2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Matt Kalil and the Top Offensive Linemen Will Land

USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil has separated himself as the top offensive lineman in the 2012 NFL draft. And while the Minnesota Vikings are likely to land him he could end up falling if the team opts to go with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Here is a look at where I think Kalil and the rest of the top offensive linemen in this year's draft will end up as part of my latest full mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has been penciled in at the top of this draft since he announced he was returning to school for his senior year.

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

The Redskins made the trade to move up, now they will make Griffin their franchise quarterback.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil has to land here with the Vikings. He is the best offensive lineman I've scouted since Miami made Jake Long the No. 1 overall pick in 2008. The Vikings have a huge hole at left tackle and at 6'6" and 306 pounds, the USC product has the elite size and athleticism teams covet in franchise left tackles.

In addition to his size, Kalil has impeccable bloodlines, as his brother, Ryan, is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers and his father, Frank, played offensive line in the USFL. The younger Kalil is equally adept at pass protection and run blocking and studies his craft. 

He is a leader along the offensive line and I firmly believe he will quickly develop into a perennial Pro Bowler. The Vikings would be foolish to pass on him. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson was the best back in the nation in 2011, rushing for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading Alabama to a BCS championship.

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

Claiborne is easily the best cornerback in this draft and should quickly develop into a shutdown-type guy.

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

Blackmon has what it takes to turn into a legitimate No. 1 wideout. After piling up 232 catches, 3,304 yards and 38 touchdowns in the last two seasons he's ready to jump right into the action in the NFL.

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

Coples never produced like he should have in college, but he could be one of those rare guys who is far better in the pros than college. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the most technically sound offensive lineman in the draft, and that should be expected considering he is coming out of Kirk Ferentz's lineman factory at Iowa. He has outstanding technique, and while he doesn't have the upside of some of the other prospects in this class, he will certainly be a long-time NFL starter.

His tape is outstanding and he can play on either side of the line. He is durable and can do virtually anything you would ask of a tackle. If the Dolphins added him to a unit that already includes Jake Long and Mike Pouncey, they would have one of the best offensive lines in the league. 

Reiff is ready to help now and if he played right tackle in Miami he could form one of the best bookend tandems the league has seen in years. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a high-upside pick, especially since Panthers head coach Ron Rivera knows the importance of interior defensive linemen.

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

Upshaw is the best fit for Buffalo's system at this point of the draft. He can play both defensive end and linebacker and has been a leader for the defense while at Alabama.

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

For me, Poe had the most impressive workout at this year's combine. He is a once-in-a-decade athlete who will be a force for the Chiefs. 

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

Linebacker is a position of need for the Seahawks and Kuechly will give them a guy to patrol the middle of the field, something they haven't had since Lofa Tatupu was cut loose.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin missed the combine because of an illness and he isn't as dominant on tape has his gigantic frame would suggest. He is 6'6" and 312 pounds, so his elite size is a plus, and he's a smart guy, which means he should be able to learn quickly. 

He's a passionate football player who does whatever the team needs him to and is well-liked by his teammates and coaches. Given time he will become a leader along the offensive line.

The Cardinals re-signed former first-round pick Levi Brown to a five-year contract. While Brown has never lived up to the hype, a move to right tackle with Martin coming in to man the left tackle spot could be good for both guys.

Martin is a well-rounded tackle with tremendous upside. He could be a steal for the Cardinals here.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Based on pure ability, I grade DeCastro out as the second-best offensive lineman in this draft class. He is physical and has a punishing, dominating style, and for my money he was the best interior lineman on either side of the ball during the 2011 season.

If guards were more highly valued, DeCastro could be a top-five pick and the Cowboys would be getting a steal here. He will start from his first day in the NFL and barring injury he is a lock to become a Pro Bowler.

Last year the Cowboys selected USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith with the No. 9 pick. This year they will further solidify their offensive line by grabbing another Pac-12 road grader in DeCastro.

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

Ingram will be a steal if he falls this far. He was a playmaker at South Carolina and while the Eagles don't have a need at defensive end, they can't pass up the value Ingram would provide here.

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

The Jets just signed LaRon Landry, but he has had problems staying healthy and Barron is a leader who could provide stability at safety.

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

Miller and BenJarvus Green-Ellis paired together would be a dangerous combination on the ground.

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 held together with spit and Scotch tape in 2011. Glenn would provide versatility and depth.

He has played both tackle and guard and could either replace Clary on the right side or take the retired Kris Dielman's spot at left guard. 

San Diego needs to add depth along the offensive line, and while Glenn will eventually start in the NFL, the team could afford to let him sit and develop for a bit. In that scenario, he could be ready for a breakout by midseason.

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

Brandon Marshall, Michael Floyd and Devin Hester would form quite the trio of targets for quarterback Jay Cutler.

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

Perry is the best pure pass-rusher in this draft and the Titans need someone like him. A natural fit.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a top-10 talent whose arrest for marijuana possession has sunk his stock. The Bengals take a calculated risk here.

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

A complete guess here, but the Browns might take Tannehill to provide some competition for Colt McCoy.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

At 6'5" and 314 pounds, Konz has great size for a center. He has a fantastic frame, is powerful and he has outstanding intangibles also.

The Lions need help along the interior of the offensive line and Konz would be a fantastic addition. Mentally, he reminds me of a young Jeff Saturday. 

Konz is so intelligent when diagnosing defenses and setting up the line that he would take a lot of pressure off of quarterback Matthew Stafford.

He is also tough, having battled through medical issues to start 30 games in his three years at Wisconsin. He's a tough kid and won't get knocked around easily.

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

Steelers fans will love Still's toughness and the way he dominates the interior.

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

Denver needs a boost in the middle of its defensive line, which it gets with Worthy, whose motor never stops.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will give the Texans a legit No. 2 receiver to pair with No. 1 Andre Johnson.

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

A classic Bill Belichick high-upside pick. The Patriots need edge-rushers and Jones will be excellent given experience and time to develop.

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

Mercilus and Clay Matthews would be fantastic bookend rushers.

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

There is no better time for the Ravens to draft Ray Lewis' replacement, and Hightower could develop into a worthy successor. 

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

A "best player available" pick here, Gilmore is a big, physical corner who can handle big receivers. 

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

The rebuilding of New England's front seven continues with this pick.

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

Brown would be a perfect fit on the outside of New York's 4-3 scheme.