2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Studs Who Will Provide Most Immediate Value

The 2012 NFL Draft is filled with immense talent, but the first round is where teams hope to find that one player who will make an immediate impact.

Those teams picking at the top of the draft have the best chance to land the instant impact players, but there have also been late first-rounders who end up thriving as rookies. 

Of course, there are hidden gems in every draft, and even those players that go undrafted still have a chance to shine in year one. 

However, it's typically the first-round picks that dominate as rookies. 

That being said, here is my 2012 NFL mock draft, with info on each pick and a more in-depth look at those players who will provide the most immediate value for the team that chooses them. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

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

Of course a player labeled as a franchise QB is going to provide a team with the most immediate value. 

Andrew Luck will take over the Colts and help make them relevant in the NFL once again. It may take time for him to win big, but expect Luck to do some good things as a rookie. 

He's a star player that will waste no time in making an impact in the NFL. 

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

The Heisman Trophy winner fills a huge need for the Redskins. As a dual threat QB that thinks pass first, Griffin is sure to excel once he steps foot on the gridiron. 

Washington gets a much-needed star player that will transform the franchise into a winning team once again. 

Griffin is bound for great success in the NFL, and he'll make a great impression from day one and never look back. 

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

Christian Ponder needs all the protection he can get, which is why the Vikings would be wise to draft Kalil, the best offensive lineman in the draft. 

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

Trent Richardson could perhaps make the biggest splash as a rookie in 2012.

The Browns are in dire need of playmakers on offense, and since they decided to let Peyton Hillis walk, it's a no-brainer that they'll select Richardson. 

The top running back in the draft, Richardson's skills translate very well to the NFL, and he's going to be making big plays as soon as Colt McCoy hands him the ball. 

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

The Buccaneers need help in the secondary in a big way, and Claiborne will be an instant upgrade down in Tampa. 

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

The Rams are likely to end up selecting a wide receiver here, but Brockers is a dynamic force on the defensive line that will terrorize opposing teams with ease. His massive frame combined with his great talent will significantly help the Rams improve on defense. 

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

The Jaguars needs all the help they can get on offense, so look for them to select a playmaking wideout here. Blackmon is the best on the board, and he'll do wonders for Blaine Gabbert. 

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

The Dolphins traded away their best wide receiver this offseason, so this is an easy call. Miami would be insane not to upgrade their offense will the talent Jeffery would bring in. 

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

The Panthers will select the hometown kid to help apply pressure to the excellent QBs in the NFC South. 

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

The Bills have to keep improving their defense if they're ever going to win big in the AFC East. 

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

Kansas City has to protect its star players, so look for the Chiefs to take Reiff, the second best offensive lineman in the draft. 

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

Perry explodes off the edge with ease, which is exactly what the Seahawks need to help them win more games, especially now that they believe they have a top QB in Matt Flynn. 

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

Martin will give the Cardinals strong depth up front on offense, helping to create big holes for the running backs. 

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

The Cowboys would be wise to select a cornerback here, and Kirkpatrick is the best available. Their offense is good, so taking a defender here is Dallas' best bet. 

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

The Eagles traded for linebacker DeMeco Ryans, but it's no secret they need more depth on defense. Kuechly, one of the best tacklers in the draft, will give them that and more. 

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

Mark Sanchez is going to be fighting for his job in 2012, and having a guy like Floyd to throw to in the red zone will definitely help him stay as the Jets' No. 1 QB. 

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

Jenkins has character concerns, but there is no denying his talent. The Bengals will look past his past and focus on what they hope will be a bright future. 

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

The Chargers may look to the defensive line here, but I think they're better off drafting the best available player, which is Adams. Don't be surprised if they trade this pick, though.

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

The Bears have to be thrilled about getting Brandon Marshall for cheap, because now they can put their draft focus on getting more protection for Jay Cutler. 

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

The Titans have a need for a defensive end that can apply pressure to opposing QBs, and luckily for them Ingram has a knack for that. 

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

The Bengals need to boost their backfield, so selecting Miller here is the right call. His blazing speed will give Cincinnati another young, athletic star that will make big plays all season long. 

Pairing Miller with the Bengals' newest running back, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, is a phenomenal move for Cincinnati.

Miller's talent will shine bright right away, allowing the Bengals to make a lot of noise in the AFC North once again. 

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

The Browns continue to make their offense better by selecting a home-run threat in Wright. 

This skilled wideout has all the tools necessary to be an impact player for Cleveland, as he will greatly help the development of Colt McCoy. 

Cleveland needs to vastly improve its offense, and they'll be doing just that by drafting Wright. 

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

Cornerback is a strong option for the Lions here, and I believe they'll take one if the best offensive linemen have been taken. However, Glenn is still on the board here, and he's a perfect fit for Detroit. 

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

The Steelers' secondary was burned by Tim Tebow in the playoffs. That's embarrassing for Pittsburgh, and to ensure this doesn't happen again, the Steelers will add better depth at corner by picking Dennard.

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

The Broncos' biggest need is on the defensive front, and there isn't a better player available than Poe. A beast of a defender that can move well, Poe will give the Broncos a force on the line for many years. 

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

Andre Johnson cant do it alone in Houston, which is why I have the Texans upgrading their receivers. Hill has lightning quick speed, and he'll easily blow past defenders at the next level. 

The Texans' biggest need isn't at wide receiver, but they can't afford to let a guy like Hill, who will certainly be making plays from day one, walk away. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin  

It's no secret that the Patriots have to get better on defense in order to win another Super Bowl. However, Konz is a special player with versatile skills on the line, and Bill Belichick won't pass that up. 

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

The Packers are loaded on offense, so look for them to focus on defense in the first round. Brown is the best available defender here, and he'll work very well opposite Clay Matthews. 

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

Baltimore may end up reaching on an offensive lineman here, but with Hightower still on the board, the Ravens' best bet is to select him to maintain a powerful defense down the road. 

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

Another Alabama player finds his way into the first round. Barron is the top safety in the class, and he'll definitely help the 49ers secondary. 

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

It's in the Patriots' best interests to keep this pick, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see them trade it away. Taking Gilmore to help upgrade the secondary is the right call for New England. 

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

The Giants have plenty of options here, but going with Charles, a skilled receiving tight end that can make plays after the catch as well as block, would be the smart decision.