2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Top Franchise Linemen

The 2012 NFL draft class is not only loaded with premier skill position players, it has a slew of franchise offensive lineman, too. 

When watching Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady this postseason, remember that they're working their magic while standing behind solid offensive lines. 

Let's take a look at where the top offensive lineman will land in April. 

Matt Kalil, OT, USC 

Kalil is the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the eyes of most draft analysts. He is a tremendous blindside pass protector and, at 6'7'' and 300 pounds, he has the size and quickness to deal with all different types of edge rushers at the next level. 

He isn't the most polished prospect of all time, but with coaching—in a few years—he should be among the best left tackles in the game. 

I don't see how he gets past the No. 3 overall selection held by the Minnesota Vikings. They picked their quarterback of the future in Christian Ponder a season ago and Kalil would be the next logical step in the rebuilding process.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Kalil is a tremendously intriguing prospect with tons of upside. However, Martin considerably closed the gap between he and Kalil with his stellar play to end the season. There's not much the Stanford left tackle leaves to be desired. 

He's got perfect size at 6'6'' and 304 pounds. 

Along with that, he's extremely athletic and demonstrated great agility during his entire college career. There are not many guys with better footwork than Martin. 

While he could improve his pass-protecting technique, he's a mauler in the run game. 

In recent years, the Jaguars have used top picks on offensive lineman (Eben Britton, Eugene Monroe), and they need to protect their young quarterback Blaine Gabbert as they continue to pave holes for Maurice Jones-Drew. 

Martin's their guy. 

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff isn't getting as much publicity as Kalil, Martin or even Martin's line-mate David DeCastro, but the Iowa standout is a premier tackle prospect. 

He didn't face elite talent in 2011, but Reiff was as steady as they came, both blocking for the run and the pass. 

At this point in his career, he's a better pass-blocker and needs to add more strength to his upper body to become a dominant run blocker. 

Levi Brown is one of the worst left tackles in football and the Arizona Cardinals are in desperate need of some stability on the edge of their offensive line. 

Reiff makes a ton of sense. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

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

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

8.  Carolina Panthers—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, DE, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

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

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders)—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama  

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford  

19.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

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

22.  New York Giants—Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia 

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

25.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)—Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

26.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints)—Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois