2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Key Free Agents Shape the First Round

Free Agency will drastically impact the way we look at the 2012 NFL draft.

Most of our mocks won't be complete until we know who ends up where in free agency. Instead of waiting though, I've taken the liberty of predicting what will happen to some of the biggest names in NFL free agency, and how that will impact the 2012 NFL draft.

Take a look at what my first round looks like after the free agent predictions:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Key Free Agent Action: Releasing Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning isn't coming back, but by now this shouldn't be a revelation.

2. TRADE Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Despite rumors of looking at Manning, the 'Skins are going to take a chance on young talent instead.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Solid pick here, really nothing new to look at.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This is such a good pick. Richardson is the best running back since Marshall Faulk.

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

Don't really see Tampa making a huge splash, and Claiborne is a solid pick.

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

Key Free Agent Action: Letting Brandon Lloyd Walk

I don't see Lloyd staying in St. Louis, which is going to make the Rams very desperate to find some help for Sam Bradford. I'd think about taking Michael Brockers here, but without Lloyd the need becomes very glaring.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jaguars need to get Blaine Gabbert somebody to throw to.

8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Key Free Agent Action: Signing QB Matt Flynn

I don't see the Dolphins trying to move up to get a quarterback like RGIII. They're going to put their eggs in the Matt Flynn basket and build the defense with this pick.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Huge pick here for the Panthers, as they may be getting the best defensive player in the draft.

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

In some estimations Coples has the ability to be the next Julius Peppers. I don't agree, but Buffalo will take that chance. 

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

Key Free Agent Action: Re-signing WR Dwayne Bowe

If the Chiefs weren't able to bring back Bowe I think they would maybe look at getting a receiver. Considering they locked him up though in this mock, they'll go with the best player available that also fits a need.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Key Free Agent Action: Franchise Tag For RB Marshawn Lynch

If the Seahawks can't bring back Lynch they would be wise to look at a running back here. In this case they get him back, so Ingram would be a great addition to the defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

Key Free Agent Action Signing QB Peyton Manning

That's right, I'm predicting Manning to the Cardinals. If they got to choose between taking a chance on Kevin Kolb or Manning I think they will go with the latter. First order of business—protecting him from getting hit. 

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

Jenkins makes a ton of sense here for the risky Cowboys. Despite his character concerns, he's a top 15 talent.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

Key Free Agent Action: Franchise Tag For DeSean Jackson

Many mocks will have the Eagles taking a wideout here, but the franchise tag to Jackson really changes things. This actually has already happened, and I think it will cause the Eagles to address more pressing needs in the first round—mainly defense.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets are finally doing something to help Mark Sanchez out. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Bengals fill a really big need on their defense here.

18. San Diego Chargers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Key Free Agent Action: Letting WR Vincent Jackson Walk 

The Chargers will have a desperate need to fill at wide receiver without Jackson. This need trumps everything else at the moment.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Key Free Agent Action: Signing WR Vincent Jackson 

The Chargers loss of Jackson will be the Bears gain. This will allow them to focus on taking Adams and protecting Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Key Free Agent Action: Letting CB Cortland Finnegan Walk

With many of their draft needs being stretches at this point of the draft, the Titans will look to replace Finnegan with a very solid cornerback pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Key Free Agent Action: Letting RB Cedric Benson Walk

I have a feeling the Bengals are ready to go in a younger direction at running back, and Miller would be a huge burst of energy for this offense.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Obviously the offense needs a lot of help, and Hill has really boosted his draft reputation.

23. Detroit Lions: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Key Free Agent Action: Letting LB Stephen Tulloch Walk

Losing Tulloch would be a huge loss for this growing defense, but they can stop that leak right away by drafting Hightower.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker, Illinois

With the linebacker crew starting to get older, this is a huge pick for the Steelers.

25. Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Down-hill runner that can be very dangerous in this offensive system.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Key Free Agent Action: Re-Signing Mario Williams

Getting Williams back under contract will be huge for the Texans, and it will allow them to start drafting wants. This is a team gearing up for a Super Bowl run.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Fleming is an under the radar player that will excel in this system.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

Curry projects nicely as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He should be a good fit in Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens will get their center of the future here. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

This offense needs a deep threat, and that's something Randle can provide.

31. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox can become a beast on New Englands defensive front. 

32: New York Giants: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles really helped himself out with a great showing at the combine.