Big Ten writers' 2012 mock draft: Round 2

Our Big Ten writers' 2012 Big Ten mock draft makes its way to Round 2. You can view Round 1 selections here. Here's how this works: writers from all 12 Big Ten teams conduct the six-round draft, picking a QB, WR, RB, TE, Defensive player and K. We're doing this because we thought it would provide a fun new way to showcase the Big Ten?s top statistical performers throughout the season. Plus, we hope it gets Big Ten fans debating the picks.

We didn?t include offensive linemen because they don't collect stats. To be clear, this is not a 2012 NFL mock draft and it is not fantasy football. There are no weekly standings, trades, points per reception or anything of that ilk.

Editor's note: Because teams can have only one player from each position and all positions have varying degrees of depth, there will be examples of inferior players going before superior players.

ROUND 2

13. John Velduis (@JohnVeldhuis), BadgerBlitz.com – William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
My take:  The third defensive player off the board, Gholston could end up being the Big Ten's premier pass-rusher this season. The junior defensive end is an absolute freak of nature.
2012 roster: QB – James Vandenberg, Iowa; Defense – William Gholston, Michigan State

[Mock draft results: Round 1 | Round 2 | Rounds 3 & 4 | Rounds 5 & 6]

14. Ryan and J (@BoiledSports), BoiledSports.com – Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
My take: There might not be a Big Ten defender who spends more time in the opponent's backfield than Short, who tallied 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks a season ago.
2012 roster: WR – Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin; Defense – Kawann Short, Purdue

15. Ron Musselman (@rmusselmansc), StateCollege.com – Matt McGloin, QB, Penn State
My take: Ron's sticking to the team in his backyard for the second time in as many rounds. His case for McGloin: "Expect him to throw a lot of passes." That should be the case under Bill O'Brien, especially if Silas Redd ends up at USC.
2012 roster: QB – Matt McGloin, Penn State; RB – Bill Belton, Penn State (Silas Redd transfer)

16. Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland), ElevenWarriors.com – Tre Roberson, QB, Indiana
My take: Intriguing selection, with more proven dual-threat quarterbacks still available (Nathan Scheelhaase and MarQueis Gray). But if the sophomore can improve in Year 2, he and the Indiana offense could be surprisingly solid.
2012 roster: QB – Tre Roberson, Indiana; Defense – Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

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17. Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein), Chicago Tribune – Roy Roundtree, WR, Michigan
My take: Teddy, for one, is sold on Roundtree reclaiming the production from his breakout 2010 season. Oh, the power of Desmond Howard's No. 21!
2012 roster: QB – Kain Colter, Northwestern; WR – Roy Roundtree, Michigan

18. Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC), Lincoln Journal Star – Keenan Davis, WR, Iowa
My take: Most experts feel it's a two-man race for the Big Ten's top receiver, and that battle is between Davis and Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis, who went No. 11.
2012 roster: QB – Taylor Martinez, Nebraska; WR – Keenan Davis, Iowa

19. Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow), Pioneer Press – MarQueis Gray, QB, Minnesota
My take: Gray is not a polished passer (50.7 completion percentage in 2011), although he did finish seventh in the Big Ten in rushing yards last season (966).
2012 roster: QB – MarQueis Gray, Minnesota; RB – Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

20. Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode), Lansing State Journal – Antavian Edison, WR, Purdue
My take: Have I mentioned receiver is a weak position? Edison, while not a household name, is one of the Big Ten's better returning targets, with 44 receptions and 584 receiving yards last season.
2012 roster: WR – Antavian Edison, Purdue; RB – Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State

21. Kyle Meinke (@KMeinke), AnnArbor.com – Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
My take: Last season's six-game losing streak and the partial time-share with Reilly O'Toole are a little troublesome. This guy is talented, though, and it will be fun to see what he does in Tim Beckman's offense.
2012 roster: QB – Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois; Defense – John Simon, Ohio State

22. Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse), TheGazette.com – Fitz Toussaint, RB, Michigan
My take: Excellent pick. Yes, Toussaint is suspended and could sit out the season opener vs. Alabama, but he's a returning 1,000-yard rusher who did most of his damage in second half of last season.
2012 roster: QB – Braxton Miller, Ohio State; RB – Fitz Toussaint, Michigan

23. Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak), Bloomington Herald Times – Demetrius Fields, WR, Northwestern
My take: The lack of a depth at wide receiver has guys scrambling for wideouts with any kind of track record. Fields marks the fourth receiver taken in Round 2, the fifth in the last 13 picks.
2012 roster: QB – Denard Robinson, Michigan; WR – Demetrius Fields, Northwestern

24. Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen), Champaign News-Gazette – Brett Maher, K, Nebraska
My take: Already equipped with the best running back, and perhaps player, in Montee Ball, Bob went for another guy at the very top of his position in the accurate Maher.
2012 roster: RB – Montee Ball, Wisconsin; K – Brett Maher

[Mock draft results: Round 1 | Round 2 | Rounds 3 & 4 | Rounds 5 & 6]

Brent Yarina is a web editor and blogger for BTN.com. Find all of his work here and follow him on twitter at @BTNBrentYarina.