2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Choices for Every Playoff Team

With the Scouting combine out of the way, there are just a few weeks before the 2012 NFL draft reshapes the NFL landscape.

While the teams that pick first are making important decisions for their futures, the later first-round picks will have direct influence on which teams make the playoffs and which team could win the Super Bowl.

Teams italicized are playoff bound.

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There is little doubt that anyone will be picked No. 1 this season besides Andrew Luck. Book it.

2.  Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Almost as certain as Luck at No. 1 is Robert Griffin III going to Washington No. 2. They didn’t go all-in for an offensive lineman, or at least I hope not.

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

While Matt Kalil will not bring playoff success right away, he is the franchise left tackle that could help sustain success when it comes.

4. Cleveland Browns –Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cleveland has holes all over their roster, but they will fill their running-back void with a pure bruiser in Trent Richardson. Should have plenty of touches this season.

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

With Ronde Barber getting older, the Tampa Bay Bucs need to find his replacement. Morris Claiborne is the ideal candidate, and he will fall right into their lap.

6. St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

The Rams will look to start adding pieces to their soon-to-be-potent offense by drafting stellar inside wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

While Michael Brockers may be the best pure talent in the draft, he is very rough around the edges and will be a project for the Jaguars.

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

My surprise playoff team of 2012 will be the Carolina Panthers. After a solid first year, Ron Rivera and Cam Newton will go on to beat out the Atlanta Falcons for the wildcard spot in the NFC. Defensive end Quinton Coples will have a lot to do with that success.

9.  Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

After failing in the pursuit of every major free agent quarterback, the Miami Dolphins will be relegated to drafting Ryan Tannehill far too early.

10.  Buffalo Bills – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With Mario Williams drastically helping the Buffalo Bills pass rush, the need at cornerback will have the squad snagging Alabama standout Dre Kirkpatrick at No. 10 overall.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With serious needs on the offensive line, Stanford Cardinal star Jonathan Martin will help keep Matt Cassel upright.

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

With an already impressive pass rush, Upshaw will be the dual-threat run and pass stopper that becomes Pete Carroll’s ultimate defensive utility man.

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

With Stewart Bradley clearly not the answer for the Cardinals, they will find solace in taking Boston College star Luke Kuechly.

14.  Dallas Cowboys – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

While the Dallas Cowboys are a solid team, even drafting an awesome guard like David DeCastro won’t help them make the dance this year.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Philadelphia Eagles are heading back to the playoffs after disappointing everyone last year, but it will be the stellar play of new middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans and first-round pick Riley Reiff that put them in a position to win it all. Reiff will emerge as a starter and dominate in front of Michael Vick.

16.  New York Jets – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

With absolute chaos on the offensive side of the ball, the Jets and Rex Ryan will find the perfect defensive end for their 3-4 system. Melvin Ingram can also play outside linebacker, but his pass rushing from anywhere will have the Jets on the verge of, but just missing, the playoffs.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Let me get this straight. Cincinnati is taking a troubled cornerback? I don’t know…

18.  San Diego Chargers – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

As hard as it is to believe, the Philip Rivers-led Chargers will miss the playoffs again, but it will be close because of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery helping keep games alive.

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Jay Cutler needs to be upright to have a chance, and Mike Adams will do a satisfactory job. Not good enough to make the playoffs, though.

20.  Tennessee Titans – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The Tennessee Titans may have missed out on Peyton Manning, but they will hit it big with stellar outside linebacker Nick Perry and his pass-rushing abilities.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)

With Cedric Benson out, the Bengals will grab his replacement in stellar back Lamar Miller.

22.  Cleveland Browns – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Cleveland Browns will have two first-round picks this year. Add Trent Richardson to UNC defensive end/outside linebacker Zach Brown and you have a serious rebuilding effort that could be deadly in a few seasons.

23.  Detroit Lions – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Detroit Lions will win one of the NFC wildcard spots in 2012. One of the biggest reasons will be the stellar play of cornerback Stephon Gilmore. If the Lions start rushing the passer more efficiently, Gilmore will be able to control the secondary and help improve the porous defense.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The Steelers have question marks all over the field, but Cordy Glenn will give Ben Roethlisberger the time to win enough games to sneak the Steelers into the playoffs with the AFC wildcard.

25.  Denver Broncos – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Peyton Manning needs weapons in Denver and Michael Floyd will be his little buddy. I expect the duo to have amazing numbers and bring them to an AFC West title.

26.  Houston Texans – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Houston Texans lost one of their top pass rushers in Mario Williams, but the addition of Mark Barron in the secondary will keep the team on top of the AFC South.

27.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Patriots will make the playoffs no matter who they pick in the draft this season, but their picks will always be solid. Devon Still is one of the best defensive tackles in the draft and NFL-ready, a great addition.

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

Green Bay is looking for more pass-rush ability from the defensive line, and that’s what they’ll get when Mercilus attacks from the end spot. The NFC North is Green Bay’s for the taking.

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Baltimore Ravens offense will find their rhythm this season and give their defense one last chance at ultimate glory. Center Peter Konz will help the Ravens win the AFC North and go deep in the playoffs.

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With Alex Smith under center, drafting another wide receiver is the worst possible plan for the 49ers. They will win a weak NFC West almost by default.

31.  New England Patriots – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

While the Patriots have been accused of not thinking big enough in the free agency market for wide receivers, Bill Belichick has Mohamed Sanu in his back pocket ready for such an occasion.

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Giants will fill a major void, but it won’t be enough to keep them from missing the playoffs.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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