2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Michael Floyd and Other First-Round Studs Land?

With most of the major free agents off the market, it is much easier to get a read on the specific needs of every NFL team. With that said, things are much clearer with regards to which players certain teams will be targeting in the NFL Draft roughly a month from now.

While there are still pro days to be attended, prospects aren't going to change their draft values much between now and late April. Players like Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd improved their stock at the combine, but there shouldn't be a lot of fluctuation moving forward.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here is some analysis on where some of the most impressive stud players in the draft are likely to land.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

With Peyton Manning now in Denver, the Colts will begin a new era in the franchise's history by selecting Luck as their new poster child.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via STL)

The Redskins certainly didn't trade multiple draft picks in order to take an offensive lineman at No. 2. Griffin is the clear choice as Washington's franchise player.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Minnesota was a mess on the offensive line last season after cutting Bryant McKinnie, but Kalil will definitely be a stabilizing force.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

As much as they need a franchise quarterback, the Cleveland Browns aren't in a position to get one in this draft. They are in no man's land at the fourth pick as it is too late to get Luck, and the Redskins leapfrogged them in an effort to grab Griffin. With that in mind, the Browns will have to address other needs.

There is no shortage of directions Cleveland could take with this pick, but the most likely would be to select Alabama running back Trent Richardson. There was some talk that Richardson could slide in the first round due to the lack of value placed on backs currently, but the Browns have a major hole there after Peyton Hillis signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Browns could go with Montario Hardesty, but he is too injury prone. Cleveland competes in the rough-and-tumble AFC North and needs a horse on offense who can help grind out drives. Richardson is precisely that as his impressive combination of power and speed will make life much easier for incumbent signal caller Colt McCoy.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Bucs just handed out a fat contract to Eric Wright, but with Ronde Barber advancing in age and Aqib Talib in constant legal trouble, they should nab the draft's top corner in Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via WAS)

All they had to do was move down four spots in the draft and the Rams picked up three first rounders from the Redskins. They still get their man as well in Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars did well to re-sign defensive end Jeremy Mincey, but he needs some help on the other side from an athletic freak like Coples.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Calling this offseason a rough one for the Dolphins would be an understatement as they dealt Brandon Marshall and missed out on Peyton Manning, but taking Reiff would soften the blow a bit.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers' defense was absolutely atrocious against the run last season, but a penetrating tackle like Brockers should lead to a major improvement.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Few teams made as big of an impact in free agency as the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have long been an underperformer as they haven't qualified for the postseason since 1999. But that may be changing, however, as Buffalo dove into the free-agent pool headfirst by making defensive end Mario Williams the richest defensive player in history.

While the combination of Williams, Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams will give the Bills one of the best defensive lines in football, there are still improvements to be made. The biggest appears to be at wide receiver as the Bills failed to secure Robert Meachem, who took big money and the chance to be the San Diego Chargers No. 1 receiver.

Buffalo made a smart move by re-signing No. 1 target Stevie Johnson this offseason, but he needs some support. Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd would seem to be the perfect fit as he has excellent size and speed. Johnson tends to thrive on intermediate routes, so a down-field threat like Floyd would open up the offense in a big way for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs have had a solid free agent period and look to be AFC West contenders. Shoring up the offensive line with Martin would make that even more likely.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Seattle put the finishing touches on its offense by signing quarterback Matt Flynn, but it needs a pass rusher, such as Ingram, on defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Cardinals have had a lot of turnover on defense over the past few years, but Kuechly could be an anchor in the heart of the defense for a very long time.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After releasing Terence Newman, the Cowboys have a major need at corner. Owner Jerry Jones will certainly be intrigued by the skill set of Kirkpatrick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

After re-signing wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the Eagles don't have a ton of needs. A do-everything safety like Barron would strengthen a weak secondary.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The run on Alabama defenders continues as the Jets figure to grab a dangerous linebacker in the form of Upshaw.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Although running back is a more pressing need, the Bengals could use a threat across from A.J. Green. Wright would give quarterback Andy Dalton a nice assortment of weapons.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With Kris Dielman retiring, the Chargers would greatly benefit from taking the consensus top guard in the draft in DeCastro.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Having addressed their biggest need by acquiring wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the Bears should improve their weak interior offensive line with the best center in the draft.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Since they seemed to be concentrating all their efforts on Peyton Manning, the Titans lost defensive tackle Jason Jones in free agency. A penetrating tackle like Still would be a solid replacement.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Cornerback was once a strength for the Bengals, but with Leon Hall nursing an Achilles injury, Jenkins is a must at this spot.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Against the ferocious pass rushes of the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals, the Browns need to protect Colt McCoy as much as possible. Adams will slide in at right tackle quite nicely.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

With tackle Jeff Backus re-signed and linebacker Stephen Tulloch expected to be re-signed, Detroit will address a poor secondary by taking Dennard.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

After what can best be described as a beastly performance at the combine, Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe has captivated the imaginations of many pundits. As rare of an athlete as he is, it is unlikely that he will be taken in the top 10 as many suggest due simply to the fact that there aren't many teams in need of a nose tackle.

One team that needs one desperately, however, is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only is current nose tackle Casey Hampton getting up there in age, but he is recovering from a torn ACL as well. Poe is nearly as big as Hampton at 6'4" and 347 lbs., but he is far more athletic as he shockingly ran a 4.87 40-yard dash at the combine. On top of that, he was the top bench presser as well.

Every good 3-4 defense has a great nose tackle, so the Steelers' front office has to realize how important it is to address that issue. Hampton did a fantastic job for many years and was one of the primary reasons why Pittsburgh's defense has been elite for so long. It's now time to pass the torch to Poe, however.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

It's well-documented that Peyton Manning loves to throw to the tight end, so unless they sign Dallas Clark, the Broncos would be best of nabbing Fleener here.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Besides perhaps Dontari Poe, no player had a more impressive combine than Hill. The Texans have been looking for a complement to Andre Johnson for a long time and Hill figures to be it.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Patriots pick late in the first round every year, and every year someone seems to fall to them. This year it will be a potentially great rush linebacker in Mercilus.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

Green Bay surprisingly had trouble getting to the quarterback last season. Clay Matthews needs some support and Curry will provide it.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens don't have many glaring needs, so they figure to take yet another promising young defender in Hightower as he can learn under Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Provided the 49ers are able to mend fences and secure quarterback Alex Smith, the only real problem area is the right side of the offensive line, which would be bolstered by Glenn.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

After grabbing Mercilus a couple picks earlier the Pats will continue their defensive transformation with a solid 3-4 end in Cox.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Giants signed Martellus Bennett to replace the injured Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum, but Bennett has always been a complementary tight end. Adding Allen would make for a great tandem.