2012 NFL Mock Draft: Luke Kuechly and Surest Things in Draft

The goal for most teams going into the NFL draft is to find players who can contribute to their roster and become productive players in a short period of time.

While prospects with high-upside and raw athleticism can and often do sneak into the first round, most teams aim for surefire players that they think will contribute in the near future.

Let’s take a look at some guys who promise to be great early in their NFL careers.

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

Indianapolis is in quite a bind if Peyton Manning is truly healthy and they draft Luck, but it’s a move they must make.

Luck is the most surefire prospect to come out of college in many years and there are no doubts in many scouts’ minds that he will be an effective QB for years to come.

It would be borderline insane of the organization to pass him up.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

St. Louis can afford to trade down here if they want to get the Pokes receiver, but not too many spots.

Blackmon instantly gives the Rams a legitimate receiving threat and his college numbers show that this kid can produce.

This past season the WR caught 121 balls for 1522 yards and 18 touchdowns. In 2010 he hauled in 111 passes for 1782 yards and 20 TDs.

Those are incredible numbers and there is no question that he is the best receiver in the class.

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

Kalil is the best offensive lineman in this draft, bar none.

He’s got the size at 6’7”, 295-pounds, the body of work (his line allowed just eight sacks in 2011) and the pedigree, as his father was an NFL lineman and his brother is currently a star on the Carolina Panthers.

Minnesota invested in QB Christian Ponder last season with their first-round choice and saw RB Adrian Peterson suffer significant injury for the first time in his career in 2011.

They need to protect their assets and adding a franchise left tackle to anchor the line for years to come would be the best decision they could make.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

RGIII is the second QB coming off the board and the Colt McCoy era has to be coming to a close in Cleveland if they want to be competitive.

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

This is one of the top running backs coming out of college in quite some time.

Richardson is a big, fast, hard runner that can do everything, something the Buccaneers desperately need.

Unlike LeGarrette Blount, who cannot catch the ball consistently, Richardson is a threat out of the backfield and is also looking like a better all-around RB.

New coach Greg Schiano is going to need a valuable, multi-tool rusher like the Alabama Crimson Tide product, so expect him to nab Richardson if he falls to No. 5.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Washington should ideally trade up to take RGIII, but will most likely reach for Tannehill or trade down if they can’t work something out.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Rookie cornerbacks are never a sure thing, but Claiborne has the tools to be a star.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is the definition of risky prospect. His size and potential trump his body of work by a lot.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Miami didn’t finish the season poorly enough to get a shot at an elite QB in this draft. They’ll need to settle for another franchise tackle to keep whoever their signal caller is in 2012 safe.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is an elite pass rusher coming off a great national championship game and helps the Bills immediately.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is the best DT in a weak class. He’ll help clog up the middle in Seattle.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Boston College LB product has everything a team is looking for to get an instant contribution in the middle.

He’s extremely instinctive; he makes up for his lack of elite athleticism with his recognition skills and is one of the surest tacklers in the class.

Kuechly is a hard worker and bound to be successful, especially with an organization that would use him right away like the Chiefs.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Arizona needs to continue to build on their running game in order to create time for Kevin Kolb and Larry Fitzgerald to connect as well as add another dimension to their offense. Martin helps this need immensely.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If Dallas wants to get serious about pounding the football, DeCastro is their man.

He’s the best interior lineman in the entire class and will help to better protect Tony Romo and instantly make their rushing game better.

DeCastro helped anchor a solid and balanced line at Stanford and protected arguably the best QB in college football while helping out with a great ground game.

Dallas needs to lock him up at 14.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Philly has speedy receivers for Michael Vick to throw at, but does not have a big, reliable target like Floyd.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Jets could always use another talented pass rusher for the tough AFC East schedule.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

If Kirkpatrick falls here, Cincy has to take him. He’s too skilled and should have been a top-ten pick.

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

San Diego is still trying to replace Shawne Merriman and Perry could help them fill that pass rush gap.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Chicago’s O-Line was terrible and the departure of Olin Kreutz made their 2011-12 season worse. Konz helps immediately.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This project has a lot of learning to do, but a ton of potential.

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

If Cedric Benson is on his way out, Miller should be on the way in to Cincinnati.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery needs to prove he can create separation.

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

Detroit needs to keep Matt Stafford safe and Adams is the best tackle available.

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

Pittsburgh loves big guards who can help protect Big Ben Roethlisberger and jump-start a running game.

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

A versatile defender who helps further improve Denver’s emerging group.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Houston took a huge jump last season in terms of pass defense and can get better by adding Barron.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has a disgusting amount of upside but character issues. New England can take a chance on that.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Physical corner that will help an aging and struggling Packers’ secondary.

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

Burfict is the natural replacement for Ray Lewis. Would go much higher but character concerns are dragging him down.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

San Francisco can open up their vertical passing game more if Wright pans out.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Potential to be the No. 1 receiver that the Patriots need.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Another pass-rusher and coverage backer on a team full of elite ones

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine