2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Draft's Day 1 Starters

The Tennessee Titans are probably excited about Jake Locker's future, but the Carolina Panthers are excited about Cam Newton's present.

It's the one thing fans all want: immediate starters.

No one wants to sit around and wait for a high draft pick to make an impact. Fans, coaches and executives alike want these prospects in the lineup from the get go.

It's the on-field product that saves—or loses—jobs. Future promise doesn't produce wins, and wins are often the only thing between getting fired or sticking around for another year.

It's easy to see why teams go after these immediate starters.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Unlike Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin seems destined for a team with no other options at quarterback. Griffin may not be entirely ready for the NFL as a passer, but he will be starting sooner rather than later.

Griffin's mobility dramatically influences his chances of starting. As we've seen with Vince Young and Cam Newton, mobile quarterbacks perform well as rookies.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Most rookie running backs see significant playing time but don't actually start. Trent Richardson is so talented that he will be the main guy for his new NFL team.

Richardson is an incredible runner with his rare combination of power and speed. However, the Alabama star can also catch the football and block, two key factors in getting on the field at the running back position.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Because he is already a good route-runner, Justin Blackmon won't have a huge adjustment ahead of him in the NFL. Blackmon won't be putting up 1,000 yards from the get go, but he will be contributing as a starting wide receiver.

Though he isn't overly fast, Blackmon is quick enough to get open. With his blend of skills, Blackmon is complete enough to see immediate playing time.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

It's rare for a top offensive line prospect to not start immediately, and Matt Kalil won't be an exception. Kalil is the best left tackle prospect to enter the draft since Jake Long in 2008, and he will step in on the blind side on day one.

Kalil is a superb athlete with outstanding length, but his technique will be instrumental in earning him playing time. The USC left tackle has quick feet and packs a powerful punch, so he can handle speedy and powerful defensive linemen.

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff probably won't immediately play left tackle, but he can step in on the right side. Though he is a good athlete, Reiff needs to work on his footwork and technique, so he won't be ready to handle the quick edge rushers on the blind side.

Reiff is talented enough to play on the perimeter in the NFL, and, at 6'6", he has great length for the position. It's unlikely that Reiff would even be a solid player immediately, but he will be good enough to start for whatever team drafts him.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Though he isn't a great athlete, Jonathan Martin is technically sound enough to start at either right tackle or guard. Martin may not get much better than he is as a rookie, so his new NFL team better hope he starts on day one.

At 6'5", 305 pounds, Martin isn't all that big, and he doesn't have much room to grow either. Martin isn't athletic enough to dominate at left tackle, but on the right side, he would be an above-average pass-blocker.

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

David DeCastro is an even better interior line prospect than either of the Pounceys, and he could play at a Pro Bowl level on day one. The Stanford product is extremely quick and has the size to handle the physicality of the NFL.

Though he is incredibly talented, DeCastro doesn't rely entirely on his natural ability and exercises great technique. There is little for DeCastro to work on, and there is no reason why he can't start immediately.

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

On the whole, Dontari Poe is still a raw player who needs to improve his technique. However, it looks like Poe will be drafted by a defensive tackle-needy team, and he may be forced into the starting lineup.

At 6'5", 350 pounds, Poe is massive, but he is a phenomenal athlete. Even though he is raw, Poe may be talented enough to play at a high level. Either way, Poe will probably be better than his team's other options.

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is the epitome of a day-one starter. The Boston College linebacker is as smart of a player as can be found, and he possesses superb instincts. Ideally, Kuechly would be more impressive physically, but he is talented enough to be a top-20 pick.

The only thing holding back Kuechly is his lack of elite natural ability. He already plays like an NFL veteran and probably won't improve much throughout his career. Kuechly is the rare rookie linebacker that can step in and captain a defense.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Of all the players in the 2012 draft, Vontaze Burfict might be the most talented. The 6'3", 255-pounder is nothing special technically, but his speed, strength and power make him a possible superstar.

Burfict is still too aggressive, but his NFL team will be accepting of this. If they weren't, they wouldn't have drafted the Arizona State star in the first place. Burfict is one of a select group that can get by on talent alone.

Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

A speedy, 230-pound linebacker, Zach Brown is already capable of starting at WILL. Brown is incredibly fast and excels in coverage, but he does still need work. However, rookie linebackers usually do start in 4-3 defenses.

With his speed, Brown would immediately become one of his defense's best playmakers. Though he will make mistakes, Brown is simply too dynamic of a player to keep on the bench.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The 185-pound Morris Claiborne is a great athlete, but he has not survived on talent alone. Because of this, Claiborne has learned technique and exercises it at a high level. Unlike Patrick Peterson last year, Claiborne already plays like an NFL cornerback.

Though many cornerback prospects are at first limited to playing nickelback, Claiborne will not be. The LSU star's ball skills, natural talent and athleticism will push him into the starting lineup.

Complete First Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

6. Washington Redskins: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

8. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

9. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

11. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

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

20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

22. New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

23. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

25. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

26. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

28. Baltimore Ravens: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

29. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

30. Green Bay Packers: Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

31. New England Patriots: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

32. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina