2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players That Will Help Playoff Teams Take Next Step

The ultimate goal of any NFL team is to make the playoffs and win a Super Bowl. To do that, you have to build a strong foundation through the draft. It is not an overnight process, but if you get one or two players who can at least contribute, things will turn around in a hurry. 

Playoff teams use the draft as a way to keep themselves strong for the next season—or, in the case of the New York Giants, staying strong enough to defend your title. 

Here are the players who will make their new teams even better right away. 

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

We have gotten so used to the Colts being a playoff team with Peyton Manning. A new era in Indianapolis will lead to a lot more appearances in the near future with Luck at the helm. 

2. Washington Redskins (via St. Louis 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins better hope that Griffin is everything they expect him to be, or else their hopes of getting to the playoffs anytime soon are going to go up in smoke. 

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

The offensive line is the foundation for any great playoff team. Kalil is the best lineman in the class, and it's not particularly close. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Even though the Browns won't get the potential franchise quarterback they want, adding Blackmon to a depleted receiving corps will help Colt McCoy's development. With an improving defense, they aren't far from competing in the AFC North. 

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

Claiborne's presence in the secondary will have a profound effect on the lifeless Buccaneers. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington 5-11): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Rams were supposed to be a playoff team before last season. Injuries and poor performances took their toll on this team. Brockers may not be the receiver that the fans want, but he is going to bring big changes to the defense. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

An odd pick, but the Jaguars often make unusual picks. Barron is a solid prospect who can turn into a hard-hitting safety very soon. 

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

No matter what happens with the quarterback situation, if the Dolphins don't get anyone to protect him, they won't be going anywhere anytime soon. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe was the best prospect at the scouting combine. He will be the anchor of an improving defense that has the Panthers thinking playoffs next season. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Finding a pass-rusher who can impact a game right away is of the utmost importance for the Bills' playoff chances. 

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

The Chiefs fell on hard times last season, but there is a strong case to be made that they are still the best team in the AFC West. 

As long as Matt Cassel—or whoever the quarterback ends up being—performs adequately, the return of Jamaal Charles and re-signing of Dwayne Bowe make them a formidable offense. 

Kuechly will be the anchor of the defense under new head coach Romeo Crennel. He is a strong leader, has great instincts on the field and can hit hard when he has an open field. Don't underestimate the impact he can have for this team.  

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

A huge reach here, Tannehill might be the greatest unknown in this draft. He has a world of potential, but didn't always show it in college. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If Peyton Manning decides to bring his talents to the desert, the Cardinals have to upgrade a depleted offensive line to make a run at the playoffs. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has baggage, no doubt, but he has as more upside than any defensive back in this draft not named Morris Claiborne. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

While Luke Kuechly is the ideal pick, Cox is a nice consolation prize that the Eagles can plug into the soft middle portion of their lineup. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

While Richardson's stock is as high as ever, the number of teams looking to use an early draft pick on a running back could push him lower than anticipated. 

Richardson's wait will be the Jets' gain. Rex Ryan knows that his team is successful when the running game is going strong. Shonn Greene has moments where he looks like a star, but they are few and far between. 

With so much turmoil in the locker room about Mark Sanchez, Richardson's presence and ability to play right away will take a lot of pressure off the quarterback. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn's versatility on the line will make him one of Andy Dalton's best friends. 

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

The Chargers could reach for an offensive lineman to help Philip Rivers, but they also need to add a dynamic pass-rusher to get after the quarterback more consistently. 

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

Another team that needs an offensive line upgrade, the Bears are so depleted at wide receiver that they should be thrilled to see Floyd's name still on the board. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Titans were one of the least effective pass-rushing teams in the NFL last season. Upshaw will give the team its most dynamic sack artist since Jevon Kearse. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

After a surprise run in 2011, the Bengals can't rest on their laurels and hope to make another run next season. 

One of the biggest problem areas, particularly late in the season, for them was at running back. Cedric Benson is clearly on the downside of his career and is a free agent.

Miller will give them a change of pace from the power running of Benson. He is a dynamic, all-purpose back who will make Andy Dalton's life easier right out of the gate. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Browns need to plug up the gaping hole in the middle of their defensive line after taking care of their wide receiver problems with the fourth pick. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OG, Stanford

Not a sexy pick, but Martin makes the Lions' high-powered offense that much more lethal because Matthew Stafford will actually have time to throw. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers have been trying to fix the offensive line for years. Adams' stock has been so up and down during this process that he could end up falling out of the first round. For now, he is the pick for them. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If Tim Tebow is going to be the quarterback, he is going to need every weapon imaginable to make it this season. Teams are going to figure out his style next season thanks to an offseason to look at film.

Wright did not impress with his speed at the combine, but his hands were better than advertised and he gives the offense another receiver capable of stretching the field. 

John Elway's mission this offseason will be to make his offense better, by any means necessary. Wright is the pick for them. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

The Texans are as balanced as any playoff team, so they have freedom to play around with their pick. Offensive line could be their target area, and Zeitler is a fast-riser thanks to his size and technique. 

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

While the Patriots usually go for the best available player, Dennard fills a huge need in the secondary, is a first-round talent and makes them even better for the 2012 season. 

Dennard doesn't have the upside of players like Claiborne, Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick, but his ceiling is higher than the latter two. He makes all the plays that you would expect, and his vision helps him get to the ball. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

David's an interesting prospect. He doesn't wow you in any particular area, but he will give you everything he has on every snap. The Packers need a linebacker in a bad way. 

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

The always-consistent Ravens will have to find Ray Lewis' replacement sooner rather than later. Hightower shined with a loaded Alabama defense and will be the heir apparent to the greatest linebacker of this generation. 

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

Hill is the perfect player for the 49ers with their first pick. The offense is composed of possession receivers, at best, who can't stretch the field and make plays for Alex Smith, assuming the two sides work out a deal. 

But Hill is the ultimate weapon down the field. He has lightning quick speed, prototypical size and still has more growing to do as a player. 

Head coach Jim Harbaugh knows that the defense can win a Super Bowl—he saw it last year. The only problem they have is at wide receiver. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

After upgrading their secondary with the 27th pick, the Patriots will find a high-upside pass-rusher in Curry. His speed off the edge could make him one of the most feared sack artists in the NFL two years from now. 

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

Winning a Super Bowl makes it impossible to take a next step. Instead, the Giants will try to stay atop their perch with Allen, who will be a big weapon in the middle for Eli Manning. 

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