2012 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Your Team Can't Afford to Let Go

Prospects are the driving force behind success in the NFL. Free agency is a part of building a championship team, but everything starts with the draft. 

This year's class is deep, with high-upside, high-impact players who are going to change the fortunes of their new teams. 

Of course, not everyone is going to work out, which is why it is important to keep some expectations in check. 

Here are the best prospects in the NFL draft that teams can't afford to ignore on April 25. 

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

Some analysts—namely Merril Hoge—seem to think that Robert Griffin III is the better prospect. Let's not get crazy. 

While RG3 has the potential to be a great quarterback, he isn't Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback is the Bryce Harper of the NFL Draft—a game-changer who will be the face of the franchise for the next decade. 

The Colts should have no hesitation when filling out the card for Roger Goodell to read on April 25. Luck has been, is and will continue to be the man that Indianapolis will rebuild the franchise with. 

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

If it sounded like I was dismissing the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, that was not my intent. In fact, the Redskins are lucky to be getting him. 

This franchise has had a poor history of quarterbacks, particularly over the last 20 years. They need someone to bring them back to prominence. 

As far as sheer athleticism goes, Griffin is the best quarterback in the draft. He has game-changing ability with his arm and legs. It will take some time for him to adjust to the speed of the NFL, but he will be a star. 

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

Kalil gives Christian Ponder protection and opens holes for Adrian Peterson to do even more damage to the NFL. 

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

The Browns could go in any number of directions, but Richardson is the best playmaker on the board. 

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

Claiborne will be able to play alongside Ronde Barber for a year before taking over as the primary defensive back for this team. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via Washington 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Sam Bradford will personally drive to the airport to pick up his new No. 1 receiver. This offense will be special in two years. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

While the Jaguars have more pressing needs, Barron represents the best value due to his big-play ability. He can change the attitude of a defense with his presence alone. 

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

I do expect the Dolphins to try and move down so they can get more bang for their buck. Tannehill is going to be the pick because they need a long-term solution at quarterback. Sadly, I don't see David Garrard being that player. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Panthers are going to be the non-playoff team from last year that take the next step. The biggest reason for optimism, besides that Cam Newton fella, is Poe. 

The defensive line was a huge problem for the Panthers last year. Poe will change everything that they do on defense, because he can get after the quarterback or plug the middle to stop the run.

Considering how well he tested at the Scouting Combine, Poe could be taken well before the Panthers get to pick. If he is still on the board, he is the obvious choice. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Mario Williams gives them an attitude on the defensive line. Jenkins will bring a swagger back to the secondary, as long as he can stay out of trouble off the field. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly just feels like a Romeo Crennel player—tough, hard-nosed and confidence to make plays that most linebackers won't. Think of him as a new version of Tedy Bruschi. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

The Seahawks are going to be better in 2012, especially with Upshaw's ability to get after the quarterback. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If the Cardinals are serious about Kevin Kolb, they need to build an offensive line that gives him time to throw the ball. 

DeCastro will step in and be a starter right away. He is versatile, with the ability to play on either side of the line. As long as the Cardinals are able to plug some of the other holes up front, they could have one of the best offenses in the NFL. 

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

Kirkpatrick needs to work on his coverage skills, but his ability to go after the ball is as good as any defensive back in this class. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers looks like the player the Eagles are going after, especially when they got DeMeco Ryans to play linebacker for basically a bag of balls. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Now that the Jets are going to make Tim Tebow an option in the red zone, the offensive line becomes even more important. 

There doesn't seem to be a clear direction for this team right now. Glenn will help them get back to being the smash mouth running team they were when they made the AFC championship game in 2009 and 2010. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Landing BenJarvus Green-Ellis was a major coup, but the NFL has turned into a two-back league. Miller is the best all-around running back in the draft. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Philip Rivers got beat up last season, which contributed to his struggles. Reiff is a steal at this spot. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bears need to keep rebuilding their receiving corps. Brandon Marshall is going to be great with Jay Cutler, but Floyd has No. 1 receiver potential. Those two will be match-up nightmares in the red zone. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Pass-rushing was not a strong suit for the Titans last season. After taking a run at Mario Williams, they are still left searching for someone who can get after the quarterback. 

Some feel that Ingram is a Top 10 player in this class because of his speed off the edge. That is a little too generous, especially since he doesn't do anything else well at this point. 

Still, it is hard to argue with a rookie who can step in and give you 8-10 sacks right away. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

An aging secondary will get an infusion of youth and upside with the raw-but-talented Gilmore. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The middle of the defense is still a huge hole that the Browns have to fill. Cox doesn't have the upside of Dontari Poe, but he is so big that opposing backs will be lucky to find any daylight to run through. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OG, Stanford

Unless the Lions want to add another receiver who can take pressure off Calvin Johnson, the offensive line is the most obvious area to upgrade right here. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is a very mixed bag, with the size and strength to be a dominant offensive lineman. Too often in college, he got beat with poor technique and loss of focus.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

While Peyton Manning certainly makes Denver a lot more attractive, their best course of action to rebuild their offense is through the draft. Wright is a great complement to Demaryius Thomas. 

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

Hill is a game-changing receiver for the Texans. He is the opposite of Andre Johnson, whose strengths are his ability to make plays over the middle. 

Hill gives them the downfield threat that they need to become more consistent in the passing game. He has track-star speed with great hands and a long physique that help him grab the ball out of the air. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Patriots are desperate to find linebackers who can play in their 3-4 scheme. Hightower needs time to develop, but he will be a star. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

David doesn't have the hype surrounding him that a player like Kuechly does, but he is legit. He has size and speed to give the Packers much-needed depth and impact at the linebacker position. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is an intense blocker who will fit right in with the powerful Ravens offensive line. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Despite returning all 11 starters from the most dominant defense could make the 49ers rest on their laurels, they aren't deep in the secondary. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry will give Bill Belichick another 3-4 edge-rusher who can make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The Giants may not need another weapon in the red zone, but Fleener is too good to pass up. He is 6'6" and nearly 250 pounds. There is not a linebacker or defensive back in the league that can hope to contain that at the goal-line. 

There are not a lot of areas this team has to upgrade right now; they just have to get more consistent in the regular season. 

Adding another weapon that can make big plays in the passing game can fix a lot of those problems. 

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