed myself to be a guru, but I'm definitely a buffoon, as you probably know if you've read Jerks of the Week.
    
    You know what? I'm an even greater buffoon than Paige realized because I'm increasing my count to 12. Hopefully that prompts another geriatric sports writer to berate me in another column.
    
    The Broncos have absolutely nothing at defensive tackle, as they lost a number of players at that position this offseason, including Brodrick Bunkley. The current projected starters are Ty Warren and Kevin Vickerson. Thus, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Denver used back-to-back selections to improve this area.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Doug Martin, RB - I actually planned to mock Martin here (would still be 12, Woody) but Poe fell to this spot.
    
    2. Kendall Wright, WR - Peyton Manning needs someone to throw to besides Demaryius Thomas, and John Fox may be interested in a Steve Smith clone.
    
    Pick change; previously Kendall Reyes, DT
    
    
26. Houston Texans: Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia
    Surprise! Bruce Irvin in the first round? You might be thinking about e-mailing Woody Paige to tell him that he's right about me being a buffoon, but let me explain first. Michael Lombardi reported that some team flew Irvin to their facility in a helicopter and told him he'd be their first-round pick. I have some reason to believe that the Texans will pick Irvin here based on some other things I've heard today, so I guess I'm taking the bait.
    
    What I do know for certain, per trusted sources, is that this pick will not be used on a receiver. It'll be the top rush linebacker or right tackle available on Houston's board.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin, G/OT - Cordy Glenn can play right tackle or guard in a zone-blocking scheme. He could be Houston's man if he makes it to No. 26. Martin is also a strong option.
    
    2. Whitney Mercilus, Shea McClellin or Nick Perry, DE/OLB - Here are other options for a rush linebacker.
    
    Pick change; previously Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB
    
    
27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State
    No one really knows what Bill Belichick plans on doing with his two first-round picks, but a well-informed source told us the Patriots will draft with the 27th pick and trade the 31st selection.
    
    If he does keep this particular choice, he could very well target Shea McClellin, who is quickly rising up draft boards. I've been mocking McClellin to the Packers for a couple of weeks now, but I'm hearing that the Boise State pass-rusher won't make it to No. 28. Some team(s) really likes him, and the Patriots have shown interest.
    
    McClellin fits here for multiple reasons. Bill Belichick loves heady, versatile players, and McClellin could remind him of Tedy Bruschi or Mike Vrabel. Also, New England must upgrade its pass rush, especially given that neither Andre Carter nor Mark Anderson is no longer with the team.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Harrison Smith, SS - Smith is the smart type of player that Bill Belichick would want in his secondary.
    
    2. Vinny Curry, DE/OLB - Another rush linebacker option.
    
    
28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
    The Packers had major issues in their secondary all year, particularly at safety, as Charlie Peprah was torched on a weekly basis. Nick Collins was released Wednesday, so this is a position that will need to be addressed as soon as possible.
    
    Ted Thompson may use this selection on Harrison Smith. I'm sure Thompson is high on Smith, as the Notre Dame safety is a smart, highly productive prospect.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Shea McClellin, DE/OLB - The Packers reportedly love McClellin, but there's a good chance he'll be off the board.
    
    2. Devon Still, Jerel Worthy or Kendall Reyes, DE/DT - Like New England, Green Bay will be searching for some help on the defensive line.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C/G, Wisconsin
    I'm going back to thinking that the Ravens will draft Peter Konz if he's available. He'll probably be the top prospect on the board, and he fits the blocking scheme perfectly. He also would fill a big need. Matt Birk won't be playing for much longer, so Baltimore needs a successor. In the meantime, Konz can play at guard as Ben Grubbs' replacement.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Stephen Hill, WR - I think Stephen Hill is a strong possibility. Hill is unbelievably talented and has enormous upside. As Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas have proven, receivers coming out of Georgia Tech's system can thrive in the NFL.
    
    2. Jonathan Martin, OT - Martin's stock has really fallen, but he could still be the top player on Newsome's board.
    
    Pick change; previously Stephen Hill, WR
    
    
30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
    The 49ers like Stephen Hill. They signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham recently, but the former is on his last legs. Hill would be a great long-term option for Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick, as he possesses tremendous, Demaryius Thomas-type upside.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Amini Silatolu, G - San Francisco has a huge hole at right guard in the wake of Adam Snyder's signing with Arizona.
    
    2. Coby Fleener, TE - Fleener is on San Francisco's short list of options at No. 30.
    
    Pick change; previously Amini Silatolu, G
    
    
31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut
    As Charlie reported a week ago, the Patriots are expected to keep No. 27 and trade No. 31. That could change if someone Bill Belichick loves is still on the board - like Harrison Smith - but it'll be an upset if he keeps both picks.
    
    Here's another front-seven upgrade the Patriots will need to make, as the defensive line needs help. New England could trade down and still draft Kendall Reyes.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Same as listed above at No. 27.
    
    Pick change; previously Peter Konz, C
    
    
32. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
    I have a feeling the Giants are going to end up with Jonathan Martin. It would pretty much be like last year - Prince Amukamara, considered to be a top-10 prospect at one time, inexplicably dropped to New York in the middle of the first round. The same thing applies here. Jonathan Martin was projected to go in the top 10 prior to the 2011 campaign, but didn't play very well. He deserves to fall, but he's an incredible value at No. 32.
    
    Luckily for the Giants, Martin would fill a huge need. Kareem McKenzie is gone, so New York's starting offensive tackles are currently projected to be William Beatty and James Brewer. The latter hasn't played a single snap on offense in the NFL, while Beatty missed eight games in 2010 and 10 contests in 2011 with various injuries.
    
    Protecting Manning is obviously crucial, so I'm sure Jerry Reese would love to spend an early pick on an offensive tackle as long as it means that he doesn't have to reach.
    
    *** OTHER 2012 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Doug Martin, RB - Martin could sneak into the end of the first round. Ahmad Bradshaw is a poor bet to stay healthy for all 16 games.
    
    2. Nick Perry, DE - The Giants never shy away from selecting a pass-rusher. Perry provides great value at No. 32.
    
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 5
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 6
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 7
    
    
    Back to 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft