2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Spots for RG3 and Heisman Finalists

Heisman hopefuls will head into the 2012 NFL draft hoping to make an even bigger splash at the next level. This mock draft is all about finding that perfect fit for those players that had Heisman on the brain a month ago. 

This list, of course, includes Robert Griffin III and will dispatch of Tyrann Mathieu, as the Honey Badger will be a junior. As for Montee Ball, he would rather hone his craft for another year at Wisconsin. 

This is all about Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson and RG3. The best in the nation last season will get the full treatment here. This is a full mock draft, complete with the directions each team might be leaning toward at the moment. 

That doesn't mean our Heisman's might not flourish at another locale. We pick out a few teams that might be a perfect match. Let's delve into this 2012 mock draft with Heisman flavor. 

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

Andrew Luck is the only person who could possibly fit here, and I say that because Peyton Maning's future is in flux. The Colts need a quarterback ready to take over on day one, and that's Luck. 

Manning may want another few years, but the Colts may not feel comfortable with paying an exorbitant amount for a player with neck injury issues. There is also the chance that Manning just hangs them up for good. 

Either way, Luck is the most game-ready of any player in the draft. He is big, fast and has great arm strength. Give him the summer and he can fit right in. 

GREAT FIT: Andrew Luck 

Like I stated, a no-brianer fit for a star that is ready to play tomorrow. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

The Rams could use a wide receiver, so I can see where a lot of mock drafts would have Justin Blackmon here. However, the Rams need to keep Sam Bradford warm and safe or there won't be anyone to throw the ball. Kalil is a no-brainer.  

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

Claiborne was the pick for me a week ago and remains so today. The Vikings need a big, strong corner who can shut down receivers as well as invigorate fans with his playmaking. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

I have been flip-flopping all winter with this pick, and I go back to my earlier assumption that the Colts are fine with Colt McCoy at quarterback. The real hole is at running back, and Trent Richardson is their man. 

As long as you keep him off a Madden cover, he will be fine. The hard-working back is perfect for the Cleveland sensibilities. He can share the load with the talent they already have, not needing to be the featured back out of the gate. 

GREAT FIT: Trent Richardson 

GREAT FIT: Robert Griffin III

The Browns could also make a play on RG3, and I wouldn't mind. Griffin has the accuracy and pure passing ability to make a splash early. His ability to deliver the ball on the run is unparalleled. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The Bucs need a cornerback badly, and one that will provide some physicality on the wings. There is no need to trade for Morris Claiborne when an equally talented Kirkpatrick looms.  

6. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Redskins have needed a star quarterback for over a year now. This pick couldn't have come at a better time. There is a great chance that the Redskins trade up to steal this pick away from the Browns, who are flirting with a RG3 coup. 

Griffin is still a work in progress. The Baylor star doesn't have the refinement of Luck, but his ceiling is immense. You might worry about other QBs being thrown into the fire, but not Griffin. This guy has a work ethic and charm to make his stint in Washington work. 

GREAT FIT: Robert Griffin III

The Redskins are craving a good, young player with his head screwed on right. That's Griffin. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR 

The Jaguars need a long, lean receiver who can bully his way down field. This would be the perfect tandem to build on. 

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

Coples is killing it at the Senior Bowl practices. Forget thoughts on his consistency, because he is the real deal and threatening to solidify his status as a top 10 draft choice. 

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

The Dolphins could be a major player on or before draft day. Matt Flynn gives the Packers a great chip to bandy about to prospective buyers. Miami is not in dire need as Matt Moore proved competent in 2011. The key now is to keep whoever does take snaps healthy. 

GREAT FIT: Andrew Luck

Again, they won't get him, but this team needs a quarterback who can actually deliver on a consistent basis. The storied Dolphins have been mediocre for far too long, and Luck would help that. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

The Bills need a great deal more toughness on defense. Kuechly has a mind for the game and is adept at being at the right place at the right time. I still say he is plenty big enough and his speed will be unquestioned. I just need him to kill it at the combine. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

The Seahawks may also be in play on Griffin talks, but they could use a beast on the line and Brockers is that unrelenting force. The Seahawks would get a gritty player that is simply impossible to consistently contain. 

GREAT FIT: Robert Griffin III

The Seahawks could pull off a dynamic trade and get Griffin, but that is beside the point. This is all about where RG3 would fit well, and the Emerald City would do. 

The town has been craving a superstar, and Griffin would light up Seattle with his charisma and swagger socks. 

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

This would be a steal. In all reality, Martin could jump on this board into the top five with a solid combine. The best part about Martin is his run-blocking, which should help the Chiefs move the ball all next season. Well regarded, Martin should see a bump in the next couple of weeks on boards.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

Burfict just needs to take a chill pill every now and again out there. If he can handle his emotions, he is a true superstar in waiting. I am very eager to push him up the board, but want to see how the draft process treats him. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

After a horrible final game in which their toughness was questioned, the Cowboys could use a workhorse who is as versatile as he is tough. Upshaw is a hungry player that would uplift a spiraling franchise. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB

The Eagles need some mean up the middle. They had the star corners last year, but their linebacker core was a joke. Zach Brown will not let running backs demolish the Eagles next year. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

I still like Barron for the Jets. Barron is a versatile safety who comes highly regarded and would add depth to a team that could use a strong safety to allow a more versatile approach on defense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

Dennard has a lot to prove. The Cornhusker is seen as a versatile player that doesn't overpower in one aspect. 

In a nutshell, Dennard is good at all things but not great in any of them. That is a label that can be thwarted or validated at the combine.  

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

Norv Turner returns, meaning you should all head to your fallout shelters. This team is going down again. One thing to prevent that is to actually keep Philip Rivers safe this season.  

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR 

Michael Floyd is my favorite to rule this draft class. He is a sneaky receiver who creates a ton of room in coverage. He has the sped and power to mix it up at the line.  

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

Cordy Glenn has great footwork and stays in front of the opposition. There is also the point that he is built like a bear. 

*Playoff Teams Subject to change

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

Cedric Benson has served well, but the Bengals need another back to lift some of the heavy load. As we have seen, success is far more attainable with a tandem of gifted players, and the Bengals would also get a Miami standout with huge upside. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Devon Still, Penn State, DE 

The jury is still out on Still and whether he is a star or bust in waiting. He is out of the Senior Bowl with a toe injury, so that jury will have to continue deliberating. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

The returns are in from Senior Bowl practices, and Jenkins is killing it. He is just as fast and explosive as you would hope and isn't getting fooled. If he can skirt character issue questions, we have ourselves a small-school first-rounder.  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

It's time to upgrade an offensive line that was on the wrong side of consistency in 2011. Sanders was my pick heading into the Senior Bowl, and we will see what the weekend holds before we start dropping him from lofty precipices. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

I would love the Broncos to get a corner here, but none remain worth taking. They also need some talent at receiver and Wright continues to get first-round love, and yes, I like him more than Alshon Jeffrey. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

Poe will command a great deal of attention and will clog up the middle. The Texans' marvelous defense in 2011 gets all the more fierce. He is the perfect huge asset to stick in their 3-4 scheme. 

27. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Jarvis Jones, Georgia, OLB/DE

Jones needs to add some bulk to his frame. Some think another year would do him well. The Patriots still get a versatile player who can play a couple positions and add to a Patriots defense that was far too suspect on 2011. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

Cox will be a secret no longer. I am fully confident he rises on boards. He plays the run as well as he hones in on the quarterback. The Packers do what they always do, and that's grab a solid player late. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, Wisconsin, C 

The Ravens could use a linebacker as well as some talent at receiver. Taking any of that at this point would be a reach, but they still have options. 

The Ravens started the year in need of offensive line depth and Konz would go a long way to ensure this team never goes hungry in that way again. Well, for the foreseeable future at least. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Jared Crick, Nebraska, DE

The 'Niners get a versatile machine in Crick. He will go nicely with the new team motif of killing quarterbacks.  

31. New York Giants (9-7): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

He doesn't fill a specific need, but he is the best player at the time and would give the Giants great depth and versatility. Any other player would be a reach.

The Giants finally figured out their offensive line woes, so I have them concentrating on the other side of the ball. There is a good chance that a solid linebacker comes falling to the back of the first round, but if not, Branch is a solid pick. 

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

The secondary is horrendous and may be the reason Eli Manning picks apart the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Patriots simply have to address their pass defense, which was once again deplorable. Martin goes a long way to shoring up such things.  

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