Peter King's 2012 Mock

[Quesadilla Joe]

http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability....7390/index.htm

11 CHIEFS

WILL PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

SHOULD PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The alltime leading tackler in both school and Atlantic Coast Conference history is the perfect player for Kansas City G.M. Scott Pioli: whistle-clean character, great instincts. Kuechly isn't overwhelmingly physical, though. I'd like Dontari Poe here if I were sure he could consistently deliver on the athletic promise he showed at the combine.

The rest of the mock is in the spoiler

Spoiler!

The top two selections are all but locked in, but there's plenty of intrigue attached to the decisions of the next 30 teams on the clock in the first round. As the league's offensive explosion continues, protecting the passer—and finding him targets to throw to—will be among the top priorities when it comes time to make the call

1 COLTS

WILL PICK

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Tough duty ahead for Luck, who'll be fortunate in 2012 to win as many games as the Colts' last No. 1 overall, Peyton Manning, did as a rookie in 1998 (three). Indy has been stripped bare of stars (except for graybeards Reggie Wayne, 33, and Dwight Freeney, 32) and needs to be sure it doesn't overhype Luck's arrival. It'll be a long road back to the playoffs.

2 REDSKINS

WILL PICK

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

SHOULD PICK

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This way to the backseat, Stephen Strasburg and Alex Ovechkin and John Wall, there's a new sports phenom in Washington. If the electrifying Griffin is even 85% the QB that Cam Newton was as a rookie last year—and he could well be—the Skins will be reborn, and the only person in the nation's capital getting more press will be Barack Obama.

3 VIKINGS

WILL PICK

Matt Kalil, T, USC

SHOULD PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

I don't get it. I know the Vikes want to protect Christian Ponder from eternal damnation (and a boatload of sacks), but they have six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford, who'll throw a combined 100 TD passes each season. Minnesota's secondary is horrible—even worse than its offensive line. The Vikings don't need a corner. They need two.

4 BROWNS

WILL PICK

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

That's right—I wouldn't take quarterback Ryan Tannehill here. I'd take the guy who gives Cleveland's offense a chance to shape up for Colt McCoy or whoever the QB of the future is. (See pick 27.) Blackmon and Greg Little would give the Browns their first set of topflight wide receivers since the franchise returned to the league in 1999.

5 BUCCANEERS

WILL PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Ronde Barber is 37, and free agent corner Eric Wright is plenty leaky, so this is Tampa Bay's position of greatest long-term need. The Tigers trusted Claiborne on an island; as a pro he'll have to hold his own against NFC South gunslingers Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan if the Bucs are going to have a chance to be competitive.

6 RAMS

WILL PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

SHOULD PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Consider it a gift for quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams love Trent Richardson (join the club), and the 6'1", 207-pound Blackmon doesn't have the size they prefer: Calvin Johnson has him by four inches and 29 pounds. But St. Louis is woefully deficient at receiver, and Blackmon's ability to get open on quick slants and deep routes is beyond instinctive.

7 JAGUARS

WILL PICK

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

SHOULD PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Like Tampa, Jacksonville has a major hole at cornerback, and I hear the Jags like Gilmore a ton, which would have to be the case for them to reach for him here. Still, I'd solve a position of need for the next 10 years with the second-best offensive lineman in the draft—and a guy with the mean streak Jacksonville's O-line needs—then take the corner in round 2.

8 DOLPHINS

WILL PICK

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

SHOULD PICK

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If you're going to trust the coach you hired (Joe Philbin) to energize the offense and the coordinator you hired (Mike Sherman, who coached Tannehill in college) to tutor the quarterback, you've got to pick the triggerman they want. But you can't panic by moving up to take Tannehill, because that would most likely cost at least a second-rounder. Not worth it.

9 PANTHERS

WILL PICK

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

SHOULD PICK

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Carolina G.M. Marty Hurney doesn't like risky choices this high in the draft, and coach Ron Rivera is desperate for a penetrating defensive tackle. Cox had 19½ combined sacks and tackles for loss last season in the SEC, and I'm betting the Panthers view him as a safer selection, in terms of productivity and reliability, than combine phenom Dontari Poe.

10 BILLS

WILL PICK

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Buffalo will break the Cardinals' hearts by stealing Floyd to pair with Stevie Johnson and give quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a true second weapon and bona fide deep threat. But I'd rather have the kind of enforcer in the secondary that so many teams covet. The 6'1", 213-pound Barron is a player whom multiple teams will try to trade up to get.

11 CHIEFS

WILL PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

SHOULD PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The alltime leading tackler in both school and Atlantic Coast Conference history is the perfect player for Kansas City G.M. Scott Pioli: whistle-clean character, great instincts. Kuechly isn't overwhelmingly physical, though. I'd like Dontari Poe here if I were sure he could consistently deliver on the athletic promise he showed at the combine.

12 SEAHAWKS

WILL PICK

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

One note: Seattle will take Ryan Tannehill if he's there at 12. Write it down. If he's not, Ingram is the kind of versatile rush guy Pete Carroll could use both outside and inside; he had 25 tackles behind the line in 2011. Barron? Even with the Seahawks' terrific secondary, his addition would mean Carroll could play three thumping safeties on every down but first.

13 CARDINALS

WILL PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

When offensive-line coach Russ Grimm sees DeCastro, he sees a young Russ Grimm: nasty, efficient, mistake-free. And though I'm sure that the Cardinals would love to see Michael Floyd fall to them here, the best guard to come out in several years is a good consolation prize, especially for a team that's had nothing but trouble on the O-line.

14 COWBOYS

WILL PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas trade up to make sure it gets Barron, perhaps with Kansas City at 11. The Cowboys have no identity in the secondary. No big-time players either. Barron would immediately boost a unit that's been beaten down—and provide the kind of tackler at safety that the Boys haven't had since Darren Woodson.

15 EAGLES

WILL PICK

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

SHOULD PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

One coach used these words to me about Coples: "Gifted. Sporadic." We're getting to the part of the draft—mid first round—where beauty's in the eye of the beholder, and teams reach for pass rushers who often don't pan out. Philly D-line coach Jim Washburn is as demanding as they come, and Coples will have a chance to make the Eagles more formidable up front.

16 JETS

WILL PICK

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

SHOULD PICK

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Rex Ryan's gleeful. Deep down he knows Poe has a chance to be another Haloti Ngata, a freakishly talented interior force against the run and pass. But Poe isn't known for being freakishly productive—five sacks in three years at Memphis—and Ryan and coordinator Mike Pettine will have their work cut out to make him a top NFL starter.

17 BENGALS

WILL PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Good move by the Bengals—instead of holding their defensive line together with spare parts, they're giving defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer a true three-down end who not only rushed the passer in college but also dropped into coverage effectively. If he's still on the board when Cincinnati picks, the choice won't be hard.

18 CHARGERS

WILL PICK

Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

SHOULD PICK

Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

Marcus McNeill is gone, and no one in San Diego should believe that Jared Gaither is the long-term answer at left tackle. Reiff is a scrapper and a fighter in the tradition of Hawkeyes linemen, but he may not last this long given the tackle-needy teams drafting ahead of the Chargers, most notably the Bills, Seahawks, Cardinals and Jets.

19 BEARS

WILL PICK

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

SHOULD PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

I'd be stunned if Chicago doesn't fortify its perpetually patchwork offensive line, but I've been stunned before. Coach Lovie Smith had dinner with Wright at Baylor's pro day in March, and I hear he was impressed—enough so to select Wright to go with Brandon Marshall, creating a suddenly formidable wideout corps for quarterback Jay Cutler.

20 TITANS

WILL PICK

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

This is a good season: 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles. That was Mercilus's breakout 2011 campaign at Illinois, and that's why he'll be a first-round pick this year. But he's not as versatile as McClellin, whose stock is rising because he has the speed (a 4.6 40 at 260 pounds) to be an edge rusher and is a sure-enough tackler to play inside if needed.

21 BENGALS

WILL PICK

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Cincinnati has but one good cover corner, Leon Hall, so Kirkpatrick makes sense here. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals follow the advice of trusted front-office aide John Cooper, the former Ohio State coach, and grab a Big Ten offensive lineman here, but the better pick in my view would be another reinforcement for the defensive line.

22 BROWNS

WILL PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

Love this pick. Right tackle is a trouble spot for Cleveland—waiver pickup Oniel Cousins is the nominal No. 1 on the depth chart right now—and Martin, who helped protect Andrew Luck, should be able to win the job in camp. If not, the Browns can take their time and groom him to be Joe Thomas's bookend. Not a sexy choice, but a smart one.

23 RAVENS FROM LIONS

WILL PICK

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

For years Baltimore has wanted a top-shelf playmaking linebacker to be trained by Ray Lewis. Here he is. I see the Ravens swapping first-round spots with Detroit (who'll receive a third-rounder too) to sneak in front of the Steelers, because Hightower is a Dick LeBeau special—heavy and fast. Another positive: He was a two-year captain for Nick Saban.

24 STEELERS

WILL PICK

Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

SHOULD PICK

Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

Pittsburgh's got to stop treating its offensive-line problems with stopgaps and take a tough guy like Zeitler, whom I've heard compared to Logan Mankins. A 6'4", 315-pound masher, Zeitler will step in on opening day next to Maurkice Pouncey and give the Steelers the stability in front of Ben Roethlisberger that they've lacked for the last several years.

25 BRONCOS

WILL PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Denver will be stunned that Brockers is still on the board. And delighted. The Broncos lost free-agent defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Saints a month ago, and this raw but promising 6'5" 322-pounder could play nose or a more versatile tackle role. "On potential," one coach told me, "Brockers deserves to be a top 10 pick."

26 TEXANS

WILL PICK

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Kendall Wright makes sense if he lasts this long, but Randle is a good fallback. Houston thinks that at 6'4" and 210 pounds he'll be another matchup problem along the lines of Andre Johnson. What team has the corners to cover two wideouts 6'3" or taller? Then again, if that's the logic, I'd take Hill, who's bigger (6'5") and a speed threat.

27 BROWNS FROM PATS

WILL PICK

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

SHOULD PICK

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Cleveland sends a third-rounder to New England to move up 10 spots, from 37 to 27, and prevent the other Weeden fans—Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Niners—from grabbing him. I know he'll be 29 in October, but if you think a player can be a good starting quarterback in the league for eight years, and several teams do, he's worth a lot more than the 27th pick.

28 PACKERS

WILL PICK

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

SHOULD PICK

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Worthy would be the long-term replacement for Cullen Jenkins, though I could see G.M. Ted Thompson going for a big-potential outside threat like Nick Perry or Shea McClellin as a bookend pass rusher for Clay Matthews. Martin is the kind of versatile cold-weather back who would fit the Pack perfectly. "He's this draft's Ray Rice," one personnel man told me.

29 LIONS FROM BROWNS

WILL PICK

Amini Silatolu, G/T, Midwestern State

SHOULD PICK

Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

Upset special of the first round. The Lions loved Silatolu when he visited them, and they probably can't wait until their second-round pick (54th) to get him. Powerfully based and more explosive than he looks at 6'4" and 312 pounds, he could succeed Jeff Backus at left tackle, where Silatolu dominated Division II opponents for two years.

30 49ERS

WILL PICK

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Jim Harbaugh likes smart, physical, versatile skill players, and because he had Fleener for four years at Stanford (including Fleener's redshirt season of 2007), no coach knows a player in this draft better. Fleener isn't as athletic as Vernon Davis, but he did gain 17.8 yards per reception in his last two seasons for the Cardinal.

31 PATRIOTS

WILL PICK

Nick Perry, DE, USC

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

All those who know what the Patriots are going to do with this pick, raise your hands. O.K., anybody besides Mike Mayock? After losing Mark Anderson in free agency and without knowing whether soon-to-be 33-year-old Andre Carter will be back—those two combined for 20 of the Pats' 40 sacks in 2011—New England needs an edge rusher. Perry's my best guess.

32 GIANTS

WILL PICK

Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

A mature four-year starter for the Irish, Smith has the speed to play free safety and the tackling ability to play strong. The Giants could go in a lot of directions here, with McClellin and Mike Adams both possible because of positional need. But a 47-game college starter and eager special-teamer will be too much for G.M. Jerry Reese to pass up.

[The Franchise]

**** that. Kuechly is basically the only pick that I would be pissed about.

[Dante84]

He says the Cowboys may try to trade up to #11 from 14 to get Barron.

We could still get our man, and an extra pick.

What would it cost the Cowboys to move up to #11?

[The Franchise]

I have no idea why they would trade up for Barron. There isn't a team in front of them that would take Barron that high.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability....7390/index.htm

The top two selections are all but locked in, but there's plenty of intrigue attached to the decisions of the next 30 teams on the clock in the first round. As the league's offensive explosion continues, protecting the passer—and finding him targets to throw to—will be among the top priorities when it comes time to make the call

1 COLTS

WILL PICK

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Tough duty ahead for Luck, who'll be fortunate in 2012 to win as many games as the Colts' last No. 1 overall, Peyton Manning, did as a rookie in 1998 (three). Indy has been stripped bare of stars (except for graybeards Reggie Wayne, 33, and Dwight Freeney, 32) and needs to be sure it doesn't overhype Luck's arrival. It'll be a long road back to the playoffs.

2 REDSKINS

WILL PICK

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

SHOULD PICK

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This way to the backseat, Stephen Strasburg and Alex Ovechkin and John Wall, there's a new sports phenom in Washington. If the electrifying Griffin is even 85% the QB that Cam Newton was as a rookie last year—and he could well be—the Skins will be reborn, and the only person in the nation's capital getting more press will be Barack Obama.

3 VIKINGS

WILL PICK

Matt Kalil, T, USC

SHOULD PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

I don't get it. I know the Vikes want to protect Christian Ponder from eternal damnation (and a boatload of sacks), but they have six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford, who'll throw a combined 100 TD passes each season. Minnesota's secondary is horrible—even worse than its offensive line. The Vikings don't need a corner. They need two.

4 BROWNS

WILL PICK

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

That's right—I wouldn't take quarterback Ryan Tannehill here. I'd take the guy who gives Cleveland's offense a chance to shape up for Colt McCoy or whoever the QB of the future is. (See pick 27.) Blackmon and Greg Little would give the Browns their first set of topflight wide receivers since the franchise returned to the league in 1999.

5 BUCCANEERS

WILL PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Ronde Barber is 37, and free agent corner Eric Wright is plenty leaky, so this is Tampa Bay's position of greatest long-term need. The Tigers trusted Claiborne on an island; as a pro he'll have to hold his own against NFC South gunslingers Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan if the Bucs are going to have a chance to be competitive.

6 RAMS

WILL PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

SHOULD PICK

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Consider it a gift for quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams love Trent Richardson (join the club), and the 6'1", 207-pound Blackmon doesn't have the size they prefer: Calvin Johnson has him by four inches and 29 pounds. But St. Louis is woefully deficient at receiver, and Blackmon's ability to get open on quick slants and deep routes is beyond instinctive.

7 JAGUARS

WILL PICK

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

SHOULD PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Like Tampa, Jacksonville has a major hole at cornerback, and I hear the Jags like Gilmore a ton, which would have to be the case for them to reach for him here. Still, I'd solve a position of need for the next 10 years with the second-best offensive lineman in the draft—and a guy with the mean streak Jacksonville's O-line needs—then take the corner in round 2.

8 DOLPHINS

WILL PICK

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

SHOULD PICK

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If you're going to trust the coach you hired (Joe Philbin) to energize the offense and the coordinator you hired (Mike Sherman, who coached Tannehill in college) to tutor the quarterback, you've got to pick the triggerman they want. But you can't panic by moving up to take Tannehill, because that would most likely cost at least a second-rounder. Not worth it.

9 PANTHERS

WILL PICK

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

SHOULD PICK

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Carolina G.M. Marty Hurney doesn't like risky choices this high in the draft, and coach Ron Rivera is desperate for a penetrating defensive tackle. Cox had 19½ combined sacks and tackles for loss last season in the SEC, and I'm betting the Panthers view him as a safer selection, in terms of productivity and reliability, than combine phenom Dontari Poe.

10 BILLS

WILL PICK

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Buffalo will break the Cardinals' hearts by stealing Floyd to pair with Stevie Johnson and give quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a true second weapon and bona fide deep threat. But I'd rather have the kind of enforcer in the secondary that so many teams covet. The 6'1", 213-pound Barron is a player whom multiple teams will try to trade up to get.

11 CHIEFS

WILL PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

SHOULD PICK

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The alltime leading tackler in both school and Atlantic Coast Conference history is the perfect player for Kansas City G.M. Scott Pioli: whistle-clean character, great instincts. Kuechly isn't overwhelmingly physical, though. I'd like Dontari Poe here if I were sure he could consistently deliver on the athletic promise he showed at the combine.

12 SEAHAWKS

WILL PICK

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

One note: Seattle will take Ryan Tannehill if he's there at 12. Write it down. If he's not, Ingram is the kind of versatile rush guy Pete Carroll could use both outside and inside; he had 25 tackles behind the line in 2011. Barron? Even with the Seahawks' terrific secondary, his addition would mean Carroll could play three thumping safeties on every down but first.

13 CARDINALS

WILL PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

David DeCastro, G, Stanford

When offensive-line coach Russ Grimm sees DeCastro, he sees a young Russ Grimm: nasty, efficient, mistake-free. And though I'm sure that the Cardinals would love to see Michael Floyd fall to them here, the best guard to come out in several years is a good consolation prize, especially for a team that's had nothing but trouble on the O-line.

14 COWBOYS

WILL PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas trade up to make sure it gets Barron, perhaps with Kansas City at 11. The Cowboys have no identity in the secondary. No big-time players either. Barron would immediately boost a unit that's been beaten down—and provide the kind of tackler at safety that the Boys haven't had since Darren Woodson.

15 EAGLES

WILL PICK

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

SHOULD PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

One coach used these words to me about Coples: "Gifted. Sporadic." We're getting to the part of the draft—mid first round—where beauty's in the eye of the beholder, and teams reach for pass rushers who often don't pan out. Philly D-line coach Jim Washburn is as demanding as they come, and Coples will have a chance to make the Eagles more formidable up front.

16 JETS

WILL PICK

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

SHOULD PICK

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Rex Ryan's gleeful. Deep down he knows Poe has a chance to be another Haloti Ngata, a freakishly talented interior force against the run and pass. But Poe isn't known for being freakishly productive—five sacks in three years at Memphis—and Ryan and coordinator Mike Pettine will have their work cut out to make him a top NFL starter.

17 BENGALS

WILL PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Good move by the Bengals—instead of holding their defensive line together with spare parts, they're giving defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer a true three-down end who not only rushed the passer in college but also dropped into coverage effectively. If he's still on the board when Cincinnati picks, the choice won't be hard.

18 CHARGERS

WILL PICK

Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

SHOULD PICK

Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

Marcus McNeill is gone, and no one in San Diego should believe that Jared Gaither is the long-term answer at left tackle. Reiff is a scrapper and a fighter in the tradition of Hawkeyes linemen, but he may not last this long given the tackle-needy teams drafting ahead of the Chargers, most notably the Bills, Seahawks, Cardinals and Jets.

19 BEARS

WILL PICK

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

SHOULD PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

I'd be stunned if Chicago doesn't fortify its perpetually patchwork offensive line, but I've been stunned before. Coach Lovie Smith had dinner with Wright at Baylor's pro day in March, and I hear he was impressed—enough so to select Wright to go with Brandon Marshall, creating a suddenly formidable wideout corps for quarterback Jay Cutler.

20 TITANS

WILL PICK

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

This is a good season: 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles. That was Mercilus's breakout 2011 campaign at Illinois, and that's why he'll be a first-round pick this year. But he's not as versatile as McClellin, whose stock is rising because he has the speed (a 4.6 40 at 260 pounds) to be an edge rusher and is a sure-enough tackler to play inside if needed.

21 BENGALS

WILL PICK

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Cincinnati has but one good cover corner, Leon Hall, so Kirkpatrick makes sense here. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals follow the advice of trusted front-office aide John Cooper, the former Ohio State coach, and grab a Big Ten offensive lineman here, but the better pick in my view would be another reinforcement for the defensive line.

22 BROWNS

WILL PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

Love this pick. Right tackle is a trouble spot for Cleveland—waiver pickup Oniel Cousins is the nominal No. 1 on the depth chart right now—and Martin, who helped protect Andrew Luck, should be able to win the job in camp. If not, the Browns can take their time and groom him to be Joe Thomas's bookend. Not a sexy choice, but a smart one.

23 RAVENS FROM LIONS

WILL PICK

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

SHOULD PICK

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

For years Baltimore has wanted a top-shelf playmaking linebacker to be trained by Ray Lewis. Here he is. I see the Ravens swapping first-round spots with Detroit (who'll receive a third-rounder too) to sneak in front of the Steelers, because Hightower is a Dick LeBeau special—heavy and fast. Another positive: He was a two-year captain for Nick Saban.

24 STEELERS

WILL PICK

Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

SHOULD PICK

Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

Pittsburgh's got to stop treating its offensive-line problems with stopgaps and take a tough guy like Zeitler, whom I've heard compared to Logan Mankins. A 6'4", 315-pound masher, Zeitler will step in on opening day next to Maurkice Pouncey and give the Steelers the stability in front of Ben Roethlisberger that they've lacked for the last several years.

25 BRONCOS

WILL PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Denver will be stunned that Brockers is still on the board. And delighted. The Broncos lost free-agent defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Saints a month ago, and this raw but promising 6'5" 322-pounder could play nose or a more versatile tackle role. "On potential," one coach told me, "Brockers deserves to be a top 10 pick."

26 TEXANS

WILL PICK

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

SHOULD PICK

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Kendall Wright makes sense if he lasts this long, but Randle is a good fallback. Houston thinks that at 6'4" and 210 pounds he'll be another matchup problem along the lines of Andre Johnson. What team has the corners to cover two wideouts 6'3" or taller? Then again, if that's the logic, I'd take Hill, who's bigger (6'5") and a speed threat.

27 BROWNS FROM PATS

WILL PICK

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

SHOULD PICK

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Cleveland sends a third-rounder to New England to move up 10 spots, from 37 to 27, and prevent the other Weeden fans—Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Niners—from grabbing him. I know he'll be 29 in October, but if you think a player can be a good starting quarterback in the league for eight years, and several teams do, he's worth a lot more than the 27th pick.

28 PACKERS

WILL PICK

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

SHOULD PICK

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Worthy would be the long-term replacement for Cullen Jenkins, though I could see G.M. Ted Thompson going for a big-potential outside threat like Nick Perry or Shea McClellin as a bookend pass rusher for Clay Matthews. Martin is the kind of versatile cold-weather back who would fit the Pack perfectly. "He's this draft's Ray Rice," one personnel man told me.

29 LIONS FROM BROWNS

WILL PICK

Amini Silatolu, G/T, Midwestern State

SHOULD PICK

Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

Upset special of the first round. The Lions loved Silatolu when he visited them, and they probably can't wait until their second-round pick (54th) to get him. Powerfully based and more explosive than he looks at 6'4" and 312 pounds, he could succeed Jeff Backus at left tackle, where Silatolu dominated Division II opponents for two years.

30 49ERS

WILL PICK

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

SHOULD PICK

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Jim Harbaugh likes smart, physical, versatile skill players, and because he had Fleener for four years at Stanford (including Fleener's redshirt season of 2007), no coach knows a player in this draft better. Fleener isn't as athletic as Vernon Davis, but he did gain 17.8 yards per reception in his last two seasons for the Cardinal.

31 PATRIOTS

WILL PICK

Nick Perry, DE, USC

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

All those who know what the Patriots are going to do with this pick, raise your hands. O.K., anybody besides Mike Mayock? After losing Mark Anderson in free agency and without knowing whether soon-to-be 33-year-old Andre Carter will be back—those two combined for 20 of the Pats' 40 sacks in 2011—New England needs an edge rusher. Perry's my best guess.

32 GIANTS

WILL PICK

Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

SHOULD PICK

Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

A mature four-year starter for the Irish, Smith has the speed to play free safety and the tackling ability to play strong. The Giants could go in a lot of directions here, with McClellin and Mike Adams both possible because of positional need. But a 47-game college starter and eager special-teamer will be too much for G.M. Jerry Reese to pass up.

The Chiefs are considered Weeden fans?

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

**** that. Kuechly is basically the only pick that I would be pissed about.

I could understand moderately disappointed it wasn't someone else, but how could he piss you off?

He has a very high floor, and moderately high ceiling. He wont miss tackles. He can cover TE's. He's a high character leader.

He may not make bone jarring hits, he may not strip the ball and cause fumbles. And he may not be a pass rusher. But he sure as shit will make tackles when he gets the opportunity. And hell, maybe he holds the RB up for Berry or DJ to destroy, and cause a fumble?

I guess I'm wondering, what reason would you be pissed?
- Because it wasn't someone else you have specifically in mind?
- Because you don't think he will be a dynamic playmaker, or surefire cornerstone on defense?
- Because you think he isn't good?
- Because you would rather trade back?
- Because you don't think ILB is a position of need?

Not being a dick. Just wondering, because maybe you will sway my opinion. Right now, I'd be just fine with him at #11 if we stay.

[The Franchise]

Where exactly does he fit? He's not the type of ILB that can play Belcher's role. He's basically DJ's backup.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Where exactly does he fit? He's not the type of ILB that can play Belcher's role. He's basically DJ's backup.

I had that same concern, but then that former Chiefs scouts' take on that point convinced me otherwise.

I forget who posted it (Direckshun?), but basically the guy who was being interviewed said that its a non-issue, and an upgrade over Belcher. He said Kuechly can thump in that role.

EDIT: Here is that thread: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...+scout+kuechly

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Interviewer asks the same question I have: isn't Kuechly more of a Will backer (the DJ position)? Can Kuechly hit the hole?

Yates: Sure. Kuechly played in a poor program in Boston College last year, and Kuechly was pretty much the one and only talent on the field, which resulted in him scrambling all over the field last year, giving him the look of a Will. But he can play the Mike great, and will stay on the field all three downs.

Not even Ray Lewis is a three down guy. DJ could play five downs if he had to (lol), but Kuechly would stay out on third down because he can drop so well.

[The Franchise]

Every scouting report I've read about him.....says that he doesn't take on blocks and shed them. He runs around them.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Every scouting report I've read about him.....says that he doesn't take on blocks and shed them. He runs around them.

Guess I'll have to watch more tape (youtube vids, haha). I was pretty comfortable, but obviously thats a concern.

Hopefully I see evidence to the contrary.

[Urc Burry]

I'm on my phone but here is this
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profil...hly?id=2533056

Says he is "elite" at shedding blocks. I prefer to trade down but if we stay there Kuechly is my choice

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by Dante84

I had that same concern, but then that former Chiefs scouts' take on that point convinced me otherwise.

I forget who posted it (Direckshun?), but basically the guy who was being interviewed said that its a non-issue, and an upgrade over Belcher. He said Kuechly can thump in that role.

EDIT: Here is that thread: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...+scout+kuechly

If you believe what that guy says, then KC wouldn't be using a nickle package. I don't agree.

[suds79]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Every scouting report I've read about him.....says that he doesn't take on blocks and shed them. He runs around them.

They said the same thing about DJ. I'm not concerned about it. Can the guy play? That's the Q.

Honestly there are a lot of times where I think that's the smart play. I saw DJ do it at times last year for big plays.

245 lb vs 310 OG. Who's going to win?

If you can get around that guy and make the tackle, do it.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Urc Burry

I'm on my phone but here is this
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profil...hly?id=2533056

Says he is "elite" at shedding blocks. I prefer to trade down but if we stay there Kuechly is my choice

Tape says otherwise. I won't be pissed but theres 5 other players I'd prefer at this spot.

[Urc Burry]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

If you believe what that guy says, then KC wouldn't be using a nickle package. I don't agree.

The chiefs ran the 2-3-6 second most in the league last year. We usually had 3 safeties in that formation. With Kuechly you would improve in both the run and pass with him in for McGraw