2012 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Full First-Round Mock

The 2012 NFL Draft is inching closer and closer, which is why it’s becoming necessary to update our mock draft more and more often.

Most of the early picks remain unchanged, but there has been a shakeup in the middle and later portions of the draft due to the latest evaluations and free agency maneuvers by franchises.

With that said, let’s take a look at the most recent first-round mock.

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

Luck is the clear and only choice the Indianapolis Colts can make with the No. 1 overall pick. He’s the best QB prospect in a long time and has the best chance to resurrect the franchises fortunes—which have turned sour over the past year.

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

Griffin would be the No. 1 pick in most other drafts, but Luck’s presence bumps him down a spot.

Regardless, RGIII is going to be a boon to the Redskins—who have been searching for a franchise signal caller for some time now and have yet to find success without one.

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

Kalil is the best tackle prospect in the country and has the ability to protect the most valuable Viking assets for a long time. His immediate task would include opening lanes for Adrian Peterson and giving Christian Ponder time to throw so Minny can make it back to the postseason.

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

Richardson is a rare RB who is actually worth a top-five pick. Cleveland cannot land a franchise QB with this selection, but the ‘Bama workhorse is a suitable option to help rejuvenate their offense.

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

Despite getting a terrible 4 out of 50 score on his Wonderlic test, Claiborne is still going to be the first defender off the board and has the most upside of anyone on that side of the ball in this class.

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

Blackmon is the receiver that the Rams need to ignite a spark in their anemic offense. The defense in St. Louis badly needs help as well, but no player will make a bigger impact than the former Pokes star.

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

This pick is a huge gamble, but Jacksonville can’t afford to play it safe. They have a new owner and a new coach, making this a perfect time to take a risk on a player like Coples—who could turn out to be the best pass-rusher on the board or a bust.

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

The South Beach franchise has fallen on hard times and has been struggling to court marquee free agents and has no long-term plan at QB.

They’ll address the latter by reaching for Tannehill here and praying he pans out.

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

Fantasy football owners looked forward to their backs playing against the Carolina Panthers. That will change this season if they add Poe, a fearsome run-stopper and freak athlete to strengthen the teeth of their defense.

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

Reiff represents a hope for the Bills to establish a power running game and keep Ryan Fitzpatrick protected in the pocket. If he can do both things exceptionally, the Iowa prospect will have a long and prosperous tenure in the league.

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

Castro is the best interior lineman in the class and will assist KC in opening up running lanes and allowing Kyle Orton, or whoever is slinging the rock at Arrowhead, more time to make a play.

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

The Seahawks got new uniforms, a new quarterback and now they must add a new pass-rusher in the draft. The Gamecocks stud would be their best bet to fulfill that need.

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

Kuechly has the most impressive instincts of any linebacker this year and the only one projected to go in the first round. His athleticism was well above average during the combine, and the Cardinals would be glad to have him aboard.

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

Barron is easily the most skilled safety in the 2012 crop and will immediately make an impact in the Dallas secondary. He’s a proven winner who can do all the little things to help the Cowboys get back into the postseason. 

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

This fighting Irish WR has the size and possession skills that the Eagles are currently lacking in their receiving corps. He’s a perfect complement to Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson.

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

Rex Ryan loves his pass rushers, and the Crimson Tide player knows how to bring down a quarterback.

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

Kirkpatrick is a top-10 cornerback talent who got mixed up in a bad situation this offseason, making him a great value here for the Bengals.

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

With Peyton Manning in the division, San Diego has to improve its ability to penetrate the offensive line and get into the backfield for sacks.

Perry might be a bit of a risk, but his freakish athleticism could make him one of the best at recording sacks in the NFL someday.

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

Chicago’s line was a mess last season, and Jay Cutler and Matt Forte took too many hits. Glenn will help keep them safe and healthy with his massive frame and power.

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

Cox is the most versatile DL in the class and he’ll be able to fill numerous roles in the Tennessee Titans defense.

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

Wright was RGIII’s favorite receiver, and the speedster could soon be Colt McCoy’s downfield weapon.

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

Martin wasn’t as athletic as scouts would liked to have seen at his pro day, but he still has a ton of upside and shouldn’t fall much further than Cleveland at No. 22

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

Gilmore has been steadily rising up big boards everywhere as a solid corner prospect that looks to be able to contribute right away in the NFL.

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

Hightower is a physically imposing linebacker who can simply light up opposing players. The Steelers need youth at the position and there is no better choice.

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

Still is the most NFL-ready of the DT prospects in this class, and that meshes perfectly with Denver’s new goal to win a Super Bowl in the next few years with Peyton Manning.

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

If Jeffery can figure out how to get separation at the professional level, he will make a perfect replacement for Andre Johnson someday.

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

Brockers has immense upside and potential, despite his limited body of work during college.

He’s going to be a project, but one a winning team like Bill Belichick’s Patriots can take on.

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

Branch’s solid season with the Tigers makes him a first-round worthy pick and someone that can help the Packers stop the pass.

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

Baltimore doesn’t need a corner, but Jenkins’ upside and talent are too valuable to pass up. They have a strong locker room and can help him put together his off-the-field issues and become a productive star in the NFL.

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

Hill is a freak athlete with great size for the position. Playing alongside of Randy Moss can only help this young man and the 49ers vertical passing game.

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

Reyes is a solid DL player who would help the Patriots record some sacks, something they had problems doing in 2011-12.

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

Fleener ran a sub 4.5 40-yard dash and a large reason why he should be a first-round pick for the defending champs.

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