2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will the Top CBs Land in the 1st Round?

In theory, there should be two ways NFL teams can attack the run of high-flying passing offenses that took over the league in 2011.

One is the pass rush route, which the New York Giants showed down the stretch works against any kind of passing offense. The other way is simply to add more talented coverage people, which is where the value on cornerbacks in the draft could rise.

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we look at the four potential first-round cornerbacks—Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick, Janoris Jenkins and Stephon Gilmore—and where they might land come April.

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Unless something drastic happens this week in Indy, Luck will be the No. 1 pick. 

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

No team has a better pick package to offer the Rams for the chance to draft Griffin.   

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Christian Ponder can't progress as a quarterback without better protection in year two. 

4.  St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Cleveland Browns)

Trading down just two spots, picking up another high pick and still getting Blackmon might be a best case scenario. 

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

The Buccaneers will likely bring back fourth-year cornerback Aqib Talib despite his pending legal problems, but Ronde Barber became a liability at times in 2011 and is on the last legs of his NFL career. Drafting Claiborne provides a talented insurance policy at a position that could see huge changes in Tampa Bay in the coming years. The value is a fit here, too.        

6. Washington Redskins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

The Redskins will have to look towards free agency to fill needs at quarterback and receiver, but that's something they are comfortable doing. 

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

The only way the Jags will truly know what they have in Blaine Gabbert is if they add some receiving help. 

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

A defensive tackle might be tempting here, as well as a receiver, but Coples could be a 10-sack guy immediately if he wants to be. 

9.  Miami Dolphins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With Martin and Jake Long at offensive tackle, the Dolphins would arguably have the game's top young tandem. 

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Pass rush on defense is priority No. 1 for the Bills this offseason. 

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

Teamed with Jamaal Charles, Richardson could get the Chiefs running game back to 2010 levels. 

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Defensive end is a bigger need for Seattle, but adding a pass-rusher with potential as high as Brockers would be tough to pass on. 

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

Ingram is the perfect fit to replace Joey Porter as the Cardinals' go-to pass-rusher. 

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys are probably overdue for drafting a cornerback high in the draft. Now that the Dallas pass defense fell off the radar and veteran Terrance Newman could be sent packing to clear cap room, the time is now to spend a first-round pick in the secondary. Kirkpatrick has experience playing in an NFL-style defense and the length (6'2") to cover some of the NFC's physical receivers. His recent run in with the law shouldn't be a big factor for the Cowboys. 

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

Adding a tackling machine like Kuechly behind the Eagles' defensive line could pay big dividends in 2012. 

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

The Jets need to re-energize their pass rush, and Perry might have the highest ceiling of any quarterback seeker in the draft.

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

The Bengals defense is close to becoming an elite unit. Cornerback depth is still an issue, as Nate Clements isn't getting any younger and Leon Hall is still recovering from a season-ending Achilles' injury. Pacman Jones is probably on his way out, too. Adding a talent like Jenkins would give the Bengals an immediate starting-quality player at an increasingly important position.   

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

If Vincent Jackson leaves in free agency, receiver might become a bigger need instead. 

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

Bears fans will want a receiver here, but getting a potential franchise left tackle is better value in the first round. 

20.  Tennessee Titans—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Teamed with Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, Brown could give the Titans an exciting trio of young and talented linebackers. 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

An interior offensive lineman will be tempting here, especially with Cordy Glenn on the board. However, Miller gives them another home-run threat on offense. 

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

Ryan Tannehill might be in play here, but giving Colt McCoy one last shot with a better supporting cast is just as likely to be the route Cleveland takes. 

23.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a guy who could jump up boards after he's done with the scouting combine in Indy. With the Lions needing depth in the secondary, Gilmore is a great fit. He might not be asked to start right away, but the Lions don't exactly need him to. Gilmore can give Detroit another quality player to plug in the nickel, which should help prevent the kind of collapse the Lions went through down the stretch in 2011.  

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

Adding Glenn ensures that the days of makeshift offensive lines are coming to an end in Pittsburgh.

25.  Denver Broncos—Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

In the long-term, picking a first-round quarterback benefits the Broncos most. 

26.  Houston Texans—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If everyone on the Texans offense stays healthy for a full season, look out. 

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

The Patriots need a safety at the back end that they can count on every down. 

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

There's no denying that GM Ted Thompson has to address the Packers' pass-rush woes in this draft. 

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz might be the perfect replacement for aging center Matt Birk. 

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

A highly-productive receiver at Rutgers, Sanu can help the 49ers passing game take the next step in 2012.

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

Still's value might be too much for Bill Belichick and Co. to pass on.  

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

NFL offenses would quiver if the Giants added a sideline-to-sideline tackler who can provide even more pass rush.