2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trent Richardson and NFL-Ready Talent That'll Fall

While some teams are in a position to draft the best player available, others have to draft for need. When that happens, better players fall. That may hurt them on the pay scale, but it puts them in better situations early. These players will all have that fate in 2012, as circumstances will cause them to drop further than they should. 

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

This one hasn't deviated at all since Luck announced that he was coming back for the 2011 season. Nothing has changed in that time. 

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

Giving up everything they did to get this pick, there is no way that the Redskins will consider anyone but RG3. The first two picks will have absolutely no suspense attached to them. 

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

There is no way that the Vikings could take anyone else here. Kalil is a cornerstone player that will protect Christian Ponder (or whoever the QB is) for the next decade. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

It's about time this team gets a real receiver on the roster. No receiver in the draft is anywhere near Blackmon's caliber, and they need to bring him in to help whatever player is under center in Cleveland. 

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

Much like we saw with Adrian Peterson in 2007, he is going to fall down, and we don't need to look any longer than that draft. In the same year, Calvin Johnson was taken. Now, in 2012, he is entering the prime of his career. 

Conversely, Peterson is coming off of a serious injury, and there is some serious doubt about how effective he'll ever be. Richardson should be better than No. 5 on talent alone, but won't go any higher than this. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

The Rams' secondary was awful in 2011. Claiborne is the best corner in the draft, and can also return kicks, which will help the field position battle. This is an obvious choice. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

They did sign Aaron Ross today, but the Jaguars are in need of depth in the secondary. That move will actually make Kirkpatrick a better player immediately, as he'll be in better matchups. 

8. San Diego Chargers (via trade with Miami): David DeCastro, G (Stanford)**

I haven't been talked out of thinking that the Chargers should trade up, and Miami down. San Diego doesn't need the depth, Miami does. 

What the Chargers need is a good lineman, and DeCastro is a tough interior lineman that will make run and pass protection better. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Still has the most game-changing potential of any tackle in the draft, and that's what the Panthers need up the middle. They do not have the line to keep blockers off Jon Beason and the Panthers' linebackers. Still will change that. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

I am looking at the Bills a lot like the 49ers. They have talent on the defensive line and now have Mario Williams, but still don't have the real matchup issues. Williams will be double-teamed, and offensive lines can handle the rest.

With Coples, they will have to respect an elite pass-rusher on the other side of Williams, and will be a terror on the NFL's quarterbacks. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Reiff is a solid tackle from the right side, which the Chiefs will need if they are going to compete for a division title. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Poe had an incredible combine, showing a burst that doesn't seem possible for a man of that size. He will be a long-term staple on the line of the Seahawks, making them a strong defense to deal with.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Martin was Luck's top outside protector while at Stanford. The man who is the Cardinals' quarterback going forth will need protection that they've lacked. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

The character issues will cause a drop, but this is a Top 10 talent all the way. Brandon Carr was a nice addition, but the Dallas secondary will be tested a lot this year, as the NFC East teams are all loaded with receiving talent. 

Jenkins is a tough player that will take favorable matchups all year against opponents' second and third receivers. All of the problems in college that got him kicked out of Florida will cause a drop, but the team that gets him will land an instantly ready NFL prospect. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

This would be Luke Kuechly, but Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported today that they have signed DeMeco Ryans. 

"

Eagles finally getting that LB they've been searching for as they have agreed to a trade w Houston for pro bowl LB DeMeco Ryans

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 20, 2012"

Upshaw is diverse enough to move to the outside in a 4-3 system, which will make the Eagles extremely hard to run against, a far cry from 2011.

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

Floyd is similar to Plaxico Burress in the red zone, but a little more dynamic overall. The Jets need to find a real offense to complement the defense, and Floyd is the best player to help them do that. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Wright is a dynamic playmaker. He, along with A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, will make this team a real force for a long time. 

18. Miami Dolphins (via trade with San Diego): Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)**

The Dolphins should not take Tannehill at No. 8, but they do need to take him as the QB of the future. With David Garrard in town, Tannehill is the perfect prospect to be groomed and ready to take over the position for 2013.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

The Bears' best chance at a dominant defense is to go after a guy who will keep blockers from Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher. Brockers has a lot of raw potential, and Chicago is in a position to be patient with him. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Kuechly is just an all-around stud linebacker. He is a sure tackler, but also has the speed to make big plays. The Titans can really use that kind of punch on their defense, so this pick has to happen.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Some thought should be given to trading up for one of the top corners, but Gilmore will do. The Bengals have the defense that will allow Gilmore time to grow into the NFL game, as he is still on the raw side. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

Miller is another big need, as the Browns don't have a stable back to depend on. Miller has the power to go occasionally between the tackles, but his burst is what the Browns need. That will give them an offense capable of scoring a few touchdowns a game. 

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

The more I watch this guy, the more I like him. He will fall in the draft, as safety is not a classic "reach" position, but he will be an instant impact player. 

If you have a guy who can defend the run like the 49ers' safeties do, but also play good pass coverage, he is a must-draft. Barron is that guy, as he anchored the best defense in the country while at Alabama.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)

The Steelers need to find a way to keep Ben Roethlisberger healthy, and also make life easier on the running game. Right now, it's not there. With Glenn, it will be.

25. Denver Broncos: David Wilson, RB (Virginia Tech)

Peyton Manning is the quarterback now, and they will need to take some heat off Willis McGahee. Wilson will be a good guy to ease into action, giving Denver what will be a tough offense. 

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

Andre Johnson masks a lot of their depth issues at receiver, but we saw last season that that can't last forever. Jeffery is a project pick, but one with a massive upside.

27. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB (Oklahoma)

Fleming isn't an ideal fit here, but the Patriots need to make their secondary better or they will not return to the Super Bowl. No player is better than Fleming, as he'll make the big plays needed to win games. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

The Packers need to find a guy to pressure the quarterback better, and Ingram is that guy. He will make the defense a lot better, allowing the secondary the opportunity to force more turnovers, which they did in 2010.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

Playing a position like center will cause Konz to fall down the draft boards. Still, he is ready to step in immediately and dominate the NFL.

This is something that the Ravens need, as their window is incredibly short, with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed nearing the end of their careers. This is a team that dominates the line of scrimmage, and Konz will help them do that. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

Similar to Konz, the position will cause a drop, but Fleener will be ready to jump into the league immediately. He is a big target that will be a force in the red zone, if nothing else. 

He also works for the 49ers as they go from multiple tight end sets a lot, and Fleener and Jim Harbaugh know each other from Stanford. This is a perfect match in terms of need and value.

31. New England Patriots: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

Brown is just a diverse backer. He plays the run, does well in coverage and attacks the quarterback well. New England's defense requires versatility, and Brown is the top fit here. 

32. New York Giants: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)

With the loss of Aaron Ross, the Giants need some depth in the secondary, which Hosley would provide. There is no player better for that than Hosley, who could be worked into action. 

**Speculated Trade

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