2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full First Round Predictions with Highlight Clips

There's no better time in the NFL offseason than the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, and there is no better activity that filling out mock drafts. 

With so much talent in this year's draft class it will be interesting to see where certain pieces fall and fit into the strategy of NFL teams looking to improve their rosters. 

Outside of the the top three picks, the draft is wide open and anything can happen. So with that, let's take a look at my latest mock with a few highlight clips of top players added in. 

1) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There isn't much to explain in the way of this pick at this point now isn't there? 

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

The Redskins traded away a lot to put themselves in this position. 'Skins faithful are praying that RG3 is everything as advertised, and more. 

3) Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This has been the most consistent pick across many mock drafts over the past few weeks. Kalil is the top offensive line prospect in the draft and the Vikings desperately need to protect Christian Ponder. 

4) Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Browns passed on the opportunity to trade up for Robert Griffin III and this pick could easily be Alabama's Trent Richardson. The Browns have a ton of issues that need addressed and pairing Claiborne with Joe Haden gives the Browns a dangerous cornerback tandem. 

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

Richardson slips past Cleveland at No. 4 so the Buccaneers take a shot on him because LeGarrette Blount is clearly not a feature NFL back. 

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

Blackmon reportedly had a good pro day and most believe he's the top receiver prospect in this class. After losing Brandon Lloyd the Rams will need an elite weapon for Sam Bradford to throw to.

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

Michael Floyd's draft stock is skyrocketing after running a 4.42 at the NFL combine. The Jaguars need a big receiver for whom ever is their quarterback next season. 

8) Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Many people believe that this will be a wide receiver selection because the Dolphins traded away Brandon Marshall, but Perry is the best pass rusher in this draft and Miami needs someone opposite side Cameron Wake.

9) Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This pick could really go either way between Brockers and Dontari Poe considering the Panthers biggest need is a wide body to bolster their defensive line. 

10) Buffalo Bills: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Wide receivers are drafted more than any other position in the first round and the Bills could use a big receiver to play along with Stevie Johnson. 

11) Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Kansas City addressed their offensive line problems by signing Eric Winston. Poe will be a big body on the defensive line for years to come for the Chiefs. 

12) Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

After signing Matt Flynn, the Seahawks are likely out of the Ryan Tannehill over-draft sweepstakes. Melvin Ingram is an elite pass rusher that recorded 10 sacks a season ago. 

13) Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff's name has cooled down a bit but the Cardinals need to do anything and everything possible to improve their offensive line. Reiff can be that guy. 

14) Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

David DeCastro is about as fundamentally sound of an offensive lineman as we've seen in the recent past. He'll be a perennial Pro Bowl player for years to come. 

15) Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Eagles whiffed on signing a linebacker in free agency so it will be ultra important for the Eagles to do so in the draft. 

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

The Jets desperately need to improve their pass rush and Upshaw is the best player available to do so at this point. 

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Nate Clements is getting older and it's still unclear whether or not Leon Hall will be ready for this season after his Achilles injury last season. 

18) San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

With Kris Dielmann retiring and the fact that Marcus McNeill is a free agent, the Chargers will want to add a guy with Glenn's versatility on their offensive line. 

19) Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears went out and traded for Brandon Marshall, giving them the go-to target for Jay Cutler. Martin was once a top-five prospect in this draft and the Bears will like him in this position to help shore up their offensive line. 

20) Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Cortland Finnegan is now gone, so the Titans will look to replace him with the likes of Stephon Gilmore.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Many people compare Lamar Miller to the likes of LeSean McCoy in the NFL. With Cedric Benson on the move the Bengals will need to find their running back of the future through the draft. 

22) Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns desperately need to add weapons on offense that can try and help that offense score points. 

23) Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions' biggest need is at cornerback and Janoris Jenkins is a top-15 talent. This looks to be a perfect match. 

24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Doesn't it seem that Dont'a Hightower was bred to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers? 

25) Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

The Broncos already have an elite outside pass rush, adding Fletcher Cox on the interior will help in both the pass rush and run defense. 

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

Stephen Hill is flying up draft boards after his ridiculous combine and pro day numbers. He'll fit in perfectly as a No. 2 receiver alongside Andre Johnson. 

27) New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The nation's leading sack man in 2011 will be a steal for the Patriots here as they really need to improve upon their passing defense. 

28) Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

This is a bit of a reach, but with Whitney Mercilus off the board, the Packers need to take a pass rusher to play opposite side Clay Matthews. 

29) Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, OL, Wisconsin

Konz is a true center but with Ben Grubbs on his way to New Orleans, he has the ability to fill a void at guard until the center spot is his. 

30) San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Disclaimer: I fully expect the 49ers to sign Peyton Manning in free agency. The only real need for the Niners was wide receiver and they addressed that by nabbing Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency, so what makes more sense than drafting Tannehill who can learn from Manning until it's his time to start down the road. 

31) New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Patriots continue to address their woeful pass defense by drafting the ultimate ball-hawk in Mark Barron. 

32) New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The Giants round out the the first round by taking a tight end. Orson Charles could go here as well, but I'm guessing his recent DUI will turn a few teams away from him. Plus, many are starting to compare Fleener to the likes of Rob Gronkowski.