2012 NFL Mock Draft: Who Is Best Corner in Insanely Deep Class?

Nobody will mistake this season's crop of potential draftees as the best ever, but one position that is extremely strong is cornerback. There are a handful of players at that position who could be selected in the first round, and they will battle each other until draft day to improve their stock.

It's important for every team to have good depth at the corner spot due to the rising number of high-powered passing attacks around the NFL. So look for corners to by flying off the board early and often throughout the 2012 NFL draft.

Without further ado, here's a full first-round mock draft featuring the class' top CBs.

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

Luck is going to be the Colts' selection, no questions asked.

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

Kalil has the potential to become an all-time great offensive tackle.

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

Right now, Claiborne has asserted himself as the best corner available. He was able to illustrate his versatile abilities despite playing alongside Tyrann Mathieu, who stole most of the highlights and headlines from the junior.

He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, the second consecutive LSU player to take home that award after Patrick Peterson last season. Claiborne finished his junior campaign with 51 tackles, six interceptions and also played a major role on kick returns.

His playmaking ability would be a perfect fit for the porous Vikings secondary. Minnesota gave up the most touchdown passes (34) and tied for the fewest interceptions (eight). It's a ratio that must improve moving forward, and Claiborne would be a major piece to help do just that.

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

Richardson will be the focal point of Cleveland's offense for many years to come.

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

Kirkpatrick is Claiborne's biggest competition for the top corner distinction. He had a strong showing in the BCS National Championship Game to boost his stock.

The important thing to remember about Kirkpatrick is that the numbers don't tell the whole story. He record just 30 tackles and didn't pick off a single pass this season, but that's mostly because opposing quarterbacks attempted to attack the team's other corners. Therefore, there was a limited amount of chances for Kirkpatrick to make a play.

The junior, who recently officially declared for the draft, has terrific size for the position and should be able to match up with just about every wide receiver without getting pushed around. That makes him an intriguing option for the Bucs, who have up 30 passing TDs this season.

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

Griffin's stock continues to soar after his Heisman-winning campaign. The Redskins desperately need a new face under center.

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

The Jaguars really need a player like Blackmon to kick start the team's sluggish offense.

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

With a much weaker defensive tackle class, Still will be selected earlier than some experts may expect.

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

Upshaw didn't receive enough credit for his role in Alabama's national title run, but he'll shine in Miami.

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

Buffalo has a myriad of holes to fill before its extended playoff drought ends. Left tackle is the biggest one.

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

Perry is a very intriguing prospect because of his high ceiling. He could be a complete game-changer in a season or two.

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

Martin continues to make a push toward the top 10, but the Chiefs are hoping he is still there when they pick.

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

The addition of Ingram would give the Cardinals enough depth to overcome the fact they don't have one dominant pass rusher.

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

Kuechly isn't flashy and won't make a ton of highlight-reel plays, but he does it job of slowing down the running game really well.

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

Floyd is an option for the Eagles should things not work out with DeSean Jackson.

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

Giving the Jets another defensive stud would return the unit to its elite status of previous years.

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

The Bengals had a memorable season after most people gave them little chance of making the playoffs. DeCastro will ensure the running game improves, helping the entire team.

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

San Diego's need for an outside linebacker is obvious, it just comes down to finding the right one to fit the system or that can convert into it.

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

The Bears drafting Konz would be the ideal scenario for both sides.

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

Dennard is the top senior corner on the board. The only reason he isn't competing more closely with the two top-five corners is height. At 5'10'', there's some concern he would be able to keep up with monster receivers like Calvin Johnson.

That said, he's a physical player who's more than willing to make opposing wideouts work to get off the line. It's important for him to show off that competitive fire during the build up to the draft so scouts understand he isn't going to get pushed around at the next level.

Strong workouts could push him inside the top 15, but for now, the Titans look like a nice fit. Quarterbacks completed 62 percent of their passes against Tennessee—a number that needs to improve playing in the same division as Matt Schaub and Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck.

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

Miller is the versatile back Cincinnati needs to complete its offense.

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

The Browns have been looking for a playmaker like Jeffery for quite awhile now.

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

Adams is getting overshadowed by his fellow tackles, but he'd be a terrific pickup for the Lions.

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

Pittsburgh has no choice but to upgrade its offensive line. Glenn is the best player available.

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

Worthy is a reliable interior lineman who will continue to improve with time.

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

Barron is the last piece the Texans need to complete their defense. Then they can began to focus on finishing the offense.

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

Burfict is simply too talented to slide out of the first round despite his temper issues.

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

The Patriots could use a linebacker with as much playmaking ability and big-game experience as Hightower.

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

Wright should be enough to take pressure off Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Joe Flacco would have no excuses for poor play with those three guys.

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

Sanu would thrive in San Francisco where he would see a boatload of targets right away.

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

Jenkins was having a tremendous career with the Florida Gators before being dismissed from the team and landing at North Alabama. The lack of exposure during his senior campaign hurt his value, but he's slowly starting to work his way back up the charts in recent weeks.

Just like Dennard, size is an issue for Jenkins, so proving he can still have a major impact is essential. He must also show that any character concerns are firmly in the past and that he isn't going to become an off-field distraction to his new team, especially under today's NFL rules.

One person who has never shied away from giving a talented player a chance despite a sketchy past is Bill Belichick. The Patriots have a strong team environment in Foxboro, and no player can tear it down. He would be a fantastic value pick at this point for New England.

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

There isn't anybody overly exciting at a position of need available for the Packers, so adding depth to their running game is the smartest option.