2012 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Free Agency Projection

The NFL free agency period will begin tomorrow, March 13th, and we're guaranteed to see some big-time changes to the game (see Peyton Manning).

With the franchise tag deadline, the combine, and some pro days having come to a pass, here is a look at how the first round of the 2012 NFL draft should take place before the market opens.

This list is based on team needs and player scouting, along with coach and front office draft tendencies.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Forget about the Colts shocking the world and taking a risk on Robert Griffin III. Jim Irsay moved on from Peyton Manning for one reason and one reason only.

He wants Andrew Luck.

Indy is losing some major franchise players to free agency, including Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Jeff Saturday, Robert Mathis, and of course, Manning. Its likely to trade Dwight Freeney, too.

But, drafting Luck would be the first step towards reconstructing the Colts organization, much like it had to do in 1998 when Peyton was selected.

2. Washington Redskins (via St. Louis)

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington's sacrificial trade to the Rams confirms the fact that they wants RGIII. Badly.

Mike Shanahan loves athletic quarterbacks and the Redskins' forfeiture of a first, third, and fifth-round pick in 2012, plus first and third round picks in 2013 shows it.

Griffin could be the long-awaited answer to the QB position in Washington.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

For Christian Ponder to succeed as the Vikings' quarterback he needs protection.

Especially at the left tackle position.

Charlie Johnson is a backup LT at best and Matt Kalil is the perfect fit to replace him.

Kalil has the strength, IQ, and athleticism to be the answer for Minnesota and would start Week 1.

4. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I firmly believe the Browns will stick with Colt McCoy one more year to see whether or not a solid running game will help him become a more efficient quarterback.  

Besides, there will be plenty of other QBs available in next year’s draft and the market.

That said, Trent Richardson is one of the best running back prospects to come out of college in a long time and Cleveland needs a replacement for Peyton Hillis.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

The former LSU Tiger is an NFL-ready corner that is well-equipped to shut down the best wide receivers. 

Tampa Bay is in desperate need of a defensive back with the uncertainty surrounding Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber.

Claiborne is a perfect fit for Greg Schiano's type of defense.

6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington)

Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State

Sources say that Jeff Fisher isn't a big Justin Blackmon fan, so the next major need for the Rams would be on the defensive line.

Michael Brockers is the best man available at that position, so it only makes sense that St. Louis takes him here.

He's a great plug-in to stop the run and Fisher is very savvy when it comes to the d-line.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Rams decide to pass up on Blackmon, Jacksonville will not hesitate to pick up the 6'1, 215-pound WR.

Blaine Gabbert struggled mightily in 2011 for several reasons, but mainly because the Jaguars had no offensive weapons outside of Maurice Jones-Drew and the running game.

Adding Blackmon would give Gabbert an immediate go-to-guy and could open up space for other receivers.

8. Miami Dolphins

Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa

Whether the Dolphins sign Peyton Manning or bring in Matt Flynn (Aaron Rodgers' back-up in Green Bay) to work with new Miami coach Joe Philbin, they'll need to fortify the offensive line.

Reiff could step in to play right tackle immediately.

9. Carolina Panthers

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe's draft stock has risen significantly after his eye-opening NFL combine performance.

He bench pressed 225 pounds 44 times (the most at the combine), while running a 4.87 in the 40-yard dash at 346 pounds.

Carolina needs a big body to plug the middle on the defensive line after owning the league's worst run defense last season.

10. Buffalo Bills

Nick Perry, DE, Southern California

After reportedly weighing in at 271 pounds during the NFL combine, Nick Perry's projections of turning into a linebacker at the next level have died.

However, he recorded a 4.50 second 40-yard dash, meaning his stock as a defensive end has risen considerably.

Perry would be a very useful contribution to the Bills' poor defensive line.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Believe it or not, but the Chiefs don't have as many holes to fill as their 2011 record shows. They return injured starters Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry.

In order for Kansas City to take back control over the AFC West, it needs to rebuild its offensive line.

DeCastro is an outstanding run blocker (perfect for KC) and is an NFL-ready starter.

12. Seattle Seahawks

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Seahawks need a quarterback, but they won't find one in this year's draft.

They'll likely sign a free agent, with Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Jason Campbell on the market.

Seattle's next big need comes from the defensive line. It lacked a pass rush in this area last year and Quinton Coples provides just that.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The offensive line is the only thing holding Arizona back from being contenders in the NFC West.

With Riley Reiff off the board, Martin is the next best option at left tackle, and is an easy replacement for Levi Brown.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

There’s no question that Dallas’ biggest weakness is in the secondary.

With Claiborne headed to Tampa, the Crimson Tide’s Dre Kirkpatrick is the next best option.

Don't be surprised if the Cowboys sign a free agent corner (Brandon Carr, Cortland Finnegan), too. Rob Ryan is attracted to athletic DBs.

Kirkpatrick's toughness, length and physicality as a tackler could put him in position to be a starter for Dallas come Week One.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Andy Reid usually waits until the middle rounds to invest in a linebacker, but the team's troubles in the middle last season could play a huge part in this decision.

Casey Matthews was a bust, but Kuechly's excellent combine proves he could be the answer for Philly in 2012.

16. New York Jets

Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The J-E-T-S struggled to contain the outside on run plays and did not get to the QB very often. 

Melvin Ingram could be the guy to change that; he did both with the Gamecocks.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland)

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Leon Hall can’t do it all, Nate Clements is 32 years old, and Pacman Jones may have played his final game in the NFL after his latest run-in with the law.

Needless to say, cornerback is a big need for the Bengals, and Jenkins is an outstanding athlete with great potential.

However, he does have "red flag" issues with an unsteady background after making multiple poor life decisions.

Nevertheless, Cincinnati has never been the type of organization to pass on a player based on his past.

18. San Diego Chargers

Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

The Chargers have a glaring issue to address in the secondary after figuring out that the Bob Sanders project was a bust.

Barron from the Tide would be a quick fix and is definitely first-round worthy.

19. Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

In my first mock draft of the year, I had Chicago selecting offensive tackle Mike Adams from Ohio State here. That changed after his terrible outing at the combine.

Along with offensive line, the Bears are in desperate need of a weapon at wide receiver. With this in mind, Michael Floyd jumps out in bold print and is a much better option than any remaining lineman on the board.

Chicago loves its speedy receivers (Johnny Knox, Devin Hester), and Michael Floyd ran an impressive 4.42 second 40-yard dash at the combine. What separates him from the other WRs on the roster is the fact that he has the height (6'3") to beat corners downfield.

20. Tennessee Titans

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw isn't the traditional defensive end (6'2", 265 pounds), but he is a sure tackler and an explosive pass rusher.

He'll likely start as an outside linebacker for the Titans and could even be utilized as a DE in third down situations.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

Cedric Benson has underachieved the last two seasons with Cincinnati and will become a free agent. If the Bengals were going to keep him, they likely would have applied a franchise tag to his name, but it looks like the two will part ways.

This leaves Cincy with a big problem at running back, but Lamar Miller is an easy answer to that problem.

Miller possesses ridiculous speed and agility (4.30 second 40-yard dash), something that the Bengals have lacked at RB for quite some time. If the offensive line can live up to expectations, the college star could be a Top 10 rusher at the end of the season, hands down.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta)

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Michael Floyd's late surge in the draft stock has dropped Jeffery to the No. 22 pick. This is good news for the Browns, who desperately need to give Colt McCoy some sort of option in the passing game.

If Cleveland selects Jeffery, he'll have last year's second round pick Greg Little to accompany him, with Mohamed Massaquoi to round out the corps.

Don't be surprised if Cleveland takes another WR in later rounds, too.

23. Detroit Lions

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Not only do the Lions have a hard time protecting Matthew Stafford, they also need a more productive run game, too.

Cordy Glenn is the best available at his position and Detroit cannot pass him up.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is a perfect fit for the Steelers' 3-4 defense and would co-exist with teammate Lawrence Timmons flawlessly.

His size, speed and strength will make him a productive player in the NFL, and his leadership skills go along with the theme of Al Rooney's steel curtain.

25. Denver Broncos

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This may seem like a huge stretch, but it's not. In fact, it would make a lot of sense.

Reports say that Peyton Manning favors Denver, and that the front office will "do anything it takes" to sign him. Many sources say that if the two came to a contract agreement, Tim Tebow would be traded to the Jaguars for Blaine Gabbert straight up, no chaser.

Even if this doesn't happen, John Fox already stated that he wants to add two quarterbacks to the roster this offseason. And if the Broncos do sign Manning, it would make sense to draft a QB anyways so that the future hall-of-famer can share his wisdom, allowing growth and maturation (along with Gabbert).

Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M is a huge risk, especially since he was a one-year starter in college and a former wide receiver. Still, many think he has huge upside and a bright future, so sitting under Manning for a few years would probably be his best scenario.

Besides, Denver is known for taking a chance on quarterbacks in the first round.

26. Houston Texans

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

You're not supposed to draft a wide receiver based on 40-time, especially coming from a team that ran a triple-option offense, but when the receiver runs a 4.30 second 40-yard dash and stands at 6'4", it's hard to pass him up.

Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech amazed scouts in the NFL Combine last month, flourishing in every drill and having his stock skyrocket.

He's still a risk, but knowing that Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas came from the same offense, I'm sure the Texans are okay with it.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans)

Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

New England has three glaring needs: a pass rusher, a number one receiver, and help in the secondary.

First things first, and that is Vinny Curry of the Thundering Herd.

The 6'5", 240-pound versatile defender played end for Marshall, but will likely be utilized at outside linebacker for the Patriots' composite 4-3 theme.

28. Green Bay Packers

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Packers finished with just 29 sacks as a team last year, which ended up being a big factor against their last-ranked pass defense (299.8 yards per game). 

Cox has very good agility for the five-technique spot across from the more stout Ryan Pickett or B.J. Raji in Green Bay's system.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Peter Konz, OC, Wisconsin

Baltimore is expected to lose guard Ben Grubbs in free agency, and if it does, Peter Konz becomes an instant starter at left guard. Once center Matt Birk (35) retires—which could be as early as next season—Konz could make the move inside and take over the job as the team's center.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Other than Michael Crabtree (who really hasn’t come to his own, either), the 49ers are without a wide receivers corps.

Kendall Wright's quickness and prolific ability to catch the ball would make an immediate impact for San Francisco's anemic passing game.

31. New England Patriots

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Bill Belichick has some big holes to fill in the secondary, starting with corner.

Gilmore is the fourth-best DB in this class and the Patriots would be foolish to pass on him at this point in the draft.

Gilmore's combination of great size, outstanding zone coverage and pure athletic ability could make him New England's top corner in September.

32. New York Giants

Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

Mercilus lead the NCAA in sacks last season (16.0) and has the build, speed, and intelligence to be a major threat in getting to the quarterback with an NFL defense.

Perfect for the Giants.