2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trent Richardson and Biggest First-Round Reaches

The first round of the NFL draft never goes according to plan.

The reason the first round never goes according to plan, of course, is because teams have plans that differ from those of the media and the fans. They like players that the media and fans don't like, and they don't like players the media and fans do like.

This is most obvious when a team "reaches" for a player. We see it happen in every draft, with varying degrees of success. For every Aldon Smith, there is a Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Since we're bound to see some reaches, I'm going to take a shot at predicting where they'll be and which teams are going to make them. Read on for a very special reach-focused NFL mock draft.

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

Even if you don't buy into the notion that Andrew Luck is the best quarterback prospect since John Elway, this is not a reach. Luck is the best quarterback prospect in this year's draft class, at least, and the Colts need a quarterback now that Peyton Manning is gone.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11, after trade with St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This isn't a reach either. There are a lot of people out there who are determined to label Robert Griffin III as a bust waiting to happen, but I just don't see it.

He's a polished passer with freakish athleticism. What's not to like?

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

Yet another non-reach. The Vikings need a left tackle, and Matt Kalil is the best on the board by far. This is a natural fit.

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

I love Trent Richardson. He's a great prospect, and he projects as a true difference-maker in the NFL.

But drafting a running back No. 4 overall? That's a reach these days.

As great as Richardson is, running backs are a dime a dozen in today's NFL. Just take a look at 2011's top rushers. Maurice Jones-Drew was a second-round pick. Same goes for Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy. Michael Turner was a fifth-round pick. Arian Foster, arguably the best running back in football, went undrafted.

The Browns won't be making a bad pick if they choose to draft Richardson. Running back is an area of need, and he's easily the best running back on the board.

All I'm saying is that the Browns could just as easily find a top rusher later in the draft. Evidently, they're not hard to find.

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

The Bucs signed free-agent cornerback Eric Wright (per ESPN's Adam Schefter), but that doesn't mean they should now feel free to pass on Morris Claiborne in the draft. He projects as an elite cover corner, and there simply aren't many of those out there.

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

This is another reach—one that requires some explanation.

The general thinking concerning the Rams is that they'll go for a wide receiver in the draft, and they're typically linked to Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. 

I don't buy it. New head coach Jeff Fisher is a defensive guy, and I'm presuming he realizes how awful the Rams were on defense in 2011, particularly against the run.

Drafting a stud defensive tackle would be a wise move, and it is generally agreed that Michael Brockers is the best of the bunch.

So why is he a reach? Simply because he's still raw as a player. Brockers has good physical tools, but he has a lot to learn. It will likely be a couple years before he comes into his own, meaning the Rams will not get instant gratification from this pick.

When it comes to top-10 picks, instant gratification is ideal.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Rams pass on Justin Blackmon, the Jags won't pass him up. Per Schefter, the Jags signed Laurent Robinson, but that does not mean their wide receiver issues are all gone. They didn't have any capable wide receivers in 2011, and now they have one.

May as well make it two. Blaine Gabbert won't complain.

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

The Dolphins are likely to start the 2012 season with a new quarterback under center. To make sure he's well protected, they would be wise to patch up their offensive line. Riley Reiff is an easy pick here.

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

I have my doubts about Quinton Coples, but he definitely has a high ceiling. What's most impressive about him is that he has the ability to play defensive end and defensive tackle, making him the kind of versatile D-lineman that you just don't see all that often.

The Panthers need a player like him on their D-line.

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

I've gone back and forth on who I like best for the Bills. However, I always end up coming back to Courtney Upshaw sooner or later. He's the pass-rushing linebacker the Bills sorely need.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This is a great value pick. It was reported in February by The Oklahoman that veteran nose tackle Kelly Gregg is leaning towards retirement. To make sure their future is secure, the Chiefs would be wise to go for combine star Dontari Poe. His potential is through the roof.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Per The Seattle Times, the Seahawks released Robert Gallery on Wednesday. The door is now wide open for them to draft David DeCastro, who is an outstanding value pick at this position.

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

The Cardinals released veteran left tackle Levi Brown on Tuesday, according to The Arizona Republic. Replacing him with Jonathan Martin will be their safest play in the draft, but this wouldn't constitute a reach given Martin's talent.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

I typically have the Cowboys going for a cornerback in mock drafts, but they can afford to wait now that they've signed a good one in free agency. According to Schefter, the Cowboys have inked Brandon Carr to a five-year deal.

Defense should still be Dallas' top priority in the draft, though. Since they'll be able to hang back and wait to draft a corner, the best thing they can do with their No. 14 pick is jump on one of the draft's top outside linebackers.

Nick Perry is an intriguing option, but I'm of the mind that he would constitute a reach at No. 14. He has the goods to play linebacker, but he's a defensive end by trade. He's also still pretty raw.

But the Cowboys need one more body to complete their linebacking corps. Playing alongside DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee would be a great situation for Perry, even if Cowboys fans don't initially agree with this pick. 

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

Talk about a perfect fit. The Eagles need a stud middle linebacker who can clean up after their defensive line, and Luke Kuechly is a guy who's perfectly suited for the task. Dude's a tackling machine.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, New York Jets

The Jets need a difference-maker in their linebacking corps. Melvin Ingram is that and more. He's far more athletic than he looks, and there are few things he can't do on a football field. He'd be a great fit on the Jets.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Cincinnati's improving defense could use a cornerback to take the spot left open by Johnathan Joseph's departure in 2011. Janoris Jenkins would be a great value pick for them at No. 17.

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

As reported by Schefter, the Chargers have re-signed Jared Gaither. Nevertheless, offensive line depth is a need for the Chargers, and Mike Adams is a guy who would be a good value pick at the No. 18 spot.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I would have had the Bears going for a wide receiver here this time last week, but their trade for Brandon Marshall, a deal that was first reported by Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, changes everything. Now the Bears have an excuse to upgrade their offensive line in the draft. Cordy Glenn stands out as a good fit because of his ability to play multiple positions.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have signed former Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan. That signing creates a hole in Tennessee that must be filled. Stephon Gilmore is the best guy to fill it.

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

If drafting an elite running back prospect No. 4 overall counts as a reach, then it's only fair that drafting a less-than-elite running back at No. 21 counts as a reach.

The Bengals need a running back, ideally one with speed and game-breaking abilities. Lamar Miller is the perfect man for the job, and the Bengals will have to think twice before passing on him in the draft.

But Miller comes with a relatively unimpressive college resume, and his value is largely in his speed and raw talent. These things hardly guarantee success at the next level, so the Bengals would be rolling the dice if they took Miller with the No. 21 overall pick.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre

If the Browns upgrade their offense with a stud running back early in the first round, they may as well take the next step by drafting a stud wide receiver later in the first round. At this point, Michael Floyd would be a steal.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Detroit Lions

Center is an area of need for the Lions, and Peter Konz is by far the best center prospect in the 2012 draft class. Simple as that.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

With Adams and Glenn off the board, the Steelers would have to reach very far to draft an offensive lineman. Instead, they should find a body for their linebacking corps, which is getting old in a hurry. Dont'a Hightower is a guy who just seems like he would be a perfect Steeler.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The interior of Denver's defensive line is pretty weak. The Broncos need to bolster it, and Fletcher Cox will be the best player available at this point in the draft.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans need a speedy, field-stretching wide receiver. Kendall Wright is that and more. He's a lot faster on the field than he was at the combine, where he posted disappointing results in the 40-yard dash.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Patriots need to upgrade their defensive line. Adding a guy like Devon Still, who fits several schemes, is the best way for them to do that.

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

The Packers need a dangerous presence to play alongside Clay Matthews in their linebacking corps. Zach Brown's speed and athleticism make him a very dangerous presence. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Several months ago, Vontaze Burfict was one of my favorite players in the 2012 draft class. 

That was then. Now, I'm of the mind that Burfict has no business going in the first round of the draft.

But if there's one team that would take a gamble on Burfict, it's the Ravens. They know they need an heir apparent for Ray Lewis, and they could easily figure that Lewis could teach Burfict a thing or two in their time together.

Even still, I would maintain that Burfict is not a first-round player. He's got way too many red flags as far as his character is concerned, and we found out at the combine that he's not an above-average athlete.

If the Ravens draft Burfict, they'll be making a huge reach pick.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The 49ers made a splash by signing Randy Moss, but they're kidding themselves if they think he's going to be anything more than a situational wide receiver. They need to add another wide receiver, and Alshon Jeffery would be an outstanding value pick at No. 30 in the draft. 

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

Conventional wisdom suggests the Patriots will go for a cornerback in the first round, but there are none worth reaching for at No. 31. Instead, they'd be wise to jump on a scheme-flexible defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid. Vinny Curry would be perfect. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The Giants could stand to add a gritty, pass-catching tight end. How about Andrew Luck's go-to guy? Coby Fleener would be a perfect fit for the Giants.