2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Round 1 Picks Will Be Rookie of the Year Contenders?

The 2012 NFL draft is loaded with talented and skilled players that are sure to have great careers, but only a select few have what it takes to be considered legitimate candidates for Rookie of the Year. 

More often than not, it's those players selected in the first round that have the best shot at winning the coveted award, but occasionally there are athletes from the later rounds that win it. 

Since there is no NFL lockout, these incoming rookies will get plenty of time to work with their new teams, helping them to get better acquainted with the playbook and their teammates. This will in turn help those players who aren't considered the best of the best to get better. 

Having full offseason workouts will benefit everyone this year, especially the rookies. 

With that said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each player and a more in-depth look at the players who will certainly contend for Rookie of the Year. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

* Picks to be determined by coin flip at Scouting Combine

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

The best prospect in the draft is of course going to get major looks at Rookie of the Year. The only way Luck doesn't start is if Peyton Manning is on the team, and that doesn't look like it will happen since they have to pay him $28 million by March 8. 

With his superb football knowledge and his great arm, Luck is going to thrive in the NFL. Since the Colts are loaded with talented offensive weapons, Luck will be in great position. 

Indianapolis may or may not bring back Reggie Wayne, but even if the Colts don't, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie are all great targets for Luck. 

 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams may very well trade this pick, but should they stay their best bet is to add further protection for Sam Bradford. 

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

The top corner in a very good defensive back class, Claiborne is the real deal and will be an instant upgrade for the Vikings' secondary. 

Rarely do cornerbacks  claim the defensive Rookie of the Year Award, but Claiborne has all the skills to be capable of winning. 

He'll have to shut down nearly every receiver that comes his way, and don't be surprised to see him make an impact in the return game. He's very skilled in that area, but Tyrann Mathieu overshadowed him while at LSU. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Cleveland has plenty of options with this pick, but giving Colt McCoy extra weapons on the outside is the best move the Browns can make. 

Blackmon is the top receiver in the class of 2012, and since he'll be up against fantastic defenses in the AFC North, winning the award won't be easy. 

However, all Blackmon has to do is play to his full potential and he'll win. Thriving against such great defenses all year will show everyone how gifted he really is, and that's why he's a true contender for the award. 

Plus, working opposite of Greg Little means he won't have all the pressure on him, which will free him up to make monster plays. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Buccaneers have big decisions to make, but landing a skilled corner like Kirkpatrick is their best bet at No. 5. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

The biggest lock of mine for Rookie of the Year in 2012 is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. 

Griffin's skills translate very well to the NFL, and should he join the Redskins he'll have talent around him to help him win. 

He's a dual-threat quarterback that thinks past first, and that is what makes him so dangerous.

In addition to that, Griffin also know what it takes to win, and he doesn't hesitate when the pressure is on, which is why he is my top contender to win the award next season. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Jaguars could easily trade back a few spots and still get Jeffery, but I wouldn't be surprised if they reach for him as well. Jeffery will definitely help the Jaguars improve, but he'll be the prime target so defenses will be gunning for him.  

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

This is another reach, but the Panthers are in dire need of help on the defensive line. They need someone who can get after the QB at all times. Coples has Rookie of the Year potential, but I don't think he'll be a megastar right away. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins may trade this pick away if Richardson is indeed still here, but then again they could also benefit from drafting him. 

Richardson is a powerful runner and still has an excellent burst of speed. His vision is impeccable, and that's one of the reasons he is definitely Rookie of the Year material. 

Miami will forget about Daniel Thomas and let Richardson carry the load. Reggie Bush will be a good compliment back, but once Richardson sets foot on the field he will steal the show wherever he goes. 

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

Upshaw is a great leader on defense, and his draft stock rose tremendously after a great game in the BCS National Championship. 

He's a sure-fire contender for defensive Rookie of the Year because he is such a dynamic force on defense. 

The former Crimson Tide standout is a relentless defender that never quits, and he will constantly be in the backfield making big plays for the Bills, which is something they're in desperate need of. 

Eight out of the last 10 defensive Rookie of the Year winners have all been linebackers, which only helps Upshaw's chances.  

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Chiefs won't make a mistake in passing on the talented offensive tackle that will be a huge boost to their offensive line. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks would love a QB, but free agency is their best bet sitting at No. 12. They'll gladly settle for a speedy pass rusher though. 

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

The Cardinals have a number of needs, but strengthening the offensive line is never a bad idea. 

14 . Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

Linebackers dominate the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and there isn't a better tackler in the draft than Kuechly. 

He's a tackling machine, recording 191 total tackles this past season and 183 the year before. Kuechley is all over the field at all times, and that's why he will certainly be a guy to watch for next season. 

The Cowboys need youth and speed on their defense, and Kuechly gives them that. He has a great motor and is sure to make plenty of big plays for Dallas. 

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

With DeSean Jackson likely gone in free agency, the Eagles need to find his replacement, and Floyd will definitely be a great addition to the team. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

I really think the Jets would trade up for Richardson if at all possible, but for this, I have them boosting the defensive front. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincinnati has a lot to think about with their two first-round picks, and one of them better be used on a running back. Miller has blazing speed and will be a great fit in the Bengals backfield. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is steadily climbing up draft boards, and rightfully so. The 6'7", 323-pound offensive lineman will be a solid pickup for the Chargers. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears are hoping one of the top wideouts fall their way, but they'll still be happy with the best interior lineman in the draft. 

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

The Titans have to get better at disrupting opposing QBs, and that's what they'll get by drafting Ingram. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

There are character concerns, but this won't bother the Bengals. Jenkins has great talent, and his shut down corner abilities will allow him to be dominate in the NFL.  

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus is a risky pick, as he only had one good year while in college. Still, he's a powerful defense that's quick off the edge, and that is something the Browns would love to have. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia                      

Protecting Matthew Stafford is priority No. 1 for the Lions, so adding more offensive line help is the right move. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The only late first-round pick I see contending for the Rookie of the Year award is Burfict. 

He has Top 10 talent in my book, but attitude problems and character concerns will cause him to drop big time on draft day. 

However, landing with the Steelers will be very beneficial for him, and he'll make sure to step up and be on his best behavior because Pittsburgh won't allow any mishaps. 

Burfict is a freak of nature on defense, stopping just about anything that comes his way, and that's why he'll contend for the award. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is rising fast on draft boards, and will continue to do so after he impresses scouts at the combine with his big frame. The Broncos are in dire need of help on the defensive line, so they certainly won't pass on a massive talent like Brockers. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Texans may think wide receiver here, but since they may not be able to bring back their current center Chris Myers, drafting his replacement is a solid move. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

If the Patriots are going to win it all, the defense has to improve. With Dennard still on the board, New England will start off by upgrading the secondary. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington  

Polk is a borderline first pick, but the Packers should take the gamble on him because their backfield is depleting. Adding a young power back like Polk will greatly benefit this offense. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina  

The Ravens may reach for an offensive lineman here, but I have them playing it safe and selecting the best available defender. 

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

The 49ers badly need more big-play threats on offense, and Wright will give them exactly that. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

New England could easily trade this pick, and while I think it's probably going to happen, they'd be better off upgrading the defense by using both first-round picks.  

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

Hightower may not be here by this pick, but other team's needs and occasionally risky pick forces Hightower to fall the Giants' way.