2012 NFL Draft: Predicting Most Ideal Fit for Every Franchise

The 2012 NFL draft is an inexact science, but there are ideal fits for every franchise with every selection. As the choices pan out, here's a look at the most ideal selections for Round 1.

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

Twice before have the Colts have selected a quarterback at No. 1 overall. It's their biggest need now and Andrew Luck is where the rebuilding process begins.

2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Not yet as polished as Luck, Robert Griffin III needs more experience under center. He'll develop that nicely with Mike Shanahan teaching.

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

Whether the future is Christian Ponder or whoever, Minnesota's offense won't get better until Matt Kalil comes along to seal on the blindside.

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

Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Cleveland Browns haven't had a consistently reliable running back. Trent Richardson will be responsible for turning that around.

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

In the pass-driven NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't afford to remain weak on defense. Last season began 4-2, but finished a horrific 0-10 as the defense allowed an average of almost 395 total yards per game and ranked No. 30.

Selecting Morris Claiborne at No. 5 solidifies at least one half of the field in coverage and helps out a front seven with decent potential.

Tampa Bay will undoubtedly have an improved offense in 2012, but to catch up with Carolina and compete with New Orleans and Atlanta, the defense needs an upgrade. Claiborne is also a reliable perimeter run defender, so if the front seven can get a consistent pass rush, look out.

6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Reliability over the middle and deep is what the Rams offense needs. Justin Blackmon can beat single coverage anywhere and prevents defenses from stacking the box against Steven Jackson.

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

A similar situation when compared to Minnesota, Jacksonville has a young quarterback and a stud running back, but needs to improve pass protection and downfield blocking. Riley Reiff has that athleticism and is a significant upgrade for the Jaguars.

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

If Miami doesn't take Ryan Tannehill here, then he'll likely be selected before they pick again. He's the ideal fit to reunite with Mike Sherman, but also remains a risk at No. 8.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

The Panthers desperately need to improve defensively for a shot at the postseason in 2012. Melvin Ingram's versatility certainly addresses the pass rush and run defense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

A shutdown corner with excellent reaction skills to routes and when the ball is released, Dre Kirkpatrick will take away quite a bit as the Bills' front seven dominates.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

The Chiefs ranked No. 26 in rush defense last season. Adding Michael Brockers to the interior defensive line will draw double teams to free up the linebackers in the trenches.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

If Seattle wants to contend with San Francisco for the NFC West title or at least a playoff spot, Luke Kuechly is needed to control the front seven. Specializing as a run stopper, Kuechly's impressive instincts will also bode well against the pass.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Arizona's pass protection was horrendous in 2011. The Cardinals allowed 54 sacks (second-most in the league) and also ranked No. 24 in rushing offense (worst in the NFC West).

Still, running back Beanie Wells compiled over 1,000 yards despite being inconsistent and receiver Larry Fitzgerald earned another All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. Just imagine how much more productive the Cardinals offense will be with David DeCastro on the interior.

He's a ferocious run blocker who can get to the second level and lead on counters and traps. In the passing game, DeCastro has great awareness and instincts to help the center and/or tackle with late/overload blitzes.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Dallas has already improved the secondary so the next step involves the front seven. DeMarcus Ware continues to be a beast and his trusty sidekick can be Quinton Coples. Together, they create the best pass-rushing duo in the league.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Despite only getting sacked 23 times last season, Michael Vick was knocked down quite often and ended up missing three games. Well, Jonathan Martin was part of a Stanford offense that allowed just 11 sacks in 2011 and also ran the ball for 210 yards per game.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Michael Floyd is everything the Jets need in an offensive playmaker. He has great size, speed, strength and leaping ability to be a dangerous weapon all over, especially in the red zone. Not to mention, Floyd is a solid run blocker to help Shonn Greene keep rolling.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Coming in as a No. 2 corner, opposite Nate Clements, Stephon Gilmore gives the Bengals an impressive tandem and has No. 1 potential. Clements is 32, so developing Gilmore now will allow him to take that next step in a few years.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

Whether it's drawing or splitting double teams, dominating one-on-one situations or controlling gaps, Fletcher Cox fits the mold for San Diego. His quickness will get interior pressure and his size will cause traffic to free up the linebackers in a run-oriented AFC West.

19. Chicago Bears: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Sooner rather than later, the Chicago Bears must get younger in the front seven. USC's Nick Perry is a consistent pass rusher and knows how to react well to the run. Additionally, Perry's athleticism gives the Bears the option of running a 3-4 front in strict passing situations.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Controlling the line of scrimmage cost Tennessee on both sides of the ball in 2011. Here, they go defense with Dontari Poe to plug two-gaps, free up the 'backers and/or make plays in the backfield. Stopping run-balanced offenses like Jacksonville and Houston is key to competing in the AFC South.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

With the secondary upgraded, the Bengals shift their focus to enhancing the front four. Devon Still is a fast defensive tackle who can apply a pass rush, draw double teams and make plays in the backfield. His addition significantly increases Cincinnati's odds at winning the division.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

The Browns have a near complete defense and Alabama's Courtney Upshaw fills that outside linebacker need. Complementing middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, Upshaw's addition will force run plays back inside and keep pressure on play-action pass.

Upshaw has excellent instincts, reads and dissects plays quickly and has the strength to set the edge against the run. Cleveland needs another outside pass rush presence opposite of Jabaal Sheard and in turn, this greatly assists the coverage.

With Joe Haden locking down one side, Upshaw can blitz from that same side while the secondary rolls down opposite Haden: thus allowing help to blanket the intermediate passing game while still getting pressure.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

If the Detroit Lions want to remain NFC playoff contenders, improving the defense is imperative. Zach Brown has the athleticism to blitz off the edge, defend consistently against the run and man-up against tight ends and slot receivers.

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

Pittsburgh's defense needs an interior run-stopper and a quick pass dropper. Dont'a Hightower is the best option as his play recognition skills are elite and he plays fast between the offensive tackles.

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

Denver needs an interior presence that can complement Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. Jerel Worthy is a complete player and has the dynamics to stuff the run and loop outside to make plays in the backfield.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

The great thing about Kendall Wright is that he'll come in as a No. 2 receiver, but has excellent No. 1 potential. Despite Houston having Andre Johnson, Wright will work defenders in single coverage and exploit zones over the middle.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Whitney Mercilus may be a one-hit wonder, but he displayed his potential in 2011 when given an opportunity. In New England, Bill Belichick will develop Mercilus into a complete defender for his 1-5-5 front.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

Green Bay's defense needs not only a complement opposite of Clay Matthews, but a stud run defender. Vinny Curry not only has a knack for getting to the quarterback, but for consistently making plays in the backfield and causing fumbles.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

For Baltimore to defend its AFC North title, continuing to roll with Ray Rice in the trenches must happen. Needing to upgrade the offensive line, Cordy Glenn is a run-blocking specialist whose lateral agility will also set up the passing game for speedster Torrey Smith.

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

Arguably the perfect offensive fit in Round 1, Stephen Hill is the most idealistic prospect to complete San Francisco's offense. For one, he played in a run-heavy system at Georgia Tech, so his run-blocking skill set is top of the line.

The presence of Frank Gore in the backfield just got a lot more dangerous and this easily sets up the play-action pass. Hill has great size, speed and reliability to develop into a No. 1 receiver and he'll take his playmaking ability to the next level with Randy Moss leading.

With other receiving weapons in Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis for quarterback Alex Smith, Hill will see a lot of single coverage situations early on. However, after averaging almost 30 yards per reception for the Yellow Jackets in 2011, defenses will gravitate toward him quickly.

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

It was allowing the big plays that cost the Patriots' defense in Super Bowl XLVI. The addition of Mark Barron—who has 34 defended passes from 2009-'11—will certainly complete the secondary.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

The Giants passing game is what saved them throughout the course of 2011. With defenses expected to be better prepared for New York's aerial onslaught in 2012, running back Doug Martin will make arguably the biggest impact of anyone in the first round.

John Rozum on Twitter.