2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st Round Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Now that the Scouting Combine is in the books, teams have a little better idea of who they will draft. The first five picks may be easy to guess, but the first round could see some major shakeups after that.

Who gets Robert Griffin III? What happened to Kendall Wright? How can so many teams pass up Trent Richardson? Here is a first-round mock draft, post Scouting Combine. 

Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck didn't throw at the combine because he didn't need to. He will still have a pro day, but there is no doubt he will be the first overall pick. The real question is whether or not he will be backing up Peyton Manning. 

Cleveland Browns: QB Robert Griffin III

RGIII did two things to solidify his spot at No. 2. The first was measuring out at 6'2'' and the second was running the 40 in 4.41 seconds.

The St. Louis Rams have already come out and said they will trade the pick because they have full faith in Sam Bradford going forward. While it is tempting to put Washington here, it has to be Cleveland. They need a face to their franchise and have two first-round picks to offer in the deal.  

Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil

If Andrew Luck is the first no-brainer in the draft, here is the second. The Vikings won't even come close to using all of their time on the clock when they still see Matt Kalil on the board.

In a division where you see Julius Peppers, Cliff Avril and Clay Matthews twice a year, his talent is a must. He came into the combine as the best tackle in the draft and did nothing to hurt that. 

St. Louis Rams, WR Justin Blackmon

You have traded out of drafting a potential electric quarterback because you believe in the one you have. The next step in getting him the best weapon in the draft.

Justin Blackmon measured in only at 6'1'' at the combine, but is still an explosive wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd is a free agent for the Rams so look for Blackmon to step into that No. 1 receiver role right away. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Morris Claiborne

For the second year in a row, a corner from LSU will go fifth overall. Like his former teammate Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne has the speed and cover skills to be a No. 1 corner at the next level.

Add that with the fact that Aquib Talib is still in trouble with the law, Ronde Barber is aging and former LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper has the same role now with Tampa Bay; this a smart choice. 

Washington Redskins: OT Riley Reiff

Washington really needs a quarterback. However, they just don't have enough ammunition to get into the RGII sweepstakes and there are plenty of free agent options out there. Dan Snyder likes to spend money so expect a veteran quarterback to come in.

What better way to welcome him than with a brand new bookend tackle? Riley Reiff is the second best tackle in the draft and the Redskins would love to have him.  

Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Melvin Ingram

The Jaguars need some sort of defensive presence badly; a hard-working playmaker who can come in and excite a fan base on defense. Most people will put Quinton Coples here, but you just can't do it.

The team still has a sour taste in their mouth from the Derrick Harvey pick a couple of years ago. Melvin Ingram had a fantastic season, a great combine and doesn't have a reputation for taking plays off.  

Miami Dolphins, DT Dontari Poe

This is strictly off of what he did in the combine. Not since Haloti Ngata have you seen a big man who can run and move like this. He is 350 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds.

The young man is physically gifted and has turned heads so far. Look for the Dolphins to set the tone at the defensive line of scrimmage with him. 

Carolina Panthers: DE Quinton Coples

Sound familiar? A defensive end from North Carolina who wears No. 90 and gets drafted by the Panthers?

OK, so Quinton Coples is no Julius Peppers, but he still has extraordinary talent. When he decides to play hard, very few people can stop him. Ron Rivera could be the guy who gets the most out of him allowing him to be a star along with Cam Newton. 

Buffalo Bills, DE Courtney Upshaw

The Bills have already made it known they would like to put more pressure on the quarterback next season. With the run on defensive lineman starting a couple picks before this, they will make sure to grab the best available.

That's Courtney Upshaw from the same championship defense that shut down LSU twice. He measured out 6'1'' which is a little short, but the Bills will still take it up front. 

Kansas City: OT Jonathan Martin

The Chiefs will be really tempted to take Trent Richardson right here, but they will opt for the big tackle. Look for Romeo Crennel to go further away from Todd Haley's high-flying offense.

When Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles come back from their injuries they will have a big tackle to help protect them going forward. Jonathan Martin was very good in protecting Andrew Luck and did well in the run game too. 

Seattle Seahawks: DE/OLB Nick Perry

Former USC and current Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll knows a little something about Nick Perry. He knows he has tremendous size and terrific upside. Carroll also knows he desperately needs a pass rush. Perry fills that void and then some.  

Arizona Cardinals, OG David DeCastro

Teams usually don't take a guard this high, but then again, guys like David DeCastro usually don't show up on draft boards. The quarterback position is in flux, but whoever the guy is under center for the Cardinals next season will need some protection.

Not to mention Beanie Wells could benefit from the move too. 

Dallas Cowboys: CB Janoris Jenkins

This is a typical Jerry Jones pick. Take the troubled, but talented player because he believes in the kid. There is no question off Janoris Jenkins' talent. It is his off-the-field activities that led him to getting kicked off of Florida's football team that come into question.

Even still, he will fit right in with the Cowboys and their struggling pass defense.  

Philadelphia Eagles: ILB Luke Kuechly

The Eagles were supposed to be the Dream Team last year. They didn't realize they needed a strong second level on the defensive side to do so. There were a lot of problems for the Eagles last season, but the glaring weakness was at the middle linebacker position.

It's real simple, take the smartest and most talented middle linebacker in the draft and you don't have to worry about that position for 10 years. Luke Kuechly is the perfect fit. 

New York Jets: RB Trent Richardson

It is very tempting to take a wide receiver right here. There are two very good ones available. At this point though Rex Ryan is probably a little tired of the diva receivers and he wants more stability on offense.

Trent Richardson is an every down back, something the Jets do not have right now. He will start right away and could signal the end for LaDainian Tomlinson.

Cincinnati Bengals: CB Dre Kirkpatrick

Dre Kirkpatrick being busted for marijuana might actually entice the Bengals, though, the charges against him were dropped.

They do need a corner, though. Leon Hall will miss the start of the season due to injury and Nate Clements is older. Kirkpatrick will be able to fit in right away.  

San Diego Charger: WR Michael Floyd

The early impression is that the Chargers will not re-sign Vincent Jackson. Instead of spending big money on him, they can go get a similar player in Michael Floyd.

He ran well at the combine and has always had great hands. He does have character issues, but that won't stop the Chargers from drafting a new weapon for Philip Rivers. 

Chicago Bears: DE Whitney Marcilus

Bears fans are going to want a wide receiver right here, but with Floyd already gone the team will go to another need. The Lovie Smith defense is predicated on getting pressure to the quarterback, something the Bears have struggled to do even with Julius Peppers on the team.

Whitney Mercilus is a freakish athlete with tremendous upside and could benefit from lining up opposite Peppers.  

Tennessee Titans: OG Cordy Glenn

This just feels right. Titans head coach Mike Munchak is passionate about the offensive line and Chris Johnson really struggled last year. You make your coach and star running back happy when you draft an interior lineman.

Cordy Glenn was very impressive at the combine and would fit in well in Tennessee. 

Cincinnati Bengals: S Mark Barron

Finally, a safety goes off the board. This isn't so much of a need as it is more of a "best player available" type of pick. Chris Crocker was not bad at the safety position last year, but he is a little older.

Mark Barron is the best safety in the draft and could fit in very well in Marvin Lewis' defensive scheme. 

St. Louis Rams: DT Fletcher Cox

New head coach Jeff Fisher will utilize the extra pick he gets in the RGIII trade to help his defense. He has emerging stars in Chris Long and James Laurinaitis and would want to give them as much help as possible. Fletcher Cox is a guy shooting up draft boards, but should be available at this point. 

Detroit Lions: C Peter Konz

The Lions really need help in the secondary, but drafting somebody here would be a reach. Instead they will address an aging position on the roster. Peter Konz will be the heir apparent to Dominic Raiola.  

Pittsburgh Steelers, WR Kendall Wright

A poor 40-yard dash time has put Kendall Wright here. He was projected to be a top-15 pick before this.

It works out well for the Steelers, who could lose Mike Wallace to free agency and have already released veteran Hines Ward. Wright does play faster than his 40-time indicates and would look really good with Big Ben in Todd Haley's system. 

Denver Broncos: DT Devon Still

Everybody who got hyped up in Tebowmania maybe didn't realize it was the defense that really carried that team. Broderick Bunkley had a solid season, but he could use a little help.

Devon Still is a solid all-around player on the inside and with Tebow coming back as a starter, they might have to rely on the defense more than ever. 

Houston Texans, WR Stephen Hill

This young man has skyrocketed up draft boards due to his great weekend at the combine. He has tremendous size and speed, but has very raw skills as a receiver.

Even with that, the Texans need a guy opposite Andre Johnson. The Texans can feel comfortable bringing in a project knowing he can learn from one of the best. 

New England Patriots: OT Mike Adams

The Patriots need defensive help, but when your current left tackle and protector of Tom Brady is talking retirement, you better address that right away. Mike Adams is big, physical and would be a solid choice here despite a less than stellar combine performance. 

Green Bay Packers: DE/DT Michael Brockers

Michael Brockers has slipped this far due to an unimpressive combine where he showed up overweight. The Green Bay Packers have a tendency to get the best out of players, so they will not shy away from a guy with top-15 talent.

Brockers has the flexibility to play all over the defensive line and could help a team who needs a better pass rush. 

Baltimore Ravens, ILB Dont'a Hightower

At some point, the Ravens are going to have to search for a replacement for Ray Lewis. Dont'a Hightower is not on Lewis' level, but he does have strong leadership skills from the team who won the National Championship. 

San Francisco 49ers, WR Alshon Jeffery

After a rough combine, the only reason Alshon Jeffery sneaks back into the first round is because of Jim Harbaugh. If the 49ers' head coach can deal with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree then he can handle Jeffery.

When Jeffery is in shape and focused, he has tremendous talent. The 49ers need another weapon on the outside; their receivers struggled against the Giants in the NFC Championship game.

New England Patriots, RB David Wilson

The New England Patriots need defensive help, which means Bill Belichick won't address it. At least not this early in the draft.

Instead he will pick David Wilson who had an excellent combine. He interviewed well, ran great in drills and caught the ball better than most expected. He could prove to be a viable option in taking pressure off of Tom Brady going forward. 

New York Giants, TE Dwayne Allen

The Super Bowl champs are going to lose Mario Manningham to free agency. Instead of replacing him at the wide receiver position, they will fill the void at tight end. When you can get the most explosive, athletic tight end at the end of the first round, you jump all over it. You're welcome, Eli.