AFC North version: Kiper's mock draft 3.0
March, 12, 2012
3/12/12
10:30
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. offered his third 2012 mock draft, 
updated over the weekend. You'll need an Insider subscription to view the entire draft, but here's a look at the AFC North part of it:
4. Cleveland Browns
Kiper's first mock draft: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Kiper's second mock: Robert Griffin III
Current mock: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Hensley's comment: I would take Alabama's Trent Richardson
over Blackmon, even though I don't typically endorse taking a running back this high. Blackmon isn't better than Julio Jones, the wide receiver that the Browns passed on last year. So taking Blackmon, who doesn't have the elite speed that the Browns need, would be a bad move.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Kiper's first mock draft: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Kiper's second mock: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Current mock: Dre Kirkpatrick
Hensley's comment: Deciding between Kirkpatrick and Stanford guard David DeCastro would be tough. DeCastro provides a more immediate impact. Kirkpatrick would be groomed to eventually replace veteran Nate Clements.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Kiper's first mock draft: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)
Kiper's second mock: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Current mock: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
Hensley's comment: Getting DeCastro here would be preferred, but I like taking the next-best guard in Glenn over a running back like Miller. Glenn would be an immediate starter at Cincinnati's weakest position last season.
22. Cleveland Browns
Kiper's first mock draft: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Kiper's second mock: Kendall Wright
Current mock: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
Hensley's comment: Since I don't like the Browns taking Blackmon with the No. 4 pick, I would have them selecting a speedy wide receiver like Baylor's Wright. But drafting the athletic David would solidify an outside linebacker spot as well as boost a struggling run defense.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kiper's first mock draft: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Kiper's second mock: Dontari Poe
Current mock: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hensley's comment: Remember when Poe was supposed to be available here? Now, he's risen to the top 10 in Kiper's latest mock. Grabbing a talent like Hightower would fill the void left by the release of James Farrior.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Kiper's first mock draft: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
Kiper's second mock: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Current mock: Peter Konz
Hensley's comment: The Ravens don't start rookies at center, and they won't throw Konz in there at center immediately. Konz is also considered one of the top guards in the draft and could learn for a season beside veteran center Matt Birk, who is expected to be re-signed, before taking over that spot.
updated over the weekend. You'll need an Insider subscription to view the entire draft, but here's a look at the AFC North part of it:
4. Cleveland Browns
Kiper's first mock draft: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Kiper's second mock: Robert Griffin III
Current mock: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Hensley's comment: I would take Alabama's Trent Richardson
over Blackmon, even though I don't typically endorse taking a running back this high. Blackmon isn't better than Julio Jones, the wide receiver that the Browns passed on last year. So taking Blackmon, who doesn't have the elite speed that the Browns need, would be a bad move.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Kiper's first mock draft: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Kiper's second mock: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Current mock: Dre Kirkpatrick
Hensley's comment: Deciding between Kirkpatrick and Stanford guard David DeCastro would be tough. DeCastro provides a more immediate impact. Kirkpatrick would be groomed to eventually replace veteran Nate Clements.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Kiper's first mock draft: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)
Kiper's second mock: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Current mock: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
Hensley's comment: Getting DeCastro here would be preferred, but I like taking the next-best guard in Glenn over a running back like Miller. Glenn would be an immediate starter at Cincinnati's weakest position last season.
22. Cleveland Browns
Kiper's first mock draft: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Kiper's second mock: Kendall Wright
Current mock: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
Hensley's comment: Since I don't like the Browns taking Blackmon with the No. 4 pick, I would have them selecting a speedy wide receiver like Baylor's Wright. But drafting the athletic David would solidify an outside linebacker spot as well as boost a struggling run defense.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kiper's first mock draft: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Kiper's second mock: Dontari Poe
Current mock: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hensley's comment: Remember when Poe was supposed to be available here? Now, he's risen to the top 10 in Kiper's latest mock. Grabbing a talent like Hightower would fill the void left by the release of James Farrior.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Kiper's first mock draft: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
Kiper's second mock: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Current mock: Peter Konz
Hensley's comment: The Ravens don't start rookies at center, and they won't throw Konz in there at center immediately. Konz is also considered one of the top guards in the draft and could learn for a season beside veteran center Matt Birk, who is expected to be re-signed, before taking over that spot.
- ESPN AFC North Blogger
- A University of Maryland graduate
- Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
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