2012 NFL Mock Draft: Perfect Fits for Robert Griffin III

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck may be the first quarterback taken off the board, but Baylor's Robert Griffin III certainly isn't a slouch.

In leading the Bears to an Alamo Bowl victory this season, the Heisman winner was simply stunning, passing for 37 touchdowns to six interceptions while rushing for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Griffin is now considered an elite prospect and he's bound to make an NFL franchise proud.

Here's a look at where I see him landing (teams where he would be a good fit are in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are expected to select Andrew Luck, and why not? Luck has the arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise and ability to scramble that makes him one of the most promising quarterback prospects in years. You are looking at Peyton Manning's successor in Indianapolis.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There have been rumors that the Cleveland Browns will trade up for Griffin, but the Redskins will offer more, giving up their No. 6 overall pick and two second-rounders to nab the highly touted prospect.

Griffin has tremendous arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise and an uncanny ability to rise to the occasion. He also is lightning-fast on the run.

The Redskins have seen enough of Rex Grossman and John Beck under center.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kali, OT, USC

Kalil is a top-three prospect in my mind, and he just so happens to fill a need on the offensive line for the Vikings. His ability as both a pass-blocker and a run-blocker will provide time for young quarterback Christian Ponder in the pocket and open up holes for running back Adrian Peterson.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns wouldn't mind grabbing Griffin at No. 6 overall, as the front office has been careful about declaring Colt McCoy as its franchise quarterback, but the Browns aren't going to give up picks to do so.

Instead, they'll find a replacement for Peyton Hillis at running back with Trent Richardson, who has all the tools to become a superstar in the NFL.

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

Cornerback Aqib Talib disappointed on and off the field this season and Ronde Barber is aging. Morris Claiborne gives the Bucs a potential star-in-the-making. He has better cover skills than former teammate Patrick Peterson and is a complete cornerback with solid potential against the run.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Quarterback Sam Bradford needs a threat at wide receiver and Justin Blackmon is a physical, strong receiver who should be an excellent possession receiver, if anything. His leaping ability also could make him a threat downfield, as well, and he has an uncanny ability to rack up yards after the catch.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

I almost like Alshon Jeffery better at the next level than Blackmon, particularly because he's taller, stronger and faster. But people seem to have made their mind up after Blackmon's blazing game against Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl.

Young QB Blaine Gabbert needs a No. 1 receiver and Jeffery could be that man.

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins aren't going to be able to grab Griffin here, as much as they need a quarterback. But I expect them to land soon-to-be free agent Matt Flynn anyway after hiring former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as head coach.

In that regard, expect the Dolphins to provide some protection with the athletic Riley Reiff, who could step in right away and make an impact.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I originally had the Panthers grabbing Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick here, but their primary need is a defensive tackle and Michael Brockers, though raw, has the strength, speed and quickness to be a formidable force in the inside. Plus, Kirkpatrick's recent arrest for marijuana possession doesn't do him any favors.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Courtney Upshaw is the top pass-rushing linebacker in this year's class and the Bills don't have one impact outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. He almost makes too much sense here with his strength, athleticism and attitude.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need help on the offensive line and Jonathan Martin has the athleticism and toughness to be a great asset, both as a pass-blocker and a run-blocker.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Not only was head coach Pete Carroll the former head coach of USC, Nick Perry is the pass-rushing threat at defensive end or outside linebacker that the Seahawks need. His combination of strength, length and athleticism could make him a difference-maker from the start in the NFL.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State

Mike Adams has impressed for the most part in the Senior Bowl and his height, size, frame and footwork could make him a franchise tackle for the Cardinals.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb needs time in the pocket after the Cardinals allowed 54 sacks in 2011.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Cowboys took care of offensive tackle with Troy Smith last year. Now they'll look to address the guard position, which is still weak. David DeCastro is alarmingly consistent and has great footwork and technique. He may be an even better offensive lineman than Jonathan Martin overall.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

DeSean Jackson is likely on his way out of Philadelphia and Michael Floyd could become a star in the NFL. Floyd doesn't have elite speed, but his strength, physicality, technique shielding defenders and leaping ability is impressive.

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

Melvin Ingram was already considered a first-round prospect before the Senior Bowl. Now scouts are apparently raving about him at the Senior Bowl and his speed and quickness projects well at the next level.

Rex Ryan and the Jets would love to get their hands on a pass-rushing threat like Ingram.

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

This is a tough one because the Bengals could go with Kirkpatrick opposite Leon Hall, but I'm also a big believer in Lamar Miller.

Miller's blend of speed, quickness, vision, patience and ability as a receiver out of the backfield makes him a future star in the NFL in my mind. He could eventually take over for Cedric Benson and add to the Bengals' promising young offensive weapons.

18. San Diego Chargers: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown is blazing fast and he's a complete linebacker, doing well as a pass-rusher and against the pass and the run. I'm still scratching my head as to why he's so far down some draft boards, but I could see him actually going higher than this when all is said and done. He's already raising some eyebrows at the Senior Bowl.

The Chargers desperately need a difference-maker at outside linebacker.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears could go with a receiver here, or they could help out quarterback Jay Cutler some more with a guard. Cordy Glenn is athletic enough to be a tackle in the NFL, but his size (6'5", 348 pounds) makes him more suitable as a guard. A sure-fire first-round prospect.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Titans would love a guard here, but with DeCastro and Glenn off the board I see them going with a pass-rusher. The fast-rising Whitney Mercilus has the explosion and smarts to be a special player in the NFL.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Looks like the Bengals will get Dre Kirkpatrick, anyway (tricked you!). The Bengals have dealt with character concerns before and Kirkpatrick has the strength, physicality, height and nose for the ball to be a stand-out cornerback at the next level.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Not only will the Browns grab Richardson, I see them landing the lightning-fast Kendall Wright, as well. Wright's burst and athleticism have had some people comparing him to DeSean Jackson. He could actually be a steal at this spot.

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

The Lions showed against the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs that their secondary could still use some work. I've been high on Stephon Gilmore for a while now. He has impressive ball skills and coverage skills, and his strength allows him to play press coverage and be an asset against the run.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers won't find a top offensive lineman here, so the next order of business is finding a replacement for 34-year-old nose tackle Casey Hampton. Dontari Poe has the strength and burst to command double teams, opening up holes for the rest of the defense.

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

The Broncos need someone to help stuff the run, and Devon Still is widely regarded as a top defensive tackle in this year's draft. Still's height and bulk make him a handful in the interior.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Texans need a solid No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson and Mohamed Sanu has the strength, hands, leaping ability and toughness on crossing routes to be a solid player in the NFL. Love this kid's demeanor on the field.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Illinois

Fletcher Cox's combination of strength and quickness make him a good fit as a 3-4 defensive end and is a reason he's risen up draft boards. I see the Patriots shifting to a 3-4 next season.

28. Green Bay Packers: Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina

Quinton Coples has the speed and strength to be a star in the NFL, but I worry about where his head's at sometimes. He undoubtedly played well below expectations at North Carolina this season and I wonder if he has the mentality to be a difference-maker at the next level.

Nonetheless, the NFL combine alone makes it hard for me to place him outside the first round and the Packers could use a pass-rushing threat at defensive end.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict has the strength, instincts and range to be a great player in the NFL, but he's hot-headed and it's gotten him into trouble numerous times at Arizona State with stupid personal foul penalties. However, it's hard for me to see the Ravens passing on a player of this caliber, especially when Ray Lewis can mold him into his successor.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

I'm not the biggest fan of such a cohesive 49ers team drafting Janoris Jenkins, who comes with character concerns, but the top wideouts will be off the board at this point and Jenkins is by far the most talented cornerback here. The 49ers defense generated plenty of pressure this season, but I do think the secondary needs some depth and I'm not sold on No. 2 corner Tarell Brown.

31. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Peter Konz is the only legitimate center prospect in this year's draft and it just so happens the Patriots have a 32-year-old center in Dan Koppen who suffered a fractured ankle this season.

Protecting Tom Brady is greater than adding to the pass rush.

32. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

There are some concerns about Luke Kuechly's size and strength at the next level, but his instincts, range and tackling ability make him hard to pass up in the first round, especially considering the Giants are in dire need of an impact player at middle linebacker.