2012 NFL Mock Draft: RG3 Deal and Peyton Manning Rattle the Draft's First Round

To say that this was a somewhat eventful week in the National Football League would be an understatement, as the release of quarterback Peyton Manning by the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday set off one of the biggest free-agent free-for-alls in NFL history.

The week ended with a bang as well, as the Washington Redskins put an early end to the bidding for the second overall pick, trading three first-round selections and other considerations Friday to the St. Louis Rams, presumably for the right to select Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin of Baylor.

The landing spot for Manning and other prominent free agents such as wide receiver Vincent Jackson, offensive guard Carl Nicks and linebacker Mario Williams will certainly have on impact on how the first round of April's draft shakes out. But here's one last post-Peytonpocalypse-and-Griffin-robbery-pre-free-agency look at how the first round of the 2012 NFL draft could play out.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck - QB, Stanford: The Colts followed up Wednesday's release of Manning with a slew of player cuts Friday, so Andrew Luck will be the opening day starter for a Colts team that's in the process of being completely blown up.

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin - QB, Baylor: Given that the Redskins just mortgaged their future for Griffin, the Big-12 offensive player of the year in 2011 is going to be under an enormous amount of scrutiny from day one.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil - OT, USC: It's essential for quarterback Christian Ponder's development that he survive long enough to get better, which means that the Vikings need to upgrade his blindside protection.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson - RB, Alabama: It wouldn't be at all surprising if the Browns trade down here, but if they stand pat, look for Cleveland to make Richardson the first running back taken in the top five since Darren McFadden in 2008.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne - CB, LSU: Tampa has a ton of cap space and free agency could affect this pick big time, but Claiborne would be an excellent addition to a Buccaneers secondary in need of an upgrade.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon - WR, Oklahoma State: Blackmon ran a solid 40-yard dash at Oklahoma State's pro day, and with the Rams set to lose top wideout Brandon Lloyd in free agency, the team is desperate for receiver help.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram - DE, South Carolina: Jacksonville struggled at getting after the quarterback in 2011 and their leader in sacks last year, Jeremy Mincey, is a free agent, so the defensive line is a priority for the Jaguars.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill - QB, Texas A&M: If the Dolphins fail in their "full-court press" for Peyton Manning after being outbid by the Redskins for Robert Griffin, then Miami may panic a bit and reach for Tannehill here.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe - DT, Memphis: The Panthers were 25th in run defense a year ago and need to improve the interior of their defensive line, and Poe could vault into the top 10 after a ridiculous performance at the NFL scouting combine.

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples - DE, North Carolina: Coples did nothing to erase doubts about his motor with a so-so combine, but with the Bills switching to the 4-3, Buffalo is desperate for DE help, and Coples' impressive physical skills will likely be too much for the Bills to pass up.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff - OT, Iowa: The right side of the Kansas City offensive line is a mess, and although Reiff didn't shine at the combine, he's still arguably the top right tackle prospect available in this season's draft class.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry - DE/OLB, USC: Not only did Nick Perry have an outstanding showing at the combine, but by showing up at 271 pounds and displaying impressive strength, Perry also allayed doubts about his ability to play 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin - OT, Stanford: If the Cardinals end up the winner of Peytonpalooza, upgrading his blindside protection will become priority numero uno for the Cardinals, as Levi Brown is an overpaid liability in pass protection.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins - CB, North Alabama: Jenkins would be best served by letting his play do the talking, as his mouth seems to get him into nothing but trouble. But Jerry Jones has been known to gamble on talented players with sketchy pasts.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox - DT, Mississippi State: The Eagles could easily go middle linebacker here as well, but the team may address that position in a deep free-agent class and could use a tackle to pair with Cullen Jenkins inside.

16. New York Jets: Whitney Mercilus - DE/OLB, Illinois: The Jets need to improve a middle-of-the-pack pass rush, and the NCAA's sack leader from 2011 should be of significant assistance in that regard.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick - CB, Alabama: Nate Clements is 32 and would be better suited at this point in his career to a slot role, opening a hole at cornerback in the Queen City opposite Leon Hall.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw - DE/OLB, Alabama: A so-so combine and skipping 'Bama's pro day have caused Upshaw's stock to tumble somewhat, but the Chargers badly need to improve their ability to get after the quarterback.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd - WR, Notre Dame: This pick could change if the Bears can land a big free-agent wideout; otherwise, the need at the position in the Windy City makes this an easy call.

20. Tennessee Titans: David DeCastro - OG, Stanford: Titans coach Mike Munchak has said that the team won't use it's first-rounder on an interior lineman, but Decastro's about as close to a can't-miss prospect as it gets, and the value here may be too good to pass up.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn - OG, Georgia: The Bengals have a need at running back, but the team can likely wait until the second round to address that position while using their second first-round pick on a road grader to open holes for whoever lines up at tailback for the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Brandon Weeden - QB, Oklahoma State: This may seem like a reach for a 28-year-old rookie, but Cleveland GM Tom Heckert is reportedly enamored with Weeden, and the Browns may make Weeden the fourth signal-caller taken in the first round if they don't think he'll make it to pick 37.

23. Detroit Lions: Luke Kuechly - MLB, Boston College: If Stephen Tulloch walks in free agency, the Lions would likely be giddy to be able to replace him with college football's leading tackler and Butkus award winner in 2011, who looked very good in Indianapolis at the combine.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower - ILB, Alabama: The release of veteran James Farrior leaves the Steelers with a hole at inside linebacker, and Hightower's experience in the 3-4 defense is an added bonus.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still - DT, Penn State: The interior of the defensive line was the Achilles' heel of the Broncos' defense a season ago, and the 2011 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year would be a welcomed addition.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright - WR, Baylor: The Texans need to find a receiver to complement Andre Johnson, and the speedster from Baylor would be a considerable upgrade over Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Stephon Gilmore - CB, South Carolina: The Patriots need secondary help as badly as any team in the National Football League, and Gilmore's stock is on the rise after a solid combine.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch - DE/OLB, Clemson: Branch had a strong combine and pro day, and much of the Green Bay Packers' issues on defense a season ago can be traced to their inability to rush the passer.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz - C, Wisconsin: Veteran Matt Birk will reportedly play one more year, but Konz is easily the best center prospect in this year's draft class, is versatile enough to slide to guard and would give the Ravens a much-needed infusion of youth on the offensive line.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill - WR, Georgia Tech: This is another pick that could be impacted a great deal by what San Francisco does in free agency, but the 49ers are in dire need of help at wide receiver and Hill's stock has skyrocketed since his explosion at the combine.

31. New England Patriots: Ronnell Lewis - DE/OLB, Oklahoma: Both Mark Anderson and Andre Carter are set to hit free agency, and while Lewis would be an undersized defensive end at 252 pounds, he has the versatility to play linebacker in base defensive packages and play with his hand down in passing situations.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams - OT, Ohio State: The Giants' offensive front isn't getting any younger (the average age of their starting five is 30), and while Adams had a disappointing combine, he's a versatile lineman who can play either tackle spot and who could become a solid NFL starter if given a little time to develop.

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