2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Can Afford First-Round Gambles

The 2012 NFL draft is quickly approaching, and as with every year, there will be teams that reach for a player, making a big risk with such an important pick. 

Of course, some teams shouldn't be doing this but others can definitely afford to take such a gamble. 

Sometimes it all pays off and other times the pick results in a bust. Having super success each and every draft is very difficult, but there isn't anything much sweeter than seeing a risky pick turn into a top-notch player for your franchise. 

That being said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each pick and a more in-depth look at those teams that can afford to make first-round gambles.  

2012 NFL Mock Draft

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

With Peyton Manning out, the Colts are going to select a new franchise QB. Luck is their best bet, as he is the top overall prospect in the 2012 draft class. 

TRADE

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

The Redskins are trading up with the Rams, swapping first rounders this year and giving up their 2012 second-round pick, as well as their 2013 and 2014 first pick. 

It's a lot to give up, but the move is definitely worth it. This is no doubt a huge gamble for Washington, but it's one the Redskins had to do. 

The Heisman Trophy winner is sure to shine bright in the NFL, and now he is likely to join a team that was a good QB away from claiming the division. Washington needed a legitimate QB in order to win, and now the Redskins are in prime position to draft Griffin to save their franchise. 

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

With the trade the Vikings can add protection for Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson by selecting Kalil, the top offensive lineman in the draft. 

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

The Browns could easily select a running back here, but I think they're better off using what they've got and giving Colt McCoy a strong weapon on the outside. Blackmon will help stretch the field and create big plays for Cleveland. 

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

The Bucs have a lot to think about right here, but making the secondary much improved by adding Claiborne is the correct call.  

TRADE

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With so many added picks from the trade, the Rams can afford to take a gamble on Brockers. 

He's young, but his big 6'5", 322-pound frame makes him very enticing. He's a powerful force up front that will greatly help the Rams defense for many years to come. 

It might take Brockers a year or so to develop, but new Rams head coach Jeff Fisher loves a strong defense, so he'll be boosting the line by adding Brockers.

Since the Rams have an additional second pick, they could easily jump back into the first round of this year or just stock pile talent with so many great future picks. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

This is a small reach, but it is one the Jaguars have to take. They might be able to trade back and still get Jeffery or Michael Floyd, but in order to avoid missing out on them, taking Jeffery here is a good bet. Blaine Gabbert needs playmakers to help his development, and that is what Jeffery does best. 

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins are pursuing Manning and they're the team I think he is most likely to sign with. Since Richardson drops to them, they could certainly trade back to a team in dire need of an elite RB. 

Drafting Richardson, however, would further strengthen the Miami offense, helping to strike fear in opposing teams. The Dolphins offense would be one of the best in the league if it the team gets Manning and are able to give the veteran QB a stout running game. 

This is a gamble because Miami could draft a player who fills a more pressing need, but the chance to greatly improve the run game in adding Richardson should not be passed up. He's that good of a talent and should he fall to them, the Dolphins would be very wise to draft him. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

Coples has big boom or bust potential seeing as how his senior season production took a sorry drop off from the year before, but there's no denying the Panthers have a big need for big linemen who can get after the opposing QB. 

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

The Bills defense has to get better if the team is serious about winning in the AFC. Drafting Upshaw is a great start. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Adding protection is a wise move for the Chiefs. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Nick Perry, DE, USC

While they'd prefer a QB, the Seahawks are likely to find another one later in the draft or through free agency. Selecting an explosive defender like Perry to take down opposing QBs is a safe call at No. 12. 

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

The Cardinals may look to defense right here, but boosting the offensive line to help keep the QB safe and create big holes for the running backs would be a good move for Arizona. 

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

The Cowboys could go with a linebacker here or even trade back; however, upgrading the secondary with a great talent like Kirkpatrick is the right call. 

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

The Eagles secondary and defensive front has the star power, but the linebackers group needs help. Getting Kuechly would give Philadelphia a tackling machine that would be great in all aspects of the defense. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): ): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

With Plaxico Burress likely heading elsewhere, the Jets would be smart to select a big target like Floyd to fill the void. 

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

The Bengals will look past the character concerns and focus on the talent of Jenkins, which is very good. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State  

Protecting Philip Rivers is priority No. 1 for the Chargers, so adding Adams to the o-line will help San Diego immensely. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford  

Chicago has to find a true No. 1 WR in free agency because waiting for the draft will hurt them. Still, they're getting a solid offensive lineman in DeCastro. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina 

Ingram plays with great intensity. He'll give the Titans a fierce competitor that thrives on disrupting opposing QBs.  

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

Since Cedric Benson is sure to head elsewhere, the Bengals need to find his replacement. Miller is a speed demon that will excel in the NFL by making defenders miss with ease. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

The Browns used their first pick to help the offense and using the second to benefit the defense is the right call. Mercilus will give Cleveland a very strong pass rusher. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia                              

Cornerback is certainly an option here, as it is a position the Lions need help in. Glenn, however, is the best available prospect and is a wise pick because Matthew Stafford needs all the protection he can get. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska 

The Steelers need to upgrade their secondary, and Dennard would be a great fit in Pittsburgh. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Broncos biggest need is at defensive tackle, and there isn't a better one than Poe to select right here. Corner is an option, but defensive tackle is the position the Broncos need to draft. 

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

This is definitely a gamble, considering Hill comes from an option attack offense. Nevertheless, after blowing everyone away at the NFL combine, Hill is a certainly worthy of being selected here. 

The Texans need better insurance at wide receiver. Hill gives them an excellent deep threat with his blazing speed. He can learn from Andre Johnson on what it takes to be an elite NFL WR. 

Houston has bigger needs, but making a risky pick like this to better the offense in hopes of going the distance would be a wise move for the Texans. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Patriots have huge needs on defense, but Belichick won't pass up on the chance to get such a skilled interior offensive lineman knowing he has another first-rounder to use.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): ): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Packers need help at the linebacker position, and getting a speedy beast like Brown would be a good decision. 

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

The Ravens could easily reach for an offensive lineman here, but with Hightower still on the board, they're much better off selecting the skilled defender to be Ray Lewis' eventual replacement. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

The 49ers have to improve their offense with playmakers if they're going to get to the Super Bowl. Wright gives them an excellent deep threat to work with, which will do wonders in 2012. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots are extremely likely to trade this pick, but keeping it to upgrade the defense is the right move. 

32. New York Giants (9-7):  Orson Charles, TE, Georgia  

The Giants just won the Super Bowl, so of course they can afford to reach on a player. Charles fills a major need for New York, as he would give them a great athletic tight end that would make the offense even more dangerous. 

He may have been charged for a DUI recently, but since he doesn't have re-occurring problems, the Giants can look at it as a young mistake and draft him with goals to keep him out of trouble, which shouldn't be too much of a problem. Focusing on the talent here is key, and Charles definitely has a lot of that.