2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams Certain to Hit Home Run with Round 1 Pick

The 2012 NFL draft will be here before you know it, and while every team hopes to end up with the best player possible, some are going to end up doing better than others. 

There are always teams that make questionable picks, but the smart ones out there are going to end up with a smash hit of a draft pick. 

Of course, those picking near the top have the best chance to win big on draft day, but there are some teams in the later part of the first round that will end up with a very good pick. They're the ones thanking those teams that made dumb picks. 

That being said, here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each player and more in-depth look at teams that will hit a home run on draft day. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

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

The Colts are absolutely getting a home run pick in Luck. He's the best prospect in the draft, and after parting ways with Peyton Manning it's no secret they're going to draft him.

Sure, they could look at getting Robert Griffin III, but Luck is a better fit for the Colts.  Luck has the skills on the ground to extend plays if necessary, but he'll primarily be in the pocket, firing it downfield with ease. 

Indianapolis is preparing for its future, and it will definitely be happy with Luck under center.

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

The Redskins gave up a lot to get here, and time will tell if it was worth it, and it's only worth it if Washington picks the Heisman Trophy winner. Expect the Redskins to select the former Baylor Bear. 

Griffin is a dual-threat QB that thinks pass first, and that makes him one of the most dangerous players out there. He is certainly a home run pick, as he will become the face of the franchise in Washington. 

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

The Vikings benefit in a big way from the Redskins trading up with the Rams, and they'll gladly select Kalil to protect Christian Ponder for many years to come. 

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

For the longest time, I had the Browns selecting a wide receiver here, but that was because I thought they would re-sign Peyton Hillis. They chose not to do so, which is all the indication one needs to know they're going to take Richardson.

The former Crimson Tide running back is the top player at his position, and he is going to be a huge home run pick for the Browns if they do in fact end up getting him.

They need a workhorse like him behind Colt McCoy. Richardson will help the Browns offense in a major way.  

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

The top defender in the class of 2012, Claiborne will be an instant upgrade for the Buccaneers secondary. 

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Rams will shockingly bypass a wide receiver here, choosing instead to secure their defensive front for a long time. There's a lot of risks with taking a wide receiver in the Top 10, and Jeff Fisher will choose not to gamble. Plus, the Rams have a slew of picks anyway, so don't be surprised if they jumped back into Round 1. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State 

The Jaguars will be very excited to see Blackmon fall their way. They need playmakers, and Blackmon is one of the best in the draft. 

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Dolphins dealt Brandon Marshall, so I fully expect them to use this pick on a skilled wideout. Jeffery's big frame and superb hands will work wonders in Miami—that is, if the Dolphins figure out their QB situation. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

This Carolina kid will love staying home, and the Panthers will love getting a player that will constantly be after the opposing QB. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Bills may look to help the offense here, but with Upshaw still available, they'll do the right thing and further strengthen the defense. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Chiefs have to do a better job of protecting their star playmakers, and Reiff will definitely help with that. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry is an explosive player off the edge, which is just what the Seahawks need. 

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

Martin has been trending down on some draft boards, but the Cardinals won't pass up on the chance to really boost their offensive line. 

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

The Cowboys could potentially go with a linebacker or an offensive stud here, but Kirkpatrick's skills are too good to let walk away, especially considering how much Dallas needs help in the secondary. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

A tackling machine, Kuechly will provide the Eagles with further depth on defense, which is crucial for their success in 2012. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): ): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

The Jets need to focus on improving their offense, and getting Floyd is a phenomenal move for a team in need of a big threat out wide. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Despite having character issues, Jenkins will go in the first round. The Bengals will focus on his talent and pray he stays out of trouble. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Chargers need to surround Philip Rivers with adequate protection, and landing Adams will greatly help. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears finally got a No. 1 WR for Jay Cutler, so they'll wisely use this draft pick on getting their QB better protection. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is a dynamic force up front that thrives on applying pressure to opposing QBs, which is just what the Titans need. 

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

Getting BenJarvus Green-Ellis in free agency was big for the Bengals, but they'll still select Miller. His blazing speed will be a great complement to the "Law Firm."

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

The Browns will focus on offense once again with the second pick of the first round. Wright is a great deep-threat wideout that will help Colt McCoy spread the ball. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

The Lions may think about a cornerback here, but their best bet is to get an offensive lineman that will help keep Matthew Stafford safe. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Steelers could certainly consider a linebacker here, but after the secondary was burned by Tim Tebow in the playoffs, they'll wisely add extra depth at the corner position. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Broncos offense is shaping up nicely thanks to offseason moves, which means Denver is going to focus on defense in the draft. The defensive tackle position is the team's biggest needs, and Poe is the best one on the board. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Texans are literally getting a home run with this pick. Hill's pure speed will help him blow past NFL defenders, resulting in huge gains for Houston. 

Hill is perhaps the best home run threat in the draft, and while the Texans' biggest need isn't at wide receiver, they cannot afford to let Hill walk away.  

With Andre Johnson getting hurt in recent years, the Texans need better depth at the wideout position, and Hill will give them exactly that. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Patriots' biggest needs are on defense, but Bill Belichick does love him some offensive linemen. Konz has the ability to move to guard at the next level, and because of that, the Patriots will definitely scoop up such a versatile lineman. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): ): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Packers will focus on defense in the first round, and with Brown still on the board, they'll gladly get a defender that can help relieve some pressure off Clay Matthews. 

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

The Ravens may reach for an offensive lineman here, but their best bet is to select the best available defender here, which is Hightower, a player who happens to be the perfect guy to learn from Ray Lewis. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama  

Even though the 49ers signed Mario Manningham in free agency, they may still think about a wideout here depending on who is available. With the top guys gone, they'll wisely use this pick to draft help for the secondary. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots are likely to trade this pick away, but it would be in their best interest to keep it and boost the defense with the skills of Gilmore. 

32. New York Giants (9-7):  Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

The Giants have a need for a tight end with theirs getting hurt in the Super Bowl, so look for them to select Charles, a skilled receiving tight end that can also block really well.