2012 NFL Mock Draft: Perfect Replacements for All 32 First-Round Teams

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we highlight how each first-round prospect can help replace an aging veteran or free-agent departure on each roster:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is the ultimate pick in this draft to replace an aging veteran. The Peyton Manning era is over in Indianapolis, and there's no better prospect than Luck to bridge that gap. The city of Indianapolis is lucky to have had two superior quarterbacks available in a timely manner over the last 20 years.  

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

Does being next in line after Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck count as replacing an aging veteran?

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings would slide 2011 left tackle Charlie Johnson inside if Kalil is the pick.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The three-year run with Peyton Hillis at running back ended when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him away from Cleveland on just a one-year, $3 million contract. The divorce wasn't a surprise after the events of last season. In Richardson, the Browns get a more well-rounded back who has the potential to give Cleveland's offense an Adrian Peterson-like presence. 

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

Aqib Talib is still dealing with legal issues, and Ronde Barber is returning in 2012 for what is likely his last season. Claiborne would start next season and be the future of the position in Tampa Bay.

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

The Rams traded for Brandon Lloyd last season with the thinking that they could get him to re-sign long-term. Instead, Lloyd bolted to New England to reunite with Josh McDaniels. 

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

Who knows how much longer Aaron Kampman can last on surgically repaired knees.

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

By taking Tannehill, the Dolphins give themselves an option at quarterback down the line, because let's face it: Matt Moore and David Garrard are not long-term fixes.

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

A pick not many are projecting, but one that could turn out to be the best finds in the draft.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

A three-year starter for the Bills at left tackle, Demetress Bell bolted for a starting job in Philadelphia. Reiff fills the hole left.

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

David Hawthorne, who led the Seahawks in tackles for three straight seasons, signed with New Orleans last week. Instead of going pass-rusher in the first round, the Seahawks move up a spot to ensure they get Kuechly.

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

Adding DeCastro to an offensive line that has already signed Eric Winston this offseason puts the Chiefs' in a prime position to vault back to the top of the NFL's rushing ranks next season.

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

Perry is a natural replacement for Joey Porter, who mostly disappointed in his time with the Cardinals.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Putting both Barron and free-agent signee Brandon Carr into the Cowboys' secondary next season should help Dallas improve on a bottom-third finish against the pass last season.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Eagles were gashed inside last season, but bringing in Poe and middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans should solve that problem in a big hurry.

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

I'm not sure you could create a better prospect for a Rex Ryan defense than Upshaw. He'll play the run, is scheme- and position-versatile and gets after the quarterback.

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

The Bengals never found an adequate replacement for Johnathan Joseph, but Gilmore has the kind of skill set to do it early in his NFL career.

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

The Chargers can't go through another season with Jeromey Clary playing a tackle position.

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

New Bears GM Phil Emery wasn't shy about pursuing free-agent pass-rushers this offseason, so don't expect them to let Coples free fall last past No. 19. 

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 lost Nate Livings in free agency, but Glenn could be a superior player in year one and has the ability to play multiple 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 

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

The Steelers let veteran inside backer James Farrior go this offseason, even declining to bring him back at a reduced salary. While that doesn't necessarily make inside linebacker a need in this draft, passing up on Hightower, the captain of an Alabama defense that gave up less than nine points a year in 2011-12, seems unlikely for Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.

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

When Broderick Bunkley bolted Denver for more money in New Orleans, a huge hole opened on the Broncos' interior defensive line. Still is a natural fit to replace the run-stuffing Bunkley in 2012.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones aren't the answer for Houston opposite Andre Johnson, but Wright certainly looks like a guy who could fill the role. 

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

Mark Anderson left in free agency, and the Patriots don't know if Ande Carter will recover in time to re-sign this offseason. Taking McClellin, a scheme- and position-versatile prospect who can rush the quarterback, makes a lot of sense to fill the void.

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

Free agent Erik Walden fell off the map late in 2011, but the Packers needed help opposite Clay Matthews even before his struggles. Mercilus isn't a perfect 3-4 pass-rusher, but he gives the Packers a lot more than what they employed outside last season.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Jarret Johnson found a new home in San Diego this offseason, so GM Ozzie Newsome uses his first-round pick on a player who can fill his spot on the depth chart.

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

Justin Smith has plenty of good football left in him, but Brockers gives the 49ers a raw but talented player to mold into another force on the defensive line.

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

Under Mike Martz, the Bears completely neglected the tight end position. Now that he's long gone, that won't be the case any longer. Chicago moves up from the second round back into the first, taking the draft's best tight end in the process. 

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

Kareem McKenzie struggled for most of 2011 and is currently a free agent, making Adams a safe pick at No. 32 overall.