2012 NFL Mock Draft: Difference-Makers Teams Must Take

Finding the difference-makers to improve a team is one of the top priorities of NFL general managers during the draft.

Last season, the Atlanta Falcons traded a lot to move up to pick No. 5 so they could draft wide receiver Julio Jones of Alabama because they thought he would be a difference-maker. After a fine rookie season, the Falcons were right about Jones.

Let's look at the biggest difference makers in this year's draft class in a fresh first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Even if Peyton Manning plays for the Indianapolis Colts next season, they still need a quarterback for the future, which means Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck is a no-brainer choice with the top pick.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams might decide to trade this pick, but if they choose to keep it, taking elite offensive tackle prospect Matt Kalil of USC is the best choice.

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

The Vikings have not found a true replacement for Randy Moss at wide receiver, but Justin Blackmon has the potential to be just as effective as Moss if Minnesota takes him third overall.

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III is a dual-threat quarterback with his tremendous running ability and strong arm in the passing game.

Griffin's strong arm makes him an accurate passer on deep passes, and with the Browns lacking an effective downfield passer, the Baylor quarterback would be great fit in Cleveland.

With his ability to be effective in the running and passing game, Griffin has been compared to Vince Young. I think Griffin could be better than Young because he is more athletic and has better passing mechanics.

Expect the Brows to take Griffin with the fourth overall pick and find themselves a difference-maker at quarterback.

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to get younger at the cornerback position, which makes the selection of LSU's Morris Claiborne, the best defensive player in this draft, an easy pick to make.

6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With Griffin gone at this point and no other quality quarterback available, the Washington Redskins will take Riley Reiff of Iowa to be a fixture at right tackle for years to come.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd has some of the best hands of any player in this draft class and would immediately improve the Jacksonville Jaguars receiving corps with his ability to contribute well right away.

Floyd has a tremendous ability to make tough catches in traffic among multiple defenders, and this dependability would be a real boost for the Jaguars offense, which is really void of talented receivers.

Young quarterback Blaine Gabbert has very few offensive weapons, so it's important the Jaguars get him a receiver in the early rounds that can step into the pros and be effective from day one.

8. Miami Dolphins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is the best running back available in this draft, and the Miami Dolphins would be foolish to pass on his immense talent, even with Reggie Bush returning for next season.

9. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Panthers must improve their defensive line if their defense is going to return to an elite level, which means defensive tackle Devon Still of Penn State is the clear choice for Carolina at pick No. 9.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

After a nice start to the season, the Buffalo Bills defense struggled to pressure the quarterback consistently toward the end of last year. Drafting Courtney Upshaw of Alabama would be a significant upgrade to the team's defensive line.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is an athletic linebacker who will certainly improve the Kansas City Chiefs defense with his coverage skills and good tackling ability.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus' speed and strength makes him an ideal player to help improve the Seattle Seahawks pass rush, which struggled last season.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals would be foolish to pass on Jonathan Martin of Stanford, who has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowl left tackle.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys defense has a decent pass rush with players such as DeMarcus Ware, but the secondary must improve if the Cowboys want to reach the Super Bowl in the near future. Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama is the perfect fit at cornerback for Dallas.

Kirkpatrick played well for Alabama when the stakes were the highest this season, including the national championship game versus LSU, and this ability to perform under pressure is certainly something the Dallas defense needs.

Kirkpatrick has the potential to be a shutdown corner for the Cowboys, which will really help them in an NFC East division that has several good passing offenses.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

The Eagles' defense must improve if they want to return to the Super Bowl, and improving the talent at linebacker is a priority for them this offseason. Zach Brown of North Carolina would be an awesome addition thanks to his spectacular athleticism and strong tackling skills.

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

Melvin Ingram has a chance to be the best defensive end on the New York Jets next season if Rex Ryan can teach him how to excel at the NFL level with his great defensive coaching skills.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cincinnati Bengals would be foolish to pass on David DeCastro of Stanford, who has the potential to be an elite offensive guard very soon with his solid pass-protection and run-blocking talents.

18. San Diego Chargers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The San Diego Chargers would love to take DeCastro with pick No. 18, but if he's unavailable then selecting North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples is the next best choice.

19. Chicago Bears: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Bears would also like to take DeCastro with this pick, but if they cannot get him then addressing a major need at wide receiver with Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers is the route they will take. Sanu has fantastic speed and runs great routes.

20. Tennessee Titans: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Tennessee Titans are not far from being a real playoff contender, which makes Andre Branch, a defensive end from Clemson who can play well right away, the best choice for the team at pick No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Stephon Gilmore is a tremendous talent and has the coverage and run-stopping skills to be a fantastic NFL player very early in his career. The Bengals would really help their secondary by drafting the South Carolina cornerback.

22. Cleveland Browns: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

If the Browns don't take Trent Richardson with the fourth overall pick, then Washington Huskies star Chris Polk is the clear choice to be the team's future at running back.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Detroit Lions would be smart to address a need at safety by taking Alabama defensive back Mark Barron, who would bring strong leadership and good athleticism to a young Lions defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

With Casey Hampton suffering through some tough injuries last season, finding his future replacement is a priority for the Steelers this offseason. Defensive tackle Dontari Poe from Memphis would be a tremendous fit on the Pittsburgh defensive line with his run stuffing ability.

25. Denver Broncos: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If the Denver Broncos really want to make Tim Tebow prove he's the team's starting quarterback in training camp then drafting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill would be a fantastic decision.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Houston Texans could use another speedy receiver who can excel in both short pass and deep route plays, which is exactly what Baylor wideout Kendall Wright can provide their offense with.

27. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Bill Belichick has a spectacular ability to draft very good offensive linemen, and with the need to get younger at center, him and the Patriots will strongly consider taking Wisconsin center Peter Konz with their first of two first-round selections.

28. Green Bay Packers: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Nebraska star Jared Crick would give the Green Bay Packers some more speed and strength on the defensive line and help their pass rush right away.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Chase Minnifield's excellent run stopping skills for a cornerback make him a nice fit on a Baltimore Ravens defense that needs to get younger as aging stars like Ray Lewis begin to decline.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Stephen Hill's speed and excellent route-running ability would be a nice addition to an improved 49ers passing offense that could use another playmaker.

31. New England Patriots: Michael Brockers, DE, LSU

The New England Patriots need to find an effective pass-rusher in the first round since free agent Andre Carter might not re-sign with the team this offseason. Michael Brockers of LSU is a talented pass-rusher with the speed and strength needed to succeed in Belichick's defense.

32. New York Giants: Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss State

For the New York Giants' pass rush to continue to be effective, they need another younger defensive tackle with the ability to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Fletcher Cox of Mississippi State would be a nice fit in the Giants defense.