2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Value Picks in Updated First Round

There are several categories of selections in the NFL draft. 

Teams always hope to hit the jackpot—a perfect combination of both need and value—but that isn't always the case.

There are need-based picks and value-based picks. Reaches and steals. 

The 2012 NFL draft will have all of these; it is no exception to the rules, and some of the teams will be very happy with the value they pick up on day one of the draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There is value here because Luck is one of the best quarterback prospects in years, but the Colts will pay for it and already have with the jettisoning of Peyton Manning.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There is no value here after the Redskins traded up to land RGIII.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil's a great prospect, but not elite. The Vikes are paying for a need.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is the No. 2 player in the entire draft, but running backs can always be found.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The draft's top defender is a playmaker on defense and special teams. For a team like Tampa Bay, with a new head coach and new direction, that is something they can only hope falls into their lap.

Mo Claiborne has speed, size and everything you look for in an elite shutdown corner. He'll be picked on like all rookies at the position, but he'll also make plays.

This team is bereft of talent in the secondary and they've struggled for return help year after year. This is a great value pick for them.

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is a jackpot pick for a Rams team struggling to find playmakers.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jags are known for reaching, but Coples has great potential and fills a need.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This is a reach-based pick that has been coming for years.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe's a rare athlete, but it remains to be seen what type of football player he'll be.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills grab a tackle they need even if he's not what they want here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Drafting a guard this high isn't easy, but the Chiefs are starting over with Romeo Crennel as head coach and they get their star ball-carrier back on the field this year.

DeCastro is a mauler on the interior and can change an entire run game with his ability to open holes.

With the return of Jamaal Charles, the Stanford lineman becomes a huge a value pick for this team. They'll get back to running the football with the best in the league.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

One of the top pass-rushers in the draft, Ingram has a ton of talent but is a need-based pick here.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cardinals tried to fill their inside linebacker hole with Stewart Bradley but that hasn't worked out. Kuechly is a better-than-average athlete with elite intangibles and instincts.

He's a gifted tackler with everything you look for in a defensive captain.

Arizona would not only be wise to grab him, but they'd also be landing a jackpot pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This is a need-based pick for a team that cannot seem to find a safety for the life of them.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

This a solid landing spot in terms of both value and need. The Eagles and Floyd are a perfect match for one another.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

A better football player than athlete, Upshaw is a pass-rusher that Rex Ryan cannot pass on.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Once considered a Top-10 talent, Dre Kirkpatrick has great athleticism and potential. He leaves something to be desired in terms of ball skills, but the Bengals have a need in the secondary.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry is an intriguing prospect, but this pick makes sense for both player and club.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Bears are piecing together a potential NFC title contender and Glenn would be an ideal fit for them.

The massive Georgia Bulldog has phenomenal versatility, good athleticism and a lot of potential. He can play tackle or guard and that gives the Bears some much needed flexibility.

Even if he doesn't start, Glenn is the perfect backup because he can do so much. This is a great value for Chicago at No. 19.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

And the same goes for Tennessee with Fletcher Cox. One of the most intriguing players in the draft, Cox has a ton of versatility and could very easily hear his name called much earlier than this.

The Titans can use him immediately all over the line.

Players with his versatility aren't entirely common, so landing him here is a great selection for Tennessee.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Bengals need themselves another playmaker opposite A.J. Green, but it will take some time for him to get accustomed to the NFL.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Once considered a Top-10 pick, Jonathan Martin has to get stronger if he is to be a starting left tackle in this league.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions have a lot to like about their team, but they still have needs in the secondary.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

This is a jackpot pick for the Steelers because of Hightower's experience in a similar system.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The run-stuffer is a decent value here, and he fills a huge need for the Broncos.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

This is a reach, but Jeffery has elite potential.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

As does Brockers, and he's on the borderline of a jackpot pick here. The Pats have a major need for help on the defensive line and Brockers could come off the board in the top 15 picks.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

This is a need-based pick for a Packers team that was relatively bad rushing the passer last year.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If Jenkins can stay on the field this could be a steal, but there is no guarantee they'll be able to tame him.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

This is a reach for a need and the 'Niners will have to be patient if they draft Hill.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes isn't extremely well-known, but he fills a huge need for the Pats.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The reigning champs land a jackpot pick here in Fleener.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.