2012 NFL Mock Draft: Late-First Round Grabs Sure to Be Stars

Some pretty good players have pulled out of it in recent weeks, but the 2012 NFL draft class is pretty deep.

And that's good news for teams that will be looking to land future stars at the end of the first round. All the top-shelf prospects will be gone by the time the best of the best in the NFL are on the clock, but there will still be plenty of options.

But which teams are actually going to score future stars?

Let's discuss the matter. Read on for a full first-round mock, complete with discussions about which players are going to be late-round steals.

Note: The first 20 picks are set in stone. Picks 21-32 are based off playoff projections.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck didn't need a great performance in the Fiesta Bowl to cement himself as the No. 1 overall pick, but he produced one anyway. The Colts will have a decision to make with Peyton Manning, but they should be very excited to draft Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

From one Fiesta Bowl star to another. With his dominant performance against Stanford, Justin Blackmon really separated himself from the competition. He would be a great asset for Sam Bradford.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings could go for a wide receiver here, but left tackle is a more pressing need. USC's Matt Kalil is a perfect fit, as he would keep Christian Ponder's blind side safe for years to come.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I can see the Browns going for Robert Griffin III here, but running back is a bigger need and it will be too hard to pass up Trent Richardson. He's going to be a star.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers have all sorts of needs to address, but cornerback is probably the biggest of the bunch. Ronde Barber is old and a free agent, and Aqib Talib is facing a felony assault trial in the offseason. Morris Claiborne is an easy pick here.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

I've been mocking Robert Griffin III to the Redskins for a while now, and I see no reason to stop. He's a stud, and the Redskins need a stud quarterback. They're a perfect fit for one another.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Jags could go for Alshon Jeffery or Michael Floyd here, but I'm going to jump on the cornerback bandwagon. Rashean Mathis probably isn't coming back, and he must be replaced. Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick would be a great pick.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10, subject to coin flip with Miami): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Going a little off the rails with this pick. The Panthers can afford to pick the best player available when they're on the clock, and that will likely mean picking Quinton Coples. The Panthers could play him at defensive tackle, where they need talent, or defensive end, where they need depth.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10, subject to coin flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

There aren't any quarterbacks worth taking here, so the Dolphins will have to settle for upgrading their offensive line. Iowa's Riley Reiff will be the best player available, and he would be an easy pick.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bills need help in their front seven, and Melvin Ingram is a guy who could fill a variety of roles. He's billed as a defensive end, but he has played linebacker in the past. He has enough athleticism to play either position at the next level.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, subject to coin flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs are headed towards a quarterback battle in 2012, but they need to upgrade the offensive line in front of whoever wins the job. Jonathan Martin, protector of Andrew Luck and blocker for Stepfan Taylor, would be a great pick here.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9, subject to coin flip with Kansas City): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Outside of quarterback, the Seahawks don't have that many pressing needs. They're weak at both guard spots, though, and they can fix that by drafting David DeCastro. They'll probably have to make a move in order to accommodate him.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Cardinals would be getting a steal here. They need a wide receiver to take some pressure off of Larry Fitzgerald, and Alshon Jeffery has Calvin Johnson-like skills. Add him to the mix, and Arizona's offense could become elite again.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Cowboys could easily go for a cornerback here, but they're better off strengthening their linebacking corps by drafting Courtney Upshaw. Having to face him, Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware would be unfair.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Eagles could go for a wide receiver or offensive line help, but the one thing they need more than anything else is a middle linebacker. Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine who would solve Philly's woes against the rush.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Plaxico Burress' contract is up and Santonio Holmes seems to have worn out his welcome with the Jets less than a year after signing his fat contract. Wide receiver could soon jump to the top of the Jets' list of needs. If so, Michael Floyd would be an obvious pick here.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

This is another pick I've been mocking for weeks. Cedric Benson is as good as gone when the season is over, and Lamar Miller is the second-best running back in the draft after Richardson. Simple as that.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

San Diego's pass protection did pick up down the stretch, but the Chargers still need depth on their offensive line. Cordy Glenn is a player who could step in and start at right tackle, which I'm sure would be just fine with Philip Rivers.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears scored with Gabe Carimi, but they need to strengthen the other side of their O-line. Mike Adams hasn't gotten much attention, but he would be an ideal pick here.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Titans are always hard to mock for, as they tend to do things their way and they don't have many glaring needs. I personally like the idea of rounding out their young linebacking corps by drafting Zach Brown, a speed demon out of North Carolina. He would fit well next to Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers.

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

I toyed with the idea of the Broncos drafting Landry Jones, but I don't think they would upset their fanbase just to get another project QB. They'll play it safe by shoring up their defensive tackle situation by drafting Devon Still.

22. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*

Okay, it's finally time to talk about a late-round steal.

By talent alone, Vontaze Burfict is a top-10 draft pick. Hands down.

The only trouble is that Burfict has a few screws loose upstairs, and he's going to need a lot of coaching in order for him to fully realize his potential.

The Giants would be going outside their comfort zone to draft Burfict, but inside linebacker is a big enough need to make them do it. They could draft Burfict and then hope Tom Coughlin gets through to him.

Now that would actually be an intriguing idea. Coughlin does not suffer nonsense lightly, and he will straighten Burfict out if he must. Assuming Burfict cooperates, Coughlin could make him the star he's supposed to be.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

With Lamar Miller in the bag, the Bengals will turn their attention to finding a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph. Alfonzo Dennard showed during the Capital One Bowl just how pesky he can be, and he projects as a good cover guy at the next level. Not a bad pick at all.

24. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Stephon Gilmore is underrated as a cover man, but nobody denies his ability to make plays. The Lions could use a guy like him on their defense, especially seeing as how they have to compete with the Green Bay Packers.

25. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor*

If the Texans go for Kendall Wright, he's going to have the easiest job in the world when he enters the league.

Houston's offense is already loaded. When healthy, Matt Schaub is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He has two great running backs at his disposal in Arian Foster and Ben Tate, and one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Andre Johnson.

In the company of players like these, all Wright would have to do is go deep.

Thankfully, going deep is what Wright does best. He boasts very good speed, and he put up great numbers this season going deep for Robert Griffin III. You can think of him as sort of like a DeSean Jackson-like player, except more versatile.

Wright wouldn't be such a great pick for other teams. But on the Texans, he'll fit right in and put up numbers right away.

26. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

I mocked Landry Jones to the Browns in my last mock, and I'm sticking to the idea. The Browns can afford to experiment at the quarterback position, and Landry Jones is a QB with a much higher ceiling than Colt McCoy.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Offensive line help would be ideal for the Steelers here, but there's none worth reaching for. They're better off taking Dontari Poe as an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton.

28. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

I'm very much on the fence about Janoris Jenkins, but I can see the 49ers going for him here. They could stand to add a cornerback, and Jim Harbaugh would make sure Jenkins stays in line.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama*

The time has come for the Ravens to find a replacement for Ray Lewis, who could hang 'em up in the very near future.

If Lewis retires after this season, the Ravens would be wise to make Dont'a Hightower their No. 1 target. He's a guy who could fill Lewis' shoes immediately.

It's not so much that Hightower is the same kind of physically gifted athlete that Lewis is (or was). His value is more in his ability to be the captain of a defense, a role that he has excelled at with the Crimson Tide.

Then again, it's not like Hightower isn't a skilled player. He has great instincts, and he has enough athleticism to make plays. It helps that he has a great defense around him at Alabama.

Hightower would have a great defense around him if the Ravens draft him. His transition into the pros would be seamless.

30. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska*

If Jared Crick hadn't suffered a torn pectoral muscle, we would probably be talking about him as a potential top-10 pick.

Instead, we're talking about Crick as a potential steal late in the first round, and it's hard to think of a more perfect fit for his talents than the Patriots.

This has a lot to do with Crick's versatility. He could play defensive end in a 3-4, but he could also handle DE or DT duties in a 4-3. All a team would have to do is pick a scheme and then plug him in.

The Patriots are going to have to make such a decision this offseason. The Pats changed to a 4-3 for the 2011 season, but a return to the 3-4 could be in the cards.

Whichever decision they make, Crick will fit. When he's out on the field, he will remind everyone why he was going to be a top-10 draft pick.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

This is another pick I've stuck with through a couple mocks now. The Patriots badly need to upgrade their safeties, and Markelle Martin is a safer pick than Mark Barron.

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington*

There's something you should know about Chris Polk, and that's that he's an absolute stud.

Polk is not getting the same kind of attention as Trent Richardson and Lamar Miller, but he might be just as good as either one of them. To boot, Polk has a track record of success that neither of them can match.

In his last three seasons at Washington, Polk rushed for a grand total of 4,016 yards and 26 touchdowns. As if that wasn't enough, he got heavily involved in the Huskies' passing attack in 2011, catching 31 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns.

Polk also showed up in Washington's biggest games. He rushed for 177 yards against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl in 2010, and he rushed for 147 against Baylor in the Alamo Bowl this season.

On the Packers, Polk would be charged with picking up a rushing attack that hasn't been very strong in recent seasons. We just haven't noticed it because of how good Aaron Rodgers has been. 

As long as Rodgers continues to be successful, stopping Polk would be a secondary concern for defenses. And that, my friends, would be his ticket to stardom.