2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing All 32 First-Round Picks, Post-Senior Bowl

While the Senior Bowl is simply the beginning of the grueling pre-draft process and doesn't guarantee anything for any prospects, it's certainly useful for NFL scouting departments and media members to evaluate some of the most talented seniors in the country.

My last mock draft update came on January 18th following the arrest of Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.

After Senior Bowl week, it's time to piece together another mock draft, with plenty of changes and one high-profile trade everyone's talking about.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

An absolute no-brainer of no-brainers. The Colts aren't going to pay a 35-year-old Peyton Manning $28 million on March 8th, especially with his slow healing neck issues. Andrew Luck, to many, is the best quarterback prospect since Manning, so what more could a rebuilding Indianapolis organization ask for?

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Is there a more aggressive offseason owner than the Redskins' Daniel Snyder? Not in my estimation. He knows his club needs a franchise quarterback and he trades away his first- and second-round picks in the 2012 draft and his first-rounder in 2013 to acquire Heisman Trophy winner RG3.

The kid has transcendent ability and he'll play under the tutelage of offensive guru Mike Shanahan. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

Another obvious choice, especially if the Vikings are set on Christian Ponder as their franchise quarterback. However, general manager Rick Spielman said during Senior Bowl practices that he's open to trading the pick.

With Griffin III gone, it's unlikely anyone will be looking to move up into this spot so Minnesota gets a franchise left tackle in Kalil, who dominated at the collegiate level. 

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

Regardless of who is throwing passes in Cleveland, he'll need help at the wide receiver position. No offense to you, Greg Little, or you, Mohamed Massaquoi. Blackmon projects closer to Anquan Boldin than he does to Calvin Johnson, but he's NFL-ready and should make an immediate impact in 2012 for a traditionally inept offense. 

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

Claiborne simply makes too much sense for the Buccaneers not to be drafted by them. Opposing quarterbacks average a 97.2 QB rating against them in 2011, and there's much uncertainty in the secondary. Ronde Barber's still playing at a high level, but he turns 37 on April 7th.

The future of Aqib Talib is unknown. He could spend time in jail in 2012. Claiborne's the best player available and fills a major need in the defensive backfield, especially playing in a division with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The trade with the Washington Redskins is too enticing for the St. Louis Rams to pass up. Jeff Fisher gets a big-play receiving option to help Sam Bradford's progression and the Rams can focus the additional picks acquired in the trade on defense. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I've been torn on Coples for quite some time now. At 6'6' and 285 pounds with tremendous athleticism and power, there's a lot to like about him as a formidable pass-rusher in the NFL. However, he's coming off a disappointing senior campaign during which he apparently took plays off.

That doesn't bode well for the Tar Heel standout. With all that being said, he should have a stunning workout at the NFL Combine, and we know how much merit coaches put into that event.

I'm personally not the biggest fan of him going in the top 10, but I think he ultimately goes this high. The Jaguars need offensive talent, but with Blackmon and Jeffery gone, they move on to their second-biggest need, which is unquestionably a pass-rusher. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

Brockers' raw power, elite athletic ability, motor and tremendous upside will make him a top-10 pick. The Panthers can add weapons to Cam Newton's arsenal in Rounds 2 and 3, but must rebuild a defense that allowed over 130 yards on the ground in 2011. Brockers makes a ton of sense here. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Cameron Wake had 14 sacks in 2010 and managed 8.5 with much more attention focused his way in 2011. He'd have a great chance to explode again in 2012 with another intimidating force on the Dolphins' defensive line. Upshaw is an extremely balanced edge rusher that was productive on the best defense in the country this fall. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bills could go with USC's Nick Perry with this pick, but Ingram's special athleticism along with his scheme and positional flexibility will be the final determining factors that will make him a Buffalo Bill. General manager Buddy Nix has roots in the southeastern part of the U.S. and typically favors players from the SEC.

At 6'1'' and 278 pounds, Ingram has a variety of pass-rushing moves and is shockingly quick off the football coming around the edge. The Bills are going to play a 4-3 defense in 2012, but will throw in the occasional 3-4, as well, so the selection of the versatile Ingram is logical. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois

Mercilus burst onto the scene in 2011, leading the nation with 16 sacks for the Fighting Illini. He's 6'4'' and 265 pounds with good explosiveness and is fleet of foot coming around the corner when rushing the passer.

Because of his bulk, he's not a liability against the run. Seattle could improve on its total of 33 sacks in 2011. Mercilus makes sense and represents good value here.  

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

To me, the Chiefs don't have a ton of holes. They'll get All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles back from injury and have a solid receiving corps in place, if they re-sign Dwayne Bowe. The defense flashed moments of brilliance and is loaded with many talented youngsters.

Derrick Johnson made the Pro Bowl this season, but could use some help. Kuechly is a tackling machine out of BC that isn't necessarily a big, imposing linebacker, but he's seemingly always around the football. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Levi Brown is one of the worst left tackles in the game—an upgrade is greatly needed. Martin has outstanding footwork and possesses a high football IQ. He's already a phenomenal run blocker and should only improve his pass blocking as he enters the pro ranks. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The interior of the Cowboys offensive line is a mess. Derrick Dockery and Kyle Kosier are not viable future options at the guard spots and Phil Costa can struggle at center, that's for sure. DeCastro is one of the most polished guard prospects to enter the draft in the last decade—there's really not one area in which he doesn't excel.

Not the sexiest pick for Dallas, but a much-needed one that will significantly benefit the team for years to come. With the Giants in the division, they must have as many maulers along their offensive line as possible. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

It has a been a while since Philadelphia drafted a linebacker in the first round. The Eagles are in dire need of a impact leader to man the middle of their defense. Ask any Eagles fan. There's not a more NFL-ready middle linebacker than the Sun Devils' Burfict. At 6'3'' and 250 pounds with astounding sideline-to-sideline speed, write him into the starting spot in 2012.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

If the Bills go with Perry, Ingram is the pick here for the Jets. Rex Ryan gets a skilled and productive pass-rushing specialist either way. 

Perry is somewhat of an unknown, especially for a USC product, but did everything right during his collegiate career. At 6'3'' and 250 pounds he'll be slotted to the outside linebacker spot for the Jets and help Calvin Pace create havoc around the edge of opposing offensive lines.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Bengals have received solid contributions from Cedric Benson, but they want to inject some youth to their backfield. 

Richardson is 5'11'' and a shade over a strong 215 pounds, so he has the bulk to take the punishment that comes with running between the tackles in the NFL. 

There isn't a more complete runner in this year's class. Richardson is the epitome of a franchise running back who can carry the load throughout the course of a season and occasionally break a long run.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The Chargers like how free-agent acquisition Jared Gaither played in the late stages of 2011, and he looks to be the starting left tackle at the start of training camp this summer. They do need help on the interior of their offensive line, though, with Nick Hardwick not likely to be back with the team next season. Glenn will provide great depth at the guard and right tackle spots.  

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd had his fair share of off-field issues with the Fighting Irish, but he was one of the most threatening matchups during his entire collegiate career. We saw how good the Chicago Bears can be when Jay Cutler and Matt Forte are healthy yet they still must address the void at the wide receiver position. Floyd's presence will make Forte even more dangerous, which is hard to imagine.

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina 

The Titans used their 2011 second-round pick on Akeem Ayers, a similar prospect, but Brown's unreal speed and quickness make him a must-have pick for Tennessee at the No. 20 spot. He's ideal for the 4-3 alignment as an outside linebacker, a very important position playing in a division with Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Richardson at No. 17 and Wright at No. 21—a dream come true for Bengals' fans, huh? Definitely. These two picks would make Cincinnati a surprise pick to win the AFC North in 2012. No, really. Wright is the perfect complement to A.J. Green, and both guys are legitimate deep threats. 

 

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Browns have a variety of holes, but after addressing their offensive deficiencies with Justin Blackmon at No. 4, they focus their attention on defense with the No. 22 pick. Hightower's draft prospects are eerily similar to former Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain's.

He's a monstrous middle linebacker at 6'4'' and 260 pounds and makes his presence known in the running game—this guy's a real thumper. 

He doesn't excel against the pass, but at this point, the Browns need help against the run. They surrendered over 147 rushing yards per game in 2011. 

 

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

Gilmore is a rangy, 6'1'', 193-pound playmaking corner that could flourish in a zone scheme. The Lions offense is one of the best, most electric units in the league, but their defense held them back last season. 

This South Carolina standout exudes athleticism and reeled in seven interceptions over his last two seasons in Columbia. 

 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Steelers top priority has to be protecting Ben Roethlisberger. They also have too much talent at their skill positions not to address their offensive line. The mammoth Reiff makes perfect sense. Max Starks wasn't horrible this year, but they need a sturdy tackle to keep Big Ben upright.  

 

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

Yes, I have Doug Martin as the second running back taken. He was extremely impressive during the Senior Bowl and, at 5'9'' and 215 pounds, really has the body to take on feature-back duties in the NFL. The Boise State star was surprisingly explosive through the hole and showed his abilities as a receiver in Mobile. He's a well-rounded back that will give the Broncos some stability at the running back position. 

 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Texans would love to get a receiver, but there's simply not one that represents the right value here. Without any other blatant holes, they go with the best player available. Still is a disruptive defensive tackle that will add to a unit that was already one of the most feared in the NFL last season. 

 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Patriots need secondary help—badly. Barron is a run-stuffing dynamo and has enough athletic ability to make the occasional play in the passing game, too. He'll team with Patrick Chung to create an imposing safety duo. Actually, don't be shocked if Bill Belichick trades this pick. He always does, right?

 

28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick's January arrest will undoubtedly drop his stock, but he's too talented to not be taken in the first round. At 6'3'' and a shade under 200 pounds he has a menacing cornerback body and can take on the bigger receivers in the NFC. 

He's perfect for a team like Green Bay that faces Calvin Johnson twice a year and was thrashed through the air in 2011. 

 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk has had a Hall of Fame-type career, but he'll be 36 before the start of next season. The Ravens must begin to plan for the future. Konz is the clear-cut top center prospect and paved the way for Montee Ball's historic season with the Badgers this fall. He should be a great pivot for many years in the NFL.  

 

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

What's the one and only knock on the 49ers? They need a playmaking wide receiver. Vernon Davis proved his worth in 2011, especially in the playoffs. However, Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams don't scare anyone. 

Sanu is 6'2'' and 215 pounds and has the all-around ability to be a true No. 1 receiver at the pro ranks. 

 

31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Yes, more secondary help for New England. Minnifield stands 6'0'' and weighs 185 pounds, so he'll be able to confidently line up on the outside and drop Kyle Arrington to the inside to match up with smaller slot receivers. 

 

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington 

The Giants don't have many areas of need but if they don't like any of the offensive linemen here, Polk would be a good pick. He's a physical yet elusive runner who was somewhat of an unknown playing in Seattle for the Huskies. The senior runner was productive on the ground during his last three years in Washington and can catch the ball out of the backfield, too. He has ideal size at 5'11'' and 215 pounds. 

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