2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing College Football's Top Linemen

This morning I am going to give you a full first-round mock draft with one caveat. I will be focusing specifically on offensive linemen, giving you a scouting report of the players and projecting where they are going to go in the first round. 

The 2012 NFL draft includes one of the best offensive line groups in the recent history of the draft. You have, by my estimates, six possible franchise tackles in the draft. Teams that are looking to upgrade along the offensive line—pretty much every team in the league—will be extremely happy come April. 

So, lets take a look. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

2. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California 

This is one of the deepest draft classes when it comes to the offensive line that I have seen in a long time. Matt Kalil stands right up there with the elite players along that unit in this draft. He could stand to gain some weight and struggles with footwork to an extent, but these are two things than can be fixed. 

He has been dominating Pac-10/12 defenses for a great while now. Kalil continually pancakes opposing defensive linemen to the ground, dominates in pass protection and is an above-average run-blocker. 

Charlie Johnson was worse than bad this season, he was absolutely horrible. The Minnesota Vikings are desperate need of a franchise cornerstone along the offensive line, and Kalil provides that. He will be protecting Christian Ponder's blind side for the next decade. 

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

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

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

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State 

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama 

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

12. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Chiefs would be doing cartwheels if David DeCastro fell to them here. Not only would they be able to replace a bad Ryan Lilja, they would be getting one of the best interior linemen to enter the draft in the modern history of the league. 

He is dominating in pass protection, opening gaping holes up the gut. Pretty much the most complete player that you could get in the draft. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin would be a dream come true for the Arizona Cardinals. This is an offensive line that gave up more than 50 sacks—yes, 50—this season. The Cardinals are going to need multiple upgrades along this unit in order to contend any time soon. 

Martin has been protecting Andrew Luck's blindside for the last three season and has done a tremendous job fending off opposing pass-rushers. He already has good technique, is incredibly strong and can dominate the trenches. Getting a player that is ranked sixth on my big board would be a coup for Arizona here. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

16. New York Jets: Chris Polk, RB, Washington 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

It is hard to imagine the former Iowa standout would fall to the late teens, but this mock draft played out exactly that way. San Diego probably wouldn't have a major issue if this scenario were to repeat itself in April. 

The Chargers have a major need on the outside of their offensive line, which will be plugged in the draft, not internally or via free agency. Riley Reiff might not have the upside of other tackles in this draft, but he is already a damn good player that will be solid for the next decade. Great value at a need position. 

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

22. Cleveland Browns: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina 

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

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

25. Denver Broncos:  Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

26. Houston Texans:  Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis 

27. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, LB, Southern California 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Mark Barron, S, Alabama 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina 

31. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State 

Eli Manning was hit 20 times by the San Francisco 49ers in their NFC Championship victory Sunday night. This is not a sustainable situation for the New York Giants moving forward. They will not win consistently when that happens. 

Mike Adams would have been a top-10 pick if it weren't for being suspended to start the 2011 season. He can be dominating and translates well as a blindside pass-protector. 

32. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State