2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Teams in the Market for a First-Round WR

There's an interesting dynamic developing in the NFL draft about taking receiver high in the draft.

The NFL has become such a passing-dominated league that taking a receiver in the first round should be more important than in years past. Common sense says that more passing should mean a greater value on elite pass-catchers.

But on the other hand, elite quarterbacks are turning mid-level picks into Pro Bowlers. The New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers—three of the top passing offenses in the NFL—have just one first-round receiver between the three rosters.

The 2012 NFL draft should give us a better look at how teams are valuing first round receivers. Could four or more go in the first 32 picks?

To get a clearer idea of that question, let's take a look at five teams who should be in the market for a first-round receiver.   

2012 NFL Mock Draft    

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)  

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

6.  St. Louis Rams – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (via trade with Washington Redskins)

The Rams are going to do what they can to keep Brandon Lloyd in St. Louis, but the money is on him leaving. If the Rams lose Lloyd, they are back to square one at the receiver position. Finding one early in the draft would become a high priority. Even if Lloyd is back, the Rams might be tempted into taking a player of Justin Blackmon's caliber.

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

There are some legitimate concerns about Blaine Gabbert's ability to play the quarterback position at a high level. But during his rookie season, the Jaguars had such limited receiving options that it is hard to get a true gauge on what kind of player Gabbert can be moving forward. Adding a player that resembles a No. 1 receiver had to be high on the Jaguars' wish list this offseason.  

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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

Remember Marty Booker or Marcus Robinson? Those two represent the last time Chicago had anything close to a No. 1 receiver on the roster. After a decade of futility at the position, the Bears need to find an impact receiver to give Jay Cutler. There should be a few good value players available at receiver when the Bears are on the clock, so expect them to take a long look at getting Cutler the top playmaker he's lacked in the passing game since arriving in Chicago.  

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The main argument against the Browns taking a first-round quarterback revolve around the lack of weapons in the offense in 2011. That reasoning holds some water. But whether or not the Browns get a quarterback in the first round is meaningless—adding a top-end receiver in this draft will be a top goal. It would be tough for even the best quarterbacks to make due with what Cleveland put on the field last season.  

23.  Detroit Lions – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos – Devon Still, DL, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The rise of the 49ers defense to an elite level was a big reason for San Francisco's run to the NFC title game in 2011. But don't discount how improvements in the passing game helped solidify the 49ers offensively. To take the next step, the 49ers need to add another playmaking receiver that they can plug in opposite Michael Crabtree. More weapons should only help to accelerate Alex Smith's career revival in San Francisco. 

31.  New England Patriots – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama