Blogging Dirty’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft – Version 9
By Jamie Kelly
12. Seattle Seahawks : Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
With all of the first round QBs gone for the Seahawks, where do they go. OT is not a need, you could make the case for a WR but they just paid Sidney Rice a ton of money to be their #1 guy. Coples a defensive end would seem a logical selection given the lack of a QB available and the sub-par Seahawks pass rush.
13. Arizona Cardinals : Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
How good of a tandem would Kirkpatrick be with Patrick Peterson. Having two star SEC corners would make the Cardinals pretty tricky to pass against. Kirkpatrick made a stupid decision with the drugs arrest and that will likely cost him a lot of $, he could slip all the way to the 20′s if he isn’t careful.
14. Dallas Cowboys : David DeCastro, G, Stanford
The Cowboys have talent at the skill positions they need some help from their O-Line though, in particular to improve the running game when Demarco Murray is healthy again. DeCastro would slot alongside Tyron Smith and continue to develop this young offensive line.
15. Philadelphia Eagles : Vontaze Burflict, LB, Arizona State
Everyone knows about the troubles the Eagles’ linebackers have had this season. Burflcit would be an absolute force at MLB and really help set the tempo in the Eagles defense. Burflict has slipped a tad towards the end of the year but in my mind still deserves to go in the middle of the first round.
16. New York Jets : Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
The Jets struggled to generate a pass rush and those issues could be solved with Melvin Ingram. I really like Ingram and think he could play exceptionally in either the 4-3 or 3-4.
17. Cincinatti Bengals (From Oakland) : Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
With Franchise players now entrenched at the QB and WR spots in Andy Dalton and AJ Green. The next step on offense is to draft a franchise left tackle. Reiff would seem to be the best one available at this point.
18. San Diego Chargers: Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama
Another Alabama linebacker that was terrific in the BCS championship game. The Chargers have needed some answers inside in their 3-4 for quite some time and ageing Takeo Spikes will not play forever.
19. Chicago Bears : Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
This one is simple really. Cutler needs a good wide receiver and Floyd certainly can be.
20. Tennessee Titans : Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
The Titans defense really lacks some athleticism. Zach Brown is one of the most athletic linebackers to come out in years. There is some speculation he could run in the 4.3’s! He is definitely worthy of this selection.
21. Cincinatti Bengals : Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Jenkins has had his issues in the past but he is still worth a late first round pick. Cincy do not really care about off the field issues, so this pick makes sense. Jenkins was another star throughout the senior bowl week and he could well move up. Speed is the big issue and 4.4 40 yard dash would drastically improve his stock.