6. Minnesota Vikings: Riley Reiff, LT, Iowa (Trade with WAS)
>> With the #6 pick Minnesota acquired from Washington, they will be looking to address the left tackle issue. The Minnesota Vikings have many needs on the roster, but left tackle seems to be THE glaring need. Riley Reiff is a guy that can protect Christian Ponder’s blind side for many years, at a high level. Vikings need to protect last year’s big investment, Ponder. Riley Reiff is an excellent blocker, he may need to get stronger, but he is very well capable of being as good/if not better than Matt Kalil.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, S Carolina
>> The Jaguars also have many needs they need to address, but wide receiver sticks out to me. N. Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples could be a nice fit here as well, but I like Alshon Jeffrey to Jacksonville. The Jaguars selected QB Blaine Gabbert last year with the 10th overall pick. He did not fare well in his rookie year, and there are some people that are already calling Gabbert a bust. I do not think he is. Gabbert had the terrific run game with MJD, but he had nobody to throw the ball to. He was throwing to guys like Mike Thomas, Mike Sims-Walker (who got cut from the Rams during the season) and Jason Hill (who the Jags cut after the season ended). Gabbert needs help, and receiver Alshon Jeffery is his man. The 6’4” South Carolina receiver has game-breaking ability, and tremendous ball skills. His presence alone should take some load off MJD’s back, and force the secondary to respect the pass game of Jacksonville.
8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, N Carolina
>> Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland told his scouts in December that the team would switch from a 3-4 defensive alignment to a traditional 4-3, four down front. Being so, North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples should be their guy. The 6’6” Coples was blowing up practices at the Senior Bowl, he has a great burst off the edge. Also has an excellent bull-rush, and uses his frame & long arms to keep offensive linemen from properly blocking him. Coples is the best pass rusher in the 2012 draft, and should fit right in as the RDE in the Dolphins new 4-3 scheme.
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
>> Unfortunately for the Panthers, they have to play against Drew Brees’ Saints twice a year. They also have to play against the Falcons, who have Roddy White and Julio Jones. Those two teams could be the reason why the Panthers finished 25th overall in pass defense. Dre Kirkpatrick is a terrific cover corner, with very good size. He may not be the fastest cornerback, but Kirkpatrick has great awareness, and likes to hit hard. Paired with Chris Gamble, the Carolina Panthers could have themselves a formidable cornerback duo capable of stopping Drew Brees twice a year.
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, S. Carolina
>> Bills head coach Chan Gailey has confirmed that the team will indeed be moving to the 4-3 defensive scheme in 2012. Buffalo finished the 2011 season with only 29 sacks, ranked 27th in the league. The Bills actually had 10 sacks against Washington in week 8, so their sack totals should actually be worse than they appear to be. The Bills desperately need a pass rush. The 6’2” Melvin Ingram may seem small, but he is 276lbs, big enough to play DE. Ingram shows great pass rushing skills. He is a man that won’t quit until the whistle blows, great hustle. Has tremendous upper body strength, which he uses to his advantage when facing bigger tackles. The Bills can use Melvin Ingram like the Broncos used Von Miller, lining up as DE on pass rush situations, but also playing some linebacker. I think Ingram is best lining up at DE, hands in the dirt, rushing the passer.
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