2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams Guaranteed to Make Smart Picks

The NFL draft is an inexact science, but there a few teams that are guaranteed to nail this draft. These teams will make smart picks, and it will pay off for them in a big way. 

I'll highlight those teams and their picks below in my full first-round mock draft. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Why Indianapolis is Guaranteed to Make a Smart Pick

This is the most simple pick of the entire draft, and it makes the fact that the Colts are guaranteed to make a smart pick as clear as any answer you'll ever seek. 

They are going to draft Luck. This is as surefire a lock for a franchise QB as you'll ever find in the draft. 

There is no other choice at No. 1. The Colts will simply make the easy pick and watch Luck develop into an elite QB. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams need to help keep QB Sam Bradford upright and healthy. Kalil is polished enough to do this from the first game. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Minnesota's secondary was awful. Claiborne has shutdown potential and will still be an upgrade while he learns the NFL game. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

Griffin's NFL ceiling is as high as any player in this draft. He is an exciting and dynamic player, and he will help the Browns conclude that Colt McCoy is not their future. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Tampa Bay needs a consistent running back. Richardson is just that, and he will help QB Josh Freeman out with his blocking and receiving skills as well. 

6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

Mike Shanahan needs some hogs to help open up some holes for his running game. Reiff is a punishing and pro-ready tackle.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Jacksonville's passing game is in shambles. Blackmon will bring a big-play ability that this offense desperately needs. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Why Carolina is Guaranteed to Make a Smart Pick

The Panthers choice here is easy. They need defense, and as long as they go defense they can't help but make a smart pick. 

After a shrewd selection last year of Cam Newton that was questioned by many (myself included) there is every reason to believe the Panthers will make a smart pick here. 

An excellent fit is Devon Still out of Penn State. He is a powerful and explosive defensive tackle. He has the ability to penetrate into the backfield and be a disruptive force in both the run and pass game. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Dolphins need a right tackle to help complete a line that has great potential. Martin will be a very good run-blocking tackle right away. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a talented and versatile corner that will help the Bills' porous secondary right off the bat. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

DeCastro is hands-down the best interior offensive lineman in this draft, and the Chiefs are desperate for help in that area. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

The Seahawks are a game-changing middle linebacker away from having a dominant defense. Burfict has that kind of potential. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Cardinals need someone to help take the defense's attention off Larry Fitzgerald. Wright will do that with his speed and playmaking ability. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys need an infusion of youth and energy into their defense. Kuechly is a well-rounded and active LB that will do just that. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a bull-rushing beast of a defensive lineman, and he would be a great addition for the Eagles. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Why New York is Guaranteed to Make a Smart Pick

Rex Ryan knows his defense. He knows exactly what this unit needs to once again be elite. That will lead to the Jets identifying the best fit for their defense in this draft.

This defense doesn't need a complete overhaul, it just needs a little speed and pass rush. It will get both with Ingram. 

Ingram has the size of a defensive end, but he has the feet to play OLB in a 3-4. He is a very solid pass-rusher and is surprisingly good in pursuit on running plays, and that is something the Jets need. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is an explosive and punishing runner, that will be a nice addition to the Bengals young offensive core. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Denard has excellent ball and coverage skills. He will be a nice addition to a developing Chargers secondary. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears have to find offensive line help, and center is a huge concern. Konz is the best center in the draft.  

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a well-rounded safety with no real weakness. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins comes with some character issues and a high ceiling. He is a risk the Bengals can afford to take with their extra first-round pick. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Browns' promising defense could use a well-rounded LB, and Brown is exactly that. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Cordy Glenn is a punishing monster of an offensive lineman. He will be just what the Lions need to get their running game going. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams has all the tools to be great. He just needs the desire. Pittsburgh will draft him with the intention of beating the desire into him. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos have to add athleticism to the inside of their defensive line, and Cox is an extremely athletic tackle prospects. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Texans will take Floyd, his big potential and his character concerns and hope he can develop on the other side of Andre Johnson.  

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots need a pass-rusher that is supremely gifted athletically. Upshaw will do the trick.  

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers could use a pass-rusher to go with Clay Mattehws. Perry has all the tools to be a QB terror. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens have to start grooming a replacement for Ray Lewis. Hightower can fill that void and play OLB in the meantime. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The 49ers need someone that can make plays downfield. Jeffery can do that with his elite size. 

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

Crick will bring a nice infusion of youth and athleticism to the Patriots' defensive line. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

If it ain't broken don't fix it. The Giants will keep pumping talent into their defensive line.