2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top Contenders That Need to Trade Up for Michael Floyd

Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd will be a hot commodity on draft day. There are several contending teams that could use more firepower on offense but won't be able to get their top target, Justin Blackmon, which means they'll shift their focus to Floyd.

The Fighting Irish star caught 37 touchdowns in his four seasons in South Bend and should be able to have an immediate impact on his new team. He doesn't have elite speed, but his other skills will make him impossible to ignore.

Here's a full mock draft of the first round featuring three contenders that should consider trading up to grab Floyd, who's expected to be taken in the middle of Round 1.

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

The Colts must select Luck even though Peyton Manning might still be on the roster on draft day. He's a rare prospect that will get the franchise back on track to greatness.

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

Sam Bradford needs two things if he's going to be successful in St. Louis: an offensive line and a No. 1 receiver. Kalil edges out Blackmon to become the newest Ram.

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

Minnesota's secondary needs massive improvement after allowing 34 touchdown passes this season. Claiborne has asserted himself as the best cornerback in the class.

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

The Browns are good enough on defense to be a bigger threat in the AFC North. They should focus on offensive skill players early and often come April.

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

Kirkpatrick's off-field problems shouldn't have a major impact on his draft status. He has all the tools to become an elite corner, which is exactly what Tampa Bay needs.

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

The Redskins simply can't force their fans to endure another season of Rex Grossman under center. Griffin would bring some excitement back to the nation's capital.

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

Blackmon would give Blaine Gabbert the top target he sorely lacked during his rookie season. It's impossible to judge a quarterback until he gets serviceable weapons around him.

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

Carolina's offense made major strides with Cam Newton leading the way. The Panthers will be in good shape if Still can lead a similar resurgence on the defensive side.

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

The Dolphins need to improve their pass rush if they plan on keeping up with Tom Brady in the AFC East. They could also use a QB, but there isn't one worth selecting here.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DT, North Carolina

After watching the team's defense fall apart this season, the Bills front office has no choice but to address the major issues on that side of the ball.

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

Seattle needs to improve its pass rush after recording just 33 sacks. Perry has watched his stock soar in recent weeks and would be a nice fit for the Seahawks.

12. Kansas City Chiefs* (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

A late-season victory over the Green Bay Packers illustrated that the Chiefs are in pretty good shape. Upgrading the offensive line is one area of need, though.

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

Ingram would provide solid value at this point of the round and the Cardinals are in need of upgrades at several spots on defense, including the line.

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

The Cowboys have been looking for a reliable inside linebacker like Kuechly for several seasons now. He could make the team's run defense elite.

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

Here's the projected landing spot for Floyd as of right now. If another team wants to slide up to get him,it'll have to work out a deal with the Eagles, who could be losing DeSean Jackson.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Jets' running game wasn't as good as it has been in recent seasons. That's one of the major reasons they weren't able to sneak into the playoffs. Martin would be a quick fix.

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

Two Stanford offensive linemen in a row. If they can protect Luck, an NFL team should have confidence they can do the same of their prized quarterback, which in this case is Andy Dalton.

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

San Diego has lacked a feared presence at outside linebacker since the decline of Shawne Merriman. There will be a learning curve for Brown to grasp San Diego's defense, but he'll be a quick study.

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

Of all the mock drafts I have done over the past month, this is likely the only pick that hasn't changed. Konz would be a perfect interior line fit for the Bears.

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

The Titans had just 11 interceptions this season. That lack of playmaking from their secondary probably cost them a trip to the playoffs. Dennard would provide a quick boost in that area.

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

Cedric Benson shouldn't be flying solo for the Bengals. Miller would be a perfect complement to the veteran back and could eventually take over for him.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is the third-best receiver on the board, which should make him the backup plan for teams hoping to snag Floyd. The Browns really need help at the position, though, so they should hold onto the pick.

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

Calvin Johnson is the most dominant receiver in the league, but if he could get more help from his fellow receivers, his numbers would become even more eye-popping. Nate Burleson and Titus Young just weren't able to get the job done this season.

That's why the Lions should trade up to get Floyd. He would provide some relief for Johnson. If teams continued to focus all of their defensive attention on Megatron, Floyd would be able to take full advantage of single coverage on the other side.

If Detroit can't get Floyd, Adams would be a good backup plan. Matthew Stafford was sacked 36 times and, with his injury history, every one of them causes the front office to hold its collective breath.

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

Ben Roethlisberger gets hit way too much for a franchise quarterback. Part of that is his fault for holding onto the ball for too long, but offensive line upgrades would certainly help as well.

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

The Broncos are committed to Tim Tebow at quarterback. That means the team will need to have an elite defense to match its playoff run from this season.

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

The Texans are in a similar position as the Lions. They have one elite wideout in the likes of Andre Johnson, but it's a weak group after that. Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones have both been given numerous opportunities to excel on the opposite side and failed.

So it's pretty clear that Floyd would be a good fit in Houston. The Texans are really just one more dynamic receiver away from becoming a top-tier offense, which is exactly what you need to compete in today's high-powered NFL.

Assuming a deal doesn't get done, the Texans are an ideal landing spot for Mark Barron. He's by far the best pure safety in a weak class and would help tie up a few loose ends on Houston's defense.

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

New England has been able to reach the conference championship round despite a dreadful defense. Imagine if it could actually get some production from the unit. Scary.

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

The Packers have no glaring needs despite being shocked by the New York Giants. Polk would provide a more consistent rushing attack to take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers.

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

Burfict would be a welcome addition to a Giants defense that has stepped up in a big way during the team's surprising run. There's still room for improvement before next season, however.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Even though he has boatload of potential, Jeffery isn't even guaranteed to go in the first round due to inconsistent production. Instead of trying to trade up for Floyd, the Ravens should take a chance on him.

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

Alex Smith has finally illustrated some of the upside San Francisco was hoping for when it drafted him. He'll need some more weapons to utilize on offense in order to take his game up another notch, though.

Floyd and Michael Crabtree would be a formidable duo. It would allow Ted Ginn, Jr. to create matchup problems in the slot while also helping to stretch the field. The 49ers' defense is outstanding, so a couple more pieces on offense will ensure they remain perennial contenders.

Even if they miss out on Floyd, the 49ers should target the best wideout on the board. At this point it would be Sanu. He's got a nice combination of size and strength to build from.

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

Jenkins would be another defensive upgrade from the Patriots. The offense clearly doesn't need any help, so Bill Belichick can focus all of his attention on defense.