2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rookie Wide Receivers Who Will Cause Major Damage

The 2012 NFL Draft has a lot of potential playmakers that could come out of the first round. While all the talk has been about the potential franchise quarterbacks, there are some rookies who are poised to make some serious noise in their first season.

With last year's rookies in A.J. Green and Julio Jones being huge forces this past year, there are some prominent names that will come out of this draft and have just as big, if not bigger, of an impact for the 2012 NFL season.

The following is a breakdown of the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, and the potential landing spots for this year's top guys.

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

This pick is no secret, as it is becoming quite clear that Peyton Manning's days in Indianapolis are numbered. Luck has been the clear favorite to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick, so no surprises here.

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

The Rams are going to have a tough choice when it comes to deciding who to take with the No. 2 pick in the draft, but when it is all said and done, there is just way they can pass up on the Cowboys' stud wide receiver in Blackmon.

This past season, he had 1,522 receiving yards with 121 receptions and 18 touchdowns. He was by far one of the most electrifying receivers this past year and will instantly improve this offense that is led by quarterback Sam Bradford.

This would certainly get new head coach Jeff Fisher started off on the right foot.

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

There are a plethora of needs for the Vikings coming into this draft, but one piece that could potentially improve this club dramatically would be the addition of USC offensive tackle Kalil. This be a piece that the team could insert right away to get things going in the right direction in 2012.

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

It will be a tough decision for the Browns with quarterback Colt McCoy under center, but in the end it will be too hard to pass up on Baylor Bears' Heisman-winning quarterback RGIII. It would remain to be seen if they would even turn to him right away, as Mike Holmgren is known to not start rookie quarterbacks.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers already have offensive pieces in quarterback Josh Freeman and running back LeGarrette Blount, so they will be looking to add some youth to their secondary in the Tigers' shutdown corner in Claiborne. This will give the team some nice insurance for their future.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Redskins could really use a much-needed playmaker at defensive end, so the Tar Heels' Coples could be a huge upgrade for coach Mike Shanahan's defense. This will give the Redskins a tough line on top of what was already a great secondary.

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

With wide receiver being the team's biggest need, one would have assumed the Jaguars would be targeting one in the first round. The problem is none of the potential picks are talented enough to be taken at this spot, so rolling the dice on Kirkpatrick could be a great addition to solidify this team's secondary.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Dolphins will be looking to improve their team in many different areas this offseason, but one position that could definitely use a dramatic upgrade is defensive end. It will be hard for the team to pass up on the Gamecocks' Ingram, especially since he could potentially improve this defensive line dramatically.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Panthers will be looking to add some protection for their No. 1 overall pick from last season, Cam Newton, so taking Cardinal offensive tackle will be a piece that will help improve the team's line. This should give the team many more opportunities on offense through the running and passing game.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Bills were pretty miserable on defense last year, so adding a cornerback is a pretty big need for this team. They have a pretty solid offense underway with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Stevie Johnson, so now it is time to improve things on the other side of the ball.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Although things are looking good with running back Marshawn Lynch, his career has been an inconsistent roller coaster that the team cannot risk providing some insurance behind him. With Richardson, the team would have a strong running back option for the future, as well as an opportunity if the team does not re-sign Lynch this offseason.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, LB, Albama

The Chiefs have a lot of pieces in place, especially if they can re-sign wide receiver Dwayne Bowe this offseason. The team has a few needs here and there, but adding linebacker like Upshaw would be a real steal for the team, especially if he manages to fall this low.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

If one thing was clear this past season, the Cardinals really need some improved protection on the line. If the team can possibly get offensive tackle Reiff out of Iowa, they will be able to improve their protection for whoever is under center next season, as well as for running back Beanie Wells.

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

Quarterback Tony Romo can always use some improved protection, as could the Cowboys' running game. Getting a solid guard in DeCastro will improve this team's chances on the offensive side of the ball.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Eagles may be best to trade down in this situation as they really are not in position to draft any of their potential needs at this spot in the draft, but taking a guy like the Nittany Lions defensive tackle in Still would be a positive addition to coach Andy Reid's defensive line.

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

The Jets have a few areas they must address this offseason, but nothing needs more improvement than their secondary. The team needs to add a serious threat between corner backs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, so the Crimson Tide's safety in Barron has the potential to create that additional threat in the secondary.

17. Cincinnati Bengals, from Oakland (8-8): Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

The Bengals made some dramatic improvements this past season, but they still need to add some more solid players to their defense. Adding a linebacker like Kuechly from Boston College will be a step in the right direction for this defense. He has a lot of upside, just like this team.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Chargers secondary is getting older, so they could be looking to replenish their depth at the position. A guy like the Cornhuskers cornerback Dennard is a physical player who could thrive under coach Norv Turner.

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

The Bears have a stud running back in Matt Forte—if he re-signs—and a star quarterback in the making with Jay Cutler, but one piece that coach Lovie Smith's offense has always missed is a star wide receiver.

If the Bears can get their hands on wideout Floyd of the Fighting Irish, they would be foolish to pass up the opportunity. This past season, he had 100 receptions for 1,147 yards with nine touchdowns. The senior WR had an incredible run during his four years, compiling 37 touchdowns for 3,686 yards.

The pick would definitely put the Bears in position to make some noise in the passing game next season, something they have been looking unlock for many seasons now.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans will have plenty of needs to address this offseason, but one place where they could find an answer to their voids is in Trojan defensive end Perry. He was a constant force in the Pac-12 this past season, and could look to continue that trend in the NFL.

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

The Bengals have dealt with running back Cedric Benson's inconsistencies for far too long, so now they will be looking to improve upon their backfield with Hurricane standout running back Miller. This past season he ran for 1,272 yards with nine touchdowns. He will give this young offense even more firepower and the potential to dominate even more in 2012.

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

If the Browns do indeed draft RGIII with their fourth pick in the draft, it would be extremely difficult for them to pass up on his favorite target in Bears wide receiver Wright.

Perhaps this opportunity is too good to be true, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction for the struggling franchise. This past season, Wright had a total of 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns on 108 receptions.

His potential in the NFL is huge, and he could really flourish quickly if him and RGIII are put on the field together early on.

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

The Lions are putting together a solid team, led by high performing offensive stars in quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The defense has been pretty strong as well, so one area where the team could always use an upgrade is on the offensive line. Buckeyes offensive tackle Adams would be a nice piece that they would insert into the lineup.

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

The Steelers are a team that is always dealing with injury and age on their offensive line, so adding a strong guard in the Bulldogs' Glenn would be a great piece to add to their depth, and even a potential starter. The team doesn't need too many other pieces, so this would be a safe bet for them.

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

The Broncos have a strong defense that is on the rise in this league, and they will look to improve upon it by adding defensive tackle Cox out of Mississippi State. The team could be looking to grab a quarterback here, but they may decide that will be too big of a risk given Tim Tebow's status amongst the fanbase.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Texans have an incredible offense with quarterback Matt Schaub, running back Arian Foster and wide receiver Andre Johnson, but boy could they really go off with one more receiver.

Adding a guy like the Gamecocks' Jeffery would give them a solid option on the other side of the field. He didn't have the greatest season this year, with just 49 receptions for 762 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The 6'4" receiver did have a solid season in 2010, where he had 88 receptions for 1,517 yards with nine touchdowns. He has the potential to do just that in the NFL, and the Texans would really benefit by improving their wide receiver corps with this addition.

27. New England Patriots, from New Orleans (13-3): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Patriots have all the pieces on offense, but somewhere they struggled mightily this past season was on defense. Their secondary was awful, but they would be in better position to grab a piece that would improve their aging defensive line. Defensive tackle Poe of Memphis would be a good piece that coach Bill Belichick could use right away.

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

Although they had an incredible offense this past season, the Packers' defense just couldn't keep up. They do have a solid cornerback in Charles Woodson, but they could add a potential stud corner in North Alabama's Jenkins. There is a ton of potential here, but the gamble could be worth it in the end for the Pack.

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

It is no secret that veteran linebacker Ray Lewis is nearing an end to his historic career, so there is no better time than now for him to start grooming his future replacement. Sun Devils linebacker Burfict was originally tabbed as a top-five pick, but his recent string of troubles with the program has dropped him in the draft. No better place for him to land than into the hands of the guy he was compared to.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Rueben Randle, WR. LSU

The 49ers are desperate for a wide receiver, and they just may have to roll the dice on a guy like Tigers wideout Randle. 

Considering the team wasn't a passing powerhouse, his 53 receptions with 917 yards and eight touchdowns was pretty impressive. There is a chance that he won't find success in the NFL, something like the result they have seen thus far with Michael Crabtree.

If both can explode onto the scene in 2012, this team can be extremely dangerous in the passing game alongside tight end Vernon Davis.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Andre Branch, LB, Clemson

As noted earlier, the Patriots really need to continue to improve their aging defense, so a guy like Clemson Tigers linebacker Branch would be a huge piece for the future of this franchise. If he wouldn't start right away, he would at least be a great guy to come in when needed.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The Giants don't need wide receivers, and their defense is certainly strong, so there is no better piece to add to this team than a good tight end. Cardinal TE Fleener would be an upgrade for the team at the position and could provide yet another threat in the passing game.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.