2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

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.

64. Indianapolis Colts: Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
    The Colts are switching to a 3-4, and because the old regime favored smaller defensive linemen, the only player who can step in at nose tackle is 310-pound Antonio Johnson.
    
    
    
65. St. Louis Rams: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
    The Rams picked up Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, but both players flopped. A successor for Steven Jackson (and in the short term, insurance in the event of an injury) is still needed.
    
    Jeff Fisher discussed how much he still values running backs recently, so there's a good chance he'll take one early in the 2012 NFL Draft.
    
    Pick change; previously Dwight Bentley, CB
    
    
66. Minnesota Vikings: Trumaine Johnson, CB/FS, Montana
    It shouldn't surprise anyone if the Vikings make multiple upgrades to their secondary in the 2012 NFL Draft. Antoine Winfield, who has missed at least six games in three of the previous five years, turns 35 in June. The disappointing Chris Cook has legal issues. Cedric Griffin, meanwhile, was just released. There are also two holes at safety.
    
    
67. Cleveland Browns: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
    The Browns have to obtain a quarterback at some point. They can't go into the 2012 season with just Colt McCoy.
    
    
68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Terrell Manning, OLB, N.C. State
    The Buccaneers can't go into the 2012 season with Quincy Black and Adam Hayward as their two starting outside linebackers.
    
    
69. Washington Redskins: Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
    Washington should look into adding an insurance policy at right tackle because Jammal Brown can't seem to get healthy. His hip injury just won't go away.
    
    
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State
    The Jaguars will have to spend a Round 2-4 selection on a defensive end if they don't pick Melvin Ingram at No. 7.
    
    Pick change; previously A.J. Jenkins, WR
    
    
71. Buffalo Bills: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
    The Bills paid a ton of money to Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, so they need to find him some help across from Steve Johnson. Neither Donald Jones nor David Nelson is a capable No. 2 wideout. Brian Quick is a receiver who seems like a great fit for Chan Gailey's offense.
    
    Pick change; previously James Brown, OT
    
    
    
    
    
72. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Brooks, G, Miami of Ohio
    The Dolphins need two upgrades on the offensive front - one at right tackle and another at guard. John Jerry, a third-round pick in 2010, has never played well. Some competition should be added.
    
    
73. Miami Dolphins: Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
    Another weapon for Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins acquired this selection by trading away Brandon Marshall. Why not take a receiver to replace him?
    
    
74. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
    The Chiefs really need a nose tackle and a guard. They could go Dontari Poe in Round 1, and then Kevin Zeitler in Round 2. However, I have them selecting David DeCastro, so Alameda Ta'amu and Josh Chapman would be possible solutions the following day.
    
    
75. Seattle Seahawks: Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
    The Seahawks are desperate for linebacker help. If they can't get Luke Kuechly at No. 12 or Mychal Kendricks in the second round, they'll consider someone like Nigel Bradham at this spot.
    
    Pick change; previously Chris Polk, RB
    
    
76. Houston Texans: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
    The Texans won't draft a receiver in the first round, but they'll definitely be searching for one on Day 2.
    
    
77. New York Jets: Brandon Taylor, S, LSU
    Safety is a huge need for the Jets. Eric Smith is terrible, while the newly signed LaRon Landry can't be relied upon to stay healthy; many teams passed on him in free agency because of his Achilles.
    
    
78. San Diego Chargers: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
    The only running backs on San Diego's current roster are Ryan Mathews, Curtis Brinkley and fullback LeRon McClain. Mathews hasn't been able to stay healthy, so the Chargers will look into spending an early selection on some insurance.
    
    
79. Chicago Bears: Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
    The Bears were able to re-sign Tim Jennings, but they still need help at cornerback. Dwight Bentley is one of the top players available.
    
    Pick change; previously Jamell Fleming, CB
    
    
80. Arizona Cardinals: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
    The Cardinals could be looking at a receiver here if they don't take Michael Floyd at No. 13 overall. They need to bring in someone to take some attention away from Larry Fitzgerald.
    
    
81. Dallas Cowboys: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
    The Cowboys signed Brandon Carr to bolster their secondary, but they'll still consider a cornerback in the middle rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft for depth purposes.
    
    Pick change; previously Ron Brooks, CB
    
    
82. Tennessee Titans: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
    Cortland Finnegan is gone. The Titans don't need a starting corner, but they have to replenish depth.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Cincinnati Bengals: Brandon Washington, G/OT, Miami
    As mentioned in Round 1, the Bengals will be looking for some help at guard. The disappointing Jacob Bell is currently slated to start.
    
    
84. Atlanta Falcons: Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette
    The Falcons will probably find a successor for Tony Gonzalez sometime this offseason. Ladarius Green is a good fit in this spot.
    
    
85. Detroit Lions: Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
    How many years has it been since the Lions have had great cornerback play? Five? Ten? Ten thousand? For the sake of the fans, I hope the front office addresses this need.
    
    
86. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington
    Coming off a torn ACL, Rashard Mendenhall will be entering his contract year in 2012. The Steelers should have an alternative option at the ready just in case they decide not to retain Mendenhall.
    
    Pick change; previously Bernard Pierce, RB
    
    
87. Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
    Tim Tebow-san is gone, so I imagine that John Kreese Elway and Johnny Lawrence Fox will be looking for a young quarterback to groom behind Peyton Manning.
    
    
88. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois
    The Eagles signed Demetress Bell as insurance for Jason Peters, but that was essentially a 1-year contract. They should probably spend an early pick on a developmental tackle just in case Bell busts and Peters can't return to form.
    
    
89. New Orleans Saints: Billy Winn, DE/DT, Boise State
    The Saints found their nose tackle in Brodrick Bunkley, but they still need a pass-rushing presence in the interior of their defensive line.
    
    
90. Green Bay Packers: Josh Kaddu, DE/OLB, Oregon
    The Packers will definitely consider a rush linebacker at No. 28 overall. If they don't take one there, someone like Josh Kaddu could suffice in Round 3.
    
    
    
    
    
91. Baltimore Ravens: Cam Johnson, DE/OLB, Virginia
    As good as the Ravens' defense is, they only have one player who can consistently get to the quarterback. Both Pittsburgh and Baltimore will consider Cam Johnson in Round 3.
    
    
92. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
    The 49ers take one of the top players available to fill their need for defensive end depth behind Justin Smith and Ray McDonald.
    
    
93. New England Patriots: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State
    Bill Belichick can't seriously be considering starting Steven Gregory at safety. He almost has to draft someone at that position in the first few rounds.
    
    
94. New York Giants: Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M
    Running back isn't New York's biggest need, but it could certainly be addressed at this spot. Ahmad Bradshaw has yet to prove that he can carry the load for a full season. Brandon Jacobs, meanwhile, was released earlier this offseason.
    
    
95. Oakland Raiders: Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion
    The Raiders just lost Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, so they'll have to replenish depth. Listing Shawntae Spencer as a starter is pretty sad.
    
    Pick change; previously Mike Martin, DT
    
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 5
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 6
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft - Round 7
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft
    
    
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