2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Draft's First-Round Locks

While we don't know precisely how the 2012 NFL Draft will go, a few players are as close to being locks for certain teams as you'll get on April 26th. 

Let's take a look at those locks today. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Peyton Manning has reportedly been medically cleared to play football by doctors, but Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted the following, "Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for the Indianapolis Colts. Team statement coming on Friday."

Way to dampen the mood, Jim. 

Anyway, Andrew Luck to the Colts is the biggest lock in this year's draft. He's the best quarterback prospect since Manning and is at the center of the Colts' massive organizational restructuring process. 

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

3. Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There's a slight chance a team moves into this spot to take Robert Griffin III if the Rams can't find a trade suitor, but my gut tells me the Redskins will move up to No. 2 overall to grab the Heisman Trophy winner. 

After they used their first-round selection in 2010 on their future franchise quarterback Christian Ponder, Minnesota now looks for his blindside protector, and Kalil is the best option. 

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

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

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

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

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

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

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

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

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

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With the atrocious Levi Brown currently manning their left tackle position, the Cardinals have to go with a stable left tackle with the No. 13 overall pick. It might be Iowa's Riley Reiff, but I love Martin as a pure athlete and for his tenacity in the running game. He is already a solid tackle prospect and has room to grow. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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

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

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

If he falls this far, which after the Browns' pick at No. 4 is a distinct possibility, Richardson will be the pick for the Bengals. 

They've received fine contributions from Cedric Benson over the last three years, but they want a youthful talent in their backfield who can carry the load. 

Richardson is far-and-away the best running back in this class and has all the attributes to be a star at the pro ranks. 

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

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

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

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

The 49ers don't have a ton of holes, but the one glaring void on their roster is at wide receiver. Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams don't scare any defenses, and tight end Vernon Davis desperately needs help on the outside. 

Sanu is somewhat of an unheralded prospect, but at 6'2'' and 215 pounds, he has the size to be a true No. 1 in the NFL. He was extremely productive in 2011 for the Scarlet Knights and is a well-rounded receiver, who's fast, runs crisp routes and displayed good hands as a collegian. 

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

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

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