2012 NFL Mock Draft: Grades for Each Team's Potential 1st-Round Picks

The NFL draft is a make-or-break time for many franchises, because choosing the wrong player in the first round can set back a team's development as a contender by several years.

Making sure a team gets the best value for their draft picks is so crucial. Let's grade each team's potential first-round pick.

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

Grade: A

You would have to give the Indianapolis Colts an "A" for drafting a potential Hall of Fame quarterback who should play well from Day 1.

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

Grade: A-

Robert Griffin's skill set and talent are a bit of a risk, but he's well worth the No. 2 pick overall.

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

Grade: A

Drafting a franchise-building left tackle to protect the left side of an offensive line for a decade is a smart move.

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

Grade: B

Trent Richardson could be a fantastic player, but in college, he wasn't as good as former Alabama running back Mark Ingram. 

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

Grade: A-

Despite his poor score on the Wonderlic test, there's no reason for the Buccaneers to pass on Claiborne's Pro Bowl-caliber skills.

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

Grade: A-

The Rams have no choice but to take a potential No. 1 receiver like Justin Blackmon to give young quarterback Sam Bradford the explosive offensive weapon he desperately needs.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Grade: A

Perry would give a Jaguars defense that ranked 25th in sacks last season a considerable boost at defensive end.

8. Miami Dolphins: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Grade: B

Michael Floyd will be a phenomenal NFL wide receiver, but a quarterback should be the Miami Dolphins' No. 1 need with this pick.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Grade: B+

The Panthers have to address a major need on their defense by selecting Dontari Poe as their franchise defensive tackle.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Grade: B+

The Buffalo Bills need to upgrade their offensive line, and Riley Reiff could shore up the right side for many years. This is a safe pick for the Bills.

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

Grade: A

The Chiefs cannot afford to pass on a guard who has the ability to make the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

Grade: A

The Seahawks pass-rush needs improvement, which makes the selection of Melvin Ingram from South Carolina a safe pick.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

Grade: B+

The Cardinals need an inside linebacker who can rush the quarterback and stop the run, and Dont'a Hightower of Alabama can do both of those things very well.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Grade: B+

Michael Brockers would be a great fit for a Cowboys defense that needs more beef in the middle of the defensive line.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

Grade: A

The Eagles need to address their lack of skill and athleticism at the linebacker position, which means Luke Kuechly is a fantastic fit for them here.

16. New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Grade: C

The Jets don't need a wide receiver here, but passing on Alshon Jeffery's immense talent would be difficult for them to do.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Grade: C+

After drafting A.J. Green last year, the Cincinnati Bengals don't need a receiver.

But after Kendall Wright's impressive pro day, it will be tough to pass on him.

18. San Diego Chargers: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Grade: B

Coples is a very good player, but the San Diego Chargers' real concern is at offensive guard. 

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OT/G (Georgia)

Grade: B+

Cordy Glenn addresses the Bears' offensive line issues, but the position on the line where Chicago needs the most help is at center. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE (Alabama)

Grade: B

The Titans can't go wrong with a talented pass-rusher like Courtney Upshaw.

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

Grade: A+

Stephon Gilmore could turn out to be one of the best players in this draft, and he really fills a need for the Cincinnati Bengals defense at cornerback.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

Grade: A-

With the No. 22 pick, the Browns really need to draft a wide receiver who can make big plays if they don't take one at No. 4.

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

Grade: A

Janoris Jenkins has some character issues to be concerned about, but there's no question that he is one of the more talented players in this draft class. The Lions also have a strong need at cornerback.

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

Grade: B+

Mike Adams will give Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a reliable offensive lineman who can protect him for years.

25. Denver Broncos: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Grade: B

Jonathan Martin is a great choice here since Peyton Manning will need a left tackle who can consistently protect him in the passing game.

26. Houston Texans:  Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)

Grade: B+

The Texans need a speedy wide receiver, which means Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers would be a perfect fit in their passing offense that's led by quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

Grade: A

The Patriots need depth at safety, and Mark Barron of Alabama is the only safety in this draft class who can start in Week 1.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB (Illinois)

Grade: A

College football's sack leader would be a strong addition to a Packers pass-rush that must improve.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Rueben Randle, WR (LSU)

Grade: B+

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco needs a receiver who can stretch the field with speed, which is why Randle would be a nice fit at the end of the first round.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, OG (Iowa State)

Grade: B

Osemele addresses a real need at offensive guard for the 49ers at pick No. 30.

31. New England Patriots: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Grade: B

The Patriots need another cornerback, and Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama has a ton of talent and experience in big games.

32: New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB (Washington)

Grade: A

Chris Polk is one of the most NFL-ready running backs in this class, and he would fit in nicely with the Giants.