2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Last Year's Draft-Day Deals Will Shape Selections

With just one week left in the NFL's regular season and college football's bowl season underway, the 2012 NFL draft picture is beginning to take shape.

Several big-name prospects are set to make their mark before the NFL combine. Some of them already have.

It's also going to be interesting how the draft-day trades from 2011 will factor into this year's draft.

Last year, the Cleveland Browns traded their No. 6 pick for Atlanta's first-round pick (which became No. 26 overall), second-round pick and fourth-round pick. They also grabbed Atlanta's first-round pick for 2012, which is reflected in this mock.

The New England Patriots traded the No. 28 overall pick for New Orleans' second-round selection in 2011 and first-round pick in 2012.

Here is my latest NFL mock draft through Week 16, reflecting 2011's draft-day trades.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This is really a no-brainer.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is battling neck problems and won't be around much longer. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is considered the greatest quarterback prospect since...well, Peyton Manning.

It seems almost too good to be true for the Colts, who need a severe boost after a dreadful season.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Second-year quarterback Sam Bradford has struggled behind a disappointing offensive line this season, and he doesn't have many weapons in the receiving corps, to boot.

Justin Blackmon, who has been sensational for Oklahoma State this season, has the strength and big-play ability to be a menace at the next level.

Give Bradford a weapon like him and things could change in a hurry in St. Louis.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need protection for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. He's been beaten up all season and it's hard for anyone to succeed when they're under constant duress.

Matt Kalil, the top offensive lineman in the draft, can step in immediately and bolster the Vikings' offensive line.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

History suggests not to pick a running back this early in the draft, but I'm very high on Trent Richardson and I think he's going to be a superstar in the NFL.

He has a dazzling blend of speed, size, vision and patience, and his big-play ability is uncanny. He's been able to have big games this season for Alabama despite defenses centering in on him throughout the year.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery was long considered the top receiver prospect in the draft, but Blackmon has surpassed him in a lot of people's minds.

He's been hampered by poor quarterback play at South Carolina, however, and he still projects to be a star in the NFL with his strength, focus, hands and route-running.

Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert needs a weapon like Jeffery in a bad way.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers have had trouble in a variety of areas this season, including their pass defense.

Morris Claiborne is the top defensive prospect in the draft, leading the No. 1 LSU Tigers to the national championship game this season.

He's a complete cornerback who can turn and run, play good press coverage and use his height to win jump balls with receivers.

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins need a quarterback in a bad way. A combination of Rex Grossman and John Beck just isn't going to do it.

Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy this season, leading Baylor to prominence. He's dangerous running the ball and even more dangerous inside the pocket, displaying the arm strength, accuracy and decision-making to simply pick defenses apart.

The Redskins need a quarterback of Griffin's caliber.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

It had to be a drag for Dolphins fans when USC quarterback Matt Barkley declared he'd be returning for his senior season with the Trojans.

But the Dolphins do need a right tackle badly, too, and Riley Reiff would be an excellent choice to replace Marc Colombo.

Reiff doesn't have the biggest frame, but he makes up for it with his strength and eye-opening athleticism.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown can help against the run and the pass, and he has the chance to do some damage rushing the passer, as well.

He's the most complete linebacker in the 2012 draft class, and he'd give the Panthers a nice boost on defense while the offense develops under quarterback Cam Newton.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Bills are in more need of an outside linebacker, but Vontaze Burfict can work as an outside linebacker if need be, given his tremendous speed.

Burfict could become a superstar in the NFL with his blend of strength, speed and vision, but he's got to watch his temper every once in a while. It could get him into trouble.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

Right tackle Barry Richardson has been a disaster in Kansas City and he needs to be replaced fast.

Cordy Glenn, who has the strength and athleticism at 330 pounds to play both guard and tackle, would be a nice fit in Kansas City.

12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals have a bad left tackle in Levi Brown, and that side of the offensive line needs to be shored up before they think about progressing as a team.

Jonathan Martin, a furious combination of tenacity and athleticism, will help as a run blocker and a pass blocker for the Cardinals.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

There's no question the Eagles will be looking at defense in the first round, especially with rumors that St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo might be their next defensive coordinator.

The question is, will they look at someone like inside linebacker Luke Kuechly out of Boston College or add depth in the secondary?

Inside linebacker is their primary need, but cornerback Asante Samuel likely won't be with the team next season and they need to groom a young corner behind Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Kirkpatrick, with his size and ability to stop the run, is a great fit for the Eagles.

14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Landry Jones is more of a project than previously thought, but he does have the ability to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

The Seahawks need a quarterback badly, and Jones wouldn't be a reach here.

15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Stephon Gilmore plays the run and pass well and is a dynamic return man on top of that.

The Chargers could use some help on defense across the board and Gilmore could make an impact right away in the NFL.

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bears need a receiver to take over for disappointing offseason acquisition Roy Williams and Michael Floyd could be a star.

Floyd has good size, good hands, deceptive burst and game-changing ability after the catch.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Head coach Mike Munchak has been adamant that the offensive line needs to get better, particularly when trying to open holes for running back Chris Johnson.

David DeCastro is a top offensive lineman in the class and will certainly help as far as run-blocking is concerned.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Cowboys could use some help in the secondary and Alfonzo Dennard, with his strength, technique and leaping ability, could be a star in the NFL.

I like Dennard more and more as the season progresses.

19. New York Jets (8-7): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jets need help rushing the passer from the edge. Quinton Coples would allow them to do that.

Coples doesn't look like the top-five prospect he was labeled as to begin the season, but he still has a nice blend of size and speed that should help him excel with the Jets and help them get to the playoffs next season.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

There's a chance someone could grab Lamar Miller earlier than this, but the Bengals will likely pounce if he lands here.

Miller is being compared to LeSean McCoy, with a great combination of speed and elusiveness that will make him a threat in the backfield and as a receiver.

The Bengals need a new running back.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals have a history of looking past character concerns to find top talent, and former Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins fits that profile.

Jenkins has the talent to be a top-15 prospect, but character concerns stemming from marijuana-related offenses will likely drop him in the draft.

He would line up opposite Leon Hall in Cincinnati.

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

There aren't many top defensive tackle prospects in this year's draft, but Devon Still is one of them with his strength, burst and aggressiveness.

The Broncos are in need of someone to disrupt the middle as this young defense develops.

23. New York Giants (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is a bit undersized for a middle linebacker, but he fills a need for the Giants and he simply knows how to tackle.

He has great vision and instincts that could make up for his average athleticism.

24. Detroit Lions (10-5): Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Lions could use some help at outside linebacker, and Alabama's Courtney Upshaw has risen as a legit first-rounder this season.

He has great athleticism that should project well to the pros and his pass-rushing skills, combined with his tackling ability, would make him a nice addition to the burgeoning Lions defense.

25. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Browns need a major upgrade over Tony Pashos at right tackle.

Mike Adams comes with some character concerns, but he has the length, athleticism and technique to be a first-round prospect.

Quarterback Colt McCoy could certainly use someone like Adams.

26. Houston Texans (10-5): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Texans could go with either a receiver or nose tackle here.

I expect them to go with Dontari Poe, who is one of the few nose tackle prospects fitting of a spot this high. He has the strength and frame to command double-teams and free up his fellow defenders.

Plus, the Texans could always find a receiver later on with several potential sleepers past the first round.

27: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Melvin Ingram, DE/LB, South Carolina

The Steelers don't have big needs at defensive end or outside linebacker, but it's going to be hard to pass up a defensive prospect as quick, strong and explosive as Melvin Ingram. 

Ingram is a legitimate top-20 prospect in my eyes, but team needs push him down this far.

28. New England Patriots (via NO): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The Patriots could use some help at defensive end, especially if they switch to a 3-4 next season and Andre Carter is used as a linebacker.

Crick reminds me of Houston Texans rookie J.J. Watt a lot, with his high motor and ability to pursue the ball quickly.

29. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower would be a great fit for the Ravens.

He projects as an outside linebacker or middle linebacker, given his blend of speed and strength, meaning he could play alongside Ray Lewis until it's time to succeed him.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Braylon Edwards turned out to be a disappointment, and Josh Morgan enters free agency in 2012.

The 49ers will need a weapon for quarterback Alex Smith opposite Michael Crabtree, and Wright has the speed and explosiveness that has some calling him a poor man's version of DeSean Jackson.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots need a replacement for Dan Koppen, who is 32 years old and fractured his ankle this season.

Konz is by far the best center prospect in the draft and isn't a reach here at all, with the blocking ability and fearlessness to be a capable replacement to protect Mr. Tom Brady.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

The Packers have one side locked up with Clay Matthews. Adding an explosive outside linebacker opposite Matthews would create havoc for opposing offenses.

Ronnell Lewis has the ability to be this player, with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss this season.