2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Draft Well to Secure Playoff Positioning

First-round picks can be a huge difference maker for NFL teams right on the cusp of a postseason appearance.

Should a franchise get solid production and elite execution from its Day 1 draft pick, the team just might find itself celebrating with a coveted playoff spot.

If a franchise fails and drafts a bust with a valuable pick in the first round, the front office could have an extremely long offseason ahead in 2013.

Let’s take a look at the latest mock with an eye towards teams that need their picks to succeed immediately.

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

Luck is going to need more than good fortune to lead Indianapolis to the postseason in his rookie year. However, the Colts are well on their way to another dynasty if they add this elite QB with the No. 1 overall pick.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

RGIII has the potential to become the franchise QB that Washington has been seeking for years. However, the NFC East is going to be loaded in 2012-13, and it will be tough for a rookie signal-caller to navigate the ‘Skins to the postseason.

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

Minnesota could wind up back in the playoff hunt if they can keep Adrian Peterson healthy and Christian Ponder makes a significant leap in his development.

Kalil would help be a major boon towards both of these things happening.

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

Cleveland got screwed out of a quarterback when Washington traded up with St. Louis for the No. 2 pick, so they will have to settle for the best available RB to boost the offense.

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

The Bucs will gladly take the best available defender in Claiborne. If he adapts to the NFL game quickly, and the rest of the team plays up to its ability, Tampa will be on the cusp of a playoff spot once again.

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon represents the best chance for the St. Louis offense to return to prominence. That team doesn’t have the defensive talent to compete in the emerging NFC West, but Blackmon will be a fixture at WR for years to come. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples represents a huge risk because he never truly dominated in college, but the Jags need to take a chance on a player who has the most potential of any pass rusher in this class with this pick.

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

Miami is wasting its pick here, but the organization is in such disarray and so desperate for a franchise QB that the Dolphins will make a crazy reach.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

If Poe can play as well on the NFL field as he did in Indianapolis during the combine, the Panthers just might be returning to the postseason.

They could not stop the run or get pressure on the QB last year, something Poe should be able to help out with immensely.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff will keep Ryan Fitzpatrick—or whomever Buffalo employs at QB—safe for a long time to come.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in this draft and will help boost a KC running game that was downright atrocious at times last season.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Seattle needed a QB and got one in Matt Flynn this offseason. Now they need a pass rusher, and Ingram is the guy the Seahawks must select to fill that need.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is the best LB in this class by far. His instincts and athleticism are going to make him a solid NFL player for the foreseeable future. Arizona could use a stalwart like that to anchor the D in the desert.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is the only safety worthy of a first-round pick in this draft. He’s got everything you could ask for from his position and a winning mentality to boot. Perfect fit for Dallas.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Eagles addressed their hole at LB by adding DeMeco Ryans and now should add a big, possession receiver like Floyd with this pick.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB

The Jets know that a solid pass rush can get them far in the postseason, so Upshaw is a great pick if they feel they will be making the playoffs in 2012.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After T.J. Yates torched Pacman Jones in the playoffs, it was clear that the Bengals need to get a new cornerback.

Kirkpatrick is the best available here and a great value this late.

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

Perry is an athletic freak who has a future in the NFL as someone who can attack the passer. Now that the Broncos added Peyton Manning to the division, San Diego must get someone to put the pressure on like this USC product.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Chicago’s offensive line was a mess last season, making a big, skilled guard like Glenn a great option in the first round.

The Bears cannot afford to have assets like Jay Cutler or Matt Forte being injured if they want to make the postseason in the NFC North.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox can be described in one word: versatile. He has the ability to play multiple positions and fill numerous roles on a defense. Tennessee would love to have that.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Bengals will be looking to add some offensive firepower with this pick after addressing defense earlier. They had a decent offense in 2011-12 and need to continue to get better by adding a skilled receiver like Wright if they want a chance to get back into the playoffs.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin was underwhelming at his pro day and therefore fell down the draft board. Cleveland could still use him to make sure Colt McCoy doesn’t get blown up next season and Trent Richardson has some running lanes to hit.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has been slowly climbing up the big boards because of his all-around solid skills. He’d make a great Detroit Lion and would immediately help their secondary.

They definitely need that help with the Packers and Bears in the division.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is a physical specimen who loves to hit and hit hard.

He’s a perfect Pittsburgh Steeler and adds some youth to a linebacking corps that needs an injection of it.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is the most NFL-ready DT prospect and represents an incredible value for a team in win-now mode with Peyton Manning on the roster.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Andre Johnson isn’t going to be an elite receiver forever, and Jeffery has a shot to become a great player if he can start creating separation.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has done little on the field at LSU, but he’s still a monster prospect and New England would love a shot to develop him for their weak defensive line.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Branch boosted his stock by dominating in games during the season and proving he is worth a first-round pick.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has top-tier talent but a myriad of off-the-field issues that are going to see him fall to the late first-round.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill is a super athletic freak who wowed everyone at the combine with his size and speed. The 49ers would really be going all-in on a vertical passing game by adding him alongside Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

New England seriously needs to work on its pass rush, which is why the Patriots should add two players who can help that issue in the latter portion of the first day.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Fleener will be the top TE off the board and ran a sub 4.5 forty-yard dash at his pro day.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.