PETER KING'S MOCK DRAFT
PETER KING
April 23, 2012
The top two selections are all but locked in, but there's plenty of intrigue attached to the decisions of the next 30 teams on the clock in the first round. As the league's offensive explosion continues, protecting the passer—and finding him targets to throw to—will be among the top priorities when it comes time to make the call
SHOULD PICK
Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
Cleveland sends a third-rounder to New England to move up 10 spots, from 37 to 27, and prevent the other Weeden fans—Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Niners—from grabbing him. I know he'll be 29 in October, but if you think a player can be a good starting quarterback in the league for eight years, and several teams do, he's worth a lot more than the 27th pick.
28 PACKERS
WILL PICK
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
SHOULD PICK
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Worthy would be the long-term replacement for Cullen Jenkins, though I could see G.M. Ted Thompson going for a big-potential outside threat like Nick Perry or Shea McClellin as a bookend pass rusher for Clay Matthews. Martin is the kind of versatile cold-weather back who would fit the Pack perfectly. "He's this draft's Ray Rice," one personnel man told me.
29 LIONS FROM BROWNS