2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting Every Can't-Miss Prospect in First Round

With Week 17 in the books, the 2012 NFL draft order for non-playoff teams has been determined.

The Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals, who were in control of the AFC West and AFC's No. 6 seed, respectively, headed into Week 17, were able to slip into the playoffs despite losing their games.

The top 10 largely remained intact from earlier projections, but there were some changes in the middle of the draft order.

Here is how I see the 2012 NFL draft shaking out after Week 17.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts need to groom the successor of Peyton Manning, who is getting old and coming off two neck surgeries.

Luck is the perfect replacement, the best quarterback prospect to come out for the draft in years. He has a strong arm, great accuracy, remarkable poise on the pocket, and the decision-making and vision to be a superstar in the NFL.

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

The Rams have been bad as a whole this season, but their biggest need is at receiver.

It just so happens that Justin Blackmon could be a terrific player in the NFL with his strength and ability to explode after the catch.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil is by far the best offensive lineman prospect in this year's draft, who has made life for USC quarterback Matt Barkley easy throughout the years.

The Vikings need help on the offensive line to give rookie quarterback Christian Ponder some time in the pocket.

Match made in heaven.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I rarely advise drafting a running back this early in the draft, but I'm very high on Trent Richardson.

He possesses the speed, burst, power, vision and big-play ability to be a handful for years to come in the NFL and he would give the Browns a weapon alongside young quarterback Colt McCoy.

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

Morris Claiborne could actually be a better cover cornerback than former LSU star Patrick Peterson, who has since moved on to the Arizona Cardinals.

Claiborne has the strength to play well in press coverage, the turn-and-run ability to keep up with the faster receivers and the height to win jump balls with taller receivers.

Sounds like a superstar to me, and the Bucs need talent in the secondary.

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins are currently sporting the two-headed weakling that is Rex Grossman and John Beck.

Robert Griffin III not only won the Heisman Trophy this season, he has all the tools to be a star in the NFL. Beyond his running ability, he has a great arm, good accuracy (inside and outside the pocket), stunning pocket poise and makes great decisions with the football.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

A lot of people are down on Alshon Jeffery, and for good reason: he hasn't lived up to expectations.

But it is worth noting he's been hampered by bad quarterback play and still has the tools (ability to separate, strength, route-running) to be a star in the NFL.

I'm still sticking by him, and Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert needs all Vthe help he can get.

8. Carolina Panthers: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Panthers need help in a variety of areas on defense, and Zach Brown can help against the run, in pass coverage and rushing the quarterback.

He's the most complete linebacker in this year's draft and the Panthers could use a multi-tooled player like him.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins need to replace right tackle Marc Colombo in a hurry and Riley Reiff just so happens to be an outstanding tackle prospect.

Reiff isn't the biggest player, but he makes up for it with great athleticism, technique and strength.

10. Buffalo Bills: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Bills technically need an outside linebacker, but it's hard to pass up on a linebacker of Burfict's caliber, especially considering he has the speed as a middle linebacker to transition to the outside if need be.

His combination of strength, speed and vision is frightening.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Seahawks can't believe Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are the answers to their quarterback woes.

Landry Jones has had a disappointing season for Oklahoma based on expectations, but he still has the arm strength and accuracy to be a good quarterback in the NFL.

He is a work in progress, though, and that decision-making has to get better.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

Right tackle Barry Richardson is not meant to be a starting tackle in the NFL. He's just been bad this season.

In that regard, drafting someone like Cordy Glenn, who should be able to play either guard or tackle in the NFL, would be a wise choice. Glenn's athleticism is stunning for a player his size. He's 330 pounds but can still be a strong tackle moving forward.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Andrew Luck is a great quarterback on his own, but having a tackle of Jonathan Martin's caliber hasn't hurt, either.

Martin's combination of athleticism and tenacity will spell Levi Brown at left tackle for the Cardinals and help out quarterback Kevin Kolb.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Receiver DeSean Jackson and head coach Andy Reid aren't exactly happy with each other, and I think Jackson will be out of Philadelphia soon.

In that sense, finding a potential star in Michael Floyd for quarterback Michael Vick would be the right course of action.

Floyd has good speed, improved burst and true game-changing ability.

15. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets need help in a variety of areas, but finding a pass-rushing threat as a 3-4 linebacker has to be a priority.

Courtney Upshaw has been a difference-maker for one of the nation's top defenses this season. He simply has a knack for getting to the quarterback and he's a very strong tackler.

16. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

I love Lamar Miller's game and you only have to look at some of his highlights this season to understand why.

He's already drawing comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy due his speed, athleticism and ability to be a threat in the backfield and as a receiver.

The Bengals need a successor to Cedric Benson and Miller would be an excellent choice.

17. San Diego Chargers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Chargers could use some help in the secondary and Dre Kirkpatrick project to be a star in the NFL.

Kirkpatrick has great size, big-play ability and can also stop the run. It's rare you find a cornerback prospect that can help in so many areas, and the Chargers should pounce.

18. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

With Michael Floyd off the board, expect the Bears to upgrade at the tackle position and give quarterback Jay Cutler more time in the pocket.

Mike Adams has some character concerns, but his length, athleticism and technique could make him a solid NFL starter.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Cowboys still need help in the secondary and Stephon Gilmore can play both the pass and run at a high level, as well as adding the ability to be an excellent return man.

The selection of Gilmore would also allow the Cowboys to use Dez Bryant strictly as a receiver, conserving his energy.

20. Tennessee Titans: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Let's be honest, Titans running back Chris Johnson hasn't lived up to his massive deal in the offseason.

However, there are indeed some legitimate concerns on the offensive line, as head coach Mike Munchak has pointed out.

DeCastro projects as a great run blocker in the NFL, and he's not bad protecting the quarterback (i.e. Andrew Luck), as well.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

I had concerns about Dennard earlier in the season due to an apparent lack of focus, but he has since regained that drive and he has the tools to be a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.

He has great strength at the cornerback position and his leaping ability is off the charts, making up for his size.

22. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Devon Still's strength, burst and aggressiveness make him one of few top-tier defensive tackles in this year's draft.

With pieces coming together on this young Broncos defense, Still would disrupt the middle and make it easier for his teammates to fill in the holes in the process.

23. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Giants need a force in the middle and Luke Kuechly could be this player.

Kuechly is undersized, but his vision, tackling ability and pursuit of the ball make up for all of this in my mind.

After all, several undersized linebackers have proven throughout the years that size isn't everything.

24. Detroit Lions: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

The Lions have a burgeoning young defense, but they still need a few more pieces to be an elite squad, particularly at outside linebacker.

Whitney Mercilus has shot up draft boards this season and he has the size and athleticism to be a difference-maker in the NFL.

25. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Players like Browns inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson have a way of going to teams other than the Browns when they hit free agency.

I find it hard to believe Jackson will re-sign with the Browns and even if he is Hightower has the speed to be an outside linebacker, in addition to having great strength.

26. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Texans have another one of those young up-and-coming defenses, helped out by drafting defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Brooks Reed in last year's draft.

Dontari Poe has the strength to command double teams and that would only make things easier for this defense to explode through the offensive line.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mark Ingram, DE/LB, South Carolina

The Steelers don't exactly need a defensive end or outside linebacker, but if Ingram falls this far I don't see how a defensive-minded team like this passes up on a prospect of his caliber.

Ingram's quick, strong and explosive, and there's a chance he could go earlier in the draft based on his potential and tools.

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

The Patriots still need help in the pass-rushing department and if they shift to a 3-4 defense next season that will likely mean Andre Carter moving to outside linebacker.

Jared Crick reminds me a lot of Texans rookie defensive end J.J. Watt due to his work ethic and never-ending pursuit of the football.

Crick missed the second half of this season with a torn pectoral muscle, but he has the talent and makeup to be a big-time player.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Quinton Coples is by far the biggest faller since the preseason.

He still has the athleticism and strength to be a top prospect, but he hasn't seemed as focused this season and he didn't do much in the Independence Bowl with his draft stock on the line.

However, if any team can straighten Coples out on defense, it's the Ravens led by linebacker Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright has exploded up draft boards this season as Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III's favorite target.

He has the athleticism and speed to make an instant impact and the 49ers will need another receiver with Braylon Edwards disappointing this season and Josh Morgan entering free agency.

31. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots need to replace Dan Koppen, who is 32 years old and fractured his ankle this season.

And it just so happens Peter Konz is the best center prospect in the draft and likely won't get drafted before this based on teams' needs.

Once again, the Patriots get what they want and quarterback Tom Brady continues to smile.

32. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Mississippi State

The Packers need help at defensive end; they are just not getting the pressure they need from the position. Jarius Wynn leads defensive ends with a grand total of 3.0 sacks.

Enter Fletcher Cox, who has risen up draft boards based on his athleticism and strength.

The Packers' defense has taken a step back this season and their pass rush is a big part of it.