2012 NFL Mock Draft: Worst Possible Scenario For Cardinals

I thought I take a different approach for this instalment of the Revenge of the Birds mock draft. Previously, I was sticking to my board, looking at team needs, and trying to put together a mock that made the most sense, although recently I have thrown in some picks that shouldn't happen, but inevitably will. This time I'm going to mock a draft that I see as the worst possible scenario for our Arizona Cardinals, and try to make an educated guess as to who the Cardinals will select. Same rules as the previous mock drafts will apply: this will be an entire first round mock draft, and trades are allowed, with one exception, the Cardinals cannot trade out of the predicament I mock them into. With that said, let's get mockin'

The first selection of the 2012 NFL Draft...

1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Some rumors have been circulating that the Colts are seriously considering RG3 here. Is it true, or just talking heads making news out of nothing. (Previous Pick: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford)

2. Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. The Redskins will gladly take whomever is not selected by the Colts. (Previous Pick: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor)

3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC. We could all be wrong, and the Vikings don't take Kalil here, but as of right now, it doesn't seem all that likely. (Previous Pick: Matt Kalil, OT, USC)

4. Cleveland Browns - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. The Browns, as well as the Eagles and Dolphins, have had meetings with Tannehill. If this happens, it will be a huge risk for Cleveland. (Previous Pick: Trent Richardson, QB, Alabama)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claibourne, CB, LSU. Back to back years the LSU Tigers have a cornerback alumni selected fifth overall. (Previous Pick: Morris Claibourne, CB, LSU)

6. St. Louis Rams - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford. This is where the draft starts to sway away from the norm. Trying to put the Cardinals in a bad scenario within the realm of possibility. The Rams may think they have to protect Sam Bradford with this pick, and I have Martin ranked higher(though not by much) over Rieff. (Previous Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR, OSU)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Justin Blackmon, WR, OSU. The Jaguars should be very happy if Blackmon falls to them, and should take very little time taking their card up to the podium. (Previous Pick: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina)

8. Miami Dolphins - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. No RG3, no Manning, no Flynn, no Tannehill. I can't see them reaching that far for the next best QB, so they give whomever their starting QB is, at least one weapon. (Previous Pick: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M)

9. Philadelphia Eagles from Carolina Panthers - Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College. I had to make the Cardinals squirm at 13, and therefore had to take Kuechly of the board somehow. Arguably a top ten talent, but positional value may hurt him. (Previous Pick: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC)

10. Buffalo Bills - Riley Rieff, OT, Iowa. The Bills filled their need for a pass rusher(or two) in a big way, making OT the biggest priority. Needless to say, another OT prospect comes off the board.(Previous Pick: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford)

11. Kansas City Cheifs - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford. Finally the last of the top four Olinemen comes off the board. As the pick is announced Arizona is starting to sweat. (Previous Pick: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis)

12. Seattle Seahawks - Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina. And the last player on our Revenge of the Bird draft wishlist is taken. (Previous Pick: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame)

13. Arizona Cardinals - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. I'm just trying to make the best of a bad situation. AS stated by the rules above, the Cardinals cannot trade out of this pick, and Richardson, while being the best player available, is at a position of no need for this team. So looking at the board, Kirkpatrick is the next best player available. Great size and strength for his position, with good enough speed and quickness against NFL calibre receivers. Fits Ray Horton's small guys that can tackle mantra perfectly. Plus, Kirkpatrick gives us the flexibility of moving Patrick Peterson around in the secondary at either safety position. (Previous Pick: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford)

14. Cincinnati Bengals from Dallas Cowboys - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Why wouldn't the Bengals brass make this trade with Arizona? I don't know, maybe Rod Graves insulted Mike Brown's mother. (Previous Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama)

15. Carolina Panthers from Philadelphia Eagles - Quinton Coples, DE, UNC. Arguably could have been the best player available when Arizona was on the clock. (Previous Pick: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College)

16. New York Jets - Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama. I'm hearing some buzz around the Jets regarding Upshaw. (Previous Pick: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia)

17. Dallas Cowboys from Cincinnati Bengals - Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia. Another reason to dislike the Cowboys: they are quickly putting together a good, young offensive line. (Previous Pick: Riley Rieff, OT, Iowa)

18. Houston Texans from San Diego Chargers - Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis. The combine champion has lost some momentum, but the Texans may like him as the anchor on their defensive front. (Previous Pick: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois)

19. Chicago Bears - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU. More than half the NFL is meeting with Brockers during the draft process, and you gotta figure a top 20 team will fall in love with his upside. (Previous Pick: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU)

20. Tennessee Titans - Nick Perry, DE, USC. In my books, Perry is the best 4-3 defensive end prospect in this draft, but Coples hype may prevent Perry from usurping him. (Detroit Previous Pick: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina)

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Stephon Gimore, CB, South Carolina. I really like what the Bengals have done in this mock; addressing their two biggest needs with their two first round selections. (Previous Pick: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina)

22. Cleveland Browns - Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina. Good pro day for Jeffery silenced some of his critics, and Cleveland gives their new QB a shiny possession receiving weapon. (Previous Pick: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC)

23. Detroit Lions - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama. Great talent, but Jenkins is a bit of a headcase. Should fit right in with the Lions defense. (Previous Pick: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama)

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois. Mercilus has great upside, and the Steelers get a steal here. (Previous Pick: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State)

25. Denver Broncos - Devon Still, DT, Penn State. Despite what others may say, this pick does not have to be a weapon for Peyton Manning. Their defense is missing a few pieces, and Still will help keep opposition scores as low as possible. (Previous Pick: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama)

26. San Diego Chargers from Houston Texans - Mark Barron, SS, Alabama. From what I've heard, Barron's pro day went well, and re-established him as the only first round safety prospect. (Previous Pick: Jerel Worthy, DE, MSU)

27. New England Patriots - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin. The center position was a revolving door for the Pats last year, and Konz should provide some stability. (New York Jets Previous Pick: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama)

28. Green Bay Packers - Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson. Branch should take some pressure, and double teams, of off Matthews. (Previous Pick: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State)

29. Baltimore Ravens - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State. Cox has been on the rise recently, and could see himself as the number one defensive tackle taken at the draft. (Previous Pick: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama)

30. San Francisco 49ers - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State. Its never a bad idea to add an offensive linemen, especially late in the first round. (Previous Pick: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor)

31. Cleveland Browns from New England Patriots - Lamaar Miller, RB, Miami. Colt McCoy eat your heart out. The Browns gave you diddly squat while you were the starter, and Tannehill gets a new WR and RB before taking a single snap. (Previous Pick: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson)

32. New York Giants - Doug Martin, RB, Boise State. I like Wilson as an every down back, and the Giants do need a RB. Strange to see two running backs going back to back in the first round. (Previous Pick: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford)

What did you think of the selection of Kirkpatrick, given the situation the Cardinals were in? If you disagree, who would you have taken there? The real draft likely will not play out like that, but it doesn't seem absolutely ridiculous, right? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.