Updated 2012 NFL Mock Draft with First Round Predictions and Analysis

With Super Bowl XLVI just about two weeks away, 30 NFL teams are sitting home which means that we now know their draft order.

For the fans of those 30 teams that have been eliminated, all they have to look forward to is the 2012 NFL draft. 

In that spirit, let's take a look at my updated third version of my 2012 NFL mock draft with first round predictions and analysis. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck

It remains to be seen who will be the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, but I can guarantee to you that Andrew Luck will be one of Indy's quarterbacks.

Luck is one of the most NFL-ready quarterback prospects that I have ever seen in a while and he is simply too much talent, upside and potential to pass on.

The Colts will be drafting Andrew Luck will the first overall pick. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon

Sam Bradford desperately needs a wide receiver and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is the best that the 2012 draft class has to offer. 

It's unknown if Brandon Lloyd will be a Ram in 2012, but either way Blackmon would be the wise decision for St. Louis. 

Blackmon is a big target that runs crisp routes and would develop as Bradford's go-to-man. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil

When you're building around a young quarterback, you need to make sure that he has quality protection on his offensive line.

With that being said, the Minnesota Vikings will be selecting USC's offensive tackle Matt Kalil.

Kalil is the 2012 NFL draft's top offensive tackle prospect and is an immediate first-year impact player that could start at either left or right tackle for the Vikings. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III

If no team trades up to draft Robert Griffin III and he is still available at fourth overall, the Cleveland Browns will have no choice but to draft him (provided they don't trade this pick).

Some could argue that Griffin isn't just the second best prospect in the 2012 draft but he offers the most talent and upside out of every player.

Griffin would immediate stir up a quarterback controversy with Colt McCoy and would likely end up being the team's starter in 2012. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to find a replacement for veteran cornerback Ronde Barber, as the end of his career is near. 

LSU's Morris Claiborne is the top cornerback prospect in this year's draft and just happens to be the prospect that offers the most value at this point of the draft.

Claiborne could be a first-year impact player for the Bucs in 2012. 

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson

In this scenario with Robert Griffin III off of the board, the Washington Redskins would happily welcome Alabama running back Trent Richardson. 

Mike Shanahan loves his running backs and adding Richardson with Roy Helu would create a punishing and deadly running back tandem.

With the selection of Richardson, I'd expect to see the Redskins acquire a quarterback via free agency or a trade. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd

No team needs a wide receiver more than the Jacksonville Jaguars—and Notre Dame's Michael Floyd  is the best available.

Floyd is a well-rounded receiver that is very physical and can beat man-coverage with ease. 

Blaine Gabbert would absolutely be the happiest man in the world if the Jags went after Floyd with this selection. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick

Ron Rivera's defense needs a cornerback and Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick is the best available.

Kirkpatrick may have been recently arrested for drug charges, but I do not see that affecting his value that much as he has the ability to be an immediate first-year starter with shutdown cornerback abilities. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff

The Miami Dolphins are still improving and rebuilding their offensive line and they'll likely go with Iowa's offensive tackle Riley Reiff.

Reiff would likely start at right tackle for the Dolphins next season and should flourish as a pass blocker, but he will need to improve his run blocking skills a little bit. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw

Alabama's Courtney Upshaw is by far the top 3-4 outside linebacker available in the 2012 draft class.

The Buffalo Bills badly need a pass rusher and Upshaw fills that need.

Upshaw would be a nice asset to line up with defensive tackle Marcell Dareus for many years to come. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: David DeCastro

Very rarely do you see an offensive guard drafted this high. David DeCastro is that good.

DeCastro should be an elite offensive guard in the near future and the Seattle Seahawks could certainly benefit from his services and his potential to be a first-year impact player. 

With this selection, it would likely move Robert Gallery over to right guard with DeCastro filling in at left guard. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still

The Kansas City Chiefs need an interior pass rusher in their 3-4 defense to compliment Tamba Hali, and Penn State's Devon Still is by far the perfect fit.

Romeo Crennel would absolutely love to see Still in a Chiefs uniform as he would be a disruptive force in his 3-4 alignment for many years to come. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin

The Arizona Cardinals need to upgrade their putrid offensive line before one of their quarterbacks gets seriously injured—and Stanford's Jonathan Martin is the best bet for that need.

Martin did a tremendous job at protecting Andrew Luck's blindside for the past few seasons at Stanford and would likely be Zona's left tackle of the future. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore

Rob Ryan's defense needs an upgrade in his secondary and South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore is the best available.

Gilmore is an athletic cornerback that has playmaking abilities and could definitely flourish in man-to-man coverage.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly is a tacking machine and that is exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles need.

The Eagles spent all of last season trying to find a reliable option at linebacker and the Boston College product is certainly an option for Philly. 

16. New York Jets: Quinton Coples

The New York Jets could always use a pass rusher and North Carolina's Quinton Coples is the best one available at this point of the draft.

Rex Ryan would certainly love Coples on his roster and would find ways to use his stellar pass-rushing abilities. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller

Cedric Benson doesn't have too many miles yet and the Cincinnati Bengals need to start looking for a replacement.

The Bengals have youth at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end—now it's time to fuse in some youth at the running back position. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Vontze Burfict

The San Diego Chargers defense is not getting any younger and it's time to add some youth—Vontaze Burfict is the perfect match.

Burfict has a freakish athletic ability for a linebacker and would likely flourish opposite of Shaun Phillips in San Diego's defense. 

19. Chicago Bears: Dont’a Hightower

The Chicago Bears cannot allow their defense to age right before their eyes, so it's time to add some young blood to that group.

Alabam's Dont’a Hightower is a very solid linebacker prospect that would sure up some holes in the middle of Chicago's defense.

Not to mention, Hightower could be the future replacement for Brian Urlacher, as his days are numbered. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram

The Tennessee Titans did not replace Jason Babin a year ago and need to do so in this year's offseason.

With that being said, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram would add some much needed help in the team's pass-rushing department. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Konz

Peter Konz is the most NFL-ready center that the 2012 NFL draft has to offer and the Cincinnati Bengals will be the ones to land his talents. 

Konz is well-balanced as he is a very impressive run blocker that explodes off of the ball and can also hold his ground while pass blocking. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright

If the Cleveland Browns do end up with Robert Griffin III and Kendall Wright is available at this point of the draft, then there is no doubt in my mind that they'll draft Wright—why not? It makes perfect sense.

Wright was RG3's No. 1 wide receiver while at Baylor. 

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown

The Detroit Lions have arguably the best defensive front four in the NFL, so now it's time to build the defense behind them—which makes North Carolina's Zach Brown a perfect selection.

Brown is an athletic linebacker that has great football instincts and can run with tight ends in pass coverage. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe

Casey Hampton is not getting any younger and drafting Dontari Poe to be his future replacement would be a wise decision for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Poe is a massive object that would fit perfectly in Pittsburgh's 3-4 attack. 

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy

The Denver Broncos are committed to building their defensive unit under John Fox and they will likely be picking Jerel Worthy at this point of the draft if he's available.

Worthy is a massive linemen that would demand double teams in the middle of Denver's defense. 

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu

The Houston Texans already have an elite defense so I don't think that they'll be using this pick on a defensive player, which leads me to believe that Mohamed Sanu would be a wise selection here.

Sanu would likely flourish playing opposite of one of the NFL's elite wide receivers, Andre Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots: Alshon Jeffery

If Alshon Jeffery is available at this point for the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels would love to add him to their elite offense.

Jeffery is exactly what the Patriots need on offense, a tall, physical wide receiver that has a well-rounded skill set. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Alfonzo Dennard

If Alfonzo Dennard falls to this point, the Green Bay Packers would have no choice but to draft him—his value is too much for the Packers to pass up on.

The Packers had the worst defense a year ago and adding Dennard would certainly improve their defensive unit a bit. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn

Vince Wilfork exposed how weak the Baltimore Ravens' interior line really is in the AFC Championship. 

Georgia's Cordy Glenn is the best interior linemen available and is one hell of a run blocker that would flourish with the Ravens. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Perry

The San Francisco 49ers already have a stellar defensive front-seven and it's time to add to that strength.

USC's Nick Perry can play either defensive end and outside linebacker and would certainly benefit playing with guys like Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. 

31. New York Giants: Mike Adams

The New York Giants offensive line has been a mess all season long and it's time to add some stability to their unit.

Ohio State's Mike Adams is a very intriguing offensive tackle that does not have any true weaknesses and is very well-rounded in both pass protection and run blocking. 

32. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins

It's no secret that Bill Belichick loves the Florida Gators—so with Janoris Jenkins available, he seems to be a perfect fit.

Despite some character issues, Jenkins is a very talented cornerback that would likely be an immediate starter for the Patriots as they have one of the most pathetic cornerback corps in recent memory.