2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Value for All 32 First-Round Picks

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we highlight the best value available for all 32 first-round picks. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There's no better way for the Colts to bridge the transition away from Peyton Manning than taking Luck, a comparable college prospect to the former No. 1 pick in 1998. 

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

Few franchises need a shot of excitement as much as the Redskins currently do, and taking Griffin III is the far-and-away the most exciting player in the 2012 draft.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Getting a tackle with the talent to lock down the left side of the offensive line is about as good a value as you'll find at No. 3 overall. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Ultimately, the Browns will need to weigh their options at No. 4, with value playing a huge factor. Is there enough value in reaching for quarterback Ryan Tannehill? Does taking Morris Claiborne make sense after selecting Joe Haden in the top 10 two years ago? Is any receiver worth it at No. 4? In the end, I think the Browns will say 'no' to those questions. Richardson gives Cleveland the best value and biggest impact right away.

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

You get the feeling from the Bucs staff that Richardson is the guy they want at No. 5. But if he does go to Cleveland one pick before, Claiborne is a fine consolation prize. With Aqib Talib's legal status in question and Ronde Barber on his very last NFL legs, Claiborne is an instant impact player.

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

The Rams desperately need receiver help, and many consider Blackmon the top player available at a position that is very deep this year.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jaguars would be crazy not to at least consider Michael Floyd here, but pass-rushers are too hard to find later on in the draft.

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

Matt Moore and David Garrard is not the kind of depth chart you want at the quarterback position. Miami has to add a rookie to give the team a chance at fixing it in the future.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Everyone seems quick to give the Panthers Quinton Coples or Dontari Poe, but Cox would be the disruptive defensive tackle that Carolina really needs inside.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

A receiver like Floyd might be tempting for the Bills, but getting a left tackle to replace the departed Demetress Bell is a must here. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (TRADE w/ Kansas City)

After losing David Hawthorne to free agency, the Seahawks have a big hole in the middle of their defense. To replace the team's leading tackler over the last three seasons, Seattle moves up a spot to ensure they get Boston College's tackling machine. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford (TRADE w/ Seattle) 

By adding DeCastro—arguably the draft's top interior line prospect—to an offensive line that already upgraded in free agency with right tackle Eric Winston, the Chiefs suddenly have an offensive line that can pave the way for another top rushing finish in 2012. Kansas City will challenge for the playoffs again next season if the running game returns to 2010 levels.  

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

Arizona has options here to upgrade the pass rush, an area where they've built a solid base but haven't yet completed. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Signing Brandon Carr in free agency fixed the cornerback position. Taking Barron at No. 14 overall goes a long ways in patch up the back end. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

By teaming Poe with recently-acquired middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Philadelphia has done a lot to fix an area that haunted its defense in 2011.

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

Would head coach Rex Ryan really let Upshaw slip past him at No. 16 if the Alabama pass-rusher is sill available?

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals hope Gilmore—a rising prospect—is the answer to replacing Jonathan Joseph.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin and recently re-signed Jared Gaither give the Chargers a dependable pair of offensive tackles for 2012 and beyond.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Putting Coples on the opposite end of fellow UNC alum Julius Peppers is a scary proposition. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Signing veteran center Dan Koppen could change this pick, but Konz is the best available option in this draft if the Titans continue to strike out with free agents.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

The Bengals strike gold twice—starting with Gilmore at No. 17 and next with Glenn, a run-mauling offensive lineman who can line up at several different positions. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

You have to wonder if a team needing a receiver would move into the teens to get Floyd, but the Browns wouldn't mind him falling all the way to No. 22. Cleveland can complete its offensive makeover with a play-making receiver that deserved to go higher in the draft.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

I was tempted to give the Lions offensive tackle Mike Adams, but there's a reason the team gave Jeff Backus a two-year deal to stick around. Drafting Kirkpatrick, who many considered the No. 2 cornerback, gives the Lions a perfect replacement (and possible upgrade) over free-agent departure Eric Wright. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Few picks in the first round make as much sense as Hightower to Pittsburgh. With James Farrior on his way out, the Steelers get a natural replacement in the Alabama defensive captain. Hightower helped lead the Tide to one of the most dominating defensive seasons in college football history, allowing under nine points a game and pitching a shutout in the national championship game. 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

If Still was a more complete interior pass-rusher, he'd be out of the Broncos' range. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Wright might end up in the same boat as what I predicted with Floyd: A receiver-needy team moves up a bunch of spots to nab him in the mid-to-late teens. But if he gets to Houston, Wright makes a lot of sense as a receiver who can win in the slot and make plays vertically in the Texans offense.

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State

With scheme and position versatility, McClellin is the perfect Patriots prospect. Bill Belichick will find ways to get this kid in the backfield. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

GM Ted Thompson won't be happy when McClellin doesn't get to No. 28 overall, but Mercilus has more raw pass-rushing skills that the Packers can unlock by playing him opposite Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Only the Giants stockpile pass-rushers as well as the Ravens have over the years.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

After fixing most of the major holes offensively in free agency, the 49ers can take a chance on a raw but potentially dominant interior-line prospect.

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (TRADE w/New England) 

Starving for tight end help, the Bears make a big move back into the first round to take the draft's top player at the position. The Patriots are always a good bet to move back with their second first-rounder too. Fleener could have big impact in year one, especially considering the Bears will also have the presence of Brandon Marshall available. 

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Boise State running back Doug Martin is a good fit here, but the Giants get themselves an offensive tackle option after skating through the season with poor play on the left side in 2011.