2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top Picks from Each Major Conference

Here is a spoiler alert for you: There are only two non-BCS players in this updated mock draft.

Every year, there are a few players—either mid-level to low-level D1 players—who crack the first round of the draft.

This year, there are are only two as of now, and neither are true small-school prospects.

That means this first round is crawling with top conference talent, which is not surprising in a year when two teams from the same conference played in the BCS Championship Game.

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

The Pac-12's top prospect also happens to be the draft's best overall prospect.

Although people continue to want to poke holes in his game —as we knew they would after sitting atop the draft board for two straight years—he's not going anywhere but No. 1 overall. If the Colts fail to make the pick, it would be a terrible mistake.

Luck may be the best quarterback prospect since another former Cardinal in 1983.

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

The Big 12 had a ton of talent this year, but the conference's top prospect is Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

Some are even talking about the combine sensation as a possible No. 1 overall pick, but again, that would be a mistake.

The Redskins have no choice but to add a quarterback, and moving up for RG3 will be their play when they miss in free agency.

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

Being runner-up to Andrew Luck is hardly anything to be disappointed about. He's an immediate help in Minnesota.

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

There is no closer race for top conference prospect than the one between Alabama's Trent Richardson and LSU's Morris Claiborne. Like the games between their respective teams, there is no denying they are the best.

Richardson gets the nod, not only because he goes before Claiborne in the draft, but because he has Adrian Peterson-like potential.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

All rookie cornerbacks get picked on, but Claiborne will make his presence felt immediately in the secondary and on special teams.

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

St. Louis' move down the board earns it exactly what it needs and wants in Justin Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The ACC wasn't chock-full of talent this year, and Coples was far from the most impressive, but he has the promise and potential of the entire group.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Taking Tannehill in the top 10 is a reach, but if the Dolphins miss a quarterback, they'll be mighty desperate.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram's a special kid who can make an immediate impact at the next level if given the opportunity.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Big Ten had some flashy players this year, but it is Iowa's Riley Reiff that is the conference's top prospect.

The Bills could look to add a pass-rusher, but Reiff is a great value here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

One of the non-BCS conference guys is Memphis' Dontari Poe. He blew up the combine in Indianapolis, and teams are always on the lookout for a Vince Wilfork-type guy.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Coach Pete Carroll is going to add a player he knows can make an immediate impact. Courtney Upshaw can do that and more.

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

Martin is not elite, but he's an upgrade to what the Cardinals currently have and helps in both the run and pass game.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cowboys are going to want to balance out their offense, and the best way to do that is add the draft's best run-blocking lineman.

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

Coach Andy Reid can't possibly expect to get by with his linebackers from a year ago, and Kuechly presents a great value here.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Jets need to get back to their ground-and-pound ways, and Glenn's versatility and talents are perfect for that.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Passing up on a potentially elite cornerback is something the Bengals simply won't do.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

A strong, athletic pass-rusher has eluded the Chargers since Shawne Merriman's disappearance.

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

Is this the year the Bears finally get a solid red-zone threat they can trust out wide? If Floyd's available, they will.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox's versatility could easily land him in the top 15, so the Titans will be lucky to scoop him up at No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Replacing Cedric Benson isn't their only wish—the Bengals would like to add more speed to the backfield too. Miller does that and then some.

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

Skill position players are of the utmost importance for this team.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The other "small-school" prospect is better known for his days in Gainesville, but he'll enter the league with North Alabama by his name.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

A big, physical, downhill inside linebacker is a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

There is nothing more important in Denver than helping to stop the run immediately.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Texans would've liked to see a field-stretching receiver on the board, but Barron is an elite value at this pick and will start for years in their system.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The redshirt sophomore Tiger has elite potential and fills a need for the Patriots—even though it will take time for him to develop.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard halted his stock slide with a solid combine and fits in with the Packers' physical style of play.

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

The Buckeyes tackle is on his way out of the first round and likely won't be here this time next week.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery isn't what the Niners are looking for in a vertical threat, but he is a potentially elite target if he buys life in the NFL.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Anyone who can do a number of things will intrigue Bill Belichick, and Smith has the size and athleticism to be a player for years in the secondary and special teams.

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

Big Blue will take the best available player on the board. If that happens to be a position of need, all the better for the Giants.

*Projected Trade