2012 NFL Mock Draft: Studs Who Will Start Right Away

With the 2012 NFL draft just a few weeks away, the excitement level over where some of the biggest names in college football will land is palpable.

While the majority of the first-round picks will be solid players in the NFL, only a select few will be great enough to walk right into a starting job.

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Start: With Peyton Manning reportedly moving on, the Indianapolis Colts have no choice but to start the Stanford star from game one.

2.  Washington Redskins—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Start: It is obvious that after all Washington paid for Robert Griffin III, he will not be sitting on the bench behind Sexy Rex or John Beck.

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Start: The need for offensive linemen and Kalil’s pure talent will make him an easy starter for the Vikings.

4. Cleveland Browns—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Start: With Peyton Hillis out of town and no real backup plan in place, if the bruising running back falls to Cleveland at No. 4, he will be their starting running back.

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

Second String: I think the Buccaneers will re-sign Ronde Barber to both add depth and teach Claiborne the NFL game. I think the LSU star will start within the first five games, but he will have to earn that spot.

6. St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

Start: With a serious need at wide receiver and Blackmon’s NFL-caliber talents, Jeff Fisher will have no choice but to start the stellar weapon.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Sit: While Michael Brockers could be the best pure defensive lineman in the entire 2012 NFL draft, he is still very rough around the edges. Brockers is a project Jacksonville shouldn’t rush.

8.  Carolina Panthers—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Start: While I don’t believe that Coples should start right way because of some of his over-pursuit issues, the Panthers need a pass rush and he will be a starter from game one.

9.  Miami Dolphins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Start: The Dolphins need so much help on the offensive line that Martin will have little to no competition.

10.  Buffalo Bills—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Start: With a great addition like Mario Williams to the team’s pass rush, the next logical step is to fix the ailing secondary. Hello Dre Kirkpatrick.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Start: Another team desperate for help on the offensive line, the Kansas City Chiefs will waste no time taking stud Riley Reiff.

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Start: The Seattle Seahawks need an effective pass rush from the outside linebacker spot, and they will find that with Alabama backer Courtney Upshaw.

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Start: With the versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line or even at outside linebacker, Melvin Ingram could be the best pure football player in this draft.

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Start: With a serious need at linebacker, the Dallas Cowboys will reach a bit here and take Nick Perry.

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

Start: With Andy Reid never taking a linebacker in the first round, the streak has to be broken and the biggest void on the team has to be filled.

16.  New York Jets—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Second String: With Mark Sanchez being signed on as the future of the team, Alshon Jeffery will be a new tool for the young QB to misuse.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Start: Not only do they love troubled stars in Cincinnati, an injury to Leon Hall that could slow him to start the season may have Jenkins starting game one. How fitting.

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Start: Philip Rivers' need for help in the trenches is too great to leave a talented star like David DeCastro on the bench.

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

Start: Just like Rivers in San Diego, Jay Cutler needs Mike Adams to come right in and start in order to keep him upright.

20.  Tennessee Titans—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Start: With Kenny Britt recovering from a serious knee injury, this will be Michael Floyd’s job until Britt is 100 percent.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Start: With the departure of Cedric Benson form the Bengals backfield, Lamar Miller will walk right in and be the team’s No. 1 running back.

22.  Cleveland Browns—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Start: The Browns need for a pass rush outweighs any philosophy of making a player sit before getting to play. If Brown outplays the other OLBs, he starts.

23.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Start: One of the worst secondaries in the NFL gets a major upgrade with South Carolina star Stephon Gilmore.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

Start: The sheer lack of competition and need to protect Big Ben means Cordy Glenn is a starting tackle from day one.

25.  Denver Broncos—Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Sit: Ryan Tannehill will sit behind Peyton Manning and just learn from him.

26.  Houston Texans—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Start: With the subtraction of Mario Williams, the Texans secondary has to be that much better. That’s where Mark Barron enters the picture.

27.  New England Patriots—Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Sit: While Devon Still may be the most NFL-ready defensive tackle, Bill Belichick will make him earn his way into the starting roster. Plus, sitting behind Vince Wilfork isn’t a bad thing.

28.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Start: Another case of a player starting out of necessity, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mercilus starts the season on the bench.

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Start: The need for offensive line protection for Ray Rice and Joe Flacco is too great to not start center Peter Knoz.

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Sit: With Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree already on staff, not only will Wright sit, he will probably mope around about it.

31.  New England Patriots—Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Start: With superb route-running ability and sure hands, Sanu will ensure a spot in the starting lineup for the Patriots.

32.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Start: The Super Bowl Champs need an LB, and he is a perfect fit. An easy start.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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