2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Draft Players Who Will Make Instant Impact

The following teams are in need of players that will step right in and make an impact. Some teams have the luxury of drafting players they can groom for the future. Then there are others that need instant results. 

The following highlighted teams definitely fall into that category. 

Here is my first-round mock draft with the teams in need of instant impact highlighted. 

Richard Langford's Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is one of the most clear cut No. 1 selections the draft has ever had. 

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

Why They Need Instant Impact

After a promising 2010 season that saw the Rams just miss the playoffs, they took a giant step backwards. That fact is bad enough, but what makes this especially troublesome is that at the center of their regression was second year QB Sam Bradford. 

The Rams have to help Bradford get back on track in a hurry, or they will be back at square one. 

Why Kalil Fits

Kalil is prototypical left tackle. He is huge, strong and moves well. At 6'7" and 295 pounds, he has the size and ability to step in right away and be a quality starter. 

There are few things more important to the development of a franchise QB then freeing him from the worry of defenders ripping his head off, and Kalil will do just that. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is a gifted corner with shutdown ability. He will also bring value in the return game. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns need to add punch to their offense in a big way. Blackmon can do that by taking short passes to the house or going over defenders for deep balls. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Why They Need Instant Impact

Tampa Bay was the worst team in football at season's end. This is after contending for the playoffs in 2010. 

They need to turn it around, and they need to get their young QB, Josh Freeman, back on track. 

Why Richardson Fits

Richardson is a complete back and a perfect fit for this team. He will help carry the offense with his strong and consistent running.

Richardson will rarely lose yards on a carry, and he has enough explosion to hit for the occasional long run. He will also help Freeman with his excellent blocking. 

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 
 

The Redskins needs a QB in the worst way. If Griffin is still available, the Redskins won't hesitate to draft him. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a talented lineman that will help keep QB Blaine Gabbert upright and open up holes for Maurice Jones-Drew.

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

Devon Still is a strong a disruptive force that will help solidify the Panthers' front-seven. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin is a pro ready tackle that will dominate immediately in the run game, and develop in the passing game. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Why the Bills Need Instant Impact

Buffalo started off strong. They came blazing out of the gates, and then fell off a cliff. 

As they showed with their hot start, they have some solid pieces. They have a good young core of offensive players, and with some health and a couple of additions on defense they can make a playoff run. 

Why Kirkpatrick Fits

Kirkpatrick is a versatile corner. He is savvy and talented. He does not have as high a ceiling as Claiborne, but his ability and experience to play man and zone will pay instant dividends. 

He will be a huge upgrade for this Bills' secondary. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

DeCastro is superb run blocker. He is a polished and pro ready prospect. 

12. Seattle Seahawks:  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is a gifted interior linebacker. He just needs to learn to keep his emotions in check. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a speed demon receiver that oozes big-play ability. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a heady linebacker with great instincts. He would be a solid addition to the Cowboys' defense. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a strong defensive end. He has an elite bull rush, and is stout against the run. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Why the Jets Need Instant Impact

The Jets had a supremely disappointing season. They missed the playoffs and locker room dissension reigned at the end of the year. This team needs to get back on track before it falls apart. 

Despite their troubles this year, this team is still close. They have impact players on offense and defense. They just need an infusion of athleticism. 

Why Ingram Fits 

Ingram is a very athletic defensive player, and that is exactly what the Jets need. 

New York's defense put together a solid year, but they were exploited on the edge because they didn't have the speed. Ingram will help erase that problem. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincinnati has their QB and WR of the future. Now they need a running back to pair with them. The explosive and hard running Miller will be a perfect fit. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard is excellent in man coverage. While corner is not a huge need for the Chargers, this is a good value selection. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Why the Bears Need Instant Impact

Chicago was well on their way to the playoffs until Jay Cutler went down with a season-ending injury. They are ready to come back strong next season. 

This team is not in a position to rebuild—they just need a couple of upgrades and they will be ready to contend for the Super Bowl.

Why Konz Fits

The Bears' offensive line has been a severe weakness for a couple of seasons. It dictated what they could do on offense. 

They need to address this need so that they can have their entire offensive playbook available. Konz will help them accomplish this. 

He is a polished blocker in both the run and pass. He is clearly the best center in this draft. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a hard-hitting safety that will be dominant in run support and solid coverage. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins may be the best man-to-man cover guy in this draft. He has some character concerns, but his talent will not let him fall below No. 21. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is a jack-of-all-trades LB that will fit right into a talented Browns defense. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is an imposing 340-pound lineman that will help the Lions get their run game on track. 

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

Adams is as physically gifted as any lineman in this draft. There are concerns over his intensity, but his talent is worth the risk at No. 24. 

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

The Broncos have some talented defensive players, but none of those guys play defensive tackle. Cox is a strong lineman that will help clog up the running lanes. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd has Pro Bowl potential, but also some serious character concerns. 

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a versatile pass rusher that will fit right into the Patriots' system. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry is a gifted pass rusher that will team up with Clay Matthews to give the Packers' a solid pass rush.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This is a versatile linebacker that can be groomed to take over for Ray Lewis. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The 49ers seriously lack a player that can stretch the field. Jeffery will eliminate that concern. 

31. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Giants love athletically gifted defensive lineman, and Worthy is exactly that. 

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

Crick will bring some athleticism and youth to the Patriots' offensive line.