2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Landing Spots for Top First-Round Targets

After the first few selections, Round 1 of the 2012 NFL draft can go any number of directions. Numerous franchises have more than a few big needs to fill and the first-round investments are the most important.

With that, let's take a look at the best and latest landing spots for the top prospects.

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

Arguably the most NFL-ready quarterback since Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck has all the tools to make a quick transition into pro football.

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

With an upgraded receiving corps, the Washington Redskins just need that franchise quarterback to make the offense nearly complete. Robert Griffin III will learn fast under Mike Shanahan.

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

Every young quarterback needs that protective blind side to help with development. Matt Kalil helps that area for Christian Ponder, who now just needs a true No. 1 receiver.

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

The addition of Trent Richardson in Cleveland's backfield will not only take pressure off Colt McCoy, but make the play-action pass more relevant.

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

The Buccaneers need help virtually all over on defense and Morris Claiborne spruces up the secondary. Tampa Bay needs a complete defender and now the front seven can focus more on stopping the run.

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

Sam Bradford has yet to have a legit No. 1 receiver and Justin Blackmon provides that dynamic. In addition, defenses won't stack the box to shutdown Steven Jackson.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

It's certainly a great selection if the Jaguars were to select Michael Floyd this high to help with the passing offense. Nevertheless, getting an upgraded pass protection for Blaine Gabbert to start the season will take pressure off Laurent Robinson and Marcedes Lewis.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew may have led the league in rushing last year, but in order to maintain that consistency an athletic lineman to make blocks downfield will be needed.

Rile Reiff is the perfect solution to building a balanced offense in Jacksonville, and in doing so significantly increases the Jags' division odds. The Jacksonville defense has top-five potential, therefore, simply controlling the ball and the game tempo is all the offense has to accomplish.

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

Although it would be surprising to see Ryan Tannehill land at No. 8 to Miami, he is a great fit for the Dolphins. With his former college head coach in Mike Sherman as the offensive coordinator, Tannehill has the potential to develop quicker than expected.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

Fielding one of the worst defenses last season, Carolina was vulnerable against the rush and pass. Melvin Ingram's addition addresses lots of needs and his versatility will make an immediate impact.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Buffalo has a near complete defense with its upgraded front seven. Dre Kirkpatrick has No. 1 corner potential from day one and will greatly benefit from the Bills' pass rush and rush defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Linebackers Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston need a defensive tackle that can draw double-teams and control two gaps. Michael Brockers does just that and can also make plays in the backfield.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Luke Kuechly collected 532 tackles and defended 17 passes in three seasons at Boston College. Seattle needs a complete linebacker to contend with San Francisco for the NFC West title.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Possessing an inconsistent ground game and lack of pocket protection, David DeCastro fills a significant void for Arizona. Now, Larry Fitzgerald will have even more time to get open and the play-action pass becomes more of a threat.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Arguably the raw talented pass-rusher in the draft, Quinton Coples gives the Dallas Cowboys a second outside presence in the front seven.

The other is obviously DeMarcus Ware; however, Big D now has the capability to mix up second-level coverages with multiple blitz packages. Previously, Ware was the only consistently legit pass-rushing threat and the addition of Coples creates one of the league's best duos.

Every other NFC East franchise has at least two standout rushers, and now with an upgraded secondary, the Cowboys enter 2012 has legit division contenders. Coples is impressively fast off the edge and he reacts fast to knock down quick passes his side.

Ware is the league's best pass-rusher, and being complemented will only enhance his own production off the edge and complete the restoration of the Doomsday Defense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Despite his mobility, Michael Vick was pressured a lot in 2011. Jonathan Martin will negate some of that pressure and also help the outside running game for LeSean McCoy.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Michael Floyd is arguably the draft's most complete receiver and the Jets need a playmaker to field a balanced offense. He can also run-block quite well to help keep Shonn Greene rolling on the ground.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Cincinnati needs talented depth and youth in the secondary to complement Nate Clements and Leon Hall. Stephon Gilmore will likely begin as a nickel/dime back, but has No. 2 corner potential as a rookie.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

As long as the Chargers go defense at No. 18, their odds at contending for the division significantly increase. Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox, though, must be considered as he's a dynamic player who can help improve the pass rush and rush defense.

Last season the Chargers ranked No. 20 against the run and recorded just 32 sacks. Fletcher brings the athleticism to play a 3-4 defensive, get quarterback pressure on the inside and outside while also reading exceptionally well against the run.

The lone standout player for the Bulldogs defense in 2011, Cox recorded 56 tackles and five sacks with 14.5 tackles for loss (including two blocked-kicks).

Fletcher's reactionary skills and lateral agility will pay dividends in the trenches for San Diego's front seven to take pressure off those in coverage.

19. Chicago Bears: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Chicago needs youth in the front seven and someone who can consistently defend the run and apply quarterback pressure. Nick Perry will learn a lot from Julius Peppers and help get pressure in strict passing situations.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

A quicker-than-advertised defender, Dontari Poe will boost the Titans No. 24 run defense from 2011. That will help them compete in the AFC South, where limiting Arian Foster and Maurice Jones-Drew on the ground is key.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Albeit fielding a top-10 defense in 2011, Cincinnati failed to consistently defend well against the better rushing offenses. Devon Still, however, has a nose for the ball and gives the Bengals top-five potential for 2012.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

Courtney Upshaw provides an outside pass-rushing and run-stuffing presence Cleveland hasn't had for quite some time. The Browns' front seven will be tough to execute against in 2012.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

A supreme athlete, Zach Brown may be a stretch for the Lions at No. 23 but Detroit needs a playmaker at linebacker. He can cover well from sideline to sideline and apply an outside pass rush to give multiple looks.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

It wouldn't be surprising to see Dont'a Hightower get selected sooner, but his instincts between the tackles fit the bill in Pittsburgh to a T.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Jerel Worthy's ability to make consistent plays at the line and in the backfield will pay extreme dividends for Denver. With Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil on the outside, the Broncos have an impressive front seven.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

For as impressive as Kendall Wright produced at Baylor, just imagine what he'll do with Andre Johnson on the outside, Owen Daniels at tight end and Arian Foster in the backfield. Look out for Houston next season.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

The next wave of young defenders is gradually taking over in New England. Whitney Mercilus proved what he's capable of last season with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

Another sack-master, Vinny Curry provides an excellent pass rush opposite of Clay Matthews. He's also a reliable run-defender who can cause fumbles and track down from the backside.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT (Georgia)

The Ravens no doubt need to get younger on defense, but the offense remains a few steps behind. So, selecting Georgia's Cordy Glenn will continue to allow the offense to revolve around running back Ray Rice.

Glenn has the lateral balance and control to create longer running lanes on traps, counters and to pull outside for tosses and sweeps. He's a run-blocking specialist whose ability to maintain a low center of gravity will help for play-action bootlegs and screens.

After all, rolling with Rice on the ground is what will keep those tough AFC North defenses off balance to setup the passing game. Baltimore has arguably the fastest receiver in the division with Torrey Smith; therefore, hitting him deep can only happen with an offensive line that can sell the run.

If Baltimore wants to remain atop the division in 2012, keeping Rice a dual-threat only happens with a reliable offensive line leading the way.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

A receiver that specializes as a run-blocker, Stephen Hill is also an underrated playmaker who averaged almost 30 yards per reception in 2011. The 49ers need this kind of dependability in both phases of their offense.

31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

With durability concerns it wouldn't be surprising to see Mark Barron fall to the end of Round 1. That said, the Patriots will remain vulnerable when blitzing unless a guy like Barron is there to roll down and defend the intermediate passing game/perimeter ground game.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

A complete and every-down running back, Doug Martin provides the Giants with the luxury of retaining their two-back system for Eli Manning. This in turn, will keep defenses off balance and allow the use of multiple formations with split-back sets and three receivers.

John Rozum on Twitter.