2012 NFL Mock Draft: Easy Choices for Every Team in Round 1

We're now less than a month from the 2012 NFL draft and it's time to start getting more serious with our mock drafts. Here is my latest projection with free agency largely all sorted out and teams turning their focus to April 26, when they will select their next crop of young players.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It's the obvious pick and the one the Colts need to make. Baylor's Robert Griffin III has made a push to be taken first but Luck's pro day showed that he is the best prospect out there. Indianapolis is about to go through a rebuild, and Luck is the best place to start.

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins paid a hefty price to swap spots with the St. Louis Rams and they did it to move up to grab their quarterback of the future. Griffin has to be the guy here with Luck off the board.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There have been some rumblings that the Vikings really like LSU's Morris Claiborne here, but forget that. Kalil is the best player on the board and he fills a need. They have to take him here.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I don't know what the Browns will do here, as wide receiver Justin Blackmon could help as well. But with Peyton Hillis gone to Kansas City, Cleveland needs a running game and Richardson is the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007.

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

Claiborne is the best cornerback on the board and the Bucs get a great value here. With the free-agent acquisition of Eric Wright, they still need another corner for the future. Ronde Barber will return but he won't be around much longer, and Aqib Talib's spot on the roster is tenuous after so many off-field problems. Claiborne stabilizes the team's secondary and he's the best player on the board here.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This works out perfectly for the Rams as they finally get franchise quarterback Sam Bradford a No. 1 target outside.

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

The Jaguars need some youth along the defensive line and Coples is the best athlete in the draft. He could be the kind of guy who is actually better in the NFL than he was in college.

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins have to draft a quarterback but this is far too high for Ryan Tannehill, so they will continue to strengthen their offensive line with Reiff. An O-line that boasts Reiff, Jake Long and Mike Pouncey would instantly be one of the best in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Carolina couldn't stop the run in 2010, and they had to rotate players along the interior. While the offense could use help, Brockers has the potential to be scary good up front. He's too good to pass up.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

This might be a bit of a reach for Upshaw, but some have him listed above South Carolina's Melvin Ingram. Buffalo's move to a 4-3 and the addition of guys like Mario Williams and Mark Anderson mean they likely need a guy who can fit better at outside linebacker. Upshaw is more of a pure OLB than Ingram.

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

The Chiefs were soft up front last season and Poe is a stud run-stopper. He has also been referred to as a once-in-a-decade athlete. He will be a dominant pro.

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

Linebacker is a huge need for the Seahawks and Kuechly will give them a guy to patrol the middle of the field, something they have missed since Lofa Tatupu was cut loose.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a high-upside pick who can play either tackle spot. While the Cardinals re-signed Levi Brown, that doesn't mean they are content along the offensive line. An upgrade is needed.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro is easily the best guard in this draft and could be the second-best offensive lineman in the class (after Kalil). He has the look, ability and strength of a perennial Pro Bowler. Huge steal for the Cowboys here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

If Ingram falls this far it's a steal. He can rotate between linebacker and defensive end in Philly's 4-3 scheme and provide a big-time playmaker for a defense that under-performed in 2011.

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Jets are desperately in need of help at safety and the signing of LaRon Landry doesn't solve any problems, given his struggle staying healthy. Barron is a leader who will show up and play from day one and can play either deep spot better than anyone currently on the team's roster.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals need a running back to take over for Cedric Benson, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is only really a situational guy. Miller is a big-play threat who still needs to develop over time, and with help from Green-Ellis he will be able to. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia

The Chargers may look for help on defense with this pick (possibly a safety) but if Glenn drops to this spot they may have to take him. Jeromey Clary is awful at right tackle and the team's offensive line was essentially a MASH unit in 2011. Glenn would provide versatility and depth.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Yes, the Bears traded for Brandon Marshall, but should they really hang the entire hopes of their receiving corps on a guy with his checkered past? Adding Floyd, who is a big, athletic target with phenomenal hands will give Jay Cutler another target in the passing game.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry might be the best pure pass-rusher in the draft and he would be an absolute steal at this point for the Titans. After watching hours of tape on Perry, he may have been held more than any defensive player I've ever scouted. He is so quick off the end that no college tackles could neutralize him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Leon Hall is a solid starter, but the Bengals need another corner to fill the void left by Jonathan Joseph. Kirkpatrick is a Top-10 talent who has dropped thanks to an arrest for marijuana possession. He is instinctive and physical and should be an outstanding corner at the next level.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This is a complete guess and the Browns could go for an upgrade at linebacker or receiver. But I think they'll feel the pressure to add a young quarterback and if Tannehill is on the board at 22 he'll be worth the risk.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions need help on the interior of the offensive line and Konz is the best center in the draft. If they added him he could be a rock for the franchise for the next decade. He is smart, quick and instinctive. Whoever lands him will be thrilled with him by midseason.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Steelers will love a guy like Still. He's a mauler in the middle of the defensive line who could come in and at the very least occupy blockers. He's a hard worker and the Penn State ties don't hurt when headed to the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to get younger up front on defense, and Still helps that.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Broncos are woefully soft up front on defense and Worthy gives them a serious force on the interior of the defensive line. He's active, athletic and loves to cause trouble for offensive linemen. He'll start right away in Denver.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright didn't run a fast 40-yard dash at the combine, but no one should worry about his on-field speed. He will give the Texans a solid No. 2 wideout to pair with Andre Johnson and help open up the field for the rest of the offense. The local ties don't hurt either.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

The Patriots need more of a push against the quarterback from the edge, and while Jones is raw, he has tremendous upside. Jones is the kind of guy Bill Belichick can get his hands on and make into a defensive stud. It's a perfect fit for the Pats, who need to generate more of a pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Clay Matthews is one of the NFL's premiere pass-rushers, but he needs some help. The Packers didn't get as much pressure on the quarterback in 2011 as they should have, and their pass defense suffered as a result. Adding Mercilus to play opposite Matthews will help the defense immediately.

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

The Ravens need to draft Ray Lewis' successor at some point. There is no better time than now. Hightower can learn the ropes from Lewis and spell him at times for a year, then take over. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a big, physical corner who can handle bigger receivers. This is a total talent pick. The 49ers will take the best player available since there is no value at receiver here.

31. New England Patriots: Brandon Thompson, DE/DT, Clemson

Thompson is strong and quick up front on defense and will help add to New England's rotation along the defensive line. The Patriots need a significant improvement to their front seven and with Jones and Thompson on board they get younger and more talented there.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Brown fits the Giants' 4-3 scheme perfectly as he is an outside linebacker who loves to hit and is a serious playmaker. He is the fastest linebacker I've ever scouted, and that speed helps him make plays when his instincts might fail him.