2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full First-Round Draft Complete with Possible Trades

The 2012 NFL draft is going to be an interesting one, and a number of franchises fortunes are on the line with their first-round selections.

Should they hit, they could be in for years of prosperity and playoff appearances. Should they miss, they could be financially crippled by the salary cap and having a bum on the roster with a guaranteed contract.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with a few fake trades thrown in for fun.

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

Luck is the consensus No. 1 pick and showed why at his pro day last week. He can do everything well and the Colts cannot afford to miss out on the next franchise QB.

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

The Redskins believe they have finally found their quarterback in RGIII and risked a lot of future assets to acquire him. They are praying he pans out.

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

Kalil is an elite LT prospect who will not disappoint the Vikings and will keep Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson safe from defenders.

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

Richardson is the best skill position prospect out there (aside from the two quarterbacks drafted earlier) and will make an instant impact in Cleveland.

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

The Bucs would be foolish to pass on the best defensive prospect in the 2012 class. He’s a perfect partner for Aqib Talib in the secondary and could be a replacement if Talib is eventually suspended or let go for his off-the-field misconduct.

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

Blackmon is the receiver Sam Bradford needs to look like an elite QB again after having a sophomore slump.

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

Coples represents a risk for a franchise with new ownership looking to make a splash. The Jaguars have no reason not gamble on someone who could become one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL.

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

The Dolphins could not land Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn in free agency and will not be able to draft RGIII or Luck. They will panic and take this guaranteed bust.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is a good DE that will help a Panthers team that could not stop anyone from abusing its defense in 2011-12.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff has the look of a franchise left tackle and should help protect Ryan Fitzpatrick’s blind side for a long time.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis 

Poe stormed into the early first round because of his incredible combine performance and he looks like someone who can clog up the middle with ease.

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

The Crimson Tide pass-rusher will address a major need for the Seahawks.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin’s presence will help keep Beanie Wells and Kevin Kolb healthy, a major problem for last year’s Cardinals.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft and will fall no further than the Cowboys here at No. 14.

15. Chicago Bears: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College** 

Here is the first trade. Chicago jumps up a few spots to nab Kuechly, a promising LB that is the heir apparent to Brian Urlacher in the Windy City.

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

Glenn’s selection represents a return to the power running game that got the Jets to two-straight AFC Championship Games.

17. New England Patriots: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama***

Another trade. The Pats realize the dire need to improve their secondary and get a Nick Saban product with tremendous upside to do that. They will surrender two late first-round picks to swap with the Bengals here.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry is risky, but the Chargers will need an elite pass-rusher now that Peyton Manning is in their division.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame**

The Eagles were fine dropping a few spots and still land their guy in Michael Floyd, a big receiver who mixes perfectly with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is an extremely versaltile lineman that will help get to the QB and stuff the run.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

While Miller may be falling in many scouts’ eyes, he’s still an elite talent with incredible speed and a perfect change of pace to newly signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Cleveland adds another offensive weapon to surround Colt McCoy here with later in the first round.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz has to help keep Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best healthy if the Lions want to find postseason success.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is a nasty interior linebacker who can light fools up, something the Steelers are known for.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still, as an NFL-ready DT, is a win-now pick for a team in win-now mode.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron’s an excellent talent and the best safety prospect in the class. A big pickup for Houston if it can land him.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU***

Brockers has so much potential and the Bengals are lucky to land him this late with a pick they received from the Pats.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has been steadily climbing up the draft boards as a talented all-around CB. He’d help Green Bay’s woes against the pass.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

A top-10 talent that should have gone much earlier if not for his off-the-field problems.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has issues creating separation in college and will have to prove he can do that at the next level if he is going to find any success.

At least he will be playing with Randy Moss, once a master at getting past his man.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Steph Hill, WR, Georgia Tech***

Cincinnati would love to add another freakish athlete at WR with this late pick from NE.

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

Fleener ran a great 40-yard dash at his pro day and is a lock for the first round.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.

**Possible trade: Chicago trades No. 19 pick and picks outside the first round to Philadelphia for No. 15 selection.

***Possible trade: NE swaps No.  27 and No. 31 picks with Cincinnati for No. 17 selection.