2012 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Picks Who Will Be Starters

There are a few players that will fly off the 2012 NFL draft board, and land right onto the field in a starting role. 

That is no easy task. The jump between the college game and the pros is huge. It takes a special player and a team with a need for a rookie to come in and start right away. 

Below, in my full first-round mock, you will see several players highlighted that will start right away. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

At least I know one pick in my mock is a lock to be correct. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Why Kalil Will Start

Kalil is going to start right away because he is an athletic freak and a pro ready player. 

He checked in at the combine at almost 6'7" and was 306 pounds. That is certainly enough size to handle the position. 

He also showed he has plenty of athleticism. He clocked a 4.96 in the 40 and had a 10-yard split of 1.7. 

Those are excellent numbers for person of his size. Kalil is going to be able to handle himself at the line of scrimmage and he will be able to get to the second level for big blocks in the run game as well. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings' secondary needs a ton of help. Claiborne has the talent and skill to be elite.

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

The Browns will be absolutely thrilled if they have a chance to draft Griffin with this pick. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is everything teams look for in a back, and the Buccaneers will not be able to pass this up. 

6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a strong tackle. He has good fundamentals, and would be a solid pick here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Why Blackmon Will Start

Blackmon is a strong and sure-handed receiver. He has the body to come in and handle the bigger defenders of the NFL. 

He will be a nice target for second-year QB Blaine Gabbert, and this franchise will give both of those guys every opportunity possible to show what they are capable of. 

This is a passing offense that needs something, anything to get it going. They were 32nd in passing yards last season. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Devon Still has the strength and size to play inside on the defensive line. He also has the explosiveness to play  end in running situations. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin is the perfect fit for the Dolphins. He can slide into the RT spot and hold it down for years. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick has some big-time character concerns and talent. That talent will win out.  

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

DeCastro is a beast in the run game, and the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. 

12. Seattle Seahawks:  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is another player with big character concerns and talent. The Seahawks will take a chance on that talent. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This speedster is a perfect fit for the Cardinals as he can take the top off the defense and help open things up for Larry Fitzgerald. 

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

Kuechly has an undeniable nose for the ball. This will serve the Cowboys well. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a beast of a defensive end with a gift for the bull rush.

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram will bolster the Jets' pass rush, and give them speed on the edge to help contain opposing running games.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Lamar Miller is hard-running and explosive back. He will be a nice fit to the Bengals' young offense. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard, CBui, Nebraska

The Chargers will have a potentially great secondary with the addition of Dennard. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz will be a gift for the offense line starved Bears. He is a polished and pro ready center. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is an ideal safety prospect. He is strong in the run game, and has the ability to man up TEs.

 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With two picks in the first round, the Bengals have the luxury of taking a risk on a talented player with character concerns—enter Janoris Jenkins. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Zach Brown is a well-rounded linebacker. He can play in coverage, add strong run support and put the occasional pressure on the QB. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Why Glenn Will Start

Detroit must find a way to improve its run game. The Lions can start that process by beefing up their offensive line. 

This 345-pound Glenn will be a nice start. This is a massive player that is extremely stout at the point of attack, and shockingly nimble when on the move. 

At the combine, Glenn clocked in with an unofficial 4.96 40 yard dash and a 1.76 10-yard split. 

He not only brings these skills, but also plenty of experience. He has started since his freshmen year in the SEC, and he will be starting in his rookie season in the NFL. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams turned in a disappointing combine, but he is a big bodied tackle with lots of potential. 

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

Cox is an athletic defensive tackle that will be able to track down backs and apply pressure to the QBs. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd had a spectacular combine, but still has lingering character concerns. That will push him down, and the Texans will be happy to grab him. 

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots have to add some playmakers to their defense. This pass-rushing specialist will be a nice fit. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers are in the same boat as the Patriots, and they will address it in the same fashion: by taking a pass-rusher. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a versatile and talented linebacker that will add youth to an aging Ravens LB corps.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has the body to dominate in the NFL. His work ethic will keep him around until No. 30 though. 

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

The Patriots won't add youth to their defense with just one first round selection. Crick is a nice fit for a 3-4 end. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Giants will continue to add athletes to their defensive line.