2012 NFL Draft Projections: An Updated, Full First-Round 2012 NFL Mock Draft

We are two games away from being 100 percent focused on the 2012 NFL Draft when discussing football. We will see many changes to future mock drafts, but here is the most up-to-date first-round mock.

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

As Peyton Manning seems to be heading out the door, a new era of quarterback power will begin in Indianapolis in the likes of Andrew Luck.

How incredibly lucky can the Colts be? It's difficult to find franchise quarterbacks in the NFL, but they may have two back to back.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

If Sam Bradford is the Rams' quarterback of the future, it's time to finally give him some dominant weapons to surround him.

Blackmon is extremely athletic, played well in big games and has the ceiling to be a Pro Bowl wide receiver for years to come.

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

Claiborne is the best cornerback in the draft. Minnesota has a ton of holes to fill, but you can never have too many cornerbacks on your roster. He will make an instant impact for the Vikings and their 26th-ranked pass-defense.

Claiborne has a good frame for a cornerback at 6'0". He does many things well and few things poorly, but his physical tools and length are what truly make him special.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

I never once thought Colt McCoy was the real deal for the Cleveland Browns, but his concussion issue is not how I thought it could end.

It's time to think long-term, and Robert Griffin III is one step below Luck in my estimation. This would be a perfect fit.

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

Trent Richardson doesn't mind powering through a defender or speeding by them—he has the perfect combination of size and speed.

Richardson dominated SEC football with an average offense. He will most likely be a great selection with the No. 5 pick.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Matt Kalil will be able to help the Washington Redskins right away in his rookie season. I have him slightly sliding down my board, but I wouldn't be shocked if he goes as high as No. 2.

Obviously, at 5-11, the Redskins need a lot of help, but assisting the offensive line would be a great start.

As soon as Kalil gets his hands on defenders, it is pretty much over; he's as dominant as they come.

At 6'6" and 295 lbs., Kalil has solid balance and good lateral quickness. He has the skill set and size to be a fantastic player in the NFL for years to come. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Jacksonville will be looking to solidify their defense throughout the draft in several areas.

Helping their secondary would be their ideal place to begin.

Dre Kirkpatrick was a major part of the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Miami): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Carolina has many great offensive weapons, but it struggles on the defensive side of the ball.

Devon Still is one of the best defensive players in the NFL draft. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year this past season, and he's ready to continue his success.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Miami needs to shore up many areas of its team.

Securing a solid offensive line is always a good idea, and Riley Reiff is one of the best tackles in the draft.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Buffalo's defense was atrocious this season; they were 28th against the rush and 19th against the pass.

Quinton Coples would be a welcomed addition on the defensive side of the ball.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Kansas City has a great defense, young offense and a decent quarterback in Matt Cassel (or Kyle Orton, if they choose to go that route). They need help along the offensive line, and Jonathan Martin should be their pick to help in that area.

We may be looking at a playoff team next season.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Kansas City): Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)

Seattle needs a quarterback like many teams in the NFL. When you pick this high, it might be worth trying to get your quarterback of the future.

Ryan Tannehill has tools that make him worthy of a Top 15 pick, but of course there are some major question marks about him being a future star.

Should Seattle take a chance? I think it's worth a shot.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Arizona needs help in many areas, but they desperately need to get younger on defense at the linebacker position. Courtney Upshaw would be a solid pick at this selection.

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

Dallas underachieved once again this season. They need cornerback help and offensive line help, but I think drafting an offensive lineman would be their best option.

Tony Romo was under duress all season long. David DeCastro would be a perfect fit with the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

The weakest part of the Philadelphia Eagles' defense is their line backing corps.

Luke Kuechly will be able to considerably help the Eagles in his rookie season.

Kuechly is one of the best run-defenders in college football. He recorded 191 tackles this season, and he is the only two-time consensus All-American selection to come from Boston College. Kuechly also provides a high football IQ to go along with a great feel for the game.

He is just what Philadelphia needs in the middle of its defense.

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

We are accustomed to seeing the New York Jets playing magnificent defense—that wasn't the case this season.

Mark Barron would be a great addition to the Jets. He comes from a very physically natured team in Alabama, and he would have a great opportunity to help right away.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

Cincinnati has two picks in the 2012 Top 25, and they should use one pick on a cornerback to add to an already talented young crew.

Alfonzo Dennard would be a welcomed selection with this pick.

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

San Diego has a pretty set offense. Their defense, however, was the worst in years.

Maybe drafting Nick Perry would give them a boost.

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

Jay Cutler hasn't had a true weapon in his years with Chicago—Michael Floyd could be that option. 

Floyd caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season at Notre Dame.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, OLB (South Carolina)

Tennessee just missed the postseason this year, so they're right on the fringe. They have a future quarterback in Jake Locker and a guy they spent a boatload of money on in Chris Johnson, but what about their defense?

Melvin Ingram would be a good pick for the Titans with this selection.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

Andy Dalton will be the quarterback for several years in Cincinnati. He needs a solid offensive lineman to protect him as he grows as a quarterback in the league.

Peter Konz would be an ideal selection here.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Kendall Wright very well could have benefitted from Robert Griffin III and his unbelievable 2011 campaign, but maybe he wouldn't have to worry about playing with a new quarterback if the Browns selected him.

Wright's unbelievable speed could give the Browns a one-two combination that could be the most exciting to watch in the NFL.

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

Any time you give up 480 yards passing and six touchdowns to a backup quarterback, changes are imminent.

Janoris Jenkins should be selected with this pick by the Detroit Lions.

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

Pittsburgh is getting older on defense, but it has one of the youngest offenses in the league.

The Steelers need a reliable offensive line, and Cordy Glenn would be able to give Ben Roethlisberger solid protection.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

This may be a reach, but if Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the Broncos' future, how about giving him a reliable tight end? The tight end position dominated the NFL this year.

Fleener was one of the best in the nation last season; he could easily be Tebow's security blanket.

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

Poe is one of the best defensive tackles in the country. Put him along side Mario Williams, and you have another solid defensive player to add to a stacked defense.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Andre Branch, DE (Clemson)

Defense is where New England needs help. Andre Branch would give them another option on the defensive line.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Green Bay has the offense to compete for championships, but its defense was lacking this season.

Whitney Mercilus would give the Packers another option on the defensive side.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)

Baltimore taking Sanu at this pick would be a good idea. They need wide receiver depth, as we saw last Sunday against the Patriots.

It's time to boost that receiving corps.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Alex Smith needs weapons on the offensive side of the ball. San Francisco has the running game and defense, but it's time to help the passing game out.

Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis have been great, but Alshon Jeffery would be a great addition to an already solid receiving corps. Jeffery has a high ceiling, but could easily be a flop given his lackluster production at times at South Carolina. 

*Next two picks subject to change*

31. New York Giants (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

New York needs help in their secondary, because that is one of their weakest positions on defense.

Stephon Gilmore has the potential to become a reliable cornerback in the NFL. 

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

Drafting two defensive players in the first round would be a good idea for the Patriots. Minnifield would help shore up their secondary, which is one of the worst in the league.