2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Have Toughest First-Round Decisions?

The 2012 NFL draft is one of the most exciting times in not only the draftee’s lives, but in the lives of the people doing the drafting as well. With that said, it’s a big decision.

Several teams have big needs to fill and high picks to use in order to make their team better, but there are some seriously tough decisions that have to be made.

All of the following teams are in a predicament, but they are smart enough to get through it. At least that’s what their fans hope.

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

Andrew Luck to Colts. Lock it up.

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

There may be no more overrated prospect in this draft than Robert Griffin III, but teams are falling over themselves to get to the No. 2 position and draft him. With St. Louis seeing the feeding frenzy, they will have no problem bowing out for the right price.

One team will pull the trigger on this move, and the Cleveland Browns look to be the best suited to make this move. In addition to their need at quarterback, the Browns have the picks and the young players to make this trade happen.

Whatever happens to Griffin in the NFL, the move to the No. 2 spot in the draft will be the most important of the entire weekend.

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

Christian Ponder will get his protection when Minnesota grabs stellar franchise tackle Matt Kalil.

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

As good as he looked in college, Justin Blackmon will become nothing more than a slot receiver in the NFL. 60 catches a season should be about right.

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

Add Trent Richardson to a backfield that already has LeGarrette Blount and you have what I call a power tandem.

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

The Washington Redskins' decision-making has already started, but it will be made even clearer by the time the drafts rolls around. Assuming that Washington doesn’t get Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning, they have to draft a QB.

If the draft unfolds with Luck No. 1 and Griffin No. 2, that would leave the Washington Redskins with a huge question to ask. Should they move back and get a QB later on or stay at No. 6 and get Ryan Tannehill.

While Tannehill is good, I do not view him as a top 20 talent and think Washington would be silly to take him this high.

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

The Jacksonville Jaguars need help all over the field, but they will start with the secondary and elite corner Morris Clairborne.

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

Ron Rivera loves rebuilding this defense, and it will continue with the elite pick of pass-rushing machine Quinton Coples.

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

No matter what happens at quarterback for the Dolphins, the team needs to upgrade at the offensive line positions by taking versatile Riley Reiff.

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

The Buffalo Bills desperately need the pass rushing ability that Courtney Upshaw possesses.

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

The best defensive tackle in the draft goes to the place that needs serious help at that position. Perfect pick.

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

With the center of the field being gashed last season, the Chiefs need to address their issues at middle linebacker by drafting Boston College standout Luke Keuchly.

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

Whoever is under center for the Cardinals needs better protection, and that starts with franchise left tackle Jonathan Martin.

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

Just like Martin the pick before him, Stanford standout David DeCastro will give Tony Romo the time he has complaining about for years.

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

The Philadelphia Eagles have major issues at linebacker and at safety, but there is a player that could be available at this spot that Andy Reid’s offensive side can’t resist: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd.

Reid hasn’t had a big red-zone target since Terrell Owens left, and it’s about time he got that piece to help Vick be more effective within 20 yards.

The whole staff has to sit down and think about what is more important; a great offensive weapon or filling a major defensive need. They should be leaning towards defense, but it's such a hard choice.

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

When Rex Ryan gets his hands on a raw talent like Melvin Ingram, he is sure to become a Pro Bowl talent.

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

With off-field issues not clouding the Bengals' judgment, they will take the elite cornerback as one of the steals of this draft.

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

The Chargers need that pass rush that has been less than non-existent over the years, and they will get it from USC stud Nick Perry.

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

Jay Cutler needs some kind of protection. That should and will start with center Peter Konz.

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

After the combine, something tells me Brockers will be much closer to a top-10 pick than right now.

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

If Cedric Benson becomes a free agent, the Bengals will replace him with Miami standout Lamar Miller.

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

With RGIII going to Cleveland, the Browns will take another risk on a wide receiver that has been known to not go 100 percent every time. Combine will be huge test of maturity for Jeffery.

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

Matthew Stafford healthy is more valuable than any cornerback could be. That’s why taking big offensive tackle Mike Adams is a safe pick.

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

Just like Jay Cutler in Chicago, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers need Cordy Glenn to keep their QB upright.

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

John Fox loves to develop stellar defensive tackles, and he will draft another star in Fletcher Cox.

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

If Wade Phillips snags Mark Barron, the Texans defense will be unstoppable next season. As long as they re-sign Mario Williams, that is.

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

While off-field issues will scare many teams away from Janoris Jenkins, the Patriots aren’t many teams. Steal of the draft.

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

The league’s worst secondary gets a shot in the arm with standout CB Alfonzo Dennard.

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

If they can get him to control his emotions, Burfict could be the next Ray Lewis.

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

A speedy wide receiver for a quarterback in Alex Smith that can’t throw deep passes. Typical 49ers pick.

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

Chad Ochocinco’s replacement will be Sanu. So bye-bye, Chad.

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

It seems almost unfair that the Super Bowl champs get a player this good this late. It must be rigged.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL scouting combine

$$—Potential trade

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