2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks That Will Put Teams on Path Towards Contention

A few lucky teams are this draft away from being contenders. These teams are already close and the right selection will push them over the top. 

Below is my latest first-round mock draft. The picks that are going to set the teams on the path to contention will be highlighted with special attention. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck definitely puts the Colts on the right path, but they still have a ways to go before that path reaches contention. 

2.  Washington Redskins via St. Louis: Robert Griffin III 

The Redskins didn't make this giant trade to not draft Robert Griffin. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder strongly approve of this selection. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Cleveland is going to be very hard to pass against after they add Claiborne to an already talented secondary. 

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

Tampa Bay can really draft anything here and be drafting for need. Richardson is a nice fit because he will not only help the run game, but also the pass game. 

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

The Rams will have a chance to draft the player they always wanted and have a handful of extra picks. Not a bad situation. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars desperately need a pass rusher. Coples is the best in this draft. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

How Still Puts the Panthers on the Path to Contention

The Panthers offense was one of the league's big surprises last year. They finished 13th in passing yards and third in rushing yards. So why are they picking at No. 8? Because their defense sucks. 

This team was bad stopping the pass and the run, and it all started in the trenches. They weren't winning the battles up front. 

This is where Still comes in. This explosive interior lineman is a great fit as a defensive tackle. He has the ability to penetrate into the opposition's backfield to disrupt the running and passing game. 

The Panthers could use a defensive end to go with Still, but this is a big step towards turning the team into a contender.  

9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If Martin improves his pass blocking he could be an elite LT. As it is now, he is the perfect book end for the Dolphins on the right side. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bills have to start rebuilding their secondary. Kirkpatrick fits their system well. 

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

The Chiefs need to rebuild their offensive line if they want to return to being the dominant running team they were two seasons ago. 

12. Seattle Seahawks:  Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe will fit nicely in the middle of the Seahawks defensive line. This has the potential to be a dominant run defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Kevin Kolb was so bad he had a hard time completing passes to Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals must upgrade. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Dallas' defense must find some consistency. The instinctive Kuechly will help bring them that as he constantly seems to be around the ball. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Philadelphia will be a lot better off if they can keep Michael Vick upright. Reiff will help with that. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

How Ingram Puts the Panthers on the Path to Contention

Bash Mark Sanchez all you want, but the Jets didn't win last year because their defense was not as dominant as it had been in the past. 

This unit was still solid. It just wasn't frightening—especially against the run. They finished 13th in rushing yards allowed. 

A big part of this reason was that they lack speed on the edges. This lack of speed meant they weren't getting the same pressure on the QB and it meant that opposing runners were able to shred them on the edges. 

Ingram will be able to help in both regards. He will be a nice fit in the Jets 3-4. From there he will be able to rush the passer. He will also be able to help seal the edge in the running game and cut off the outside lane to opposing running backs.

17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals have their young QB and WR. Now they need an RB to put with them. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard is solid man-to-man corner. This isn't the Chargers' biggest need, but it is a good value pick. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

How Konz Puts the Panthers on the Path to Contention

The Bears offensive line was awful last year. They were able to overcome this, when Jay Cutler was healthy, by a quick strike passing attack and the brilliant running of Matt Forte. 

However, Cutler was hurt, and that was no surprise. The guy was getting drilled nearly every time he dropped back. The Bears must take better care of him. Konz will be an instant upgrade. 

He is the best center in this draft, and the Bears' incumbent center, Roberto Garza is one of the worst starting centers in the league. 

Konz will bring some consistency to this offensive line and help Chicago in both the run and pass game. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Titans need a safety and Barron is easily the best one in this class. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The enigma that is Janoris Jenkins comes with big talent and question marks. In other words, he is a perfect fit for the Bengals. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Browns are quietly building a dominant defense, and Brown will really complete that unit. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn has the size and athleticism to be a dominant run blocker. That is something the Lions desperately need. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers are so desperate for tackle help, they will take a gamble on this tackle that passes the eyeball test, but failed at the combine.  

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

The Broncos defensive line is going to be a nightmare in passing situations if they can get their hands on Cox. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

It's hard to tell what is greater. Floyd's talent or his character concerns. The Texans will stick him opposite of Andre Johnson and hope it is the first option.  

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots will be doing cartwheels if Upshaw is still available. He is the pass rusher this defense has lacked for years. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers will also be doing cartwheels if Upshaw is still available for the Patriots because that means they'll have a chance to draft Perry. 

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

It's time for the Ravens to get younger at LB. Hightower is a perfect fit for this D. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

If Jeffery doesn't eat his way out of the league he will be dominant. The 49ers are a complete enough team that they can take a chance on him. 

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

The Patriots will be well-served to make another addition to their front seven with this high-motor 3-4 DE. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Back to the well for the Giants as they draft yet another talented defensive lineman.