2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals and 5 Teams Who Need Big Day 1

The 2012 NFL draft is just months away and that means it's time to see where some of the big-name prospects will land on Day 1.

Day 1, which is features the first round of the NFL draft, is a huge day for many teams, but none more than the Cincinnati Bengals and the four others looking to achieve greatness in 2012.

Join Bleacher Report as we run through the entire first round of Day 1 and break down five teams in need of a big first day come April.

No. 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

It's looking more and more like the Colts are going to wave goodbye to Peyton Manning and start over with a more certain prospect.

Andrew Luck is as close to a sure-fire NFL starter as there is in the 2012 draft. The Colts are in need of a huge Day 1, and they will open it up with the No. 1 overall pick and Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

No. 2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

The Rams offense ranked toward the bottom of the barrel in 2011 in just about every category. 

A presence like USC's Matt Kalil, who is 6'7", would improve the offensive line, which is key for turning things around in St. Louis.

No. 3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The Vikings were terrible in pass defense in 2011, ranking in the 30s for most of the season.

An offensive lineman like Iowa's Riley Reiff would be a good choice, but why not go for a game-changer like Claiborne?

No. 4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Peyton Hillis was a complete and utter disappointment in 2011 after a breakout 2010 campaign. Alabama's Heisman nominee has the fire and power to be better than Hillis in 2012.

Day 1 is mighty important for the Browns, who will get two picks because of their trade with the Atlanta Falcons during last year's draft. A Heisman nominee at No. 4 is a great start. 

No. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, LB

The Bucs D was a major reason they lost 10 straight games to end the year. Picking at No. 5 overall on Day 1 means that Tampa Bay must choose wisely.

They are a few tweaks away from the 10-6 team they were in 2010, and that means the right pick could be the difference in a handful more wins in 2012. 

No. 6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Redskins have been irrelevant for a long time now, but a pick like RG3 could change all of that.

No. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

Give Blaine Gabbert some help down the field, please.

No. 8/9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

For as dominant as Cam Newton was running the ball in 2011, the Panthers were equally as terrible at defending the run. Coples could help out as a great tackler and as a solid pass-rusher.

No. 8/9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, DE

Two spectacular defensive ends in a row might jump off the board. And why not? They're spectacular.

No. 10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

The Bills suffered from the injury bug in 2011 after a promising start, so they don't need to make a sexy pick in order to be explosive in 2012.

No. 11/12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

Reiff would be close to home, and that bodes well for his happiness with the Chiefs. 

No. 11/12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

Michael Floyd would take some of the pressure off of Tarvaris Jackson and Skittles spokesman Marshawn Lynch.

No. 13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The consistent Crimson Tide corner would combine with Patrick Peterson to form a dynamic pass-stopping duo for the Cardinals.

No. 14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

Rob Ryan's defense was shredded at season's end last year and could use a force up front to help limit opposing offenses.

No. 15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

At 6'3", 235 pounds, Kuechly has great size for Philadelphia and could help them get back to the playoffs in 2012.

No. 16. New York Jets (8-8): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

Mark Sanchez can't do it alone, and the Jets' running backs are either too old or not good enough. Miami's Lamar Miller could help the Jets achieve their goal of getting to the Super Bowl

Athleticism and speed are just two of the traits that make Miller a game-breaking threat every time he touches the ball. The Jets need a game-changer on offense, and they would get just that in Miller at No. 16. 

No. 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders 8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

Day 1 will be critical for the Bengals, who pick twice along with two other teams. The secondary should be addressed if they are to make a Super Bowl run next year. Alabama's seasoned safety Mark Barron is a quality pickup for a team looking to survive the defensive-minded AFC North division.

No. 18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

DeCastro has athleticism and size, and he could prove to be a versatile piece in front of Philip Rivers in 2012 and beyond.

No. 19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Coby Fleener, Stanford, TE

Ever since the Bears lost Greg Olsen, they have lacked a legitimate receiving threat at tight end. Fleener has the hands and strength to make Jay Cutler better in Chi-town.

No. 20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR

Jeffery is a dynamic talent who can go up and get the ball at any point in time. The Titans would be dumb to pass on him.

No. 21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): David Wilson, Virginia Tech, RB

Virginia Tech's David Wilson is a solid pickup for a team looking to have a big Day 1 at the 2012 NFL draft. The Bengals need to replace Cedric Benson and keep the pressure off Andy Dalton. Wilson will do both with his speed and vision.

No. 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons 10-6): Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT

The Browns need to get tougher on Day 1. With Trent Richardson, the definition of toughness, already in the bag, expect them to add the Spartans' Jerel Worthy up front on defense.

 

No. 23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

The Lions need to keep a running back healthy if they want to win, and Glenn can do that as well as lead the way for any back in Detroit. 

No. 24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

Pittsburgh will no doubt be in contention again next season, and it will be thanks to their defense, which is always improving. 

No. 25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, Penn State, DT

Penn State's Devon Still could solidify the Broncos' defensive front and make a monster out of pass-rusher Von Miller.

No. 26. Houston Texans (10-6): Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

That Houston Texans defense is scary already, and the offense was missing its starting QB for most of the season. Clemson's Brandon Thompson is a great pick at No. 26.

No. 27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints (13-3): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

With Chad Ochocinco and Deion Branch having put their best days behind them, the Pats must get younger and more talented on the outside to take some pressure off the brilliant tight ends in 2012.

No. 28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, LB

The Pack must get more pressure on the quarterback if they are to find their way back to the Super Bowl. That's why Day 1 is so important for Green Bay.

Their defense failed them all season long after tightening up during their 2010 postseason run. The playoffs exposed Green Bay's weakness, which was stopping the pass and getting sufficient pressure on the quarterback.

No. 29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

A big offensive lineman isn't a sexy pick, but the Ravens aren't a sexy team. Adams could be a long-term answer up front. 

No. 30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

More protection for Alex Smith and better run blocking for Frank Gore could help the Niners win the NFC next season.

No. 31. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

Although he is a question mark, Burfict could become the next Jason Pierre-Paul in New York.

No. 32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, N. Alabama, CB

The Patriots need to address the pressing needs in the secondary. Jenkins was a star at Florida before showing some character flaws, but we all know how Bill Belichick loves to draft troubled Gators.