2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Patriots and Other Teams That Will Score Great Grades

The 2012 NFL draft is just around the corner. The combine is wrapping up and players are beginning to look ahead to their pro days to make one last impression on scouts and general managers.

Here’s a look at some teams that have proven, through skill and consistency, to be amongst the best drafting teams in the league.

They also will grade high once this year because of the projected talent available to them at their selection.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

The Colts are going to grade well if they make the easiest call in franchise history and select Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick.

Seriously, the only way they don’t earn an a A in the first round is if they do something else besides Luck, and then they would get an F-minus.

He’s clearly the future of this franchise and his excellent combine further proves it’s the only acceptable choice to make here.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is by far the best receiver in the draft and should be the first off the board, even if St. Louis trades this pick to a team seeking Robert Griffin III.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is adding more weight to his already monstrous frame in order to prepare for the rigors of the NFL.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

RG3 killed it at the combine and proved to any doubters that he’s an amazing athlete.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Tampa Bay would be getting the best available and most complete RB in years.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This is a huge reach for a team that needs a franchise QB more than anything.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Jaguars have a ton of needs but they can’t pass on the best defensive player in the draft with the No. 7 pick.

Claiborne is a complete cornerback and a technician that can be physical while making aggressive plays on the ball. The LSU product would go a few picks higher if the teams above had a more pressing need for a CB.

Regardless, he represents excellent value here and automatically gives the Jags a legitimate class.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Miami needs a franchise QB, but it won’t be able to land one with the No. 9 pick in 2012. The Dolphins should go for the best tackle available to protect the signal-caller when they eventually get one.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a boom-or-bust prospect with a ton of upside.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw will be able to immediately make an impact on passing downs.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly absolutely destroyed it at the combine and may go even higher than No. 11 after running around 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The one knock on his game was his athleticism.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Elite pass-rush prospect is too good to pass up here.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin helps the Cardinals' pitiful running game.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro will solidify the interior part of Dallas’ line.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

A great addition to the Eagles' receiving corps.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Jets need to figure out how to run the ball again and Glenn could be a piece of the puzzle.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals have two draft picks in the mid-to-late portion of the first round and it’s up to them to not to blow it.

Dre Kirkpatrick is most likely going to be sitting here at No. 17 and is the perfect fit to take over for Pacman Jones in the secondary.

Jones was absolutely exposed by T.J. Yates in the postseason and needs to go.

They also have another pick to fill a hole, which we will cover in just a bit.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry might get snapped up earlier than this because of his solid combine.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Chicago must shore up its offensive line.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Developmental pick may go earlier based on strong combine showing.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincy has to replace Cedric Benson if it chooses not to re-sign him (the team most likely will let him walk).

Miller just makes sense as one of the fastest RBs in the draft, and he would immediately become a big-play threat for the Bengals.

If Cincinnati addresses two needs here, it is without a doubt going to earn a good grade.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Wilson helps overhaul a Cleveland Browns offense that direly needs one.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Risky prospect could pay dividends at this spot.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

NFL-ready DT should not fall further than this.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox’s versatility and strong combine might mean he gets selected earlier than 25.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a steal at No. 26 and immediately bolsters the fledgling Houston Texans secondary.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Patriots have not had a true No. 1 receiving threat since Randy Moss left town. They have a chance to hit on one with Kendall Wright out of Baylor late in the first round.

He’s got incredible speed and hands, two assets that QB Tom Brady can make use out of when throwing deep.

New England was on the cusp of winning a Super Bowl this year and the lack of a home run-capable receiver might have been a reason why they lost.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Physical corner fits the Packers’ system.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

It’s time for Baltimore to develop a big, young lineman.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

First-round potential but has not shown any ability to create separation or go up and get jump balls.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

The Pats started off-the-street free agents in the secondary during the postseason and need to infuse some legitimate youthful prospects into the corner and safety positions.

Smith is a solid pick here and nabbing him, along with a No. 1 receiver, ensures New England gets an A.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Luxury pick for a team that has everything but an elite TE.