2012 NFL Mock Draft – Projected Picks 6 thru 10 to be Drafted at the Top of the 2012 NFL Draft: More often than not, the draft really starts to get exciting in the back half of the top 10. Last year was no exception as the Atlanta Falcons traded a ton of picks to move up and draft receiver Julio Jones sixth overall. The fact of the matter is that after the first few picks, opinions vary widely from team to team regarding the pecking order of the remaining prospects. Different draft boards and different agendas all start to come into play around pick No. 6, and the action really picks up.
2012 NFL Mock Draft – Predictions and Projections for the Players to be Drafted 6 thru 10
(Check out our NFL Mock Draft Players to Drafted in Top 5 Article)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor
While I definitely think there is a good chance the Heisman winner ends up in Washington, it isn’t going to happen with the sixth pick. However, predicting potential trades makes mock drafts unnecessarily confusing, especially this far in advance. Ultimately, I expect the Redskins to trade St. Louis for the second pick and select RG3. After all, this franchise has been looking for a quarterback for what seems like an eternity. John Beck isn’t going to be the answer, and Rex Grossman is never the answer to anything. Griffin has a big arm to stretch the field, deceptive accuracy, and the game-changing ability to make plays with his legs. He will need a little time to adapt to running an NFL offense, but Washington needs a playmaker and a leader. The versatile Griffin is both.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa
The Jacksonville offense was a joke last season, particularly the passing attack that ranked last in the NFL at 136.2 yards per game. The cupboard is beyond bare at the wide receiver position, and after watching Blaine Gabbert for a year, I’m not sure he is going to make it in the NFL either. Unfortunately, Justin Blackmon is going to be off the board at this point, and picking any other receiver at this spot is too much of a reach. Jackosnville could explore the possibility of trading down, but Reiff has proven his worth in the physical Big Ten conference and is a safe pick and a sure bet to bolster an offensive line that allowed the seventh-most sacks last season. He will also make life easier the Jaguars only legitimate offensive weapon – running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
Cam Newton took care of the team’s offensive woes, but Carolina still got pushed around up front on defense last season, allowing opponents to run wild. The Panthers gave up more than 130 yards per game on the ground and allowed the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. They have to get better at the point of attack, and Still has the size and power to create some lanes for the linebackers to make some plays. There really isn’t another player at his position with his talent in this year’s rookie class, and the fact that his numbers improved in three straight seasons at Penn State bodes well for his development into a force at the next level.
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama
Fresh off an MVP performance in the BCS Championship Game for the Crimson Tide, Upshaw should keep the big plays coming in the NFL. Granted, Miami did just higher an offensive-minded head coach, but I have a hunch former Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin will be looking to bring Packers’ backup quarterback Matt Flynn to town via free agency in the offseason. The move would allow Miami to address some other needs, including a replacement for retired defensive end Jason Taylor. Upshaw may be a linebacker, but he has excellent pass rushing skills. More importantly, he has been a proven playmaker on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career.
10. Buffalo Bills, Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina
Buffalo found a standout on the defensive line in the first round last year when they last tackle Marcell Dareus. However, the Bills still have more to do up front. Last year, they had the fourth-fewest sacks of any team and gave up the third-most points. Coples should improve the pass rush immediately, and he has the athleticism to play outside linebacker in the team’s current 3-4 base defense. He will probably need some time to work on his skills in his coverage, but Coples knows how to get to opposing quarterbacks as well as any player in this draft, and that is what the Bills desperately need.
