2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Available Draft Choices for Each Team

While one of the goals for NFL teams is to fill needs on their roster through the draft, sometimes the better strategy is to select the best player available.

It's hard to pass on a player who is extremely talented even though you already have enough depth at his position. 

Let's look at the best available draft choices for each NFL team with a first-round pick.

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

Andrew Luck is a once-in-a-generation talent with all the tools to be a franchise quarterback. With wide receiver Reggie Wayne re-signing with the Colts, Luck already has a No. 1 receiver to throw to.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via STL) 

The Redskins gave up two first-round picks to move up from No. 6 to No. 2 so they could draft Griffin, whose ability to pass well and run like Michael Vick makes him a tremendous talent.

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

Expect the Vikings to address a need for a franchise left tackle by selecting the fundamentally strong USC star Matt Kalil.

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

The Browns badly need an elite running back that can make big plays, which makes talented rusher Trent Richardson from Alabama an ideal fit.

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

The Buccaneers would be foolish to pass on Morris Claiborne of LSU, who projects to be a shut-down corner at the NFL level, even if cornerback isn't their biggest need.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via WAS)

Justin Blackmon would give the Rams a top-tier wide receiver to pair with star running back Steven Jackson next season.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC 

The Jaguars need to improve their pass rush, which makes UNC defensive end Quinton Coples a solid pick. He will be a talented defensive linemen in the NFL thanks to his solid combo of size and speed coming off the edge.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

With Riley Reiff and star left tackle Jake Long, the Dolphins would have two of the better young offensive tackles in football.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers' biggest need is finding a defensive tackle, and Michael Brockers with his great strength and technique is a fine fit for their defense.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

Floyd is a big-play wide receiver and has incredible hands. He is able to make difficult catches and is also reliable on third downs. He is one of the surest picks in this draft.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Jonathan Martin would fill a need for the Kansas City Chiefs at the left tackle position. They need a reliable tackle to protect quarterback Matt Cassel.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina 

Ingram's size and athletic ability make him a pass-rushing star that would greatly improve the Seahawks defensive line.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly would be a fantastic upgrade at linebacker and would give the team a reliable presence at the position that it hasn't had since Karlos Dansby left in free agency a few years ago.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys need a future star at cornerback, which is exactly what Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama will be at the NFL level.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama 

Mark Barron's ability to play well against the run and the pass makes him the best safety in this draft class, and a player who can star from Week 1.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Jets need a versatile defensive player who can improve their pass rush, which is exactly what Courtney Upshaw and his athletic talent will do.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

The Bengals would have a terrific young wide receiver combo if they paired Baylor star receiver Kendall Wright with last year's star rookie A.J. Green. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

With injuries hurting the Chargers' depth at the offensive guard positions, taking standout Stanford guard David DeCastro is a no-brainer for San Diego.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Bears need a franchise center to help keep quarterback Jay Cutler healthy, which makes top center prospect Peter Konz of Wisconsin a perfect fit.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Nick Perry is a fabulous pass-rusher who would immediately upgrade the talent on the Titans defensive line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama 

Some character issues make Janoris Jenkins a risky pick, but in terms of talent, he's one of the best players in this draft class.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State 

If the Browns want to have a successful passing and running game next year, they must upgrade the talent on their offensive line.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Alfonzo Dennard might not be the best player available here, but the need for an upgrade at cornerback in Detroit is too big to ignore.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

With Casey Hampton probably not having too many more productive years left in his career, it's time for the Steelers to select Dontari Poe as their nose tackle of the future.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford 

Drafting Coby Fleener would give new Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning a talented tight end to utilize this season.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

Alshon Jeffery has enormous talent and is capable of stretching the field with his great speed. He also has great hands and runs tremendous routes.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois 

The Patriots must improve their pass rush next season and Whitney Mercilus, who led the NCAA in sacks last season, is the man to do that.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DL, Penn State 

The Packers already have a stud nose tackle with B.J. Raji, but Devon Still is way too talented too pass on when Green Bay needs to improve its defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

With Ray Lewis toward the end of their career, finding a linebacker with the talent of Dont'a Hightower is priority one.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia 

Adding some talent and depth to the offensive line would be a smart move for the 49ers. Cordy Glenn is one of the top guard prospects in this class.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State 

The Patriots need another defensive lineman who cans stuff the run and rush the passer, which makes Fletcher Cox a solid pick here.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson 

The Giants don't need a tight end in the first round, but Dwayne Allen of Clemson might be too talented too ignore at this stage of the draft.