2012 NFL Mock Draft: Studs That'll Push Your Team to Super Bowl XLVII as Rookies

It takes a special situation for a rookie to come in and play a major role in a NFL team's Super Bowl run. There are a few teams in position to draft the player that could be the final piece in building a team destined for Super Bowl XLVII.

Here is a spotlight on those two player/team combinations within a full first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Indianapolis has to be thrilled with the way Luck looked at the combine. It's just more confirmation that it has its sights set on the right guy.

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

I still believe this will be the Browns here, although many are predicting the Redskins. Either way, RG3 goes second overall.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil solidified his spot here after a solid showing at the NFL combine.

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

Assuming the Rams are still here after the RG3 trade, Blackmon is the man.

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

Claiborne could have helped himself with a little faster 40 time (4.5), but he's still the best CB prospect in the draft.

6. Washington Redskins: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd may have helped himself more than any other player at the combine. That 4.47 40 time will land him in the top 10.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With the two best WRs off the board, Jags will go defense and take Brockers.

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

Coples could be a great pass-rusher, the Panthers will gamble on him and his questionable work ethic.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff was solid at the combine; he and Jake Long will anchor the Dolphins' O-line for years to come.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Bills need a pass-rusher in the worst way, Upshaw is the best for their scheme.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright did not run an impressive 40 at the combine (4.6), but game tape doesn't lie. Seahawks will still take him here.

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

Richardson is my pick for the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Chiefs system is perfect for him and he is a great complement to Jamaal Charles.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a safe, solid pick for Cardinals here.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is ultra-talented, but he has had some issues off the field. I think he's ready to mature and move past them.

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

The Dream Team had a terrible start, but I contend that at the end of the regular season, the Eagles were the best team in the NFC. They began their resurgence too late, but I expect that momentum to roll into this year. Now they know what to expect as a unit—and don't forget, this an ultra-talented bunch.

I believe the Eagles would like to address the receiver position, but with the two big WRs off the board, the Eagles will address their other need.

The Eagles defense was poor against the run early in the season, but it improved late and ended up middle of the pack at 16th overall.

Kuechly further improves the run defense, as he was a tackling machine at Boston College. He averaged almost 16 tackles per game last season.

There were some questions about his speed, but at the combine Kuechly ran 4.58, which was the third fastest time among LB.

The Eagles are ready to make their fans' dreams come true, and they are my early pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

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

Ingram is a freak, and he is set up to be a major threat off the edge for the Jets.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller ran the fastest 40 time of any RB at the combine; he is a great replacement for Cedric Benson.

18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery made a mistake not participating in drills, but he will luck out with the Chargers likely to lose Vincent Jackson.  

19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

This is not the receiver the Bears will want, but if they are unable to trade up, it's the best pick for the needs they have.

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Tennessee will look to grab a stabilizing force in the middle of its defense.

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

Hosley's blazing 40 time may have vaulted him ahead of a few CBs, and the Bengals grab him here.

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

The Rams take one of the draft's sleepers. DeCastro had a nice combine and this is a great pick if the Rams do the RG3 deal with the Browns.

23. Detroit Lions: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Minnifield helps the Lions defense the most of any available defensive player.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis will be groomed to step in for James Harrison.

25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The combine's strongest prospect will help solidify the Broncos' run defense.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle had a nice combine and he moves ahead of Mohamed Sanu, but teams will be sorry they passed on Sanu.

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

The Patriots will be even better next year, and that was the case even before this projection. The team will franchise tag Wes Welker, Tom Brady is still playing at a high level, and, most importantly, the defense started to improve towards the end of the season.

This improvement will be continued with the addition of Stephon Gilmore from South Carolina. Many scouts were referring to him as Charles Tillman clone, but after his combine workout, Gilmore showed more speed than was originally expected.

In fact, his blazing 4.4 40 time was the third fastest among CBs. Gilmore may not even last this long as he now looks like a more solid overall corner.

He measured out at 6'0", 190 pounds, which is good for a CB.

Gilmore's presence will allow for Devin McCourty to comfortably move to the safety spot and this strengthens the Pats' overall defense.

The Patriots will return to the Super Bowl next season. 

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

I still believe the Packers will lose Scott Wells in free agency, and when they do, Konz is a great replacement.

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

Hightower landing in the place that seems to grow dominant LB is a plus for all parties.

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

The Niners will likely lose either Dashon Goldson or Carlos Rogers, and Dennard is a solid pick considering. 

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

With the Pats' second pick in the first round they take a pass-rusher to further solidify their steadily improving young defense.

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

It is time for the Giants to start adding depth and replacements in the backfield.