Fantasy PPR 2012 NFL Mock Draft 1-16

When Will Ryan Tannehill's name get called.

The 2012 NFL Draft is inching closer and closer every day,  therefore the time has come for us to reveal the 2012 Fantasy PPR Mock Draft. This is the first installment detailing picks 1-16 with part two to follow shortly with picks 17-32. Reminder: Do Not miss our live coverage and analysis of the 2012 NFL Draft right here at www.FantasyPPR.com.

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford:

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Luck is a no brainer here. Yes, RG3 has steadily risen up the draft boards and some scouts are even speculating that he will be better than luck. However, I Luck is still the best quarterback in this class. He’s a great athlete, has accuracy, intelligence, intangibles, everything you want and need from a franchise quarterback. It may take a few years but Luck will get the Colts back on track.

2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: RG3 proved himself as a passer last season, throwing for over 4,200 yards and 37 touchdowns. He is an electrifying player with his feet too and should give NFL defenses fits for years to come.

3. Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, LT, USC -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: For a team that’s in desperate need of tackle help, the Vikes sure don’t seem sold on Kalil, why? No idea. Kalil is clearly an elite prospect, he has the ideal build for a left tackle, he has great feet and he should be able to start from day one. If the Vikings are unable to trade out of this spot, I would expect Kalil to be the pick.

4. Cleveland Browns, Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: The Browns are also rumored to be interested in trading out of this spot, yet for once they should just stay where they’re at and pick an impact player. They traded down in 2009, instead of drafting Mark Sanchez, they traded down last year and they already have two first-round picks. Ryan Tannehill is in the mix here but I don’t think the Browns value him quite that much and if forced to pick here,  Richardson makes a ton of sense.

5. Tampa Bay Bucs – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: The Bucs are in desperate need of playmakers in the secondary. They brought in free agent Eric Wright from Detroit and also retained Ronde Barder, but after intercepting only 14 passes last season, those moves are not enough.

6. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Ok ST -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Fantasy Owners would love for  this pick to happen. It would finally give quarterback Sam Bradford a legitimate no.1 receiver type in Blackmon, who had 123 catches last season for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns. If Blackmon ends up in St. Louis 80 plus catches is certainly possible.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: The Jags need pass rush help and with Blackmon off the board, they turn to Coples, who is the best option available. For his career Coples posted 24 sacks, including 18 over the past two seasons.  Melvin Ingram and Michael Floyd could be considerations here as well but in the end, Coples is the guy.

8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami -

Fantasy PPR Analysis – There are a number of questions surrounding Tannehill mostly because he only started 18 games at quarterback in his college career. He was a receiver until his junior season, when he took over the helm for Jarrod Johnson at Texas A&M. Yet, in 18 starts, Tannehill completed 62.5% of his passes,  threw 42 touchdowns compared to just 21 interceptions and went 13-5 as a starter. He has prototypical size and athleticism, as well as experience in a pro style offense. Miami would be a perfect fit because it would re-unite Tannehill with former Head Coach Mike Sherman, now the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins.  This pick is high risk/high reward.

9. Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss ST -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Cox has been flying up the draft boards recently and for good reason. He has elite interior pass rushing skills, which are invaluable in today’s NFL. Cox also has position versatility, with the ability to play DT in a 4-3 or be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense, either way he will impact the game rushing the passer. The Panthers desperately need help in the interior of the D-line, so Cox is the ideal pick.

10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, Left Tackle, Iowa -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: The Bills have had a need to fill at left tackle since Jason Peters departed to the Eagles, now Demetress Bell has also left for Philadelphia, it’s time for the Bills to finally invest in a long-term solution.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Ingram is an absolute beast, yet the biggest thing hurting his draft stock, is the lack of a truly defined position. The debate amongst scouts has been where best to play Ingram, bur if Ingram goes to Kansas City, position will not be a problem. Head Coach Romeo Crennel is a defensive guru and Ingram would be the perfect complement to pro bowler OLB Tamba Hali. In his last two season as South Carolina, Ingram registered 19 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly – LB, Boston College

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Kuechly and Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll are a match made in heaven. The Seahawks need a run and hit linebacker because they still have not replaced Lofa Tatupu and Kuechly is the guy for the job. He was highly productive in college, averaging 177 tackles in three seasons, while also notching seven career interceptions and two forced fumbles as well as 35 tackles for loss. He is a true three-down linebacker. He is a plug and play guy that will start right away, could even win defensive rookie of the year.

13. Arizona Cardinals – Michael Floyd – WR, Notre Dame -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Ever since the Cardinals traded Anquan Boldin they have been trying to replace him and unfortunately, it has not gone well. Early Doucet and Andre Roberts have been ok but neither appears to be worthy of starting. So, the Cards tab Floyd to take from pressure of star receiver Larry Fitzgerald, while also providing quarterback Kevin Kolb another prime target, as he tries to prove he is capable of being the team’s franchise quarterback.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brockers, DE, LSU -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Jerry Jones loves physical specimens and Brockers is definitely that at 6’5 322 pounds. He also makes sense in the Cowboys 3-4 defense, as he can be an elite five-technique that will also provide some interior pass rush skills. Dontari Poe is also a candidate here, yet in my opinion, Brockers fits the scheme a little better.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Reportedly, the Eagles are very high on Brockers, so if he’s there at 15, he may well be the pick. However, in this scenario he is not, therefore the Eagles finally get a solution to their safety problem by drafting Crimson Tide standout Mark Barron, who started his final three years with Alabama and finished his career with 12 interceptions, 34 passes defensed, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He’s an impact player and a great tackler, which is an area the Eagles struggled mightily in last season. So while Brockers may be their choice, Barron will fill a bigger need.

16. New York Jets – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis -

Fantasy PPR Analysis: Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan remembers when he was in Baltimore how dominant Haloti Ngata was and in some way Poe has similar characteristics. He is a very big man at 6’3 346 pounds, yet he is a pretty nimble athlete and has outstanding quickness for his size. He is very raw and posted just five sacks to go along with 21 1/2 tackles for loss. Yet, teaming Poe and 2010 first rounder Muhammad Wilkerson will give the Jets a potentially dominating defensive line.

Here is a link for Part II of our Mock Draft 17-32: //fantasyppr.com/2012/04/15/ppr-fantasy-2012-nfl-mock-draft-17-32/