2012 NFL Mock Draft: Studs Who Will Become Franchise Cornerstones

Team cornerstones can be acquired anywhere in the NFL draft. Most teams expect these players to come in the first round, and the expectations aren't just reserved for the top-10 picks.

Aaron Rodgers was the 24th pick in the first round, and Ben Roethlisberger was the 11th pick. These two QBs are just as much entrenched in the fabric of their teams as Eli Manning and Peyton Manning are with their teams.

Well, Peyton used to be entrenched as a Colt. 

Here is a spotlight on players that will carry the same torch for their teams, and a complete first-round mock draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts have no other choice, it's Luck or bust at this point. They released Manning to the rest of the NFL to clear the way for Luck. Things haven't been officially decided, as both Robert Griffin III and Luck had great pro-days and combine performances.

With Luck carrying the lead into the pro days, his impressive performance on his own likely wrapped the top spot up.

Luck will be given every opportunity to excel in Indianapolis because they have so much riding on him. They sent a legend packing to clear a locker space for him, they want and need him to succeed.

Combine that commitment with his awesome skill set and great athleticism, and you've got a player that will be wearing the horseshoe for a long time.

At least until the next Andrew Luck comes along.

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

The Skins have made a comparable sacrifice to put themselves in position for RG3. They traded four draft picks, including three first-round picks for the rights to draft RG3.

Many people are screaming Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams as they examine this trade, but the difference here is that we're talking about a QB.

The position that changes the fate of a team more than any other. In that respect, if RG3 pans out, the deal could easily be worth it.

If he doesn't, it'll be a huge gut punch for the next three years when the Skins won't have a first round selection.

With that said, I believe in RG3.

We all know about the amazing physical skills, the 4.4 40 time at the combine, and the 37 TD passes. What most impresses me about RG3 is his mental approach, toughness and competitiveness. 

Those intangibles say to me that he'll be able to deal with setbacks, and he's talented enough to create his own successes. 

The Skins are getting a winner.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the safe pick for Minny but, if they wanted to be bold, they could consider Justin Blackmon here.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama

Say hello to the Browns' new star. If they could have pulled off a deal to draft RG3, it would be his franchise. At the four spot, the Browns will likely take Trent Richardson.

I'm not a fan of drafting a RB this high, especially when you have as many holes as Cleveland does, but there is no arguing Richardson's readiness for the NFL.

Coming off 1679 yards rushing in his junior season for Alabama, he has the durability and north/south style that will make him immediately productive.

Though he won't pull them out of the doldrums, Richardson will be the man in Cleveland for a while. 

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

Claiborne is set to have wrist surgery, but its not expected to cause his stock to fall and the Bucs still need help on defense..

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

Unless the Vikes have a change of heart, Blackmon should be here for the Rams.

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

Ingram is a potential star with boom or bust potential.

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The 6'5" 300-pounder did a good job at his LSU pro day, and likely solidified his top-10 status.

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

The Panthers defense could use an explosive pass-rusher off the edge.

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

With the Bills having already addressed the pass-rush in free agency, they are free to go after a major weapon for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, Memphis

Another player with boom or bust potential. Will Poe be another combine freak and in-game geek, or an actual star?

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

With Matt Flynn signed as the QB, Kuechly makes sense for the Seahawks. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a very athletic offensive tackle who has Pro Bowl potential. Reiff moves well and his ability to get out ahead of a RB on outside rushes stands out to me.

When I watched him run at the combine, as well as on video at Iowa, the prospects of him clearing the way for Beanie Wells is exciting for Cardinals fans.

He has LT physical measurements at 6'5" 315 pounds, but he could be truly dominant at RT.

No matter where he plays, I expect he'd be a mainstay on the Cardinals' offensive line for the foreseeable future, if they draft him. 

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

I am rooting for this extremely talented but troubled CB prospect. It's a solid pick for the Cowboys, as he can step in and play right away with Terrance Newman gone. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State

With DeMeco Ryans acquired from the Texans, Cox continues to strengthen the Eagles' run defense.

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

The Jets need a pass-rusher and Upshaw can do that with the best of the players in this draft.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is my favorite all-purpose back in the draft and a good replacement for Cedric Benson.

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

The Chargers have replaced Vincent Jackson with Robert Meachem. This pick will strengthen the run attack.  

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If Martin is still there for the Bears they will be ecstatic to select him.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

The Titans didn't land Peyton Manning, so Glenn is a nice return to the conventional approach of building a winner.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals need a corner badly, and Kirkpatrick is a great fit.

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

The Browns offense is void of weapons, and Hill has the athletic ability to be special.

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

The blazing fast Hosley immediately upgrades the Lions' pass defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

This edge-rusher can learn from James Harrison—the good stuff at least.

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

Broncos go conventional run-stuffing DT to aid the defensive side of the ball.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will surprise people and I predict he'll be a solid NFL receiver.

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

This will be an awesome pick for the Pats, and Gilmore could start from day one.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield CB, Virginia

I've had Peter Konz here for weeks, but with the Packers signing former Colt Jeff Saturday, I changed it to Minnifield. Corner is another area of concern for the Packers, and Minnifeild is a solid prospect.

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

This is the year the Ravens must draft Ray Lewis' successor. Though Ray still has one or two more years remaining at a decent level, the proactive approach would be to get the next MLB on the roster now.

Hightower is a great selection to fill that position.

He is huge for a LB at 6'2" 265 pounds, but he displayed his athleticism at the combine with a 4.6 40-yard dash.

There is no better situation for a player in this draft. He can learn from the G.O.A.T while getting playing time next to Lewis, as he's groomed to take over for the legend.

If the Ravens take Hightower, we may see the next great Ravens' defensive leader emerge.

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

The prospects of teaming Fleener with Vernon Davis will be too much to resist for the Niners.

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

Mercilus will be another addition to the improving and young Patriots' defense.

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

It is time for the Giants to refresh their RB situation.