2012 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Teams That Will Make Clever Picks

The Indianapolis Colts have it easy. They can select either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III and come out of the draft as a winner.

The teams a little deeper in the NFL Draft order have to get a little more creative to fill their respective needs in the first round, however.

Usually that means taking a chance on a player even though their grade might be slightly lower than the team's pick.

It could also mean filling a void that might not be obvious to most fans now, but could become an issue within the next year or two.

With that in mind, here's a full mock draft of Round 1, featuring clever picks which will pay off in the long run.

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

The Colts couldn't ask for a more capable successor to Peyton Manning than Luck.

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

The combination of Sam Bradford and Blackmon has some tremendous possibilities.

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

Kalil should be able to step right into the Week 1 starting lineup for Minnesota.

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

An amazing quarterback, which Griffin certainly is, can hide several other holes.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

There's no reason to believe Richardson won't carry over his success from Alabama to the NFL.

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

Washington needs a new quarterback, even if it means reaching for Tannehill.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Slowing down the opposition's passing attack is the first step back toward the postseason for the Jaguars.

8. Carolina Panthers* (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples will only become more dominant as time goes on and he learns the finer points of the position.

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

Protecting the quarterback, whoever that turns out to be, will be key for the Dolphins' resurgence.

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

Dave Wannstedt was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Bills and will begin transitioning the team back to a 4-3 defense for next season. The team's attempt to run a 3-4 failed miserably, leading to the team's collapse after a red-hot start to the season.

Upshaw would fit into both systems, which is why he's the perfect sneaky pick here. No matter what package the Bills run, he'll be able to play. If it's a 4-3, he can play end. If it's a 3-4, he can play outside linebacker. That versatility makes him a terrific fit.

It's also a smart move for the Bills because their pass rush has been virtually non-existent for a long time. Upshaw will finally give them somebody off the edge who can get after the opponent's quarterback, especially when going up against Tom Brady twice per season.

11. Seattle Seahawks* (7-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

A team with a poor run defense gets exposed more often than not, which is why the Seahawks need to target Still.

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

Kansas City could go several different directions here, but Martin is the best player available that fills a need.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Don't be surprised in Kirkpatrick's stock begins to rise once again as the draft inches closer.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The consistent Kuechly is a terrific fit for the Cowboys, who need more consistency to live up to expectations.

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

Floyd would be another potential star on Philadelphia's offense. Now they just need to put it all together before next season.

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

The Jets need to keep building their defense if Mark Sanchez is going to be the quarterback. He certainly isn't going to carry them.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Another Stanford lineman going in the first round. DeCastro will help Cincinnati's running game immediately.

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

The Chargers have tried a bunch of different players at outside linebacker over the past handful of years. Perry will finally fill the void.

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

Konz to the Bears continues to look like the lock of the draft.

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

Tennessee might opt for a wide receiver instead, but it would be difficult to pass up on a stud defensive tackle like Brockers.

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

Cedric Benson is no lock to return to Cincinnati after another disappointing season, and if he is going to come back, the Bengals shouldn't give him anything more than a one-year deal. There are much more intriguing options, including Miller, to help the team's offense.

Andy Dalton is never going to become one of the league's best quarterbacks. He's good enough to have success if there's talent around him, though. That means Cincinnati needs a running back with big-play potential in the backfield.

Miller certainly fits that mold. He has elite speed and should develop into a tremendous dual-threat back once he gets some experience.

This might seem like too early to take him, but the Bengals would be wise to take a chance, because he would be the gamebreaker they need.

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

Everybody knows the Browns need upgrades at the offensive skill positions, it's about time they did something about it.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams won't be an exciting pick like all of the skill position stars the Lions have taken in years past, but he's a necessary selection.

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

The Steelers need to have more depth along the line to be able to overcome injuries. Glenn would provide that and more.

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

Cox is the perfect pick for Denver, which needs more star power on defense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Houston had a vastly improved defense this season, now it's time for more upgrades on offense.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard will provide a lot more value than being picked No. 27 would indicate.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is another underrated corner. There are so many good ones this year that's he has been lost in the shuffle.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Ravens need to start planning for the eventual departure of Ray Lewis. Burfict would make the transition a bit easier.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

San Francisco was this season's surprise team. The 49ers were considered fringe contenders during the summer, but not many people saw them making a run to the NFC title game. Alex Smith still needs some more help on offense before next season to take the next step.

Sanu had a really nice career at Rutgers, but the level of competition wasn't very high. That has some teams wondering if he'll be able to produce at the next level right away. The 49ers will be able to take advantage of that trepidation to get him late in the first.

It's a clever pick because a bunch of teams are probably hoping to snag him early in the next round. There's just no way the 49ers will be able to pass on somebody with as much potential as Sanu, so it's a smart pick as well.

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

Brown is really a luxury pick for the Giants, who don't have a ton of other needs.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a smart player who will help fix New England's issue in the secondary.