2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Guaranteed to Slide Down First Round

With the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine out of the way and free agency just days away from kicking off, the talk is shifting to which players will be sliding down the first-round draft board.

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is a lock for No. 1 overall pick.

2.  Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

The Washington Redskins mortgaged the farm on Robert Griffin III. If he fails, Mike Shanahan’s time in the NFL is over.

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need a franchise left tackle who can protect their prized quarterback prospect, Christian Ponder. Matt Kalil is their man.

4. Cleveland Browns – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Cleveland Browns land Green Bay Packers backup QB Matt Flynn, they will draft a real wide receiver weapon for him with Justin Blackmon.

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

With the possible retirement of 110-year-old cornerback Ronde Barber, there is no better fit than LSU secondary star Morris Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (via trade with Washington)

I’m still not convinced that the Browns don’t trade back again if both Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne are gone when they choose. It will be a busy day for St. Louis.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Jaguars need help on the defensive line and there is no better than LSU tackle Michael Brockers.

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Ron Rivera needs a serious pass rusher on his defensive line. He will find that in UNC defensive end Quinton Coples.

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Miami Dolphins need to protect whoever their eventual starter at QB will be. If they get Peyton Manning, the Dolphins will select Jonathan Martin.

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Buffalo Bills desperately need a pass rusher, and they will find one in outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Kansas City Chiefs would have the tandem of Jamaal Charles and Trent Richardson to run the ball through their opponents. Quite the amazing tandem.

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Seahawks need as much help as they can get in their secondary, and Dre Fitzpatrick is an easy solution.

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Arizona Cardinals need to add depth at wide receiver if they are the ones to sign Peyton Manning. Jeffery will be the best available.

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of help through the middle of their defense, and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly is the perfect solution.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

While there is no lack of drive or talent in former South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Melvin Ingram, many teams are concerned by his stature. At 6’2”, Ingram is mismatched as a defensive end.

If he falls to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 15 overall, they will turn the speedy tackling machine into their 4-3 style defensive tackle. Just like Cullen Jenkins, Ingram will be in charge of stopping the run while still adding a serious pass rush.

Ingram has the versatility to slide over to defensive end as well, but it would be a move to defensive tackle in Andy Reid’s defense that shows just how talented he really is.

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The Jets need a serious pass rusher, and they will get it from their new utility outside linebacker/defensive end Nick Perry.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

A troubled player being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals? You don’t say?

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If Philip Rivers wants to return to the form that he held two seasons ago, he needs David DeCastro on the line to protect him.

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Jay Cutler was destroyed in the pocket last season. The subtraction of Mike Martz and offensive lineman Mike Adams should be enough to help the QB.

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Tennessee Titans need a stellar pass rusher from the outside linebacker position, and they will find their man in Zach Brown.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

With Cedric Benson bound to hit free agency, Lamar Miller is his successor.

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Cleveland Browns will look to add a wide receiver if they acquire Matt Flynn via free agency, and Michael Floyd will be best player available.

23.  Detroit Lions – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The need in the secondary outweighs the need on the offensive line for the Detroit Lions.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The Pittsburgh Steelers need Ben Roethlisberger upright to succeed, and they do that by drafting offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

25.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

With a chance that the Denver Broncos can sign Peyton Manning, the odds will be that they trade away Tim Tebow. Whether it is for picks or just a role player, the Broncos may be going QB in the first round. Again.

As much as Tim Tebow led the team to a playoff berth, his poor play proved that a serious QB could have gotten the team even farther. That’s where Ryan Tannehill comes in.

If Peyton Manning signs with another team and the Broncos are left with Tim Tebow, they should draft Tannehill for competition. It’s a win-win.

26.  Houston Texans – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

If the Houston Texans draft Mark Barron, their secondary will make the biggest turnaround of any team in the last 10 years.

27.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

While Still is very raw, he has all the talent to become a star in the NFL.

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus is in the same boat as Still; tons of strength and upside but very raw.

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Baltimore Ravens will find the anchor of their offensive line with center Peter Konz.

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The 49ers want another weapon for Alex Smith to misuse. Baylor wide receiver Kendall Smith is their man.

31.  New England Patriots – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The New England Patriots look for superior route runners with sure hands. Such is Mohamed Sanu.

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

It’s almost unfair the Giants get to fill an area of need with a player this good.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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