2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full First-Round Predictions with Grades

Now that some of the biggest names in free agency have found new homes, many teams’ draft strategies have concurrently been altered.

For some teams, the need for a quarterback no longer looms like a storm cloud (Seattle, Denver). For others, the need for a quarterback may be unexpected and force an organization to scramble in order to find one (San Francisco, Alex Smith’s probable departure).

Whatever the case, we'll get our mock draft on, and bring you the latest possible first-round picks with a grade attached to every respective selection based on the importance of the player to the team.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

If you need a reason for why this will happen, you should watch this.

Grade: A+

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Although there should be no need for explanation, I will give you something simply for the sake of my love for writing.

The Redskins now have a deep-threat receiver they can trust with their addition of wide receiver Pierre Garçon, who told the world where he would be playing mere hours after free agency opened.

Griffin loves to sling it down the field and shows impressive deep-ball accuracy, and the “Griffin-to-Garçon” connection will become second nature to fans for years to come.

P.S. —Your jaw should hit the floor if Griffin is not the pick.

Grade: A

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Kalil will bring stability to an offensive line that surrendered 47 sacks in 2011. He should start right away on the left side, leaving Charlie Johnson out of the mix.

Johnson gave up eight sacks in his first—and possibly last—season in Minnesota and started all 16 games.

Grade: A+

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

In what could be the ultimate loss for the Rams, Cleveland should finally draft a receiver in the first round worth keeping.

You have to go all the way back to 1978 before you can find a first-round receiver that was worth what he cost the Browns in the draft. Ozzie Newsome. That’s it.

Grade: A+

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Tampa’s corners were torched for 18 touchdowns in 2011. Only San Diego with 19 gave up more, and Claiborne is far and away the best defensive back in the 2012 draft class.

This pick makes too much sense to overlook, and new head coach Greg Schiano needs to make a statement that awful secondary play will not be acceptable any longer. This is the way to do it.

Grade: A

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington): Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Steven Jackson will be 29 when the 2012 season gets underway. Though he still has some tread on the tires, the Rams need to start thinking about how they will replace its All-Time leading rusher (9,093 yards rushing).

Richardson, being the best back in the draft, is the logical choice for St. Louis if they intend on maintaining the run-game they have had for the past decade with Jackson and Marshall Faulk.

I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that the Rams may trade out of this pick. It has been reported that New England wants into the Top 10, and they are willing to part ways with their two first-round picks (27, 31) to do so. Do not be surprised if that happens.

Grade: B+

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Jacksonville re-signed starting RT Guy Whimper to a two-year, $5 million deal last week. B/R’s own Matt Miller ranks Whimper as the No. 23 best right tackle in the league.

He will no longer be the starting right tackle for the Jags, as Reiff should win the job in camp and preseason.

This pick was likely to be a receiver, but with the signing of former Cowboys WR Laurent Robinson via free agency, there is not as large a need for a playmaker. They should look to the later rounds to find a receiver with some potential.

Grade: B+

8. Miami Dolphins: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Paul Soliai has been re-signed to a two-year deal that will keep him in Miami until 2014. He is the starter—for now.

Where Soliai lacks explosiveness, Poe excels at getting off the ball and wreaking havoc in the backfield. Poe would supplant Soliai in the starting lineup rather quickly, allowing the Dolphins to trade the veteran for a pick or two.

Grade: B-

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

A quick trip southwest on the I-85 from Chapel Hill to Charlotte will be a great fit for Carolina’s defense and Coples. He is set to make an early impact for the team that takes him, and he will fit in well with Charles Johnson and company.

The pick would give Johnson the chance to play one side or the other more frequently while Coples would man the opposite side. In 2011, Johnson split time at both end positions, but he is more of a natural left end guy.

Coples would be another premier pass-rusher from UNC who stayed in state to play DE for the Panthers—the other, of course, being Julius Peppers from 2002-2009.

Grade: A

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With LT Demetrius Bell testing the free-agent market there is a need at the position. Martin can potentially play on either side, but with RT Erik Pears playing well in 2011, he would likely become the immediate starter in charge of protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick’s blind side.

Grade: B+

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With the departure of Brandon Carr via free agency to Dallas, the Chiefs’ No. 1 corner heading into the 2012 season is Brandon Flowers.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Flowers allowed 46 receptions for 667 yards and eight touchdowns for a 90.6 QB rating in 2011. That is not getting it done.

While there are some off-the-field questions surrounding Kirkpatrick, his play on the field should warrant this pick nonetheless.

Grade: A-

12. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Now that free agent QB Matt Flynn has landed in Seattle, management would be well served to get him a No. 1 target to whom he can throw. Sidney Rice may well be that target, but he spent much of the 2011 season nursing various injuries.

The physicality with which Floyd plays would make Seattle a much better offensive unit. He’s all about YAC (yards after catch), and Flynn does not have the best of arms. The term “dink and dunk” will come into play should Floyd end up in Seattle.

Grade: B+

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

It’s no secret I have a football-crush on Ingram. The reasons are obvious.

Power. Quickness. Versatility.

Likely to play outside linebacker (among other spots) in a 3-4, Ingram would be to defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s defense what James Harrison is to Dick LeBeau’s: A powerful edge rusher with the ability to drop back into coverage and take away passing lanes.

Grade: A+

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

With their cornerback issue somewhat taken care of after the Carr signing, Dallas can now look elsewhere in the draft to fill another need.

Barron is a big, strong defender who can drop down and help in run defense and fall back into coverage with ease. He would give defensive coordinator Rob Ryan the opportunity to move Gerald Sensabaugh to free safety for good, rather than continuing to move him back and forth as needed.

Grade: A-

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Boston College

The Eagles love drafting under-sized linebackers, and before the Combine Kuechly was just that. I was shocked to see that he measured at 6’3” and 242 pounds. I suppose that’s to be expected, but I did not expect a 12-pound jump from his final season at BC to the weigh-in in Indianapolis.

He is a tackling machine and will be a leader on defense for many years in the NFL.

Grade: A

16. New York Jets: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Bart Scott is all but out in New York, and that leaves a hole that needs to be filled.

Hightower can fill that hole quickly and satisfactorily for Rex Ryan. He is quick and agile considering his 6’2”, 265-pound frame and is a natural leader (two-time team captain at Alabama). He would play early and stick around for quite a few years with Gang Green.

Grade: B

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins fits the mold of what Cincinnati looks for in a player: Talented, with good potential and a shaky past. I don’t foresee any problems with Jenkins down the road, however. Being cut from the University of Florida football team and being forced to transfer to a D-2 school last year seems to have scared him straight.

He is a natural athlete and can play multiple corner spots on the field. He will probably need some work, as the competition in the Gulf South Conference is not what he will see in the NFL. The SEC is a closer comparison, but it’s been a full calendar year since he has seen consistent talent like that.

Grade: B

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

San Diego needs help in the pass rush. OLB Antwan Barnes led the team with 11.0 sacks in 2011. All other defenders compiled just 21.0 sacks.

Mercilus is a ball hawk who has a knack for getting to the QB, and his motor is always at full-bore. He is much like former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, but without the poor attitude.

Grade: B+

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

Left tackle J’Marcus Webb was just awful in 2011. In fact, since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft, he’s given up 23 sacks and a total of 88 QB pressures (per PFF.com).

Webb is a major reason Chicago’s line has been among the worst in football the past two seasons. Many mockers have the Bears taking Cordy Glenn, the OG from Georgia, but the guard position is not the problem. Replacing Webb with Adams will be an instant upgrade.

Though Adams is raw in talent, he is very moldable and could become great. He’s powerful at the point of attack and has long arms that help him keep defenders in front of him.

Grade: A

20. Tennessee Titans: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Tennessee is in need of some pass rush help. Dave Ball is an unrestricted free agent and may not return after a mediocre contract year.

Branch could earn playing time early because of his non-stop effort. He can also drop back into pass coverage from the outside linebacker position if needed, but his primary role in the NFL will be as a 4-3 defensive end.

Grade: B

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson is a free agent, and Cincy used its franchise tag on the kicker, Mike Nugent. If that’s not a slap in the face to Benson, I’m not sure what is. He will not return.

Miller has great speed, but is not a powerful runner. He runs smaller than his 5’11”, 212-pound frame would suggest he should. With time in a pro camp that very well could change. The Bengals need an every-down speed back, and Miller can develop into that.

Grade: B+

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Peyton Hillis is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2011 season was doomed from the word “Madden,” and he did not disappoint.

Wilson is a superb runner with incredible balance and a low pad-level. He should become an instant impact back behind the massive hogs in Cleveland.

Grade: A

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

Gilmore shot up draft boards with an impressive Combine performance. Once experts began taking a closer look at him, they realized he should be in consideration for the honor of being a first-round pick.

Detroit has a void with corner Eric Wright bolting for Tampa, and Gilmore makes sense for the Lions and their improving defense.

Grade: B+

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Casey Hampton still has the starting job, but he will be 35 when the 2012 season begins. Pittsburgh is also losing 36-year-old nose tackle Chris Hoke.

Brockers is a mammoth in the middle, and has the body-type, playing-style and ability to take the job from old man Hampton as soon as Week 9 of the 2012 season—maybe sooner.

Grade: A-

25. Denver Broncos: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Peyton Manning already has one great receiver from G-Tech to whom he can throw. Giving him this one may just be unfair.

Hill was the talk of the Combine, running an official 4.36 40-yard dash and a vertical leap of 39.5”, among other impressive numbers. He’s 6’4” and 215 pounds, to boot.

A rumor has started that Denver could make a play for Steelers’ RFA receiver Mike Wallace. Should that happen, this pick would belong to Pittsburgh—and Hill may still be the pick at No. 25.

Grade: A+

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright was a disappointment at the Combine. Expected to be among the fastest players at his position, he could only muster a 4.61 in the forty. That placed him No. 32 out of 40 receivers who participated in the event.

Nevertheless, Houston has a dire need for receivers, and he is still one of the best on the board.

Grade: B+

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Albert Haynesworth did not work out in New England. The Patriots need an eventual replacement for the aging Vince Wilfork, and Cox has the ability to be that guy. He’s quick and powerful, and was a disruptive player in college. He should develop into a disruptive force in the NFL.

Grade: B

28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, ILB/OLB, North Carolina

Brown played the middle backer position in college, but he may be better suited as an edge-rusher in the pros. He is one of the fastest linebackers in this draft class, but he tends to over-pursue and misses some tackles.

All he needs is good coaching to fix his flaws, and that’s just what he would receive in Green Bay.

Grade: B+

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Guard, Georgia

The Ravens lost LG Ben Grubbs to New Orleans through free agency, and Glenn could step in immediately and fill the void. He is powerful and can overwhelm defenders at times, and is a good run blocker. These are all things Grubbs brought to Baltimore, so it seems to be a perfect match.

Grade: B

30. San Francisco 49ers: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Konz is another in a string of great offensive linemen to come out of Wisconsin. He is the No. 1 center in the class, and could even play guard if needed.

Jonathan Goodwin is the man at center for SF at the moment and the team just lost its starting right guard to Arizona. Konz has the ability to adapt to the team’s need, then slide to the middle and become the leader of the line whenever that time may come.

Grade: B

31. New England Patriots: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

The Patriots may lose both Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis to free agency. Should that happen they would be left thin at the position. Martin is considered by some to be the second-best back in the draft behind Richardson, so a first-round selection is not out of the question.

Martin is similar to Ray Rice in that he runs extremely low to the ground. He is a patient runner (one would have to be in a Brady-run offense) and follows blocks well. Once Brady retires and the Patriots change the offense from a pure spread to a more traditional scheme—assuming that happens, anyway—Martin can be the every-down back they will need.

Grade: B-

32. New York Giants: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

David Diehl was simply bad in 2011. He split time at LG and LT, but no matter where he was he struggled. Zeitler is a guy who will learn a system quickly, coming from the pro-style offense at Wisconsin, and is a strong man just itching to hit someone. He could be the future at LG in New York.

Grade: A