2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd and Top WRs Land?

A position that many teams always desire at the NFL draft is the wide receiver, as sometimes you just strike gold in drafting a player who turns out to be like Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.

While it remains to be seen how those players will translate from the college level to the pros, certain times they come through and prove that they are the real deal.

Wide receivers obviously won't be the only players getting all the attention at this year's draft, but this mock is dedicated to them.

Here is where the top WRs will land in this year's draft.

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

Now that Peyton Manning is officially out of the picture, it is relatively safe to say that the Colts have made up their minds in taking Cardinal QB Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. He presents the best opportunity for the team going forward, and will be allowed to get started on things right away.

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

While some don't see wide receiver as a primary need given the abuse that QB Sam Bradford endured last season, the playmaking ability of Blackmon may just be too hard for the team to pass up.

They would be giving Bradford a much better option in comparison to aging veterans like Brandon Lloyd, which could perhaps make this team finally have the one-two punch they have needed.

Despite not participating in the combine, Blackmon is still highly regarded as the best receiver in this draft class.

He had a phenomenal 2011-12 season, where he just blew by secondaries game after game. Teams will likely be having high hopes for the Cowboys' star, so hopefully he will able to satisfy. 

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

Still looking like the best offensive tackle in the draft, the Vikings will be looking to improve their line for young quarterback Christian Ponder to make sure that he has all the protection he will need. Considering how well guarded he kept Matt Barkley all these years, Kalil is a guy the Vikings can trust at No. 3.

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

There is no shortage of needs in Cleveland, but one thing that they will need address for sure is the state of their running back position. With a guy like Richardson sitting here, the team would be foolish to pass him up. Peyton Hillis is clearly out of the picture, so it is time to move into a new direction.

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

The Tigers' cornerback still stands as the best available in this draft group, and there really isn't a better pick at this spot than Claiborne. The Buccaneers need to rejuvenate their secondary, and starting here with a guy like Claiborne is a nice direction to take.

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

With Manning officially giving a big NO to the Redskins, the team now knows that they must make a move for RG III. Whether that means trading up or landing him here at No. 6, the team is in dire need of a quarterback. Even more so after being embarrassed to be rejected by Manning.

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

Adding a defensive playmaker like Coples should be an attractive piece for the Jaguars, as they continue to improve their defense. Offensive fire power is clearly a need here as well, but nothing is worth it here at the No. 7 spot.

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

Once considered players for the services of RG III, the release of Manning and free agency of Matt Flynn may change that picture for the Dolphins. With their eyes likely set on the free agent market for a quarterback, adding protection to their o-line seems like an ideal place to go here. Taking Reiff—who is nearly just as good as Kalil—is a steal here at No. 8.

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

The Panthers learned the hard way last season that defense wins games, so with their offense pretty much ready to take off, adding some more help onto the other side of the ball will be their primary goal. A guy like Brockers could improve this defensive line instantly, and adds some nice depth to the team.

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

A lot of linebackers had real strong showings at the NFL combine, but Upshaw still stands to be the cream of the crop of this draft class. The Bills need an aggressive and athletic linebacker, and Upshaw should be able to provide a quick upgrade to that position.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, MLB (Boston College)

The Chiefs will continue to look to improve their defense heading into the 2012 season, so adding a guy like Kuechly would be a nice complement to what they already have going on in Kansas City. The Golden Eagles linebacker has all the right tools to get started right away, so look for the Chiefs to implement him from the start.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

While quarterback still seems to be the biggest needs for the Seahawks, none of the potential options in this draft have really impressed to the point that they are worthy of being taken this early. The Seahawks would be be better off taking a guy like Ingram, who could help improve their penetration into the backfield.

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

The Cardinals saw one huge flaw last season: They can't protect the quarterback. They can hopefully solve that issue by bringing in a OT like Martin, who has done a fine job over the course of his career protecting Luck.

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

Another team that must improve their protection on the offensive line is the Cowboys, as last season Romo was on the ground more often than not. Adding a strong OG like DeCastro will boost this team's line, and in turn will hopefully keep Romo alive in the pocket for a little longer.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Who knows what Philadelphia Eagles have planned after applying the franchise tag to disgruntled WR DeSean Jackson, but in the meantime they can address their defensive needs by grabbing a guy like Still in this spot. The Nittany Lion DT was strong this past season, and could hopefully improve the impact that the Eagles can have coming off the snap.

16. New York Jets (8-8):  Justin Anderson, T (Georgia)

One man who didn't fail to impress at this year's combine was Bulldogs tackle Anderson. The Jets already have a good secondary, and their offensive needs can't really be addressed at this position. A guy like Anderson will elevate their defense to the next level.

17. Cincinnati Bengals, from Oakland (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

The Bengals are definitely coming along strong after their rookie sensations in QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green showed up the competition last season. Look for them to add another young piece to the offense, except this time in the form of a lineman. Glenn can definitely protect, and that is something any team wants with a young quarterback.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Assuming the Chargers lose wide receiver Vincent Jackson via free agency, the team will be looking to replace him with some young talent. Gamecocks wideout Jeffery still has much to prove to the world, but he isn't a bad selection for the Chargers.

Jeffery did have a weak season this past year, only having 49 receptions for just 762 yards and eight touchdowns.

It didn't really represent what he can do, as just the season before he had 1,517 yards and nine TDs on 88 receptions.

He is a wild card, but he could be a huge steal for the Chargers.

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

The Bears have two huge holes to fill this offseason, but one they will have to address in this first round is wide receiver.

With a guy like Floyd still around, the Bears will have a hard time passing on the Fight Irish dominant receiver.

At 6'3 and 224 lbs, Floyd is a beast of a receiver. His numbers are not shabby either, as he had 100 receptions for 1,147 yards and nine TDs this past year.

The Bears really need a receiver with size, so if Floyd is on the board, he is the logical choice.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Adam Gettis, G (Iowa)

Another team that has a young quarterback to protect is the Titans, as they will look to add some strong protection to keep defenders off of Jake Locker. Another reason for the need is to create openings for running back Chris Johnson, who has seen his career hit quite a slump in recent yeas.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

With the Bengals having two first-rounders in this draft, they are going to look to make a steal by acquiring the talented Crimson Tide safety in Barron. The Bengals defense wasn't terrible this past year, but they definitely can improve their depth in the secondary, as well as opening the floor for others to get a shot.

22. Cleveland Browns, from Atlanta (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

One of the most highly regarded receivers heading into the 2012 draft is Bears' speedster Wright. This past season, he had 108 receptions for 1663 yards and 14 TDs.

He was obviously productive, but his combine didn't go as well as expected. He wasn't as fast as everyone was hoping, but he still stands to be one of the better options in this draft.

His question, and fall, comes at the fact that he stands at just 5'10". Teams will likely still be interested in him for his speed and his ability to make things happen on the ground, but there is no doubt that his height may be a make-or-break factor in taking him any higher.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): David Molk, C (Michigan)

One area the Lions should be looking to address this offseason is the center position, as they could benefit by adding somebody younger, and perhaps stronger. Molk proved to at least be strong this year at the combine, as he did 44 reps on the bench press. The team could certainly use somebody with upper body strength like that, which could give QB Matthew Stafford some more time in the pocket.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

If there is one thing the Steelers are always known for, it is their defense. With age starting to become a factor in Pittsburgh, look for the team to try and add a little youth to their defensive line. Grabbing a guy like Poe is a safe bet for the team, and likely will have a huge amount of upside.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

The Broncos have a few needs to address, but one place where coach John Fox will likely want to improve is on the defensive line. Adding a DT like the Bulldogs' Cox will continue to grow the strength of this defense, making them quite terrifying in the winnable AFC West.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Rueben Randle, WR (LSU)

Could you imagine how dangerous the Texans would be if they added another big playmaking threat on the other side of wide receiver Andre Johnson? Quarterback Matt Schaub just may be impossible to stop.

The team already had a RB in Arian Foster who can make huge plays happen in both the running and passing game, so if they can add a guy like the Tigers' Randle into the mix—well this team may just become the most prolific offense in the league.

This past season, Randle had 53 receptions that he took for 917 yards, eight of which were for TDs. If he can continue to put up numbers like that behind Johnson—or if Johnson goes down again—the Texans will have quite the WR combo down in Houston.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Jerel Worthy, DT (MSU)

The Patriots will look to continue to replenish their defensive line, which is why they will find the Spartans' Worthy to be a perfect fit at this point in the draft. The Patriots need to start adding some youth to their line, so taking defensive lineman at this spot in the draft is a no-brainer.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

The Packers have two clear needs heading into this draft, and that is running back and adding to their secondary. With the Hurricanes Miller still sitting on the board at this point, the team would be foolish to not take the elusive back to push their backfield into the right direction.

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

With Arizona State Sun Devils MLB Vontaze Burfict falling off the face of this draft, it looks like the Crimson Tide MLB Hightower is the new guy in town. With veteran Ray Lewis' career drawing to a close, this looks like the perfect opportunity for the team to find an eventual replacement.

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

The Yellow Jackets' Hill busted onto the scene at the combine, and now he has been shooting up the draft boards as a potential first-round pick.

While it may just be all hype, the 6'4" 215 lbs. receiver looked like a top talent, and he may get treated like it as well. This past season, he had just 28 receptions for 820 yards—yeah that isn't a typo—so just imagine what he could do on more catches.

He did just have five touchdowns, but at the combine he proved to be one of the quickest there, as well as looking exception in the drills.

The 49ers are still in need of some help in their receiving corps, as tight end Vernon Davis can't do it all. Hill is a risk, but he may take this team to the next level.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Andre Branch, LB (Clemson)

The Patriots will continue to replenish this defense by adding elusive linebacker Branch from the Tigers. The addition is a safe pick for coach Bill Belichick, as it will give him a young talented defender who has the potential to be a game changer.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Michael Egnew, TE (Missouri)

The Giants had one glaring need this postseason, and that was the tight end position. The Tigers' Egnew was quite impressive at the combine, and he could be the playmaking TE that Eli Manning and the Giants need. He isn't the best guy out there, but he may surprise many by climbing up the board by the time draft day comes around.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase