2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Best Selections in Round 1

Several factors go into deciding which teams walk away from the first round as the biggest winners. The most notable are filling a position of need and not reaching for a prospect. With the NFL Draft just three weeks away, teams should have a clear idea of the direction they plan to go in order to reach those goals.

Here's a complete mock draft of the opening round featuring the three best potential picks based on draft position and the amount of impact the player will have on his new team.

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

It's time for a new era to begin for the Colts. They have played coy about what direction they are leaning with the first pick, but anybody other than Luck would be a major shock. Another quarterback prospect like him won't come around for a decade.

Much like when Peyton Manning took over the reins in 1998, the roster around Luck will be weak during his first season as the team cleans out some veterans to make room for younger players. So don't read to much into his rookie stats.

Once he gets more talent around him, he's going to excel. The Colts are fortunate that they will be able to transition from one elite quarterback to another. Many teams won't have a single QB on that level during the same span.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington made the right move to trade up to get Griffin, even though the price tag was so high. He has the potential to turn the team's offense around quickly.

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

In a strong offensive tackle class that will likely have at least four players in the first round, Kalil has separated himself from the pack to warrant a top-five pick.

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

Taking running backs early has become far less common in recent seasons, but Richardson possesses rare abilities. The Browns need a playmaker like him to build their offense around.

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

The Buccaneers shouldn't let some standardized test score scare them away from drafting a player who will change the complexion of their defense.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Things are shaping up to work perfectly for the Rams. They already have a promising young quarterback in Sam Bradford, so the team was able to stockpile other picks in exchange for No. 2, while still dropping down just four spots.

Blackmon will give Bradford the top target he has lacked during the early portion of his career. Without a go-to guy, he's struggled to find any type of consistency. That will change once he gets on the same page with the class' top receiver.

The Oklahoma State product has all the tools, including great hands, to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player within a few seasons. He gives the Rams another young building block. Now they just need to put it all together.

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

There aren't many players in the class with as much physical ability as Coples. Concerns about taking plays off aren't enough for him to slide too long.

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

Tannehill's stock has risen more than just about any prospect since the college football season ended. The Dolphins desperately need a new QB, so they'll take a chance on him.

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

A monster on the interior, Brockers will take some time to learn the finer points of the position before reaching his full potential. He'll be worth waiting on.

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

The Bills have made nice strides toward ending their playoff drought during the offseason, and Reiff would fill another big hole.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Kansas City had one of the least effective pass rushes in the league last season. Nobody other than Tamba Hali had more than six sacks, and that's not going to cut it in today's NFL with all the high-powered passing games.

Upshaw would prove an instant boost to the Chiefs in that area. He's going to need some seasoning in the other facets of being a linebacker, most notably dropping into coverage, but attacking the passer is the most important thing right now and he does that well.

He'll be well worth the early investment even if pass-rushing all he does in his first season. And once he becomes a more well-rounded linebacker, the pick looks even better. The Chiefs will look back on this pick as the one that turned around their defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Matt Flynn will be an upgrade for the Seahawks at quarterback, but now they need somebody to help protect their new investment.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Cardinals have a few different needs to fill. Floyd provides the best value of anybody on the board and gives Larry Fitzgerald a little help.

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

Secondary improvements should be on the top of Dallas' priority list heading into the draft, so the Cowboys should be happy Kirkpatrick is available.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Even though Kuechly won't blow anybody away with his physical ability, he's the best all-around linebacker on the board to fill the Eagles' biggest weakness.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro helped form Stanford's dominant offense line and the Jets must continue to provide help to their running game.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Cincinnati was one of last season's biggest surprises, but the team still has a few upgrades to make, including cornerback, before they become true contenders.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The Chargers defense has lacked a dominant pass-rusher for quite a while now. Ingram should fill that role nicely once he gains experience.

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

Most prospects watch their stock fluctuate quite a bit during the draft process, but Konz's has remained fairly steady throughout and is a good fit for Chicago.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still would be higher if it weren't for some nagging injuries that have slowed him down. When healthy, he spends a lot of time in the opponent's backfield.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Another defensive upgrade for the Bengals, who should be happy with the progress their offense made last season under Andy Dalton.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Giving Colt McCoy more weapons is the only way to truly gauge if he has what it takes to survive as a starter. Wright would be a good start.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

After an extended rebuilding process that was stuck in neutral for a couple years, the Lions just need a few more upgrades like Adams to finally get back on track as serious NFC contenders.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a hard-nosed lineman who would fit right in with Pittsburgh's workmanlike style. The Steelers can't afford for Ben Roethlisberger to get hit so much.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

It's amazing how one player like Peyton Manning can make a team go from fringe playoff contender to legitimate threat. Now the Broncos need to bulk up on defense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Speaking of Manning, the Texans will benefit with him out of the division. Hill should help their offense become an elite unit.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

If New England can upgrade its defensive backfield during the draft, it will become extremely difficult to find ways to beat the AFC East favorites. Dennard is a steal at this point.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

It took a playoff loss for the Packers to learn they won't be able to win on offense alone. Cox is underrated and should contribute right away.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

It's time for the Ravens to start looking toward the future when Ray Lewis won't be around to anchor the defense. Hightower will learn a lot from the veteran.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

It won't be easy for San Francisco to match last season's success, but they should be right in the thick of the playoff race once again thanks to additions like Gilmore, Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

There isn't another safety worth taking for quite awhile, so Barron's stock may rise on draft day. At least for now, the Patriots would be an ideal fit for both sides.

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

The Giants can make a luxury selection of sorts because they don't have a glaring weakness that must be addressed. Fleener would provide the most long-term value.