2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Mock with Trades

While the NFL world as a whole is extremely excited for the Super Bowl, they will soon have nothing to look forward to besides the NFL Draft process. That’s why we’re Mockin', baby!

A lot can change between now and the Draft, but I will do my best Nostradamus impression and bring the future to you early!

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

The Stanford senior will be the most coveted player in this draft and one of the most unquestioned No. 1 overall picks in history. There was never a doubt that the 2012 NFL draft would start with the selection of Luck.

The only question was which team would be lucky enough to be that bad. Enter the Indianapolis Colts. With the inevitable departure of future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, Luck will be introduced into a culture that has built itself around their quarterback.

With an average passer rating of 169 and almost 7000 passing yards in his last two season as a Cardinal, the idea that Luck will be anything but one of the greatest of all time is naïve. The Colts are getting Peyton Jr.

2. $$ Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

As much as people want to clamor that Cleveland isn’t this foolish, there is a good chance that the RGIII hype machine envelops Mike Holmgren and he makes this move happen.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

I said it before; if Christian Ponder is the quarterback of the future, give him the protection he needs to thrive.

4. $$ St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams are just trying to trade back and capitalize on the rush for RGIII. They will take the best player available here which currently would be Justin Blackmon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Ronde Barber will be 112 this season so Morris Claiborne is a perfect fit in Tampa. Sorry, Mr. Barber.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

With the Redskins losing out on the top two quarterbacks, they will make the hasty move of the draft and take Ryan Tannehill at No. 6 instead of trading back to grab him.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

Quinton Colpes has the abilities, size and speed to be an elite defensive end in the NFL. If he gets in the right system, Coples could be a great player.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Ron Rivera is all about defense and he gets back to his roots with the selection of Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With talk of the Dolphins going after Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn, they need to make sure they reinforce their offensive line to protect them. Riley Reiff will be a stellar tackle in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Buffalo Bills did not have a pass rush last season. It still won’t be great, but Upshaw will help start the process of turning it around.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Seattle Seahawks may not need a running back with Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, but they won’t be able to turn down the opportunity to take Alabama standout Trent Richardson.

While many want to compare Richardson’s style to Lynch’s, there is one former NFL star that compares accordingly to Trent; Emmitt Smith. As steep as the comparison is, their ability to use even the smallest space to break a run while still having the ability to run through tacklers is unbelievably similar.

With a strong offensive line that head coach Pete Carroll is always working to improve and a run-first offense, the duo of Lynch and Richardson will be dangerous until the Seahawks finally unleash the Crimson Tide rusher as the starter.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The same way the Minnesota Vikings need to protect Christian Ponder is the exact same way the Kansas City Chiefs need to protect Matt Cassel.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Stewart Bradley is obviously not the answer in the middle for Arizona and they need help fast. Enter the best inside linebacker in the 2012 draft, Luke Kuechly.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With no more excuses this season, adding another stellar offensive lineman like David DeCastro may be the only thing that can save Tony Romo’s job.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The red zone was a huge are of weakness for the Eagles. Michael Floyd will make it a strength.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

While he may not be the most well known defensive lineman in the draft, Ingram is one of the highest players ranked on my board because of his versatility and talent.

Not only can Ingram play at any position on the line in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, he can drop back into pass coverage and has a knack for getting to the ball. Add in his relentless pursuit and ability to catch the ball and you have one of the most complete players in the NFL.

With all of the raw talent that Ingram will walk into New York with, it will have Jets head coach Rex Ryan foaming at the mouth. Within two seasons, Rex Ryan will have Ingram playing as good as any defensive lineman in the whole league.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Despite being arrested for drug possession, the Bengals will have no problem taking the troubled star and turning him into a solid No. 2 cornerback.

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

Nick Perry will be a very solid player in the NFL, but he has to be great to save Norv Turner’s job. I don’t think he can be great right away. Bye Bye, Norv.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Jay Cutler was destroyed because of a terrible offensive line. Peter Konz is here to help him.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Tennessee Titans have a history of turning solid college defensive linemen into stellar NFL players. Brockers will be another.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If the Bengals don’t keep Cedric Benson, they will take Lamar Miller from Miami at No. 21. I obviously think that’s the case.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

IF they get RG III at No. 2 and still hold this spot, not only will they get an award for best trade of the draft, they will select standout wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. That’s a pretty good day.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

After being exposed game after game in 2011, the Detroit Lions will bolster their secondary with Alfonzo Dennard. Dennard will be the No. 2 immediately and may even compete for the No. 1 job.

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

Ben Roethlisberger is in the same boat Jay Cutler is in Chicago. That’s why Pittsburgh will take offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

John Fox is still trying to install his 4-3 defense and there may be no better pure 4-3 tackle in the draft than Fletcher Cox.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Wade Phillips reinvention of the Texans defense will continue with star safety Mark Barron. Another amazing pick for Houston if they get him at No. 26.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

With most of New England’s problems on defense originating from their poor pass rush, drafting Andre Branch at No. 27 will be the perfect solution for the ailing line.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Packers need a force on the inside to compliment B.J Raji, and they will all of that and more with Jerel Worthy.

29. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This has been the talk for weeks, but I would hate to see the 49ers waste a first-round pick on a wide receiver.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a run stopping middle linebacker with a chip on his shoulder. Where have I heard that before?

31. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown has the size and speed to get around the edge as the perfect outside linebacker in Tom Coughlin’s defense. A steal for a Super Bowl team.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With New England not fearing any character flaws, there is no better last pick of the first round that the Patriots could make. Jenkins would have been a top-5 pick if it wasn’t for trouble at Florida. He will salvage himself in New England.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

$$ - Potential trade

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