2012 NFL Mock Draft: Second-Round Talents That Will Be Taken in Round 1

Sometimes, whether it is because of need, awkward draft position or just simply a man-crush, teams are forced to reach with their first pick of the NFL Draft.

That's not going to be any different this year.

Here's a look at a first-round mock draft with a closer look at second-round talents who will make the jump to the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts Select Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck has clear No. 1 pick ability, and it's looking more and more like Peyton Manning leave town. No-brainer. 

2. Washington Redskins (Trade with St. Louis Rams) Select Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins need a quarterback, and they will need to move up to No. 2 or 3 to get Griffin, who would be the first overall selection most years. The Rams make the most sense as a trade partner.

3. Minnesota Vikings Select Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil's ceiling isn't sky-high, but he's about as NFL-ready as it gets. With Charlie Johnson currently manning left tackle, the Vikes badly need someone to protect franchise-QB Christian Ponder. 

4. Cleveland Browns Select Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis is likely on his way out as a free agent and Montario Hardesty can't stay healthy. No worry, though, because Trent Richardson is going to be a star in the NFL.

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

Claiborne is fantastic in coverage and, as a former WR, has even better ball-hawking skills.

He could add some more muscle to help in the run game, but with Ronde Barber hitting free agency or maybe even retirement, the Bucs, who just hired former-LSU DB coach Ron Cooper, won't go elsewhere with this pick.

6. St. Louis Rams Select Justin Blackmon, WR, Baylor

The Rams really need to find QB Sam Bradford another weapon, especially with Brandon Lloyd's future in doubt.

Blackmon is the safest wideout here, but he also possesses big-play ability.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars Select Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jaguars need a WR or DE. No wide receiver really makes sense at this pick, so Coples it is.

The UNC pass-rusher wasn't as productive as many hoped he would be in 2011, but he reminded us all how incredibly gifted and talented he is at the Senior Bowl.

He'll further showcase his freakish ability at the combine, too.

8. Carolina Panthers Select Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I'm not as impressed with Brockers as some people, but the Panthers need to get better against the run and the former Tiger has too much upside to pass up.

It just might take a year or two before Carolina reaps the benefits.

9. Miami Dolphins Select Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins were worst in the league in sacks-allowed percentage, and Reiff could immediately improve that.

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

The Bills had a lot of problems on the defensive side of the ball last year, but first priority is improving the pass rush.

Buffalo is moving to a 4-3 scheme in 2012, and Melvin is the perfect 4-3 defensive end.

11. Seattle Seahawks Select Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The 'Hawks are in an interesting position. They can either reach for second-round talent at QB or DE, their two main needs, or they can trade the pick.

Seattle desperately needs a quarterback, but with Luck and Griffin gone, it won't reach for someone like Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden this early.

In comes Mercilus.

The talented end from Illinois led the nation in sacks in 2011, but some still see him as a second-round talent.

According to ESPN, Mercilus is only average against the run and doesn't have a whole lot of versatility. Nonetheless, he'll help Seattle's pass-rush and the 'Hawks won't mind reaching for him.

12. Kansas City Chiefs Select Jonathan Martin, OT, Alabama

The Chiefs (3.9 yards per carry) were pretty atrocious running the ball last season, and Jonathan Martin can only help that. He should immediately replace Barry Richardson.

13. Arizona Cardinals Select David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cardinals offensive line is terrible, and DeCastro is easily the best guard in the draft.

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

The 'Boys could really go for help at any defensive position besides the line, but Kuechly, who has superb tackling ability and a true football IQ, is the perfect fit next to Sean Lee in the middle.

15. Philadelphia Eagles Select Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

The Eagles never take a linebacker in the first round, but they need one badly after struggling against the run all season. The obvious options are Vontaze Burfict or Hightower.

I think Burfict's character concerns will force the Eagles to reach a bit on Hightower, who could be classified as second-round talent.

Hightower has all the intangibles you look for in a player, but his durability concerns, average speed and questionable range against the run make him less than perfect.

Nonetheless, he's big and powerful and the Eagles will take a chance on him.

16. New York Jets Select Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Jets defense lost a step this year, and Upshaw is the perfect fit as an outside linebacker in Rex Ryan's 3-4 defense. 

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

After Leon Hall, the Bengals are pretty thin at cornerback and could use someone to step in for Nate Clements.

Jenkins has character concerns, but since when has that stopped Cincy before? His stock has been constantly rising since the Senior Bowl and should continue to do so at the combine.

18. San Diego Chargers Select Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is another one who is seeing his stock rise since the Senior Bowl. He has a high ceiling, and the Chargers would be smart to grab him as a possible replacement for Jared Gaither, who hits free agency this offseason.

19. Chicago Bears Select Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

The Bears need help on either the offensive line or at wide receiver. Floyd is easily the best prospect available at either of those positions.

20. Tennessee Titans select Nick Perry, LB, USC

Perry is listed as a linebacker, but he can line up as a DE in a 4-3 scheme and immediately improve Tennesse's pass-rush, which recorded the 31st-best (or second-worst, if you're a glass-half-empty kind of person) sack percentage in 2011.

21. Cincinnati Bengals Select Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson is set to hit free agency, and even if he comes back to Cincy, he's still slow. Lamar Miller is not. He'll show that at the combine.

22. Cleveland Browns Select Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns offense, at 13.6 points per game, was atrocious this year, so they have no problem selecting two skill players in the first round.

Greg Little is a solid receiver, but he's more of an underneath guy. Wright is the prototypical down-field, speedy threat that Colt McCoy desperately needs.

23. Detroit Lions Select Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Teams really took advantage of Detroit's secondary this year, as they threw against the Lions an amazing 60.7 percent of the time.

The Lions need to further bolster the secondary, and they can do that with safety Mark Barron, who some believe is a Top 15 pick.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers Select Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Steelers need help on both lines, but Poe gives them the best value at this pick. The Memphis big man has terrific quickness for someone with his type of power, and he's the best fit for a 3-4 system.

Poe should be perfect as an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton.

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

The Broncos could go a number of different ways here, which means they'll likely go for the highest value. That means they'll grab Cox, who is both a Top 20 talent and fills a need.

26. Houston Texans Select Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The combine will be important for Jeffery, who needs to prove his speed is at least average—and he isn't a fatty, because his other skills are terrific.

Pairing Jeffery with Andre Johnson would be downright scary for opposing defenses

27. New England Patriots Select Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Patriots badly need help in the secondary, and Kirkpatrick is a perfect fit here. His ball skills need a little work, but he's the type of size that can really disrupt receivers' routes. 

28. Green Bay Packers Select Vinny Curry, DE/LB, Marshall

The Packers don't have a ton of needs, but they could use a right outside linebacker who has the ability to get to the quarterback.

Curry, who played defensive end at Marshall, is the perfect fit.

29. Baltimore Ravens Select Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Ravens have Matt Birk and Ben Grubbs hitting free agency and could really use some interior help. Glenn might easily be gone by this pick, so he represents terrific value for the Ravens. 

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

The 49ers' biggest need is wide receiver, but they will be forced to reach a little bit if they want a wideout with this pick. 

Sanu had a terrific season at Rutgers as more of an underneath option. He has terrific hands and size, and looks like a bigger Wes Welker. For the Niners' conservative offense, he is the perfect fit next to Michael Crabtree.

Still, Sanu lacks the big-play ability and is only average at getting separation, two traits that make him more of an early-second-round talent.

But the situation calls for a jump to the first round.

31. New England Patriots Select Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 and would immediately bolster a unit that gave up 4.5 yards per carry in 2011.

32. New York Giants Select Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

I have a feeling the Giants will trade this pick, but if they do keep it, they'll grab a tight end because they have essentially no one for 2012. 

Allen, who is 6'4" and has good hands, is a nice pickup.