2012 NFL Mock Draft: Likeliest Homes for Nation's Hottest Prospects

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we look at likely spots for some of the top prospects available next month.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There continues to be rumblings of the potential for the Colts to switch gears here late and take Robert Griffin III. I'm not buying it.

Luck is the safest pick in the draft and a guy who should make the transition away from Peyton Manning as seamless as possible. Oh, and he might be the best quarterback to enter the draft since Manning. Don't get cute, Indy. 

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

The Redskins have very little pressure on them at No. 2 overall, as either Luck or Griffin is guaranteed to be there waiting. Regardless of whom the Colts end up picking at No. 1 overall, the Redskins are getting a really good football player to lead their franchise for the next 10-12 years.

In the end, I don't think Washington will mind having Griffin be the selection, as the Heisman Trophy winner might be a better fit for Mike Shanahan's offense. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings might want a team to trade into this slot, but getting a franchise left tackle to protect 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder is a best-case scenario.

Like the Colts, Minnesota doesn't need to get cute. Take the unquestioned top tackle in the class, complete your offensive line makeover and be better immediately for 2012.    

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns are going to feel pressure to move down or take quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but Richardson reshapes their offense and gives Colt McCoy a workhorse back to team up with in a decisive season. 

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

Forget the Wonderlic talk with Claiborne. The Buccaneers need a cornerback, especially given Aqib Talib's ongoing legal troubles, and Claiborne is the clear No. 1 player at the position. 

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

I'm no longer convinced Blackmon will be the No. 1 receiver taken, but the Rams have a clear need at receiver and Blackmon is a safer pick than Notre Dame's Michael Floyd. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

There are some who put Riley Reiff here, but pass-rush is a much more pressing need for the Jaguars at this point in the draft. 

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

If Tannehill falls to No. 8 overall, I don't see how the quarterback-starved Dolphins can pass on him.  

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

A lot of people see Poe as the draft's top 3-4 nose tackle, but he may be better suited to be a penetrating two-gap in 4-3 defense. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This should be a no-brainer if the Bills get the chance. While a receiver is tempting, offensive tackles are considerably harder to find in later stages of the draft. Take Reiff, plug him in at left tackle and worry about receiver in the middle rounds, where receivers should be abundant.  

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

A tackling machine at Boston College, Kuechly would help the Chiefs continue their rise on the defensive side of the football.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

A slippery pass-rusher like Perry, who head coach Pete Carroll recruited to USC, makes a lot of sense for the Seahawks at No. 12.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

There will be the temptation to take a pass-rusher or offensive tackle, but no player grades out as high as DeCastro at this point in the draft.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has seen his stock continue to rise as the draft nears, and he'd team with Brandon Carr and Mike Jenkins to give Dallas a suddenly talented trio of cornerbacks in a pass-heavy conference.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina

There are bigger needs on the roster, but Coples represents great value at No. 15 and gives the Eagles a pass-rusher who could be impact games both as an edge rusher and inside nickel presence. 

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama 

Receiver is a real option at No. 16, but I'd like to think Rex Ryan is going to have a big say in getting the Jets a pass-rusher.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

There are sexier picks to be made here, but Glenn gives the Bengals a versatile offensive lineman who should be able to start somewhere right away.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With Jared Gaither and Martin manning the tackle position in San Diego, quarterback Philip Rivers can feel comfortable in the pocket.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The flirtation with pass-rushers during free agency is a clear sign that GM Phil Emery wants to add a player opposite Julius Peppers sometime this offseason.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans would have rather filled the center position during free agency, but after striking out on everyone they targeted, Tennessee gets the next-best option in Konz.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Adding Glenn earlier and Miller here continues the Bengals' offense toward becoming the division's very best.

22. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I can't imagine a team not trading into the teens to get Floyd, but the Browns will gladly take him if he falls to No. 22.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions almost have to look at secondary early on after free agency took a small toll on the depth of the cornerback position. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Versed in leadership and the 3-4 defense, Hightower makes a perfect replacement for the departed James Farrior.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Some will clamor for the Broncos to add offense around Peyton Manning, but Still fills a big hole on the defensive side of the ball. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

How do you consistently stop an offense with Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Ben Tate and a weapon like Wright?

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The only true plug-and-play safety in the draft, Barron gives the Patriots a steady (and much-needed) presence at the back end of the secondary. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Outside linebacker is a bigger need for the Packers, but GM Ted Thompson won't reach for a player there with so many top talents along the defensive line available. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Like the New York Giants, Baltimore understands the philosophy behind stockpiling pass-rushers.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Teams love his potential but understand how raw he is, meaning Brockers will drop to the late first-round.

31. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

In the mold of Mike Vrabel, McClellin is a perfect prospect for New England.  

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The offensive line weathered the storm last season, but it's time to add first-round reinforcements.