2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where Top Offensive Tackle Prospects Will Land

Outside of quarterback, no offensive position in the NFL is valued more during the draft than offensive tackle. The best are usually monstrous human beings who move like guys half their size. It's a rare blend of size and speed that makes the position so valuable come April.

In the 2012 NFL draft, we have four offensive tackles—Matt Kalil, Riley Reiff, Jonathan Martin and Mike Adams—as first-round picks. The highlighted players show where we project each of the top prospects at the position:

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts can't afford to screw up this pick, but is that even possible with Luck or Griffin III available? 

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

The Redskins moved this far up to give themselves a chance at either Luck or Griffin.  

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Can the Vikings really go any other way here? Cornerback is a big need, but so is keeping 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder upright for longer stretches than he was granted last season. Kalil is the top offensive tackle in the 2012 class and makes for great value at No. 3 overall.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Trent Richardson will be very tempting here, but Claiborne gives the Browns a pair of lockdown cornerbacks.  

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson could rush for 1,200 yards his first year with Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph up front.  

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

Not only did the Rams take a bevy of picks from the Redskins for moving down, but they'll also get the player many pegged them to early on in this process.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram would team with up-and-comer Jeremy Mincey to give the Jags a chance at being much better at getting to the passer next season.

8. Miami Dolphins:  Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Dolphins have to find their franchise quarterback, and there's an obvious connection between Mike Sherman and Tannehill. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Defensive tackle is far and away the Panthers' top need.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Just a couple of weeks ago, this pick looked like a sure bet to be a pass rusher. Two headline signings later, and the Bills no longer have to look defense in Round 1. In fact, it's looking more and more likely that offensive tackle is the way they go.

Free agent Demetrius Bell looks ready to leave, and the Bills do not have a capable backup option. Reiff could start right away, whether it's on the left or right side.

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

Poe would give the Chiefs a first-round stacked defensive line.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Pete Carroll brought Perry to USC, and he now needs another pass rusher for his defense. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Cardinals may look long and hard at an offensive tackle, but DeCastro is too good to let pass.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB/S, Alabama

Even if Kirkpatrick eventually has to move to safety, he fills a need for the Cowboys. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina

Coples could likely play inside and out for the Eagles, who would challenge the Giants for top defensive line with this pick.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets got their offensive toy in Tim Tebow, now Rex Ryan needs a pass rusher to unleash.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Not a sexy pick for the rising Bengals, but one that will make them better in 2012 and beyond.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chargers did a nice job of locking up Jared Gaither, who held down the left side of the offensive line admirably late last season. But the right side still remains a mess, and both of the top guards—another lacking position up front—are off the board. Martin has the athleticism to play left tackle but could be a fine starter on the right side, too. 

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Bears haven't been secretive about their desire to add a pass rusher this offseason.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans can forget about striking out at center in free agency with this plug-and-play pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Teaming Miller with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green gives Cincinnati an exciting and talented offensive trio.

22. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Browns wouldn't think twice about picking Floyd this late in the first round.

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

Depth in the secondary hurt the Lions late last season, and Gilmore has the tools to be an instant starter.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Ben Roethlisberger is at his very best when he's moving around and breaking the pocket, but he's ended up getting hit far too often over the last couple of seasons. A big reason for that has been a makeshift offensive line that is constantly moving guys around to make it work.

It's time to invest in another edge protector to give Big Ben a chance at staying healthy for 16 games in 2012.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

There will temptation to give Peyton Manning an offensive toy, but Still can help replace the underrated loss of Brodrick Bunkley. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Putting a guy who can win in the slot and vertically makes the Texans a scary offense.

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Bill Belichick could breathe a sigh of relief by adding an instant starter in Barron. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

No 3-4 outside linebacker makes sense here, but Cox would be a fine consolation prize.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

I doubt Kuechly falls this far without a team trading up to get him, but the Ravens wouldn't mind if he did.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Thompson, DL, Clemson

San Francisco has been offense-heavy in free agency, so adding a big man to the defensive front makes sense early in the draft.

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Would Jenkins work in the Patriots' locker room? He's a top talent who needs to figure it out upstairs. 

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

Hightower, a versatile and attacking linebacker, gives the Giants an impact player at the second level of the defense.