2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams Sure to Grab Late First-Round Gems

The pros of a successful season and a deep playoff run in the NFL go far beyond just a Super Bowl championship, it can also spell draft success the following spring.

For teams like the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots, guaranteed home-field advantage in the playoffs means a shot at some underrated prospects, better known as gems in April's 2012 NFL Draft.

See which teams could wind up with late first-round surprises this year:

No. 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

The Colts may be reluctant to part ways with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, but they aren't stupid.

A 6'4" pocket passer with Luck's touch and ability to read a defense doesn't come around often, and regardless of what Indy does with the pick (potentially trade it), Andrew Luck will be the first name called by the commissioner. 

No. 2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

The Rams are 27th and 26th in the league this season, respectively, in pass and rush offense. 

A presence like USC's Matt Kalil on the offensive line, who has the height (6'7") and athleticism to protect Sam Bradford while helping to lead the way for Steven Jackson is too good to pass up.

No. 3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The Vikings have been dreadful defending the pass in 2011, ranking 30th in the league in yards allowed. 

An offensive weapon like Justin Blackmon might be a nice move at No. 3, but the secondary needs attention and Claiborne is a game-changer.

No. 4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

The Peyton Hillis experiment went from success to failure in one season, and Cleveland has posed zero threat running the football in 2011. 

Richardson brings toughness and intimidation to any back field. 

No. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

The 6'6" senior offensive tackle is exactly what the Bucs need to help out up front.

No. 6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

Given that Matt Barkley is coming back for his senior year and what we saw happen with Cam Newton gaining momentum and eventually going No. 1 overall last spring, Griffin III could go as high as No. 1, but for now he goes No. 8 to the 'Skins.

This is a no-brainer for Washington: They've had a quarterback carousel since training camp. 

No. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

The Jaguars have needs everywhere, but boosting their passing attack is one of the most pressing ones.

If Blackmon is on the board when Jacksonville gets on the clock, then they should snag him. He'll provide a weapon for Blaine Gabbert in his second year.  

No. 8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

Richardson will be joined by fellow Tide teammate Dre Kirkpatrick in the top 10 of the first round next April.

The Fins' D showed plenty of room for improvement in 2011. Kirkpatrick isn't a Morris Claiborne, but he will blanket good wide receivers in the NFL. 

No. 9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

Coples can be a force stopping the run, and that's just what the Panthers need considering they give up more than 130 rushing yards per game this season.

No. 10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

Reiff would be a good fit, and at 6'6", he is a comfortable piece to play in front of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed a long-term deal this past season. 

No. 11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

At 6'3", 235 pounds, Kuechly has great size for an NFL linebacker, and Philly's rush defense must improve. It ranks 17th in the league in 2011.

No. 12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT

At 6'3", 300 pounds, Worthy is a beastly run stopper who could work wonders on an iffy defense like Seattle's.

No. 13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

A senior defensive tackle who showed great potential with the ACC champion Tigers, he could help bolster Arizona's defense.

No. 14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, LB

The sturdy senior LB was a force for the Crimson Tide over his career in Tuscaloosa, and his toughness is needed in Big D.

No. 15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

Another Alabama senior who is projected to go in the first round is Crimson Tide safety Mark Barron.

Barron is an extremely well-rounded safety prospect and would play consistently for the inconsistent Chargers.

No. 16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

Andrew Luck's blocking buddy has ideal size at 6'5", 310 pounds, and would be a great help in protecting Mark Sanchez from a beating in 2012.  

No. 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders 8-8): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

Dennard would add depth and skill to a defense that has the potential to gain notice in the black and blue AFC North. 

No. 18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

Ryan Mathews was rather underwhelming in 2011 with the Bolts. A player like Miller could come in and challenge for a bulk of the carries. 

No. 19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

Floyd would be an excellent pickup for a team lacking depth at WR.

No. 20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR

The Titans need a boost in the passing game. Chris Johnson can only carry the offense for so long. 

No. 21. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): David Wilson, Virginia Tech, RB

The Bengals would love to get Lamar Miller if they could, but if he's not available, they could reach for Virginia Tech's David Wilson. Wilson would instantly become Cincy's game-breaking threat in the back field.

No. 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons 9-5): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB

Brown would help out Cleveland's inconsistent defense, providing a presence on the outside edge for the Browns.

No. 23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

If the Lions' running backs can stay healthy, 6'4", 330-pound Cordy Glenn could help block for them as well as keep quarterback Matthew Stafford upright.

No. 24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Devon Still, Penn State, DT

Still could help shut down opposing offenses for the Steelers and give Ben Roethlisberger even a larger margin for error.

No. 25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Kevin Reddick, North Carolina, LB

Reddick could be another great Denver linebacker and help Von Miller destroy opposing quarterbacks. 

No. 26. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

Big Blue's defense has been down, and we all know how dominant their front four can be every now and then. Burfict is an underclassman, but a very physically mature and energized talent for the Giants to bring in. 

Given some of the Sun Devil's character questions, he may find himself slipping to the back of the first round, but if the Giants take a shot at him, he will have the perfect opportunity to flourish with a defense capable of wreaking havoc in 2012.

No. 27. Houston Texans (10-6): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DT

Cox could be a unique prospect for Houston's defensive scheme, breaking down opposing offenses in a variety of ways.

No. 28. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

The Ravens could use an addition to an aging defense, but while they're focused on a Super Bowl run, they would be wise to build on a strong offensive line that could make life easier for Ray Rice and Joe Flacco.

Adams is quick enough and long enough to become a presence early.

No. 29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints (13-3): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

Baylor's Kendall Wright has great potential in the NFL and is a big reason why Robert Griffin III took home Heisman honors this season. The Pats know how to draft and find late-round talent as well as first-round talent. 

Wright will be another gifted player in space for Tom Brady to find either deep down the field or coming across the middle, where he can use his foot speed to turn a dump down pass into a game-changing score.

No. 30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

The 6'6", 305-pound senior could make Frank Gore even scarier next season, or at least provide some depth if a starting OL goes down. 

No. 31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, N. Alabama, CB

The wildcard pick of the draft will come late, when the Pats take a shot at a player who has had several character issues. Janoris Jenkins was a superstar for a short time with the Florida Gators before falling into the program's doghouse.

Still, Jenkins is one of the best secondary guys out there and could provide an incredible lift in New England's secondary. Jenkins will no doubt be a gem considering he has superb coverage talents and athleticism.

No. 32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, LB

An outside edge rusher like Ronnell Lewis would be great for the Pack on D and opposite a superstar like Clay Matthews.