2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Dominate Round 1 with Awesome Picks

Hitting on first-round picks is huge for franchises that need a breath of fresh air and even those that just want to continue dominating.

There are a number of potential superstars projected to be selected on day one of the 2012 NFL Draft, so let us take a look at some in the latest mock.

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

Luck is going to be the next franchise quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, a franchise that is hoping to slide seamlessly into the next era after releasing Peyton Manning.

It would be stupid for them to even think of taking anyone else here, and he is going to return this team to prominence.

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

Washington made a bold move of trading a lot of draft picks in order to move up a few spots to insure they can take Griffin.

They are hoping he pans out and becomes the elite QB they desperately have been seeking.

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

Kalil is worth the No. 3 overall pick because of his incredible upside and promise to protect Christian Ponder’s blindside and clear a path for Adrian Peterson for the long haul in Minnesota.

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

The Alabama RB is the rare prospect worth such an early selection for the position. He’s going to be a special talent and instantly makes Cleveland better.

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

Claiborne is the best defensive prospect in the draft, and will boost a Bucs team hoping to improve after an extremely disappointing 2011-12 campaign.

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

Blackmon is the ideal receiver to boost the Rams offense and help get Sam Bradford back and better than his rookie year form.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples represents a risk for a franchise that often doesn’t take them in the draft. However, they have a new regime and a new owner that needs to take a chance to hit a home run here.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Miami is an organization in disarray and they will continue to prove their ineptitude by selecting Tannehill, a prospect that has no business being selected with the No. 8 pick.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram will help improve a Carolina defense desperate for production at almost every position.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the second-best tackle prospect in the class, and makes for a perfect long-term investment for the Bills.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis 

Poe has shot up everyone’s big board after his incredulous combine performance and should go somewhere in the top-10 or right outside. He’ll definitely live up to the hype and is a great value for the Chiefs here at No. 11

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Seahawks need winners and pass rushers, Upshaw is both.

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

Martin’s pro day left something to be desired, but he’s still an elite talent and will help keep Kevin Kolb and Beanie Wells healthy and taking less hits in the desert.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the 2012 class, and represents a perfect pick for an organization that desperately needs one.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8):  Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Philly addressed their need for a LB by getting DeMeco Ryans, so they’ll skip on Luke Kuechly here and take another offensive weapon like Floyd, who fits in great with their current receiving corps.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

You have got to love this big guard prospect for a franchise that wants to return to the power running game that brought them back-to-back AFC Championship appearances.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Kirkpatrick represents the best value by far left on the board and an elite corner prospect for a team that was burned last season in the postseason by T.J. Yates.  

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry’s athleticism makes him worth a risk towards the late-middle portions of the draft, and the Chargers need a pass rusher to help bring down their new division mate, Peyton Manning.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

Kuechly is by far the best LB available, and seems like a natural successor to Brian Urlacher. It will be interesting to see if he falls this far.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is touted for his versatility and that is exactly what he’ll bring to this Titans team.

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

Miller may be falling in some scouts’ eyes, but his ability as a speedster is a perfect compliment to the newly acquired BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

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

Wright is yet another piece that the Browns should try to revamp their offense with without switching QBs from Colt McCoy.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best are too valuable to continue getting hurt in their careers, so working on the offensive line should be the No. 1 priority in Detroit.

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

Hightower is a hard-hitting linebacker that simply wins. Those traits alone make him a perfect Steeler.

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

Still’s stock has dropped a bit but he’s still the most NFL-ready DT in the class, and that is right in line with the Broncos’ new attitude in the Manning era.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron just makes sense here for a team that is looking to further improve their secondary like Houston.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

New England could use a potentially elite lineman like Brockers, who has tons of upside by little work actually done on the gridiron.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has been steadily rising up boards and looks to be a decent corner prospect worthy of being selected by the Pack late in the first.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If Jenkins didn’t have so much baggage off the field, he’d be a top-10 pick. Baltimore might be a good organization to help this young man get his life in order and become an elite football player.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has a lot of concerns about his heart and willingness to dominate, but his size and athleticism make him a first-rounder.

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

Another solid DL prospect for the Pats to develop.

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

Fleener proved he is first-round material with his sub 4.5 40-yard-dash speed at the combine.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.