2012 NFL Mock Draft: Superstars Super Bowl Contenders Should Trade Up for

The NFL Draft is always one of the most exciting offseason events in football, and all of sports for that matter.

It’s a three-day affair that features tons of intrigue because of reaches, gambles and most importantly, trades.

Let’s take a look at the latest mock with an eye on some possible moves that could be made by competitive teams trying to get even better.

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

The Colts would be losing their mind if they decided to trade out of the No. 1 spot and not take the most promising franchise QB in years, especially considering Peyton Manning just departed.

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

The Redskins pulled off a huge trade a few weeks ago to move up to the No. 2 spot and secure RGIII, the first of many potential moves they will need to make to become Super Bowl contenders.

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

Minnesota is quite set at many positions and locking up a franchise LT like Kalil further improves their offense, which may struggle under second-year QB Christian Ponder.

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

Cleveland should be content with taking the best RB prospect in quite some time here and helping to boost their offense, considering there are no elite QBs left.  

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

The Buccaneers should have been competitors in 2011-12, but they underachieved drastically. A new coach, the best defensive prospect in the draft in Claiborne and a new attitude should help them get back to the postseason this coming year.

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

Blackmon is an ideal fit in St. Louis and has the ability to get Sam Bradford playing at an elite level again.

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

Coples is a risk, but one the new coach and owner in Jacksonville must make.

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

Tannehill is not a franchise NFL QB, but Miami is so desperate for one that they will reach for him here.

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

Ingram will help bolster a soft Carolina defense that needs all the help they can get.

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

Reiff makes sense in Buffalo as a blue collar OT that will help Ryan Fitzpatrick find time to throw and open lanes for the running backs.

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

Poe is a physical freak that dominated the combine and the Chiefs should bet will dominate the NFL.

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

Upshaw isn’t going to turn the Seahawks into contenders instantly, but his presence—along with new QB Matt Flynn’s—will make them a team to fear in the new future.

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

Kevin Kolb and Beanie Wells both dealt with crippling injuries last season, meaning a solid tackle like Martin is someone they must invest in.

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

Dallas needs to figure out how to run the ball again if they want to make the postseason and DeCastro is the right man for the job.

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

If the Patriots or another team that direly need a No. 1 receiver are looking to trade, there is definitely some potential here. Floyd fits in Philly, but New England could make a play for this pick and this player with their two late first-round picks.

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

Since the Jets have added Tim Tebow and probably plan to use him in packages, they need to bolster their line and get back to a strong running game. A big boy like Glenn would help accomplish that.

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

Cincinnati has two picks in the mid-to-late portion of the draft, but most likely would be best served holding onto them instead of trading.

Kirkpatrick fills a huge need and if they feel they can snag an elite prospect like that this late, there is no point in moving.

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

Perry is a risky prospect, but his upside and potential are through the roof. San Diego can afford to—and almost has to—gamble on a pass-rusher like that now that Peyton Manning is in the division.

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

The Bears would love for Kuechly to slide this far. He’s a natural heir to Brian Urlacher and promises to be an NFL stud for years to come.

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

Versatility is the word most often used to describe this young man and that is exactly what he will provide on the Titans' line.

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

Even if Cincinnati just signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis, adding a speedy back like Miller into the fold that has the potential to bust home run plays would open up their offense immensely.

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

Cleveland needs to re-tool their offense and adding a potentially great receiver like Wright to complement Richardson would be great. Should Colt McCoy not pan out, they can work on getting a QB next season.

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

Konz will bolster a Detroit line that still has a lot of work to do in order to protect Jahvid Best, Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Lions’ backfield.

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

Hightower fits the mold of a Steelers LB; big, strong, fast, athletic, hard-hitting and a never-say-die attitude.

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

Denver could be looking to trade up in the draft now that they landed Peyton Manning and have a limited window to win in.

If they can’t make a move, Still is one of the most NFL-ready DTs in the class.

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

Barron addresses a major need for the Texans in the secondary and will help them reach their second-straight postseason.

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

The Pats need help on the defensive line and you would be hard-pressed to find someone to debate that. Brockers incredible upside makes him an intriguing choice this late.

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

Gilmore looks like he could step in and be a solid contributor from day one in GB’s secondary.

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

Were it not for Jenkins numerous off-the-field incidents, he would be going much earlier.

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

San Francisco already added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, so this pick would be a bit excessive. Look for them to try and move it to get a better prospect.

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

Another d-line prospect for a team that direly needs help in that area.

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

Fleener’s sub-4.5 speed ensures he will be the first TE off the board and the Giants desperately need a productive one.

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