2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Most NFL-Ready Players in This Class

The Divisional Round may be starting today, but there are 24 other NFL teams that couldn't care less about how this weekend's games end up. 

Those 24 teams are looking at ways to turn next season around and be one of the lucky eight still playing in January.

And the best way to do that? The NFL Draft.

It's never too early to look at a mock draft, so here's a look at how the first round could play at, with a closer look at players who are ready to step in right away.

1) Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

You've heard everything about Andrew Luck by now, but there's no question in my (or for that matter, anyone's) mind he's not NFL ready. 

He could very well end up on the same team as Peyton Manning, but I think that would be a mistake for the Colts and for Luck. He needs to start from Day 1. 

Luck has the size, skills, intelligence, intangibles and poise to be starting in the NFL right now. He's about as "cant-miss" as they come.

2) St. Louis Rams select Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Don't be surprised if you see Jeffery's stock continue to rise as we near the draft, and his Calvin Johnson-like skills will propel him ahead of Justin Blackmon. 

A.J Green and Julio Jones showed this year that you shouldn't be afraid of SEC receivers. 

3) Minnesota Vikings select Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings have some pieces put together for a very good offense, they just need someone to protect Christian Ponder's blind side.

Matt Kalil, who spent his career at USC protecting Matt Barkley, could step in right away and do just that. 

He has the size and quickness to start on Day 1, although that's not exactly saying much considering he would replace Charlie Johnson. 

4) Cleveland Browns select Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Many Cleveland fans probably want the Browns to jump on a quarterback here, but I think the Browns are going to stand pat with Colt McCoy for at least another season. 

Running back, however, is not quite as secure of a position. Peyton Hillis' contract is up and Montario Hardesty is injury prone.

Richardson is the perfect replacement.

If you've seen the way he's run through so many terrific SEC defenses in the last two years, you know how NFL ready this guy is.

He has speed, he has vision, he has terrific moves. There's not a whole lot to dislike about this guy. A Rookie of the Year award would not surprise me. 

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tyrann Mathieu got most of the attention on this LSU defense, but Claiborne was terrific as well. He gives the struggling Bucs a replacement for the aging Ronde Barber.

6) Washington Redskins select Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Let's go ahead and make this clear: John Beck and Rex Grossman are not cutting it. Robert Griffin is about as exciting of a prospect as it gets, and he looks like a clear star.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars select Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Jaguars would be more than happy to get the uber-talented Blackmon at this spot. 

8) Carolina Panthers select Dre Kirkpatrick , CB, Alabama

The Panthers showed this year that they can score the ball in bunches, and Cam Newton is only going to get better as he improves his throwing.

Kirkpatrick solves some of the Panthers' struggles on the defensive side of the ball.

9) Miami Dolphins select Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins need a quarterback, but Matt Barkley and Landry Jones are no longer options. Instead, they'll settle for arguably the best run-blocking tackle in the draft. 

10) Buffalo Bills select Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Bills have a few holes to fill, so they could go a number of different ways here, but Upshaw is NFL-ready.

He has a special mix of athleticism of talent that will allow him to get to the quarterback with consistency. He could very well end up being this class' Von Miller. 

Upshaw was the leader of that Alabama defense, which ranked in the Top 3 in pretty much every major category. 

He will immediately take over for Shawne Merriman on the outside. Upshaw's upside is tremendous. This could turn out to be a steal.

11) Seattle Seahawks select Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Just like Miami, Seattle needs to upgrade the offense, and most importantly, QB, but there just aren't any options here. Instead, they'll improve an already young, exciting defense with the NCAA's sack leader. 

12) Kansas City Chiefs select Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict's stock has continually dropped, but there's no questioning his talent. His character is always a concern, so be careful.

13) Arizona Cardinals select Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin was a stud in Stanford's pro-style offense, so he's clearly ready to step in and start for the Cardinals.

14) Dallas Cowboys select David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is far and away the best guard in this draft, and the Cowboys can't afford to let him pass by.

Their line is already pretty solid, but DeCastro is athletic and comfortable pulling, meaning he's perfect for Dallas' stretch plays and pitches to the outside.

What's more, DeCastro isn't a project. He will immediately step into the starting lineup and has the ability to make the Pro Bowl. 

15) Philadelphia Eagles select Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

There's a good chance DeSean Jackson will be gone by next season, but Floyd is a dynamic replacement. 

16) New York Jets select Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram adds a good pass rush to a defense that didn't perform as well as it usually does this season.

17) Cincinnati Bengals select Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals have one of the best, young offenses in the league, except at running back. Cedric Benson has been solid, but he's not getting any younger. Miller fixes that.

18) San Diego Chargers select Alonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Chargers were atrocious against the pass this season (28th in yards per pass allowed), so Dennard makes sense.

19) Chicago Bears select Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears need to improve their offensive line in a bad, bad way. Adams could step in at left tackle, quite possibly the biggest need for Chicago.

20) Tennessee Titans select Nick Perry, LB, USC

The Titans were good on the defensive side of the ball this season, but didn't get to the quarterback enough. Perry is rising up draft boards and has an uncanny ability at getting in the backfield. 

21) Cincinnati Bengals select Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is another one with character problems, but he has the potential to improve Cincinnati's pass defense. I also wouldn't be surprised if Cincy traded this pick.

22) Cleveland Browns select Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns offense was atrocious this year, so they have no problem selecting two skill players in the first round.

Greg Little is solid, but he's more of a yards-after-catch type of player. Wright is more of a down-field threat for Colt McCoy.

23) Detroit Lions select Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Get ready because in the coming months Chris Polk is going to shoot up draft boards. The Lions have Jahvid Best, but there are major concerns of him being a full-time back.

Best and Polk in the backfield would make the Lions offense even scarier.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers select Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has been terrific during his time with the Nittany Lions, and he helps Pittsburgh's aging D-line (Casey Hampton, most notably). 

25) Denver Broncos select Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Broncos could use some added depth in the middle of that defensive line, and Poe, who has the size and quickness to be scary good, does just that. 

26) New York Giants select Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly could potentially be a steal here, and it's a perfect fit for what the Giants are looking for—win, win. 

27) Houston Texans select Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

Toon is a big-play threat who would be extremely solid across from Andre Johnson.

28) New England Patriots select Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots badly need some help in the passing game, and Gilmore, who doubles as a returner, would be a fantastic pick here.

29) Baltimore Ravens select Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Ray Lewis won't last forever and Hightower gives them a viable replacement for the future.

30) San Francisco 49ers select Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is a perfect third-down target for San Fran's conservative offense. He strikes me as a Wes Welker type of player.

31) New England Patriots select Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Crimson Tide defensive players continue to roll off the board as New England further improves its secondary.

32) Green Bay Packers select Chandler Jones, DE/LB, Syracuse

Jones is the perfect fit for a Green Bay team that has struggled immensely at getting to the quarterback. He's incredibly fast on the outside and has the ability to improve this defense.