2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Will Draft a QB and Which Teams Won't?

The quarterback position is always going to be under the microscope, because it is the most important one on the field.

This year's NFL Draft features a number of interesting quarterback prospects, though it did take a hit when Matt Barkley and Landry Jones announced they would go back to school. Still, teams are always looking for quarterbacks, and there will be at least one who goes higher than expected. 

Here is a full one-round mock draft with information on surprising quarterback selections. 

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

We shouldn't be surprised that the Colts are going to be taking a quarterback, but it is strange to think of anyone else under center for this franchise besides Peyton Manning. It has to happen sooner or later, and Luck is the right quarterback for the job, so it is hard to fault the franchise. 

If you are an Indianapolis fan, you are going to get spoiled with all the great quarterback play that you are going to see. You will have had 13 years of Manning, not including this season, obviously, and then transition right into Luck. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

I still believe that the Rams are going to shop this pick around to teams that become infatuated with Robert Griffin III, but for the purposes of this mock draft, they are going to keep it and select the top receiver on the board: Justin Blackmon. Sam Bradford should be smiling about that. 

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

The Vikings defense is getting old, and the secondary needs an impact player who can step in right away. Claiborne did not get the hype of the "Honey Badger," but he is a better NFL prospect. 

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

The Browns need playmakers on offense. Richardson might be the best running back to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson in 2007. It is a match made in heaven. 

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

We all thought that the Buccaneers were trending upward, but chaos reigned supreme in the locker room leading to everything falling apart. Kirkpatrick won't lead the change on his own, though he is a good start to rebuilding the defense. 

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

Like the Colts, the fact that the Redskins are selecting a quarterback is not a surprise. It is shocking to see them get the No. 2 QB on the board with the sixth pick. We have become so accustomed to seeing this position get picked dry early because it is so important. 

Griffin might not be ready to play right away, but he has the upside to be a star in the NFL. He is great at making something out of nothing and keeping plays alive so his receivers can get open.

The one problem that I have with him is that most of his success came against soft defenses. He needs to prove that he can handle himself against a fast, physical defense like he will see in the NFL on a weekly basis. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Maurice Jones-Drew should be going to Mike Mularkey and demanding that the Jaguars draft some offensive players that can actually produce, because he is going to run himself into the ground trying to pull this team out of purgatory. 

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Cam Newton likes to run and throw, so he needs an offensive lineman who can give him protection when he drops back to pass or takes off to run. Martin is the best option available for this team. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

While the Dolphins need a quarterback, I don't see them reaching for one at this spot. Instead, they will build their foundation with the addition of Reiff to the offensive line. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The disastrous defense of the Buffalo Bills will get a nice upgrade with the relentless Upshaw. He could develop into a nice pass-rushing outside linebacker or defensive end, depending on how the team wants to use him. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Don't be shocked if Pete Carroll goes after a quarterback like Ryan Tannehill if he is unable to sign Matt Flynn. For the purposes of this mock, the team will fix its quarterback issues in free agency to upgrade the defensive line with Branch.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OT, Stanford

Jamaal Charles is the leader of the Chiefs offense, but he needs blockers to help him play up to his full potential. DeCastro will join Stanford teammate Jonathan Martin as Top 15 picks. 

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

While the Cardinals still have to figure out what kind of quarterback Kevin Kolb will be, the biggest problem they have is on the defensive line. Ingram has evolved into one of the best pure pass-rushers in this year's draft class. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The problems in the Cowboys secondary have been well documented, which is why Barron is the perfect pick for them. Cornerback is a bigger need than safety, but they need help at both spots right away. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Andy Reid loves to draft skill-position players to make the offense nice and shiny, but the Eagles' biggest problem in 2011 was at linebacker. Kuechly is the best inside linebacker prospect in this class. He can step in right away to fill the crater-sized hole they have in the middle of the field. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Rex Ryan wants to get back to playing New York Jets football, right? He needs to find that big body to plug into the middle of his defensive line in order to prevent teams from running the ball, and to open up holes for pass-rushers to get through. Cox will be the heir apparent to the not-so-recently retired Kris Jenkins. 

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

Cedric Benson had a great start to the 2011 season before wearing down late. The Bengals need to find a No. 1 running back, and Miller has the upside to be a dynamic force out of the backfield and as a pass catcher. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Very few first-rounders have the upside that Burfict does, but he is raw and will need a lot of time to develop his game. When he reaches his peak, he will be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Jay Cutler took some steps forward in 2011 before breaking his thumb. That said, he still had to overcome a problematic offensive line, so for the second consecutive year the Bears will fill that hole in the first round. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Opposing teams geared up to stop Chris Johnson last year, which led to a lot of early-season success for Matt Hasselbeck. When Kenny Britt tore his ACL, everything changed. Jeffery will be a great No. 2 option for this team. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Despite their playoff appearance, the Bengals have some big holes to fill. They took care of one earlier by taking a running back, and now they will address their secondary. Dennard has great ball skills and the speed to cover faster receivers, like Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. 

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

Here is the biggest surprise of the first round. The Browns sound as if they are committed to Colt McCoy, at least through next season. But with Foles rising up draft boards, it will be hard for quarterback guru Mike Holmgren to pass on him. 

A wide receiver, like Kendall Wright, would make sense here, but Foles has more potential and upside than McCoy, and the Browns can find offensive playmakers later on in the draft or via free agency. There is no reason for them to pass on Foles this late in the first round. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

The Lions could address the cornerback position, but with the best players already off the board, and anyone else being a reach, they will address their need at running back. Wilson is a better version of Jahvid Best. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

The biggest need for the Steelers is still on the offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger can't keep moving around if the team expects him to be around for the long haul. Sanders isn't a great pass protector yet, but he can develop that over time and is already solid in the running game. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

While the Broncos have a dynamic pass-rushing tandem in Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, they still need to find a big body to plug in the middle of the defensive line to stop the run. Still is the best of a surprisingly thin group of defensive tackles. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina

The Texans know they need playmakers on the outside, and Jones would be a terrific complement to Andre Johnson. He has great speed and the ability to stretch the field, which will open up the entire offense.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Bill Belichick's reputation as a defensive guru has taken a hit the last few years thanks to his team's lackluster play on that side of the ball. The front seven needs a lot of help, and with Andre Carter being a free agent, Jones will step right in to compete for a starting job. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma 

When the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010, it was because they were a complete team. This year, everything fell apart on defense. Lewis will be the cure for what ailed them, because he will take pressure off Clay Matthews.

29. New York Giants (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Before the Giants made this improbable run to the NFC Championship Game, they had a lot of questions about what to do with their secondary. Jenkins' stock has taken a hit due to some character concerns, but the talent is still there for him to be a good NFL cornerback. 

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, G, Wisconsin

The Ravens are not desperate to fill any position, though they could stand to get younger at a few spots on the field. Konz is a great offensive lineman, and could eventually take over for Matt Birk in the next year. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

With their second pick of the first round, the Patriots will look to shore up their pass rush with another potentially dominant pass-rusher. Coples could go higher if his workouts are good, but for now he will have to settle for learning from Bill Belichick. 

32. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

As great as the 49ers defense is, there are holes in the secondary that have to be fixed heading into 2012. Minnifield has the potential to develop into a solid No. 2 cornerback in the NFL, which is perfect because Carlos Rogers is going to get a nice long-term deal from San Francisco this offseason. 

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