2012 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Easiest First-Round Selections

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we break down the first-round selections that are the easiest to forecast:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Forget the talk that the Colts are leaning towards RGIII. This pick has always been Luck, and it will end that way on April 26.

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

The Redskins didn't trade up to No. 2 overall—giving up more picks in a selection swap than any move in history—to take anyone but Luck or Griffin.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings shouldn't consider moving down here, as Kalil is a great value at No. 3 and fills a big hole.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cleveland represents the first undecided pick of the 2012 draft, but Richardson gives Colt McCoy the best chance at surviving past next season. 

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

If Richardson comes off the board at No. 4, Claiborne should be a slam dunk to the Bucs at No. 5. Ronde Barber is on his last legs, and Aqib Talib's legal troubles won't be resolved by draft day. Free-agent pickup Eric Wright isn't an end-all answer for the Bucs' cornerback issues. 

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

Somehow, some way, the Rams need to find a No. 1 receiver option in this draft. It could be Michael Floyd here, but Blackmon might be safer choice this early.

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

Floyd will be a real option again here, but this draft is too deep at receiver to pass up a defensive end in the top 10. 

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

The Dolphins have struck out at every quarterback turn, but this starving-for-a-signal-caller franchise has to find a future at the position.

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

Everyone wants to put Dontari Poe here, but Cox is the kind of penetrating defensive tackle that Carolina really needs. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

Floyd makes sense here for the third time in the top 10, but again—how do the Bills pass up a starting left tackle when they could look at an impact receiver in the second round? 

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

The Seahawks can't possibly think Barrett Rudd is the answer at middle linebacker, so moving up a spot to ensure they get Kuechly makes sense here.

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

Kuechly would have been an option for the Chiefs at No. 11, but moving down one spot and taking the draft's elite interior line prospect completes Kansas City's retooling of the offensive line.

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

Perry could team with Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield to give the Cards a trio of high-ceiling pass-rushers.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

You can imagine owner Jerry Jones is enticed by combine all-star Dontari Poe, but Barron is a Day 1 starter at a need position.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is generally seen as a 3-4 anchor inside, but he could have a bigger impact as a penetrating defensive tackle in the Eagles' 4-3. 

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

Upshaw is scheme-versatile, while playing the run and rushing the passer as well as any outside linebacker in the draft. Sounds like Rex Ryan's kind of player.

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

Johnathan Joseph still hasn't been replaced at cornerback, and Leon Hall is recovering from a devastating Achilles injury.

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

After passing on a receiver at the top of the first round, Cleveland moves up four spots to nab a player many consider the top player at his position. 

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

Teaming Coples with fellow UNC alum Julius Peppers gives the Bears the pass-rushing combination GM Phil Emery wants.

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

With an ability to play several positions along the offensive line, Glenn gives Cincinnati what they need up front.

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

Jeromey Clary isn't a right tackle on a playoff team, no matter which way you slice it up.  

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

The Lions faded down the stretch when the team's depth in the secondary was exposed. Kirkpatrick will help fix that in 2012.

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

The Steelers have real offensive line issues, but Hightower gives the defense a natural replacement inside for James Farrior.

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

The Broncos needed interior defensive line help before Broderick Bunkley left Denver for New Orleans.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Wright gives the Texans a guy who can win in the slot and make plays vertically. 

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

Is there a more perfect pick for the Patriots? McClellin can play several positions and would replace the combination of Andre Carter and Mark Anderson as a primary pass-rusher.

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

Mercilus hasn't played in a 3-4 defense, but the Packers are desperate to add help for Clay Matthews in the pass-rush.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Branch gives the Ravens another pass-rusher outside, and someone they can hopefully use to replace Jarret Johnson.  

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

Brockers is a raw player, but give him a few years working with Justin Smith, and the 49ers could have a dominant presence inside. 

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

The Patriots are always looking to trade out of their two first-round picks, and the Bears could really use an offensive weapon at tight end after years of Mike Martz running the show.

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

The Giants can afford to use a late first-round pick on an offensive tackle with enormous potential.