2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Where the Franchise Offensive Linemen Will Land

Although guys like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady have lightning-quick releases that negate most pass rushes, they owe much of their sustained success to their brick wall offensive lines. 

Let's take a look at where the top offensive linemen will land in the 2012 NFL draft.

Jonathan Martin, Stanford 

Many have Matt Kalil as the top offensive tackle in the 2012 draft class. 

I like Stanford's Jonathan Martin. 

At 6'6'' and 305 pounds, he's tremendously athletic and demonstrated great footwork during his entire career with the Cardinal. 

He's easily the best run-blocking tackle in the draft as he gets to the second level quickly and finishes all of his blocks on linebackers and defensive backs.

Martin will need to improve as a pass protector, but because he's nimble, he should be able to handle speedy edge rushers at the next level. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a few early-round selections on offensive lineman (Eben Britton, Eugene Monroe), but in order for quarterback Blaine Gabbert to progress, he'll need a franchise left tackle. 

Martin is the guy. 

David DeCastro, Stanford

Like Stanford teammate Andrew Luck, DeCastro is a once-in-a-decade prospect as his position. He played guard as a member of the Cardinal and he projects to the same position in the NFL. 

There's not much he does incorrectly, if anything. 

At 6'5'' and 315 pounds, DeCastro uses his mammoth size and strength to utterly dominant defensive linemen. 

However, he's extremely agile and was used on a variety of counters as the pulling offensive lineman for Stanford. 

He has no problem getting to the second level and he uses his high football IQ to pave major lanes for his running back.

DeCastro is equally as impressive blocking for the pass and the run.  

The San Diego Chargers suffered through a multitude of offensive line injuries in 2011 and could use a reliable interior lineman like the senior guard prospect.

Matt Kalil, USC 

Kalil will unquestionably be a left tackle in the NFL and will most likely be a top-five selection, although I'm a bigger Jonathan Martin fan.

At 6'5'' and 300 pounds, Kalil could a bit more weight to his frame playing on the edge of the offensive line. 

He's a premier pass blocker right now but must improve his run-blocking.

The Trojan standout isn't as quick moving downfield as Martin, but he's more of mauler and can overpower the defensive lineman he faces. 

With Christian Ponder looking to be the quarterback of the future, the Vikings need to upgrade their offensive front. 

Grabbing Kalil would be extremely beneficial to Minnesota's rebuilding efforts.  

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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

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—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

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

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, OLB, 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—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

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.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

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

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

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

26.  Houston Texans—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

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

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