2012 NFL Mock Draft: Smart Moves for Every First-Round Team

Picking the right prospect in the first round of the NFL Draft is equal parts crucial and dangerous.

Particularly for those teams with picks in the top five, they have so much talent to choose from—and likely a variety of needs to address—that it can be hard to choose.

Should they really steer clear of running backs early in the first round, even if Trent Richardson is available?

Should they take a quarterback or a game-changing wide receiver? Is someone who's only started in college for one year too risky?

This mock draft predicts each team's first-round selection(s) and explains why those moves are the smart ones.

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

Luck has been called the best quarterback prospect some have ever seen because he has no deficiencies across the board. He's a great athlete and has the potential to be an All-Pro player while helping the Colts start a new era of greatness, post-Peyton Manning.

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

Pundits go back and forth on whether Luck or Griffin is the better prospect, but Griffin has the arm strength, accuracy and athleticism to be an elite NFL quarterback. He's shown the Redskins enough to prompt them to trade three first-round picks and a second-rounder for the No. 2 pick.

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

The Vikings need a left tackle as they rebuild their team and attempt to replace Charlie Johnson, and with Christian Ponder still developing, they need someone who can step in immediately and be impactful.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Speculation is still running wild about whether the Browns will take Tannehill, Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon, but for a team that doesn't seem committed to Colt McCoy, Tannehill could offer the size, intangibles and instincts necessary to start to turn things around for this franchise.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Bucs have made it clear they want to draft another cornerback, despite a lack of depth at running back. If they go that route, Claiborne is far and away the best option.

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

The Browns allegedly don't want a receiver at No. 4, which could play into the Rams' favor. Blackmon could give them a great option for Sam Bradford and drastically improve a lagging offense.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Jacksonville needs a No. 1 wideout, and Floyd—who has speed and size—could kickstart this offense, if the Jaguars opt to take a receiver instead of a defensive end.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

No more Jason Taylor means the Dolphins are in the hunt for a major defensive presence, and they'll need to get it in the first couple of rounds. Coples is a sack machine with size and speed.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Defensive improvement should and will be first and foremost on Carolina's wish list heading into this draft. Poe was dominant at the combine and even after a slide at the end of the 2011 season, his speed (he ran a 4.98-second 40) was impressive.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE, North Carolina

As they continue to transition to a 4-3 scheme, the Bills need to seriously improve their pass rush, and Upshaw can provide the presence off the edge that they need.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Chiefs don't have any obvious holes in their defense but could still use some improvement at linebacker. Kuechly, a tackling machine, would fit in nicely there, without the entire defense's success resting on his shoulders. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the best tackle available and can provide a great improvement on the offensive line.

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

The guy who protected Andrew Luck's blind side certainly deserves some first-round attention.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Cowboys are in serious need of an upgrade on defense, particularly in the secondary. Barron could step in immediately and make an impact.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

If Richardson—the best running back in this year's draft—is still on the board this late, the Eagles would be insane to pass him up, based on his skill level and potential alone.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jets defense struggled last year despite some big names, and Ingram gives them a versatile, solid presence.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The 6'3" defensive back can cover wide receivers and tight ends, making him the best option at defensive back aside from Claiborne.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus provides the Chargers with an improved pass rush, their biggest need heading into this draft.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Bears scouted the wideout at Baylor's Pro Day. He can provide Jay Cutler with a prime target to complement Brandon Marshall.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro gives the Titans a pass-rusher and fulfills one of their greatest concerns.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Cincy has lost both its guards to free agency and needs to rebuild at the position.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The versatile defensive tackle is massive (6'5", 322 pounds) and can play inside or outside.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Detroit needs to rebuild its secondary, and with Kirkpatrick off the board, Gilmore is a good second option with above-average coverage skills. 

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

The Steelers thrive on shut-down defense, and Hightower is ready to step in now as an impact player at the line of scrimmage.

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

The Broncos need to step up their ability to pressure along the defensive front, and Still provides great value at this stage of the draft.

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

Houston needs another weapon in addition to Andre Johnson. Hill impressed at the combine with his speed, running the 40 in 4.36.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Pats need a pass-rusher, and if Cox is still on the board at this stage, they'd would be foolish to pass him up.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, DE, USC

A lot of the Packers' defensive issues were covered up by a terrific offense, but they need help at defensive end.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Simply put, Baltimore needs a center. Konz is the top option.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The 49ers need a guard, and they might need to trade up to get either Adams or Cordy Glenn.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

One area New England needs to focus on during this draft is the defensive line. Reyes is an interior playmaker who can serve as a solid complement to Vince Wilfork.

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

After Jake Ballard tore his ACL, tight end became a primary area of concern for the Giants. Fleener could be the best option on the board at this point.