2012 NFL Mock Draft: Bottom Feeders Getting Difference Makers

With the entire NFL in draft mode now, the time is here to look forward to April to see who's going to get this year's Peyton Manning, and who will get this year's Ryan Leaf.

This a great draft at the top, as several players will step in to make an immediate impact. Now, we're going to take a look at who the true studs of studs will be. 

1. Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

While he won't do it on his own, Luck is easily the top prospect in this year's draft. The similarities between he and Peyton Manning are really too great to ignore. He is a franchise quarterback for the Colts to build around for a long time. 

We know how smart Luck is from watching his last two years at Stanford, but he put on an absolute show at the Scouting Combine, showing that the athletic ability is there. 

2. Washington Redskins (via trade with St. Louis Rams), Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor*

The Redskins can't leave this draft without landing Griffin. He is the franchise quarterback that they need to build around and they can't reliably find that guy in the later rounds.

3. Minnesota Vikings, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is an absolute joy to watch, as he has a combination of size and speed not often seen, even among NFL receivers. The Vikings could go in a few directions here, but they really need to find a playmaker to put on the other side of Percy Harvin. 

With Christian Ponder at quarterback, the Vikings would have a keystone combo to build on for a long time. 

4. Cleveland Browns, Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With two first-rounders, they have more fire power than the Redskins do to get that No. 2 pick, but the Browns need to look elsewhere. A quarterback will not fix their problems. 

Richardson has the combination of size and speed not often seen in running backs. He has the makeup to step in and be an immediate difference maker. In the tough AFC North, the ability to run the ball is huge. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

If you're looking for a recent comparison, look no further than Patrick Peterson. Claiborne is not quite as dynamic as a returner, but he is a better corner, which says something. 

The Buccaneers need this playmaker on defense, as they allowed more points than any team in the NFL in 2011. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via trade with Washington Redskins), Matt Kalil, OT, USC*

The Rams can afford to make this trade, but they need come out of this draft with Kalil. Sam Bradford is the quarterback of the future, but they need to keep him healthy. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars, Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

This pick is something of a gamble, but Jenkins is loaded with talent. He was a shut down corner at Florida, even against some of the SEC's best receivers. 

His legal issues are a concern, but the Jaguars need to take that risk. Their secondary is awful and outside of Claiborne, no defensive back in this draft is better.

8. San Diego Chargers (via trade with Miami Dolphins), David DeCastro, G, Stanford*

The Chargers need to improve their line and picking at 18, they can't rely on any of the best linemen to fall. The Dolphins can afford to move from this pick (more on that later), and DeCastro is the kind of player the Chargers need. He is solid against the pass and run, and San Diego needs every bit of help up front. 

9. Carolina Panthers, Devon Still, DT, Penn St.

This is another gamble, but well worth it. Still is capable of taking over a game, and will keep linemen from getting to the Panthers' linebackers, like a returning Jon Beason.

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

The Bills sacked the quarterback fewer times than any team in the league. That has to change and Coples will be the best man available for that.

11. Kansas City Chiefs, Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

I could see this pick being moved, but the Chiefs do need some help on the line. With a good right tackle, Matt Cassel will be well protected and Kansas City will be a threat in the AFC West.

12. Seattle Seahawks, Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Impressive isn't quite the word for Poe's combine, but it's the best one I can come up with. With Poe clogging up the middle, the Seahawks would have a nasty defense, making themselves exceptionally hard to move the ball on.

13. Arizona Cardinals, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

He kept Andrew Luck well protected and whoever the Cardinals' QB is will need to be on his feet. Like DeCastro, Martin has a nice edge to his game that will work wonders in the NFL. 

14. Dallas Cowboys, Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dallas needs a defensive back in this draft or heads need to roll. Picking here, Kirkpatrick will be the best available. His size will make him a valuable asset in the NFL, as receivers will have a hard time getting downfield.

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

Another player with a great combine. There is no way the Eagles leave this draft without a linebacker and Kuechly is hands down the best available. They need to be sure he is in Philadelphia next season.

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

A perfect player to fill the red zone void that will be left by Plaxico Burress. Floyd also brings a deep ball element that Burress doesn't have. He is a good fit for the Jets and their struggling offense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders), Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The bad combine notwithstanding, Wright is the perfect player to line up on the other side of A.J. Green. Defenses would have a tough time preparing for both and the Bengals' offense would become a real force.

18. Miami Dolphins (via trade with San Diego Chargers), Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M*

Tannehill is not a Top-10 pick, but the Dolphins do need a quarterback. This is why trading down makes sense and according to Walter Football, they could land at least another second rounder in the move.

The Texas A&M quarterback belongs in the first round and Miami is far and away the best fit. He has great athleticism, which will be needed with the Dolphins. They could also use Matt Moore for a season while Tannehill learns the NFL game on the sideline.  

19. Chicago Bears, Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

I see a lot of Aldon Smith comparisons here in that Upshaw would be going to a good defense and used primarily in passing situations. I also see that kind of success, as offenses have too much to worry about with the Bears. 

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

Gilmore could use another year in college, but he will be the best corner available at this point and the Titans will need to replace Cortland Finnegan. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals, Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

After getting the need for a receiver out of the way, the Bengals need to focus on a back, as they relied too much on Cedric Benson in 2011. Outside of Richardson, Miller is the best option.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons), Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

If you want to see how good Colt McCoy is, you'll have to give him a little bit of time. Glenn is a massive man who had a strong combine. Up the middle blitzes (like we see with the Ravens and Steelers) would be much more difficult. 

23. Detroit Lions, Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

This is a reach, but the Lions have no choice but to take it. Detroit needs to stabilize the defense or they will have a hard time taking that next step into the NFC's elite. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers, Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Much like Upshaw, this is more a pick for the sake of getting younger and grooming than an immediate impact selection. Hightower has a lot of talent and if he's used in the right spots, will be an impact player immediately. 

25. Denver Broncos, Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This might be the best overall defender in the draft, as he can defend the pass and run. With a player like Barron, Denver's defense will be awfully hard to score against. 

26. Houston Texans, Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery had something of a raw deal this season, as South Carolina's QB situation was awful this year. fortunately, that will allow him to fall to a good position. Lining up on the other side of Andre Johnson, Jeffery will get plenty of good matchups.

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

The Patriots need a corner, simple as that. Fleming was a good impact player at Oklahoma and while he is a project pick, no player is a better fit for New England.

28. Green Bay Packers, Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Packers can't leave this draft without a pass rusher. They didn't have it last year and got torched in the playoffs.

29. Baltimore Ravens, Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz may actually be the draft's best steal, as he is ready to play right now. That is what the Ravens need, as next year may well be their last year as a true Super Bowl contender for a while.

30. San Francisco 49ers, Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

A little reunion with Jim Harbaugh is in the cards. The 49ers often run out of two tight end sets and Delanie Walker is injury prone and approaching his contract year. 

Fleener is also a big red zone target, which the 49ers need. With him, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree would get much more favorable matchups, and they could run routes that best suit their skills.

31. New England Patriots, Zach Brown, LB North Carolina 

Brown is a good all-purpose linebacker. He does everything good but nothing great, but that is precisely what New England needs. He will fill in gaps on the defense and immediately be one of their better defenders.

32. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Giants don't need an awful lot, but they did battle some serious tight end injuries in the Super Bowl. Jake Ballard is not an every down tight end. They need to make this selection to round the middle of the field out better.

*-. A deal that is being speculated on but has not happened.

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