2012 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Who Will Sneak into First Round

As the 2012 NFL draft approaches, the top half of the draft will become a little bit more clear as the elite prospects separate themselves from the pack. After those highly-regarded names are taken, however, things start to get a more interesting in terms of who gets picked.

Here's a complete mock draft of Round 1 featuring some players that should be able to sneak into the opening round based on potential and team needs.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Transitioning from one franchise quarterback in Peyton Manning to another in Luck is a nice problem to have for the Colts.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Sam Bradford has been sacked 70 times in two seasons. Kalil will help fix that problem.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne will help rebuild a Minnesota secondary that crumbled this season.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a perfect fit for the Browns, who averaged the second-lowest amount of yards per carry.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

It will be interesting to see if Kirkpatrick can overtake Claiborne by draft day. The Bucs will get whoever is left, which isn't a bad consolation prize.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin will finally bring some star power to the QB position in the nation's capital.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon has asserted himself as the class' top wide receiver and the Jaguars are in dire need of one.

8. Carolina Panthers* (6-10): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

It's been interesting to watch Still's stock rise over the past couple weeks to position himself as a potential top-10 pick.

9. Miami Dolphins* (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Dolphins will benefit greatly from another quick rusher off the corner like Upshaw.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Buffalo's offensive line has improved by leaps and bounds, but Reiff can take it to another level.

11. Seattle Seahawks* (7-9): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is another player on the rise since so many teams, including the Seahawks, need pass-rushers.

12. Kansas City Chiefs* (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Another team may be willing to trade up to this spot to get Martin, who is the last top-tier tackle left.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram would provide another boost to Arizona's improving defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys need more consistency from their linebackers other than DeMarcus Ware, and Kuechly is the best bet at this spot.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Philadelphia showed off some of its potential near season's end and Floyd could add another dimension to the offense.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples would help rejuvenate a Jets defense that didn't live up to its usual high standards this season.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Upgrading the running game will help Andy Dalton avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. That all starts with lineman like DeCastro.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

San Diego needs to upgrade its pass rush and Brown is the last first-round talent that has a track record of tracking down opposing quarterbacks.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz to the Bears is the closest thing to a lock as you'll see in January.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Even though Dennard's stock has been fluctuating, he provides terrific value to the Titans at this spot.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is competing against David Wilson and Chris Polk to be the second running back off the board after Trent Richardson. Since running backs have become less sought-after in recent seasons, that distinction is extremely important to all three men.

Right now it appears the Miami product has a bit of an edge. He's got great speed and should be able to make an immediate impact on his new team. There are some concerns about his shoulder, which is something to watch as April inches closer.

The Bengals seem like the best fit for Miller. Cedric Benson is nothing more than an average back that isn't going to make many game-changing plays. Miller would be a nice change of pace.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The additions of Richardson and now Jeffery would be huge for Cleveland's inferior offense.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is starting to assert himself as the draft's No. 4 offensive tackle.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Steelers desperately need to upgrade their line after a rough season. Glenn is the best player left on the board.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

After a couple years of really good defensive tackle groups, this year's crop is less impressive. That said, Worthy (highlights above) is on the rise following a monster season in the middle of the Spartans defense. He's overtaken Fletcher Cox as the No. 3 defensive tackle, at least for now.

He's got good quickness for a big man, which should allow him to be a constant presence in the opposing team's backfield. He'll need to develop a couple different moves if he wants to have a pass-rushing impact, but will be stout against the run right away.

Since it appears the Broncos will be sticking with Tim Tebow heading into next season, an elite defense will be essential. They have a lot of pieces in place already and Worthy will fit right in.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Texans could opt for a wide receiver, but it still looks like Barron for now.

27. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict's temper issues shouldn't drop him out of the first round.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Don't be surprised if Hightower makes a move up draft boards before it's all said and done.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Baltimore could use another weapon on the outside to help Joe Flacco take his game up a notch.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Alex Smith made some nice progress this season and it will continue if the 49ers give him another big target like Sanu.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

This is a position where you would typically expect the Patriots to trade down. After a terrible season from the team's defense, however, they might opt to add another prospect to the secondary.

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk had a strong finish to his Huskies career and that's caused his stock to slide onto the first-round fringe. He averaged right around five yards per carry in his final three seasons at Washington and is a strong between-the-tackles runner.

Talent evaluators have long leaned toward explosive backs who could break off the long run, but with defensive players faster now than they've ever been, it's a lot tougher to get beyond that second level. It's a lesson Chris Johnson learned in Tennessee this season.

The Packers have such a strong team that they can just focus on taking specialty pieces. Polk would provide a different rushing approach than James Starks or Ryan Grant currently do and could make Green Bay's offense that much more scary.