# SDMB 2012 NFL Mock Draft!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 19, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337 "2012-04-19T23:36:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/121 "2012-04-21T19:34:50Z")
Well I was hoping to draft a CB but the two I was targeti.ng are gone. So I am going four offensive line help, especially to twelve Chrlius whom is not really making it happen. So I am going for 1. Jonathan Main, OT, Stanford P. S. Sorry about the improper format, I am out this afternoon, do o am doing this off my phone ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/122 "2012-04-21T20:15:20Z")
**24. Pittsburgh Steelers Michael Brockers DT, LSU** **furt** said he’d be offline all afternoon today and he sent me a short draft board and Brockers was at the top of it. I think Brockers is a little overrated on most draft boards I’ve seen and I think he’s a largely one-dimensional player without much chance to effect the passing game, but for the Steelers he’s an absolute god send. They need to replace Hampton and Brockers fits that mold to a T. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/123 "2012-04-21T20:33:18Z")
I have to leave home in about an hour, so I’m hoping we can get to my first pick before then. If not, I’ll be AFK for about 5-6 hours, but I’ll check in before the end of the night. \*\*Patriots \*\*are happy to entertain offers to trade down. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/124 "2012-04-21T21:33:23Z")
**24. Denver Broncos Devon Still DT, Penn State** Well the Broncos have to be a little bummed that Brockers went just before them after falling pretty far down the board. Neverthless, the Broncos needs look something like this… 1. Defensive tackle. 2. Tackle, Defense 3. See Above. Therefore, it’s just a matter of seeing who’s next in line on their draftboard, and I have the big boy out of Penn State heading their way. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/125 "2012-04-21T21:43:58Z")
**25. Houston Texans Stephen Hill WR, Georgia Tech** **Grey Ghost** is out and I have his draft board so we’ll fire it off in hopes that **ShadowFacts** can get his in before heading out the door. I am buying in on Stephen Hill. His college stats are mediocre at best and he’ll be labeled a T-shirt and Shorts Superstar, but I think there’s something to this GT trend of WRs coming out who are all cut from the same mold. Hill isn’t the next Megatron, but I think he’ll be better than Thomas. Lining up opposite Andre Johnson is a pretty excellent scenario for him and that offense could be truly scary with a more consistent performer. Hill may or not be consistent, but his upside is undeniable. The Texans may regret not focusing on the OL after some of the defections but no one has really slipped here to make it worth passing on what I consider to be the 3rd best WR prospect in the draft. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/126 "2012-04-21T21:49:20Z")
Wow, my auto-correct totally messed up my pick. 1. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/127 "2012-04-21T22:46:32Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > **24. Pittsburgh Steelers > Michael Brockers > DT, LSU** > > **furt** said he’d be offline all afternoon today and he sent me a short draft board and Brockers was at the top of it. I think Brockers is a little overrated on most draft boards I’ve seen and I think he’s a largely one-dimensional player without much chance to effect the passing game, but for the Steelers he’s an absolute god send. They need to replace Hampton and Brockers fits that mold to a T. Exactly so; alternatively, they could move Hood to NT and put Brockers at DE. Either way, he fits a 3-4 scheme well. I don’t know where other boards have him, but the one I’m using has him in the teens. > [@Omniscient](#): > > **25. Houston Texans > Stephen Hill > WR, Georgia Tech** > > I am buying in on Stephen Hill. Jacksonville is really, really wishing they had made more of an effort to trade down. Would have really, really preferred to get Hill and another pick in place of Michael Floyd at #7. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/128 "2012-04-21T23:59:25Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Wow, my auto-correct totally messed up my pick. > > 1. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford Well, “Jonathan Main” is still a lot closer to Jonathan Martin than “twelve Chrlius” is to Gosder Cherilus. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/129 "2012-04-22T00:20:16Z")
OK, I am going to try to do this from my phone. Bear with me … ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/130 "2012-04-22T00:20:32Z")
I’m of two minds about Stephen Hill. I think he’s the only potential bust I’d be OK with the 49ers taking at #30. His size and speed are too much to ignore, and we can afford to wait for him to develop. With Moss and Manningham, and a probable second WR later in the draft, they can teach him up and be patient. There are others I’d pick over him, but I won’t revolt if it ends up being Hill. By the way, here is a great [big board from DraftTek](http://www.drafttek.com/BigBoardPg1.asp) that lists the scheme-specific position a player would play, such as 3-4 or 4-3 defense, or if a WR is a “#1” or a slot guy. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/131 "2012-04-22T00:57:37Z")
Sorry, my phone is literally about to die, so I muat be quick & can’t format… 1. NE Patriots Whitney Mercilus DE, Illinois Probably early for him, but I’m out of time. More thoughts later. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/132 "2012-04-22T01:05:28Z")
_Numbering correction_: This: > [@TheBoltEater](#): > > **24. Denver Broncos > Devon Still > DT, Penn State** should be #25, and Stephen Hill to the Texans would be #26. That was confusing and bothering me. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/133 "2012-04-22T03:20:58Z")
OK, so now that I’m back to my computer and can expound a bit, I’ll take the opportunity to put the pick in the proper format: 1. New England Patriots Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB, Illinois As I mentioned in my previous post on this pick, it may be a little early for Mercilus here (though I’ve seen multiple mocks with him landing here). I would not be surprised for the real Patriots to trade down. He’s really only had one good year in 2011, but it was a stellar year. From what I’ve read (haven’t seen any film on him), he can be the kind of versatile player that Belichick loves, capable of playing in the 4-3 with his his hand down or in the 3-4 rushing from the linebacker spot. Pats definitely need some line help with Andre Carter uncertain to return and Gerard Warren gone. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/134 "2012-04-22T04:34:01Z")
FYI, I sent a trade offer to the Packers ( **Gangster Octopus** ). I’d like to make sure it’s rejected or approved before his pick gets made. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/135 "2012-04-22T05:29:44Z")
I don’t have any proxies from him so were probably fine. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/136 "2012-04-22T17:21:37Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > **25. Houston Texans > Stephen Hill > WR, Georgia Tech** > > I am buying in on Stephen Hill. His college stats are mediocre at best and he’ll be labeled a T-shirt and Shorts Superstar, but I think there’s something to this GT trend of WRs coming out who are all cut from the same mold. Hill isn’t the next Megatron, but I think he’ll be better than Thomas. Lining up opposite Andre Johnson is a pretty excellent scenario for him and that offense could be truly scary with a more consistent performer. Hill may or not be consistent, but his upside is undeniable. The Texans may regret not focusing on the OL after some of the defections but no one has really slipped here to make it worth passing on what I consider to be the 3rd best WR prospect in the draft. They’ll focus on the OL in later rounds. I really doubt they’ll ignore it. As it is, other than Newton—who’s still really raw, AIUI—they’ve no depth whatsoever. Thrilled that Hill made it to 26. I know he’s got a bad case of the dropsies, and he can’t play PR/KR like Wright (and therefore make Jacoby Jones totally superfluous), but he’s got fantastic speed and size. Also, he’s a good run blocker, and that seems to be something this team prizes in its WRs. Perfectly happy with drafting him here. Plus, I haven’t read any 16% stories or heard of any blown opportunities like Wright at the Combine 40. He hasn’t given me reason to suspect his head isn’t where it should be. Really, I’d have been O.K. with any of the top three remaining guys on my draft board, as all of them fill areas of need and all seem like they’ll be competent pros. When do you all think we’ll make it to 2nd round, 16th pick (the Jets)? Trying to figure out if I’ll be back in time, or if I need to cobble together a board for Omni. Looking back at it, I probably could’ve drafted Mercilus at 16 and still been able to grab Massie in the 2nd. Oh well. Love the Mercilus pick for NE, by the way. IIRC, he was next on my list, after Hill. If he can treat NFL tackles the way he treated many in the Big-10, he’ll do O.K. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/137 "2012-04-22T18:59:15Z")
I;m working on it, give me 15 minutes. Mulling the trade. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/138 "2012-04-22T19:25:28Z")
By the end of the year the Packers were getting no pressure on the opposing quarterback. We really need to get Clay Matthews freed up on his side so I am going to get some help for him on the other side. 1. Green Bay Packers Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama His combine was not impressive, but in actual competition the guy just pops, he is a force. And he did it against SEC competition and at the Senior Bowl. I think he is perfect for the 3-4, but seems to be flexible enough to be standing or hand down. I had a trade offered by garygnu to move down two spots and considered it, but my philosophy is when the player you want is available you shouldn’t try to be too clever. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/139 "2012-04-22T19:51:50Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > … > His combine was not impressive, but in actual competition the guy just pops, he is a force. And he did it against SEC competition and at the Senior Bowl. I think he is perfect for the 3-4, but seems to be flexible enough to be standing or hand down.. So you’re saying you like Upshaw’s upside? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337/140 "2012-04-22T19:59:34Z")
**29. Baltimore Ravens Dont’a Hightower ILB, Alabama** I took a hard look at the remaining OL prospects and determined it’s way too early to take Kevin Zeitler, Mike Adams, or Peter Konz to get them some help along an OL that’s been depleted by the free agent departures of Ben Grubbs and Evan Mathis. They need to find young players to learn from and eventually take over for the great but declining Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, butLuke Kuechly and Mark Barron long gone, as well as the elite OL prospects. I’m taking the “safe” pick here and taking a guy who could be a suitable protege for Ray Lewis. He’s big and athletic. He’s not great in coverage, much more of a run-stuffing/pass rushing ILB, but he has good instincts and high marks for intelligence and leadership. Will do very well in the Ravens’ system. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-2012-nfl-mock-draft/619337.md?page=8)