2012 NFL Mock Draft: Robert Griffin III and Playmakers Who Will Justify Hype

The 2012 NFL Draft has several offensive playmakers who have a lot of hype surrounding them, but just because there is a lot of buzz around your talent, there's no guarantee you will justify it at the next level.

Baylor star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is one of several offensive playmakers who will justify their hype with impressive rookie seasons in 2012.

Let's look at a complete first round mock draft with some other offensive stars who will justify their hype next season.

1) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal quarterback is the top prospect in this draft class, and has very good arm strength and accuracy. The Indianapolis Colts will not pass on Luck when starting quarterback Peyton Manning's future is unclear following his recovery from neck surgery.

2) St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford suffered through injuries last season but needs a strong left tackle who can protect him so he can continue to develop as an NFL player. Matt Kalil from USC is the perfect left tackle for that role.

3) Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Minnesota Vikings have a tremendous need at cornerback, and there is no better star at defensive back in this class than Morris Claiborne from LSU. He is a shutdown corner with awesome coverage skills.

4) Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III is an awesome playmaker who will be a very successful quarterback at the NFL level. He throws an awesome deep ball and is also a pretty accurate passer.

Where he really excels is with his legs. He's a talented runner with good field vision and speed in the open field. He's a dual threat quarterback that will give opposing defenses fits trying to stop him.

The Cleveland Browns are desperate for a franchise quarterback and would be foolish to pass on a player with such immense talent like Griffin. Expect the Browns to take the Heisman Trophy winner.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson was a Heisman Trophy candidate this season and was also a major reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide were crowned National Champions this year.

Richardson has good speed and fantastic field vision, which helps him hit the gaps in the defense and explode into the second level.

Richardson also has good quickness and elusiveness which makes him tough to tackle. The Buccaneers don't have to draft a running back in the top five, but he is too good to pass on at this spot.

6) Washington Redskins: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Washington Redskins are unsuccessful in trading up into the top few picks in order to draft Robert Griffin III, look for them to take an offensive playmaker in Justin Blackmon, who is the best wide receiver in this draft class.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to improve their pass rush. Which is why defensive end Quinton Coples of North Carolina is a tremendous pick because of his speed and strength.

8) Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Miami Dolphins struck gold when they took Jake Long first overall in the 2007 draft as a left tackle out of Michigan, and this year they would love for right tackle Riley Reiff to be there at pick No. 8 to help improve their offensive line.

9) Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Carolina Panthers have quality defensive ends, but a weakness for them is at defensive tackle, where they need a run-stuffer who can demand double teams from opposing offensive lines. Devon Still from Penn State would fill this void.

10) Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Buffalo Bills don't have to take a wide receiver in the first round but it would be risky to pass on a strong, physical, reliable wide receiver like Michael Floyd of Notre Dame.

Floyd is able to catch passes in traffic and is tremendous at racking up yards after the catch, thanks to his good speed and sensational field vision.

Floyd's great jumping ability also helps him make highlight reel catches, as does his balance that allows him to make clutch receptions on the sideline.

Having someone as talented as Floyd would really make the Bills offense harder to defend, especially in the passing game with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11) Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus is a very talented defensive end from Illinois who can add some speed and pass rushing ability to a Seattle Seahawks defensive line that needs to play better next season if the team is to make the playoffs.

12) Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

With franchise quarterback Matt Cassel coming off an injury plagued season, the Kansas City Chiefs will need to surround him with a better offensive line. Taking Buckeyes left tackle Mike Adams for that job is a fantastic idea.

13) Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals are another team that has to protect their quarterback better so he can have enough time to throw to playmakers on offense, like Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona's case. The Cardinals should look at Jonathan Martin of Stanford, who excelled at left tackled in the Pac-12 this season.

14) Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys defense must play better next season, especially in terms of pass defense. Taking Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick would help them improve their weak pass defense.

15) Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Philadelphia Eagles must address their need to get younger and more athletic at linebacker for next season. Boston College star Luke Kuechly is one player who can really help them with his high football intelligence.

16) New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The New York Jets defense really struggled last season to rush the passer, and it was because their defensive ends were not able to get to the quarterback consistently. Drafting Alabama defensive end/outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw will help correct this weakness.

17) Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted very well last season by taking quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver AJ Green in the first few rounds. This season they should take another can't miss prospect in offensive guard David DeCastro from Stanford to improve their pass and run blocking.

18) San Diego Chargers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The San Diego Chargers need to address some offensive line issues, but if David DeCastro isn't available, look for them to address another need at linebacker by taking Alabama star Dont'a Hightower.

19) Chicago Bears: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu is a very good wide receiver with exceptional speed and runs very good routes. The Chicago Bears must upgrade the wide receiver position in the offseason, and it will be much cheaper to do it in the draft than through free agency.

20) Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Tennessee Titans need to upgrade their offensive line, and they would do just that by taking Wisconsin center Peter Konz. Konz was injured toward the end of the season, but he could very well be a Pro Bowl caliber center at the NFL level.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins was kicked off the Florida football team, but he still is an immense talent that will be a first-round pick, if he can prove to teams that he is a mature young man. The Bengals need to upgrade at cornerback after losing Jonathan Joseph in free agency before last season.

22) Cleveland Browns: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

If the Cleveland Browns take an offensive star with the fourth overall pick, expect them to take a defensive player like linebacker Zach Brown of North Carolina with this pick. Brown is an athletic linebacker who can stop the run well.

23) Detroit Lions: Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State

Kelechi Osemele will be a good offensive guard in the NFL. The Detroit Lions would be wise to upgrade at that position so franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This is a no-brainer pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will have to replace star defensive tackle Casey Hampton this coming season or the following one. Dontari Poe from Memphis is a very good defensive tackle who excels in run stopping.

25) Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Denver Broncos have a good defense but they still lack a defensive tackle who can take up multiple offensive lineman and make everyone else's job easier. Fletcher Cox of Mississippi State would be a great fit in the Broncos defense.

26) Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright of Baylor is a quality route runner who has good speed and is a reliable pass-catcher in any situation. The Houston Texans could certainly use another receiver with Andre Johnson struggling with injuries last season.

27) New England Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

An injury and poor play at the Senior Bowl practices didn't help Alfonzo Dennard's draft stock. But the Nebraska cornerback is very talented and would address a huge need in the secondary for the New England Patriots.

28) Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Green Bay Packers passing defense was awful last season, and to help that they need some more pass rushing talent at defensive end. Nick Perry of USC would help the Packers defensive front be even more athletic with his quality speed.

29) Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict of Arizona State has a ton of athleticism and has as much potential as most players in this draft class. But he needs to mature as a player, which he would be able to do under the leadership of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

30) San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The San Francisco 49ers offense needs another quality receiver who can be a difference maker in the passing game. Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech would do just that with his good speed and catching ability.

31) New England Patriots: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram would address a huge need at defensive end on Bill Belichick's defense. Ingram has the speed and strength needed to be an effective NFL pass rusher.

32) New York Giants: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The New York Giants passing defense was ranked 29th this season, and part of that was because their secondary under performed and was rocked by injuries. Mark Barron of Alabama would be an awesome upgrade at the safety position for the Super Bowl champion Giants.