2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks for QB-Starved Teams

Quarterbacks are the biggest driving force in the NFL. Every team that has a good one will work to build around them. The others that are looking for a signal-caller to lead them to the postseason will try anything and everything possible to land one. 

The NFL draft is so often built around the top quarterbacks, with teams looking to move up or down based on how their situation under center looks right now. There is always going to be someone looking to move up to get the quarterback. 

Here is our latest mock draft with a special look at the teams who need to select quarterbacks. 

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

There are few teams in the NFL more quarterback-hungry than the Colts. Not only did they get rid of Peyton Manning, but Curtis Painter and Dan Orlvosky are the best ones on the roster right now. 

That won't be the case in April, when Andrew Luck takes over as the new face of the franchise. He will have huge shoes to fill, but if anyone is equipped to handle it, he is. 

The Colts need Luck to get back into playoff contention within three years. Re-signing Reggie Wayne will give him a safety net on the outside he can throw to.

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

When you look at the list of Redskins quarterbacks over the last 20 years, you can understand why they would be so willing to give up three first-round draft picks to move up and (presumably) acquire Robert Griffin III. 

RG3 has been wowing scouts and executives since leading Baylor to a 10-win season. He has continued to improve his stock with an impressive workout and interview at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

The Redskins are doing all they can to ease Griffin's transition to the NFL by signing a whole new receiving corps, led by Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. 

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

The Vikings drafted their quarterback last year. Now they are going to get the franchise offensive lineman to protect him. 

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

Colt McCoy has never had a good receiver to throw to. That will change when Blackmon comes to Cleveland. 

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

All that money the Buccaneers spent in free agency could pale in comparison to the value they get with Claiborne at No. 5.

6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington 5-11): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers can act like the quarterback of the defense, which is exactly what this team needs right now. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Even though fans may want another receiver to put alongside Laurent Robinson, Barron is going to be the surprise choice for the Jaguars this year. 

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

With the Dolphins looking more likely to add their franchise quarterback through free agency, they have to do work so he stays upright and healthy for 16 games. 

Reiff does not possess the upside that Kalil does, but he is just as polished right now and could make his share of Pro Bowl teams. 

Wide receiver could be a position they target after trading Brandon Marshall. For now, Reiff remains the pick. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Cam Newton solved any quarterback problems the Panthers had. Now, they need to figure out what to do with their porous run defense. Landing the most electrifying player at the scouting combine couldn't hurt. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The addition of Mario Williams could change the Bills' plans. Coples would make a great complement to the $100 million man. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly has proven to be far more than just an instinctual leader at the linebacker position thanks to great workouts this offseason. He will be the anchor of the Chiefs defense for the next decade.

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

One way or another the Seahawks have to find a quarterback this offseason. It's not going out on a limb to say that Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer. 

Tannehill, on the other hand, has shown great promise during his time at Texas A&M. He has had serious bouts on inconsistency, and a broken foot kept him out of the combine.

He has all the physical tools to play the position in the NFL. He just has to keep his head straight to succeed. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With Kevin Kolb's being given his $7 million roster bonus, the Cardinals need to focus on getting an offensive line that can keep him healthy. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The most controversial player in this year's draft, Jenkins fills a huge hole and has the upside to justify being taken this high. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is the perfect solution for what the Eagles have been missing the last two years. He plugs the middle to stop the run with the speed and athleticism to get after the quarterback. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Not a sexy pick, but the Jets don't need something sexy. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a dream scenario for the Bengals at this spot. Considering how the running back position has been devalued in recent years, it's not that far fetched to think he slides down the round.

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

Ingram will give the Chargers their best pure pass-rusher since Shawne Merriman. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Brandon Marshall could change things, but the Bears' problems at receiver could push them to add another big-play threat. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw will bring an intensity to the Titans defense they haven't had in a long time. Plus, he immediately fills their need for a pass-rusher. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cincinnati's secondary is getting older. Kirkpatrick has the size to be a disruptive force for an improving defense. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Despite not getting the quarterback the fans may have wanted, landing the best receiver on the board and a defensive tackle who can start right away isn't too terrible. All things considered, that's not a bad first round. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OG, Stanford

Imagine what Matthew Stafford would be able to do with a young and more athletic offensive line. The possibilities are endless. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Despite a poor combine performance, Adams should still be the object of the Steelers desire. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Calling the Broncos quarterback starved might seem strange to some, but Tim Tebow—if he remains the starter—is going to need all the help he can get. 

Demaryius Thomas is a great start. Wright is the best available option for the Broncos to help Tebow develop into a capable quarterback.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Defensive end or linebacker could become a priority, depending on how much the Texans feel they need to replace Mario Williams. They made it through a majority of last season without him and looked fine. 

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

The secondary got better as the year moved on, but there is still work to do. Dennard is as safe as any defensive back not named Morris Claiborne. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

Clay Matthews struggled last season because he had no one else to take pressure off him. David is rising up draft boards thanks to his size and athleticism. 

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

Hightower is still raw, but the Ravens have plenty of time to develop him. Plus, he could learn from Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Randy Moss may be the new receiver in town, but Hill is going to be the player that everyone is talking about thanks to his size and blazing speed. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry would be an ideal fit for the Patriots. He has the size and versatility to play defensive end or linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. 

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

Fleener does not have the speed to match the big-play capability he showed in college. However, he is so big and physical that he will be a matchup nightmare in the red zone. 

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