2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full First-Round Predictions and Analysis

It's hard to believe, but the 2012 NFL Draft is less than four months away, with the 2012 NFL Combine less than three months away. Before you know it, Super Bowl XLVI will be a memory, and we'll all be focused on the 2012 draft. 

With that being said, I am going to introduce you to my second mock draft of the season—here is my first one that was posted back on New Years Day. 

Without further ado, let's dive right into my 2012 NFL Mock Draft first-round projections. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck

There's no debate here—Andrew Luck will be selected by the Indianapolis Colts. 

Luck has been said to be one of the most NFL-ready quarterback prospects in nearly a decade, and a team just cannot simply pass on such talent—even if that team is the Colts and they have Peyton Manning on their roster. 

Manning's future with the Colts is up in the air right now, as Archie Manning has recently come out to say that his son's ability to play in 2012 has yet to be determined. 

All in all, we'll just have to wait and see if Manning can play next year, but it's safe to write down Luck as being selected by Indy. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon

As we await to see who the next general manager and head coach of the St. Louis Rams are, we can safely assume that they'll be looking for offensive firepower, as Sam Bradford desperately needs some weapons to throw to. 

St. Louis' No. 1 wide receiver, Brandon Lloyd, is set to become a free agent, and it's unclear if he'll be returning. I am going to say he won't, which should cause the Rams to draft the amazing talent of Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil

USC's Matt Kalil is one of the most NFL-ready offensive linemen in a while, and he appears to have all the skills and tools to be one of the top left tackles in the league for many years to come.

The Minnesota Vikings definitely could use some help rebuilding their aging defense, but protecting quarterback Christian Ponder should be a top priority. 

Kalil to the Vikings makes perfect sense. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III

The Cleveland Browns have already stated they are not ready to name Colt McCoy the quarterback of the future, which leads me to believe that they will have a very difficult time passing on the extreme, freakish talents of Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

RGIII probably would have been the top overall pick in past years, but with Andrew Luck in this year's class, Griffin will slide down to fourth overall and land with the Browns. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson

I hate to say it, but I do not believe LeGarrette Blount can be a lead running back in the NFL. He needs help, and he is possibly best-suited as a second-tier guy in a running back tandem. 

With that being said, the best available running back who could turn the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense into a much more effective unit is Trent Richardson out of Alabama.

Richardson is a well-rounded runner who could dominate at the NFL level for many years to come. 

6. Washington Redskins: Morris Claiborne

The Washington Redskins probably should go with a quarterback at this point, but there isn't one who's worth picking with the sixth overall pick.

Taking that into consideration, the best available talent at this point is LSU's cornerback Morris Claiborne. 

Claiborne is what the Redskins need defensively, as they suffered tremendously without Carlos Rogers a year ago. Claiborne should be a shutdown cornerback in years to come—he has that much upside and potential. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick

Standing in at 6'3", Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has the potential to be an elite defender for many years to come in the NFL.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could use help at nearly every position, but their secondary would certainly benefit in a huge way with the addition of Kirkpatrick. 

8. Carolina Panthers: David DeCastro

The Carolina Panthers probably would have loved to see Morris Claiborne or Dre Kirkpatrick fall here, but in a consolation prize they'll gladly take offensive guard David DeCastro. 

DeCastro is a solid prospect coming out of Standford who is extremely athletic and very effective in the run game. He could also be a huge part of the Panthers' offensive line for many years to come in the efforts to protect quarterback Cam Newton. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff

Riley Reiff would definitely step right into the start right tackle position for the Miami Dolphins in 2012.

Miami would have loved to draft a quarterback at this point, but there's none worthy of going ninth overall. 

As the Dolphins look to build around Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, they'll have to find a quarterback, but they will also have to ensure that he's protected for many years to come. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw

Shawne Merriman was nothing short of a bust for the Buffalo Bills, and they desperately need a pass-rusher.

Courtney Upshaw could be the answer for the upcoming seasons. 

Upshaw has great pass-rushing skills that should have no problem fitting in Buffalo's 3-4 defensive scheme. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill

The only thing that's lacking in Ryan Tannehill's game is his arm strength—but other than that, he's one hell of a quarterback prospect.

The Seattle Seahawks really, really need a quarterback, and this is a great pickup for them at 11th overall. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Vontaze Burfict

The Kansas City Chiefs could use some help at inside linebacker, and Vontaze Burfict is the best available on the draft board.

Burfict has been starting at Arizona State since Day 1, and he has tallied up the stats. He's proven that he can play at an elite level, as he displays great football instincts. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram

The Arizona Cardinals could use help all over the defensive side of the ball.

With that being said, the Cardinals should be drafting South Carolina outside linebacker Melvin Ingram.

Ingram is a solid talent who's well-rounded and should be an upgrade over the aging Joey Porter. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard

The Dallas Cowboys need help in their secondary in a big way, which means Alfonzo Dennard is a perfect fit at this point of the draft.

Dennard is the best cornerback available. He's got amazing ball skills and has no problem defending taller wide receivers despite being only 5'10". 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly

Casey Matthews is not the answer at inside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, so they need to go out this offseason and find themselves someone who can play at the NFL level.

Taking that into consideration, Boston College's Luke Kuechly is a perfect fit. Kuechly is stout against the run and against the pass, and he has great natural instincts that will translate at the next level. 

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry

The New York Jets have many holes offensively that they should address in the 2012 draft.

However, at 16th overall, the Jets should snag USC outside linebacker Nick Perry.

Perry is a talented pass-rusher who should have no problem racking up the sacks at the NFL level. Rex Ryan should love this guy. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn

With David DeCastro off the board, the Cincinnati Bengals need an offensive guard, and the best available is Georgia's Cordy Glenn.

Glenn is extremely experienced, and has the ability to play both guard and tackle, which should be appealing to several teams this draft. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin

When the San Diego Chargers look up to see that Jonathan Martin is still available, they will draft him immediately.

This would be a huge pickup for the Chargers.

Martin would likely immediately step in and be the starting left tackle for San Diego. He's an incredible pass-blocker who's effective in the run game. 

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd

The Chicago Bears absolutely need a wide receiver—they need one really, really bad.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd would be a very wise decision here for the Bears, as he's a well-rounded wide receiver who would immediately be a starter for Jay Cutler and the Bears. 

Floyd is a huge target; he's 6'3", but he's also not skinny. He's pretty thick and can fight off defenders. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown

The Tennessee Titans really suffered losing Jason Babin last offseason, and they could use some real help with their pass-rush. 

Taking that into consideration, North Carolina's Zach Brown would be a great selection here for the Titans.

Let's put it this way: Brown has a real talent for getting after the quarterback. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller

Cedric Benson is getting older by the minute, and the Cincinnati Bengals could really benefit by drafting Lamar Miller out of Miami.

Miller would hugely help out quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. Those three players could turn into an elite offense for many years to come. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright

This draft pick makes perfect sense.

Why not pair Robert Griffin III with his top wide receiver from Baylor?

It makes all the sense in the world.

The Cleveland Browns will definitely be drafting Kendall Wright with this pick, as long as they have RG3. 

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins

The Detroit Lions could be an elite team for many years to come as long as they beef up their defense. 

With that being said, the best available option for the Lions at this point is cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

Jenkins may have some character issues, but he had a pretty impressive collegiate career. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is aging, but more specifically their defensive line is getting pretty damn old.

With Devon Still still available, the Steelers have to take him. He's an amazing talent who could be an impact player on Pittsburgh's defense for many seasons in the NFL. 

25. Denver Broncos: Quinton Coples

If he is still available, the Denver Broncos will pounce on Quinton Coples. 

Coples is a perfect fit for the Denver Broncos; he'll lineup as a defensive end in their 4-3 alignment. 

The Broncos already have a productive pass-rush, but it will get just that much better with the addition of this North Carolina product. 

26. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen

The New York Giants' offense could become unstoppable if they draft tight end Dwayne Allen and he turns out to be a productive offensive weapon for Eli Manning and the Giants.

Allen would be what Jeremy Shockey should have been for the Giants: a long-term answer at tight end who will be a solid blocker and one hell of a receiver. 

27. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe

The Houston Texans actually don't have too many needs, but they could certainly benefit with the addition of defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

Coming out of Memphis, Poe is rather unknown, but he has huge upside and could flourish in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. 

28. New England Patriots: Alshon Jeffery

This could be a perfect marriage between the New England Patriots and Alshon Jeffery.

With Tom Brady heading toward the end of his career, he needs as much talent around him as possible. 

With that being said, the Patriots' wide receivers aren't as productive as they used to be and could use the help of Jeffery. He has the upside to be an elite No. 1 wide receiver for many years to come. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz

The Baltimore Ravens need help rebuilding their offensive line, and Peter Konz could be the perfect fit for the team's starting center for years to come.

Konz would likely be the future replacement to veteran Matt Kirk. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore

The San Francisco 49ers are actually pretty set for years to come; they don't have too many weaknesses. 

However, the 49ers could always take another cornerback since they lack depth at that position. With that being said, Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina is the best available. 

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick

Jared Crick is one prospect who has seen a blow to his draft value since he missed the second half of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle. 

However, that will not stop Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots from drafting him.

Crick is filled with potential and could help out the Patriots no matter if they stay in the 4-3 defense or switch back to the 3-4.

32. Green Bay Packers: Jerel Worthy

The Green Bay Packers certainly could have used Cullen Jenkins in 2011, but in 2012 they could definitely play with Michigan State product Jerel Worthy.

Worthy is a pretty intriguing prospect who can line up in either the 3-4 and 4-3—which means he can play multiple positions for the Packers.