2012 NFL Mock Draft: Final Landing Spots for College Studs

As free agency slowly winds down, focus has shifted to the 2012 NFL draft. While football's yearly draft is often a crapshoot, I feel pretty confident that I know where the top six players in this year's class will end up.

Here is a look at where I think the six biggest studs from the college football world will land and the rest of my current first-round projections.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

All Luck did in 2011 was handle all the expectations that come with being the best player in college football with unparalleled ease. He was the top player in this class all season long and never wavered. I questioned his decision to return to school for his redshirt junior year, but he did more than prove me wrong, he made my questioning of his decision look foolish.

After an outstanding pro day workout, Luck reasserted himself as the clear choice for the Colts at No. 1. He is the most complete quarterback prospect to enter the NFL in about a decade, and while there will be a learning curve, his ability and surprising athleticism will make it far less steep.

He remains the clear choice at No. 1 for the Colts.

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

Robert Griffin's Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2011 was remarkable. He was productive (4,239 yards and 37 touchdowns) and was incredibly accurate (completion percentage of 72.4). 

The Redskins traded up strictly to get him and they paid a hefty price. Luckily for them, after a fantastic showing at the combine and his pro day, Griffin showed himself to be worth it. He will likely be the starter from day one in Washington and while Luck is the top player in this class, Griffin isn't a bad consolation prize.

His athleticism, improved arm strength, accuracy, delivery and intangibles all give him a very high ceiling. The Redskins are getting a winner who will represent their franchise well on and off the field.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings have to take Kalil here. He is the most complete offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins selected Jake Long with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

At 6'6" and 306 pounds, Kalil has elite size with room to add bulk, but he also has incredible feet and quickness for a guy with his body. His long arms help him keep speed rushers at bay, and he is strong enough to withstand the straight-ahead push from power and bull-rushers.

When run blocking, he gets to the next level quickly after almost always dispatching of his first target. He seems to relish punishing smaller players on the second level and has a nasty streak that pops up when leading the running game.

There has been talk that Minnesota was considering other options with this pick. That would be a mistake. Kalil will be a perennial Pro Bowler at left tackle and they simply can't pass him up.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns could go in a number of directions here, but I think Richardson has to be the pick. After losing Peyton Hillis to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland needs someone to lean on in the running game. With no one equal to the value of this pick available at quarterback or offensive line here, the team needs to take an impact player like Richardson.

While at Alabama, Richardson showed his versatility. He can catch balls out of the backfield, is an excellent blocker in pass protection and can take the pounding of a franchise running back.

He is an every-down back and is a monster when running between the tackles, but he also has the speed to run away from defenders once through the line. He almost never goes down on first contact and his vision is developing but on its way to elite status.

Richardson is the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007, and the Browns shouldn't even think about adding anyone else. With Colt McCoy locked in at quarterback for 2012, Richardson will help take a lot of pressure off of him.

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

Claiborne is simply the best cover cornerback in this draft. Though he didn't generate the headlines that teammate Tyrann Mathieu did, the LSU product may have been the better all-around player in the secondary.

He has decent size (5'11" and 188 pounds), but his quickness and instincts are simply incredible. Claiborne has excellent ball skills, and that, combined with his recognition skills, should either lead to a lot of interceptions or quarterbacks completely ignoring his side of the field.

Tampa Bay singed Eric Wright this offseason, but he has been shaky throughout his career, while Aqib Talib has had serious problems staying out of trouble and Ronde Barber is returning but isn't what he once was.

Claiborne is simply too high of a value to pass up here. He can learn from Barber, then be turned loose to replace him.

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

When the Rams traded out of the second pick, they were obviously hoping things would fall this way and that Blackmon would drop to them. Nice work, guys.

Blackmon dominated college football over the past two seasons, putting up numbers that would give a defensive coordinator nightmares. He hauled in a ridiculous 232 catches for 3,304 yards and 38 touchdowns. Again, that's just silly.

He is clearly the best receiver in this draft and by snagging him the Rams will finally give franchise quarterback Sam Bradford the top target he so desperately needs. We've seen the way Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have developed into a formidable tandem, now Bradford and Blackmon will get their chance to shine.

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

Coples is a high-risk, high-reward pick, but the Jaguars need help along the defensive line, and he could turn into another Julius Peppers.

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the most technically sound of all the offensive linemen left on the board and by lining up across from Jake Long, he would make Miami's line scary good.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, LSU

The Panthers will go with a defensive lineman here and I'm guessing Poe will be the guy after his insane combine workout.

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

I really like Upshaw here for the Bills. I know they signed Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in free agency, but Upshaw could rotate with them to form one of the best pass-rushing trios in the NFL. Upshaw can also stand up to play as an outside linebacker at times.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

With Poe gone at this point, Kuechly is the best fit as he plugs a big hole at the middle of the Chiefs' defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Seahawks swung and missed on Aaron Curry, but they won't suffer the same fate with another hybrid guy like Ingram. He will slot in at defensive end and be a terror for opposing offensive lines within a year.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Levi Brown signed a five-year deal to return, but a move to right tackle would be ideal for him. That leaves room for Martin to step in and take over the left side.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Stanford guard David DeCastro has been here forever in my mock, but I think the Cowboys feel set along the offensive line after free agency. Cox would give them a versatile force for the middle of the defense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles needed to shore things up in the middle of their defense this offseason and they started that process by trading for DeMeco Ryans. Adding Barron is a slam dunk here.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

This is a spot where a team could definitely trade up and give the Jets a few extra picks to make a move, but if they stay put, I think New York grabs Perry, who could be the best pure pass-rusher in this draft.

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

Miller is a home run threat who is still developing and would pair with BenJarvus Green-Ellis to form a very good one-two punch in the running game.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

This would be an absolute dream scenario for the Chargers, as DeCastro could step in and replace the retired Kris Dielman immediately

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

Floyd is the second-best wideout in the draft and with Devin Hester and Brandon Marshall already on board, Chicago would finally have an excellent receiving corps.

20. Tennessee Titans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

A bit of a guess here. I think the Titans want to give young quarterback Jake Locker every chance to succeed and Fleener is an extremely underrated commodity in this draft. He is a stud and would give Locker a safety valve to grow with.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a top 10 talent whose stock has dropped thanks to an arrest for marijuana possession. The Bengals roll the dice here and get rewarded with a fantastic, physical cover guy.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

With a running back already on board in Richardson, the Browns go about shoring up their offensive line by snagging the versatile Glenn. 

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

I like this pairing as Konz (who could also play guard) will help take pressure off of quarterback Matt Stafford because of his impressive ability to read defenses.

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

I really like Still here even though his stock has dropped some. He is a mauler who is better on film than in workouts and could really add some boost up front with Casey Hampton aging.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Somehow, Brockers lasts this far, and at 6'5" and 323 pounds, he quite literally fills Denver's biggest need.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans finally get a No. 2 receiver worthy of lining up across from Andre Johnson.

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

Love this pick for the Patriots. Jones is an underrated, developing prospect who could be a monster for head coach Bill Belichick. He is versatile and athletic and should fit right in somewhere along the front seven.

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

The Packers resist the urge to move up and get a guy to help Clay Matthews cause pressure from the edge. They are rewarded when Mercilus falls into their laps.

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

The Ravens need to draft Ray Lewis' successor at some point. There is no better time than now, as Lewis can mentor Hightower for a year or two before the young guy takes over.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill is incredibly raw, but he has elite size at 6'4" and 215 pounds and averaged 29.3 yards per catch on 28 receptions in 2011. The 49ers need help at receiver and he would provide that.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

The rebuilding of New England's front seven continues with the addition of Reyes, who can play all over the defensive front.

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

The Giants need help on the outside at linebacker, and Brown is one of the fastest, most impressive athletes in this draft.