2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Bets for Entire First Round

Every year when the first round of the NFL draft takes roughly three hours to complete—if not more—it comes as no surprise.

These are the players who are expected to make an immediate impact for whatever team selects them. So, choosing wisely and carefully must happen.

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

The man we all anticipate the Indianapolis Colts to draft, Andrew Luck is arguably the best quarterback coming out of college since Peyton Manning. On some level, the coincidence of the Colts having the No. 1 pick in 1998 and now is unique.

Luck has almost flawless mechanics, footwork and football IQ. Déjà vu is an appropriate reaction to the similarities between Luck, Manning and Indy's situation in 2012 as it was in 1998.

Provided that the Colts get Luck some consistently reliable tools to work with, we'll quickly see him develop into an elite NFL quarterback.

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

Washington gave up quite a bit to move up just four spots. But change was needed, and although it's a high-risk, high-reward situation, the Redskins were desperate for a quarterback.

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

Other than a quarterback, a franchise's next best bet to build around is a blindside tackle. Matt Kalil has the skill set to be that franchise player in Minnesota, as Christian Ponder need pass protection.

With some potential under center and decent scrambling ability, Ponder's game will hit another level, and Kalil's addition will also help the running game. Another positive side effect of that resides in setting up play-action pass.

Kalil to the Twin Cities creates a snowball effect that allows the rest of the Vikings offense to come together. After Round 1, expect Minnesota to look for a stud receiver and/or go defense.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

The best bet for Cleveland is to draft offense. In large part, it doesn't matter whether it's Justin Blackmon or Trent Richardson, because Colt McCoy and Joe Thomas just need some help.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

Pro football has moved into a two-back system and in some cases, three. Tampa Bay has the inconsistency of LeGarrette Blount; therefore, a more consistently reliable player is needed.

6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

St. Louis needs help all over and taking Morris Claiborne immediately creates one the league's best cornerback tandems with Cortland Finnegan.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Jacksonville's defense has top five potential, so looking to improve the offense is needed. Riley Reiff provides pass protection and possesses the athleticism to get downfield for any play to Maurice Jones-Drew.

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

It seems unlikely at this point that Miami will pass on Ryan Tannehill, although adding an offensive lineman like David DeCastro would arguably be better. A lot here depends on what coach Joe Philbin and coordinator Mike Sherman think of Matt Moore.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

Regardless of where he gets drafted, Melvin Ingram makes for one of the best this year because he's such a versatile player. Ingram can play either side at defensive end, outside linebacker and in passing situations, defensive tackle.

The Panthers had one of the league's worst defenses last season, so getting Ingram to complement Jon Beason and Charles Johnson in the front seven will suffice.

Ingram allows Carolina the luxury of switching fronts (4-3, 3-4, 4-2-5, etc...) depending on the down-and-distance, as well as the field position. In a division that, for the most part, lacks defense, Ingram's dynamics will give Carolina a distinct advantage.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

With an intimidating front seven, Buffalo needs one standout defensive back to become a complete defense. The offense is good enough to move the rock, especially with a healthy Fred Jackson. Adding a cornerback simply increases the odds of shutting down Tom Brady.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

If Kansas City lands a defensive tackle in Round 1 regardless, the Chiefs' defense becomes a complete unit. Now the offense just has to get healthy.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Seattle can go a few ways here, but getting a linebacker who can consistently shut down the run is important—especially in the NFC West to compete with San Francisco.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Running back Beanie Wells hit over 1,000 rushing yards in 2011, but roughly 35 percent of those yards came in two games. So, in order to build consistency on top of the overall production, getting a stud interior lineman is key.

David DeCastro provides pass protection inside of Levi Brown (Cardinals allowed 54 sacks in 2011) and knows how to hit the second level in the running game. Against tough NFC West defenses like Seattle and San Francisco, the Cardinals must upgrade to control the line of scrimmage.

Otherwise, it's off to another slow start. With an improving defense, getting Larry Fitzgerald more time to get open will only benefit Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

DeMarcus Ware is the NFL's best pass rusher. Quinton Coples is arguably the best pass rusher in this draft. Just imagine what this duo would accomplish for Big D.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

The pass rushers are only improving in the NFC East, and although Philadelphia allowed just 32 sacks, much of that is attributed to Michael Vick's athleticism.

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

Gang Green could spruce up the defense here, but Michael Floyd is just what the offense needs—a standout No. 1 receiver (Chaz Schilens is not the answer) who is reliable all over. The running game will take to new heights, and the Jets become a more complete offense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Veteran cornerback Nate Clements is 32 years old. He's still a No. 1 corner, but finding his eventual No. 1 replacement now will ensure elite longevity in the secondary.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

Once again, we can expect the Chargers to have a solid offense in the fall. Philip Rivers has some reliable targets, but the defense needs help.

Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox can provide a pass rush on the outside and inside while also being a stout run defender. Having ranked No. 20 against the rush in 2011, San Diego must improve against the run to have a chance at the division in 2012.

Denver, Oakland and Kansas City all run the ball very well, so Fletcher's addition will help slow that down. He also has the quickness to draw and split double-teams, thus allowing the linebackers to make plays at the line.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

If Chicago wants an edge in the NFC North, controlling the ball on the ground is the answer. Cordy Glenn creates excellent running lanes and is quick enough to pull for play-action bootlegs.

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

Tennessee could go offensive line here as well to help Chris Johnson, but stopping division opponents like Jacksonville and Houston on the ground is crucial. Dontari Poe is a two-gap controller who will free up guys like Akeem Ayers and Karl Klug in the front seven.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Controlling the line of scrimmage holds true for any game in the NFL, but perhaps even more so in the AFC North. The Bengals are so close to Pittsburgh's and Baltimore's level right now they can taste it.

Devon Still can get an interior pass rush, draws double-teams and can beat any one-on-one situation. This addition makes Cincinnati a top-five defense.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

Surely other teams will consider Courtney Upshaw before Cleveland at No. 22, but the Browns need to address defense with one of their two first-round picks. Here, they get an outside 'backer to complement D'Qwell Jackson in the front seven.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

It's a slight reach for Zach Brown at No. 23, but the Lions need an outside linebacker who can play fast from sideline to sideline. He's a solid defender against the perimeter run, as Brown possesses great speed and agility.

He is, however, arguably better against the pass as evidenced by six picks the past two seasons. Brown is a playmaker, and against the pass-happy NFC North, Detroit can run a 3-4 or 4-2-5 in passing situations.

Brown is also a reliable edge blitzer, as he recorded 5.5 sacks and forced three fumbles in 2011. The Lions defense needs explosion, and Brown provides quite a bit.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

The Steel Curtain needs a young inside presence to complement James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. In order to remain fast against the run between the tackles, there's no better way than Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Having ranked No. 22 against the run in 2011, the Denver defense needs a tackle who can be a constant menace in the backfield. Jerel Worthy had 27.5 tackles for loss in three seasons for Sparty.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Kendall Wright has No. 1 receiver potential. Despite being undersized, he's insanely fast and accelerates better than anyone in the draft. Pairing him with Andre Johnson would be unstoppable.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Whitney Mercilus is somewhat of a first-round risk as he had just one legit college season at Illinois. However, he made the most of it with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles. New England needs his kind of potential and production, otherwise the AFC East opens up quite a bit.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Had the Green Bay Packers even fielded a mediocre defense in 2011, they would have lasted longer in the postseason. However, ranking dead last against the pass and in total defense, the cheese fell from grace in January.

USC's Nick Perry is the perfect fit as he can anchor the edge against the run and knows how to keep contained when a play goes backside. The ideal complement to Clay Matthews, Perry can sink into coverage when needed and provide an outside pass rush.

Regardless, Green Bay must go defense in Round 1 and for most of the draft, or 2012 will be eerily similar to 2011—disappointing.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Zeitler, OG (Wisconsin)

For the most part, as long as Baltimore addresses the offensive line, the Ravens will remain atop the AFC North in 2012. Ray Rice is arguably the NFL's most complete back, so adding one of the draft's more impressive interior offensive linemen can only help.

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

A beastly run-blocking receiver, Stephen Hill is also a playmaker downfield. Averaging almost 30 yards per reception while playing in a triple-option offense, just imagine how effective he'll be in the Bay Area.

31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Bill Belichick has two young and promising corners in Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington. Adding Mark Barron give the Pats a strong secondary to help the front seven. And it is possible that Barron will fall this far as some durability concerns do exist.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

The Giants won another Super Bowl as the defense controlled the line of scrimmage and the offense had great pass blocking. Doug Martin helps win the battle up front even more and keeps that reliable two-back system for Eli Manning.

John Rozum on Twitter.