2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Definitive Guide to the 1st Round

With the draft only a few weeks away, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty of draft coverage.

What holes do teams really need to fill via the draft? What players are best suited for whom, and why? Who will be available when that team picks?

For each team, we'll go over one pressing question or team need, along with highlighting a few picks that will affect the rest of the draft.

Let's get mocking.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There's isn't a whole lot to say here. This should be the pick, it will be the pick and the Colts will transfer from one franchise quarterback to the next.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor *

Again, not much to say here. The Redskins didn't trade a fortune to St. Louis to draft Trent Richardson, that's for sure.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings very well could trade out of this spot if a team wants Ryan Tannehill that desperately and thinks they need to move ahead of the Browns to land him.

I doubt that happens, however, and if the Vikings stay put, I would be shocked if they didn't select Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

What the Browns do with this pick will shake up the rest of the top 10. They could go a number of directions here, such as selecting Ryan Tannehill, Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne or possibly even trading down.

But I firmly believe they'll take the uniquely talented Richardson, who will be the type of physical runner that will become an instant fan favorite in Cleveland. It's a good pick—it might be early to select a running back, but Trent Richardson is the best talent on the board, period.

And I don't think Tannehill is worth the fourth-overall pick, and he's the only other player I see them considering here.

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

Don't think the Wonderlic will hurt Claiborne's draft stock—he's the best corner on the board and a perfect fit in Tampa Bay. If he isn't off the board here, he's a near-lock to end up a Buc.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

I've heard talk that the Rams might trade this pick, but I just don't get it. They have plenty of picks to work with over the next two years—why not select a much-needed weapon for Sam Bradford when you have the chance to do so?

Blackmon to the Rams makes too much sense not to happen.

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

Bringing back Jeremy Mincey was a good move by the team, but who will rush the passer after him?

The Jaguars answer that question with this pick, taking care of a major team need in the process.

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

Tannehill keeps climbing up boards, and after an offseason in which they fanned on every big name quarterback out there, I don't think the Dolphins hesitate to select Tannehill.

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

This is another interesting pick, and what Carolina does here should affect the next 10 picks or so. One player they are said to have interest in is Boston College's Luke Kuechly.

"

One quick note on Kuechly to #Seahawks, multiple people have told us that the #Panthers LOVE him.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 3, 2012"

I don't see it happening, however. Defensive tackle is a bigger need, and the Panthers will have quite a few talented options to choose from. Cox's ability to rush the passer from the tackle position and his NFL-ready game make him the pick.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need an upgrade at tackle, and Reiff is the last elite option available at the position in the draft. An easy choice.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

I've loved this pick for the Chiefs since the NFL Scouting Combine. Poe fills a major need for the team, and his strength and athleticism makes his upside astronomical.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

This has become the vogue pick for Seattle, and with the departure of David Hawthorne, it makes sense. With a dearth of linebackers on roster, the team would be remiss to pass up on the draft's best option at the position.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

If Reilly Reiff fell to them, they would absolutely snatch him up. But with no offensive tackle worth selecting here, I think the team will look to add another stud wide receiver to pair with Larry Fitzgerald instead.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro may very well be gone by the time the Cowboys pick, but if he falls to here, the Cowboys will absolutely snag him. They absolutely need an upgrade at guard, and DeCastro is far and away the best guard on the board.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This pick could go so many different ways and could really affect the rest of the draft. Linebacker might have been a consideration here, but not with Kuechly off the board.

The team has never been shy about selecting offensive and defensive lineman in the first round, but I don't see a natural fit this early.

And trading down is only an option.

But Barron has been climbing up draft boards, and the Eagles' biggest weakness is at the safety position. Seems a match made in heaven, if you ask me.

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

Simply put, I think this is a case of the best available player and team need meshing into the perfect selection. I've seen Upshaw go as early as the Cardinals as well, but I think he'll be here for the Jets if they want him.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia**  

The Bengals have a need at offensive guard. Bada bing, bada boom.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC 

I've seen Perry higher than this, I've seen him drop lower. But with his unbelievable athleticism and the Chargers in need of upgrading the pass-rush, I don't think Perry gets past the Chargers.

19. Chicago Bears:  Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Bears added Brandon Marshall via free agency—why not add the perfect complement to him in the speedy, playmaking Wright?

Jay Cutler has earned the right to play with some weapons in Chicago, and he gets them this year. This could also be an offensive lineman, but I think the options remaining are a stretch at this point.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Say hello to Cortand Finnegan's replacement, Titans fans. At a huge need, the Titans get an amazing value at this pick with the highly-talented Kirkpatrick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals added depth to this position, but they could still use an elite talent to pair with Leon Hall. Jenkins has the potential to be that player.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech 

The Browns need to go for broke in this draft and add some offensive studs they can build around for the future. Hill has the size, speed and hands that could make him a dangerous deep threat for years to come in the NFL.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

A nice combination of talent and need here, the Lions add a player who will improve a huge area of concern heading into the 2012 season after the departure of Eric Wright.

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

This has become the fashionable pick for the Steelers, and it makes sense. Hightower was the leader of a similar 3-4 defense in Alabama, and there's no hiding that the Steelers need an infusion of youth at linebacker.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Without question, this is the team's biggest need. Brockers is great value at this slot, and the team won't hesitate to nab him here.

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

The Texans can afford to go with whatever player they deem the best at this point. I like Devon Still, and think he could potentially fit in well as a 3-4 defensive end. The team could also look to wide receiver here, but I don't love the options at that position at this selection.

27. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois ***

Mercilus seems like a Bill Belichick guy to me, especially given he fills a need as a 3-4 edge-rusher. And the Patriots really need another edge-rusher.

Of course, they could also trade this pick.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Packers will draft a center for the future at some point in this draft. With the best one available sitting ripe for the taking, the Packers do so right away.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Another team that can afford to go in any direction, the Ravens will snag an offensive lineman. Though guard seems to be the primary need, the team has maintained Jah Reid can fill that hole.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

They took care of wide receiver in free agency. Now it's time to solidify another position of need, defensive tackle. Thompson can play both nose tackle and defensive end in the 3-4, a big, big plus.

31. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Fleming will provide a much-needed upgrade in the secondary for a team that was just awful against the pass last year.

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

I don't see many people projecting this, but I love Brown for the Giants. This is totally a "feel" pick on my part—I just feel like this would be a great match. And the Giants can certainly afford to take a chance on a player with some maturity issues but all the upside in the world.

* The Redskins traded the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second-round pick this year and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, to St. Louis for the second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

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