2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Franchise Players Ready to Make Immediate Impact

Let's face it, no NFL prospect is a "sure thing." But there are a few prospects in the 2012 NFL draft who are about as sure as they come. 

For franchise player, look these guys' way. With their combination of physical skills and intangibles, it's hard not to see them becoming stars in the pros.

Let's just say that if you own a Top-5 pick this year, you may as well cross off a primary need.

Here are five franchise players ready to make an immediate impact (in italics). 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck has the arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise and leadership abilities to be a franchise quarterback for years to come. He may be an even better QB prospect than Peyton Manning was when he came out of Tennessee.

It's pretty obvious by now that the Colts are set on selecting Luck at No. 1 overall to succeed Manning.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Yes, the Redskins will trade up to grab Robert Griffin III before the Cleveland Browns do.

Not only are there murmurs that the Redskins are set on going after Griffin, quarterback is undoubtedly their biggest need.

Griffin has tremendous arm strength, accuracy, poise, leadership and legs. He projects as a legit dual-threat in the NFL. The hype isn't overblown: Griffin has the ability to be a franchise QB.

I see the Redskins giving up No. 6 overall and two second-rounders for the opportunity to nab Griffin. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This is a no-brainer. Matt Kalil is not only a top-three prospect according to many draft experts, he also would be an excellent piece to give young quarterback Christian Ponder time in the pocket and open up lanes for Adrian Peterson. 

Kalil has elite strength and the quickness laterally to deal with the speed rushers of the NFL. He's a complete prospect and it would be a shock if he didn't develop into a franchise tackle.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Generally it's a reach to grab a running back in the Top 5 of the NFL draft, but Trent Richardson is truly a special player. He has impressive strength, speed, burst, vision and patience and is far better prospect than former teammate Mark Ingram.

Goodbye, Peyton Hillis.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

When former LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson came out for the draft last year, he was considered a can't-miss prospect.

Now think about this: Morris Claiborne is a better cover corner than Peterson was. That shows how special Claiborne is. He has the speed and burst to keep up with the faster receivers of the NFL and the strength and balance to do well in press coverage. He is a complete cornerback prospect.

Aqib Talib has been a disappointment on and off the field in the last year for the Bucs and Ronde Barber is old. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams needed a top receiver for quarterback Sam Bradford, anyway, so trading away the No. 2 overall pick and getting three picks in return—one that immediately fills a primary need—is a complete score.

Justin Blackmon has the strength, leaping ability and ability after the catch to be a star receiver in the NFL, particularly as a possession receiver. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery is faster and stronger than Blackmon, and appears to be able to create better separation on deep routes, so there's a chance he could be a better NFL receiver than Blackmon.

Young QB Blaine Gabbert desperately needs a star receiver and Jeffery could be that man. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins won't be able to land an elite QB prospect, so I expect them to protect whoever is under center with elite OT prospect Riley Reiff.

Reiff is a solid pass-blocker and projects to be an outstanding run-blocker. He also has the fearless demeanor to compete from the get-go. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

There are concerns about Dre Kirkpatrick's recent arrest for marijuana possession (via Sporting News), but after the NFL combine I don't think it will matter and the Panthers would love a star cornerback to help out their bumbling defense.

Kirkpatrick has great strength, height and a nose for the ball. He should be solid in press coverage and against the run. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Bills' primary need is a pass-rushing outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme.

Enter Courtney Upshaw.  

Upshaw showed that he is an elite pass-rushing prospect when he won Defensive MVP honors in the BCS Championship Game. His combination of strength, athleticism and demeanor projects him as an immediate difference-maker for the Bills.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin rounds out the top three offensive tackles in the draft class. He'll be a great addition to the running game and has the athleticism and toughness to be an asset in pass coverage, as well. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

I wouldn't be surprised if the Seahawks reached for a quarterback here like the Vikings did in 2011, but Nick Perry is a great fit all around.

Not only does Perry have the strength, length, athleticism and versatility to be a defensive end or an outside linebacker (two needs for the Seahawks), he also comes from the school Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll made his name at. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb disappointed in 2011, but you can't exactly blame him. His offensive line gave up a whopping 54 sacks—second-most in the NFL.

Adams has been rising up draft boards due to his performance in the Shrine Game, as noted by Tony Pauline, and his height, size, frame and footwork could make him a franchise tackle in the NFL. He needs to improve his technique, but it's not too big a project. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

I originally had South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore here, given his ability as a returner would allow the Cowboys to use Dez Bryant strictly as a receiver.

But DeCastro is simply a better prospect, and is one of four offensive lineman I consider elite in the draft class. He's consistent, with elite technique and footwork, and he has the frame for the NFL. He'll help against the run and against the pass. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

DeSean Jackson is likely headed out of Philadelphia given his troubles with head coach Andy Reid and Michael Floyd could become the Eagles' next star receiver.

Floyd doesn't have top speed, but he has great strength and uses his body very well to shield defenders. He not only projects as a top possession receiver, he has the leaping ability to win jump balls down the field. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram has the speed and quickness to be a solid pass rusher off the edge and his two interceptions this season for the Gamecocks show he can do well in pass coverage.

The Jets need a pass-rushing outside linebacker like Ingram...badly.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

The Bengals need a replacement for the aging Cedric Benson and Lamar Miller has the speed, burst, vision and ability as a receiver out of the backfield to be a starter in the NFL.

I consider Miller to be an elite running back prospect. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown isn't an elite pass-rushing OLB like Upshaw, but he still has the ability to be a threat in that department, as well as against the run and particularly in pass coverage. His speed will surprise at the NFL combine. 

The Chargers need a difference-maker at outside linebacker like they need a new head coach. 

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears need more protection for quarterback Jay Cutler, as always. Cordy Glenn is athletic enough to play at tackle, but he's much better suited inside, with great height at 6'5", 348 pounds.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Titans would prefer a guard here, but with DeCastro and Glenn off the board I expect them to go with a pass rusher.

Whitney Mercilus is a pesky defender, constantly giving offenses different looks from the line, and his explosion off the line projects him as a threat as a defensive end in the Titans' 4-3 scheme. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

I can't help but be obvious here. The Bengals need someone opposite Leon Hall at cornerback, and they have a history of valuing talent over character issues.

Jenkins has both, which makes him a perfect fit. He has elite speed and quickness and his coverage skills are excellent. Now he just needs to stay out of trouble. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If the Browns can land young QB Colt McCoy, Richardson at running back and Kendall Wright at receiver, the Browns could improve dramatically on offense.

Wright continues to rise up draft boards with his elite burst, speed and athleticism, and the combine will only help his stock more. 

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions proved at the end of the season that they needed help in the secondary. Stephon Gilmore is strong, aggressive and has noticeable instincts. He also can be used in the return game for the Lions.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers need someone to eventually succeed 34-year-old Casey Hampton and Dontari Poe has the size, strength and frame to eat up blockers, as well as running backs. 

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Michael Brockers is my No. 1 defensive tackle and he could go higher than this depending on which direction some teams decide to go.

The Broncos need help against the run and Brockers —with his combination of strength, speed and quickness—would also free up the rest of the Broncos' defenders. 

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

With Poe off the board, I expect the Texans to find a receiver to line up opposite Andre Johnson.

Mohamed Sanu has the strength, leaping ability, hands and fearlessness up the middle to be a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

I expect the Patriots to move to a 3-4 next season and for DE Andre Carter to depart via free agency. That opens up a spot for Crick.

Crick has great strength, which will fit in a 3-4, and his relentless play makes him a pest against the pass and against the run. He's also a good tackler. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE, Mississippi State

The Packers need help at defensive end and Fletcher Cox could be a steal. Cox has good strength and quickness off the snap and pursues the ball with ferocity.

29. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is a boom-or-bust prospect for me. As B/R's Matt Miller detailed, his lack of size and strength make him a liability at the NFL level.

However, I can't get past his instincts, tackling ability and relentless pursuit of the ball. He's a borderline first-rounder for me, but I think he can become the Giants' next starter at inside linebacker.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict has all the tools to be a star in the NFL, but he needs to work on his self-control. He racked up numerous personal fouls throughout his career at ASU, sometimes at critical moments of games.

However, Ray Lewis has a way of straightening guys out, and I expect Burfict to be groomed as his successor. 

31. San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The 49ers could use a receiver here, but with Sanu off the board, I expect them to add to their secondary. Plus, I'm not as high on No. 2 corner Tarell Brown as some people are. 

Dennard has tremendous leaping ability and the strength and aggressiveness to be a good press corner. He also wastes very little movement when turning and running and has good cover skills. 

32. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots could go with another pass rusher here, but I see them finding the next replacement for center Dan Koppen, who is 32 years old and is coming off a fractured ankle.

Konz has the strength and awareness to do well in the NFL. Plus, c'mon, the Patriots care more about Tom Brady than their defense.