2012 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Counterparts for Every 1st-Round Pick

One of the best ways to analyze how a prospect's game will translate from college to the pros is by comparing them to a current NFL player. And with the NFL draft less than one month away, now seems like the perfect to make these comparisons.

In this week's 2012 mock draft, I'll predict each team's selection and talk a little about how they stack up with an NFL veteran.

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

NFL Comparison: Peyton Manning

While I'm hesitant to compare anyone to the great Peyton Manning, the similarities in their games are undeniable. Both have good size, a rocket launcher for an arm and incredible accuracy.

Luck also had Manning-like control over the Stanford offense, often calling audibles at the line of scrimmage.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

NFL Comparison: Cam Newton

RG3 isn't as big as Newton, but their styles are similar. He can torch defenses with his blazing speed or sit back and pick them apart from the pocket.

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

NFL Comparison: Jake Long

With his size, agility and strength, Kalil stacks up pretty well with Long, the first-overall pick in 2008. Look for Kalil to develop into a perennial Pro Bowler in the coming years.

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

NFL Comparison: Adrian Peterson

Richardson doesn't have Peterson's speed, but his violent running style is very similar. Both are big, bruising backs who love to ruin defenders.

I'm expecting Richardson to eventually be the best player from the 2012 draft class.

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

NFL Comparison: Patrick Peterson

Like his former LSU teammate, Claiborne has good size (6'2"), long arms and great balance. He has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.

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

NFL Comparison: Anquan Boldin

Blackmon doesn't have blinding speed, but he makes up for it with his size, strength, hands and willingness to go over the middle.

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

NFL Comparison: Jamaal Anderson

Like Anderson, Coples will be a top-10 pick because of his insane athleticism. And also like Anderson, I'm not expecting anything too special from Coples in the pros. He hasn't shown a great work ethic, and I don't think he will ever reach his potential.

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

NFL Comparison: Marques Colston

I feel like this is a reach for Floyd, but the Dolphins desperately need a receiver. His size and big-play ability reminds me of Colston.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT/DE (LSU)

NFL Comparison: Calais Campbell

Like Campbell, Brockers is a monster on the defensive line. In a few years, he will be one of the NFL's best 3-4 defensive ends because of his size, length and agility.

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

NFL Comparison: Lamarr Woodley

Upshaw is a versatile linebacker who can play in 3-4 or 4-3 schemes. He's not great in coverage, but he'll definitely help the Bills put more pressure on the quarterback.

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

NFL Comparison: James Laurinaitis

Kuechly is not the most athletic linebacker, but he is a tackling machine with exceptional instincts.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

NFL Comparison: Brian Orakpo

Perry is an elite athlete with great burst off the line of scrimmage. He's exactly what the Seahawks defense needs.

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

NFL Comparison: Poor man's Jake Long

Martin is a solid offensive tackle, but he's not anywhere near the elite level of Long, or even Matt Kalil.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

NFL Comparison: LaRon Landry

Like Landry, Barron is a hard hitter who excels in both run and pass coverage. The Cowboys definitely need to improve their secondary, and Barron is the best defensive back available here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

NFL Comparison: Rey Maualuga

Hightower's versatility and awareness are his best attributes. He often directs traffic on the defense, and although he's not very fast, he can be highly effective in both run and pass coverage.

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB (South Carolina)

NFL Comparison: Justin Tuck

Ingram is an elite pass-rusher who could definitely sneak into the top 10. The Jets desperately need someone who can get to the quarterback, so they will be delighted if Ingram falls to them here.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

NFL Comparison: Brandon Browner

Kirkpatrick reminds me of Browner because of his physicality off the line of scrimmage. He won't make a ton of big plays, but he'll frustrate NFL receivers with his size and strength.

18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

NFL Comparison: Bryan Bulaga

Like his former Hawkeye teammate, Reiff will likely be converted to a right tackle in his first few years in the league.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)

NFL Comparison: Michael Oher

Adams is absolutely massive and possesses solid agility. Unfortunately, a disappointing performance at the combine could cause him to slide.

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

NFL Comparison: Haloti Ngata

This pick wouldn't fill a major need for Tennessee, but Poe is the best player available. I doubt he will ever be as good as Ngata, but he has the ability to wreak havoc in the middle of the line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)

NFL Comparison: Steve Hutchinson

DeCastro is the best guard in this class, but I think he'll fall because not a lot of teams need interior offensive linemen. As far as the Hutchinson comparison, DeCastro doesn't have as high of a ceiling, but he definitely has Pro Bowl potential.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

NFL Comparison: Steve Smith (of the Panthers)

I like the Smith comparison here because both receivers are small, elusive and incredibly fast. Wright would give Colt McCoy a solid big-play threat on the outside.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

NFL Comparison: Joe Haden

Gilmore doesn't get the publicity of Kirkpatrick and Claiborne, but he could eventually be the best corner from this class. He's very cerebral, and his 4.40 speed is quite impressive. 

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

NFL Comparison: Tommy Kelly

Still doesn't have the physical abilities of Dontari Poe, but he is a force to be reckoned with. The Steelers would be smart to pick him up here.

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

NFL Comparison: Marcell Dareus

Cox has great burst off the line for a defensive tackle, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is drafted ahead of Still and Poe.

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

NFL Comparison: Mike Williams (Seattle version)

Jeffery is very similar to Williams because he's a massive wide receiver with good hands. I think he'd be a great No. 2 option in Houston, as he'd certainly draw some attention away from Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

NFL Comparison: Ziggy Hood

Worthy doesn't have the strength or burst of the other defensive tackles in this class, but he's still good at penetrating the offensive line. He would be a good fit in Bill Belichick's defense.

28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S (Notre Dame)

NFL Comparison: Dashon Goldson

Smith's ball-hawking skills aren't quite as good as Goldson's, but he's a versatile safety who excels in pass coverage. He would be a welcome addition in Green Bay's awful secondary.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

NFL Comparison: Jeff Saturday

Konz is unquestionably the best center in this draft. I doubt he'll ever reach Saturday's level, but he will be a Pro Bowl-caliber player after a few years.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohammed Sanu, WR (Rutgers) 

NFL Comparison: Michael Crabtree

Sanu and Crabtree have similar size, but Sanu's speed makes him a more dangerous deep threat. He would be a great weapon on the outside for Alex Smith.

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

NFL Comparison: Chris Houston

Jenkins has had plenty of off-field issues, but if teams aren't too concerned about that, he will likely move into the top 20. He's got every tool a shutdown corner needs, and he's got elite ball skills for a player his age.

32. New York Giants: Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

NFL Comparison: Jahvid Best

Miller is an explosive speedster with the ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. The Giants would be smart to pick him to take some of the burden off Ahmad Bradshaw.