2012 NFL Not Draft: Picks 17-32

Last update: Friday, April 20, 2012.

THIS IS NOT A 2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT. Click the link to see my real 2012 NFL Mock Draft. This is a 2012 NFL Not Draft - a compilation of popular mock picks that, in my opinion, will not happen. For the record, I was wrong about three things in my 2011 Not Mock (which means they did happen).

2012 NFL Not Draft: Picks 1-16

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
    David DeCastro seems like a very logical pick for the Bengals because they need a guard. The problem is that DeCastro is unlikely to fall to No. 17. He has the potential to be the best guard in the NFL over the next decade, so he's way too talented to make it past the Chiefs at No. 11, Cardinals at No. 13 and Cowboys at No. 14.
    
    
    
18. San Diego Chargers: Any Offensive Lineman
    A.J. Smith is stubborn. He won't admit that Norv Turner sucks at coaching, and he refuses to spend a first-round pick on an offensive lineman. In fact, the last time San Diego as a franchise took an offensive lineman in the first round was all the way back in 1986 (James FitzPatrick, No. 13 overall). The Chargers need help up front, but Smith is going to stick with his strategy and select blockers later in the 2012 NFL Draft.
    
    
19. Chicago Bears: Any Offensive Lineman
    I'm going to double up on "any offensive lineman." I really don't see the Bears going that direction unless teams are completely stupid and let David DeCastro fall to them, which I don't see happening. Offensive line coach Mike Tice is the best in the business, so Chicago can let him get the most out of inferior talent while upgrading another area on the roster.
    
    
20. Tennessee Titans: Any Offensive Lineman
    Head coach Mike Munchak said that he will not be selecting an offensive lineman in Round 1. Like me, Munchak is a Penn Stater, and Penn Staters do not lie about anything. So, as you can see, Munchak will not pick Peter Konz or any other blocker with the 20th pick.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers
    Using this pick to obtain Mike Wallace is such a logical move. The Bengals need a receiver, and Wallace is better than anyone they can get at this spot. Cincinnati has the space to pay Wallace, and making such a move would really hurt its arch rival. So, why won't the Bengals sign Wallace? Well, the scuttlebutt is that all of the NFL teams have an unwritten agreement that all restricted free agents are off limits. One word: lame.
    
    
22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
    Stephen Hill won the vote here in the 2012 Reader NFL Mock Draft, but I don't see that pick happening. This is a bit early for Hill, so he'd be a reach. I also can't imagine Mike Holmgren taking such a raw receiver in the first round. I imagine he'll want someone more prepared for his West Coast system.
    
    
23. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
    Two reasons, one not being as strong as the other. The obvious one seems to be that both Mikel Leshoure and Nick Fairley were arrested for marijuana-related incidents this offseason, so drafting Adams would be a terrible PR move. However, Anwar Richardson of M Live reported that pot will not factor into Detroit's decision-making. Here's what will: Is the player they're drafting the top prospect on the board? The Lions stay true to their rankings, which probably means that they won't be interested in Adams at No. 23. I can't imagine him being the best player available.
    
    
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
    I've been asked about a possible Doug Martin-to-Steelers scenario because of Rashard Mendenhall's injury. I doubt it'll happen. Pittsburgh doesn't reach for needs and instead stays true to its draft board. I highly doubt that Martin would be one of their top two or three players available.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Denver Broncos: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
    Here's another spot where Stephen Hill's raw route running will hurt him. Peyton Manning undoubtedly wishes for another talented receiver to throw to besides Demaryius Thomas, but given his age, he'll want someone who can contribute right away.
    
    
26. Houston Texans: Any Offensive Lineman
    The Texans lost right tackle Eric Winston and guard Mike Brisiel in free agency, but they're not going to grab a replacement at No. 26 overall. They run a zone-blocking scheme and truly believe in their system. They're confident they can plug mid-rounders into the lineup and have them perform really well.
    
    
27. New England Patriots: Luke Kuechly, OLB, Boston College
    There's no way in hell that Luke Kuechly falls to No. 27 - he's just way too talented - but maybe some people think that the Patriots will want to trade up for him as a replacement for Gary Guyton, who signed with the Dolphins recently. Well, it's not going to happen because Kuechly's agent is Tom Condon, whom Bill Belichick hates with a passion.
    
    
28. Green Bay Packers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
    I've received a couple of e-mails telling me to mock Janoris Jenkins to the Packers because Ted Thompson will realize the value. I'm sure Jenkins would be intriguing to the fans, but he's just not a good fit for the system. Also, if the Lions are serious about not considering marijuana to be a factor in their decision-making, then Jenkins is not dropping past them at No. 23 because he'll be the best player available.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Baltimore Ravens: Any Rush Linebacker
    The Ravens could always take a rush linebacker if they love one enough, but it's not as much of a need as many project it to be. Yes, Jarret Johnson is gone, but Paul Kruger is ready to step in. Kruger, a second-round pick in 2009, had 5.5 sacks last year despite playing limited snaps. He's also good in run support.
    
    
30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
    The 49ers could take a receiver at this spot, but I don't think it'll be Rueben Randle. I don't have anything connecting San Francisco away from the LSU wideout, but I don't think Randle is a first-round prospect. His tape against elite cornerbacks is terrible. He did nothing in two matchups against Dre Kirkpatrick. Like most of the other Tiger receivers, Randle figures to be a bust.
    
    
31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
    Another "not" spot for Janoris Jenkins. I've seen him linked to the Patriots on various publications, but Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe wrote about a week ago that he would be shocked if New England drafted the troubled corner. I don't really have anyone else to tab as a "not" pick in this spot, so I'll trust Bedard on this one.
    
    
32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
    Coby Fleener is popularly mocked to New York, but Peter King pointed it out - Giants' tight end coach Mike Pope won't want the Stanford product because blocking is a weakness of his. Pope isn't interested in tight ends who can't block, no matter how great they are at catching the football.
    
    
    
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