2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Prospects Sure to Excel in Rookie Campaigns

There are a few players in the upcoming draft who are going to look like anything but rookies in their initial NFL season. 

These guys have the goods, and they will be given a chance to produce right away. They will not disappoint.

In my mock draft below, there are three players, highlighted with extra attention, who will jump into the NFL and have a big season. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has, and always will be, the No. 1 selection in this draft. 

2.  Washington Redskins via St. Louis: Robert Griffin III 

Redskins fans have already begun the RG III era. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a physically gifted prospect with plenty of big-time, collegiate-starting experience.

 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Why Richardson Will Excel as a Rookie

Richardson is going to produce because he's going to get plenty of touches. There is not a situation where Richardson will have to come off the field. 

He has the explosiveness to break off a long run. He has the quickness to get to the edge. He has the power and instincts to be an effective short-yardage back, and that's all just when he's running the ball. 

Richardson is a tremendous receiver and blocker, which means he's a third-down back as well. Richardson will be on the field as much as his body allows, and he has shown he can be a workhorse. 

He will easily eclipse the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie. 

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

Claiborne will bring his elite coverage abilities to a Bucs team that needs them.  

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

The Rams have been eyeing Blackmon this entire process. They traded down and will still have a chance to get him. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars anemic pass rush needs a boost. Coples will give it to them. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a bulldozing tackle. He's ready to dominate the run game. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Carolina needs to solidify the interior of their defensive line. Still will be a nice fit.  

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bills' secondary needs big improvements. Kirkpatrick is an instant upgrade. 

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

Why DeCastro Will Excel as a Rookie

DeCastro is easily the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. He has the physical tools and has solid fundamentals to go with them. 

He gets low and finishes off blocks. He's also agile on the move and has the instincts to make an impact. His lateral footwork needs some work, and consequently, so does his pass protection, but that will be easier for him to manage in the booth that's the guard position. 

DeCastro is the exact kind of lineman the Chiefs need to get back to having a dominant running game. He will open up holes in Week 1 and will continue that all season. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe can stuff the run and provide occasional pressure on the QB. The Seahawks will welcome both skills. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Having swung and miss at adding a QB in free agency, the Cardinals will turn to the draft.

 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys can use Kuechly's tackling and consistency. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Philadelphia must add depth and talent to their offensive line. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The slow-and-old Jets defense struggled on the perimeter last season. Ingram will help eliminate that. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincinnati must find their RB of the future.  

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

The Chargers need a game-changer on the edge. Mercilus has athleticism and potential. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is the best center in this draft, and that's the Bears' biggest need. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Just as the Bears ended up with the best player available in a position of dire need, the Titans will do the same. 

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

Jenkins and all of his character concerns will be heading to Cincinnati with one of their two first-round picks. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Cleveland's budding defense will benefit from Brown's all-around play. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Lions must find a way to improve their running game. The massive Glenn will be a step in the right direction. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Pittsburgh must address the offensive line early and often in this draft. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is an explosive and talented interior lineman. He will be a nice fit in Denver. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Why Floyd Will Excel as a Rookie

Floyd is a talented receiver who's going to be held back because of character concerns. You have to believe he will be motivated and focused as a rookie, and in Houston, he'll get plenty of opportunities. 

The Texans must find a legitimate option to run alongside Andre Johnson. Floyd will have little trouble filling that role. He has good size and runs solid routes. 

He knows how to use his body and has excellent hands. With opposing defenses focused on Johnson and Arian Foster, Floyd will put up big numbers.

27. New England Patriots via NO: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots have to start adding some high-quality athletes to their defense. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry will be a nice boost to the Packers' pass rush. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Baltimore needs to add some youth to their defense, and Hightower fits their mold. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

San Francisco has shown in free agency that they are committed to improving their receiving corp. They will add a talented rookie to that group. 

31. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Patriots shouldn't limit themselves to one defensive pick in the first round. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Giants will make sure they remain stocked on the defensive line.