2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Rounders Whose Fame Will Peak at Draft

There are some first-round picks in the NFL Draft that we completely forget about for various reasons. The 2012 NFL Draft won't be any different.

Here are three players whose fame will peak at the draft.

Those players can be found with a (*) beside what school they are from.

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

Andrew Luck to the Colts should be a done deal in my opinion. He's the best player in 2012. The Colts will feel the same way.

2. Washington Redskins (From 2-14 St. Louis Rams) Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Trading up to get Robert Griffin III was a brilliant idea for the Washington Redskins. They may have a franchise quarterback, something they haven't had in a long time.

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

Matt Kalil will dominate in the NFL. He has the size, athletic ability and strength to be a Pro Bowl player for years.

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

Cleveland could go three different ways with the No. 4 pick. They could reach for a quarterback, draft a receiver or draft a running back.

I'd go with selecting Trent Richardson, the best running back in the draft.

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

Morris Claiborne is a monster in the secondary. Tampa Bay would be wise to select the best cornerback in the draft class.

6. St. Louis Rams (from 5-11 Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Assuming Justin Blackmon is still on the board, the St. Louis Rams should spend a selection on the former Cowboys' star.

Sam Bradford needs a young weapon at his disposal.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Dre Kirkpatrick would be an ideal selection with the No. 7 pick. Jacksonville needs to strengthen up their secondary because other parts of their defense are solid.

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

I smell a reach here with Ryan Tannehill. I don't see him being solid in year one in Miami because he's a rookie going to a team with little weapons, but I do see him having a solid NFL career.

9.  Carolina Panthers (6-10): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Dontari Poe or Devon Still will be the No. 9 pick in the draft. I am going with Still because of what he did in a better conference at Penn State.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

To defeat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, pressure on the quarterback has to occur. With the Buffalo Bills signing Mario Williams this offseason, adding a pass rusher on the opposite side is an ideal move.

Quinton Coples would be a solid selection to pair up with Williams.

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

One of the best offensive tackles in the draft, Riley Reiff should be the selection to the Chiefs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford) *

Matt Flynn will be under center in Seattle this season. He needs help on the offensive line to keep him on his feet. With Reiff off the board, I see the Seahawks selecting Jonathan Martin.

It's not that Martin will be a bad player, because he won't, it's more that he will be in Seattle playing a position that gets little-to-no notoriety.

No offense to the Greater Northwest, but they don't get a lot of love from the national media.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Arizona needs to fill a need at linebacker. Drafting Courtney Upshaw, who could play defensive end as well, would be a great move.
 

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

Tony Romo was running away from consistent pressure in the backfield last season. He needs protection and David DeCastro could bring it.
 

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

Luke Kuechly is one of the best run-defending inside linebackers in the draft class. All he does is tackle.

Great fit for the Eagles if they decided to sure up a need.
 

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

New York didn't have a great defense last season, but they were worse on offense. Michael Floyd would give the Jets another option outside.

Floyd caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season at Notre Dame. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

I'm thinking that we will see another reach with this pick. Alfonzo Dennard is a talented cornerback, but I don't think he's better than Janoris Jenkins.

However, Cincinnati will look at character to make its decision.

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

Philip Rivers has the offense down, but the defense struggled last season compared to recent history. Adding another rusher off the edge would be an ideal move with Michael Floyd off the table.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

With Floyd being drafted, at least in this mock, I could see a situation where the Chicago Bears secure a young defensive end.

With today's quarterbacks, getting pressure is the key to success. Melvin Ingram would provide another pass-rusher to the Bears defense.

Julius Peppers isn't getting any younger.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Devon Still or Dontari Poe with this selection for Tennessee. I have Still going first, so Poe fits in nicely at No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

Andy Dalton needs a center to collaborate with for the Bengals, preferably a young player just like him. Peter Konz provides a great talent for Cincinnati to work with.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor) *

If the Cleveland Browns elect to take Trent Richardson with the fourth pick, you would have to believe they are looking to secure a quality wide receiver in the first round.

Insert Baylor's Kendall Wright.

Wright has great speed and elusiveness, but isn't a No. 1 type of receiver; he's more of a slot receiver.

Cleveland should have a great first round, which will bring attention, but I think they will miss with this pick.

Wright should have a decent NFL career, but he's not first-round worthy.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Detroit allowed 480 yards and six touchdowns to a backup quarterback last season. Janoris Jenkins will be able to help their deficiency.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Pittsburgh has drafted defensive linemen in two of the past three drafts. I think they stick with the same tune by drafting Michael Brockers of LSU.  

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Is this a reach? I think so. Alshon Jeffery has the talent to be a first-round pick, but he struggles to get away from coverages.

Denver will think that having Peyton Manning will be the problem solver.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Andre Branch, DE (Clemson)

Andre Branch is no Mario Williams, but the Houston Texans will be looking to find a suitable replacement for the defensive end.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

Mark Barron is going to be a successful NFL player. If the New England Patriots decide to give him a whirl, I think we will see his success sooner rather than later.

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

Stephon Gilmore will be able to help the Green Bay Packers' secondary.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers) *

Mohamed Sanu going to the Baltimore Ravens may be a bit of a reach, but I think it could happen. Joe Flacco needs weapons in case you didn't notice in the AFC Championship Game.

I like Flacco, I'm not sold on him winning a Super Bowl. This is still a running team led by Ray Rice and I don't see that changing.

If Sanu goes in the first round, I think we will see his peak because Flacco won't make him a star.
 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)

San Francisco is loading up this offseason. They grabbed receivers, running backs and now they will add Cordy Glenn in the draft.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

New England's pass defense was awful. Drafting Chase Minnifield makes sense.

32. New York Giants (9-7): David Wilson, RB, (Virginia Tech)

With the final pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, David Wilson will go to the New York Giants.