2012 NFL Mock Draft: Targeting First Round's Biggest Impact Studs

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we look at how the first round might shape up:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts begin the post-Peyton Manning period with arguably the top quarterback coming out of college since Manning in 1998.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Regardless of what the Colts do at No. 1 overall, Washington will get a franchise-changing player at the quarterback position with the next pick.  

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need a left tackle to protect Christian Ponder for the next 10 to 12 years. Kalil is good value here.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns did nothing to upgrade the quarterback position in free agency and will now watch the Colts and Redskins take the top players in this draft off the market with the first two picks. If the Browns are going to roll with incumbent starter Colt McCoy, Cleveland needs to give the former third-rounder a workhorse back like Richardson to help him survive another season under center. Given the chance, Richardson could post numbers similar to the one's Adrian Peterson tallied during his rookie season in 2007.  

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

The Bucs added Eric Wright in free agency, but Aqib Talib is still staring down legal troubles and Ronde Barber's career is running on fumes. Claiborne makes too much sense not to happen at No. 5.  

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

The Rams will take a long look at Michael Floyd here, but Blackmon may be the "safer" pick at No. 6 overall.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Re-signing defensive end Jeremy Mincey was a good start, but Aaron Kampman doesn't have much left in his surgically repaired knees. Ingram, who many consider the top pass-rushing defensive end in the 2012 draft, should be a day one starter in Jacksonville. With the right amount snaps opposite Mincey, Ingram could be a 10-sack guy as a rookie. 

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

Neither Matt Moore nor David Garrard represent the future of the quarterback position in Miami. Tannehill, who knows offensive coordinator Mike Sherman well, would.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Panthers have done a lot of things right in rebuilding a bad football team, but the interior defensive line is still a mess. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

When Demetress Bell walked out the door to start in Philadelphia, he left a gaping hole at left tackle in Buffalo.  

11. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (TRADE w/ Kansas City)

The Seahawks signed Barrett Rudd late last week, but he's not the answer at middle linebacker. Moving up one spot to get Kuechly gives Seattle a huge upgrade inside.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford (TRADE w/ Seattle) 

Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis will love running behind DeCastro inside, as the Chiefs get back to their run-heavy offense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

Offensive line would have to be an option here, but Perry gives Arizona another pass-rushing option to pair with Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Drafting Barron after landing cornerback Brandon Carr in free agency should help Dallas improve on a bottom-third finish in pass defense last season.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

A workout warrior at the NFL combine, Poe has given himself a real chance to get picked within the top-15 picks. Philadelphia would be an interesting landing spot, as Poe could team with new middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to give the Eagles a much-improved interior defense. Playing in a 4-3 would also give Poe a better chance at making a measurable impact. He'll get buried as a block-eater in a 3-4 defense.

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

Given Upshaw's ability to stop the run, rush the passer and play several positions in a 3-4 defense, Rex Ryan would be crazy not to push hard for him landing in New York.

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

Gilmore will help replace Johnathan Joseph, while also allowing Leon Hall to recover from an Achilles' injury suffered last season. 

18. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (TRADE w/ San Diego)

With arguably the draft's top receiver still on the board at No. 18, Cleveland makes a move up to help complete its offensive makeover.  

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

What more of a spark would Coples need than playing opposite fellow UNC alum Julius Peppers in Chicago?

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans failed to land one of the top free-agent centers, but they won't let the draft's best anchor get past them at No. 20 overall.  

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Glenn won't be the sexiest pick in the first round, but he's a mauler who can play several different positions along the offensive line in Cincinnati.  

22. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (TRADE w/ Cleveland)

The Chargers move down four spots while still getting Martin, a player who can start on the right side for the ineffective Jeromey Clary.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Kirkpatrick will likely mark an immediate improvement over Eric Wright, who bolted in free agency. 

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

Few picks in the first round make as much sense as Hightower to Pittsburgh, as the former Alabama defensive captain can learn the Steeler way early on before taking over as the team's starting inside backer for the next 10 years. Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons will be players to learn behind, but Hightower should eventually work his way past Foote in the starting lineup. Once there, he could be a disrupting presence as an interior linebacker. 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still appears to be a natural replacement for Brodrick Bunkley, one of the game's best run-stoppers for Denver a year ago.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

The Texans offense would be as complete as any in the game after adding a playmaker in the slot like Wright. 

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State

The perfect Patriots draft pick, McClellin has experience playing all over and fits a big need.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

Mercilus isn't the kind of versatile prospect that Clay Matthews was coming out, but he would give Green Bay another talented pass-rusher to put on the outside. For a team that struggled as much as any team in the NFL getting to the quarterback last season, any kind of help would be welcomed. If used in an Aldon Smith-type role next season, Mercilus could have a big impact. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Branch's "effort issues" wouldn't be a problem playing in Baltimore.  

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

While raw, Brockers is worth a look here for San Francisco after the 49ers spent free agency overhauling their offensive weaponry. 

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (TRADE w/ New England) 

After years of overlooking the position, Chicago makes a move back into the first round to acquire the draft's top tight end. New England is always looking to move one of their two first-round picks. 

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

With the final pick in the first round, New York lands a massive left tackle prospect to help replace Kareem McKenzie.