Mock Draft Continued: Picks 19-32

#32 - New England Patriots

Andre Branch

DE/OLB

Clemson

#28 - Green Bay Packers

Nick Perry

OLB / DE

USC

#29 - Baltimore Ravens

Mike Adams

Offensive Tackle

Ohio State

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Round 2

www.drafthuddle.com - 2012 Mock Draft: Version 1.0 January 31, 2012

Baltimore missed the Superbowl due to a dropped TD pass and missed field goal. The
Ravens pieced together an offensive line prior to the start of the 2011 season. The
Ravens added both McKinnie and Gurode to the roster and each had solid contributions.
The formula Baltimore wants up front seems to be simple - big, physical and run blocking
players who can create holes for Rice. The problem with that formula is the passing
game became a liability, as Flacco was often hurried or sacked. The Ravens O-line only
gave up 33 sacks, but they also gave up 78 QB hits. In 2 playoff games alone, the
Ravens allowed 7.5 sacks. Mike Adams fits the formula for Baltimore's big, bruising
O-line (6'8, 323 lbs). The upside is he is just as good at pass protection as he is run
blocking. Adams would replace McKinnie right away or allow Oher to move back to LT.

After 12 consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs, the Lions finally made it. Detroit
has build through the draft and now has the pieces in place to continue that playoff run
for the next couple of seasons. Stafford played at a very high level (41 TDs / 16 INTs),
they have arguably the best WR in the game (Johnson) and one of the best defensive
lines in the league. At #23, there isn't a franchise LT worth taking, so the primary focus
will be on addressing the defense - a unit that ranked 23rd overall. One area of
concern is the LB corp, which was a make-shift unit in 2011. Both Durant and Levy
could be upgraded. Zach Brown, a two year starter for the Tarheels, excels at all
aspects of the position from tackling, stopping the run and pass coverage (6 INTs).
Adding Brown to the roster will help improve the Lions defense in 2012.

I have been lobbying for the Patriots to draft a high profile WR the past couple of years.
Instead, they release Randy Moss, trade for Deion Branch and sign Chad OchoCinco.
These are all moves proving that Brady can be productive with virtually anyone.
However, this year there is a prospect that fits the Patriots WR play-style very well.
Kendall Wright is sky-rocketing up draft boards and is one of the better all around
talents in the draft. In his career at Baylor, Wright has over 4,000 receiving yards and
30 touchdowns. He had a breakout senior season in which he had 108 catches, 1,663
receiving yards, 14 touchdowns and averaged 15.4 yards per catch. Wright is a
burner who can stretch the field on the outside or dominate the slot. With the age of
the current WRs on New England's roster, Wright would be the future.

Houston finally played to their potential in 2011 and reach the playoffs. At #27, the
Texans would wise adding depth to their offensive line. Brown and Myers are free
agents at the end of the year. Smith and Brisiel are both playing well, but they could be
upgraded. Peter Konz is the best center in the draft. The 6'4, 315 All-American is very
smart and quick off the ball. He can pull like a guard and can reach the second level
with ease. Myers was added to the Pro-Bowl as a replacement, but his addition is
really a product of Arian Foster. Myers may demand a large contract given the prices
paid to both Kalil and Mangold. Konz is more versatile and can play both zone and
traditional, head-on, unlike Myers who is stictly a zone blocker. With both Williams and
Foster due for large contracts, Myers may be expendable. If so, Konz is the pick.

What a run for the Giants. Another 9-7 season turned into a Superbowl championship.

Starting middle linebacker, Chase Blackburn wasn't on the team for the majority of the
season, Herzlich isn't ready to start and I'm still not convinced Kiwanuka is
comfortable as a full-time OLB. The Giants need a leader and signal caller in their LB
corp. HIghtower is an exceptional player who is gifted enough to play all three LB
positions. The All-American controlled the nation's top defense while at Alabama. At
6'4, 260 lbs, he is very athletic and moves sideline to sideline with extreme quickness.
Not only is Hightower a tackling machine, but he is also smart and instinctive. Given
New York's problems at the LB position, Hightower would provide the most value and
biggest impact.

Tennessee had a strong showing in the beginning of the season but let the playoffs slip
away. There are a lot of questions on offense, but the players are there. Johnson is
expected to return to form, Britt will return from injury and Locker could take over
full-time. On defense, the Titans need help along the defensive front. Ball and Haynes
led the DEs with 4 sacks each. This was the highest sack total by any player on the
d-line, which is rather pathetic. Former 1st rounder, Derrick Morgan, needs to start
producing. Because of the lack of productivity, the Titans need an effective pass
rusher. Ingram is a solid DE. A 2-year starter for the Gamecocks, Ingram had 19 sacks in
just two seasons. In addition to his pass rush skills, Ingram is solid against the run and
maintaining the edge. Ingram instantly makes Tennessee's defensive front better.

The 15-1 Packers disappointed in the playoffs. Rodgers had an MVP type season but
the defense was a concern and proved to be the teams downfall in the playoffs. In
2010, the Packers ranked 5th overall in defense. In 2011, the defense ranked 32nd
overall. Additionally, the team went from 2nd in sacks (47) to 27th with only 29. Green
Bay needs a pass rusher opposite Matthews, who was often double/tripled teamed at
times. Nick Perry is as athletic as they come. Another impact USC player that should
easily transition to the NFL. Perry averaged 10.3 sacks in each of his three seasons at
USC. Whats even more incredible is that he accumulated those 31 sacks in only 22
games. Adding Perry will give Green Bay the balanced pass rush they need, especially
for their 3-4 base defense.

#24 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordy Glenn

Guard

Georgia

Chicago's window of success is slowly closing. The age of the defense coupled with
the rise of division opponents (GB & Detroit) is catching up with the Bears. Mike Marts
left the team and Mike Tic is now the team's OC. Recently, Tic revealed he wanted to
"run an offense that features both a power running game and big-play passing attack."
If that is the vision, they need to do two things: resign Forte and draft a big threat WR -
something Cutler and Bears have been lacking. Marty Booker was the last Bears WR to
have over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season - back in 2003. Michael Floyd is the
game changing threat Chicago needs. At 6'5, 225 lbs, Floyd dominated at Notre Dame.
In 4 seasons, he had over 3,600 receiving yards and 38 TDs. Floyd is a great route
runner and catches everything within reach. Cutler will now have the big play threat
he's been lacking since his days in Denver.

#19 - Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd

Wide Receiver

Notre Dame

Another great year for the Patriots. New England somewhat flew under the radar
given the success of Green Bay, New Orleans and San Fransisco - all teams that also
went 13-3 or better. With the team's second pick in the first round, I project New
England to focus on the defensive front. Free agent acquisition, Andre Carter had a
Pro Bowl type season with 10.0 sacks in 14 games. However, Carter suffered a
season ending injury and it is questionable whether NE will bring him back (1-year deal
and 32 years old). Outside of Carter, the Patriots did not have a consistent pass
rusher off the edge. Andre Branch had a very productive senior year with 10.5 sacks
and 77 tackles from his defensive end position. Branch is very similar to Carter in
terms of build, athleticism and quickness. Regardless if NE decides to bring back
Carter, they need an opposite pass rusher and depth.

The Broncos haven't won the AFC West since 2005. First year head coach, John
Fox's success was somewhat overshadowed by the Tim Tebow phenomenon. The
2nd year QB led the Broncos to a division title and playoff win against the Steelers.
Now that Tebow seems to be the QB of the future, Fox can concentrate on what he is
known for - defense. Fox loves defensive linemen. Returning Ayers to his more natural
position of DE, a healthy Dumervil and a situational rusher in Miller solidifies the DE
positions. At DT, Bunkley and Thomas are both FAs and both could be upgraded (86
tackles between the two and zero sacks). Devon Still is a solid DT who is exceptional
against the run and will only get better as a pass rusher. Still had a stellar senior year
which really boosted his draft stock. The Broncos get a Top-20 rated player in Still.

Pittsburgh is starting to age and it is showing on the field. One thing that will never be
lost is the hard-noised style of play and attitude the players bring. But you can
noticeably see the players losing some speed and showing fatigue more. However,
as long as Big Ben is healthy, the Steelers should be a playoff contender every year. I
would like to see the Steelers address the defensive side of the ball, specifically the
secondary. Taylor, Clark and Polamalu will all be 31 or older entering next year. But, at
this point, there isn't a DB rated high enough worth taking at #25. The other pressing
issue that needs to be addressed is the O-line. Glenn is a massive guard who fits the
Steelers mold of size and toughness. The Steelers need to shore up the O-line. Starks
is a Scott are both FAs and Kemoeatu was benched late in the season. Given the
punishment Ben took all year, the O-line needs to be addressed.

#31 - NY Giants

Dont'a Hightower

Linebacker

Alabama

#26 - Houston Texans

Peter Konz

Offensive Center

Wisconsin

#23 - Detroit Lions

Zach Brown

Outside Linebacker

North Carolina

#27 - New England Patriots (trade/New Orleans)

Kendall Wright

Wide Receiver

Baylor

This is the pick the Bengals earned as they surprised the NFL by earning a wild card
birth. 9-7 is an impressive turn around for a team that went 4-12 the year before. With
the exception of CB, the other glaring need for the team is the safety position. At 31,
Chris Crocker had a lackluster year (61 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 0 INTs) and was
horrific in the playoffs against Houston. Reggie Nelson is a FA entering 2012, but is
expected to be resigned. Mark Barron is far and away the best safety in the draft. At
6'2, 220 lbs, Barron is solid in pass coverage (12 career INTs) and even better against
the run. The Bengals have been in need of a pure strong safety for a couple of
seasons. Barron has the ability to start as a rookie and is key if the Bengals want to
make the playoffs again next season.

#21 - Cincinnati Bengals

Mark Barron

Safety

Alabama

The Browns receive this additional pick from the Falcons after the Julio Jones trade.
The irony here is that the Browns miss out on Jones, but get a comparable play-maker
in Jeffery - something the Browns desperately need. Jeffery is an All-SEC player who
uses his size (6'4, 233 lbs) to overpower opposing defenders. Although he had a
down 2011 year, his potential and upside are still very high. In three seasons as a
starter, Jeffery has accumulated over 3,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. On
top of that, he has averaged an incredible 16.5 yards per catch. The Browns need
this type of big play ability. If our analysis comes true, Jeffery opposite Little with
Robert Griffen III in the works, will give the Browns one of the best, young and
explosive offenses in the league.

The 49ers and Jim Harbough literally took the NFL by storm. With the exception of
Vernon Davis, the other skill position players on offense are average. The biggest eye
opener was during the NFC Championship game. Out of 26 pass attempts, only one (1)
reception was made by a WR. The leading wide receiver on the team (Crabtree) had 72
receptions, which was 52 more than the next WR (Williams - 20 receptions). Sanu is a
perfect fit for San Fransisco. At Rutgers, Sanu averaged 1,000 all-purpose yards each
season. He is such a versatile player that in his first 2 seasons, he averaged 60 rush
attempts & 48 receptions. Last year, Sanu broke out with 115 receptions and 1206
receiving yards. Sanu is big, fast and brings a running back mentality with him after the
catch. Sanu would give Smith the big-time threat he needs.