NFL Mock Draft 2012: Picks Drastically Impacted by Free Agency

From the moment free agency began, the landscape of the NFL draft changed. Teams' top needs have been altered and that will undoubtedly change whom we see selected, and where.

Though the top of the first round will stay the same, there will be changes after the first three picks.

Here is a full first-round mock draft with a spotlight on the areas where free agency had the biggest impact. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Nothing can change this. Luck and the Colts are married.

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

With what the 'Skins gave up, this is as much of a lock as the top pick is.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Nothing changed the course of the draft's top O-lineman. Kalil is headed to Minny.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama

This is the first indication these are my predictions of what the teams will do. I'd never draft a RB this high, not even one as good as Richardson.

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

Despite adding Eric Wright, the Bucs still need more help on defense.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Despite trading the second pick, the Rams will still get their man—and a boatload of picks. On the strength of this, and Jeff Fisher, this is one of the most up-and-coming teams in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jags really need a WR; I'd take Michael Floyd here, or trade down and still take him. However, they won't do either.

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has a ton of versatility. I think the 'Fins will sign Matt Flynn, which'll save them from reaching for Ryan Tannehill.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Panthers need defensive help. Placing Coples opposite of Charles Johnson makes the Panthers pass rush formidable.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Bills made a huge splash by inking DE Mario Williams, but they will still go for more defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

I knew the Chiefs would address their depth at RB, but I thought it would come in the draft with Trent Richardson. With the dominoes falling as they have, he won't be there, and the Chiefs subsequently signed Peyton Hillis.

Hillis will offer the Chiefs a power back that creates a contrast from Jamaal Charles' speedy style. If Charles is impacted from the knee injury he suffered in 2011, Hillis could be the feature back.

This move allows the Chiefs to address a need on the defensive line.

Cox has come on late as a first-rounder, and he is a solid pick for the Chiefs.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Seattle is one of a handful of teams that figures to strike out in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes. Itll still need a QB, and Tannehill is the one it'll go for.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With Reiff slipping a bit, the Cardinals will quickly snap him up.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Even with the Cowboys picking up Brandon Carr, they'll still grab Jenkins.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly was solid at the combine and the Eagles will take him to help shore up the run defense.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama

Jets need a pass-rusher that fits their scheme, and Upshaw is the best available.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is a nice all-purpose option to replace Cedric Benson.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Exit Vincent Jackson, enter Robert Meachem. Now, the Chargers must address their needs for a pass-rusher. Perry has gone up and down throughout the mid- to late first round.

He has the ability to be a big-time edge-rusher in the 3-4. He had 8.5 sacks in 2011 for USC, and being used as a pass-rush specialist in the NFL will be an aid to his game.

Staying in California will also help Perry play well.

I am calling Perry one of my first-round sleepers. He has great upside.  

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

No team changed its direction for the first round more than the Bears. With Brandon Marshall now in the Windy City, the Bears don't have the same requirement for a big-time receiver.

This way, they can address the other need on the offensive side of the ball, which is the offensive line.

Because of other happenings in the first round, Martin will slip to the Bears here. It is a major steal for them, and if they make this selection it will be a part of a great offseason for the Chicago Bears.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

I am predicting the Titans will win the Peyton Manning derby, Glenn's addition just adds to the protection in front of him and Chris Johnson.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Great pick by Bengals that also fills a need.

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

The Browns need weapons for whoever is under center. Floyd was awesome at the combine and he'll go here.

23. Detroit Lions: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

Hosley's speed and playmaking ability is a huge get for the Lions.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis is a great get as a possible replacement for James Harrison.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Broncos will shore up defensive line after missing out on Manning.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill was one of the stars of the combine and a nice project replacement for Andre Johnson.

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

The Pats can comfortably move Devin McCourty to safety by drafting Gilmore.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Scott Wells still hasn't signed and that is a bad sign. Konz is a nice replacement for him.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This is the year the Ravens draft Ray Lewis' successor.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Even after signing Randy Moss the Niners still need another receiver.

What changed this pick most was the retaining of free-agent safeties Dashon Goldson and Carlos Rogers.

With the Niners' nasty defense from 2011 returning, now they can improve the offense. Giving Alex Smith weapons in the pass game to go with Frank Gore and the bruising run game is making the Niners even stronger contenders for 2012.

If Moss is even close to the form he displayed in New England, Randle will have every opportunity to shine as Moss takes two deep with him regularly. 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois

The Pats quietly retool their AFC Championship team.

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Brandon Jacobs has already been released. The Giants will inject some youth into their backfield.