2012 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Picks That Will Need To Be Groomed

Every NFL prospect advances at their own pace. While some are able to step in right away and produce like Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, others benefit from some time to develop, like Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

There's nothing wrong with taking a project player in the first round, but it's important not to press them heavily into action too early. It has been done on numerous occasions in the past, particularly with quarterbacks like Tim Couch and David Carr. Here are three draft prospects that could use some seasoning when they ultimately enter the NFL.

*Draft order based on current records and projected finishes

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

The Colts could miss out on the first pick if they win in Week 17, but I believe they will do what is necessary to secure the pick and take Luck to develop behind quarterback Peyton Manning.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

St. Louis had a lot of issues this season, but protecting quarterback Sam Bradford was probably the biggest one. Kalil should an elite blindside protector for years to come.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Perhaps the biggest contributing factor to the Vikings' three-win season this year was an awful pass defense. Claiborne will give Minnesota a corner who can potentially lock down elite opposing receivers.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Jaguars are lacking star power pretty much everywhere, but it is most apparent at wide receiver. If quarterback Blaine Gabbert is going to succeed then he needs weapons and Blackmon should be a great one.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Tampa Bay is beginning to age in the secondary and it showed this season as it was routinely burned by the pass. Kirkpatrick will serve as the heir apparent to Ronde Barber.

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

There hasn't been any indication with regards to whether the Browns will re-sign running back Peyton Hillis. I don't think they will, so Richardson is a logical pick at this juncture.

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

Rex Grossman and John Beck simply aren't going to get the job done for the Redskins at quarterback. A franchise guy is needed and it should come in the form of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

It hasn't yet been determined if Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones will enter the NFL Draft, but Matt Barkley returning to USC certainly helped to boost Jones' draft stock. The Miami Dolphins are in desperate search of a cornerstone signal-caller and with Luck and Griffin off the board I believe they would bite on Jones.

While Jones could very well become an elite NFL quarterback, I don't believe he is the type who can step in and excel immediately. Jones exclusively ran a spread offense in college and while some teams have proven that the system can translate to the next level, the Dolphins don't run much out of the spread.

Jones would benefit from a year learning the pro-style offense and watching a capable quarterback in Matt Moore. Cam Newton and Andy Dalton stepped in and excelled as rookie quarterbacks this season, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Look for Jones to take things much slower.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Branden Albert hasn't exactly worked out as a franchise left tackle as the Chiefs hoped he would so Kansas City is in the market for an offensive lineman. Reiff has the potential to be one of the best.

10. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Charles Johnson has done well, but the Panthers could use an elite pass rusher to replace the departed Julius Peppers. They should get one in the form of fellow North Carolina Tar Heel Quentin Coples.

11. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With left tackle Demetrius Bell perpetually injured, the Bills offensive line had a tough time giving quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick time to throw this season. Martin would be a major improvement in that regard.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson likely moped his way out of town, so the Eagles will likely be in the market for a pass catcher. Floyd will make for a great complement to Jeremy Maclin.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Seahawks made great strides down the stretch this season and a big reason for that was stout defensive play. Seattle could use a playmaker along the defensive line, though, and Still is just that.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

San Diego certainly doesn't shy away from taking defensive backs early in drafts, but Antoine Cason looks like a bust and Quentin Jammer is aging. Enter Dennard who has all the makings of a great corner.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Cardinals have gradually lost defensive talent from their Super Bowl team of a few years ago and they desperately need someone who can pressure the quarterback, making Ingram a fantastic option.

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

While No. 16 may seem high for a center, the Bears have sorely missed Olin Kreutz this season. Konz has the potential to become the new Kreutz and an anchor along the offensive line.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

The Titans have a pretty solid group of young linebackers, but they could use a man in the middle to replace departed free agent Stephen Tulloch. Burfict could step in and start immediately.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Running back Cedric Benson may have another year or two left in him, but he completely lacks burst. Miller would give the Bengals an excellent change of pace as his blazing speed would keep defenses off balance.

19. New York Jets (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold are Pro Bowl stalwarts on the Jets' offensive line, but it isn't without deficiencies. DeCastro would be a calm and steady presence from day one.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys are aging a bit at linebacker with the likes of Keith Brooking and Bradie James. Tackling machine Luke Kuechly would be a nice infusion of youth and could start right away.

21. Detroit Lions (10-5): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

It's true that the Lions have taken a running back in one of the first two rounds in each of the last two years, but Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure have proven to be injury prone. Wilson would give the Lions a reliable and consistent runner.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Once considered an elite player at Florida, cornerback Janoris Jenkins was forced to enroll at North Alabama after being dismissed from the Gators. While the level of competition has been much lower than he was accustomed to in the SEC, Jenkins' talent has continued to be quite apparent.

The biggest issue surrounding Jenkins is his character. He has been arrested on multiple occasions for altercations and drug possession, so he has to prove that all of those things are in the past. If he can, then he figures to be a potential steal late in the first round.

Transitioning from North Alabama to the NFL won't be easy, so there will be a learning curve for Jenkins. If the Cincinnati Bengals take a chance on him then he will be afforded the opportunity to start off as a nickel corner, learn behind Leon Hall and develop into a solid starter in the league.

23. Denver Broncos (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos have a pair of fearsome pass rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they could use some defensive lineman to take on blockers for them. Cox would be a great addition for his ability to do just that.

24. New York Giants (8-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Big Blue suffered a ton of injuries on defense this season, particularly at linebacker. Not only would Brown give the Giants some excellent depth, but it wouldn't take him long to become a starter.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The transformation of the Texans' defense is nearly complete, but there is still a hole at safety. Enter Barron who would give Houston a big-time playmaker in the secondary.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been battered and beaten over the past couple seasons due to a porous offensive line and he continues to suffer bumps and bruises because of it. Glenn would really help solidify the Steelers' protection.

27. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 9-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Wide receiver Greg Little has developed into a nice weapon as a rookie this season, but Browns quarterback Colt McCoy needs more than that. Jeffery would give him an awesome red-zone target to rely on.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 12-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Aside from Andre Carter the Patriots have had next to no pass rush this season. That has, in turn, severely hurt the secondary. Upshaw should be able to apply some pressure from the onset.

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

Few teams are able to continually revitalize their defense with young talent like the Ravens. Hightower will be the latest in a long line of first-round picks that carry on the legacy of Baltimore's dominant defense.

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

The 49ers have a championship-caliber defense and running game, but the passing game leaves something to be desired. Quarterback Alex Smith could use a deep threat and Wright, a track star, certainly fits the bill.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

There is danger in drafting a one-year wonder high in the draft, but at this point that is exactly what Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu is. As a junior this season Sanu surpassed his combined numbers from the previous two years with 109 catches for 1,144 yards and seven touchdowns.

At 6'2", 215 lbs. with great speed Sanu has all the tools to be a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level. Luckily for him an ideal situation is awaiting him in New England. The Patriots could use an outside threat to supplement Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and Sanu could be just that.

Sanu wouldn't have to be a major contributor immediately and he could afford to learn behind the likes of Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco. Sanu is a bit of a project to be sure, but with so many great receivers to learn from and quarterback Tom Brady throwing him the ball, the learning curve shouldn't be too steep.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers have been fantastic this season, but the defense has been lacking. The biggest reason is likely the lack of a complementary pass rusher to Clay Matthews. Perry should provide an immediate spark to the defense.