2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Will Address Biggest Needs in First Round?

Every team enters the NFL draft with a strategy in terms of which players they would most like to select and which positions they would most like to address. While almost every team believes that they accomplished their goal once the draft comes to a conclusion, only some will have truly filled their biggest needs.

It may seem obvious to impartial observers, but for whatever reason some teams seem to continually neglect addressing their needs. It might be a matter of them using the best-available-player approach, but if positions of weakness aren't improved, then it's impossible to get better.

In addition to a full, first-round mock draft, here is some analysis on teams that will do the right thing and address their biggest needs in the first round.

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

As if there was any doubt before, Robert Griffin III denied the Colts' request for a private workout, so Luck will be the heir to what Peyton Manning built in Indy.

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

In all likelihood the Redskins traded up with the intention of selecting Griffin, so if Luck goes No. 1 as expected, Washington will be perfectly happy with the Heisman winner.

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

The Vikings can't really go wrong as they have a ton of holes to fill and have their pick of the litter, but Kalil will be key to quarterback Christian Ponder's development.

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

With the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to contend with, it would seem as though the Cleveland Browns are a long way from contending in the AFC North. With that said, though, the best thing that they can do is build and address their needs through the draft.

It's tough to pinpoint one specific need for Cleveland, but running back is the biggest in my estimation.

Two seasons ago, Peyton Hillis had a breakout year for the Browns and seemed poised to become an elite back. He failed to build off of that season, however, as he took a major step backward due to injuries and poor play. This resulted in the Browns allowing him to walk in free agency, but it leaves Cleveland with underwhelming options like Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya.

Alabama's Trent Richardson is unquestionably the top back in the draft, and while No. 4 may seem a bit high to take a runner during a time when quality ones can be found late in the draft, he seems like a sure thing. The Browns can't afford to continue taking busts, and in drafting Richardson they get a player who is almost guaranteed to succeed at a position they need to improve.

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

The Buccaneers made a lot of noise in free agency, but there is still plenty of room to get better, and Claiborne would be a major addition to the secondary.

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

St. Louis made a fantastic move in trading down four spots as they picked up a ton of picks and will still get their target in Blackmon.

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

The Jaguars are a mess in general, but one way to turn things around quickly is to pressure the opposition's quarterback, and Coples would help that immensely.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Miami struck out this offseason for a multitude of reasons, so it can't afford to whiff in the draft, making Reiff a safe and sensible selection.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers have been weak up the middle on defense ever since their Super Bowl appearance, so while grabbing Brockers is a risk, it's a necessary one.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

For the past decade, the Buffalo Bills have been one of the NFL's biggest laughingstocks. Not only do they have the longest active playoff drought, but they have rarely come close to playing in the postseason and have lost countless games in embarrassing fashion.

That tide may finally be turning, however, as Buffalo made a huge splash in free agency by signing defensive end Mario Williams.

While that signing alone should make a huge impact on the team, it won't be enough to get them over the hump. There are other holes that need to be filled and the most glaring is a No. 2 wide receiver opposite Stevie Johnson. The Bills made a great move in re-singing Johnson this offseason, but without a good complement across from him, he isn't as effective.

Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd would be the perfect pick here as he has a combination of size and speed that allows him to stretch the field and work over the defense on shorter routes as well.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick really came into his own last season, but he did it with only one legitimate receiver, so it will be interesting to see how he fares with two.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs signed Eric Winston this offseason, but offensive line is still a weak point, so a reliable tackle like Martin makes a lot of sense here.

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

Seattle is ready to take the league by storm with its new Nike uniforms, but before it can do that it needs a big-time pass-rusher like Ingram.

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

The Cardinals' defense has taken a lot of hits in free agency over the past few years, but Kuechly would truly be a solidifying force at middle linebacker.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dallas continues to fall short of expectations on a yearly basis, but a player like Kirkpatrick has the potential to be a game-changing, shutdown cornerback.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Defense was the biggest reason for the Eagles' disappointing 2011 season, but Barron could really change things as the quarterback of the secondary.

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

The Jets fell short in a lot of areas last season, but a top-notch pass-rusher such as Upshaw could really restore some of the defense's swagger this year.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Cincinnati is in a great spot as it has two first-rounders and is coming off a playoff berth, so it can afford to take a luxury player like Wright to pair with A.J. Green.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chargers are an enigma wrapped in a riddle, but it should be no secret that they are looking for a guard like DeCastro to replace the retired Kris Dielman.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Chicago did well to get quarterback Jay Cutler a weapon in the form of Brandon Marshall this offseason, but he needs a reliable center like Konz as well.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans did a nice job in the draft last season as they plucked a number of starters, but they still need a pass-rusher that can take charge, such as Perry.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

After going with luxury with their first selection, the Bengals should address a pressing need at this spot with a corner in the form of Jenkins.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Browns could go in a number of different directions with this pick, but after getting Richardson earlier, nabbing a blocker like Adams would be smart.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Detroit's secondary was exposed in a big way in the last couple games last season, so while Dennard may be a bit of a reach, he's a big need.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

It seems as though as long as the Pittsburgh Steelers have existed as a franchise, they have had a spectacular defense. There have obviously been some lulls during that time period, but it has largely been true.

At this point, though, Pittsburgh's defense appears to be aging and that was blatantly obvious against the Denver Broncos in a playoff loss.

There were several injuries along the defensive line in that game, which had a huge bearing on the outcome. One injury in particular that really hurt the unit as a whole was nose tackle Casey Hampton tearing his ACL. Hampton has long been a space-eater for the Steelers and has opened up plenty of space for his teammates to make plays.

In addition to the injury, though, Hampton is getting up there in age, so it seems like a good time to address the position. There usually aren't a ton of quality nose tackles available in the draft, but there is a very intriguing prospect in Dontari Poe out of Memphis. At nearly 350 lbs, Poe is a monster, and he dominated at the combine by incredibly running a sub-5.0 40-time.

There is no telling whether that athleticism will translate, but it's worth a shot from Pittsburgh's point of view.

 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Although the Broncos signed Joel Dreessen, new quarterback Peyton Manning could use another big weapon like Fleener at tight end.

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

The Texans have gotten by for quite some time with Andre Johnson and little else at wide receiver, but now is the time to get him a complement in the form of Jeffery.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Patriots lost their best pass-rushers in Mark Anderson to free agency and Andre Carter to injury, so taking Mercilus is an absolute must.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

Green Bay's defense was surprisingly awful last season as it couldn't pressure the quarterback, but Still will occupy some blockers for Clay Matthews and others.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens don't really have many needs to speak of, but they continually develop great defensive players, so nabbing Hightower would seem to be a smart move.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

San Francisco did an excellent job this offseason in retaining its own players and bringing in some free agents, and Glenn would fill the final need on the offensive line.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

The Patriots have lost a lot of good defensive linemen over the past few years, namely Richard Seymour, so Cox would be a logical fit here.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

With two tight ends on the shelf for the foreseeable future, taking a tight end like Allen for quarterback Eli Manning is a no-brainer.