2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Entire First and Second Rounds

Producing a 2012 NFL Mock Draft in the middle of NFL Free Agency can be a frustrating exercise. Team needs are changing minute by minute. A position of depth can become a position of need with one transaction and vice versa.

Despite all the changes that are happening, here is how the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL draft shape up.

1st Round: Picks 1-8

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This pick really doesn't need any explanation. Andrew Luck is good at football.

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

The Redskins mortgaged their future drafts to pick RG3. Hopefully the Redskins surround him with coaches that allow him to be successful.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OL, USC

Matt Kalil is the latest sure-thing on the offensive line. Christian Ponder is going to be a happy man knowing his blind-side is secure.

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Joe Haden and Morris Claiborne might be the top cornerback tandem in the entire league. Having a second first-round pick allows the Browns to take the best player available.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson might be the best player in the entire draft. Any year prior to 2005 and Richardson is easily the No. 1 pick. Even with the emphasis on the passing game, Richardson is too talented to pass up here.

6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington):  Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

After picking up a second-round pick in 2012 and two additional first-round selections in 2013 and 2014, the Rams still fill their biggest need with the best player at the position. That was a fantastic trade.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jaguars only need a replacement for Jimmy Smith—a receiver they have been trying to replace since 2005. Floyd has a chance to be so much more. If Blaine Gabbert can get him the ball, Floyd can be a 1,400-yard receiver for years to come.

8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a special player. He can play multiple positions in both odd and even fronts and is nearly unblockable at times.

1st Round: Picks 9-16

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DL, Memphis

Dontari Poe is an athletic freak. If the Panthers think they can mold him into a football player, they can't pass him up.

10. Buffalo Bills: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

Buffalo upgraded the defensive line with Mario Williams. Now it is time to upgrade the offensive line. Glenn can play both tackle and guard in the NFL at a high level.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If the Chiefs don't think they can win the Super Bowl with Matt Cassel, they need to draft a replacement. Kansas City looks like a playoff team going forward, so they won't get a chance at drafting a franchise QB anytime soon.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Cox is an incredible talent that can dominate a game inside and outside. He is a true three-down defensive lineman that will only get better with more experience.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OL, Iowa

The Cardinals absolutely need to address their offensive line. Reiff can play every position other than center and is a guy you can plug in on day one.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

After addressing their need for a cornerback by signing Brandon Carr, adding a pass-rusher like Nick Perry would do wonders for their defense. 

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

An absolute anywhere out of the top ten, Kuechly reminds me of Jerod Mayo coming out of college. Great leader, high-football IQ, good athleticism, Kuechly has the skills to become a Pro Bowl linebacker right away.

16. New York Jets: Jonathan Martin, OL, Stanford

Rex Ryan needs to upgrade his offensive line and Jonathan Martin is easily the top tackle left on the board. He should be able to replace Wayne Hunter immediately. 

1st Round: Picks 17-24

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With Kirkpatrick falling due to some off-field issues, he becomes a great value here for the Bengals. Few cornerbacks support the run better than Kirkpatrick.

18. San Diego Chargers: Devon Still, DL, Penn State

Still can dominate entire games, not just plays. That said, his inconsistency will push him out of the top ten and into the waiting arms of a team like the Chargers.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If you believe that Kendall Wright is a 4.6 player, as his combine time showed, then the cornerbacks in the Big 12 must run in the 4.9's. Wright will be a star in the NFL.

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Karl Klug, a Titans pick in 2011, was a player that you found a place for and he made plays. Ingram could be the same sort of player. He could play SAM, WILL, DE and even DT.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

I love Martin nearly as much as Trent Richardson. The last two years, Martin would have been the top running back selected. This year, the Bengals can scoop him up outside of the top 20 picks.

22. Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Browns need an "X" receiver. Alshon Jeffery just happens to be available. If the Browns can keep him motivated and in shape, the sky is the limit for Jeffery.

23. Detroit Lions: David DeCastro, OL, Stanford

DeCastro is as solid as they come. He will anchor the right side of the interior line for a decade or more for the Lions.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Upshaw looks like a man without a position at times, but the Steelers will make use of his power and football instincts. They have a great track record of making these kind of picks work out.

1st Round: Picks 25-32

25. Denver Broncos: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

David Wilson is an incredibly athletic runner. With a little experience and the right coaching, he could easily perform at a Pro Bowl level for years to come.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Andre Johnson needs a Robin to his Batman. He'll have to settle for a Rueben. Randle has the deep-threat ability to keep Johnson from being doubled quite so often.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans): Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU

Bill Belichick subscribes to the "Planet Theory" created by Bill Parcells. There are only so many people on the planet as big as Michael Brockers. He can play the run now and develop into a three-down lineman.

28. Green Bay Packers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabma

While adding some pass rush later in the draft would certainly help the Packers' defensive woes, passing on the extremely talented Jenkins would be a mistake. 

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

Dont'a Hightower is nowhere near as athletic as Ray Lewis. That said, his versatility and football IQ should allow him to make an impact as an ILB and a rush DE early on in his career.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Adding depth to the defensive backfield should be a priority for the 49ers this offseason. Barron's health will push him down to a point where Jim Harbaugh can make a steal.

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

Gilmore has the coverage and tackling skills that the Patriots would love to add to their team. Gilmore can play outside, over the slot and I think that he could be a great free safety as well.

32. New York Giants: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz has an injury history with blood clots and ankle injuries. If he checks out medically though, there isn't a better center in this draft.

2nd Round

33. St. Louis Rams: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

34. Indianapolis Colts: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

35. Minnesota Vikings: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

37. Cleveland Browns: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

39. St. Louis Rams (via WAS): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

40. Carolina Panthers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

41. Buffalo Bills: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

42. Miami Dolphins: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

43. Seattle Seahawks: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

44. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Thompson, DL, Clemson

45. Dallas Cowboys: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

46. Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

47. New York Jets: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

48. New England Patriots (via OAK): Trumaine Johnson, CB/S, Montana

49. San Diego Chargers: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

50. Chicago Bears: Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State

51. Philadelphia Eagles (via ARZ): Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State

52. Tennessee Titans: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

54. Detroit Lions: Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State

55. Atlanta Falcons: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Chapman, DL, Alabama

57. Denver Broncos: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International

58. Houston Texans: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

59. New Orleans Saints: Kevin Zeitler, OL, Wisconsin

60. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

61. Baltimore Ravens: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

62. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen HIll, WR, LSU

63. New England Patriots: Mitchell Schwartz, OL, Cal

64. New York Giants: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State