2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16

Here’s a look at the first half of the LestersLegends 2012 NFL Draft Round One Mock Draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
RG3 has narrowed the gap, but I would be stunned if Luck wasn’t the pick for the Colts.

2. St. Louis Rams: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Rams aren’t going to be the ones taking RG3 here, but he is going No. 2 in the draft, most likely to Cleveland.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
If the Rams’ asking price is too high for RG3, the Vikings could be the one striking a deal. My guess is that won’t be the case and the purple get Kalil to protect Christian Ponder’s blind side.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Cleveland moves up to get RG3. The Rams get Blackmon (plus additional picks) to give Sam Bradford his first NFL wide receiver weapon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Bucs have gone defense with their first-round picks the past two seasons, but their offense was dreadful. LeGarrette Blount isn’t the answer. Richardson is a complete back who should help the Bucs bounce back.

6. Washington Redskins: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
In this pass-happy league you have to find a way to slow down the opposition. In a division that features Eli Manning, Michael Vick and Tony Romo, the Skins would do well to add Claiborne to their secondary. The Skins very well could trade up to land RG3. Cornerback isn’t a great need for the Redskins, but he could be too good to pass up.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina  
Where to start for Jacksonville? The Jags are perpetually in need of a better pass rush. Coples could be part of the answer.

8.  Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
The Dolphins were cruising toward Andrew Luck or Matt Barkley. Unfortunately, they started winning behind Matt Moore and Reggie Bush, and Barkley (along with Landry Jones) returned to school. The Dolphins allowed the third most sacks (52). Getting Jake Long back healthy and pairing him with Reiff would go a long way in fixing that issue.

9.  Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
The Panthers were dreadful at stopping the run, ranking 25th with 130.8 ypg allowed and 29th with 18 rushing scores allowed. They also struggled to put pressure on the quarterback, tying the Jags at 25th with 31 sacks. Brockers should be able to help both areas.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina
If the Bills want to knock off New England they will have to put pressure on Tom Brady. The Bills ranked 27th with 29 sacks so clearly improving their pass rush is a need.

11. Kansas City Chiefs:  Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
The Chiefs have a major need at right tackle, and Martin allows them to fill a need without reaching.

12.  Seattle Seahawks:  Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A & M
Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer. Plain and simple. Tannehill is the third-best QB option in the draft and Pete Carroll will add his QB of the future.

13.  Arizona Cardinals:  Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
Upshaw, a 3-4 rush linebacker, fills a need. He’ll pair with Sam Acho to give the Cardinals capable pass rushers on both sides.

14.  Dallas Cowboys:  Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 
The Cowboys have a major need at cornerback, and Kirkpatrick is one of the best available.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
The Eagles need to be better defensively, particularly their tackling. Kuechly will make them tougher.

16.  New York Jets:  Michael Floyd, WR, New York Jets
Santonio Holmes needs to be pushed. He needs to know if he carries on the way he did, he can be replaced. Sanchez needs another weapon. Floyd gives him a big, talented target.

Click here to see picks 17-32.