2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Will The Entire First Round Shake Out?

After the first few picks, the 2012 NFL draft can shake out a lot of different ways: and by that token, here's how the draft currently looks with less than a month until it begins.

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

The rebuilding process begins and ends with the quarterback. Andrew Luck possesses a high level of consistent accuracy and will make the Colts' receivers better than advertised.

2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Having traded up to No. 2 and upgrading the receiving corps via free agency, the Redskins have no other option than Robert Griffin III.

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

In a pass-heavy division, Minnesota needs reliability to protect Christian Ponder's blindside. Matt Kalil provides that and is an impressive run-blocker to boot.

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

Cleveland can go a few directions here, but landing that franchise running back will surely generate a lot of optimism. Through his first two seasons at Alabama, Trent Richardson averaged 921 total yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Richardson even returned 25 kickoffs for 634 yards and one touchdown in 2010. And acting as the backup to Mark Ingram, Richardson's body isn't nearly as pummeled like most SEC ball-carriers. 2011 was a Heisman season with over 2,000 total yards and 24 touchdowns and the Browns can build around him.

He's a dual-threat back that gets excellent yards after contact and is arguably a better pass-blocker. Colt McCoy needs all the protection he can get and Richardson's presence will draw up the defense to setup play-action as well.

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

One of the league's worst defenses in 2011, the Buccaneers can make up some ground in the NFC South by adding LSU's Morris Claiborne to the secondary.

6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Steven Jackson remains the focal point of the offense, but the Rams need a true No. 1 receiver to stretch out defenses. Justin Blackmon has proven elite consistency and has good strength to stock block downfield.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Before we critically judge Blaine Gabbert, let's see how he does with Laurent Robinson out wide and Riley Reiff protecting his blindside. As long as Maurice Jones-Drew keeps rolling, the Jaguars will be dangerous in 2012.

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

Having allowed 52 sacks in 2011, the Dolphins either get a mobile, strong-armed quarterback like Ryan Tannehill or upgrade the offensive line.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

The good news for Panthers' fans is that the offense ranked No. 7 overall and Carolina finished 2011 with a strong 4-2 record. Defensively though: the Cats ranked No. 24 against the pass, No. 25 against the run and No. 28 overall.

Fortunately, the NFC South isn't an overly dominant defensive division and the addition of Melvin Ingram gives Carolina a distinct advantage. Ingram can play virtually anywhere in the front seven and does everything at a high level.

He's a fast pass-rusher on the outside, can line up at defensive tackle in strict passing situations and sink into coverage to help against the intermediate passing game. Ingram's versatility will make a definite and immediate impact for the Panthers in 2012.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Buffalo is undoubtedly going to get consistent pressure on the quarterback this season. So, adding Dre Kirkpatrick will either force more bad throws or turnovers.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

A two-gap player, Michael Brockers has the quickness and presence to constantly draw a double team. Kansas City's defense has top-five potential in 2012.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

In 2011 the Seattle Seahawks ranked No. 4 in allowing just 3.8 rush yards per carry. Maintaining that is needed to contend with San Francisco for the division. Therefore, enter Luke Kuechly who averaged 177 tackles per season at Boston College.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Arizona finished 2011 with the worst rushing offense in the NFC West. The Cardinals also allowed 54 sacks (second-most behind St. Louis). David DeCastro is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and his addition takes the Arizona offense to new heights.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

The Dallas Cowboys are nearly a complete team. Defensively, the secondary is upgraded so enhancing the front seven must happen. DeMarcus Ware is the NFL's best pass-rusher and Quinton Coples is arguably the draft's most raw-talented rusher. It's a perfect match.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

A better athlete than given credit for, Jonathan Martin is a big need for the Eagles. He'll keep the pocket safe for Michael Vick and has the ability to get upfield and elongate the running lanes for LeSean McCoy.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

If the New York Jets can spruce up the passing game, the offense becomes nearly complete. Shonn Greene compiled a career-high 1,054 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns in 2011, so an improved receiving corps will only benefit that production.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd is an ideal solution because he's a tall, strong, and a physical receiver who's a lot faster and quicker than given credit for. Floyd can stretch a defense, take a screen or slant to get upfield and has impressive hands.

Regardless of who's under center for the Jets, Floyd will divert attention from Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller to force a defense on its heels and his leaping ability is a major advantage in the red zone.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Stephon Gilmore is a physical corner who has a sixth sense when sitting in zone coverage. Also a reliable tackler and edge run defender, Gilmore's tenacity suits the Bengals quite well in a defensive division.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

Having allowed an average of 4.4 yards per carry in 2011, the San Diego Chargers also recorded just 32 sacks. Fletcher Cox however, is a dynamic player who can stuff the run and apply pressure on the quarterback. He'll likely go overlooked though, as other SEC defenders rule in Round 1.

19. Chicago Bears: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

If the Bears want to catch up quickly to the Packers and Lions, getting younger on the defensive line is a necessity. Nick Perry is a great run stopper and will apply reliable outside pressure that will benefit the secondary. He will also eventually draw double-teams to free up others on the front seven.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Quicker that meets the eye: Dontari Poe is a powerful beast in the trenches that can control two gaps. Facing division teams like Jacksonville and Houston, Poe's addition will improve the Titans run defense against Maurice-Jones Drew and Arian Foster.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Bengals were a top-10 defense in 2011, but the run defense proved to be the weaker of the two. Devon Still brings great play recognition instincts and can also provide a solid interior pass rush.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

The inability to defend the run cost the Browns greatly in 2011, as they lost six games by a touchdown or less. Courtney Upshaw not only will set the edge against the run, but he'll apply outside quarterback pressure and be a constant menace in the backfield.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

Last season Detroit led the NFC North with 41 sacks, but was vulnerable to the run and play-action pass. Getting Zach Brown adds a lot of speed and lateral agility to cover the intermediate passing game and react quicker to the perimeter rushing attack.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Dont'a Hightower may not possess the speed to defend the perimeter in the pros, but he won't have to with James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley playing next to him. Pittsburgh however, does need a stud middle 'backer to control the interior.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

The final piece to solving the Denver Broncos' defensive puzzle is the interior part of the line. With the addition of Von Miller from the 2011 draft, the Broncos collected 41 sacks last season. However, 21 of those sacks came from Miller and Elvis Dumervil alone.

In other words: more inside pressure is needed to enhance the front seven and to improve against the run. Jerel Worthy possesses excellent playmaking skills in the backfield courtesy of great acceleration and quickness at the snap.

Also, Worthy's presence provides Denver the option of running a 3-4 front in strict passing situations. Worthy can then move to nose guard as his fast reactions can get inside pressure or draw a double team. The most important result from this is the increased production of Miller and Dumervil on the outside. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

We all know about Kendall Wright's reliability and ferocious competitiveness in the passing game. What goes overlooked is Wright's ability to run block. Despite being a bit undersized, Wright suits Houston's offensive philosophy to a T, because Arian Foster's production sets up the pass.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Despite needing to improve upon instincts and run defending, Whitney Mercilus has the tenacity to develop in New England. The Patriots defense needs to reload and getting a sack-machine who also forces turnovers is the answer.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

No matter what the Packers do in the 2012 draft, selecting the right defensive players should be the top goal. Vinny Curry is a complete defender and will significantly and immediately improve the NFL's worst overall defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

For the Ravens offense to continue relying on Ray Rice, the addition of Cordy Glenn will keep the interior lanes open and pave the way outside on counters and tosses. The more effective Rice can be the better production Baltimore gets from Joe Flacco.

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

One of the few receivers who knows how to really run block at a consistently high level, Stephen Hill is the perfect fit for the 49ers. Throw in his downfield playmaking ability (averaged almost 30 yards per reception in 2011) and San Francisco's offense is complete.

31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

A safety that can play over the top, roll down into the box or back deep in Cover 1 or 3, Mark Barron has second-to-none instincts and is a consistently reliable tackler. Durability concerns drop him to the end of Round 1 and the Patriots get him to complete their secondary.

Barron's play recognition skills (12 picks and 34 defended passes between 2009 and 2011) will complement corners Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty.

As evidence by Super Bowl XLVI, the deep ball cost the Patriots revenge against the Giants so bringing in that confident swagger will turn around New England's pass defense. Considering that Alabama had the nation's top defense, Bill Belichick can't go wrong here.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

Certainly a legitimate and complete every down back, Doug Martin will slam the trenches, bounce outside, be reliable on screens and check downs and can effectively pass-block. The Giants need to keep their two-back tandem as that takes pressure off Eli Manning. 

John Rozum on Twitter.