2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Should Trade Up to Fill Huge Holes

It's a debate that never ends. Should a franchise attempt to fill its biggest need with a first-round pick or simply select the best player available? In reality, there probably isn't a right answer because it all comes down to each team's individual circumstances.

Here's a full mock draft of the first round featuring three teams that should trade out of their current spots to fill another hole on their roster. The gratification of an instant upgrade will overshadow the long-term worries of dealing future picks.

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

Luck will be under pressure to perform right away, but Colts fans must exercise patience if he struggles.

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

Credit to the Redskins for stepping up to land this pick. Now they have to hope Griffin becomes a star.

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

Minnesota's offensive line will be much more respectable with Kalil anchoring it.

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

While the Browns weren't able to land Griffin, Richardson is a nice consolation prize.

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

Claiborne should sneak back into the top five after the trade dust settles.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams still get a player they really need and stockpile picks for future years. Good trade for both sides.

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

Coples' draft stock continues to swing wildly on a weekly basis. Jacksonville needs a pass-rusher.

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

Adding a franchise tackle like Reiff should make attracting a quarterback much easier.

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

Upside is the buzzword when it comes to Brockers, but there's still a lot of work left to do.

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

After an extended playoff drought, it's finally time for Buffalo to fix its rushing issues.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs can't let Martin slip through their fingers. He's the last elite lineman on the board.

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

Tannehill takes a bid drop after the trade. Seattle shouldn't feel comfortable with Tarvaris Jackson.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Larry Fitzgerald and Floyd would make for a tremendous playmaking duo.

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

The Cowboys should be looking to add a dominant defensive lineman in the draft. Kirkpatrick would be a nice fallback option if a deal isn't made, but there's a much better chance of hitting on a cornerback in the later rounds than a lineman.

Jay Ratliff has been productive. The same can't be said for the lineman playing alongside him. Since he can always move to defensive end if needed, options are open for the Cowboys. They could pursue a tackle like Brockers or an end like Coples.

Either of those guys would provide a major boost to the team's defense. Aside from making their own plays, they would also open up more space for DeMarcus Ware and Co. to rush the passer.

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

Even though Kuechly isn't the most flashy player, the Eagles need a reliable middle linebacker like him.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro will be a hot target in the middle of the round, so the Jets should snag him.

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

Nobody can deny Jenkins' talent. Whichever team is willing to risk taking him despite some off-field problems could get a major steal.

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

San Diego has been searching for a player like Ingram for a handful of years. He'll be a great fit.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears are better than their 8-8 record would indicate. Injuries down the stretch caused them to struggle on offense; otherwise, they were likely playoff-bound. In the draft, they should be looking to add a wide receiver who can make an instant impact.

Chicago could take a chance on a player like Kendall Wright here, but there's no guarantee he'll be ready to step in to the lineup in Week 1. Blackmon and Floyd both have the tools to help out Jay Cutler starting right away.

Konz wouldn't be a terrible pick, but teams can find interior linemen on the free agent market. Playmakers like Blackmon or Floyd don't come around nearly as often.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

It won't be long before Still is ready to step into the starting lineup. Still room for improvement, though.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

If the Bengals don't go running back here and there's none worth picking, Cox is a good back-up plan.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Cleveland's front office has ignored its wide receiver problems for too long. Wright has the tools to become a star.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Detroit is on the verge of major breakthrough. The team's offense can score with anybody in the league when all its main pieces are healthy and the defense has made some nice strides. A top-tier cornerback would really take things to another level, though.

Claiborne is probably out of the Lions' reach because they are drafting so low, but Kirkpatrick and Jenkins are both within trade range. Kirkpatrick is the more complete corner. He would be the most talented CB on the roster when training camp started.

When a franchise is only one or two pieces from being a Super Bowl contender, giving up a couple future picks doesn't hurt as much. Moving up to get one of the class's top cornerbacks would be a savvy move by the Lions.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Steelers need a couple offensive line upgrades, and Glenn is the top guard available in this year's class.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Things could change depending on how the Peyton Manning sweepstakes shake out, but for now, Worthy seems like the ideal pick.

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

Following some eye-popping results at the combine, Hill watched himself fly up draft boards.

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

Bill Belichick is a terrific defensive coach. But there's nothing he can do when the secondary talent simply isn't there. Dennard will begin a resurgence.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Packers don't have any pressing needs, so they can take a chance on a potential star like Poe.

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

Hightower is as steady as they come and stands to learn a lot from Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Having landed Randy Moss, the 49ers no longer have to worry about wide receiver with this pick. Gilmore will improve an already stout defense.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron is undoubtedly the class' top safety. He'll join Dennard to help the Patriots secondary at least reach a serviceable level.

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

Super Bowl champions are usually able to make a luxury pick in Round 1. Allen fits that mold for the Giants and has the potential to be the next great tight end.