2012 NFL Mock Draft: Studs Playoff Teams Will Steal in Late First Round

The 2012 NFL draft is jam packed with talent, and it's not all just oozing from the pores of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, Matt Kalil and Trent Richardson.

While those are undoubtedly the biggest names in the draft and they will undoubtedly be franchise-changers for whichever respective team drafts them, they aren't the only big-time players worth mentioning.

In fact, some of the most important draft picks will come at the end of the first round, where the playoff teams have the opportunity to pick up what could potentially be one of the final pieces to the Super Bowl puzzle.

They won't all just be snagging role players either, as some of these late first round prospects have the chance to be absolute studs.

Here's my latest full first round mock draft, emphasis on the late picks:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

No surprises, embrace your future Indianapolis.

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

Great move by the 'Skins here to get their quarterback of the future. Rams can get a lot of value in a trade-back and still get what they need.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Solid pick to protect their franchise quarterback for years.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Makes plenty of sense, Richardson will be a game-changer in the NFL.

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

Game-changer on defense. Shut down corner material.

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

Solid possession receiver for Sam Bradford.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Protecting Blaine Gabbert is a must and Reiff is a stud.

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Defensive help is huge here for the Panthers, and Brockers is real good.

9. Miami Dolphins:  David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Outside of Luck, the best overall player in this draft. Solid in every way.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Fits the need and the scheme, very talented player.

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

Still is going to be a very formidable NFL player.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Tons of potential with this pick, could be a cornerstone piece on defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Fixing the offensive line is a must in Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

I don't see Jerry Jones worrying about potential character issues with this stud corner.

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

Fits a huge need and fits it well.

16. New York Jets:  Alshon Jefferey, WR, South Carolina

Jets need offensive weapons, and Jeffery is a steal here.

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

Possession receiver to go across from A.J. Green. Great pick.

18. San Diego Chargers:  Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Offensive line help is going to trump everything else.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

Huge deep threat option for Jay Cutler, could be what this team needs to compete.

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Pass rush is a huge need, and Ingram is going to be a star.

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

Fits there scheme well, sets this offense up to be young and explosive.

22. Cleveland Browns: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Best player on the board, fits a need.

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

At this point there is no doubting what the Lions can do offensively. Defense is another issue though, and even though they have a tremendous front four, that's not enough to mask their problems in the secondary.

Many would see the Lions going with a lineman here, but cornerback has to be the focus here in the first round.

Gilmore has the potential to be a great corner in time, but right off the bat he can come in and be an upgrade. He has good size at 6'1'', 193 pounds and can turn and run very well. Can play physical up at the line of scrimmage and has good speed.

Gilmore will be the next piece in what is slowly but surely becoming a Super Bowl formula for Detroit.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Fits Pittsburgh's scheme perfectly. Big-time space eater.

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

Cox will take up a lot of room, making life easier for the linebackers.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

There is no doubting that the Texans' biggest need in this draft is wide receiver, and short of moving up, Sanu is going to be their best option here at No. 26.

At 6'2'', 215 pounds Sanu is a lanky receiver with a knack for making plays. He has good hands and size, and very good speed and field vision. He can also be a factor running after the catch.

The Texans can be very good next year if healthy, but they need to put someone across from Andre Johnson that can be a major threat.

Sanu can be that guy, and I expect they both will help each other out.

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

Some will be turned off by the fact that Jenkins was dismissed from Florida for misdemeanor marijuana charges, but I don't see Bill Belichick and the Patriots being as concerned about that.

He ended up at North Alabama, which is a big downgrade, no offense. That being said, he still possesses the same skills he did at Florida, which makes him a great prospect for a team needing the secondary help.

Jenkins has a nose for the ball and is incredibly fast. He's good at the line of scrimmage, and can also be a factor returning kicks.

He's exactly what the Patriots need at corner.

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

The Green Bay Packers had a tremendous year, but none of it meant anything considering the way they finished it.

Defense is going to be a key point of emphasis for the Packers, specifically finding a player that can provide a pass rush across from Clay Matthews.

Mercilus fits the bill tremendously as he's got a knack for getting in the backfield and causing disruption.

He can play either outside linebacker in the 3-4 or even defensive end, which fits right into what the Packers are looking for. He's versatile and he's a play-maker.

He could end up being a difference maker for this talented team next season.

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

Burfict was made to play for the Ravens. Could eventually replace Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

Glenn is one of my favorite players in this draft and he only fell this far because of the way other players around him moved around.

What makes Glenn so good is that he can play either guard or tackle, which is a huge benefit coming into the NFL. He's got great feet, good speed and uses his hands very well.

The 'Niners could use a boost on the line, and Glenn could come in right away and fill whichever position is needed the most.

He's a great pick and will be an extremely valuable part of this franchise.

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

Brown could develop into a star behind their defensive line.

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

Great player, fits with the Patriots are looking for on defense.