2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Are Changing Their Minds?

With so much time to evaluate rosters and prospects between now and the 2012 NFL draft, teams around the league are bound to change their minds as to whom they want to pick and at what point when commissioner Roger Goodell calls them to the podium this spring.

As such, don't be surprised if this bit of mockery shifts considerably in the coming weeks.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It'll take some sort of miracle/disaster to move the Colts off their desire to draft Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins won't be changing their minds so much as their spot in the order come draft day. They'll have themselves a new quarterback for the 2012 season, come heck or high water.

Or, in Dan Snyder's case, both, since he and the Shanaclan are bound to surrender a bounty bigger than Noah's ark to snag the No. 2 pick—and, in turn, Robert Griffin III—from the St. Louis Rams. In any case, expect to see RGIII running a boatload of bootlegs for the 'Skins sooner rather than later.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

No change here. The Vikings need protection for young Christian Ponder and will get it with Matt Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

A minor knee scope won't sway the Browns from filling their backfield with Trent Richardson, assuming RGIII is already off the board.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Corner help is what the Bucs need, and it's exactly what they'll get in the form of Morris Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams have made it clear that their minds are ripe for changing, with the hope that someone comes along with a hefty offer (i.e. draft picks, young players, draft picks and more draft picks) in a desperate attempt to nab RGIII.

I've already predicted that the Redskins will be the lucky winners of the RGIII sweepstakes, thereby leaving St. Louis in prime position to make Justin Blackmon the No. 1 receiver that Sam Bradford has long needed by his side.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Defense is still on the mind of Jaguars GM Gene Smith, who will make Melvin Ingram the first of many top-notch pass-rushers off the board this spring.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Ditto for the Dolphins with Quinton Coples.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Last I checked, the Panthers still need reinforcements along the interior of their defensive line, and Michael Brockers is just about the best of the bunch.

Depending on whom you ask, that is. Carolina could very well opt for Memphis' Dontari Poe with this pick, especially after the way the 350-pounder motored down the line in 4.8 seconds during the 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL combine. That sort of pure speed and athleticism is hard to come by for any big guy in any draft class.

Not that Brockers is any slouch, or that he won't be the Panthers' pick here anyway.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

No change here. The Bills will upgrade their pass rush with the best talent they can find at No. 10.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Matt Cassel will be happy to have a tackle like Riley Reiff watching his blindside from here on out.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Defense remains a priority for the Seahawks (right along with finding a long-term solution at quarterback), and Luke Kuechly happens to be the best defender on the board at this point in the draft.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals will take an offensive lineman out of Stanford with their first-round pick. Whether that means Jonathan Martin or David DeCastro will depend on what part of the line Arizona wants to upgrade first.

However, since guards don't usually go this high, let's say that Martin, at tackle, will be the choice.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Like the Cards with linemen, the Cowboys will select a talented corner with considerable baggage with their top pick, between Janoris Jenkins and Dre Kirkpatrick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Eagles are aiming for a defensive tackle, and Dontari Poe is the best of the bunch at this point in the draft.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Nick Perry is on the rise and the Jets' need for a pass-rusher remains constant. Match made in heaven? Perhaps, but more likely in Rex Ryan's belly.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Expect the Bengals to gladly snap up whichever knucklehead corner the Cowboys leave on the table.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mark Barrons, SS, Alabama

Because Bob Sanders just isn't a long-term solution.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bears will have their pick of quality receivers at No. 19 in the first round. Kendall Wright wouldn't be a poor choice, but Michael Floyd, with his Midwestern roots and all, makes plenty of sense.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Blah blah blah Titans blah blah blah pass rush blah blah blah Whitney Mercilus.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Farewell, Nate Livings! Hellooooo, Cordy Glenn!

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Obviously, the Browns won't use this pick on a quarterback if they're able to persuade the Rams to give up the No. 2 pick and the access to Robert Griffin III that comes with it.

If that doesn't work out, don't be surprised if Mike Holmgren contemplates using his team's second first-rounder (thanks, Atlanta Falcons!) on the third-best signal-caller in the draft. At this point, that would appear to put Ryan Tannehill firmly in Cleveland's sights.

Arizona State quarterback and Robert Pattinson doppelganger Brock Osweiler might also be in the mix.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): David DeCastro, OG, Wisconsin

The Lions' secondary needs help, but in the absence of top-tier prospects at this point in the order, they'll opt instead to upgrade the line if for no other reason than to preserve Matthew Stafford's fragile fitness.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Steelers have shown only cursory concern about upgrading their offensive line and helping Ben Roethlisberger stay healthy. So why wouldn't the front office decide to restock its aging defense with a talent like Dont'a Hightower?

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Yeah, Tim Tebow could use another receiver to throw to, but Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal are pretty good as is and the Broncos could certainly find a veteran on the cheap in free agency.

Yeah, Tebow wouldn't mind a better running game behind him, but, again, running backs are a dime a dozen.

Meanwhile, if Denver is going to continue to succeed with an impotent quarterback under center, it'll need to makes its defense a dominant unit. John Fox already has his guys well on his way to that end, what with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller providing such a strong pass rush around which to build. Throw a beast like Fletcher Cox in the middle, and the Broncos' D may well be one of the best in the NFL in 2012.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Texans, meet a Texan who can fill your need for a second wide receiver. Kendall Wright, meet the Texans.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Defense is the name of the game for the Patriots, and Jerel Worthy plays that game very well, especially as an always-elusive interior pass-rusher.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame

As the Packers proved this past season, there's only so far a team can go if its defense is old and ineffective.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Ravens will commend Bryant McKinnie for the services he provided in a pinch before sending him on his way to clear room for a long-term solution like Mike Adams.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The 49ers won't mind stocking their threadbare corps of receivers with a 6'5" stud who ran a 4.3 in the 40 at the combine.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Like I said, the Pats will be on the lookout for defensive help, particularly in the pass-rush. Branch boasts the sort of size and versatility that Bill Belichick looks for in his young defenders.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Giants were last in the league in rushing during the regular season and will need someone to share the load with Ahmad Bradshaw if they let go of Brandon Jacobs. Surely they could do worse than Lamar Miller (4.4 in the 40) to upgrade their backfield.

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