2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Free Agency Has Changed Team Needs

Team needs for the NFL Draft always change once the free-agency period hits and goes into full swing.

This year is no different. There were plenty of conjectures as to where certain teams were going to go in the first round, but we really didn't know how the free-agent period was going to play out.

After just two days, we are starting to get a much better idea of where certain teams are going to turn in April's draft. This mock draft will take into account the changing landscape in regards to certain teams for the first time. In doing so, you are going to see a dramatically different mock from the ones that I have put out prior.

Lets take a look.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Being able to retain Reggie Wayne is going to help Luck a great deal early in his career. Wayne is that consistent veteran threat that rookie quarterbacks so rely on.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

As if we didn't expect them to go with RGIII here, Washington added a couple decent weapons on the outside for the young quarterback. Pierre Garcon can stretch the field, while Josh Morgan fits well in the slot.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, Southern California

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, Louisiana State

The addition of Eric Wright to the mix really shouldn't change up what the Buccaneers are going to do in April. If Claiborne falls to them at No. 5, you can expect Tampa Bay to jump all over that.

Claiborne and Wright would be a solid tandem on the outside.

6. St. Louis Rams: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Not many people expected Brandon Lloyd to be back, so him going to either New England or San Francisco isn't a big deal for the Rams. With that said, I did expect them to bring in a top-tier wide receiver in free agency.

Considering that the best at this position are falling like flies, they are going to have to reach for Floyd here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

With reports surfacing that the Peyton Manning sweepstakes is down to the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, this position has quickly become an area of concern for Miami. They are also said to be battling the Cleveland Browns for Matt Flynn.

If the Dolphins aren't able to land either of those quarterbacks, they might have to reach for Tannehill here.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Linebacker, South Carolina

What started out as a promising free-agent period for the Bills has quickly turned disastrous. It looked like Mario Williams was going to come to an agreement with Buffalo on Tuesday, but that has since changed.

If the talented defensive end opts against joining the Bills, they are going to have to go defense with the 10th pick. It seems that they would have anyway.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

12. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

The addition of Brandon Carr to the mix really doesn't change a whole lot here. The Dallas Cowboys are in need of multiple upgrades at the cornerback position, especially after releasing Terence Newman. You can expect them to look at that position with this selection.

While Kirkpatrick is far from a guarantee at this point, he possesses the physicality that Dallas looks for in the secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, Linebacker, Alabama

16. New York Jets: Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

The Jets have been unusually quiet on the free-agent market and this includes at wide receiver. There is no doubt in my mind that they are going to have to upgrade and get younger at this position. Stephen Hill provides a tremendous amount of upside.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami (Fla.)

While many considered the Bengals to be the front runners for Michael Bush, that doesn't appear to be as clear cut right now. The former Oakland Raiders running back has drawn interest from the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears. He has yet to meet with Cincinnati.

If they are unable to acquire a veteran running back, the Bengals are going to go running back early in the draft.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, Linebacker, Alabama

The addition of Jarret Johnson really doesn't change much here. The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker is going to be more of a complementary guy to Antwan Barnes. They still need a true pass-rusher.

Despite losing Vincent Jackson in free agency, the Chargers signed Robert Meachem. This means that wide receiver isn't much of an issue either. Upshaw provides value at a need position.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Wide receiver would have been the Bears pick here if they had not acquired Brandon Marshall. Instead, they go with a need position and reach for the talented Mike Adams to play on the outside and protect Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

I had the Titans going here before they lost Cortland Finnegan in free agency to the St. Louis Rams. So, this changes the dynamic a great deal now. They must now address the cornerback position immediately in April.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns: Doug Martin, Running Back, Boise State

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, Louisiana State

25. Denver Broncos: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

They remain one of the two front runners to land Peyton Manning. If Denver is able to pick up the future Hall of Fame quarterback, they are going to have to provide him with more weapons on the outside.

While Jeffery has dropped a great deal in my books, he would definitely benefit from Manning.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

27. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, Linebacker, Marshall

29. Baltimore Ravens: Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Utah State

30. San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

They were able to retain the services of Carlos Rogers, which seemed unlikely at the outset of free agency. Additionally, San Francisco brought in Perrish Cox for depth. With their corner position pretty much set, I don't expect the 49ers to look there.

They also signed Randy Moss and seem to be in the mix for both of the best wide receivers on the market. Additionally, San Francisco lost Adam Snyder in free agency.

31. New England Patriots: Nick Perry, Defensive End, Southern California

32. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College