2012 NFL Mock Draft: Smart Plays for First 32 Picks

When it comes to the NFL draft, there are smart plays and there are reaches.

In my latest mock draft, I examine what I think are the smartest plays each team can make with the first 32 picks in the 2012 NFL draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is the guy and has been since it became clear the Colts would land at No. 1. 

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin was incredibly productive during his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign of 2011.

That said, RGIII has been just as impressive throughout the draft process, making his selection at No. 2 an absolute lock for a quarterback-needy Redskins team.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need a left tackle to anchor their offensive line in front of young quarterback Christian Ponder.

Kalil is the best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the No. 1 overall pick back in 2008.

This is a slam dunk.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns' top needs are all offensive, but they won't get a better value than Richardson here.

With Peyton Hillis long gone to Kansas City, Cleveland needs a running back and Richardson is the best this draft has to offer. He is a unique talent that will instantly upgrade the team's offense. 

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

Cornerback is the team's biggest long-term need even after the signing of Eric Wright this offseason. Aqib Talib's future is up in the air and Ronde Barber has lost a step.

This pick makes the most sense and Claiborne should step in and be great from his first day in the league.

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

This works out perfectly for the Rams since their biggest need is at receiver. The team will finally get franchise quarterback Sam Bradford the No. 1 target he needs.

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

Jacksonville's top needs are receiver and defensive end. This is far too high for Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, so they'll take Coples, a physical freak who could be the next Julius Peppers.

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

I've had Iowa's Riley Reiff here forever, but after Tannehill owned his pro day, he has jumped into the top 10.

The Dolphins need a quarterback and Tannehill gives them a prospect to build around.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Carolina's top need is defensive tackle and Poe's combine workout established him as the top interior d-lineman in the draft.

Head coach Ron Rivera knows the importance of a stud tackle and he'll love getting Poe on board.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need help along the offensive line and Reiff falls to No. 10, helping the team fill what is by far their biggest need.

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

With Poe gone at this point, Kuechly is the best fit as he plugs a big hole at the middle of Kansas City's defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Seahawks need a defensive end and Ingram was a big-time playmaker while at South Carolina.

Aaron Curry never fit in Seattle, but Ingram will as a pass rusher in Pete Carroll's 4-3 scheme.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Levi Brown signed a five-year deal to return, but I think he'll move to right tackle, opening the left side for a guy like Martin.

The Stanford product can play on either side of the line and he has tremendous upside.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Stanford guard David DeCastro could go here, but the Cowboys took an offensive lineman last year.

Cox would give Rob Ryan's defense a versatile defender who could play anywhere along the defensive line. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans to help shore up the middle of their defense. Adding a leader like Barron who can help in run support and has the range to be outstanding in coverage as well would help make the defense better.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Jets need an edge rusher badly.

While I could see them trading down to add some extra picks, I think they'll grab Perry here. He's the best pure pass rusher in the draft and shouldn't have any trouble switching to outside linebacker at the next level.

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

The Bengals have yet to replace Jonathan Joseph who left for Houston last offseason.

The team's top need is cornerback and Kirkpatrick is a top-10 talent whose stock has dropped thanks to an arrest for marijuana possession.

Cincinnati will take a chance on him and be rewarded. 

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Now that Antonio Garay has been re-signed, San Diego's top needs are along the offensive line.

DeCastro is somehow available here and the Chargers snag him and plug the Stanford product in to replace the retired Kris Dielman.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

The Bears have long had one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. The addition of Glenn will give them a solid, versatile player up front who can play either guard spot or right tackle.

This is the move that could instantly improve the team the most.

20. Tennessee Titans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

By adding Kamerion Wimbley, Tennessee addressed its need for a pass rusher.

With this pick, I think the Titans will give young quarterback Jake Locker someone to grow with. Fleener is by far the best tight end in the draft and he is so athletically gifted he could have a Rob Gronkowski-like impact on the Titans' offense. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

This could be a bit of a reach for Miller, but he is a pure home run threat who would give the Bengals a much different look than the recently signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Miller has more upside than any back in the 2012 draft class other than Richardson.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

I'm not a huge fan of Adams, but the Browns need a major upgrade at right offensive tackle, and the Ohio State product will give them that.

Adding Richardson and Adams will help quarterback Colt McCoy tremendously.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions have other needs but current center Dominic Raiola is terrible and improving the position would help quarterback Matthew Stafford's development.

Konz is incredibly advanced in his ability to break down defenses and he should step in and be a stud immediately.

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

With Casey Hampton aging, the Steelers need to find his long-term replacement.

Still will have to add some more muscle to play nose tackle, but he is already a disruptive force along the defensive line.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Broncos desperately need to upgrade the middle of their defense, and at 6'5" and 323 pounds, Brockers has the size and skill to immediately do that.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andre Johnson is one of the NFL's top receivers, but he needs help. Wright has the speed and playmaking ability to fill Houston's need for a No. 2 wide receiver.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

Jones is underrated and represents the kind of versatile defender Patriots head coach Bill Belichick loves to develop. Jones is incredibly athletic and can play any of the spots on the edge of New England's 4-3/3-4 hybrid scheme.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Clay Matthews needs help pressuring opposing quarterbacks, and outside linebacker is the team's biggest need.  

Mercilus gives the Packers a legit edge rusher who will form one of the league's top pass-rushing duos when paired with Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama 

The Ravens have other needs, but the team won't pass up the chance to snag a worthy successor to Ray Lewis at middle linebacker. Hightower can learn from Lewis for a year, but should be able to step in after that.

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

Teams above this love Hill's ability to get deep, but he'll fall because of how raw he is.

His elite size (6'4" and 215 pounds) makes him enticing, since he averaged 29.3 yards per catch on 28 receptions in 2011. He'll need time to develop, but the 49ers need receiving help.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

The Patriots will continue to rebuild their front seven with this pick.

Reyes is versatile enough to play every position along New England's defensive line and will fit the team's scheme well.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Giants could use help at outside linebacker and Brown is one of the most athletic players I've ever scouted at the position.

Brown is so fast the minor misreads that he occasionally makes aren't a big deal, since he can make up for any lost ground. He will fit perfectly in the team's 4-3 scheme.