Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Kiper's Mock 2.0

With free agency and the NFL combine right around the corner, ESPN's long-standing draft expert Mel Kiper put out his second NFL mock draft on Wednesday.

Let's take a quick look at the picks Kiper made and how they stack up:

1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck

No brainer. Luck is the consensus pick here.

2. St. Louis Rams: WR Justin Blackmon

Kiper mentions the possibility of a trade down here, which most assume will happen come draft day.

3. Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil

The Vikings need to protect Christian Ponder, and Kalil is the best available offensive tackle.

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Robert Griffin III

As of mid-February, the chances Griffin makes it to the fourth pick remain remote.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Trent Richardson

The Buccaneers weren't a good running team in 2011, and LeGarrette Blount might not be an every-down back.

6. Washington Redskins: CB Morris Claiborne

The value for Claiborne at No. 6 certainly fits.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Quinton Coples

The Jaguars are in great need of pass rush, and Coples might be the top 4-3 defensive end in the draft.

8. Carolina Panthers: DT Michael Brockers

As the Panthers continue to build a young, talented roster, defensive line remains a huge need.

9, Miami Dolphins: OT Riley Reiff

A combination of Jake Long and Riley Reiff at offensive tackle might eventually rank as the top in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills: LB Courtney Upshaw

The only way the Bills are going to take the next step is if they add pressure on defense. Upshaw is a versatile pass rusher who can contribute right away.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly

Kuechly could team with Derrick Johnson in the middle of Kansas City's 3-4 defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: DE Melvin Ingram

The Seahawks aren't missing many pieces on defense, but pass rusher opposite Chris Clemons is one.

13. Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonathan Martin

The Cardinals may have to replace overpaid left tackle Levi Brown this offseason.

14. Dallas Cowboys: S Mark Barron

Is a rehabbing Barron too risky to pick at No. 14?

15. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Fletcher Cox

Linebacker is the biggest need in Philadelphia, but the Giants proved you can never have enough good pass rushers.

16. New York Jets: G Cordy Glenn

The Jets have to get back to the identity that got them to back-to-back AFC Championship games, and helping the running game with a mauler at guard is a start.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Dre Kirkpatrick

The Bengals didn't have a replacement for Johnathan Joseph in 2011, and Leon Hall is recovering from a knee injury.

18. San Diego Chargers: WR Michael Floyd

Losing VIncent Jackson in free agency makes receiver a need for the Chargers.

19. Chicago Bears: OT Mike Adams

Receiver is a big need for Chicago, but Adams would give the Bears a young tackle combination with 2011 first rounder Gabe Carimi. 

20. Tennessee Titans: DE Whitney Mercilus

The Titans defense struggled at times to generate pass rush in 2011, which is something Mercilus showed he can provide by bringing down a nation-high 16 quarterbacks during his senior year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: G David DeCastro

The Bengals would do backflips if the top guard in the class fell to them at No. 21. 

22. Cleveland Browns: WR Kendall Wright

Wright to the Browns at No. 22 gives Cleveland a taste of Waco, Texas, as Kiper had Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III to the Browns at No. 4. 

23. Detroit Lions: CB Janoris Jenkins

The Lions lack of depth in the secondary hurt them down the stretch in 2011.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Dontari Poe

An aging defensive front would get a big lift from an infusion of youth. 

25. Denver Broncos: DT Devon Still

The Broncos have the horses to rush the passer from the edge, now it's time to add a threat inside.

26. Houston Texans: DT Jerel Worthy

The Texans continue to stock Wade Phillips' defense with horses up front. 

27. New England Patriots: OLB Vinny Curry

It would be interesting to see how Bill Belichick could use an electric athlete like Curry in the Patriots' defense. 

28. Green Bay Packers: S Harrison Smith

We won't know until March if safety is a first-round need for the Packers. Nick Collins' neck injury holds the cards at that position. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: C Peter Konz

Konz would be a natural replacement for veteran center Matt Birk in Baltimore. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: WR Rueben Randle

Randle would cross off the 49ers need for another pass-catching option in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

31. New England Patriots: DT Kendall Reyes

I think Patriots fans could have a problem if the team doesn't add secondary help in the first round. 

32. New York Giants: TE Dwayne Allen

A vertical tight end threat would put the Giants offense in the Packers-Saints-Patriots range in 2012.