2012 NFL Mock Draft: How New Head Coaching Hires Will Shake Up Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' surprise hire of Rutgers coach Greg Schiano leaves only the Oakland Raiders searching for a head coach.

The damage from this past season saw seven head coaching vacancies pop up, and the Raiders, to nobody's surprise, are the last team to sit down.

The Indianapolis Colts just hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. The St. Louis Rams landed free-agent coach (and former Titans coach) Jeff Fisher after duking it out with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, in turn, hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. And the Kansas City Chiefs promoted former defensive coordinator and interim coach Romeo Crennel.

That brings us back to Schiano's hire today and what it all means for the 2012 NFL Draft. With approximately three months remaining until the selection process starts, all these coaches are going to be thrust into NFL draft season head-first.

How will these hires shake up the draft? Which coaches adhere to need over value or value over need? Which teams are prime candidates to move around to accommodate their new coach's wishes?

All of that and more is taken into consideration in this latest mock draft.

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

The Colts are drafting Andrew Luck. Period. If they don't, it is because they're bringing back Peyton Manning and trading away the No. 1 pick for a bounty of picks that can help get No. 18 back to the Super Bowl faster.

If that sounds at all unreasonable, that is because it is.

The Colts need to move on, and they need to so with the draft's best player, Andrew Luck.

With a new general manager and new head coach, there will almost assuredly be a new quarterback.

Indianapolis is fooling themselves if they think they can survive with upwards of $50 million into two players at a position where only one can start.

This team simply isn't good enough everywhere else to allow that.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Jeff Fisher's takeover in St. Louis may actually have a big effect on the draft. The Rams would be wise to leverage their situation with so many QB-needy teams on the board and Robert Griffin III available, but it isn't out of the question for Fisher to stay put.

But the Vikings have already declared that they'll welcome any offers for the No. 3 pick. With this known, the Browns will likely do all they can to get up to No. 2.

Fisher should force the Browns to give up both their first-round picks this year to make it happen, and there is a good chance he will.

The Rams' biggest need is at wide receiver, and Justin Blackmon is the best this draft has to offer.

Dropping to No. 4 is still an ideal position to select the game-breaking WR.

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

If St. Louis trades out, it completely lowers the value of this pick, and the Vikes will be forced to choose between Matt Kalil and Morris Claiborne.

Kalil can come in right away and help their two most important players, Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Browns are going to have to trade up for RG3. They reportedly have a ton of interest in the Heisman Trophy winner, and the Vikes have every reason to be serious about trading down. They simply cannot risk it.

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

Before Schiano's hire, I was hellbent on the Bucs taking Morris Claiborne. He's far and way the best defensive prospect in the class, he fills a positional need and also brings versatility on special teams.

Although the former Rutgers coach is a defensive mind who loves versatility, he also loves his ground game.

Tampa Bay was 30th in the league in rushing this season and used a number of running backs due to injury.

Trent Richardson is a complete running back with non-stop, bulldozing legs and rare agility and quickness for his size. He can make plays out of the backfield, and he can carry a full load.

The Alabama prospect simply fits into what Schiano wants to do on offense far too well to pass up, even with Claiborne on the board.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The reach alert might be flashing in front of your eyes and ringing in your ears, but there is a ton of talk about Tannehill as a first-round and possible top-10 pick. The Redskins simply cannot afford to go into this season without a new quarterback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

New Jags coach Mike Mularkey is an offensive-minded coach, but he cannot be crazy enough to pass up the opportunity for the draft's best defensive player.

Claiborne fills a position of need, brings flash and excitement to their return game and has the potential to develop into an elite shutdown corner who can take away half of the field.

Mularkey wants to give Blaine Gabbert every opportunity to succeed, but there is an offensive player of value worth taking here.

In the coach's first draft, he has to take best available player in this scenario.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Ron Rivera will likely decide between Coples and Devon Still. The UNC defensive end has the versatility to play inside or outside, and Rivera may be able to turn him into an elite player.

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

Joe Philbin doesn't have a quarterback yet—he'll likely have Jeff Ireland chase free agent Matt Flynn—and is unlikely to get a shot at one in the draft. If they land Flynn, that means they won't have to mortgage future drafts to move up for a rookie QB.

The Dolphins could go after another pass rusher here, but protecting whoever their future signal-caller will be is top priority.

With Mike Pouncey entering his second year at center, the Dolphins will have a much more formidable line to offer their future quarterback with the addition of Riley Reiff.

The 6'6", 300-pounder will be able to step in at right tackle opposite Jake Long and give Miami two dependable bookends to rely on for years to come.

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

The Crimson Tide star is currently dominating at the Senior Bowl and is the best available pass-rusher in the draft.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Seahawks are in an interesting bind here, but Still is the best available player who can help their defensive front with his disruptive tendencies.

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

Romeo Crennel would love to do some work with his defense, but this Chiefs team is still not settled on the offensive line.

Jonathan Martin did a great job in protecting Andrew Luck for much of the year, but excels in the run game.

Kansas City is a run-first offense and will look to get this year's injured star, Jamaal Charles, back on track quickly.

Adding Martin now will make the entire offense better if they can stay healthy.

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

Cardinals could very easily look to the O-line here, but Kuechly is the best available defensive player.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Big, dominating run-blocker helps Cowboys balance their offense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd's size and playmaking ability near the endzone are a perfect compliment to Philly's smaller, faster receivers.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Jets didn't generate enough of a pass rush from their front seven this year. Ingram helps that immediately.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide star may slide more than this, but the Bengals can use him and have never shied away from talent because of red flags.

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

Perry's pass rush ability will help a team that has yet to find a consistent force off the edge since Shawne Merriman dropped off the face of the earth.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Massive center makes Bears entire o-line better by pushing Roberto Garza back to guard.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Only a redshirt sophomore, the Titans have the coaching staff to help build up this talented Tiger.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller's speed will be too much to pass up for a team looking to replace the plodding Cedric Benson.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

If this pick belongs to the Rams, expect them to address their offensive line, but if the Browns keep it, they still need a big target. I am not super high on Jeffery at all, though.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Towering offensive tackle prospect can take over at a position where the Lions desperately need some youth.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Another huge o-lineman, Glenn can play guard or tackle, but has looked better on the interior. He'll help the Steelers wherever they put him.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Bulldog's versatility make him an ideal fit in the Broncos front four.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The draft's most complete and top-rated safety can take over for years in Houston.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The former Florida Gator is simply too good to fall out of the first round.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard's physical style of play and questionable deep speed is a great fit in Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

If any locker room can tame Burfict, it is the Ravens. He's a potential replacement for Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Speedy, athletic receiver who can help stretch the field in San Fran and actually catch the ball.

+31. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is a superior athlete who has been all over the field in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. Could easily rise up on draft boards, but if he falls, gives the Giants exactly what they need.

+32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Rutgers receiver left school at just the right time. He comes with great athleticism and versatility with intriguing size (6'2", 215 pounds).

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

+Determined by Super Bowl