2012 NFL Mock Draft

Here’s your 2012 gettinAterIt.com NFL Mock Draft, picks #1-5:

1.) Andrew Luck, QB from Stanford to Indianapolis Colts. This is a complete no-brainer. No disrespect to Robert Griffin III at all, but Andrew Luck is just better. RG3 has an uncanny upside with his legs, but Andrew Luck has future Super Bowl potential written all over him. I just hope he doesn’t get on a huge cocaine bender and become the next JaMarcus Leaf? <---See what I did there?

2.) Robert Griffin III, QB from Baylor to Washington Redskins. Washington has the 6th overall draft pick, but they will trade up with the Rams for copious draft picks this year and next for RG3. If you look at the teams between Indy and Washington; the Rams, Vikings, Browns and Bucs all believe they have their quarterback. Depending on what transpires with the Peyton Manning situation, Washington could make a move for Peyton. But if that doesn’t pan out, look for the Redskins to finally draft a rookie franchise quarterback.

3.) Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle from USC to Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have a lot of potential. They have the best pass rusher in the league in Jared Allen, good running-backs and decent receivers. But Peterson’s breakout potential is limited with the weak O-Line and Ponder is on his back a lot. Kalil didn’t allow a sack at USC last season and Minnesota allowed 49 sacks last season.

4.) Justin Blackmon, WR from Oklahoma St. to Cleveland Browns. In 2011, Cleveland’s offense lacked in the big play department with just 32 plays for 20 yards or more. The Saints had 69 plays of 20+ and Green Bay had 68 to give a little perspective. Blackmon will open up the field for Cleveland and prove to be a nice compliment to Greg Little. All of which, is contingent on Colt McCoy’s progress going into his 3rd year as a starter.

5.) Morris Claiborne, Cornerback from LSU to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite his ghostly pass coverage performance in the National Champion game, Claiborne is the top shut-down corner in the draft. Tampa Bay desperately needs help at the corner position. Ronde Barber isn’t far from retirement and Aqib Talib isn’t bad, but injuries have forced him to miss 8 games over the past two seasons.

6.) Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback from Alabama to St. Louis Rams. They need to address issues at WR and O-Line to help out Bradford, but Fisher will kill two birds with one stone and look at defense first by getting the next best player available. They could go after tackle Riley Reiff from Iowa but that would waste an opportunity at getting Kirkpatrick who’s the 2nd best corner in the draft when they will receive additional draft picks from Washington from trading up to get Robert Griffin III.

7.) Alshon Jeffery, WR from South Carolina to Jacksonville Jaguars. Jeffery might be a reach with Michael Floyd from Notre Dame available but Jeffery with a better combine will impress Jacksonville enough to take the risk with Jeffery already having Southern ties and contingent on who the new head coach will be. The reality is they desperately need a receiver. Blaine Gabbert is never going to develop into a franchise guy with the crop of guys that are currently on the roster.

8.) Michael Bockers, DT from LSU to Carolina Panthers. Carolina should be comfortable with their offense due to Cam Newton’s amazing rookie year and the potential for it to only get better, defense is play for Rivera’s squad. Bockers is pretty much the best D-Lineman in the draft and the Panthers are looking for their next Julius Peppers in the pass-rush department.

9.) Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle from Iowa. With the announcement of former Packers OC Joe Philbin as Miami’s new head coach, the first draft pick will definitely be offensive. Matt Moore could be the guy, and they could go for a potential backup QB later in the draft. But in the meantime, they need to beef up the O-Line that allowed 36 sacks in 2011 and Reiff is that guy that can make an instant impact.

10.) Courtney Upshaw, OLD from Alabama to Buffalo Bills. Buffalo was one of the worst teams at rushing the passer in 2011 only producing 29 sacks. For perspective, Jared Allen had 22 on his own. Upshaw is the best pure pass-rusher from the linebacker position in the draft, and if Buffalo is unlucky he could go earlier to Carolina. Upshaw is explosive and will make an instant impact. Go back and watch the National Championship film.