2012 NFL Mock Draft: Jets and Teams Who Will Fail in First Round

The first part of a successful draft is having the right strategy in the first place.

Sadly, some NFL teams either don't have a clue or can't get what they're looking for at their draft position every year.

The New York Jets, in my opinion, need a new quarterback and a new running back, but they won't address those issues this year.

Here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft, complete with teams who will fail in the first round (in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts will draft Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick. He has everything you want in a star quarterback: arm strength, accuracy, poise, leadership and the ability to scramble if pressed. I don't really care about Peyton Manning's relationship with owner Jim Irsay anymore. It won't change the fact that the Colts are grabbing Luck.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

By offering the No. 6 overall pick and two second-rounders, I believe the Redskins will move up to No. 2 and nab Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins need a quarterback badly, and Griffin has the arm strength, accuracy, poise and legs to be a star in the NFL.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil's ability as a pass-blocker and run-blocker will benefit the Vikings well. Young quarterback Christian Ponder needs better protection before he can be fully evaluated.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

How can you not like Trent Richardson? He has the power, speed, vision, burst and patience to be a star in the NFL.

Expect the Browns to give Colt McCoy a running game with Richardson.

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

Not only is Morris Claiborne a top-five prospect, he fills a need for the Buccaneers, who have seen Aqib Talib fall off the face of the Earth and Ronde Barber start growing grey hair.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

A trade for the Rams makes a lot of sense. They can get draft picks and still get the guy they really need: Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon has the strength and leaping ability to be a threat as a possession receiver and down the field. Quarterback Sam Bradford would love a weapon like Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Young quarterback Blaine Gabbert needs some weapons if we're going to judge him. Alshon Jeffery is a sure-fire weapon, with better speed and strength than Blackmon.

8. Miami Dolphins: Reilly Reiff, OT, Iowa

I expect the Dolphins to land quarterback Matt Flynn in free agency after they hired former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

In that regard, they need someone to protect him. Riley Reiff has an impressive combination of strength and athleticism and is an elite OT prospect.

9. Carolina Panthers: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

I had Zach Brown in the Top 10 early in the year, but he dropped after the performance of Alabama's Courtney Upshaw in particular. But word has it that Upshaw didn't exactly "wow" at the Senior Bowl and he could drop.

Brown has speed and athleticism that is hard to ignore. He had a nice Senior Bowl and his measurables will be highlighted even more at the NFL combine.

He's the most complete linebacker in the class, with the ability to rush the passer, defend the run and cover downfield. The Panthers need help in all three of these areas.

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Bills need a pass-rusher badly in their 3-4 defense. Nick Perry may have just surpassed Courtney Upshaw in some draft experts' minds.

He has the strength, length and athleticism to be a force in the NFL and he's not a reach at No. 10 overall.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need help on the offensive line and Jonathan Martin is an elite OT prospect, with the athleticism and toughness to be a good pass-blocker and run-blocker in the NFL.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

I think Pete Carroll's first pick would be Nick Perry (especially because he went to USC), but Courtney Upshaw isn't a bad consolation prize.

There are some concerns about Upshaw after a poor Senior Bowl performance, but anyone who saw this guy at Alabama knows he can be a force.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is one of the biggest risers. He has the measurables to translate right away to the NFL and he had a very good Senior Bowl.

Cardinals quarterbacks got knocked around last season and it's time to upgrade the O-line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

After grabbing offensive tackle Tyron Smith last year, expect the Cowboys to bolster themselves in the middle with David DeCastro.

DeCastro's footwork and technique could make him a better overall lineman than Jonathan Martin.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With DeSean Jackson likely headed out of town, Michael Floyd could become the Eagles' next star receiver. He has the strength, technique and leaping ability to be a threat in NFL.

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

The Jets need an edge rusher to put pressure on the quarterback. Melvin Ingram impressed in the Senior Bowl and his speed and quickness translate nicely to the pros.

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

Lining someone like Dre Kirkpatrick up opposite Leon Hall could be a lethal combination. Kirkpatrick is a physical player with the height and ball skills to be a pesky defender. He also has been known to unleash a hit or two on the ball carrier.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Chargers have been looking for a pass-rusher at outside linebacker for years. In Whitney Mercilus, the Chargers would get an explosive player who is constantly working to gain an edge on his competition.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears haven't fixed their offensive line, evidenced by the 49 sacks allowed in 2011. Quarterback Jay Cutler needs some time and Cordy Glenn has the size and athleticism to be an excellent guard in the NFL.

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT/DE, Penn State

The Titans would ideally like a guard, but with Glenn taken off the board, they'll have to address defensive end with the best defensive lineman available.

Devon Still's height and bulk make him a great run-stuffer and capable of playing at defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

Lamar Miller looks like a star-in-the-making to me. He's lightning-quick, has great burst, has shown good vision and can change direction on a dime. He'd be a great replacement for Cedric Benson.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If the Browns land Trent Richardson, then land Kendall Wright, that gives McCoy two dynamic weapons on offense. Wright has the speed and athleticism to be a nightmare for opposing defenses and NFL scouts are beginning to take heavy interest.

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

The Lions were exposed by the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs and it's clear they could use a difference-maker at cornerback.

I believe Stephon Gilmore can be such a player. He has great ball skills and coverage skills and he flies to the ball carrier. He can also return punts for the Lions. Talk about a complete prospect.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers would like some help on the offensive line here, but I don't see a first-round prospect in the rest of the class.

In that case, the Steelers should find a nose tackle to replace 34-year-old Casey Hampton down the road. Dontari Poe is the only legit first-round nose tackle in the draft, with the strength and burst to be a troublemaker in the interior.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Broncos need someone to stuff the run. Not only would Brockers help with that, he's also a pretty darn good pass rusher, too. He's a bit raw as far as technique, but his strength, speed and quickness could make him a force down the line.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Texans need a No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson. Mohamed Sanu has the strength, hands, leaping ability and fearlessness to be a solid receiver in the NFL.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Illinois

I expect the Patriots to shift to a 3-4 defense next season and Fletcher Cox, with his strength and quickness, would be a nice fit.

28. Green Bay Packers: Quinton Coples, DE/DT, North Carolina

I'm not as high on Quinton Coples as some people, but his measurables alone make him a first-round prospect. The Packers need a 3-4 defensive end and Coples has the ability to be a strong player in that spot.

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

Burfict has obvious character concerns, but his strength, instincts and range make him a scary prospect. I expect Ray Lewis to keep him under control and groom him as his successor.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 49ers would prefer a receiver like Wright or Sanu, but with them off the board I see them adding depth to their secondary with Janoris Jenkins, whose overall ability and performance at the Senior Bowl appears to be outweighing his character concerns.

31. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots could go with an outside linebacker here, but they value Tom Brady more than anything and center Dan Koppen is 32 years old and fractured his ankle this season.

Peter Konz is a legit first-round prospect at center.

32. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

There are some concerns about Luke Kuechly's size and strength at the next level, but his instincts, tackling ability and vision is going to make it hard for the Giants to pass him up, especially considering they're in dire need of an inside linebacker.