2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Best Late First Round Picks, Post-Super Bowl

While Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Justin Blackmon headline the top of the 2012 NFL Draft class, there are many players who are likely to be selected at the end of the first round that will become solid NFL starters. 

They'll go to teams with strong foundations and should have immediate impacts. 

Let's take a look. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

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: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

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

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 

Hightower isn't the speediest linebacker to ever enter the league and won't be able to make a ton of plays from sideline-to-sideline, but at 6'4'' and 260 pounds with a great football IQ, he has the potential to be a viable thumping linebacker for many years to come. 

He was the force in the middle of Alabama's fearsome defense for the last two seasons and had a solid junior campaign in 2011.

With an NFL-ready body, all Hightower needs is some good coaching to become a great linebacker at the next level.  

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

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

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

Barron was the leader of the Alabama's top-ranked defense in 2011 and was a fixture in Tuscaloosa for the last three seasons. At 6'2'' and 218 pounds, he has ideal size to become a run-plugging safety in the NFL.

He's not afraid to deliver huge hits on bigger running backs and wide receivers and is instinctual defending the pass, although he's more comfortable playing the run. Barron will be a starter in 2011 and should create one of the better young safety duos in the league with Patrick Chung. 

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

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

Sanu isn't grabbing a ton of headlines, but he's got everything you'd want in a future No. 1 wide receiver. He played that role wonderfully for the Scarlet Knights last year, catching 115 passes for 1,206 yards with seven touchdowns.

He's 6'2'' and 215 pounds, so he'll bigger than most cornerbacks on the outside. He runs crisp routes and wouldn't be labeled as a burner, but he isn't slow and doesn't lack acceleration.

A quality wideout for a team that needs more talent on the outside.  

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

32. New York Giants, Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

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