2012 NFL Mock Draft: How First Round Shakes Out If Jets Trade Up to No. 4

With all of the preparation out of the way, the 2012 NFL draft is upon us, and this is my OFFICIAL final mock draft for the first round.

I am predicting a trade between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets comes to fruition following recent talk about the possibility of New York moving up to take Trent Richardson. This is what happens when that goes down.

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is a lock for No. 1.

2. Washington Redskins (via trade with St. Louis Rams)—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

As certain as I am in Andrew Luck going No. 1, I’m equally as certain of Robert Griffin III going to the Washington Redskins at No. 2.

3. Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

After all the hoopla about trading back, the Minnesota Vikings will stay at No. 3 and take Matt Kalil. It’s the smart move for the future.

4. New York Jets—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

*****TRADE*****

For the New York Jets to move up to No. 4 and select Alabama star running back Trent Richardson, they will have to put together a package very similar to the one Atlanta gave Cleveland last season. While the details will have to be hammered out, Richardson has the talent to be great for a Jets team that needs a star back.

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to draft the eventual replacement for Ronde Barber, and Morris Claiborne could be a star at the NFL level.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS)—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

My gut is saying that the Rams will be moving at some point, but if they remain at No. 6 they will take Justin Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars—Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram is arguably the best defensive player in the 2012 draft, and he can be the kind of playmaker that puts the Jaguars defense over the edge. His pass rush is that good.

8. Miami Dolphins—Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

After missing out on every major free agent QB on the market and failing to trade up to No. 2, the Miami Dolphins have been relegated to Ryan Tannehill.

9. Carolina Panthers—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Ron Rivera can take on a project player like Quinton Coples with that much upside. Cam Newton has the Panthers thinking they can do the impossible.

10. Buffalo Bills—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The new rumor via Charlie Casserly, as well as The Buffalo News, is that the Bills have been talking about moving up for Kalil, but they will stay put and grab Riley Reiff at No. 10.

11. Kansas City Chiefs—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel need more time to do their job, and that’s where excellent guard David DeCastro comes in. Kansas City with a great pick at No. 11.

12. Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, OLB, Southern California

The lack of a pass rush was a huge reason the Seahawks failed last season, so drafting USC star outside linebacker Nick Perry is the perfect antidote to that curse.

13. Arizona Cardinals—Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If he falls this far, the Cardinals will not be able to pass on Boston College star Luke Kuechly. Their need at MLB is just too great.

14. Dallas Cowboys—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

While Mark Barron isn’t the greatest fit for the Cowboys, his style is aggressive and Rob Ryan will be able to build around that.

15. Philadelphia Eagles—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With the Eagles need right up the middle of their defense, they will reach and grab defensive tackle Michael Brockers. He is raw, but Philadelphia has the kind of defense he can thrive in.

16. Cleveland Browns—Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

After trading down to the No. 16 spot from No. 4, the Browns will reach to take one of the offensive line prospects with the most upside, Cordy Glenn. A great pick for the future.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK)—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With AJ Green on one side of the field, the Bengals are hoping that Kendall Wright can be the kind of player he was in college.

18. San Diego Chargers—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

With safety taken care of, San Diego’s needs in the secondary extend to the cornerback spots. If the Chargers can snag Stephon Gilmore at No. 18, they will be set.

19. Chicago Bears—Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Along with Brandon Marshall, tight end Coby Fleener will help Jay Cutler return to Pro Bowl form.

20. Tennessee Titans—Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Titans are looking to add size and talent through the middle of their defense, and Dontari Poe fits the mold of defensive tackle that they love in Tennessee.

21. Cincinnati Bengals—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With Leon Hall on the mend, the Bengals will see Dre Kirkpatrick fall all the way down to them at No. 21 and have no choice but to grab him.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL)—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami-FL

Some experts may contest which running back the Cleveland Browns will take here, but the idea that it is anyone but Lamar Miller is wrong. Miller is the second-best back in this draft, and the Browns will see that.

23. Detroit Lions—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

While some may view Mike Adams as a bit of a reach here, the need to protect Matthew Stafford is the team’s top priority. The Lions can’t screw around with their QB’s health.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Steelers' aging defense will get a big shot in the arm with the selection of a fire plug like Courtney Upshaw. Under James Harrison’s tutelage, Upshaw will be an absolute beast.

25. Denver Broncos—Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Fletcher Cox is one of the top true defensive tackles in this draft, but he will fall all the way down to his perfect match in Denver. John Fox will have the young star killing it within his first two seasons in the NFL.

26. Houston Texans—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With character concerns always coming into play for teams, the Houston Texans may be the beneficiary of one of the best receiver prospects in Michael Floyd dropping down the board.

27. New England Patriots (via NO)—Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

The first addition to the improved pass rush will be edge blitzing specialist Andre Branch. Expect the young outside linebacker to become New England’s DeMarcus Ware.

28. Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

With Clay Matthews proving that he can’t do it alone for Green Bay, the Packers will draft him an OLB for the other edge in Whitney Mercilus. This could be a dangerous duo.

29. Baltimore Ravens—Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

With Ray Lewis getting closer to the end of his career, the Ravens will have him teach his eventual replacement Dont’a Hightower how the game should be played.

30. San Francisco 49ers—Peter Konz, OG, Wisconsin

With needs on the interior of the offensive line, the 49ers will look to versatile guard/center combo Peter Konz.

31. New England Patriots—Kendall Reyes, DE, Connecticut

UConn star 3-4 defensive end Kendall Reyes is exactly what the Patriots need on their defensive line. The pass rush and run stopping will improve with this pick.

32. New York Giants—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The New York Giants will reward their stellar starting QB Eli Manning with standout wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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