2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Which Players Will Play in Playoffs Next Year

Finding a rookie that can contribute in a playoff game is the goal of every NFL team. Even if it is just one player out of seven or eight, that one player could make all the difference.

Finding him is a lot easier said than done though.

First round talents don't necessarily translate into first year starters or even contributors and that is what makes the draft so compelling.

That said, there will be some of these rookies that find a way onto the postseason gridiron.

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

It won't be Andrew Luck though. As good a prospect as the Stanford quarterback is, landing in the postseason is not in the cards for him and the Colts.

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

The same goes for Blackmon. He's the weapon Sam Bradford desperately needs, but they're not ready to make a run at the postseason.

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

The Vikes could push with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, but the NFC North is stacked with talent. 

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

As talented as RG3 is, he's not going to carry a team anywhere in his rookie year if he actually becomes the starter.

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

The Bucs have too many holes to fill, including running back, to compete in the NFC South.

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

If Tannehill is the Redskins' quarterback they won't be in the playoffs next year.

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

Claiborne is the best available player, but the Jags have too many holes to fill and a quarterback who isn't equipped to win now.

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

The Panthers could challenge, but they're still a year or two off.

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

With Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn under center and Reiff at right tackle, this team is actually a force to be reckoned with.

Reiff's appearance in the postseason is contingent upon the Dolphins landing a quarterback via free agency, but he's good enough to make an impact for this team immediately.

If the Dolphins find a way to land a signal-caller before the draft Riley Reiff could easily find himself in the postseason.

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

There is simply too much talent in the AFC East for the Bills to compete next year.

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

The Seahawks will be feisty, but not good enough for a postseason berth.

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

Same goes for the Chiefs in Romeo Crennel's first season as head coach; feisty, but not enough.

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

Kevin Kolb is not a quarterback capable of a postseason run regardless of who they draft in the first round.

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

The Cowboys are a fringe postseason team and DeCastro will help their offense immediately. Unfortunately, that means little with Tony Romo at quarterback.

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

Floyd will compliment the Eagles' wide receiving group nicely, but they'll be hard-pressed to find a way into the postseason if they can't put things together.

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

The Jets defense is simply too good to miss the postseason for a second straight year.

Ingram is a powerful and speedy pass rusher who can dominate off the edge. Rex Ryan's team desperately needs more dynamic pass rushers and Ingram fits the bill perfectly.

This team needs to figure out what it is going to do offensively, but defensively they'll make something happen. 

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

The Bengals were good, but they weren't great last season. They'll be hard-pressed to make it back next season.

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

This team has too much talent to miss the postseason again next season. They certainly have a number of needs to fill, including pass rusher, but Philip River can't possibly be as bad next year as he was last year.

The Chargers have missed on first-round picks recently and cannot afford to so again.

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

They're good enough to make the postseason next year, but they need to land some talent in free agency or the draft to help Jay Cutler.

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

Brockers is a long way away from contributing and the Titans aren't as good as they played this season.

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

This team will be hard-pressed to make the postseason again next year.

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

Plain and simple, the Browns aren't making the postseason.

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

The massive offensive tackle fills a major need for this football team. Whether or not he's ready to take over on the left remains to be seen, but he'll be a starting tackle in this league someday.

If it comes next season he'll likely be in the postseason with a Lions team that will be good once again next year.

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

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh defense will find a way back to the postseason again next year.

Cordy Glenn can play guard or tackle at the next level and should be an immediate help to this team.

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

Tim Tebow's run to the postseason last year was magical, but whether or not he has another one in him remains to be seen. The AFC West won't be as bad as it was last year either.

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

Mark Barron could be selected much higher than this and will be a player immediately in the NFL. If he finds a way to the Texans he'll be in the postseason as a starter his rookie season.

Barron's the most complete safety in the draft and he's going star in this league for a long time.

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

The Patriots are going to be back in the postseason again next year and whoever they draft will be a part of it.

Jenkins is an elite cover corner who could very easily be in the top 15-20 picks come draft day.

He's going to help the Pats immediately as well.

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

Dennard's physical play will fit in with the Packers' aggressive defensive scheme and he should factor in as a nickel or dime back in his rookie season.

With the teams in the NFC throwing the ball all over the place he'll be needed.

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

The Ravens will be back in the postseason, but Burfict may not be much of a factor. He will be one day, but not just yet.

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

This defense is simply too good to be denied and they'll be back in the postseason next year. Wright's speed will help them immediately next year.

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

Like Jenkins a few picks before him, Sanu will be a contributor to a Patriots team destined for the postseason once again.

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

There is a good chance of the Giants missing the postseason next year, only once they've made it back to the postseason after winning the Bowl. That one time was with Eli Manning under center though, and he'll be in New York until he retires.

Zach Brown can help the Giants even if he isn't a starter.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL scouting combine.