2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Draft's Top 5 Picks

In our first mock draft following the 2011 NFL regular season, the top five picks in the 2012 NFL draft are as follows:

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

You're going to struggle to find any mocks that have this pick as anyone but Luck. He's the consensus No. 1 player, and the Colts need a future at the quarterback position. If you're going to draft the potential replacement for a sure-fire Hall of Famer like Peyton Manning, you might as well pick the most highly regarded quarterback prospect since Manning came out in 1998.

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

When its all said and done, I'd be surprised if the Rams actually picked and kept a player at No. 2. They are going to field plenty of calls for that pick in the lead-up to the draft. With more quarterback-needy teams than there are star quarterbacks in the draft, the No. 2 selection is going to be as important as the No. 1. But let's say the Rams can't find a suitable trade partner. Then I think they roll the dice on Blackmon, a physically dominating receiver prospect who can help Sam Bradford get back on track.  

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT USC

The Vikings have a pair of young quarterbacks (Christian Ponder, Joe Webb) to evaluate and several other offensive pieces (Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph, Adrian Peterson) to build around. Now, the Vikings must address the protection issues that plagued their 2011 season. Kalil would immediately be a huge upgrade and a potential blindside protector for the next 12 years. 

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor

As I said at No. 2, it's very possible that a team trades up to get Griffin there. But if no teams jump up to take Griffin before No. 4, I don't know how the Browns can sell to their fans skipping over Baylor's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Griffin has a strong and accurate arm, football smarts and elite athleticism. The Browns have issues with playmakers around the quarterback position, but Griffin is too good to pass up.

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

The Buccaneers are starting new again at head coach, and Ronde Barber has said on occasion that he'll likely retire if Raheem Morris wasn't retained. But even if Barber stuck around, the Buccaneers need help for one of the league's worst defenses. Claiborne, the draft's consensus No. 1 cornerback, would help the Bucs slow some of the NFC South's elite passing offenses. 

6.  Washington Redskins—Alshon Jeffrey, WR South Carolina

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Riley Reiff, OT Iowa

8.  Carolina Panthers—Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

14.  Philadelphia Eagles—Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

15.  New York Jets—Ronnell Lewis, LB Oklahoma

16.  Oakland Raiders—Zach Brown, LB North Carolina

17.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG Stanford

18.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

19.  Dallas Cowboys—Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama 

20.  Tennessee Titans—Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

21.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DT Penn State

22.  New York Giants—Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina 

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR Baylor

24.  Houston Texans—Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama

25.  Cleveland Browns—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

26.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College

29.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C Wisconsin

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Juron Criner, WR Arizona

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Nick Perry, OLB USC