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
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
This way to the backseat, Stephen Strasburg and Alex Ovechkin and John Wall, there's a new sports phenom in Washington. If the electrifying Griffin is even 85% the QB that Cam Newton was as a rookie last year—and he could well be—the Skins will be reborn, and the only person in the nation's capital getting more press will be Barack Obama.
3 VIKINGS
WILL PICK
Matt Kalil, T, USC
SHOULD PICK
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
I don't get it. I know the Vikes want to protect Christian Ponder from eternal damnation (and a boatload of sacks), but they have six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford, who'll throw a combined 100 TD passes each season. Minnesota's secondary is horrible—even worse than its offensive line. The Vikings don't need a corner. They need two.
4 BROWNS