2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Guaranteed to Make Pro Bowl as Rookies

The 2012 NFL draft is right around the corner, and there are some sure-fire Pro Bowlers in this year's draft class.

Just like Cam Newton and Von Miller before them, these men will show the league they belong by putting together awesome rookie seasons for their respective teams.

Don't look for any quarterbacks in this class to equal what Newton did for the Carolina Panthers, though. Newton is a freak of nature—in the best possible way.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

As good as Robert Griffin III may be, there is no chance Luck isn't selected by the Colts here.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

RG3 is a shoe-in for Mike Shanahan here with the second-overall pick. He has the potential to be a fantastic pro, but then again so did Jamarcus Russell.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

As much as the two previous picks, this one is a given. The Vikings need a left tackle. Kalil is the best left tackle in the draft. Easy.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Richardson is the best player in the draft not named Andrew Luck. He is a dominant running back and is the best prospect to come out since Adrian Peterson. 

The new CBA makes it easy to take him with this high pick, as the money associated in years past with such a pick is no longer as much of an issue. The rookie pay scale has made this choice much less difficult than it used to be.

Richardson should break out with a Pro Bowl season as a rookie. He posted an unofficial 4.5 second 40-yard dash at his pro day, proving that he's got some speed to go along with his amazing balance, power and agility.

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

The best player left on the board, Claiborne gives the Bucs an incredible boost to their secondary, and if the NFC weren't so loaded with cornerback talent he could have ended up heading to Hawaii, too.

6. St. Louis Rams: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

The Rams desperately need an explosive weapon for Sam Bradford, and Floyd—not Justin Blackmon—is the best man for the job.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

Perry has been rocketing up draft boards due to his incredible pass-rushing prowess. He has the physique to handle NFL tackles, and he should give the Jaguars a much-needed boost on their defensive line.

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

The Dolphins have struck out badly in the quarterback department, and they won't be able to resist the temptation to draft a potential franchise quarterback.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

The Panthers were atrocious in run defense last year, and Poe is the best defensive tackle in the draft. Simple as that.

10. Buffalo Bills: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Drafting Blackmon finally gives the Bills the talent on offense to compete head-to-head with the New England Patriots.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

The Chiefs are in desperate need of help on their offensive line, so they reach a bit for Reiff to fill a need.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

The Seahawks can't believe their good luck as one of the best pass-rushers falls in their lap. 

Ingram is going to make it to the Pro Bowl. 

He is the best defensive end in this year's draft, and he should have plenty of opportunities to go one-on-one on the outside with Chris Clemons manning the other side of the line of scrimmage. 

Ingram has all the physical tools to become one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the league, and he should be an annual invitee to Hawaii.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford

The Cardinals signed Adam Snyder to help fill the void of talent on their offensive line, but DeCastro is a major upgrade over anyone currently on their roster. Easy pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Brockers is a beast. He could give Rob Ryan's defense the boost they need to finally get back to an elite level.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

Although they already acquired Demeco Ryans in a trade with the Houston Texans, the Eagles still need help at linebacker.

Hightower is the best middle linebacker in the draft, and with him on the roster, Ryans could switch positions and play on the outside to give Andy Reid's defense the strength in the middle of the field it has been missing for so long.

Hightower will have an incredible rookie campaign roaming the middle of the field for the Eagles, and I guarantee they make it into the playoffs with his inclusion.

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

The Jets are still in need of safety help, and Barron is easily the best safety in the draft.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Drafting Jeffery gives Jay Gruden and Andy Dalton another key piece to their ever-developing offense.

18. San Diego Chargers: Quinton Coples, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

The Chargers need another pass-rusher to pair with Shawn Phillips, and Coples is the best pass-rusher left on the board.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Guard/Tackle, Georgia

After getting busy in free agency, Phil Emery needs to turn his gaze to the offensive line. Glenn is a monster and can play both guard and tackle, making him a perfect fit in this offense.

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

The Titans lost Cortland Finnegan, but they can gain another excellent cornerback by drafting Gilmore. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami (Fla.)

The Bengals signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis during free agency, but they still need a spark plug in their backfield. Miller is perfect for them, and he gives them another key weapon on offense.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

The Browns let go of Eric Steinbach in free agency, and they really need another dominant tackle to pair with Joe Thomas. Martin is a great value here, and they run to the podium to pick him up.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

To compete with the Packers and Bears in the NFC North you need to have numerous skilled cornerbacks to contend with their receivers. Jenkins is a bit of a risk, here, but Jim Schwarz would love the opportunity to turn this kid into an All-Pro.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Ben Roethlisberger is only 30, but he was moving around last year like a 45-year-old man. He needs better protection or his season will once again be cut short. Adams is the perfect man for the job, and he could become great if he puts his mind to it.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

The Broncos need a space-eater to fill the middle of their defense. They have all the other tools for a dominant front seven, and Still is the best man for the job.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

The Texans need another good receiver to pair with Andre Johnson. Wright is an excellent choice here, and he would give the Texans' offense another explosive weapon.

27. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle/End, Mississippi State

It was obvious during the Super Bowl that the Patriots needed another big guy to play next to Vince Wilfork. Cox would be an awesome complement to Wilfork, and he'd give the Patriots' defense another playmaker.

28. Green Bay Packers: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Alabama

The Packers were in trouble defensively without a consistent pass rush last year. Upshaw may not be good in protection, but he could be deadly as a pin-your-ears-back rusher opposite Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

With Matt Birk on his last legs, the Ravens make another smart pick for the future and snag the top center in this class.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

Move over Michael Crabtree, a legit No. 1 receiver is coming to the Bay Area. Hill is extremely raw and unpolished, but he has the physical tools to dominate the competition in the near future.

31. New England Patriots: Chris Polk, Running Back, Washington

The Patriots have other needs, but Polk is a perfect fit for Brady's offense. He is a powerful runner between the tackles, and he can catch the ball as well as most receivers. 

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

Fleener will be a deadly weapon in Eli Manning's arsenal. He is blazing fast with soft hands and will be a tremendous boon in the red zone.

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