2012 NFL Mock Draft: With Video Highlights and Season Predictions

There are now just three days to go until the 2012 NFL draft begins at Radio City Music Hall with all 32 NFL teams busy putting the final touches to their draft boards.

After a lengthy draft process from senior bowl, to combine, to pro days to the game film, it’s now all or nothing for scouts.

As the draft moves closer, several rumors are flying around on the Web, with a number of trades being discussed.

The first two players expected to be picked are Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III but after that, there could be a few surprises.

Tune in this Thursday night to watch the draft unfold but for now, here is my final mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Pick analysis: Colts won’t spend too much time debating between Luck and RG3. Luck is the clear choice.

Season prediction: Luck throws for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns.

He leads Colts to 6-10 record.

2. Washington Redskins (Trade with St. Louis Rams)

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Pick analysis: Redskins have an easy decision here. RG3 will have a Cam Newton type impact.

Season prediction: RG3 throws for 3,400 yards and has 600 rushing yards.

He leads Redskins to 8-8 record.

RG3 wins Offensive Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Pick analysis: Vikings bring in Kalil to protect Ponder. He has All-Pro potential and will start from day one.

Season prediction: Kalil starts all 16 games and earns a trip to the Pro Bowl.

4. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Pick analysis: Browns need playmakers on offense. After much debate, they go for Richardson over Blackmon.

Season prediction: Richardson shows flashes of greatness, but his season is cut short by injury.

He finishes with 800 yards rushing.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Pick analysis: Buccaneers bring in Claiborne. He will be the eventual replacement for Ronde Barber.

Season prediction: Claiborne has an impressive rookie season with 50 tackles and four interceptions.

Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.

6. St. Louis Rams (Trade with Washington Redskins)

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Pick analysis: Rams must select Blackmon to help out Bradford. He will turn out to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Season prediction: Blackmon will have 10 receiving touchdowns.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, South Carolina

Pick analysis: Jaguars decide to pass on Michael Floyd. Ingram could have an Aldon Smith-type impact.

Season prediction: Ingram gets 10 sacks and scores two defensive touchdowns.

8. Miami Dolphins

Nick Perry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, USC

Pick analysis: Dolphins decide not to pass on Michael Floyd. Perry will have a huge rookie season.

Season prediction: Perry gets eight sacks and forces four fumbles.

9. Carolina Panthers

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Pick analysis: Panthers must add some depth on their defensive line. They go with Poe over Brockers.

Season prediction: Poe will finish the season with 30 tackles and two sacks.

10. Buffalo Bills

Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker, Boston College

Pick analysis: Bills need a left tackle. However, Kuechly is a safer pick than Reiff and should be a solid pro.

Season prediction: Kuechly will have a great season and finish with 80 tackles.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Pick analysis: Chiefs are still waiting for Branden Albert to develop. Reiff will compete to start at left tackle.

Season prediction: Reiff will be the Chiefs' left tackle with Albert moving to right side.

12. Seattle Seahawks

David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

Pick analysis: Seahawks won’t take a risk on Brockers. DeCastro will help protect Matt Flynn. 

Season prediction: DeCastro will start all 16 games and have a solid season.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Pick analysis: Cardinals add another receiver to the offense. Floyd will have early success alongside Fitzgerald. 

Season prediction: Floyd will get 1,000 receiving yards.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

Pick analysis: Cowboys' defense was disappointing last season. Barron is a great addition to the secondary.

Season prediction: Barron will start at strong safety and make a solid contribution with 48 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one sack.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Pick analysis: Eagles clearly need help on their defensive line. Brockers is a risk, but he could be a potential star.

Season prediction: Brockers will get plenty of playing time on the defensive line and have 32 tackles along with one sack.

16. New York Jets

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Pick analysis: Jets have several needs on defense. Like Brockers, Coples is a boom/bust type prospect.

Season prediction: Coples shows flashes of potential but continues his inconsistency and finishes with just 30 tackles and two sacks.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (Trade with Oakland Raiders)

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Pick analysis: Bengals bring in another first-round receiver. He will start immediately alongside A.J. Green.

Season prediction: Wright will average over 15 yards per catch.

18. San Diego Chargers

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

Pick analysis: Chargers won’t pass on Upshaw if he’s available. He should contribute early on as a rookie.

Season prediction: Upshaw will have a solid season and finish with 41 tackles and five sacks.

19. Chicago Bears

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Pick analysis: Bears' defense could use some added youth. Still will bring toughness to their defensive line.

Season prediction: Still will have a Tommie Harris-type impact as a rookie for the Bears and finish with 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

20. Tennessee Titans

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Pick analysis: Titans lost Cortland Finnegan to the Rams. Jenkins could be a key player for the Titans.

Season prediction: Jenkins will have an inconsistent season but still finish with three interceptions.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Pick analysis: Bengals' defense is looking good for next season. Kirkpatrick could move to safety in the NFL.

Season prediction: Kirkptrick will play at both corner and safety throughout the season and have a solid impact.

22. Cleveland Browns (Trade with Atlanta Falcons)

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Pick analysis: Browns already have a playmaker in Richardson. Brown will bring some speed to their defense.

Season prediction: Brown will see plenty of playing time and record over 60 tackles.

23. Detroit Lions

Dont’a Hightower, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

Pick analysis: Lions lack depth in their linebacking corps. Hightower will fit in well alongside Stephen Tulloch.

Season prediction: Hightower spends his first season as a backup and still manages to have 50 tackles.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Pick analysis: Steelers' offensive line adds another tackle in Martin. He could play at both left/right tackle.

Season prediction: Martin will start at left tackle for the Steelers but will eventually be switched to the right side.

25. Denver Broncos

Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

Pick analysis: Broncos will be looking at defense with this pick. Worthy could turn out to be a steal.

Season prediction: Worthy gets plenty of playing time as a rotational backup and records 28 tackles.

26. Houston Texans

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

Pick analysis: Texans' offense could use an added target. Fleener will challenge Owen Daniels for reps.

Season prediction: Serves as backup to Daniels and finishes season with 23 catches, 240 yards and one touchdown.

27. New England Patriots (Trade with New Orleans Saints)

Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

Pick analysis: Patriots' defense is still lacking in pass-rushers. Mercilus is a versatile player to add to the team.

Season Prediction: Mercilus will be used mostly as a third-down pass-rusher and get four sacks.

28. Green Bay Packers

Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Pick analysis: Packers would definitely take Cox if he fell. He could play at defensive end/nose tackle.

Season prediction: Cox is used as a rotational lineman and records 25 tackles with no sacks.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Kelechi Osemele, Guard, Iowa State

Pick analysis: Ravens' offensive line lost Ben Grubbs to the New Orleans Saints. Osemele could start at guard.

Season prediction: Osemele is used as a backup guard/tackle playing in 12 games.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Jared Crick, Defensive End, Nebraska

Pick analysis: 49ers already have a superb defense. Crick is a physical player very similar to Justin Smith.

Season prediction: Crick sees his role increase as the season goes on and has 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

31. New England Patriots

Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

Pick analysis: Patriots already found their pass-rusher. Gilmore could see early playing time.

Season prediction: Gilmore serves as the Pats' nickel back and has a solid season with 33 tackles and one interception.

32. New York Giants

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

Pick analysis: Giants need a running back to replace Jacobs. Miller gets a slight edge over Doug Martin.

Season prediction: Miller makes a solid contribution as a backup and finishes with 500 rushing yards.

So that’s my final mock draft.

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