2012 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Complete First Round

There aren't many opportunities for players to improve their draft stock now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over. That means the wild swings in value should be pretty much over aside from the odd pro day star who might make a minor jump.

The focus now shifts to determining what teams will do with their pick. Will they target an area of need or simply select the best player available? Both styles have positives and negatives, so it really comes down to how important it is to fill a certain hole.

Here's a complete mock draft of the first round, including potential trades, featuring prospects who will excel with their first franchise.

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

If there were any doubts about Luck being the first pick, they were eliminated by his combine performance. He's a truly special prospect.

2. Cleveland Browns (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Browns continue to look like the most likely team to trade up a couple spots to land Griffin. He would make Cleveland football fun again.

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

Not only would Kalil provide a lot more blindside protection for Christian Ponder, but the monster tackle would also open more holes for Adrian Peterson.

4. St. Louis Rams (via CLE 4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

While St. Louis could opt to go for Morris Claiborne at this spot after moving down, Blackmon is exactly the type of receiver Sam Bradford needs.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson should be more worried about a potential slide than any other elite player. If the Buccaneers or Redskins don't take him, he'll be waiting awhile.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Redskins are one of those teams without another option. They must fill their void at quarterback before next season and Tannehill is the only one worth picking here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Jacksonville will benefit from all the offensive talent going early because it'll be able to snag the class's best defender outside of the top five.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the second of three franchise tackles available in this class. Even though Miami has some other needs, it's tough to pass on somebody with so much upside.

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

The Panthers were willing to commit to Cam Newton when people outside the organization had questions about him. A similar story could be told about Brockers.

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

It's been more than a decade since the Bills last played a playoff game. To think a team could go that long without making the postseason in today's parity-driven NFL is actually quite amazing, but the Bills have done it.

One of the main reasons for the extended struggles has been a lack of pass-rushers. Buffalo has been unable to attack the quarterback with any consistency, and when you have to play Tom Brady twice per season that's a recipe for disaster.

Upshaw is a versatile threat, which is important for the Bills as they shift back to a 4-3 scheme, and should be prepared to make an impact right away in Week 1. While they would still need at least one more rusher, you have to start somewhere.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If the Chiefs want to be heavily involved in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, upgrading the tackle spots would be a good start in proving to him they are serious.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is an intriguing player because he should be able to help out right away, but still has plenty of potential yet to come. The Seahawks need another run-stopper.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Getting another receiver to play alongside Larry Fitzgerald would help Arizona's offense improve by leaps and bounds next season.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After weeks of projecting the Cowboys to select Luke Kuechly, finally a change. Kirkpatrick's stock has fallen since the season ended, but he's still an elite corner.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly doesn't fall far. The Eagles had a lot of tackling problems last season and could really use a reliable interior backer like him.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Jets need to do whatever it takes to get their running game back to an elite level. In this case, it means using their first-rounder on DeCastro.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has some character questions to be sure, but his talent is undeniable. If the Bengals think they can keep him on track, he'd be a steal with this pick.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

San Diego has been seeking an impact outside linebacker for years. Ingram would finally fill the void left by Shawne Merriman.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

A more dependable center would have a trickle-down effect throughout Chicago's entire offense, which suffered a rash of key injuries last season.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Would the real Quinton Coples please stand up? He's been ranked everywhere from the first few picks to nearly outside Round 1 over the past year. The North Carolina star has plenty of potential, but reaching it is the problem.

The Titans finished 31st in sacks last season with just 28, so they should be a team willing to take a risk on him. He's also played on the interior of the line, so there would be some options if the team did select him.

Tennessee would need to exercise patience with Coples because the results aren't likely to be immediate. With the right coaching and some time, however, he will develop into the elite playmaker the team needs on defense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Bengals made some big strides on offense, but are still going to need improvement on defense to be a threat come playoff time. Cox is an underrated tackle in a deep class.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If the Browns trade to get Griffin, getting him a top target will immediately become the top priority. Assuming they salvage this pick, Wright is the best wideout available.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Detroit is really close to a breakthrough. The team has more than enough talent to be a contender, now the front office just needs to find the right complementary pieces like Adams.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a perfect fit for a Pittsburgh offensive line that was brutal at times last season. It's one of several needs for the aging Steelers.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Broncos need to keep making upgrades on defense if they plan on remaining competitive in the AFC West, which should be better in 2012.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill was the breakout star in Indianapolis. He illustrated tremendous speed. Paired with his size the Texans would be wise to pair him with Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Nothing has changed for the Patriots. The secondary remains the team's most pressing need heading into the offseason. Dennard is a start toward fixing those issues.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe had a strong combine, but since the defensive tackle class is so crowded it's unclear if it will have a major impact on his draft status. He played against interior competition at Memphis, so there's a little caution surrounding him.

The Packers are hoping it's enough to allow him to fall to this pick. They have had some issues stopping the run, and Poe's exactly the guy to make those problems disappear. His combination of size and agility doesn't come around often.

By being taken in the latter portion of the round, the pressure to succeed right away would be far less. That would give him more time to successfully complete the transition. Green Bay has built an elite roster with savvy picks. Poe would be another one.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Vontaze Burfict did himself no favors at the combine with a weak outing, so Hightower now makes the most sense for the Ravens.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The 49ers are probably hoping Stephen Hill is still available at this point, but that's unlikely now. Randle is a solid consolation prize at the very least.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron has established himself as the top safety on the board. He would give the Patriots another defensive back to help end the many problems they've had.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

This pick could really go any number of ways since the Giants don't have a single glaring void to address. Allen needs some time to develop but will be a star in a few years.