2012 NFL Mock Draft: Robert Griffin III and Players Teams Must Trade Up for

Robert Griffin III is the type of player worth trading up to draft. I predict that is exactly what the Cleveland Browns will do to play keep away from teams like the Washington Redskins.

Generally, a player must be either extremely dynamic, fill a huge need, or hold a special place in a decision-makers' hearts to make this sacrifice. RG3 hits on two of those scenarios for sure. We don't know how enamored Mike Holmgren is with RG3, but we do know he's potentially dynamic and the Browns are not settled at QB.

Griffin isn't the only talent that may cause some draft day wheeling and dealing.

Here is a spotlight on RG3 and a few others within a complete first-round mock draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

If teams thought the Colts would bite, they may offer a package for the rights to select Luck. That has probably already happened, but it seems certain the Colts will take their guy at No. 1.

2. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)

The trading up will begin early. RG3 makes sense for the Browns for several reasons.

1. Colt McCoy showed some promise without a ton of weapons, but not enough to discourage the team from taking a player as talented as Griffin.
2. RG3 is already a hugely popular player. From a business standpoint, having one of, if not the biggest name coming out of the draft join a star-less team is a benefit.
3. The team is void of playmakers. RG3 would represent a playmaker at the position that touches the ball on every play.

Have the Colts completely abandoned McCoy? Probably not, as Griffin is not a finished product by any means; but McCoy's 74.5 QB rating and 20 INTs to 20 TDs through two seasons hasn't locked down the position.

If you aren't set at QB, RG3 is too good to pass up.        

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a solid offensive tackle and the no-brainer, safe selection for the Vikes.

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

Blackmon could join the group of players worthy of trading up for if he runs well at the scouting combine. Right now, irrational concerns about his speed have even this spot threatened.

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

Claiborne is a solid cornerback, on talent alone, he and Janoris Jenkins are the top defensive backfield players in the draft.

6. Washington Redskins: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has been through quite a bit over the past four years, much of it self-inflicted. He began his collegiate career at Florida, but was dismissed from the team for off-the-field issues.

Ultimately, he landed at tiny North Alabama where he has subsequently got his life on track. He was a second-team All-American, even though he was at a Division II school.

On sheer talent, he is a Top Five player in the draft, but the character concerns weigh him down a bit. The combine will be a huge event for him. He will likely solidify his standing as an awesome athlete, but he will need to demonstrate his 180-degree character turnaround with solid interviews.

After teams are more comfortable, there will be a decent scramble to move up and nab a young player with an opportunity to become an elite corner.

That is a rarity in the NFL. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has great versatility, but Blackmon could slip. If he does, the Jaguars will grab him here.

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

Coples is a sack machine that will prove better in the NFL than he was in college.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff and Jake Long would equate to the best set of young tackles in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets really need a pass-rusher, just as the Bills do. Right now, Upshaw may be the most highly regarded of all the players that fit the 3-4 scheme.

That is precisely the formula for talks of a trade up. If the Jets are unhappy with what will be available for them at 16, it isn't unrealistic to think that they could consider trading up for Upshaw.

Upshaw was perhaps the best player on the nation's best defense.

As a part of the Crimson Tide's national championship squad, Upshaw had 18 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks.

He has good size at 6'2", 265 pounds and projects as a solid pass-rushing OLB in the 3-4 scheme. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has his share of supporters, but others are turned off by possible character and durability issues. Seattle needs a No. 1 receiver, and Floyd's package of size and athleticism is solid.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is my pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He runs north-south and he has the strength and durability for an NFL season.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a solid pick for the Cardinals. He will protect whomever they have under center. Here is another team that wishes the QB class were a little deeper.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Previously, I had Jenkins here, but as he continues to impress, it becomes more likely he'll be selected based on his talent. The Cowboys still need secondary help, and Kirkpatrick isn't a bad choice.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery is another WR being questioned because of his speed. Jeffery has also appeared out of shape at times. It will be either boom or bust for Jeffery.

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

If the Jets don't trade up, Perry is also a pass-rush specialist that fits their scheme.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller will likely be replacing Cedric Benson as the team's feature back.

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

Adams is a solid tackle that played well and improved his stock at the Senior Bowl.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This is contingent upon the Bears targeting a big receiver in free agency. If that is their plan, Wright would be an excellent deep threat.

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is going to wow scouts with his workout. He's a freak—at 6'2" and 270 pounds he has the bulk and size to play almost any position on the front seven.

Right now he seems headed to defensive end, but he has ridiculous speed for someone his size. Once he starts to put up his 40 times, which could be sub 4.7, impressive bench press and vertical leap numbers, you may see his stock climb.

Teams will see new possibilities for him and ways that he fits into their defensive scheme.

Ingram could definitely generate some trade-up talk.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

This is a pick of need for the Bengals with little depth at CB.

22. St. Louis Rams: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

This will be the product of their trade-up deal with the Browns. DeCastro is the best guard available in the drag.

23. Detroit Lions: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

I love Minnifield for the Lions. He's tough, athletic and smart and he brings talent and depth to a poor pass defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Will have to wait for James Harrison to leave, but Lewis can be the same type of pass-rusher.

25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This run-stuffer ultimately replace Jamal Williams as a NT.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers 

Sanu is my favorite receiver in the draft. He will likely be available here, and he is major sleeper.

27. New England Patriots: Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Drafting Gilmore would allow the Patriots to move Devin McCourty to safety. That betters the defense as a whole.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

If the Packers lose Scott Wells in free agency, Konz is ready to play early. Plus, he went to Wisconsin.

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

Burfict will need a strong environment with strong leaders. The Ravens—and Ray Lewis—offer both of those things, and they will help Burfict.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Niners will likely have to address the cornerback situation as they could lose Dashon Goldson and Carlos Rogers to free agency. 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois

Mercilus is an excellent pick for the Pats. He provides insurance for Andre Carter, who was injured, and Mark Anderson, who can be inconsistent.

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk could have a big year if he's taken by the Giants. The Giants backfield is aging and injury prone—adding Polk makes sense.