2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will the Top Offensive Weapons End Up?

In the NFL and in the NFL draft, so much emphasis is put on quarterbacks. This year, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are set to steal the spotlight as teams look to improve on their dismal 2011 seasons.

Yet, no quarterback is complete without his favorite go-to guy. What is Joe Montana without Jerry Rice? What is Peyton Manning without Marvin Harrison? What is Tom Brady without Wes Welker? Quarterback is certainly the most important position in today's pass happy NFL, but weapons for quarterbacks are pretty important too!

This year, Justin Blackmon is the top receiver prospect and Trent Richardson is the top rusher. Behind them, a whole host of offensive firepower is just waiting to make the jump to the NFL.

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck (QB Stanford)

People are setting this pick up as "Luck vs. Manning" and that just isn't fair. Manning is one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but is advancing in years and declining in health. This pick needs to happen or Indianapolis will be drafting at No. 1 a few more times in the next decade.

2. St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon (WR Oklahoma State)

After my last mock, a lot of people asked, "Why not Kalil?" Normally, I would always take a top tackle over a wideout, but I'm a firm believer in Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold who were both on IR for parts of this year. Also, Brandon Lloyd will follow Josh McDaniels, whom I expect to head to New England. 
 

3. Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil (OT Southern California)

With the Rams taking Blackmon in my scenario, the Minnesota Vikings get the top player at their top need. Kalil is just a little bit out of the Joe Thomas/Jake Long elite draft status, but he's closer than many tackles in recent years. Things just got a lot easier for Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder.

4. Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III (QB Baylor)

Some Browns fans think Trent Richardson would be a better pick here. While I agree Richardson would be a fine replacement for Peyton Hillis, finding a true franchise quarterback is much more important. Griffin is an elite athlete, passer and leader. The Browns would be blessed.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne (CB Louisiana State)

With Raheem Morris out the door, the Bucs need to embrace rebuilding. Considering the age of Ronde Barber, the history of Aqib Talib and the likely defensive scheme change, getting the top defensive player of the draft would be a great move.

6. Washington Redskins—Trent Richardson (RB Alabama)

Roy Helu actually got my vote for PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team, so I respect what he can do. However, the combination of best player available and great scheme fit will be too much to pass up. Remember, Mike Anderson was a young back coming off of a 650-yard season and one year removed from 1500 yards when Shanahan drafted Clinton Portis high in 2002.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars—Alshon Jeffery (WR South Carolina)

Blaine Gabbert didn't look anything like a franchise quarterback in 2011. (To be honest, he didn't really look like one coming out of Missouri either.) However, if you're going to judge a guy, give him the best weapons possible. Jeffrey isn't a burner, but he's a huge target who can jump through the roof and create separation.

8. Carolina Panthers—Devon Still (DT Penn State)

In my last mock, the Panthers drafted Michael Floyd. While I believe the Panthers would love Floyd and need to prepare for Steve Smith's eventual decline, their defense was atrocious in 2011. Still gives the Panthers a great interior rush next to Charles Johnson.

9. Miami Dolphins—Jonathan Martin (OT Stanford)

It is no secret that the Dolphins want a franchise quarterback, but unless someone blows away the pre-draft workouts, the Dolphins would be served taking the best player available. Best case scenario: Martin and Jake Long become the best bookends in the league by 2013. 

10. Buffalo Bills—Riley Reiff (OT Iowa)

Demetrius Bell was just good enough in 2011 that the Bills may roll the dice that he will get even better. However, like the Dolphins, the Bills would be wise to re-invest in their offensive line. Reiff is an elite prospect and there are worse things than having an abundance of good linemen.

11. Kansas City Chiefs—Vontaze Burfict (LB AZ State)

With Romeo Crennel staying, Burfict will be his dream come true. Tough, athletic and a little bit crazy, Burfict projects as a great downhill rusher in the pros. Consider this doubling down on what Kansas City already does well.

12. Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry (Southern California)

Last time around, Seattle fans hated Dre Kirkpatrick here. While I think Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman have great potential, I still think Kirkpatrick would solidify their pass coverage. However, Nick Perry has declared and will be shooting up draft boards between now and April. The USC product might be the best pure pass rusher in 2011.

13. Arizona Cardinals—Courtney Upshaw (LB Alabama)

With Kevin Kolb and Beanie Wells healthy, the Cardinals offense can put up numbers with the best of them. While those two would love an offensive tackle, there just isn't another elite one left in this scenario, so the Cards go with the best player in the defensive front seven to stop guys like Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch.

14. Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick (CB Alabama)

As much as everyone talks about Tony Romo, he might be the only person abused as much as the Cowboys secondary was this season. The Cowboys need to be able to take advantage of the NFC East's other mistake-prone QBs and Dre Kirkpatrick should be licking his lips.

15. Philadelphia Eagles—Brandon Thompson (DT Clemson) 
While the Eagles added so much to the defensive backfield and to the pass rush, they let the interior of their defense wither a bit. Thompson adds a lot of interior pressure to force more errant passes toward Asante Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha.

16. New York Jets—Whitney Mercilus (DE/OLB Illinois)

If the Jets could draft a team psychotherapist, they should. With that option off the board, Rex Ryan needs to focus on putting a topnotch defense on the field to regain some of the luster he lost in 2011. Mercilus is a great athlete and should be a solid 3-4 LB in the pros.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK)— Lamar Miller (RB Miami) 

The Bengals have a stout offensive line and a young franchise QB with a top target to throw to. Things are good for the Bengals, but Cedric Benson is getting up there in age and isn't the most dependable guy to begin with. Miller will not only solidify the Bengals run game, but will be a nice safety valve for Andy Dalton

18. San Diego Chargers—Melvin Ingram (DE/OLB South Carolina) 

Last year, the Chargers boasted a top offense and defense and still missed the playoffs. This year the defense dropped off the map and cost Greg Manusky his job. Ingram is a nice athlete with great size. In the Chargers' 3-4, he could play primarily linebacker, but also play with his hand down in pass situations.  

19. Chicago Bears—David DeCastro (OG Stanford)

The Bears would love an offensive tackle to be worthy of this pick, but Mike Adams (OT Ohio State) and Kelechi Osemele (OT Iowa State) are the next guys on my board and would be quite the reaches. Instead, the Bears get a top 10 talent in DeCastro who is only falling because of the position he plays.

20. Tennessee Titans— Janoris Jenkins (CB N Alabama) 

Cortland Finnegan is a free agent in 2012, so why not replace him with a cornerback who is equally as talented and has just as many red flags? It worked before!

21. Denver Broncos—Michael Floyd (WR Notre Dame)   

Doesn't matter who the quarterback is in the Mile High City, the receivers haven't done much to help either Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow. While there is a lot to like about Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal, none of them have true number one potential. Floyd does.

22. New York Giants—Luke Kuechly (LB Boston College)

The Giants had a ridiculous rash of injuries in 2011 and still managed to make the playoffs, so best player available sounds like a pretty good strategy in the draft. Kuechly has some holes in his game, but is a solid player and Tom Coughlin loves Boston College kids.

23. Cleveland (From ATL)—Zach Brown (OLB North Carolina)   

Brown will be a workout warrior before the draft, so if he ends up going much higher, it shouldn't surprise anyone. Still, the tape says that Brown will get a lot of tackles in the pros, but make a lot of mistakes as well. If he falls to the Browns, they'll get a nice athletic prospect who could pay dividends.

24. Cincinnati Bengals—Jerel Worthy (DT Michigan State)

The Bengals are a playoff team with two first-round draft picks. They've already solidified one of their strengths by improving their running back corps. Here, they improve their best defensive strength—the pass rush. Next to Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap, Worthy will have the ability to make a quick impact in the NFL. 

25. Houston Texans—Quinton Coples (DE/DT/LB North Carolina)

The Houston Texans already have a good front seven, but Coples is too good of a prospect to pass up. Some thought Coples would be a top pick in this draft, but after a poor season, scouts have serious questions about his motivation. Wade Philips gets the best out of players and tailors his system to their strengths. Coples would be a tremendous add if he pans out.

26. Detroit Lions—Peter Konz (OC Wisconsin)

Lions fans have wanted to replace Dominic Raiola for years and it might finally be time. Raiola will be 34 next season and has never been an elite player. Konz is an elite prospect and his hard-nosed blocking style fits what the Lions have been trying to put together.

27. Baltimore Ravens—Dont'a Hightower (ILB Alabama)

Ray Lewis isn't long for the NFL and the Ravens would be wise to look for a complementary player who can also be his replacement one day. Hightower is a player with good size and nice athleticism. He has a lot to learn about linebacking though and Lewis would be a great guy to learn from.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers—Kelechi Osemele (OT/OG Iowa State)

Some players and teams just scream "fit" at draft time. Osemele is a left tackle at Iowa State, but is almost certain to play OG or RT in the pros. Wherever he plays, he's a huge athletic mauler and that is exactly the type of lineman that the Steelers love.

29. San Francisco 49ers—Kendall Wright (WR Baylor)

Michael Crabtree has emerged as a solid number one receiver, but the Niners are still looking for that complementary player. Josh Morgan and Kyle Williams both have some nice upside to their game, but Kendall Wright has a shot to be one of the better slot receivers in the NFL and can stretch the field.

30. New England (From NO)—Mark Barron (S Alabama)

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the New England Patriots need to fix their pass coverage. They've been lit up like a Norman Rockwell Christmas this season. Mark Barron is one of the few safeties worth a first-round pick in 2012 and he's already well-versed in the 3-4 defense.

31. New England Patriots—Vinny Curry (DE/OLB Marshall)

With Josh McDaniels coming to New England and Brandon Lloyd likely following, the Patriots offense shouldn't miss a beat. So, back-to-back defensive players will help solidify the Patriots' biggest weakness.

32. Green Bay Packers—Dwight Jones (WR North Carolina)

It's crazy to think that the Packers need more weapons for Aaron Rodgers, but it's true! With Donald Driver's age and uncertainty around Jermichael Finley, the Packers may need to reload before their offense misses a beat. Jones is a physical, big-bodied guy who would look awfully great in green and gold.

Michael Schottey is an NFL Associate Editor for Bleacher Report and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America. He has professionally covered both the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, as well as NFL events like the scouting combine and the Senior Bowl. Follow him on Twitter.