2012 NFL Mock Draft: Star Prospects That Will Propel Super Bowl Contenders

Rookies aren't going to get a team to a Super Bowl alone—there needs to be a solid veteran presence in place. And in these situations, a rookie can find a niche and play a significant role in a team's march to and through the playoffs.

As a rookie in 2005, Devin Hester played a huge role in getting the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl. His brilliance as a return man had significant impact, and it meshed well with Bears' defense and rushing attack. 

Let's look at four rookies who will play a similar role for their teams in 2012. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There is talk that the Colts should consider Robert Griffin III here, but I can't see Jim Irsay making that bold switch.

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

If the Colts don't flip-flop, the 'Skins will get their man.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil becomes Christian Ponder's blindside protection.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama

Browns stay ground dominant and bad with this pick, but Richardson is a good prospect. 

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

Claiborne helps to improve the Bucs' terrible pass defense.

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

Blackmon is looking even better after solid run at his pro day.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Baffled by this team not being able to land Tim Tebow, but Ingram is a potential star on defense.

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

After the Fins didn't get Matt Flynn or Tebow, I'm just about ready to give them Ryan Tannehill. Still, they can get him lower, and if they can keep this pick it'll be Brockers.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples to Carolina is still a great fit.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bills have signed Mario Williams and Mark Anderson as pass-rushers. Adding Floyd could potentially take their offense to the next level.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, Memphis

Poe could be a star in the middle of this defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kiechly, MLB, Boston College

Having already signed Flynn at QB, they can now address the defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

It'll either be Jonathan Martin or Reiff here, but it should almost certainly be an offensive lineman.

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

Hopefully we'll be talking about a success story with Jenkins by mid-season.  

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State

Eagles traded for MLB DeMeco Ryans to lock down the MLB spot, and Cox adds talent in front of him.

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

The Jets need a pass-rusher and Upshaw will be the best available.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

I love Miller's versatility, and this is a great pick for the Bengals.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro strengthens the Chargers' rushing attack.  

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears are building a solid offense. It started with acquiring Brandon Marshall, but this pick only extends it. The Bears will have gone from having a suspect offensive line to a strong, young, promising one.

Martin is the type of offensive lineman that could start from day one.

Gabe Carimi should return to take over at RT and the Bears should also draft a center, which would allow for Roberto Garza to move back to guard. Chris Williams has been effective at the other guard already. The Bears would have a solid young offensive line to protect Jay Cutler and pave the way for Matt Forte.

The Bears defense was good enough last year to make a Super Bowl run. The anemic offense was the issue, along with injuries to Cutler and Matt Forte.

If healthy, the Bears will be one of the top two teams in the NFC this season.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

The Titans didn't land Peyton Manning, but they have a solid running game that Glenn can bolster.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cornerback is Cincinnati's biggest need, so this makes perfect sense.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Browns need weapons badly and Hill is potentially a superstar.

23. Detroit Lions: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

After losing Eric Wright in free agency, the Lions definitely need a cornerback.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis has Steelers' edge-rusher written all over him.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

No weapons for Peyton Manning here, so the Broncos help steady that run defense. There will only be one truly dominant team in the AFC, and that will be the Patriots.

The other top spot in the AFC will be up for grabs. I see the Broncos being that team. Still is a solid and underrated defensive lineman and this pick would help solidify their already solid defense.

Manning will, of course, make the offense better, but I'm not sold on Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas as primary weapons, even for Manning.

Nonetheless, this should be a down year for the AFC. That being said, the Broncos should be the second-best team in the AFC.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Don't sleep on Wright. Despite the lackluster 40 time at the combine, he's still a player.

27. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots have to be chomping at the bit to start next season. Moreover, they probably can't wait to get to the playoffs.

This team was good enough to win it all last year, and it'll be even better in 2012. 

The defense improved, and by the end of the season it was a solid unit. Drafting Gilmore here is a huge get for the defense because it impacts two positions. It will allow Devin McCourty to comfortably stay at safety, as Gilmore is more than capable of starting for the Patriots in Week 1.

The improved Pats defense will give the offense the support it needs. Barring major injury, the Patriots will return to the Super Bowl next season.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Packers still haven't secured Scott Wells, who is a free agent. Until they do, I have Konz going here.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This is the spot for Hightower. The Ravens will be grabbing Ray Lewis' eventual successor.

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

That dual tight end thing worked out pretty well for the Patriots. Matching Fleener with Vernon Davis will take the Niners offense to the next level.

San Francisco is fortunate to have re-signed Alex Smith after their flirtations with Peyton Manning. With Smith back in the fold, the team that returned all 11 starters from its nasty defense is ready to go.

The Niners offense also added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham as weapons for Smith. With these additions and retainers, the Niners are the best team in the NFL.

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois

The Patriots add a pass-rusher to their improving defense.

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk could end up with a ton of carries for the Giants with Ahmad  Bradshaw always hurt and Brandon Jacobs released.