2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dissecting Elite First-Round Prospects

The NFL Draft may always have a lot of unsafe options and risky picks, but this year's crop is highlighted by "can't miss players."

Here's a quick first-round mock draft with a closer look at the elite of the elite.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are in complete (and I mean complete) rebuilding mode. They could realistically go out and target any position, but there's no question they'll grab Andrew Luck to replace future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.

Luck, according to most, is the best quarterback prospect since Manning himself.

Not only does the Stanford QB have the arm strength, deadly accuracy, pocket presence and sneaky athleticism to be a great quarterback, he also has the intangibles. 

Luck is, by most accounts, a stand-out human being. He has a will to win and strives to not only make himself better, but his teammates better as well.

This is about as sure of a thing as a draft pick can be. If the Colts wanted to trade this pick (and they won't) they could probably get another team's whole draft.

That's how good Luck is.

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

The Redskins were originally slotted to pick No. 6, but they were willing to trade that pick and multiple other first round picks to move up to No. 2.

That proves how valuable Robert Griffin III is. If Luck wasn't in this draft, RGIII would be the clear No. 1 pick.

The former Bear lead Baylor to an Alamo Bowl victory last season by completing an insane 72.4 percent of his passes, and it's not like it was on a bunch of dump offs, either.

Griffin can throw a crazy-good deep ball, as evidenced by his late-game heroics against Oklahoma. 

Throw in his ridiculous athleticism and speed (4.41 40-time) and you have yourself a star in the making.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Luck and Griffin deservedly get most of the attention, but the Kalil is the only other player in this draft who is seen as a sure thing. 

Minnesota's current left tackle, Charlie Johnson, is one of the worst in the league and Kalil is easily the best prospect at that position. The Vikings could use help at some other positions, but nothing makes more sense than this.

The 6'6", 306-pound lineman has good agility, quick feet and the toughness to be an elite player in this league. But what's scary is that he still has the ability to get much bigger and much better, especially in the run game.

Kalil will be able to start right away in the NFL, but his ceiling is much higher. There aren't too many players you can say that about.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns really need to kick-start their offense, so they'll take the best running back prospect in a long time, despite this being a little high for a half back. 

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

The Bucs re-signed Ronde Barber for (at least) one more year, and they signed Eric Wright from Detroit.

Nonetheless, they could use some more depth in the secondary because Barber and Aqib Talib are far from sure things.

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

With Brandon Lloyd gone to New England, the Rams desperately need a pass-catching weapon if Sam Bradford is going to improve. Blackmon is their guy here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jags re-signed Jeremy Mincey, but they were rumored to be after Mario Williams, so defensive end will still be the pick. 

If Coples keeps his head in check, he is going to be scary good. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Miami didn't protect the quarterback very well last season, and now they want to keep new signal caller David Garrard safe.

Also, don't be surprised if Miami trades down to take a wide receiver to replace Brandon Marshall. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Carolina's run defense was terrible in 2011, and Brockers has elite size and quickness to fill those running holes. 

He is still a little raw, but his ceiling is through the roof and teams won't pass on someone like that too often.

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

The Bills have shored up their defense with a little someone named Mario Williams.

Now they'll look to add another weapon across from Stevie Johnson, and Floyd has the talent to start from Day 1.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Chiefs have done a good job in free agency by signing Eric Winston and Stanford Routt (OK, they may have overpaid for Routt, but he's a starter).

That leaves the need for a big man in the middle of the defense. No one's stock has risen more than Poe's since the Combine.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks missed out on Mario Williams, but Perry provides the relentless pass-rusher that Seattle wants.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals need to protect Kevin Kolb, who they are investing a lot in. Martin would be an immediate upgrade to this offensive line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Courtney Upshaw, DE/LB, Alabama

The Cowboys have filled almost all of their holes in free agency, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade this pick.

If they don't, Upshaw, who is a force on the outside and compares to Von Miller in terms of versatility, makes sense for depth in this 3-4 defense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Eagles just acquired DeMeco Ryans, but they could still use help at linebacker. Kuechly, who put up ridiculous numbers in college, could step in right next to Ryans.

16. New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

With Plaxico Burress likely gone, the Jets could use someone to play across from Santonio Holmes. Jeffery has Pro-Bowl talent.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Bengals signed Travelle Wharton from Carolina, but I still wouldn't be surprised if they continued to shore up their line with DeCastro.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DE, Mississippi State

The Chargers picked up Jarrett Johnson to fill the outside linebacker spot, so they'll look to improve their line.

Cox is the perfect fit for this 3-4 defense as he can play on the outside but also slip to the inside if necessary.

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

The Bears fixed their biggest need by getting wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Now, they need a tackle to put next to Gabe Carimi.

Adams is the best available tackle.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Titans could also use help in the secondary, but they won't be able to pass up Hightower here, who is often seen as a Top 15 pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincy just signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but it still wouldn't surprise me to see them pair a speedy Miller with the powerful Green-Ellis.

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

The Browns already got Trent Richardson, but they will need to continue to improve their skill positions.

Hill didn't get a whole lot of chances to prove himself at Georgia Tech, but when he did, he produced in big ways.

Putting him next to Greg Little would be a nice combo.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions really need to improve their secondary. Kirkpatrick could immediately step in and start for this team.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Steelers could use help on both lines, but Glenn is the best available player.

25. Denver Broncos: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Broncos just signed Tracy Porter, but Champ Bailey isn't getting any younger.

Jenkins will see his stock slip because of character concerns, but there is no question he has the talent to start immediately in this league.

26. Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Texans lost Mario Williams to free agency, but Mercilus led the NCAA in sacks last year. That should help ease the pain.

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

The Patriots have made some moves in free agency, but still haven't improved the corner position, which was beat with consistency last year.

Fleming is moving up draft boards and would be a good fit here.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE/LB, Marshall

Curry played defensive end in college, but he has terrific speed, so he'll fit Green Bay's 3-4 scheme perfectly.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens already have Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, but Sanu is an elite slot option.

Baltimore doesn't have a ton of holes, so they can afford to reach a little bit here.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa

The Niners signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, so they won't take a wide receiver here.

Instead, they'll improve the offensive line with Osemele, whose stock has been rising for a while now.

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

New England's defensive line gave an ugly 4.5 yards per carry last year. The big boy, Still will immediately help that number.

32. New York Giants: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Big, athletic tight ends are becoming the new trend in the NFL, and Charles is just that.

The Giants don't have a ton of needs, and they did sign Martellus Bennett at tight end, but Charles gives them yet another big-play weapon.