2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Top First-Round Offensive Lineman

Quarterbacks need to be protected, running backs need lanes to slice through and the line of scrimmage must be controlled for the offense to have an upper hand.

In other words, the offensive line is arguably the most important unit of players that any one team can have. And if this unit lacks, then the offense fails to produce points and control the clock.

That said, let's take a look at some expected first-round offensive lineman in the 2012 NFL draft.

Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, USC

He's only started one full season at protecting Matt Barkley's blindside, but he performed better than USC's first-rounder from last year, Tyron Smith.

Matt Kalil stands at 6'6" and weighs close to 300 pounds, but he moves quicker than meets the eye and has a great football IQ.

His strength is arguably his best attribute, which will pay great dividends on a team like the Minnesota Vikings. Quarterback Christian Ponder has solid potential, as the man can scramble when needed. Thing is, his career won't last very long by using his legs to make plays all day. Which is where Kalil enters to help keep Ponder in the pocket to develop more as a pocket-passer.

After all, look at Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Matthew Stafford in Detroit. Both are pocket-passers that only scramble as a last resort. With Kalil walling off defenders, Ponder will have plenty of time to throw.

In addition, Kalil is a great run-blocker and, simply put, gives great effort and can create plays for the back to make by getting to linebackers. If there's anything that's overly impressive about Kalil, it's that he's extremely consistent with good technique.

Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, Stanford

With the late-season surge by running back Reggie Bush, the Miami Dolphins have a lot of potential to really make some noise in 2012.

Receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Anthony Fasano are a great duo, and provided he's given the opportunity, Matt Moore can develop into a reliable quarterback. That said, taking Stanford's David DeCastro in the top 10 will suffice.

The Dolphins have a decent offensive line, but DeCastro makes them great. He was part of a balanced offense at Stanford and knows how to run-block just as good, if not better, than pass-block.

A 6'5", 312-pound guard, DeCastro is a force in the interior and can take on any pass rushing defender. His awareness level is extremely high, as DeCastro will help the center or tackle struggling one-on-one and recognize any delayed rushers.

On the ground, though, DeCastro will outwork anyone, because his fierce attitude toward pancaking would-be tacklers is what created so many lanes in the Stanford rush offense. In Miami, his quickness and lateral agility will benefit the most because calling traps and counters will allow Bush to slice up the middle.

Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, Stanford

One of the quicker offensive tackles in the draft, Stanford's Jonathan Martin also has quick hands to accommodate for the faster edge rushers.

He stays light on his feet, has a lot more explosion than given credit for and can acceleration in a shuffle backwards as good as anyone in the nation.

To some extent, you're basically splitting hairs with Martin and Kalil when it comes to pass-blocking. Now, Martin's not as good of a run-blocker since Stanford mainly slammed the rock inside as opposed to outside, but the athleticism still resides.

Martin is best as a run-blocker by knowing how to take the best angle on a block. And in the NFC West against some tough run defenses like Seattle and San Francisco, that will pay off huge for the Arizona Cardinals.

We also have to remember that even though the NFC west is improved, it's still not an overly dominant pass defense division, but it has excellent pass-rushers.

Last season, the Cardinals offensive line allowed 54 sacks, which was the second-most in the league. Therefore, give Kevin Kolb or whoever is under center even that extra 0.5 seconds like Martin can, and that could be just all the more time receiver Larry Fitzgerald needs to get open.

San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, Iowa

Iowa tackle Riley Reiff may not be the perfect first-round pick for the San Diego Chargers, but he does bring excellent talent to the table. And although the Chargers only allowed 30 sacks in 2011, they also lacked a consistent rushing attack between and outside of the offensive tackles. Being that Reiff anchored an Iowa offensive line that was built around balance, he can definitely improve the Bolts' ground game.

As a pass protector, Reiff is a lot more agile than given credit for. He knows exactly when to get that good punch on a bull-rushing defender and has the lateral quickness to shield and get players out of position.

His feet don't stop moving, which transitions well as a run-blocker. Since the Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten but have been known to air it out more in recent years, Reiff wastes no time in creating second-level lanes for running backs.

In the AFC West, a big reason why the Bolts fell a part in 2011 is because they lacked a strong rushing threat. Considering that the Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders all have potentially dominant running games, it's time San Diego got on board.

Taking Reiff not only puts them on track but will add talented depth (worst-case scenario) to the offensive line.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

John Rozum on Twitter.