2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals and Teams That Will Find Missing Piece

Before this season began, who really expected the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs this year?

No one, that's who.

But the team's top two picks—wide receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton—instantly revitalized the team's offense and took pressure off of a solid defense.

If the Bengals nail the two picks they have in the first round thanks to the Carson Palmer trade with the Oakland Raiders, they have the opportunity to go from a one-and-done playoff team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Here are a few other teams a player away from playoff contention.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I still believe the Colts and Browns or Redskins might be trade partners before all is said and done. But with Peyton Manning's future remaining uncertain, I'm keeping the Colts at this slot for now.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor*

There is no way the Redskins are going to miss out on one of the top two quarterbacks in this draft. They desperately need a young talent at the position to excite the fanbase.

Griffin is an electric playmaker at the quarterback position who I believe will come in and make an instant impact at the NFL level. Paired with an elite receiver—a guy like Vincent Jackson makes a lot of sense for Washington if he hits free agency—Griffin could have the Redskins competing for a playoff berth next season.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings would be wise to select Kalil as protection for last year's first-round pick, quarterback Christian Ponder.

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

Colt McCoy may not be the long-term solution at quarterback, but it's hard to fairly judge him without first giving him some weapons.

Enter Justin Blackmon. I believe the Browns aren't nearly as far away from a successful season as their 4-12 record this season suggests. And with two picks in the first round, the Browns can add the sort of playmakers like Blackmon that win games in the NFL.

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

The Bucs will be thrilled to upgrade the cornerback position with the best defensive player in this draft, Morris Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Rams get a much-needed weapon for quarterback Sam Bradford.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After just missing out on the top two receivers, the Jags will be happy to solidify a position wracked by injuries last season, cornerback, with the NFL-ready Kirkpatrick.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers will find their replacement for Julius Peppers in the defensive end from North Carolina, who has the ability to both make an impact rushing the passer like rookie Aldon Smith did for San Francisco and play every down and stop the run, something Smith didn't do.

Paired with defensive end Charles Johnson, Coples would give the Panthers a scary pass-rushing combo for years to come.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins need a solid right tackle. Reiff fills a big need.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bills need a pass-rusher and are likely to play more four-man fronts under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Ingram is the perfect fit.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Seahawks could use another edge rusher to pair with Chris Clemons. They get that player in Mercilus, who is merciless to opposing quarterbacks.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Chiefs will be thrilled to pair Richardson with electric playmaker Jamaal Charles, and will be even more thrilled he falls to them with the 12th pick.

Kansas City is a team that is set up to win the AFC West next year. They get Charles, Matt Cassel, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki back from injuries. They played inspired football down the stretch under new coach Romeo Crennel.

Sometimes, you have to just take the best player on the board. Kansas City will be happy they did with Richardson.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals need a better left tackle to protect Kevin Kolb or John Skelton than Levi Brown. You're up, Jonathan Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Back-to-back Stanford picks—how exciting.

The Cowboys will be in the market for a guard, and they'll reach a bit to draft the top guard on the board.

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

At some point, Andy Reid and the Eagles are going to recognize that they desperately need a solid player at linebacker.

I say they finally wake up this year and draft the reliable Luke Kuechly, who will instantly upgrade one of the worst linebacker corps is the NFL.

The Eagles are only a few improvements away from being a Super Bowl contender. Kuechly is an NFL-ready linebacker who will instantly upgrade Philly's defense.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

Upshaw will instantly upgrade the Jets pass-rush and provide stability to the outside linebacker position.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina**

The Bengals will be thrilled to find a replacement for last season's free-agent defector, Jonathan Joseph.

Paring with Leon Hall, Gilmore gives the Bengals one of the best young cornerback duos in the NFL and makes their defense truly scary heading into next season.

18. San Diego Chargers: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I fully expect Vincent Jackson to leave the Chargers this offseason. They'll quickly replace him with Floyd.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Jay Cutler will be quite pleased with this selection.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans need to upgrade their pass-rush. Perry is a high-ceiling selection who should help them do just that.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The speedy and shifty Miller is the perfect complement to the tough running of Cedric Benson, and he will carry a much-needed share of the load next season.

You can never have too many playmakers on offense. Andy Dalton will be quite pleased to have toys like A.J. Green and Miller to play with next season.

22. Cleveland Browns: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

I don't expect Peyton Hillis to return and Montario Hardesty is injury prone.

Cleveland will be happy to add Polk, and Colt McCoy and Browns fans everywhere will be thrilled that the team finally added some talent to the skill positions in this draft.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Detroit fills a need with this pick. It isn't sexy, but it's smart.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Anywhere else and I'd say Burfict would be a risky pick. But with the Steelers, it's almost a guarantee he becomes a star, isn't it?

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

John Fox will be happy to further improve an up-and-coming defense with this selection.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The speedy Wright is the perfect complement to all-world receiver Andre Johnson.

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

The Patriots secondary was brutal this year. Belichick will take his chances with Jenkins' character issues and land one of the steals in this draft.

28. Green Bay Packers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Another steal this late, Brockers will replace the loss of Cullen Jenkins from last offseason, a player the Packers desperately missed this year.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Baltimore knows their bread and butter is defense. They draft accordingly.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The 49ers receivers don't scare many people. Sanu is an instant upgrade to an up-and-coming NFC power.

31. New York Giants: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Giants know you can never have enough good cornerbacks in today's NFL, and they use a first-round pick on a cornerback for a second straight season.

32. New England Patriots: Wilson Chandler, OLB, Syracuse

No, they probably won't keep this pick. But some help at linebacker wouldn't hurt if they do stay here.

* The Redskins, worried the Browns might take Robert Griffin III at No. 4, trade the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second and fourth-round pick this year and second-round pick next year for St. Louis' second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

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