2012 NFL Mock Draft: Strategy Each General Manager Must Employ in First Round

Entering the NFL draft, every team and every general manager has a plan that it hopes to adhere to. What the teams around them do can often influence their selections, but for the most part, teams stick to their board and address the positions that need to be strengthened.

Just because every team has a plan doesn't mean the plan is necessarily a good one. Some teams continually botch their first-round pick, while others make curious decisions, such as the Lions routinely taking wide receivers in the first round, although they finally hit pay dirt with Calvin Johnson.

Whatever the case, the draft is a huge event for every team and it often sets apart the contenders from the pretenders. In addition to a full first-round mock draft, here is some analysis on what type of strategy every GM should employ in the first round.

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

With the release of long-time quarterback Peyton Manning finally coming to fruition, there is no question what the Indianapolis Colts must do. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is considered by most to be the best quarterback prospect to enter the draft, perhaps since Manning himself. With that in mind, he becomes the obvious pick.

Owner Jim Irsay shook up the balance of power in anticipation of Manning's release as multiple-time Executive of the Year Bill Polian and his son were relieved of their duties and Ryan Grigson was given the new general manager post. Having had no prior commitment to Manning, Grigson will have the opportunity to put his stamp on the team.

New regimes often equal new quarterbacks in the NFL, and that will be the case with the Colts. This doesn't come without risk as Luck is far from a sure thing despite what some may say, but the Colts have already made their bed by cutting Manning, and now they have to lie in it. 

2. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (projected trade w/ STL)

With the St. Louis Rams seemingly desperate to trade out of the No. 2 spot since they have so many needs to address, some team is going to move into that slot in order to select Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. One team in desperate need of a quarterback that doesn't seem to be in the Manning sweepstakes is the Cleveland Browns, so they should be the ones to jump up.

Colt McCoy is the incumbent signal-caller, and while some think he deserves another year to refine his game, it's quite clear he doesn't have the chops to be a starter in the NFL. On top of that, the Browns need a franchise player that can energize the fanbase. RG3 is one of the more exciting prospects in a very long time and has dual-threat potential akin to reigning Rookie of the Year Cam Newton.

President Mike Holmgren is in charge of personnel with the Browns, and he needs to make a power move in order to secure his job for the foreseeable future. Cleveland has a lot of holes, but none is bigger than quarterback. A great gunslinger can cure a lot of ills, and Holmgren should do everything possible to ensure that he can secure Griffin.

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

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has the luxury of taking the best player available, and that is Kalil, who also fills a big need at left tackle.

4. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (projected trade w/ CLE)

Perhaps the St. Louis Rams have been a bit too vocal about their desire to trade down from No. 2 thus far, but there is no question it's the right move. The Rams were exposed as a team with a ton of holes last season, so no matter how far they trade down, there is sure to be a player available that would satisfy a need.

The Rams aren't in the market for Griffin since they invested the top pick in quarterback Sam Bradford a couple years ago, so the No. 2 pick is coveted. Rams general manager Les Snead ought to sell the pick off to the highest bidder, and it seems like the team most able to meet St. Louis' asking price is the Browns.

While the Rams likely would want the Browns' second first-rounder as well, that isn't realistic value, but they will likely be able to nab Cleveland's early second-round selection. In addition to that, St. Louis will pick fourth overall and get Bradford a great weapon in the form of Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon. He probably would have been the pick at No. 2, so he's a great choice here.

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

Bucs GM Mark Dominik already rebuilt the coaching staff by hiring Greg Schiano, and now he has to rebuild the defensive backfield with Claiborne.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I like the Redskins to sign Peyton Manning, so the combination of Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen will grab him a big target in Floyd.

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

The Jaguars' brass has a tough task when it comes to making the team competitive, but getting a pass-rusher like Coples is a step in the right direction.

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

If general manager Jeff Ireland signs Matt Flynn at quarterback as I suspect, he'll need some offensive line protection in the form of Reiff.

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

Marty Hurney shored up the offense last year with Cam Newton and will address the defense this season with the explosive Brockers.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Buddy Nix has made some shrewd maneuvers for the Bills over the last year, and it is blatantly obvious they need a 4-3 pass-rusher like Ingram.

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

Scott Pioli is considered one of the best personnel men in the business and he'll bolster that distinction by taking a steady tackle in Martin.

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

The Seahawks desperately need a pass-rusher to pair with Chris Clemons, and John Schneider will address that need by taking Upshaw.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Rod Graves has had to let several good defensive players go in recent years, but he'll replenish that side of the ball with Kuechly and his non-stop motor.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

For better or worse, owner Jerry Jones has the first and final say on draft day, and he will likely be intrigued by the skill set of Kirkpatrick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Howie Roseman and Joe Banner has some maneuvering to do with DeSean Jackson, and if they trade him, Wright has to be the pick.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mike Tannenbaum has to realize that his defense was a big part of the problem last season, and he should make Mercilus his choice.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Thanks to a great trade in which they got the Oakland Raiders' first-round pick in exchange for insubordinate quarterback Carson Palmer, the Cincinnati Bengals have two first-rounders to utilize in the draft. They were way ahead of schedule this past season as they made the playoffs with a very young and talented team.

The Bengals could package those picks in an effort to move up, but they have a couple needs that can be nicely addressed with their current picks. Owner and personnel man Mike Brown will be content to stay where he is, particularly if Alabama running back Trent Richardson falls to him at No. 17.

Incumbent running back Cedric Benson has lacked explosion for the past couple years and he isn't getting any younger. Richardson is considered by most to be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, but he can be had here thanks to the declining value of rushers. Cincinnati doesn't have a ton of holes, but it fills one in a big way with this pick.

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

A.J. Smith is still searching for a replacement for Shawne Merriman, and Perry looks to be a much safer pick than Larry English was.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Quarterback Jay Cutler has one of the worst receiving corps in the league, so new GM Phil Emery will get him a true weapon in Jeffery.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Running back Chris Johnson suffered from poor blocking early last year, so Ruston Webster will get him a road-grader in the form of DeCastro.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals already did well by taking Richardson, and now Mike Brown replaces the injured Leon Hall with a talented corner in Jenkins.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

If Mike Holmgren is able to move up to No. 2 without sacrificing his second first rounder, then he should get RG3 a big target like Sanu.

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

It doesn't seem like Martin Mayhew is going to re-sign left tackle Jeff Backus, so Adams should be the pick in this spot.

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

Provided the Steelers find a way to keep wide receiver Mike Wallace, Kevin Colbert must upgrade the offensive line with Glenn.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Now that the quarterback of the future is apparently in place with Tim Tebow, John Elway and Brian Xanders can upgrade Tebow's protection with Konz.

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

Rick Smith has done an incredible job rebuilding the Texans' defense, and he should complete the rebuild by taking the best safety in Barron.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

The New England Patriots' offense was as good as ever last season as quarterback Tom Brady and his myriad weapons took the league by storm. As good as the offense was, though, New England's defense may have been equally bad. It didn't stop the Pats from reaching the Super Bowl, but it's clear improvements are needed.

Pass defense was a big issue for the Pats, and while much of that lands on the secondary's shoulders, it also has a lot to do with the lack of a consistent pass rush. With that in mind, head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots' brass need to nab a player capable of reaching the quarterback as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

One player with a lot of potential is Vinny Curry out of Marshall. He may be a bit of a project since his level of competition wasn't very high, but the Pats can afford to roll the dice on a player like him. Packaging both of their first-rounders and trading up is an option, but that isn't something they traditionally do, and they may very well have Curry ranked highly.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DE/DT, Penn State

Ted Thompson has unquestionably built a long-term title contender, but it is paramount he addresses the defense with a lineman like Still.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, OLB, Alabama

Many consider Ozzie Newsome to be the best GM in the league, and that is because he continually reinvigorates the defense with players like Hightower.

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

Despite the 49ers' success last season, it is obvious quarterback Alex Smith needs a deep threat, and Trent Baalke will get him one in Hill.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Belichick must continue to reshape the Pats' defense with his second pick by taking a physical corner in the form of Dennard.

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

Jerry Reese has built two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Giants, and he will continue his prowess by nabbing the best tight end in Allen.