2012 NFL Mock Draft: Tackles Ready to Lock Down Blindside

There a handful of players in this draft that will become their QB's best friend almost the instant they are drafted. That is because they will be providing the valuable service of keeping that QB's blindside free from pass rushers consumed with ill-intent. 

Below is my full, and latest, first-round mock. There is special attention paid to the players that will develop into excellent left tackles. 

Richard Langford's Mock Draft (Draft order according to the standings following the completion of the divisional round)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

If you have to ask why Andrew Luck is in the No. 1 spot, you probably aren't reading this to begin with. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the unquestioned class of the offensive linemen in this draft. 

At 6'7" and 295 pounds, Kalil has the perfect body for tackle success in the NFL. He also has room on his frame to add some bulk. 

He is excellent in both the run and passing game, and should be able to dominate from Week 1 when teams take to the ground. 

Despite his massive girth, he is able to stay low. He is a punishing drive blocker. He also possess excellent lateral quickness that will help him succeed in pass protection. 

This tackle is so gifted that he kept last year's No. 9 overall selection, Tyron Smith, at right tackle while at USC. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is a technically-sound and physical corner. He will also bring value as a kick returner.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Despite not possessing elite speed or size, Blackmon is a big-play threat. He has great hands, amazing instincts and is a beast after catching the ball. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richards is a polished back that is ready to perform on an elite level as a runner, blocker and receiver out of the backfield. 

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

Mike Shanahan will be doing cartwheels if this supremely-talented QB is still available when the Redskins make their selection. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is an intense and punishing blocker that will wear down opposition over the course of the game. When it comes to run blocking, there are no questions regarding his potential. 

At 6'6", this physical blocker will own opposing defensive ends in the run game. There are some concerns over his ability to be an elite pass protector, though, as he lacks great lateral quickness. 

However, this is not going to be big problem. Reiff has good footwork and long arms. He will learn to bottle up NFL pass rushers and keep his QB clean and ready to pick apart defenses. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Still is a mountain of a man with great strength and quickness. He will be an excellent fit for a 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 end. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin has all the tools to be a great left tackle. At 6'6" and 304 pounds, he definitely has the size. He also has tremendous quickness. 

He always keeps his pads low, and he has solid speed, which allows him to be supremely effective on the second level. He also has a tremendous football IQ, which almost always means he is finding the right person to block. 

Martin will be a dominant run blocker from Week 1. He does need a little work in pass protection, but these needs are due to his lack of footwork and not physical ability. With some sound coaching, Martin will develop into a dominant pass protector. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a well-rounded corner that is good in man or zone. He is also a solid tackler. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

The Chiefs need some offensive line help, and David DeCastro is this draft's best interior lineman. 

12. Seattle Seahawks:  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Vontaze Burfict has the talent to be one of the game's elite interior linebackers. He has to learn to control his temper, but the talent is definitely there. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Cardinals need someone to stretch the field opposite of Larry Fitzgerald. The speedy Wright will do just that. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a smart and physical linebacker with a nose for the ball. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a strong end whose bull rush and strength against the run will make him a valuable piece in a 3-4 or a 4-3. 

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

Ingram is an athletic player that pursues and rushes the passer. The Jets need both of these qualities. 

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

The Bengals need a talented playmaker at running back to pair with rookie studs WR AJ Green and QB Andy Dalton. Miller can take any carry to the house, and he always runs hard. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard's well-rounded talent will be too much for the Chargers to pass up, even though corner is not a huge need. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is easily the best center in this draft and far to much for the offensive line-challenged Bears to pass up. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a fierce hitter in run support and is also solid in pass coverage. 

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

Character issues surround this corner, but his talent is too much to let him slip past the Bengals. Jenkins will be elite in man-to-man coverage. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is a well-rounded linebacker that does everything well. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Lions need to find a ground game. The 340-pound Glenn will help them do just that. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

At 6'8" and 320 pounds, Adams has the kind of size that NFL teams dream of. However, there is a reason that Adams will be around in the second half of the first round. 

That is due to questions revolving around his attitude. For various reasons, he was suspended for seven games during his college career. Also, scouts question his tenacity. 

Adams has not displayed the killer attitude. This has kept him from being the force in the ground game that his size would indicate. 

However, in Pittsburgh, tenacity is contagious. They will instill the killer attitude in Adams, and they will be rewarded with a dominant left tackle. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos need a force on the interior of their defensive line to pair with their excellent outside pass rushers. Cox is one of the best interior defensive linemen in this draft. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd has some red flags, but he also has good hands and great size and strength. 

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a perfect fit for the hybrid defensive schemes that the Patriots like to run. He is a great pass rusher standing up or with his hand on the ground. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers need a pass rusher to pair alongside Clay Matthews. Perry fits that mold nicely. 

29. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy has the strength and size to eat up blockers and penetrate into the backfield. He will immediately be an early-down force. 

30. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a great athlete that has the versatility to play inside or outside backer. 

31. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery will give the 49ers offense something they drastically crave: a deep threat. 

32. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

The Patriots could use some athleticism along their defensive line. Crick will do just that and is a good fit for end in a 3-4.