2012 NFL Mock Draft: Justin Blackmon and Others Who Will Make Instant Impact

There's no shortage of high-impact talent set to make its way into the pros via the 2012 NFL Draft.

Of course, not every top-tier prospect will have the opportunity to play big minutes from the get-go. Still, don't be surprised if a number of these first rounders make waves on Sundays next season.

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

Andrew Luck's rookie impact is almost entirely dependent on what happens with Peyton Manning. If Manning is healthy and the Colts decide to hang onto him for a while longer, then it'll be Luck's responsibility to hold the clipboard for at least one season.

However, if Peyton's neck is still a problem and/or Indy decides to ship him out, then Luck will be the starter in the Circle City from Day 1. Should that be the case, expect a few growing pains to complement his many successes.

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

It's entirely possible that the Rams will leverage the No. 2 pick into a package of draft selections.

In any case, St. Louis seems set to make Justin Blackmon its first choice in the 2012 Draft. The team's been after a top-notch wide receiver to serve as a reliable No. 1 target for Sam Bradford.

Taking a receiver this early is risky.

The Rams could use a tackle as talented as USC's Matt Kalil to shore up their shaky offensive line.

If Blackmon is the choice, at least he'll make football fans in the Gateway City happy to have some semblance of a competent offense again.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil OT, USC

Like the Rams, the Vikings are looking to surround their young quarterback (Christian Ponder) with as much talent as possible.

Short of Justin Blackmon falling into their lap, that means keeping Ponder upright long enough to complete a pass or two by adding Matt Kalil to protect his blind side.

Not a bad choice considering Kalil is probably the best player in this draft class not named Andrew Luck.

However, predicting the instant impact of a rookie offensive lineman, good or bad, is a tricky enterprise (see: Smith, Tyron).

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor

All signs point to the Browns abandoning the Colt McCoy Project after two years and two different coaching staffs.

Right or wrong, that means Mike Holmgren will do whatever it takes to upgrade Cleveland's situation under center (short of stealing Andrew Luck from under the Colts' noses).

In other words, it's RG3 or bust for the Browns.

Griffin's a bigger, smarter version of Michael Vick with a more accurate arm and a more mature, disciplined mindset.

The only drawback?

RG3 isn't exactly tailor-made for Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense. Though he certainly has the attitude and tools to develop into a spectacular passer.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson RB, Alabama

Yeah, I know—Tampa Bay's defense was turrrible, as Charles Barkley would say.

But so was its running game.

The Buccaneers picked up just 91.1 yards per game on the ground—third worst in the NFL. That should come as little surprise with LeGarrette Blount, Earnest Graham and Kregg Lumpkin carrying the bulk of the load.

Not exactly a murderer's row of running backs.

Meanwhile, Trent Richardson—far and away the best running back in this draft class—should be available at No. 5, assuming the Browns don't opt for the Heisman Trophy finalist over the guy who actually won the darn thing.

The 5'11", 224-pounder is an absolute beast out of the backfield with the size and strength to run over defenders and the speed to scoot right around them.

Josh Freeman might get a backfield buddy after all.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Morris Claiborne CB, LSU

The Redskins desperately need a quarterback and could give away the farm for the chance to grab RG3 a spot or two earlier.

But if they don't, they'd do just as well to improve their woeful secondary.

LSU's Morris Claiborne is the best corner in this draft class, just ahead of Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick.

He'll help shore up a defensive backfield whose efficacy was masked by a revamped defensive line.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples DE, North Carolina

With Justin Blackmon off the board, the Jaguars will make it their mission to upgrade their second-rate pass rush.

Pegging Quinton Coples to be Jeremy Mincey's sack partner would be an excellent step in that direction.

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

Matt Moore would appear to be entrenched as the starting quarterback in Miami heading into the 2012 season.

The Dolphins would do well to upgrade their offensive line—especially at right tackle where Marc Colombo has been abysmal—to ensure that Moore can stay upright for a full season.

Enter Riley Reiff, on the right. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Alabama

The Panthers would be wise to opt for an offensive tackle (i.e. Stanford's Jonathan Martin), given the injuries of Jeff Otah in recent years.

Then again, Carolina's defense is terrible in just about every phase.

Throw Dre Kirkpatrick, a 6'3 corner, across from Chris Gamble, and Ron Rivera's team might be able to slow down opponents enough to contend for a playoff spot in the second year of the Cam Newton Era.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw OLB/DE, Alabama

Two years ago, Bills head coach Chan Gailey couldn't tell enough people about his team's need for a running back before CJ Spiller ended up in western New York.

This time around, Gailey is going ga-ga over Buffalo's lack of a reliable pass rush.

Nobody in Buffalo finished the season with more than 5.5 sacks despite spending the No. 3 pick on Marcell Dareus last year.

Courtney Upshaw would be a perfect fit in the Bills' 3-4 scheme.

He's easily the best pass-rushing linebacker in the draft and is outclassed only by Quinton Coples when it comes to sacking quarterbacks.

He was a playmaker when he first set foot on the field at Alabama and figures to have much the same effect on the Bills' defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin is everything a team could dream of in an offensive tackle: big, strong, athletic, tough, and with his Stanford education, smart. He'd be a perfect fit along a Chiefs offensive line that's been decimated by injuries and retirements in recent years.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Devon Still DT/DE, Penn State

The Seahawks will need to find a franchise quarterback at some point.

But taking Ryan Tannehill at No. 12 would be too much of a reach, especially with Tarvaris Jackson proving to be more than serviceable this past season.

Their defense, on the other hand, could use some serious work (and how). Devon Still should help improve Seattle's pass rush whether Pete Carroll decides to play him inside or on the edge.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly ILB, Boston College

Arizona spent a ton of money upgrading its linebacking corps this past summer and its run defense still stank up the joint. Luke Kuechly is the best there is on the inside in this draft class and will make the Cardinals coaching staff mighty happy.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): David DeCastro OG, Stanford

Last I checked, the interior of Dallas' offensive line was flat-out awful. David DeCastro should help to mask the problems posed by playing Phil Costa and Montrae Holland up front.

. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Dont'a Hightower ILB, Alabama

The Eagles' run defense never quite recovered from the departure of Stewart Bradley. Though it did improve significantly as the season went along and Juan Castillo realized he wasn't coaching the offensive line anymore.

Still, Philly needs reinforcements at the second level, especially on the inside.

Vontaze Burfict would be an excellent choice here, but his character issues might scare off Andy Reid. He doesn't want to spend any more time purging his locker room of toxic waste.

Look for Dont'a Hightower, the defensive MVP of the BCS title game, to get the nod here. He'll bring some serious attitude and athleticism to the middle of the Eagles' D.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB, Illinois

There's a reason Rex Ryan called blitzes so much this season, and it didn't have to do with how much he trusted Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie on the outside.

Rather, Ryan realized just how poor his front seven were at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.  

Enter Whitney Mercilus, an athletic specimen at linebacker with plenty of prior experience playing in a 3-4 scheme. The name (pronounced "merciless") says it all—the kid is an absolute beast off the edge, with an NCAA-best 16 sacks in 2011.

He and Muhammad Wilkerson will comprise one heckuva pass-rushing tandem in the AFC East for years to come.

In a related story, Tom Brady will be none too happy about it.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama

Thanks to the generosity of the Oakland Raiders who so desperately shelled out draft picks to pick up Carson Palmer, the Bengals will have the opportunity to draft Janoris Jenkins, the most notorious bad boy in the class of 2012.

Jenkins will fill Cincinnati's need at corner while fitting in comfortably to Marvin Lewis' locker room full of social deviants.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry OLB/DE, USC

San Diego's pass-rush dropped off considerably in 2011. Only one guy on the roster (Antwan Barnes) registered more than four sacks.

Nick Perry is still a bit raw, but with a bit of coaching and refinement, the USC product has the potential to be a defensive star thanks to his tremendous physical gifts.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alfonzo Dennard CB, Nebraska

Tim Jennings will be a free agent come March, leaving Chicago's secondary untenably thin in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.

Alfonzo Dennard isn't particularly tall for a corner, but he has the strength and speed to cover just about anyone who'd dare challenge him. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram DE, South Carolina

Is it just me, or are there a ton of teams that need help pursuing the quarterback?

The Titans certainly fall into that category. They managed just 24 sacks this season—seven of which came courtesy of Karl Klug.

Yes, Karl Klug—Tennessee's defensive tackle.

Melvin Ingram should help quite a bit in that department, Klug or no Klug. Ingram's not the biggest end out there (6'2, 276), but the kid comes equipped with a tremendous motor, good enough to notch 10 sacks as a senior.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cordy Glenn OG, Georgia

So long, Nate Livings! Helloooo, Cordy Glenn! 

22. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz C, Wisconsin

Dominic Raiola has been a good sport, sticking with the Lions through 10 terrible seasons before finally sniffing the playoffs this time around.

Unfortunately, the guy's 33, is owed $4 million, and isn't particularly good anymore.

Meanwhile, Peter Konz is the best center to enter the draft in the last few years.

As heartwarming as it would be for Detroit to reward Raiola's loyalty, the team must remain more concerned with winning football games than sentimentality.

23. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Kendall Wright WR, Baylor

It'd make a ton of sense if the Browns, after nabbing RG3, addressed their woes at wide receiver with fellow Baylor Bear Kendall Wright, wouldn't it?

Almost too much sense. Hmmm...

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

One of these days, Ben Roethlisberger will go down with an injury and won't be able to get back up and keep playing.

The Steelers don't ever want to see that, so they'll do the smart thing and upgrade their offensive line, starting with Zebrie Sanders at tackle.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame

Nobody would mistake Tim Tebow for a great passer.

But neither would anyone suggest his receivers are any good, save for the occasional big game from Demaryius Thomas.

Adding a pass-catcher of Michael Floyd's caliber would change all of that.

The 6'3", 224-pounder is big enough, strong enough, and fast enough (and gosh darnit, people like him).

Floyd's almost a mirror image of Thomas, which could hurt his appeal to the Broncos. Then again, Thomas' performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wild Card Weekend might have convinced fans that two of him are better than one.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery WR, South Carolina

If you watched either of the Texans' playoff games, you probably noticed that Jacoby Jones is the football equivalent of a black hole. As such, Houston could use a legitimate No. 2 receiver behind Andre Johnson.

Luckily, Alshon Jeffery looks like he'll fall right into GM Rick Smith's lap.

The 6'4, 229-pounder has the size and freakish athleticism to fill in for Johnson when he's not playing across from him.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Michael Brockers DE/DT, LSU

The Patriots should have three words posted on their big board come draft day: Defense, Defense, Defense.

First up, the pass-rush, which was practically nonexistent this season.

Michael Brockers is big enough (6'6, 306 pounds) and strong enough to make hay on the inside, either storming toward opposing quarterbacks or freeing up his teammates by demanding double-teams.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy DE/DT, Michigan State

The Packers' worst fears came to fruition in a rather devastating fashion with their 37-20 loss to the Giants.

No, not ball security—though that proved to be a huge problem for Green Bay. I'm referring, instead, to a defense that was among the worst in the NFL this season, plummeting from fifth in total yards allowed in 2010 to dead last in 2011.

The line in particular never seemed to recover from the loss of Cullen Jenkins.

B.J. Raji seemed to spend more time filming awkward State Farm commercials than plugging running lanes.

Jerel Worthy would take care of that problem.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict ILB, Arizona State

Could there be a better fit for the Ravens' needs than Vontaze Burfict?

Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger, and Burfict has the freakish athletic ability and nasty streak on the field to play right away and fill the Hall of Fame linebacker's shoes when he decides to hang 'em up.

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

Sooo, Braylon Edwards happened. Michael Crabtree hasn't exactly set the world ablaze with his play as an NFL sophomore, either.

Think Alex Smith would look better with a guy like Mohamed Sanu to throw to?

The Niners will need a receiver like Sanu to take over for Kyle Williams, who'd be foolhardy to show his face in the Bay Area anytime soon after a goat-worthy performance in the NFC Championship Game.

31. New York Giants (9-7): Lamar Miller RB, Miami

The Giants finished dead last in the NFL in rushing this season, thanks to subpar seasons from Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.

Sure, they've come on strong as of late, helping to carry Big Blue to the brink of Super Bowl XLVI.

But Jacobs isn't likely to return and Bradshaw can't be counted on to carry the load every down.

Lamar Miller, on the other hand, is big enough to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. He's fast enough to make people miss. The 5'11", 212-pounder played just two seasons at The U, but is eligible for the draft on account of spending his first year in Coral Gables as a redshirt.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron SS, Alabama

Kudos to Rob Ninkovich, James Ihedigbo and Julian Edelman for taking up space in New England's vacuous defensive backfield.

That said, Bill Belichick isn't likely to twiddle his thumbs and hope his secondary magically improves on its own.

Instead, expect him to add Alabama's Mark Barron, the best safety in the draft, if/when he's presented with the opportunity to do so.

Follow @J0shMart1n