2012 NFL Mock Draft: Likely Destinations for Offensive Superstars

As the NFL has started to move toward more high-powered offenses, the top of the draft has reflected that shift. Offensive superstars have become the main targets for teams selecting inside the top half of Round 1 as they try to keep up with the league's elite teams.

This year is likely to be more of the same. There's just no way teams can compete with the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots or New York Giants without their fair share of playmaking threats to stretch the field.

Here's a complete mock draft of the first round, including potential trades, featuring likely landing spots for some of the biggest offensive superstars in the class.

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

Despite a late charge from Robert Griffin, Luck should still be the first overall pick. He has all the tools a team could want in a franchise quarterback and even showed off some solid athleticism during the combine last week.

If there's anybody who could match the amazing success Peyton Manning had with the Colts for so many years, it's Luck. He'll be able to slide right into the starting lineup, get his rookie errors out of the way early and be ready to roll starting in year two.

Manning illustrated how much money an elite quarterback is worth by winning so many games with a roster that could only manage two wins without him. Luck has an unlimited ceiling, making him a slam dunk selection for Indianapolis.

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

Teams are jockeying for position in an attempt to get the second pick from the Rams. The Browns can offer the best package, and Griffin would be a key piece in their rebuild.

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

Kalil is the most dominant tackle available and would fill a need for the Vikings, who are in the process of upgrading their offense as well.

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

It's actually surprising Blackmon didn't receive more competition to be the first wide receiver selected, considering how many talented wideouts are available.

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

Josh Freeman took a step in the wrong direction last season because teams didn't have to respect Tampa Bay's running game. That caused the passing lanes to shrink and made life difficult for Freeman, who previously looked like a future star.

Adding Richardson to the mix would take a lot of pressure away. His ability to break the game open with any carry would cause opposing front sevens to place a much large emphasis on stopping the run. At the very least, he'll keep them honest.

The Buccaneers went from a team on the rise to picking early in Round 1. It's not exactly what they had in mind last offseason, but at least they'll be able to add another playmaker to the mix. Richardson boosts their chances of having a bounce-back year.

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

Tannehill is a bit of a reach for the Redskins at this point, but based on the production they received from quarterbacks last season, it's worth the risk.

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

Finally, the first defensive player off the board. Claiborne's game has very few flaws, which is why he has separated himself from a deep cornerback group.

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

While the Dolphins' running game made major strides toward becoming a useful asset last season, Reiff would make it even more successful.

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

Brockers has an extremely high ceiling. That makes him an attractive option for the rising Panthers. They will be a force in a couple years.

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

The Bills continue their search for a dominant pass rusher by selecting Upshaw. He'll fit in whatever scheme they ultimately decide to run.

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

Martin is the last member of the elite offensive line group. He did a great job protecting Andrew Luck and is ready to start right away.

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

Seattle has a tough decision. The front office would probably like to add another offensive weapon, but Still would eliminate a current need and provides really good value.

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

Floyd isn't getting the respect he deserves. His numbers at Notre Dame were actually better than they appear because the quarterbacks he played with weren't exactly lighting up the place. So to have back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns is a testament to his ability.

He'd be a perfect fit for the Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald has been putting up monster stats even without a legitimate second option on the other side. Adding Floyd would cause plenty of matchup problems, which hasn't been the case in recent years.

Since Arizona is one of several teams being mentioned in connection with Peyton Manning, adding another target definitely wouldn't hurt their cause. Regardless of who's under center, Floyd will make a major impact.

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

Kirkpatrick is a perfect fit for the Cowboys. Dallas has been searching for a physical corner for several years. He would finally fill that hole.

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

One of the main reasons the Eagles didn't live up to the hype last season was because they didn't do the little things, like tackling, well. Kuechly would help in those basic areas.

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

DeCastro is the second member of the talented Stanford offensive line to be selected. He'll provide a big boost to New York's rushing attack.

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

Character concerns have never scared the Bengals from an elite talent in the past. Jenkins has top-10 skills, if he can remain focused on football.

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

The Chargers are another team who have been searching far and wide for an outside linebacker to attack the quarterback. Ingram would solve that problem.

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

Chicago will enter next season as a terrific sleeper team. If the Bears can avoid the major injuries that have plagued them and add a key lineman like Konz, they'll be in good shape.

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

Coples has a lot more talent than this draft position would suggest, but it's a situation that will suit him well. The Titans would be getting a steal.

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

The Bengals are likely to be deciding between a number of different positions to target with this pick. Cox might not fill their biggest need, but he provides the best value.

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

Whether they end up with Robert Griffin III or not, the Browns need to add another wide receiver or two in the draft to give their quarterback options.

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

Detroit has finally righted the ship and have the look of a contender. Adding some bulk in the trenches with Adams will put the finishing touches on the roster.

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

The Steelers' offensive line has suffered from a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness recently. Glenn would add some much-needed stability.

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

Worthy is one of the most underrated players in the class. He should be able to help the Broncos right away in Week 1.

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

Houston needs somebody to take pressure off Andre Johnson. Hill dazzled at the combine and will be an extremely dangerous deep threat.

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

It will be interesting to see how many picks the Patriots spend to fix the secondary. Dennard is the best cornerback left at this point.

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

Poe boosted his draft stock with a strong showing at the combine. After a surprising playoff failure, the Packers should be looking to upgrade on defense.

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

Even though Hightower hasn't had as much hype as his fellow Crimson Tide stars, he has a bright future in the NFL as well.

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

The 49ers really need to give Alex Smith more weapons to work with before next season. It's the only way to sustain his improvement.

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

Another Alabama defender, Barron is the best safety on the board. Bill Belichick knows that if he can make the defensive backfield more reliable, the Patriots will be a dominant force.

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

Allen makes sense for the Giants because he provides some athleticism their current options don't have. Since they don't have a glaring weakness, they can afford to take a chance on him.