2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting All 32 First-Round Picks

Now that the college football season has nearly come to a close, fans are abuzz about the 2012 NFL draft. There's no suspense coming with the No. 1 pick, as it's already been leaked that Andrew Luck will be the pick. But who will the other teams take with Luck off the board?

The St. Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers round out the top five picks. Each will have a handful of elite prospects to choose from.

Here's how the entire first round will shake out.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I could  have just left this slide blank, and everyone would have been fine. But I won't do that to you.

Andrew Luck is probably one of the most obvious No. 1 overall picks in NFL draft history. Colts owner Jim Irsay has supposedly stated that his team is taking Luck (although he has backed off that claim.

It really doesn't matter what Irsay says. The Colts will draft Luck, even if it is just to trade him. He's by far the best prospect and is the closest thing to a sure-fire prospect in a long time.

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

St. Louis' passing game was abysmal this season, accounting for just nine touchdowns during the entire season.

After Brandon Lloyd, no other St. Louis receiver had more than 36 catches or two touchdowns. Stephen Jackson had 42 coming out of the backfield, but he should be able to focus on running the ball.

Justin Blackmon set himself apart with 186 yards and three touchdowns against the Stanford Cardinal in the Fiesta Bowl. The Rams will take him to get Sam Bradford some help.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

If Christian Ponder is going to be the Vikings quarterback of the future, he needs to be better protected than he was this season. He was sacked 30 times this season, which isn't too bad, but he was hurried far too much this season.

Matt Kalil is the guy who can protect Ponder. Kalil is the best offensive tackle in the draft, and he won't fall past the Vikings at this spot.

Kalil has great size at 6'7" and 295 pounds and is very strong and athletic.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Cleveland Browns ranked 28th in rushing in the NFL this past season, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and getting just four total rushing touchdowns in 16 games.

Trent Richardson is an elite running back prospect in this draft and one of the most complete college backs of the last decade.

The Browns could trade down to beef up their offensive line or take Robert Griffin here, but at this pick the best value is Richardson. Plus, I don't think Browns management is willing to give up Colt McCoy just yet.

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

Morris Claiborne was overshadowed by Tyrann Matheiu this season, but he was good enough to be the top corner in this year's draft.

Tampa Bay gave up 30 touchdown passes this season and forced just 14 interceptions. Claiborne will change help change that.

The Bucs could also go with Richardson or Blackmon to help out their offense if either of them is still left on the board at this point.

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

The Washington Redskins were able to average 236 passing yards per game and account for 19 passing touchdowns this season, while starting a combination of Rex Grossman and John Beck.

Just think what they could do with RGIII.

Most have Griffin going earlier than this, but most of the teams ahead of here already have quarterbacks. Griffin would do very well under the tutelage of Mike Shanahan and would have a go-to receiver in Santana Moss.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

To be honest, the Jacksonville Jaguars need the most help at the wide receiver position. But there aren't any wideouts that will be valuable enough to take at this pick. The Jags could trade down to get Alshon Jeffery or Michael Floyd.

If they don't, Dre Kirkpatrick is the best option. He's a big part of why Alabama has had a shutdown defense this year. He'll help the Jaguars immensely in the secondary.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Carolina Panthers' biggest weakness this season has been their defensive line. It has lacked the explosiveness needed to confuse NFL quarterbacks.

Quinton Coples adds that explosiveness Carolina needs. The senior had 7.5 sacks, 55 tackles and 12 tackles for loss this season.

9. Miami Dolphins: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Miami Dolphins need a quarterback, but there won't be a good one available at this pick.

Zach Brown is an explosive pass-rusher that can help the Dolphins defense continue to improve. Another pass-rusher could transform the unit into one of the NFL's best.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Now that the Buffalo Bills have paid Ryan Fitzpatrick big money to be their franchise quarterback, they need to be able to protect him. A big part of the Bills' decline in the last half of the 2011 season was the lack of protection for Fitzpatrick.

Riley Reiff is one of the best tackles in the college football. He's been a great protector in both the pass and run game at Iowa. The Bills could take Jonathan Martin of Stanford here too.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Another team that needs a quarterback, Seattle won't have a prospect worth this pick at that position.

Floyd is a dark-horse candidate for this pick, but Seattle needs help at wideout. Sidney Rice was injured for most of the season. The Seahawks need a young, promising receiver.

Floyd is probably the surest receiver prospect in this class. At 6'3", he has a great frame, and he's played in both spread and pro style schemes.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need to be able to protect whoever their quarterback ends up being next season. Jonathan Martin is big, strong and smart.

At Stanford, Martin played in a complex, pro-style system. He can run-block and pass-block extremely well. He's a guy who will fit into any system in the NFL.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Cardinals need help on the offensive line, really anywhere they can get it. They were between mediocre and bad in both passing and rushing. A leaky O-line was a big part of both.

David DeCastro is by far the most talented guard in this class, and he will go to Arizona with this pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Dallas Cowboys desperately need help on defense, especially in the secondary. I'm pretty sure that Victor Cruz is still burning Terence Newman.

Alfonzo Dennard will be the best corner available at the Cowboys' pick. Dennard has 27 tackles for Nebraska this season and no interceptions. That zero in the interception column speaks volumes about this guy's talent. Opposing offenses have been so scared of Dennard that he hasn't defended many passes this season.

The Cowboys need a guy like that.

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

What possibly could a "Dream Team" need? Apparently plenty, because the Philadelphia Eagles missed the playoffs this year.

Luke Kuechly is a guy that could make a different in that defense. He's smart, plays hard and is a gamer. He's the type of guy who could be leading this defense for the next decade.

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

The New York Jets have been a good pass defense because of their elite group of cornerbacks. But those guys can't keep doing it all on their own.

The Jets' front seven needs help, and it can get that help in Melvin Ingram. Ingram is a very talented guy who could play defensive end or outside linebacker.

He's also versatile as he can rush the passer and defend the run.

16. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Cincinnati Bengals will continue their history of drafting "problem" guys. They need a cornerback, and even though Jenkins is a risk, he's incredibly athletic and could end up paying off big time.

He could also blow up in the Bengals management's face. Either way, it will be massively entertaining.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The San Diego Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but have never stopped being mediocre.

Courtney Upshaw was coached by a guy named Nick Saban. That means he has an extremely high football IQ and knows how to utilize his own talent.

Upshaw has the potential to be the quarterback of the Charger defense, which is what that squad needs.

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery is a wide receiver with Top 5 type of natural talent. He has looked overweight and lackadaisical at times, which has hurt his value.

The Chicago Bears need offensive line help and receiver help. Jeffery is just too talented to pass up here. He could be the receiving threat that Jay Cutler deserves.

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

At 6'5" and 310 pounds, Devon Still is an absolute beast. He's shown flashes of unbelievable talent, and could be a steal at this point in the draft.

The Titans need help on defense. Their unit isn't bad, but it isn't the elite squad it used to be. Still could be a guy that pushes it over that edge.

21. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Denver Broncos need a defensive tackle. They've gotten good pressure from the outside, especially after drafting Von Miller in last year's draft. But they've gotten nothing from inside.

Jerel Worthy can help change that. He's 6'3" and 310 pounds and had 3.5 sacks this past season.

He will be the guy to help the Broncos beef up that D even more.

22. New York Giants: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The New York Giants look unbeatable right now, especially after dominating the Atlanta Falcons this past week. But they are not a complete team.

Cordy Glenn is the most versatile lineman in the draft. The Giants can plug him in wherever they need  him. Right tackle or guard are both places he'd excel at.

23. Houston Texans: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Houston Texans' 3-4 defense was very successful this year. Add Vontaze Burfict to that unit, and it becomes fearsome.

Burfict is 6'3", 250 pounds, and he had 69 tackles, five sacks and an interception. Burfict is a raw talent with a high motor. He's an athlete than any defense would want, but he will need some coaching.

It'll be worth it for the Texans.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals' biggest lack on the offensive side of the ball is at running back. Cedric Benson is not that great and has been more problems than he's worth.

Lamar Miller rushed for nine touchdowns and over 1,200 yards this season at Miami. He's the guy the Bengals need to carry the load.

25. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

At this point, Cleveland will have already gotten Colt McCoy a franchise running back to hand the ball off to. Now they'll get him a guy to throw it to.

Kendall Wright is the fastest receiver in this first round. That speed will make him a deep threat at the next level. He also proved he could produce numbers, catching 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He'll be immense help to a Browns offense that needs it.

26. Detroit Lions: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

The Detroit Lions will have to decide whether they want to address their offensive line needs or their secondary needs.

I think they'll pick the former and do so in offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders. Sanders has the prototypical size of a left tackle (6'6", 307 pounds) and has shown the talent to do the job.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The rich get richer. Pittsburgh ignores need at this pick and takes a guy who can make a stellar defense even more stellar.

Mercilus had 16 sacks this season and has great size and speed. He can be a difference-maker as a rookie, even on a unit as talented as that of Pittsburgh.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Baltimore Ravens need very few things as a team, but a center is one of them.

Wisconsin is "Offensive Linemen U" (not very catchy, I know, but it's true). They churn out solid, NFL-caliber linemen each year and will continue to do so.

Konz has led the best line in college football for years. He's ready to lead an NFL line.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

The 49ers will draft Brandon Thompson to make a really good defensive line even better.

Thompson is a guy who can do well in any defensive system in the NFL. He won't be a sack machine, but he will be a disruptive force in the interior.

Good value at this pick.

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

It's really hard to nail down what the Packers will need come draft day.

They should take Bruce Irvin. He's not a big name guy, but he's an explosive pass-rusher who would fit nicely into the Packers defensive scheme.

He can cause big pressure on quarterbacks, helping to force turnovers and long yardage situations.

31. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

The interior of the New England defense has not been up to Bill Belichick standards. This team needs an interior lineman who can make a difference.

Fletcher Cox can be that guy. He had 56 tackles and five sacks this season, playing against some of the best competition in college football.

Cox can contribute immediately to this defense.

32. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

New England will have two picks at the end of the first round thanks to a trade with New Orleans.

One of those should be used on Stephon Gilmore. The Pats secondary, while it has been able to force turnovers, has not been able to stop teams from racking up yardage.

Gilmore has been a shutdown SEC corner. He had four interceptions this past season and 46 tackles. He's a guy who could fit into the turnover-forcing mentality the Pats have while also improving their yardage given up.