2012 NFL Mock Draft: Greg Schiano and Rookie Coaches Who'll Hit a Home Run

NFL head coaches face suffocating pressure from fans and media, so making a good first impression is critical to early success.

And as we've seen time and time again, the best way to make a strong entrance to a new organization is by striking gold in your first draft as head of the regime.

There will be three rookie head coaches this season (Chuck Pagano, Greg Schiano, Joe Philbin), all of whom have a top 10 pick in April's draft. So who will the new faces of Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and Miami select with their first choice?

Let's look at the possibilities in this week's 2012 NFL mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Chuck Pagano, the former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, has a pretty easy choice to make here. While Robert Griffin III is a phenomenal prospect, Luck has had this locked up for over a year now.

Look for Pagano to throw all his support behind Luck in hopes that they can form Tony Dungy-Peyton Manning Part 2.

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

The Redskins surrendered some limbs to get this pick from the Rams, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Washington desperately needs to put the Rex Grossman era behind them. RG3—the smooth-talking, ankle-breaking, bomb-throwing Heisman winner—would certainly rid Redskins fans of that sour taste in their mouth.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need to bolster their offensive line, and Kalil is unquestionably the best option in the draft.

The 6'7", 300-pounder was dominant at USC and possesses every tool necessary to continue his success at the next level.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Peyton Hillis experiment was a disaster, and Richardson would be the perfect replacement for the Browns.

The violent runner has the hunger and ability to be the best player in this loaded draft class.

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

I thought Tampa would look at Justin Blackmon here, but with the Vincent Jackson signing, Greg Schiano should turn his attention to defense.

The Bucs' secondary is just awful, and Claiborne would provide an immediate upgrade. He's got the size, speed and instincts to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.

6. St. Louis Rams: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe has skyrocketed up draft boards after posting some monster numbers at the combine. The 346-pounder put up 44 reps in the bench press and ran a ridiculous 4.98 40-yard dash.

He's a little raw, but his potential is unlimited.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

To put it bluntly, Blaine Gabbert is throwing to a bunch of scrubs in Jacksonville. If the Jaguars want to see some improvement out of their young quarterback, they need to upgrade their receiving corps immediately.

Adding Blackmon, the best receiver in the draft, would certainly be a big step in the right direction.

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

Joe Philbin could go a few different routes here. The Dolphins desperately want a new QB, but I refuse to believe that Ryan Tannehill is worth a top 10—or even top 20—draft pick.

The Dolphins could also look to bolster their offensive line, but I think Philbin will look to the defensive side of the ball first.

Coples is an absolute freak athlete. He has some issues, but if his work ethic ever catches up to his talent, he'll be a dominant force in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Like Coples, Brockers is a monster on the D-line. He's a disruptive force in the middle, which is exactly what Carolina's subpar defense needs.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a strong tackler with the versatility to wreak havoc all over the field. He'd fit in nicely behind Mario Williams in Buffalo.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

When it comes to knowledge of the linebacker position, Kuechly blows everyone else in this class away. He's a tackling machine with incredible instincts.

It's scary to think of the damage he and Derrick Johnson would cause if they're paired up.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks just agreed to terms with free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, so they can turn their attention elsewhere here.

They'd be smart to strengthen their D-line, and Perry is the best option at this point. His explosiveness off the line of scrimmage will be a welcome addition to Seattle's defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals have multiple needs, but offensive line is the most glaring. That's why they should go with Martin here.

He's big (6'5", 312 lbs), mobile and consistent. Can't go wrong with that.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Dallas needs upgrades all over their secondary, so they'll take the best defensive back available.

At this point, that's the versatile safety from Alabama.

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

Hightower is a versatile defender who excels in both the run and pass. He'd be a great fit in Philly.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Mark Sanchez needs another weapon, and with Blackmon off the board, Floyd is the best option.

Floyd ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, showing why he's one of the best big play threats from this class.

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

The Bengals need a cornerback, and given their past problems with players with off-field issues, I doubt they'll go with Janoris Jenkins here.

Kirkpatrick would be a major steal at No. 17.

18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

I doubt Reiff will be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he'll be a solid NFL starter. Philip Rivers spent too much time on his back last season, so the addition of Reiff makes sense.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

With the addition of Brandon Marshall, the Bears no longer need to spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver. Instead, they can upgrade their offensive line.

Adams had a disappointing combine, but he's a big dude with great mobility. If he adds some strength, he could be a force.

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

The Titans need to put more pressure on the quarterback, and Ingram is the best pass-rusher available here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Bengals need to add a running back, so Lamar Miller of Miami and David Wilson of Virginia Tech are both options here. However, I think they'll give Andy Dalton some more protection.

DeCastro was the best interior lineman in the country last year.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a dangerous big play threat. He's small (5'10", 195 lbs), but he's got elite quickness and elusiveness, a la Carolina's Steve Smith.

He'll be a good weapon for developing quarterback Colt McCoy.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions have all the weapons in the world offensively. If they just improve their porous secondary, they'll be a Super Bowl contender for years to come.

Gilmore is the right pick here.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is a beast in the middle of the defensive line. If the Steelers pick him up, they'll add another monster to their already scary defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

If the Broncos can't win the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, I think they'll add Ryan Tannehill here.

But if they do reel in No. 18, they'll address their paltry defensive line. Cox, with his size, speed and instincts, could be an All-Pro performer in a few years.

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Texans need a quality No. 2 receiver to take some attention off of Andre Johnson. The big receiver out of South Carolina would do just that.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Patriots have plenty of options with their two late picks, but I expect them to beef up their defensive line. Adding the 6'3", 310-pound Worthy makes sense.

28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

The Packers' awful secondary was their biggest weakness last year, and until they address it, they'll be doomed to more early playoff exits.

I like the versatile Smith here.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens could look at a linebacker here, but with the top ones off the board, they'd be smart to find a replacement for the aging Matt Birk.

Konz is the best center in the draft.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State

With Adam Snyder ditching them for the Cardinals, the 49ers now have a hole to fill at the guard position.

Osemele has major potential and could end up being the best interior offensive lineman from this class.

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If not for his extensive off-field issues, Jenkins would be a top-15 pick in this draft. However, teams are often reluctant to spend such a high pick on a player with repeated run-ins with the law.

The Patriots, though, rarely have a problem with gambling on a player like Jenkins. Look for them to upgrade their awful secondary by selecting the controversial corner.

32. New York Giants: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller would be a good addition for the champs, who have a hole at running back with Brandon Jacobs' recent departure.

The Giants could also look at David Wilson and LaMichael James here, but I think the speedster out of Miami will be the best of the three. New York would be smart to pick him up.