2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best-Case First-Round Projections for Every Team

Damn Tom Brady and those New England Patriots.

Not only are they heading to their fifth Super Bowl in 11 years, but they now get a chance to avenge their most bitter defeat, taking on the New York Giants, the team that upset them in the 2008 Super Bowl and ruined their perfect season.

Another Super Bowl win and Brady clearly enters the realm of top five football players to ever play the game. And should Brady get that fourth Super Bowl win on his resume, it will be as sweet a "do-over" win as the game has ever seen.

It's probably only fitting that these things are happening to a guy that was drafted in the sixth round, 199th overall. He's a perfect example of why every pick in every NFL draft is so important, and why so many teams would like "do-over" picks every year.

With the 2012 NFL Draft watch heading to Mobile, Alabama for Saturday's Senior Bowl, we take a look at how the first round of April's draft may unfold, with best case scenarios for all 32 teams.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Damn those Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts last had the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in 1998, where they selected Peyton Manning. Manning has won a Super Bowl and gone to 11 Pro Bowls in putting together a sure-fire Hall of Fame career, while changing the way the position is played.

After Manning had two offseason neck injuries and missed the 2011 season, the Colts slipped from their roost as yearly Super Bowl contender, to the worst team in the NFL, gaining the No. 1 draft pick in the process.

And who should sit there for them, but the best quarterback prospect since Manning himself, Andrew Luck. Taking Luck is no decision at all, but what to do with he and Manning is the big decision facing the Colts. If only we all had such problems.

The best case scenario for the Colts is to take Luck and then hope the Jets or Dolphins offer them a king's ransom for Manning in a trade. They have to hope that Manning is cleared and willing to play somewhere else. If Carson Palmer can get a first and a conditional second rounder in a trade, what might the Colts be able to get for Manning, even if he will be 36 years old heading into next season? 

2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The St. Louis Rams have already made their biggest offseason move of 2012 hiring a new head coach, the much-coveted Jeff Fisher, on January 17. Fisher, in turn, has hired Brian Schottenheimer as his new offensive coordinator.

The Rams are in an absolutely enviable position with the No. 2 pick, as a handful of teams looking to move up to draft Robert Griffin III will dangle trade options to the Rams, who have crucial needs on the offensive line and at wide receiver.

The best case scenario for the Rams will be that the Browns get nervous that Griffin won't be available at No. 4 for them and they are willing to swap picks with the Rams, and throw in their 22nd pick as well.

The Rams would be happy getting any offensive building block with their first choice, either WR Justin Blackmon or tackle Matt Kalil. Either way, they hope to pick up a bonus first round pick in the process.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

The Minnesota Vikings will play a "wait and see" game during the 2012 NFL Draft. What the Vikings ultimately decide to do with the No. 3 pick will be completely dependent on what the Rams do ahead of them.

The good news for Vikings fans is that no matter what happens around them, they will be able to fill a position of glaring need with the third pick, whether it be tackle Matt Kalil, WR Justin Blackmon or CB Morris Claiborne.

The Vikings will also be in the position of entertaining trade options, depending on who is willing to give up what in order to slide into the third spot. If the Vikings are able to pick up another second round choice to move down a few spots in the first round, it would have to be a consideration.

The best case scenario for the Vikings is that the Rams take Blackmon, or trade out of the second pick to someone who wants Robert Griffin, leaving franchise tackle Kalil there for the Vikings to plug in on their left side for the next decade.

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Cleveland Browns are hoping that drafting Robert Griffin III in 2012 is the equivalent of buying Apple stock in 2000.

It's no secret that the Browns would love to land the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner as their new quarterback, and Griffin has the potential to provide the franchise with through-the-roof dividends. Griffin seemingly has everything you look for in a quarterback in today's NFL: a strong and accurate arm, running ability and a good head on his shoulders to make all the decisions today's NFL quarterbacks face. 

On top of all that, Griffin has showed a huge flair and personality over the past season that could completely revitalize the franchise. Griffin could team with NBA rookie Kyrie Irving to help the city forget that old what's-his-name took his talents somewhere else.

The best case scenario for the Cleveland Browns is that they will be able to stay put at No. 4 and still get Griffin. If they feel they have to move up to No. 2 to do it, it might be worth it, even if they have to move their other first round pick to do so.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

With the fifth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to choose between offense and defense. What will be sitting there for them to choose between will be the best running back in the draft, Alabama's Trent Richardson, and the best cornerback in the draft, LSU's Morris Claiborne.

While some experts are calling Richardson the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, in a league where more and more teams are going with the "running back by committee" formula, Richardson's value might not be as high as Claiborne's.

Claiborne has established himself as the best cornerback prospect in a draft that is full of great prospects. While not quite the athlete that Patrick Peterson was at LSU, Claiborne is perhaps a better pass defender and certainly a stronger tackler.

The Bucs have a clear need at cornerback, with Ronde Barber showing his age last year and Aqib Talib simply wearing out his welcome, Claiborne would add instant impact for the Buccs and be their best-case scenario in the first round.

6. Washington Redskins: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

In what was one of the best college football defenses we've ever seen, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick might have been the best player on the swarming, intimidating, national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

And while the Washington Redskins would love to get off the, "always looking for a starting quarterback" treadmill that they seemingly have been on forever, the price to move up to get Robert Griffin will probably scare Washington off.

In Kirkpatrick, they will be getting a 6'3", 200-pound athletic presence on the outside, who will instantly step into a starting role on a Redskins' defense that is stockpiling talent.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Most draft experts are saying that Justin Blackmon is the only receiver in this year's draft worthy of a top 10 pick. Most draft experts also know that the Jacksonville Jaguars are in desperate, desperate need of a play-making wideout. 

Michael Floyd is a big time play-maker and the guess here is that in five years time, people will look back on this draft and not consider taking Floyd at No. 7 a reach at all.

That tight end Marcedes Lewis led the Jags with 460 receiving yards is shocking in its ineptitude, and one could make the case that rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert was throwing to the worst receiving corps in the NFL.

Reach or not, the Jaguars have to take a wide receiver with their first pick and Michael Floyd fills the bill. Floyd was a big-time producer for four years for the Fighting Irish, and his size and strength bode well for him at the next level.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

As much as the Panthers would like to add a weapon or two to the offense for Cam Newton to play with, there are just too many glaring weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball for Carolina to not spend their first pick there.

Carolina needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their whole team only had nine more sacks than Jared Allen. The Panthers would do well to stay in-state and take the supremely athletic Coples to plug in at defensive end opposite Charles Johnson. 

At 6'6" and 275 pounds, Coples reminds more than a few people of former Tar Heel Julius Peppers, and the Panthers would get a defensive playmaker that they so desperately need.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

While most of the Miami Dolphins' fan base is desperate for flashy first round pick, the Dolphins will continue to build one of the best offensive lines in football by adding Reiff to a line that already includes Pro Bowlers Jake Long and Mike Pouncey.

At 6'6", 300 pounds, Reiff reminds most of another former Hawkeye: Bryan Bulaga, who's had a great start to his career with the Green Bay Packers.

There are whispers around the NFL that the Dolphins may make a big pitch to land Peyton Manning as their next quarterback, and adding Reiff to an already solid line would make Miami that much more attractive to Manning, if he ends up leaving Indianapolis.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Linebacker Courtney Upshaw might have been the most dominating player on the most dominating defensive unit we've seen in college football.

Only two teams in the NFL had fewer sacks than the Bills in 2011, and Upshaw will give them an immediate upgrade in the outside rush. 

Upshaw isn't a physical beast and he won't blow anyone away at the combine, but what he is is just a great, instinctive football player with a knack for making plays. Upshaw might not have the immediate impact Von Miller had in Denver in 2011, but he could be close and will be the disruptive force the Bills are looking for on that side of the ball.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Kansas City Chiefs have to be closer to being a playoff team than just about any other team that missed out in 2011. Early season-ending injuries to Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry took two of the Chiefs' best play-makers away from them during a season that just seemed destined to go wrong.

Kansas City would do well to add Devon Still to the mix, the giant defensive stopper from Happy Valley. At 6'4" and 305 pounds, Still is an athletic force that the Chiefs could plug in to the middle of their 3-4 defense and see immediate results.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Though fans of the Seattle Seahawks might cringe at the thought of taking another "super athletic" linebacker out of the ACC after the Aaron Curry misstep, Pete Carroll has never been shy as a risk taker and won't hesitate to pull the trigger on Brown.

At 6'2", 230 pounds, Brown is similar in stature and athleticism to Von Miller, who tore it up as a rookie last season for the Denver Broncos.

As the Seahawks are desperate for a combo linebacker who can both rush the passer and drop into coverage, Brown's appeal will be too much to look past.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Arizona Cardinals long neglect of offensive lineman in the draft has caught up to them, and there is no way they can go one more year without taking one in the first round.

The answer here will be Jonathan Martin, the All-American left tackle out of Stanford, who protected Andrew Luck's blind side in college. At 6'6", 305 pounds, Martin will be an immediate upgrade to an offensive line that was one of the worst in the NFL.

It should take the Cardinals no more than a minute to pull the trigger on drafting Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCasto, G, Stanford

The Cowboys will make it two Stanford Cardinal offensive lineman in a row when they select DeCastro immediately after the Cardinals take Martin.

The 6'5", 310-pound DeCastro is clearly the best guard prospect in the 2012 draft, and he will bring smarts and a mean streak that Jerry Jones will love.

It's not the sexy pick that Jerry Jones too often reaches for, but it's one that will make the life of Tony Romo and their bevy of running backs very happy.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

So much for the Dream Team.

After a horribly disappointing 2011 season, the Philadelphia Eagles need an injection of blood and guts and hard work over flash.

Though not blessed with amazing size or speed, Kuechly is simply a tackling machine. It might not even be a stretch to compare him to Patrick Willis, another linebacker who lit it up in college, but slid to 11th in the draft.

If Kuechly can even approach the productivity of Willis in the NFL, the Eagles will be a whole lot dreamier in 2012 than they were last season. 

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Everyone knows how strong the Jets have been at the corner the last couple of years, but their play at safety has left little to be desired.

Mark Barron is the top safety in this year's draft class, and looks to be a perfect fit with the New York Jets. At 6'3", 220 pounds, Barron will step right into the Jets' starting lineup and immediately add strength and athleticism to the Jets' defensive backfield.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Can Trent Richardson really drop this far? Can the no-questions-asked best player on the defending national champions really drop to being the fourth Alabama player taken?

It seems pretty unlikely, but the truth is that in the modern NFL, most teams are going with the running back by committee method, and the superstar running backs are quickly being de-valued at the pro level.

There is certainly a chance that Richardson could be taken off the board by the Buccaneers with the fifth pick, but if the Buccs go defense, it would be no surprise if Richardson fell this far.

If he does, it would take the Bengals about two seconds to snatch him up and add him to last year's rookie haul of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, giving Cincinnati one of the brightest offensive futures in the league.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The biggest question with 6'2", 280-pound Melvin Ingram is: What exactly is he? 

The San Diego Chargers would love to find out. Ingram could end up as a defensive end or a linebacker, he's athletic enough to adjust to wherever you want to put him on the field. What Ingram definitely is: a difference maker who always finds a way to be around the ball. 

Ingram is an electric play-maker who the Chargers will snap up and hopefully, in five years, they'll wonder, "how the heck did we get that guy with the 18th pick?"

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

While I think the Chicago Bears would love to see Notre Dame's Michael Floyd around when they pick, they will happily settle for South Carolina's 6'5", 235-pound Alshon Jeffery instead.

Jeffery will immediately be the go-to target that the Bears have lacked in the Jay Cutler years. The only measurable that Jeffery doesn't have is blazing speed, but with Cutler, he doesn't need it. Cutler can put the ball on a string for 25-30 yards, and even if Jeffery can't get great separation, he'll win most battles for the football.

The only thing that's kept Jay Cutler from joining the elite ranks of NFL quarterbacks is a go-to, game-breaking receiver, and the Bears will be overjoyed to give him Jeffery with the 19th pick.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal

The Tennessee Titans' defensive ends only recorded a laughable 10 sacks in 2011. That glaring stat has to be addressed immediately, and the best one on the board is Nick Perry out of USC.

The 6'3", 250-pound Perry might be slightly undersized, but his quickness and athletic ability could make him an ideal defensive end/linebacker hybrid that is becoming so popular in the league.

Perry is a great athlete, and that is something the Titans' defense needs more of.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

At 5'10", 205, Alfonzo Dennard is a bit on the short side for a shut-down cornerback, but his blazing speed and athletic ability more than make up for it.

Dennard stepped into the shut-down role at Nebraska following the departure of Prince Amukamara and played arguably just as well as the high draft pick from the 2011 draft. 

With the Bengals offense quickly becoming one of the more high-octane groups in the AFC, Cincinnati will do well to add another piece on the defensive side of the ball.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Assuming the Cleveland Browns don't have to give up this pick in their quest to land Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, why not go back to Waco and grab Griffin's favorite target, the mercurial wideout, Kendall Wright?

At 5'10", 190 pounds, the blazer would be a perfect compliment to second-year man Greg Little, who's a bigger target on the other side. 

In two picks out of Baylor, the Browns could go from one of the most plodding offenses in the AFC to one of the most high-octane. Griffin and Wright had a lot of highlight-filled Saturdays at Baylor, it would be fun for Cleveland fans to see them re-team in Browns uniforms.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Over the last couple of seasons, the Detroit Lions have put together one of the best defensive front lines in football. What would help prove how good that front four has become would be to add a dynamic player in the secondary to reap the benefits of that fearsome rush.

Enter Janoris Jenkins, the 5'10", 185-pound athletic corner out of North Alabama. Jenkins would probably have been a first-round pick had he entered the 2011 draft, but instead he played at North Alabama after being kicked off the team at Florida.

Scouts see it as a good sign that Jenkins transferred to the small school to work on some things he needed to get better at before heading off to pro ball. 

Jenkins is an elite athlete and would step right into the Lions' starting lineup, and could quickly develop into a high-interception type corner.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Don'ta Hightower, LB, Alabama

Don'ta Hightower just looks like a Pittsburgh Steeler. The 6'4", 260-pound defensive force out of Alabama is no stranger to the physical, swarming defense played in Pittsburgh, and would step right into the intimidating image of the black and gold.

Hightower is a big hitter who could jump in right alongside James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley and keep the tradition going. Hightower might not be fast enough to provide great coverage, but he is a terror against the run and always seems to be around the ball.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

The Denver Broncos struck gold last year when they took Von Miller with the second overall pick in the draft. Miller is a beast on the edge of the defense for the Broncos, and they would be smart to fortify the middle with this year's first pick.

Michael Brockers is a 6'5", 305-pound giant who is athletic and powerful enough to clog up the middle of the line and wreak havoc on any offensive scheme. Though leaving after his redshirt sophomore season, Brockers showed plenty of versatility at LSU and could move around several different defensive line slots for the Broncos. 

With Miller and the addition of Brockers, the Broncos would have two huge pieces to developing one of the better defenses in the AFC.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Houston Texans appear to be a team on the cusp of great things. The Texans' steady rise up the ranks in the NFL finally nabbed a division title in 2011, and bigger things will be expected in 2012.

Houston has depth at quarterback and running back, and would be wise to grab a complimentary receiver to put on the other side of Andre Johnson. Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, with his combination of speed and hands, seems like a perfect fit for the Texans.

27. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

After the dominating performance put on by Vince Wilfork in the AFC Championship game, wouldn't it be just like Bill Belichick to go out and get himself another Wilfork?

Fletcher Cox is a pile-moving mass of a man at 6'4", 300 pounds, but is certainly athletic enough to get downfield to pressure the quarterback. Cox seems like a perfect fit to the New England system, a guy who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

Cox could easily be the pass-rushing nuisance the Patriots need from the middle of their defensive line and would be a perfect compliment to Wilfork.

28. Green Bay Packers: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

Jared Crick missed most of last season with injury, doesn't really have a position and needs to put on some weight to be an effective defensive lineman in the NFL. 

Having said all that, Crick would fit in perfectly with the Green Bay Packers, who certainly need some upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. What Crick is: a disruptive force who makes a ton of plays. Crick could slide back and forth across the Green Bay defensive line and be a huge part of their defensive rotation. 

The Packers always seem to be able to find gems picking in the later part of the first round, and Crick looks like he could fit the bill this year.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

All the world needs is the Baltimore Ravens to add another maniacal, intimidating, in-your-face defensive stalwart, right?

It could certainly happen, as Burfict's ever-changing attitude could drop him in the first round, but I don't think the Ravens would hesitate to add Burfict to their defense that already has a loud-mouth game-breaker from ASU in Terrell Suggs.

As Ray Lewis closes in on the end of his Hall of Fame career, Burfict could be the perfect replacement to fill the middle of the field for the Ravens.

San Francisco 49'ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The San Francisco 49ers might have finished just a couple of plays short of making the Super Bowl this year, but it was pretty obvious they need help at wide receiver.

Stephen Hill is a huge target that enters the draft slightly under the radar, having played at run-happy Georgia Tech. At 6'5", 200 pounds, Hill would be a great fit on the other side of Michael Crabtree and would help take some of the attention off of tight end Vernon Davis, who will be at the forefront of every team's defensive game plan next season.

31. New York Giants: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The New York Giants are about as balanced as you can get as a football team. Strong on both sides of the ball, the Giants have depth at crucial positions and are poised to be one of the better teams in the league for the immediate future.

Peter Konz is the best center in this year's draft, and at 6'5", 310, is an absolute beast in the middle of the line and another in the long line of road graters that seem to grow on trees at Wisconsin.

Konz could provide Eli Manning with an elite-type center that would help both in the run game and in pass protection. This pick would truly be a case of the rich getting richer.

32. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois

It almost doesn't seem fair that the New England Patriots will be able to add two No. 1 picks to a team that is playing in the Super Bowl. 

At 6'4", 265 pounds, Whitney Mercilus is the perfect type of 'tweener that Bill Belichick has had so much success with during his incredible run of success in New England.

Now, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Belichick traded one of these first rounders to pick up more picks for future years, but the Patriots defense could obviously use some upgrades and Mercilus seems like a perfect fit for New England.