2012 NFL Mock Draft: Playoff Teams That Will Steal the First-Round Spotlight

Teams that don’t make the NFL Playoffs obviously have the better opportunity of getting impact players in the NFL Draft. However, there are some teams that did make the playoffs that will steal the first-round show at the 2012 NFL Draft.

*Playoff teams that will steal the first round spotlight will be highlighted in bold*

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

Peyton Manning seems to be out the door for the Indianapolis Colts.  A new era of quarterback play will begin in Indianapolis in the likes of Andrew Luck.

The Colts, depending on Luck’s ceiling, would have had two dominating quarterbacks that could potentially win a Super Bowl in back-to-back eras. Some teams are lucky.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

If Sam Bradford is the Rams' quarterback of the future, it's time to finally give him a true dominant weapon at his disposal.

Blackmon is extremely athletic, played well in big games and has a ceiling that is through the roof. The Rams need to figure out if Bradford is the real deal or not, so drafting a true weapon will be able to help them identify the potential issue.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Morris Claiborne is the best cornerback in the draft. Minnesota has plenty of holes to fill, but cornerback is a position that desperately needs help. He will make an instant impact for the Vikings and their 26th-ranked pass-defense.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Colt McCoy will never be able to lead the Cleveland Browns to the promise land even without his injury issues to end the season. He’s a good quarterback but not a great one capable of leading winning teams in the NFL.

It's time to think long-term, and Robert Griffin III is a notch below Luck in my estimation. This would be a perfect fit.

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

Trent Richardson has the perfect combination of size and speed to be a Pro Bowl running back for years to come.

Richardson dominated SEC football with an average offense. He would be an ideal selection at this position.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Matt Kalil will be able to help the Washington Redskins in his rookie season. His talents suggest that he could possibly be drafted higher than this if St. Louis decides to give him an opportunity, but I think he could fall.

At 5-11, the Redskins need a lot of help, but assisting the offensive line would be a great start.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Jacksonville will be looking to solidify their defense throughout the draft in several areas. If I were the Jaguars front office, I would take Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama with the No. 7 pick.

Dre Kirkpatrick was a major part of the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Miami): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Carolina has many offensive weapons, but few on the defensive end.

Devon Still is one of the best defensive players in the NFL draft. He was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year this past season, and he's plenty capable of taking his talents to the next level with the same success rate.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Miami needs to address many areas of their roster.

Securing a solid offensive line is always a good idea, and Riley Reiff is one of the best tackles in the draft.

Maybe Matt Moore is their guy, maybe not, but having an offensive lineman to protect the quarterback will be needed no matter who’s under center.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Buffalo's defense was atrocious this season; they were 28th against the rush and 19th against the pass. That won’t get it done without a quality offense.

Quinton Coples would be a solid addition on the defensive side of the ball.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Kansas City has a great defense, young offense and a decent quarterback in Matt Cassel. They help along the offensive line and Jonathan Martin would be an ideal option with the No. 11 pick.

We may be looking at a playoff team next season in a weak AFC West.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Kansas City): Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)

At No. 12, Seattle will be hard-pressed not to attempt to select their quarterback of the future with Ryan Tannehill. He has the tools that warrant a top-15 pick, but the question will remain this: Will the Seahawks give him an opportunity given their other deficiencies?

I say yes.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Arizona needs help across the board, but they need to get younger on the defensive side of the ball. Courtney Upshaw would be an ideal selection with this pick. 

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

Dallas underachieved once again this season. What’s new?

They need cornerback and offensive line help, but I think that they should address their offensive line.

Tony Romo was under duress all season long. David DeCastro would be a perfect fit with the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

Luke Kuechly is one of the best run-defenders in college football. He recorded 191 tackles this season, and he is the only two-time consensus All-American selection to come from Boston College. Kuechly also provides a high football IQ to go along with a great feel for the game.

Philadelphia needs help in the middle of their defense.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Mark Barron would be a great addition to the Jets. He comes from a very physically natured team in Alabama, and he would have a great opportunity to help right away.

Maybe he could help the Jets return to the postseason. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Bengals have the highest pick for any team that made the playoffs. It just so happens that they also have two picks inside of the top-21. They will be able to help their team immediately with these selections.

Cincinnati should use one pick on a cornerback to add to an already talented young crew. Alfonzo Dennard would be a solid selection at No. 17 to help with their secondary.

A solid 2012 NFL Draft and Cincinnati will set up a future with their young players. We may be looking a team that can contend in the AFC North for several years down the road.

Andy Dalton will only continue to get better after his rookie season, A.J. Green was a stud, their defense was Top 10 in passing and rushing and they are selecting the right draft picks in the NFL Draft.

They are a legit team going forward and this year’s draft will be another reminder.

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

San Diego has a solid offense but they struggled last season on defense. Drafting Nick Perry from USC would give them what they need on the defensive line.  

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Jay Cutler hasn't had a true weapon in his years with Chicago. Michael Floyd should be that option if he is still available with the No. 19 pick.  

Floyd caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season at Notre Dame.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, OLB (South Carolina)

Tennessee narrowly missed the postseason this year, so they're right on the cusp. They have a potential future quarterback in Jake Locker and a guy they spent millions of dollars in Chris Johnson, but what about the other side of the ball?

Melvin Ingram would be a good pick for the Titans with this selection. He has the potential of being a quality linebacker for years to come. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

Dalton will be the quarterback for several years in Cincinnati; he’s proved that he has the tools of being a star by his Pro Bowl selection. He needs a solid offensive line to protect him as he grows as a quarterback in the NFL.

Peter Konz would be an ideal selection here. He would give Dalton a reliable center that he could tag-team with for years ahead.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

The question I have been asking is this: Was Kendall Wright as great as he has been because of Robert Griffin III?

We will find out if they aren’t picked on the same team. I think Cleveland will give Wright an opportunity if they have Griffin as their quarterback.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Any time you give up 480 yards passing and six touchdowns to a backup quarterback, changes should happen. They need help with their secondary and Janoris Jenkins is one of the best in the country.

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

Pittsburgh is getting older on defense, but they have one of the youngest offenses in the league. Cordy Glenn of Georgia would give the Steelers another young option on the line.

As we have seen in the past several years, whoever the Steelers pick in the first round will have an opportunity to become great players in the NFL.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

If Tim Tebow is the quarterback of the Denver Broncos future, drafting Coby Fleener to be his security blanket wouldn’t be a bad idea. The tight end position dominated the NFL this year.

Fleener was one of the best in the nation last season.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Poe is one of the best defensive tackles in the country. With Houston already having a dominating defensive line, Poe would only add to their roster. 

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Andre Branch, DE (Clemson)

To steal the spotlight at the NFL Draft teams must make noise. Drafting Luck with the first pick won’t bring noise because it is to be expected.

New England makes noise in the NFL Draft every season even if they trade out of the first round, which I think they will do with one of their picks. They have proven that they have some of the best mid-round scouting in the NFL.

Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez weren’t drafted in the first round. Tom Brady was a sixth round draft pick; the Patriots know how to find talent later in the draft.

If the Patriots want to help their team with a first-round pick, defense is where New England needs to look. Andre Branch would give them another option on the defensive line.

If the Patriots don’t want to select Branch because of a better offer to move down, expect New England to jump on the opportunity.

We will once again see the genius that is the Patriots’ front office.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Green Bay has the offense to compete for championships, but they are lacking on defense. Whitney Mercilus would give the Packers another option on the defensive side of the ball.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Baltimore needs receiving weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco. South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery has the upside to become a Pro Bowl player in the NFL. He also had the ability to be an absolute flop.

Grabbing Jeffery with the No. 29 pick could potentially be a steal for the Ravens. They may want to sure up their defensive issues because of age, but if they want to win now while Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still playing at a high level, Jeffery would give their offense another option in the pass game.

Maybe he’s capable of making that catch Lee Evans dropped against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

Who knows.

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

Alex Smith needs weapons on the offensive side of the ball. San Francisco has the running game and defense, but it's time to help the passing game out in the form of Mohamed Sanu.

*Next two picks subject to change*

31. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

New York already has the swag and talent so why not add Vontaze Burfict if he’s still available? He has all the talent in the world but can struggle with emotions.

That’s fine. I’ll take that instead of the opposite. 

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Drafting two defensive players in the first round would be a good idea for the Patriots. New England had one of the worst passing defenses in league history. Drafting Stephon Gilmore would help in that area.