2012 NFL Mock Draft: GMs Who Are Sure to Make the Right Moves

The 2012 NFL draft is going to be a make or break event for quite a few NFL teams. We all know the importance and value that a first-round pick has to an NFL franchise.

What is my favorite team going to do in the draft?

That's the question that's on everybody's mind right now and I can guarantee you that general managers all around the NFL are thinking the same thing.

The right pick can propel a franchise into a very bright future, while the wrong pick can destroy Super Bowl hopes.

There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding mock drafts and the theory of mocking what a team should do versus what they will do. I'm going to try to take a definitive stance—mind you this will change a bit after the combine—on what teams will do in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Here's my latest first round mock, emphasis on general managers that made the right moves:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

By now we all know this is going to be the pick and we all understand this is the right pick. At this point, I shouldn't have to explain why.

2. TRADE Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This is the first move that I want to park on, being that it's probably the first move the Redskins front office will make that their fans will be unanimously happy about in a long time.

This team needs a quarterback and the organization needs a franchise guy and that's exactly what they will be getting out of Griffin III.

While there are questions regarding whether or not he can play a traditional role under center, there are no questions regarding his incredible athleticism or quarterback skills.

The 'Skins need to make this trade, even if they have to pay dearly for it.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil has the measurable to be a franchise all-pro left tackle. Solid pick here.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns are the other team that would consider moving up for RGIII, but I have a gut feeling they are going to stick with Colt McCoy.

In order to justify that they have to put a ton of weapons around him, though and Richardson is certainly a weapon.

He's got a unique blend of speed, power, agility and vision that makes him arguably the best running back prospect to come out in years. I think he's going to be a star.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne can be a shut down corner and we all know the Buccaneers need help on defense.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They move back to get some extra picks and still get the wide receiver they need. Great move by the Rams.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Jaguars need to get Blaine Gabbert a deep threat and despite his critics, I think Jeffery is the guy.

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has unbelievable talent, measurables and potential. He could be great for the Panthers.

9. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

With no quarterback worth stretching for on the board, the Dolphins will work on their defense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is smaller, but insanely fast and strong. He could develop into one of the best in this class.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a tad undervalued because the rest of this class is so prolific, but he's a great pick.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

I see Upshaw moving down to end here and causing havoc off the edge.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

No-brainer pick, as the Cardinals problems at tackle are prolific.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If Jenkins didn't have off-field issues, he'd be a top-10 pick. Dallas won't mind taking the chance, though.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

A very versatile linebacker that will really help this defense.

16. New York Jets:  David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

In my opinion, DeCastro is the second best overall player in this draft. He falls because of needs and circumstance. Huge steal by the Jets.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Some saw Kirkpatrick as a 10-15 guy, but character issues set him back. The Bengals will gladly pick him up as he fits a huge need in their secondary.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

Great player that can be a factor at guard or tackle. This is really what the Chargers need.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

I expect the Bears to make a huge play for a wide receiver in free agency, most likely Vincent Jackson, and I also expect them to bring back Matt Forte in one way or another.

With Jay Cutler getting a big-time weapon at wideout and the running game being secure, the Bears will make the right move by drafting Adams, who has the potential to be a stud at left tackle.

With the Packers, Lions and Vikings all having good pass rushes, the Bears need to focus on protecting Cutler.

This is absolutely the right move, as 6'8'', 320-pound lineman are hard to come by.

20. Tennessee Titans: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Titans will take Coples based off name and need. How he performs is up to him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bengals may have the best first round out of any team in the draft. With their first pick they take a chance on Kirkpatrick, who has the potential to be a lockdown corner. Then they play it patient and wait for the receiver to fall to them.

Floyd can be very successful in their system, especially with a deep threat like A.J. Green across from him.

I like Floyd as a big possession receiver that can really take a lot of pressure of Green. Andy Dalton will really like throwing to him and the Bengals offense will definitely improve.

This is a growing and young team that is doing it the right way, let's see if the Bengals can avoid being the Bengals, though.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns draft may be on par with Bengals, but it all depends on the quarterback position. With Richardson and now Wright, the Browns are really putting McCoy in the perfect spot to succeed.

23. Detroit Lions: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Fleming is really jumping up a lot of boards. He's athletic, tough and a ball hawk.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is going to be the eventual space eater of this defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Broncos need to put some young legs behind Tim Tebow. This is a safe pick as far as building their offense goes.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Here's a legitimate No. 2 receiver the Texans can throw across from Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

If they keep the pick, Worthy can be quite a disruptive and versatile player on their front.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois

I really like this pick for the Packers and we all know that general manager Ted Thompson has a track record of making solid picks.

The Packers really need the defensive help, specifically with their pass rush. Clay Matthews is a star, but he can be rendered effective if there is no pass rush on the other side of him and we saw that happen.

Green Bay needs somebody to get pressure on the other side of the line and with 13.5 sacks last season, Mercilus really fits the bill.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

If and when Matt Birk retires, Konz is his replacement.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The 49ers need to stretch here and get a wideout for their offense.

31. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has great potential and he will thrive in New England.

32. New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

He's a bit of a risk, but he can be a monster in the NFL behind the Giants defensive line.