2012 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Predictions with College Highlights

With Mock Draft Season (TM) completely underway, it's easy to get overwhelmed. That's why this week I have added moving images to mine! Yes, now you can spend a couple of hours watching some of the best moves the top prospects had in college.

It wasn't easy finding videos for everyone. It seems that for some odd reason, broadcasts of college games do not often focus on the offensive line enough to pull together good tape unless your name is Matt Kalil.

Despite this, we got a little help and it got done.

So without further ado, I present to you this week's mock draft video slide show.

Try not to get pinched for it at work.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB

Peyton Manning's time in Indianapolis is over which can only mean one thing: SURPRISE ANDREW LUCK PICK.

Wait, what? He's the consensus pick in nearly every mock draft? Including my previous ones?

Seriously, nothing has changed and nothing is likely to change. Luck remains as solid a pick as there is in this draft, as the video above shows.

2. Washington Redskins (from the St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB

Luck is the safer pick. Griffin is the upside.

This isn't to say RG3 can't play some football—he can as you can see in the video. He's an exceptionally talented quarterback who happens to run a really fast 40 as well.

Washington and Cleveland seem to be the biggest potential trade partners with the Rams, and while last time I had the Browns pull the trigger, this week we have the Redskins sell their souls for a quarterback.

If you're going to push all your chips into the middle of the table, RG3 is the guy in this draft to do it for.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT

Assuming the Rams trade out, Kalil is here for the Vikings and given their investment in quarterback Christian Ponder, this is a wise selection.

Mind you, Kalil is a tremendous left tackle and even if they had a sack of potatoes throwing the ball and another one running it, having an elite left tackle is a necessity for a team.

The Vikings could go with a guy like LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne but in my mind, building that offensive line is the top priority.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson

Richardson could go even a bit earlier (though not much) and certainly drop, but no draft day tumble will be about his talent—it'd be about the overall decrease in value of the running back position.

That said, Richardson is the most talented back I have seen come into the draft since Adrian Peterson and the Browns, if they fail to get Griffin, have to give Colt McCoy more offensive support.

Blackmon could go here but to my mind top five is way to high for him.

Richardson is an elite back and Cleveland is in desperate need of an offensive spark.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB

Claiborne is far and away the best defensive back in this draft. It's not even close and I think watching the highlights, anyone can see the talent.

As I have said each mock where he's landed in Tampa, with Aqib Talib a complete head-case and Ronde Barber aging, you need a young, reliable player in the secondary, especially with some of the quarterbacks this team sees in the NFC South.

6. St. Louis Rams (from the Washington Redskins): Riley Reiff, OT

Last mock, I had the Rams choose Justin Blackmon with one of the picks they received from the Browns. This time, along with the new trading partner, I had them shore up an inconsistent offensive line. This may seem a little high for Reiff, but the Rams need to keep Sam Bradford upright.

To me, Reiff looks like the guy for the job.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR

The Jaguars need a receiver badly. Oh, how very badly.

I think that they might also try and trade out of this slot, but if not it's hard to resist the top (as of now) wide receiver on the board. The group they have right now is OK, but by and large none of them are playmakers.

Blackmon is a playmaker. If Jacksonville is going to make Blaine Gabbert work, one of the first things they have to do is get a guy who can make plays like you see in the video above.

8. Miami Dolphins: Fletcher Cox, DT

Last time out, Miami went offensive line. This mock finds them trying to shore up the other line, which is also in need of help.

Cox is very versatile and could play some defensive end as well. Miami has to clog up running lanes and well as pressure the quarterback. Cox can help them do both, though his strength is destroying the run game.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT

Brockers remains the pick here, now the second tackle to go in a row. I still love his upside and still feel as though he could fit into the Panthers' defensive scheme in multiple ways.

The Panthers need to improve the defense in a big way and Brockers would be a great start to that.

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT

This pick changes depending on some free agency moves, including potentially bringing Demetrius Bell back (Bell is a free agent). Bell only started six games in 2011 but has the potential to be a very good player. However, one tackle does not a line make and with some health concerns, bringing in someone to play either tackle is important for a team whose offense was very potent before the wheels came off.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT

Poe looks to be the nose tackle that Crennel's 3-4 defense is missing with the size and strength to clog up the hole. The speed and agility he shows in the video which he replicated at the Combine is impressive, especially for a player who weighs 346 pounds.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE

Do the 'Hawks need a pass rusher? They do have Chris Clemons and—well Raheem Brock was mediocre at best so the answer would be 'yes'.

Coples can bring the heat off the edge and be a force for chaos in the backfield. While there are other needs for the Seahawks, the value isn't quite here for them, while Coples looks like he could develop into an incredible player.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, OLB

Last time out I had Seattle taking Ingram,pointing out that in a division whose teams have issues protecting their quarterback, a speedy linebacker who can come in from the edge like his hair's on fire would be a huge edge in winning the division. The Cardinals need to do some offensive work as well, but Ingram would be brilliant in this defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB

Is it Dre? Is it Dre?

That's what the Cowboys should say at the Draft and every single day.

I had the Cowboys with cornerback last time out, but the less stable Janoris Jenkins instead of Dre Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick has the size and speed to make big plays and help out a Dallas secondary that is in need of it.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB

Kuechly lacks prototypical size but watching the film on him, you see it doesn't matter because he just makes plays. He's a perfect fit for a defense which had real issues stopping the run for most of the year with the added bonus of some pass rushing ability.

I've said it before and it bears repeating: fear not Eagles fans, he is not Casey Matthews part two.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE

If the Jets don't use this pick to help the offensive line, they should move to the defensive side of the ball. Muhammad Wilkerson was a great addition last year (as I believe Kenrick Ellis will prove to be this year) but doesn't rush the passer really. Rex Ryan's defensive schemes need a pass rush so it can blitz when it needs to and not every down because that's the only pass rush they get.

Upshaw would likely play linebacker, but could easily slide to defensive end in a pinch as well. He's got the speed to attack from the edge, something the Jets need badly.

I see a lot of mocks with a wide receiver here and I get it. The Jets need more playmakers for Mark Sanchez to throw to. However, I believe there are very good options in the second and third rounds, while the talent at positions like OLB will drop off more quickly.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG

With the first of two picks in the first round (thanks Oakland) the Bengals can go a few ways. Many folks like a running back with pick one, and if Trent Richardson lasted this long that would be the pick. However, since he hasn't it makes far more sense to take one of the best players left on the board who also happens to match up with a position of need.

David DeCastro is the best guard in the draft and it isn't even close. With some questions at right guard, adding a player of DeCastro's caliber allows the Bengals to shift Nat Livings over to right or start DeCastro there.

They need to protect Andy Dalton and open running lanes for their backfield—DeCastro does both very well.

18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT

I had a heck of a time finding this video and then was reminded that if anyone has a video you can't find easily, it will be Aaron Aloysius. If you aren't following his stuff every year, you should be.

What you see with Adams in the video is what you get—a player who is very good though not elite. What you don't see is an ability to play both left and right tackle.

Wherever the Chargers put him can only be an improvement with retirements and injuries a real concern for the San Diego offensive line.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR

The Bears have lacked a big play wide receiver for...well, since I can remember. You can throw Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and a (hopefully) healthy Johnny Knox at me all you want, but none of them will be the receiver Jay Cutler needs.

Floyd can and will.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE

Tennessee could use some help along the defensive line and while there are some questions around whether Mercilus can carry over his momentum from a good junior year after a so-so sophomore year. n his favor is the fact that he always found a way to make a big play last season. I believe he took a big developmental step forward last year and he'll continue to play at a high level.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB

Pick number two for the Bengals gives them another offensive weapon to help out Andy Dalton and AJ Green.

Cedric Benson is basically gone and the folks behind him are OK as spot starters or second stringers, but none of them can do it all. Lamar Miller can.

The former Hurricane can catch, run with power and his 4.38 40 at the Combine proved he has speed. He did well in all his drills and would be a fantastic fit for the Bengals as they continue to build what could be a very nasty offense.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR

As I said earlier, if you aren't able to or willing to trade up for RG3, it's even more vital to get Colt McCoy weapons. Last pick they got him a running game. This time they'll grab him one of the more dynamic wide receivers in the draft.

Along with an emerging Greg Little and a decent Mohamed Massoquoi, Wright would form a great foundation for the passing game, whether McCoy is throwing the ball or not.

All that being said, they really should make the trade for RG3 happen. Sorry, Colt.

23. Detroit Lions: Dont'a Hightower, ILB

Will Stephen Tulloch return? We know that both sides are interested in it, but so far they are still not close to a deal.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Assuming that Tulloch leaves, adding a player like Hightower would be a big help in filling the hole.  Hightower played both inside and outside linebacker at Alabama, and that would be a nice added bonus for the Lions. He's effective plugging up the middle of the field as well as rushing in from the edge and would continue to help build this young defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT

The Steelers still need offensive line help in this mock, but I shifted from a center who could play guard or tackle in Peter Konz to a more solid player who can move from guard to tackle in Cordy Glenn.

Wherever you stick Glenn, he'll be a help Maurkice Pouncey give Ben Roethlisberger time to throw and open up running lanes for the Steeler ground attack.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT

Worthy will clog up the middle of the field, releasing Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil to cause more damage like they did in 2011. he doesn't compile too many sacks, but he can pressure the quarterback as well as stuff the run.

This team will rely heavily on two things next year: the ground game and defense and they can get a good compliment to Willis McGahee later on. Worthy will be a difference maker in this defense.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR

Houston could go a multitude of ways, and I have spent the last few mocks on the defensive side of the ball, but they do need some wide receiver help. While they could wait a round or so and get a depth guy, I think Randle can be much more.

Andre Johnson is a stud, no doubt, and one hopes the injury plagued 2011 was an aberration and not a sign of decline. However, while the team says they are perfectly happy with Kevin Walter as a number two, Randle is an upgrade they'll have to take a long look at.

27. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE

The first of New England's two picks for this round goes to a guy with an intriguing combination of explosive speed and power. The Pats can help him refine his technique which will only make him more dangerous.

The Pats need defensive help in the worst way and if they keep one or both of their picks, expect them to end up picking defense.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB

Perry stays in this spot even though his Pro Day wasn't quite as good as he'd hoped. Still he did enough to stay as a first round pick, especially when you keep in mind his work at the Combine.

With his ability to either slip into a defensive end slot or play linebacker opposite Clay Matthews, Perry would be an excellent addition to the Packers defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, OL

With Ben Grubbs potentially leaving, a spot opens up for a versatile lineman like Konz to step into any number of roles. A jack of all trades, Konz is probably best suited for center (which he played most often at Wisconsin) or guard. He can play tackle in a pinch but that's the spot he has the least experience in.

Still the Ravens could be in the market for offensive line help and Konz is able to block both for run plays and pass plays.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Washington, OG

Unfortunately, finding a video focused on Brandon Washington has proved impossible. Instead, I have found a video on Cam Johnson, where we see a lot of Washington. Just look for #72 and that's him. It's not his best game though there are definitely flashes of the talent that helps make him a first rounder.

The 49ers need a new right guard as they continue to look for ways to solidify their offensive line and protect Alex Smith. Washington is adept at picking up blitzes and adjusting to incoming defenders and has very good explosion off the snap. He can play a bit raw at times, but has the natural ability to succeed in the 49er scheme.

31. New England: Mark Barron, S

In this scenario I haven't tried to guess which of the two Pats picks will be traded—we know one will probably be moved, just not which. As I said for the last pick though, if the Patriots keep them both, don't be surprised if they pick two defenders, given how atrocious the defense was for much of 2011.

Barron is coming off double hernia surgery and heads a super-weak safety class, but the hernia isn't a long term issue and he's too talented to drop out of the first round.

He's savvy in coverage and more than willing to assist in run defense. The Patriots would be happy to pair him in the secondary with Patrick Chung.

32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (was Orson Charles Pre-Friday DUI)

With Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard both coping with serious injuries, a tight end sneaking into this pick shouldn't shock anyone. It's not a great tight end class either, so once the cream of the crop goes down you are pretty much reaching.

I had Orson Charles here until Friday morning when he got himself arrested for DUI. Now, like fellow Draftguy Sigmund Bloom, this kills his Draft stock, so I have switched it.

Normally I wouldn't but this is a pretty serious flaw and as the top three tight ends were close, pushes him out.

It leaves either Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen for this pick, but I give Allen the nod as I like his work ethic, his route running and soft hands.