2012 NFL Mock Draft: Contenders Sure to Swing and Miss in First Round

Every franchise heads into draft weekend with high hopes. That's especially true for teams that feel they are only one piece away from competing for a Super Bowl. Inevitably, there are several prospects who simply don't pan out, leaving those teams short yet again.

Here's a complete mock draft of the first round, including potential trades, featuring playoff contenders that won't get the desired result from their top selection.

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

Peyton Manning is officially out of the picture, which opens the door for Luck to lead another Colts resurgence in the coming years.

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

This pick is most likely going to be traded to a team that desperately wants Griffin. Right now the Browns seem like a perfect candidate.

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

Kalil has potential to become the dominant left tackle every team dreams about. The Vikings can't pass up his talent despite other needs.

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

Giving Sam Bradford a potential Pro Bowl wide receiver like Blackmon would help increase the rate of his development.

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

The Buccaneers aren't as far off as their record would indicate. They still have a lot of good, young talent. Richardson would be another weapon.

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

If Washington falls short in their bids to get either Manning or Griffin, the team has no other choice but to take a chance on Tannehill.

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

Claiborne should really be selected inside the top five, but offensive players have become the name of the game on draft day.

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

Reiff would provide a major boost to a Dolphins offensive line that hasn't been able to find any semblance of consistency in recent years.

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

Brockers will need time to develop his raw talent into game-changing skill, but his unlimited upside is enough to be selected in the top 10.

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

The Bills have been looking to upgrade their pass rush since the Clinton administration. Upshaw is the prospect who can finally fill the void.

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

The Chiefs have plenty of other options with this pick, but Martin is the best player on the board who fills a need.

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

Even though Still isn't generating as much national attention as other prospects, he'll be able to step in right away to help Seattle's defense.

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

Floyd would add more depth to an Arizona receiving group that has been overly reliant on Larry Fitzgerald in recent seasons.

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

Kirkpatrick is a physical corner who will be able to play right away. That's all you need to tell Jerry Jones and he'll be interested.

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

The Eagles will be much improved on defense with Kuechly providing stability in the middle. They missed far too many tackles last season.

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

After being overshadowed by their New York counterparts yet again, the Jets need DeCastro to help get the run game back on track.

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

There's no denying Jenkins' talent. If drafting were purely based on a player's on-field ability, he would be challenging Claiborne to be the first defender off the board. Unfortunately for him, teams have to take everything into consideration before committing to a player.

The former Florida star has had his fair share of off-field issues that will cause teams to think twice. In today's NFL where poor behavior earns the player a meeting with Roger Goodell, there's an obvious risk involved with taking a player like Jenkins.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bengals take a chance on him because they need a cornerback, but the bust potential is high. Cincinnati would find itself right back in the same position next year if Jenkins flames out.

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

San Diego has too much talent to keep missing the playoffs. Ingram should provide the extra pass rushing boost the Chargers need.

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

Picking a center in the first round won't thrill the fair-weather fans, but Konz will help the Bears keep Jay Cutler healthy.

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

While the Titans should consider upgrading the wide receiver position with this pick, Coples simply presents too much value.

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

The Bengals defense didn't get enough respect for the team's success last season. Adding another potential star like Cox can only help.

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

Wright is the best receiver on the board and it's no secret that Cleveland needs to upgrade at the position.

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

Becoming more powerful along the offensive line should allow the Lions to have a more balanced offense next season.

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

The Steelers offensive line used to be a strength, but now it's a weakness. Glenn will help turn that around right away.

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

Worthy has ideal size for a defensive tackle and, if his development continues, will be a serviceable member of a defensive line for a long time. That said, teams are usually looking for dominant, not average, from their first pick.

He will need to get into better shape to survive the grind of an NFL season. If a player wants to succeed at the next level, he can't afford to take any plays off because the opposing lineman will eat him alive. So Worthy has a lot of work left to do.

The Broncos defense needs to be outstanding if they plan on returning to the playoffs with Tim Tebow as their quarterback. Defensive tackle is certainly a need, but Worthy isn't the type of prospect to put them over the top right away.

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

Hill blew his fellow receivers away with his performance at the combine. The performance should slide him into Round 1.

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

Dennard's stock has slipped a little bit over the past few months. That said, the Patriots are in dire need of secondary upgrades.

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

If there's one weakness the Packers need to address it's toughness along the defensive line. Poe is an absolute monster.

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

The Ravens have a roster that's in good shape, so they can afford to make somewhat of a luxury pick. Hightower should thrive in Baltimore.

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

Alex Smith actually looked like a franchise quarterback for the first time in his career last season. He's still going to need more options before he's able to make it a title-contending offense, however. The receivers aren't good enough at this point.

That will likely lead the 49ers to target a wide receiver with this selection, and the best one available on most boards is Randle. He didn't generate much hype early on, but he's been making a move lately. Teams should always be cautious of late risers, though.

He has good side for the position. His speed is good enough, but translating those talents into becoming a legitimate downfield threat won't be as easy as it seems. If San Francisco wants an instant impact wideout, it is better off looking into the free-agent market.

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

In a weak safety class, Barron might be the only gem. He would give the Patriots another piece to finally fix their defensive issues.

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

Allen is a player to watch if he doesn't get selected in the first round. With tight ends becoming more important parts of an offense, he's the best one available.