2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best First-Round Solutions to Every Team's Needs

Mock drafts are shifting every day as the 2012 NFL draft approaches. My latest version weighs team need as the biggest factor, as opposed to taking the best talent available.

Here is my most recent mock draft as we get closer to the first round of this year's draft on April 26.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Indianapolis needs a quarterback to center its rebuilding project on, and Luck is the best signal-caller to enter the NFL in a decade. 

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

The Redskins gave up a ton of picks to move up four spots and ensure they could get Griffin. The combination of John Beck and Rex Grossman in 2011 made moving up to get RG3 that much more appealing. That shouldn't surprise anyone.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need a blind side protector for young quarterback Christian Ponder. Kalil is a perennial Pro Bowler in waiting and is the best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the No. 1 overall pick in 2008.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Peyton Hillis off to Kansas City via free agency, the Browns need someone to lead their running game. Richardson is the rare elite talent at running back that will be a top-10 pick. He fills a need and has the ability to quickly turn into one of the NFL's best running backs.

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

Much was made of the Bucs signing Eric Wright this offseason, but he has been inconsistent throughout his career. Aqib Talib's future is up in the air, and Ronde Barber will enter his 16th season in 2012. Claiborne has the talent to become a shutdown corner, and it won't take him long to get there.

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

The Rams' top need is receiver, and Blackmon is the best one on the board. Franchise quarterback Sam Bradford will finally get the No. 1 receiver he has been missing. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a serious risk here because I don't believe he has answered questions about his motor or lack of numbers in college. That said, at 6'6" and 285 pounds, with ridiculous talent and athleticism, he could be the next Julius Peppers.

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

After Tannehill aced his pro day, his stock has been on the rise. The Dolphins need a quarterback to build around, and while Tannehill will need time to develop, he's better than the combination of Matt Moore and David Garrard that is currently on the roster.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Panthers need some help on the interior of their defensive line. Poe's combine workout established him as a once-in-a-decade athlete who should become a force at the next level.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need to shore up their offensive line after building what should be a dominant defensive line through free agency. Reiff is the second-best offensive tackle in this draft and should be a long-term starter in the NFL.

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

The Chiefs would prefer to land Poe here, but Kuechly will give them a stud to plug in to the middle of their defense, an area that desperately needs help.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Seattle's biggest need is a pass-rusher, and Ingram is a versatile talent who was a big-time playmaker at South Carolina. Ingram is a little undersized for a defensive end but should be able to get to the quarterback in the NFL.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals re-signed Levi Brown this offseason, but that isn't comforting to anyone. Martin will give them a talent with serious upside who can play either offensive tackle spot. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

If the Cowboys don't trade out of this spot, they'll take Cox, who is a versatile talent. Rob Ryan will love will love having the Mississippi State product, who can slot in anywhere along Dallas' defensive line.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans to help upgrade the middle of their defense. Drafting a physical safety like Barron will continue that process.

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

Upshaw has the look and feel of a Rex Ryan edge rusher. He likes to stockpile guys like this, and the Jets could really use someone to rush the passer.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals have yet to replace Johnathan Joseph, who left for Houston last offseason.

The team could go in a number of directions here, but I think they'll take Kirkpatrick, who is an elite talent at corner. He was projected as a top-10 pick before an arrest for marijuana possession hurt his stock.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

If the Bengals pass on DeCastro, there is no way he gets by the Chargers. In this scenario he comes in and takes over the left guard spot for the retired Kris Dielman.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

The Bears have one of the NFL's worst offensive lines and need to upgrade things in front of Jay Cutler badly. Glenn is a guy who could come in and start at either guard spot or right tackle immediately. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Tennessee addressed its need for a pass-rusher by adding Kamerion Wimbley in free agency. Now they fill their opening at cornerback that was left in the wake of Cortland Finnegan's departure. Gilmore is a big, physical corner who can help in run support and has great ball skills. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals picked up BenJarvus Green-Ellis in free agency, but they need a true home-run threat to complement him. Miller has the most upside of any back in this draft class other than Trent Richardson and would make a great one-two punch with Green-Ellis.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With Richardson and Floyd, the Browns will have done enough to surround Colt McCoy with weapons that the young quarterback won't have any more excuses for not developing. The Browns would go from being a team with no offensive talents to a young and exciting squad.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Current center Dominic Raiola is terrible, and Konz would be a significant upgrade. I like the idea of pairing young centers and quarterbacks, and this would give franchise signal-caller Matthew Stafford a snapper to develop with.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Casey Hampton is aging, and Still will be able to develop alongside the long-time nose tackle until he's able to take over the position full-time.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Denver must get stronger along the interior of the defensive line. At 6'5" and 323 pounds, Brockers is a gigantic tackle and at worst will be a strong, solid piece in the middle of the team's line.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but he needs some help. Wright is a solid No. 2 option who can get deep and make plays for quarterback Matt Schaub.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

New England needs to upgrade its front seven. Mercilus is one of the best pass-rushers in this draft and has the kind of upside Bill Belichick likes in his edge rushers. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers must take a pass-rusher with this pick, and luckily Perry falls here. From his film, Perry is the best pure pass-rusher in this draft and will team nicely with Clay Matthews to help Green Bay get after the quarterback more consistently.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama 

Hightower is becoming a hot commodity in this draft, and the Ravens need to take Ray Lewis' successor at some point. The Alabama product is a worthy candidate to take over for him and could learn from Lewis for a year or two before stepping in.

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

At 6'4" and 215 pounds, Hill has elite size and is probably the best deep threat in this draft. That said, he is incredibly raw, which is why he will fall this far. The 49ers need someone who can get deep, and they will be willing to wait on his development.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes is a versatile defensive lineman who will fit in anywhere along the front line of the Patriots' 3-4/4-3 scheme. He will continue the rebuilding of the team's front seven.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

No offensive tackles worth a first-rounder will be available here, and I think this is too high for any of the remaining running backs. Therefore, the Giants will go after Brown, and elite talent with the speed and ball skills to become a force in their 4-3 front.