2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which First-Rounders Have the Most Upside?

There are plenty of players in this year's draft who are capable of changing the direction of an entire franchise. As long as teams choose wisely in the first round, there are options—top to bottom—who can prove to be big payoffs once they reach the prime time of the NFL.

Whether it be a quarterback, a right tackle or a defensive end, some of the prospects in this year's class are being heralded as some of the best the league has seen in years.

Following is a first-round mock that focuses on some of the talent with the most upside.

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

It's a given that Luck has the ability to resurrect the Colts' entire franchise after Peyton Manning's surgery and subsequent release. Some are calling him the best quarterback prospect they've ever seen.

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

Aside from Luck, RGIII is the best quarterback prospect available, and he may even be better. He has the arm strength, accuracy and athleticism to be an elite NFL quarterback, and coming out of the short-lived Donovan McNabb era, Washington needs an elite QB.

This year's Heisman Trophy winner, Griffin can start in the NFL in Week 1 and is often compared to Cam Newton. Given his performance at the combine, he may be even better, despite the fact that he didn't even throw. He ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, registering the fastest time for a quarterback since Michael Vick, and he is the elusive dual-threat quarterback who may actually pan out and meet the expectations that running quarterbacks rarely do.

RGIII can restore glory to a Redskins franchise that hasn't had much of it since 1991.

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

Minnesota needs a replacement for Charlie Johnson, as well as someone who can make Christian Ponder's life easier as he continues to develop. Kalil gives them a player who can make an impact immediately, and he has the experience and the expertise to play on the right or left side.

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

Unless Kalil is still available at No. 4, the Browns will go for Richardson, who some are calling the best running back in the draft since Adrian Peterson.

When the Browns weren't able to complete a trade to get high enough in the order to get RGIII, they were forced to turn their attention to another player who is capable of making an immediate impact on offense, and that player is Richardson. He can stage long runs, catch, block and, perhaps most importantly, he takes some of the pressure off Colt McCoy.

There's always concern over taking a running back this high in the draft, but if the Browns want someone to make an impact now, Richardson is their guy. He had 21 touchdowns last season and has been called one of the best players in the draft by his former head coach, Nick Saban.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tampa Bay wants a cornerback, and unless the Browns pass up on Richardson, Claiborne is their man. He's a safe pick and can give the Bucs longevity at the position.

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

Blackmon gives Sam Bradford a great target and can add a little jump to an offense that lagged in 2011. The wide receiving corps in particular was a big weakness for Saint Louis, so this is a big—and immediate—upgrade.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a complete player and the best tackle available, and the Jaguars need an upgrade on their O-line.

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

There's still a chance that the Browns could snag him at No. 4, but Miami needs a quarterback, and outside of the golden top two, he is the best option. He lacks experience (19 starts at QB in his career), but his skill set shows potential that the scouts are all buying into.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers defense struggled against the run last year, and they need someone who can step in—now—to stop the bleeding in 2012.

Enter Coples. He's been described as a sack machine who compiled 24.0 sacks and 40.5 tackles for a loss throughout his college career.

Another huge plus for Coples is his size. At 6'6" and 284 pounds, he can cover a lot of ground quickly. He has a natural quickness when working to the inside, and he is strong enough to start in the NFL because he can overpower linemen, especially in the running game.

Coples fits the Panthers needs perfectly, and if he is able to halt questions about his ability to be consistent, he is a pick that could pay off in a big way.

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

If Riley Reiff does go to Jacksonville at No. 7, the Bills could look to fill another hole on offense, and Floyd—who ran a 4.4 40-yard dash—could complement Stevie Johnson.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a tackling machine and would fit in nicely in Kansas City, without the burden of the entire defense's success resting on his shoulders. He's been heralded for his instincts and his intelligence, and he is a safe pick who excelled at Boston College. He started 12 games as a true freshman and was a first-team All-American as a sophomore and as a junior, when he led the nation in tackles (191 total, 102 solo).

Kuechly quelled some of the concerns dogging him by having a great combine, clocking in at 4.58 in the 40. Kuechly offers the Chiefs playmaking ability inside, as well as some ball-hawking potential.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE, North Carolina

Seattle needs to fill a need at defensive end, and a very physical Upshaw can drastically improve the pass rush.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is a versatile, solid presence with a knack for making big plays, and he offers the Cardinals some much-needed depth.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Cowboys must upgrade their secondary, and Barron, the best safety in the draft, could step in immediately and make an impact.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Eagles need to improve their run defense, and even after a slide at the end of the 2011 season, Poe's dominant performance at the combine, his speed (he ran a 4.98-second 40) and his versatility make him a top prospect.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse

He can make the transition from defensive end to linebacker, and the Jets need to shore up their front seven. Jones could be a solid pick for them if Barron and Upshaw are unavailable. If the Jets choose to upgrade at wide receiver with Plaxico Burress gone, Kendall Wright could be a good fit.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

He fills an immediate need for the Bengals on the pass rush and could pay off in front of a young quarterback.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Chargers still need to fill a hole at right tackle, and Glenn, at nearly 6'6" and 345 pounds, can be a dominant presence there.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

After protecting Andrew Luck's blind side at Stanford, Martin has proven he can fill a hole where the Bears have a huge need.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

One of the Titans' biggest concerns is the secondary, and Kirkpatrick, at 6'3", can cover wide receivers and tight ends, making him one of the top options at DB aside from Claiborne.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

He's been a starter since he was a freshman, and his maturity, instincts and above-average coverage skills help the Bengals fill a hole in the secondary.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns still have a need at wide receiver, and RGIII's prime target has the speed necessary to be a playmaker.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The versatile Mercilus provides the Lions with with an improved pass rush, as well as depth at linebacker.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower has recovered sufficiently from an ACL injury to provide Pittsburgh with the athleticism necessary to be an impact player at the line of scrimmage.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The versatile defensive tackle is massive (6'5", 322 pounds) and can fill a need for the Broncos inside.

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

He gives Houston another weapon next to Andre Johnson and ran an impressive 4.36 in the 40 at the combine.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) (13-3) : Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Pats need to fill a hole in the pass rush, and Cox is a top prospect who could be a steal at this stage.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, DE/LB, USC

The Packers have a hole to fill at linebacker, and Perry can convert, giving them a pass-rushing option with a lot of upside.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Baltimore needs a center, and Konz is the only one worth a first-round selection.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Having taken care of their needs at wide receiver by signing Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency, Zeitler helps the 49ers fill a hole at guard.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

The Pats need to infuse their defensive line with some youth, and Reyes is an interior playmaker who can serve as a solid complement to Vince Wilfork.

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

After Jake Ballard tore his ACL, tight end became a primary area of concern for the Giants, and Fleener is the best option on the board. Devon Still is also an option to fill a hole at defensive tackle.