2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Position Will Dominate Round 1?

In the 2012 NFL Draft, expect to see plenty of wide receivers taken in the first round.

The NFL is a passing league, and teams need to be deep at the receiver position. Quarterbacks are always a must, but the 2012 class isn't deep enough.

However, that doesn't mean the passing game will be ignored. Receivers will be the most popular pick, with cornerbacks garnering a comparable amount of picks.

Nevertheless, corners are easier to come by, which is why some teams could reach for receivers. Wide receivers may not be popular at the beginning of the draft, but by the end of the first round, you can be sure that at least five receivers will be picked.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There isn't much left to say about this pick. It's a lock.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams could get a little creative and pick Justin Blackmon here, but that doesn't make sense. Yes, they need skill position players, but they also need to protect Sam Bradford. Kalil makes the most sense.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings could do a lot with this pick. They're most likely hoping Kalil slips past the Rams. Assuming he doesn't, the Vikings will avoid the temptation to pick Blackmon and fix their biggest need by drafting a shut-down corner.

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Colt McCoy is not an NFL starter. Griffin III has the chance to be a big-time star. Hence, RG3 makes the most sense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is slipping on some draft boards, but he shouldn't fall out of the top five. The Bucs need a lot of help, but Kirkpatrick would be their best bet for the future.

6. Washington Redskins: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a top five pick, but the other teams simply have bigger needs. The Redskins could trade down to take a quarterback. However, if they stay here, there's no way they pass on Blackmon. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Jaguars need to protect their quarterback, especially if that QB is going to be Blaine Gabbert. Reiff is just another NFL lineman out of Iowa, making this an easy pick.

8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Panthers are pretty set on offense. However, on defense, that is not the case. Still is a monster who could really strengthen their sub-par run defense.

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Dolphins look to be the leading the charge to sign Matt Flynn. If that's the case, they need to make sure he's protected. Martin is the perfect fit.

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Bills need a lot of help. Coples's versatility makes him a good fit in Buffalo.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Teams have slowly moved toward multiple running back systems. The Chiefs were one of those teams, as they paired Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. Unfortunately, Charles went down to injury this past year.

No one knows how he's going to come back, and coach Romeo Crennel likes to run the ball. Richardson is a beast, and he'll fit right in.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Assuming the Seahawks re-sign Marshawn Lynch, they will pick a defensive player here. They could use help on the defensive line, which will prompt them to pick Perry.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Cardinals need help just about everywhere. Dennard is a shut-down corner, and he could make them a little better against the pass.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

We can talk all we want about how guards don't go this high. DeCastro is a monster, and everyone knows it, so why ignore that fact?

DeCastro will go early, and the Cowboys could use some help on their offensive line.

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

If DeSean Jackson is gone by this point, expect the Eagles to look at receivers. Even at that point, they need better linebackers. Kuechly is a little slow, but he has all the intangibles to become a great linebacker in the NFL.

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

The Jets could use a quarterback to help put pressure on Mark Sanchez, but this isn't the place to take one. Peyton Manning could be the answer, or a late-rounder could help put pressure on Sanchez. Here, the Jets strengthen their surprisingly-questionable secondary.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals will most likely let Cedric Benson go, which will open up their backfield. Miller is a good running back in a shallow class, so the Bengals will pick him up as soon as they can.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Chargers could use some help on defense (and for Philip Rivers to get his head on straight), so Upshaw makes the most sense here.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Bears could use some help on the offensive line, but that's not their biggest need. Jay Cutler played extremely well last year without an offensive line. Imagine if he had a big-time receiver, like Jeffery, to throw to? 

Without injuries, the Bears were one of the top teams in the NFC last year. Coming back next year, they will hope to return to the class of the NFC.

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

The Titans need better linebackers, and Ingram is a great start to solving that issue.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

If Jeffery falls here, the Bengals could pick him up. If not, they might be content with A.J. Green being their main target.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Why not keep these two together? Wright and RG3 had great chemistry in college, and that could translate to the pros. Wright is a deep threat, and he could become one of the most dangerous young receivers in the NFL.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Brown looked like he might slip to the second round, but the Lions are clearly interested. They could use help in the secondary, but Brown could help make their front seven one of the best groups in the league.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Ben Roethlisberger needs to be protected better. Adams is a big-time lineman, and he will help keep Big Ben on his feet.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Broncos need to help out the great Tim Tebow. Playmakers are necessary, and Floyd is the best one available. There are questions about his ability to get open in the NFL, but he shouldn't have a problem.

He has great hands and playmaking ability, which is the perfect combination for a Tebow target.

26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Texans need a stronger defensive front. Worthy is about as strong as they come. Therefore, the Texans should pick Worthy.

27. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The AFC Champions could use some help on defense. Branch would help by getting to the quarterback and forcing bad throws. He's a great athlete, and he would make an instant impact for the Pats.

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

The Packers need to improve their pass rush. Mercilus would be the perfect compliment to Clay Matthews. He led the country in sacks last year, and that definitely bodes well for the NFL.

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

Ray Lewis still has the ability to make plays, but not for much longer. Burfict will be a great replacement for Lewis, and he won't have much pressure right away.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Alex Smith had a renaissance last year, and he didn't exactly have a wide receiver to throw to. Enter Sanu. He can stretch the field, and he would be a great complement to Vernon Davis.

31. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Fleener has a ton of potential without a lot of downside. The Giants are in the Super Bowl, so they don't need much help. As a result, Fleener would be a good pick for them.

32. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Pats had a horrible pass defense. Jenkins is a great talent, and the Patriots won't let his dismissal from Florida deter them from picking him.