*2012 ClanRam Insiders 2-Round Mock Draft*

With the 14th pick in the ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

http://college-sports-university.com...es-300x203.jpg
Coples has great athleticism and all the tangibles needed to be an excellent 5-technique in Rob Ryan's defense. The only question is: does he have the heart?

He's tough, physical, nasty, smart and is a destructive presence in the backfield. But he took a lot of plays off this past year leaving some to speculate that he played the 2011 season to "not get hurt". Was that an anomoly or indicative?

The Cowboys DL is aging and mediocre (though Ratliff is a Pro Bowler). Coples will immediately make them better.

With the 15th pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select...

Fletcher Cox

DT - Mississippi State

http://maroonandwhitenation.com/wp-c...etcher_Cox.jpg

Andy Reid has looked towards his lines numerous times in the past when determining how to spend first-round picks, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Eagles take advantage of a good crop of defensive tackles and take the best on the board. Some would argue that Fletcher Cox is a Top Ten talent in this draft class, so his value here is very tempting. While Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins are good players, the Eagles have virtually nothing behind them at the position, and Jenkins was a candidate to be cut before he did some restructuring this year. Cox brings a lot to a defense that, depending on Patterson's health or Jenkins's contract situation, could be in dire need for a tackle in the not so distant future.

With the 16th pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the New York J E T S Jets Jets Jets select...

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

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Head coach Rex Ryan wants a pass rusher and he got one with this pick. Courtney has been compared to LaMarr Woodley using his hands and strength to force his way into the backfield. He is familiar with rushing the passer from a standing position in a 3-4 scheme.

With the 17th pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select...

Stephon Gilmore

Cornerback - South Carolina

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/wp-co...on-gilmore.jpg

The Bengals had to replace Jonathan Joseph after he left for Houston, but a past-it Nate Clements was not the answer. This pick could be considered a reach, but Gilmore is rising in the draft after a strong combine. While the Bengals wouldn't be opposed to drafting the character risk corners like Kirkpatrick and Jenkins, some view Gilmore as the better player.

With the 18th pick in the draft, the San Diego Chargers select:

Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
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The Chargers gave up 122 rushing yards per game last season, and their leading tackler was 35 year old LB Takeo Spikes. Suffice to say, they need a run-stuffer. Hightower is 265 lbs, runs a respectable 40 (4.68) for a guy his size, hits like a truck, and is a leader (he was a defensive captain on a Crimson Tide defense that has at least 4 early round prospects). He'll be a great fit in SoCal.

With the 19th pick in the draft, the Chicago Bears select:

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

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The Bears would have loved for a receiver like Floyd to drop here and give them a dynamic passing offense. However Cutler not only needs targets, he needs to stay upright, and Martin would improve the offensive line tremendously. Cutler has been pounded into the turf so often, he is at risk for injury and becoming skittish in the pocket. Martin helps solve those problems, and represents good value at 19 at a position of need.

With the 20th pick in the ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Tennessee Titans select...

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5dTWN8xtnN...y-Mercilus.jpg


Mercilus entered this past season with just two career sacks, but he had a break out performance in 2011 as a first-year starter, leading the Big Ten in several categories and ranking among the tops in all of college football. Even with the signing of Kamerion Wimbley, the Titans still need to add at DE. Mercilus brings the type of athleticism that has been seen before in Jason Pierre-Paul, though maybe to a lesser degree. Like Pierre-Paul he has had the one year wonder tag put upon him but I feel he'll be able to shrug that off with dominant play. He has all the pass rushing moves and most importantly he gets to the QB and has a knack for forcing fumbles. Kamerion Wimbley, Derrick Morgan and Whitney Mercilus could give the Titans a solid pass rush for years to come.

With the 21st pick, the Cincinnati Bengals select....

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

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The Bengals took care of their CB situation a few picks earlier, and now they solidify their weak secondary with the best Safety in the draft. They hung on to Reggie Nelson, but Chris Crocker is not the answer for the other Safety position. Barron will compete with Robert Sands for the starting spot in 2012. Another possibility would be Cordy Glenn here as this line could use more talent on the inside.

With the 22nd pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

Kendall Wright

WR - Baylor

http://www.fortysevenandcounting.com...l%20Wright.jpg

With their first pick in the first round, the Browns opted to go with running back Trent Richardson over wide receiver Justin Blackmon. If they believe they can land a quality receiver with a later pick, that could be the route they take. In this mock, it worked out well for them because Kendall Wright is sitting there on the board at pick #22. Despite not having great size, Wright is considered to be a fearless player when going across the middle of the field and is capable of making players all over the turf. He'd be another excellent weapon for a struggling Browns offense.

With the 23rd pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Detroit Lions select......

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama


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The Lions had their sights set on 3 players at this position in the draft. Jonathan Martin, Mark Barron and Janoris Jenkins. Martin has been drafted by the Bears and Barron went to the Bengals. Although Jenkins comes with some baggage the Lions feel he is remorseful and understands how he has hurt himself in the eyes of NFL teams. He had a shot to be a top 10 pick in this years draft. Jenkins was dominant at the Senior Bowl. He is a pure cover corner with the speed and agility to run with receivers. He also has experience returning punts. The Lions need help in their very weak secondary and feel like Jenkins is worth the gamble.

With the 24th pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select...

Mike Adams

Offensive Tackle - Ohio State

http://buckeyebanter.com/blog/wp-con...1/10/Adams.jpg

Max Starks is a free agent and has a torn ACL. Marcus Gilbert has been pencilled in as Left Tackle going forward, but they still have a hole at one tackle spot no matter where Gilbert plays. Adams would fill the other tackle spot, and possibly comes in at Left Tackle.

With the 25th selection in the NFL draft, the Denver Broncos pick:

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
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The Broncos need a stout run-stopper in the middle of their defense. Some might expect to see Jerel Worthy or Devon Still at this spot, but I think the 6'2, 314 lb. Thompson, who is very strong at the point of attack (and on the bench: 35 reps), fits this need better than the other two top remaining DTs.

With the 26th pick in the draft, the Houston Texans select...

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

http://www.wltx.com/images/640/360/2...vin-ingram.jpg

Houston could use both a WR and another pass-rusher to make up for losing Mario Williams. Although WR is a bigger need, Ingram on the board represents too much value compared to the remaining WRs. The Texans get a top 15 talent who is an excellent pass-rusher and can play in various roles along the defensive line, and won't think twice about it.

With the 27th pick in the 2012 ClanRam Insiders Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select...

Nick Perry, DE, USC
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images...jpg?1329353377
Here's one of many front-seven upgrades the Patriots will need to make. Perry is an extremely active edge rusher who uses his disruptive quickness and violent hand use to get to the pocket in a variety of ways. He is a fluid and smooth athlete with good body control and flexibility. Perry doesn't have elite measureables with shorter-than-ideal arms and he isn't a sudden player despite his first step quickness off the snap.

With the 28th pick, the Green Bay Packers select....

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

http://sportstalk.triblive.com/sites...cordyglenn.jpg

The Offensive Line is the not the biggest need for the Packers, but let's face it....when you're 15-1, you don't have a lot of "needs". If they have a true "need", it's a pass rusher to complement Matthews. They were salivating when Ingram fell into the teens, then twenties. In this scenario they would have been looking to make a deal to move ahead of Houston and New England. But as it is Ingram is gone, as is most 1st round 3-4 OLB pass rushers. I did think long and hard about Devon Still or Kendall Reyes. Both could play the 5-technique and have a knack for getting in the backfield. But....

...in the end, I couldn't pass up the value that Glenn is at #28. The Packers have a solid OL, but could use an upgrade everywhere except RT. Glenn could play 4 positions on the line, but projects to OG. The Packers have TJ Lang and Josh Sitton there now. Glenn would be an upgrade to either.