2012 NFL Mock Draft: Easiest Moves with the Biggest Impact

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, let's take a quick look at the easiest moves to project that also come with the biggest potential impact.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There's a reason why Luck has been the consensus No. 1 pick since the NFL's draft order was decided. He's in rare air in terms of quarterback prospects of all time, and the Colts would be crazy to let some late fascination with Robert Griffin III sway them from Luck.

Take him at No. 1 and enjoy a top player at the quarterback position for the next 10-15 years.

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

The Redskins didn't trade away an insane number of high picks for the right to draft anyone other than Luck or Griffin. With Luck being the likely pick for the Colts, Griffin becomes the consolation prize. The Heisman trophy winner has a little more risk than Luck, but the upside is off the charts. Griffin could have Cam Newton-like impact in Year One.   

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Drafting Kalil gives Minnesota the pass-blocking left tackle they need to keep 2011 first-rounder Christian Ponder upright.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Slowly but surely, the possibility of the Browns taking Richardson has become more and more clear. Ryan Tannehill will be worth a look, but why not use Colt McCoy another year with a couple high picks on offense?

If that implodes, then the Browns can look at quarterback high in 2013. Richardson is too special to pass up, even in a league that has devalued running backs. Achieving over 1,000 yards shouldn't be difficult for Richardson in Year One.  

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

With Aqib Talib's status for 2012 still up in the air, Claiborne fits both in value and need. 

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

The Terrell Owens comparisons might be a little too much, but Blackmon is the kind of player the Rams' offense desperately needs.   

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

The Jaguars smartly re-signed defensive end Jeremy Mincey, but the team still needs improvement in the pass rush. Ingram would provide the potential for 10 sacks right away in 2012.  

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

There should be no more playing around in Miami. Tannehill needs to be the pick so the Dolphins have a future behind center. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

There doesn't appear to be a bigger need on Carolina's roster than at defensive tackle.   

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With pass-rusher crossed off the Bills' list during free agency, the team can now look to add a franchise tackle.   

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT Memphis

Luke Kuechly is an option here, but Poe gives the Chiefs a top defensive line in their 3-4.  

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks defense made great strides in 2011, and one could make the argument that Seattle is just a player or two away from vaulting themselves among the NFL's best defensively. One player that fits into that equation is Perry, an athletic pass-rusher who can give the Seahawks a presence opposite Chris Clemons. If Perry is as good as advertised, the Seahawks will be tough to score on in 2012. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro is arguably the top offensive lineman available, which is exactly what the Cardinals need up front.  

14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is shooting up draft boards and the Cowboys still have a need at cornerback.  

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

The rich get richer on the defensive line, as the Eagles stop Coples' mini-free fall. 

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

Rex Ryan has always had good pass-rushers at his disposal, which is partly the reason he's had so much success as a defensive coordinator and defensive-minded head coach in the NFL.

But with the Jets last season, Ryan lacked a dominant pass-rusher to play with. While Upshaw isn't going to "wow" fans with athleticism, he's going to impress them with production. It'd be fun to see what Ryan could do with a talent like Upshaw. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

A run-mauling interior lineman, Glenn will help pave the way for a new-look Bengals' rushing attack in 2012. 

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

Left tackle was solidified when San Diego re-signed Jared Gaither, but there's still question marks on the right side.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Bears have been searching through free agency to find another pass-rusher, but they've yet to find that player. Drafting Mercilus scratches that itch and gives the Bears one of the draft's most overlooked pass-rushers.

Label him a one-year wonder all you want, but Mercilus has everything you want in a pass-rusher at the next level. Put him opposite Julius Peppers, and who knows how many times he'll be meeting the quarterback in 2012. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

After striking out on a free-agent center this offseason, the Titans can add the top player in the 2012 class at the position here. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller gives the Bengals a top young offensive trio with quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green.  

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

I doubt Floyd falls this far, as there should be a team or two who moves up into the teens to grab the talented receiver. 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cornerback depth is an issue in Detroit after Eric Wright bolted in free agency. 

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

Can the Steelers really trust Willie Colon to stay healthy for 16 games? 

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

The Broncos are a player or two away from taking the next step defensively, and interior defensive line is still one hole.  

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Wright can win in the slot and make plays vertically, which would give the Texans another scary element to their already stacked offense.

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

The Patriots could very well look at a pass-rusher with their first pick here, but I'd imagine Bill Belichick and Co. would have a tough time passing on a plug-and-play starter like Barron. He's not Ed Reed by any means, but he'll provide a consistent presence at the back end of a secondary that needs it.

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

Green Bay would love an outside linebacker here, but there's no value in reaching for one when so many talented defensive linemen remain on the board. 

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

I doubt Kuechly gets this far, but the Ravens will gladly take him to eventually replace Ray Lewis.

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

San Francisco used free agency to fill holes on offense, freeing up the draft to serve as a replenisher defensively. 

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

Would the Patriots be confident enough in their locker room to take such an impressive on-the-field talent?  

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

One of the more versatile players in the draft, Hightower could solve a big need at linebacker for the Giants.