2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting the Safest Picks in Round 1

You can almost sense the excitement. The NFL Draft is only a couple weeks away, and this is what will go down. 

What we have before you is the NFL Draft mocked out with a nice little bow on top. We have included some reaches that we think might take place (ahem, Ryan Tannehill). 

However, we have also highlighted some of the safest picks in the draft. Sure, they may not take place, but they are the smartest picks considering the talent available and the need and future of that particular franchise. 

Let's take a stab at the best day in offseason football. 

Here is what that NFL Draft will look like. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

SAFE BET

It's a little maddening that we have to call this out as a safe pick. The Colts continue to play like they are weighing their options. Just stop it. 

Luck is the most complete quarterback on the board and the Colts will most definitely be taking him with their coveted No. 1 overall pick. 

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

SAFE BET

You can write this pick in with a Sharpie, because the Redskins traded up precisely to get a franchise quarterback, and that is RG3.

Luck going first is no knock on Griffin, who has a cannon for an arm and can run better than any QB on the board.  

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil would give the Vikings a great deal of depth on the line and a player that will instantly make the offense better. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I am tempted to make this a "safe bet" pick, but there is no telling what this team is thinking when it comes to quarterbacks left on the board. 

I am cautiously optimistic they still take Richardson who was sublime at his pro day.  

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

He is still the best corner in the nation, and the Buccaneers need him desperately. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

SAFE BET 

If Blackmon is around, the Rams are taking him. 

Sam Bradford is craving a superstar receiver, and these two could grow into a fine relationship that lasts the better part of a decade—how quaint. 

He may not have the breakaway speed, but he has the breakaway power, and will be a star. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples may be slipping on some boards, but I can't ignore his talent trumping any questions there might be on his motor. 

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

SAFE BET

God, I hate this pick. 

I don't condone Tannehill being a first-round pick, but it seems likely the Dolphins will make a Christian Ponder-size reach. 

It's likely to happen, but that doesn't make it right. Here is the most interesting and troubling pick of the draft. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

His sub-five second 40-yard dash time and 44 reps on the bench press make it hard for me to drop him beyond the top 10. In fact, I can't get the vision out of my mind.  

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Bills go with a receiver—Michael Floyd would be a solid pick. However, I would like them to shore up the line like they should.  

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Many have softened on DeCastro, but I still say he is one of the safest bets of the first round. 

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

SAFE BET

I am ready to move this into the safe bet category.

Kuechly proved that he is the real deal at the combine, and the Seahawks need grit and consistency at linebacker. This is a match made in heaven.  

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I would love the Cardinals to get some help on defense, even taking a stab at Kuechly if he is around. However, I can't ignore the hole on the offensive line. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Cowboys get a versatile pass rusher that can fit into any scheme. Ingram is a maniac that plays every play until the end, and that will be perfect for a team that needs more of these types of players. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is the best safety around, and the Eagles were inconsistent at the position last year. 

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

The Jets are thin on draft picks in the wake of the Tim Tebow trade. There is no getting cute here as they fill one of their most pressing needs. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I understand that this may a bit late for Floyd, especially considering where most drafts have him. I just think other teams have bigger needs than receiver, and this draft is filled with talent in the later rounds. 

That doesn't mean the Bengals will see him pass them by. Floyd is a potential game-changing receiver that will light up Cincinnati. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus brought his game to another level last season, and that means he is ready for the demands of the NFL. 

19. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

Yes, I am still convinced in Reiff and his ability to lock down the line. The Bears should address what seems to be a perennial need. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

I love Kirkpatrick for his instincts and ability to stay on the ball. The Titans still need depth at corner, and the player that is just a shade off of Claiborne's ability is their man. 

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

The Bengals took a receiver and now need to address the defense. Gilmore is just a touch below Kirkpatrick in my book and is the no-brainer pick at No 21. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If Tannehill is available, the Browns will seriously consider him here. 

Other than that, it's time to get OL help or a vertical threat that can ignite the fanbase. Wright is that player.  

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Many have Jenkins slipping into the second round, but I just don't see it. He has the top-tier talent and has shown great ability to put his past issues behind him. 

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

The Steelers will most likely hit one of their bigger needs, but I would love to see how this raw talent would mature on a team like Pittsburgh's 

25. Denver Broncos: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Broncos can go a number of ways, and offensive line help at guard would be fantastic, if one worth taking remained. 

They still need help in the defensive front and that is where I have Perry. 

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffrey comes and goes with the tide in mock drafts, but I giggle at how he would perform on the other side of Andre Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

He slipped after a lackluster combine, but he still has the size to wreak havoc on the line. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Branch showed great ability to switch directions and control his big size overall. He was a combine standout that will shine in Green Bay.  

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens had issues with durability last season at the center position. Konz is perfect to breathe new life into the line. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

The secondary needs some depth and Hosley is the best left on the board. The defense is stacked, giving him time to mature and polish his game. 

31. New England Patriots: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

I told you the draft was filled with receivers, and Randle is one of the best, grabbing 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season. 

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

The Giants were inconsistent at offensive line before finally putting it all together for the postseason. There is no reason to gamble that they can duplicate that effort. 

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