2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Which Teams Will Have the Best Draft

A first-round pick can make or break a NFL team's draft, and there are quite a few franchise players in the 2012 NFL draft that have the ability to do just that.

Make the right pick, and your draft class will be looked back on as legendary within your organization, even if the rest of your picks didn't pan out.

If you draft a first-round dud, though, even the best late-round picks won't be able to make up for it.

Let's focus on the superstars, players that will drastically impact the direction of the franchise for years to come.

Some of them are big-names and may be obvious to you. Some of the big-names you think will be franchise changers may not be as good as you think.

Other players you may not even know yet.

Years later when we look back on the 2012 NFL draft, we will talk about how these teams had the best draft...

Here's my latest first-round mock:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Let's start out with the obvious. This is a huge change in direction for the franchise that has been led by Peyton Manning for so long, but it's one that's needed. Not only is he getting older, but it seems like his his relationship with the Colts may be starting to fray. 

Luck is going to be ready for the NFL. At 6'4'', 235 pounds he has perfect size, but he backs that up with all the intangibles.

He grades high in accuracy, arm-strength, vision, fundamentals and quarterback IQ.

If there was a quarterback to replace Manning, this would be the guy. Years from now we will all remember when Andrew Luck was drafted.

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

I have to see the Redskins trading up here. Currently the Rams would hold this spot, but they can get a ton of value out of trading back a few spots and still getting what they need, plus more.

The Redskins desperately need a franchise quarterback, and that's somewhat of an understatement.

For as talented as Luck is, Robert Griffin III is right there with him—just different playing styles.

Griffin III has the potential to be an extremely explosive player in the NFL. He can still make all the throws you'd want to see out of a franchise quarterback, but he accents that with the ability to break off big runs.

As much as we'll remember the Colts getting Luck, RGIII being drafted by the Redskins will be equally as memorable.

This will change the whole direction of their franchise in a positive way.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Great size and natural skill. Will protect Minnesota QBs for a long time. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Has the ability to be one of the next great explosive running backs in the NFL depending on what the Browns do around him. 

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

Defense needed a big-time addition, and they will get it here. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Great receiver to give to Sam Bradford in a scheme that needs him. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

This team needs help getting after the quarterback, and Coples is too physically and athletically gifted to pass up on. 

8. Carolina Panthers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is not going to get a lot of name recognition from the average NFL fan because he's a lineman.

I'd equate DeCastro to the Andrew Luck of linemen—he's the sure thing. Watch his film and I guarantee you that he will impress you.

He's about near-perfect. Great form, great blocking, great footwork and excellent drive off the ball. He positions his body perfectly between a defender and the running lane or quarterback.

He's so good that you'd have to nitpick to find flaws. He's going to be an incredible lineman for years to come for the Panthers, and he's athletic enough to do wonders for Cam Newton.

It's a shame he won't get the publicity he deserves.

9. Miami Dolphins: Alshon Jefferey, WR, South Carolina

Dolphins are going to want to get a playmaker to help out their potential free-agent quarterback. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Fits the scheme, and they need help at the position. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Fits the scheme almost perfectly here and fits a big need. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

In time Ingram may develop into a steal. The Seahawks really need the help in the pass rush game, and Ingram fits what they need.

The thing that may scare some teams off with Ingram is his size. At 6'2", 276 pounds can he really hang in a 4-3 defense scheme at end?

I think the answer is yes here, and I think the Seahawks will be pleasantly surprised. This guy is very fast, and he'll use it to his advantage against bigger and slower offensive tackles.

He plays with very good pad-level—which is underrated mind you—and is strong enough to use his leverage in a variety of ways.

He can beat a tackle from the outside edge, but he appears strong and quick enough to make life hard on the inside shoulder as well.

The Seahawks are developing a young and athletic defense, and Ingram may become their star.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Protecting the quarterback has got to be a priority for the Cardinals. Reiff is extremely athletic and will be very good in the NFL.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys really need help in the secondary, and I don't see them being phased by character issues.

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

The Eagles need help tackling, so getting a solid linebacker is a must.

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Jets have a weakness at safety, and Barron can be a game-changer.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Big, strong possession receiver to put across from A.J. Green. This is a great pick we'll come back to.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Best player on the board, and this offensive line needs the help.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Adams has really been impressing scouts in the offseason. He's a huge player, and the Bears need to protect Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Some would consider this a big slip. I consider it to be a perfect fit.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Chris Polk, Running Back, Washington

Polk is a solid downhill back with good speed and the ability to break tackles. He can play in between the tackles, but he has that second gear that you're looking for in a good back.

He also has good field vision and the ability to make people miss, which all-in-all is a very dangerous combination.

Back to the pick of Floyd—with Floyd and Polk coming in to help in the offense, the Bengals are setting young quarterback Andy Dalton up for success.

In Green and Floyd they have their deep threat and possession receivers. In Polk they have a player that can be a featured back, or part of a tandem.

Shoring up the defense and offensive line is key in the other rounds, but this is how you set a young quarterback up for success.

Put explosive pieces around him and give him options.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

All of a sudden the Browns offense is feeling good with some legitimate and speedy weapons.

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

Obviously a huge need at corner, and Gilmore will be very good.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe was made to play nose tackle in the 3-4.

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Broncos need a space eater to help out the linebackers. Cox will do the trick.

26. Houston Texans: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

After the year they had with injuries, protecting the quarterback is going to be a big focus for the Texans.

I love this pick, as I think Glenn is somewhat undervalued.

Once again it's mostly because he's a lineman, but he's really good. He has great footwork, speed and knowledge of the pocket.

He's a very reliable run and pass-blocker and has veteran experience being a senior.

What makes him so valuable is his ability to play either guard or tackle, which is like striking gold for a NFL team.

He can make a difference at either position, and I think he's going to end up being a stud in the NFL.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama 

Yet another great drafting strategy by the Patriots gets them an extra pick here. They need the help at cornerback, and Jenkins' character issues shouldn't be a concern.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois 

The Packers desperately need a pass-rusher to put across from Clay Matthews, and Mercilus is great at getting after the quarterback.

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

Burfict was made to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Fits the program perfectly.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB , Nebraska

Dennard is a tough physical corner that plays good at the line of scrimmage. Just what the 49ers enjoy.

31. New York Giants: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Giants need to put a potential stud linebacker behind that defensive front, and they'll get that potential here.

32. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Yet even more help for a defense that does need it despite their record.