2012 NFL Mock Draft: Sneaky Picks That Will Make the Biggest Impacts

Only two weeks remain until teams around the league add some fresh faces to their roster in the draft. While every pick holds a certain level of importance, teams can't afford to swing and miss in the first round without significantly hurting their chances in the parity-driven NFL.

Here's a full mock draft of the opening round, which will take place on April 26, that features sneaky picks that will have a major impact on their new team right away.

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

It will be a long time before another quarterback with as much potential as Luck comes along, which means the Colts must select him with the first pick.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin isn't quite on the same level as Luck, but he's still worthy of being the second player off the board. The Redskins gave up a lot to get him.

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

Even though there's always a chance the Vikings trade this pick to a desperate team, their offensive line really needs an anchor like Kalil.

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

While there aren't many running backs who deserve to get taken in the top five anymore because of the way the game has change, Richardson is one of them.

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

The Buccaneers won't complain about landing the class's top defensive player, especially since he represents the playmaker they've been missing.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola are both solid depth receivers, but neither one's capable of being the go-to guy. Blackmon can fill that hole.

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

After a season when only one player had more than four sacks, the Jaguars will be looking to add a future star like Coples early on draft day.

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

Miami's various pursuits of different free-agent quarterbacks fell short, which means the Dolphins will have to roll the dice with Tannehill.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers have a roster full of players who are one or two years away from breaking out. Brockers fits into that mold, making him an ideal fit.

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

Buffalo was able to fill its biggest void by signing Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to improve the team's dreadful pass rush. That means the Bills will be able to target an anchor for their offensive line with this pick.

The choice will come down to either Reiff or Jonathan Martin. Based on his athleticism, Reiff will likely get the nod. He'd slide right into the important left tackle spot to provide protection for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who struggled after a quick start last season.

Since both the Jets and Dolphins have their fair share of questions to answer, the Bills have their best chance in nearly a decade to make the playoffs. Selecting Reiff will give them another key piece to finally end their drought.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw has the potential to become one of the league's premier edge-rushers, and he'll be given plenty of chances to succeed with the Chiefs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Adding another elite tackle should be near the top of Seattle's to-do list this offseason. Martin is the last one available in this class.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd probably deserves more respect because of the lackluster quarterback play he received at Notre Dame, but he'll thrive playing opposite Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have needed a physical corner like Kirkpatrick to solidify their secondary for awhile. If he's still available, they can't let him slip by.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The top inside linebacker in the class, Kuechly won't blow anybody away with his natural athletic talent, but that won't be a player on the field who outworks him. He's an ultimate competitor and a solid tackler, something the Eagles lacked last season.

Philadelphia made a late charge toward the playoffs, eventually falling short. Even though the Eagles didn't live up expectations in their first season as the “Dream Team,” they can't be overlooked heading into next fall.

Kuechly would provide the defense with some much-needed stability in the middle and the entire roster will benefit from another season playing together. Everybody likes flashy prospects with fast 40 times, but a steady contributor like Kuechly will be better for the Eagles.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro, like most interior offensive linemen, hasn't received much hype during the draft process, but will give the Jets' offensive line a major boost.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has slid down draft boards due to some off-field problems. Those shouldn't be enough for him to get past the Bengals.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

San Diego hasn't lived up to expectations in recent seasons. Filling their need for an outside rusher should get them back in contention.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Following a season in which the Bears would have made the playoffs if not for bad luck with injuries, bulking up the offensive line remains their best option.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

There will be a handful of defensive tackles taken during the final 12 picks of Round 1, so it's simply a matter of a team's preference. Poe has a ton of upside.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Playing in a division with the Ravens and Steelers has shown Cincinnati how far a strong defense can carry a team. Still adds another key piece to the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Stretching the field has been a problem for Cleveland's offense recently, but Hill should be able to make some big plays downfield immediately.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Fans of the Lions have to be getting excited about their chances next season, especially if the team can add an instant impact lineman like Adams.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Steelers are another talented team that will get right back into the thick of things with a few minor upgrades, starting with the offensive line.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Signing Peyton Manning should solve any remaining questions on offense, leaving the Broncos' front office the draft to improve the defense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

A lot of Robert Griffin's success wouldn't have been possible without Wright. He helped stretch defenses like few other wide receivers could, which gave the No. 2 pick plenty of passing lanes to choose from in order to post those Heisman-winning numbers.

He's got enough speed to get behind NFL secondaries, but don't think of him as a one-trick pony. He can make plays over the middle as well. That makes him a perfect complement to Andre Johnson, who has been flying solo for the Texans for far too long.

Since Houston's defense made major strides last season, the Texans can afford to take a luxury picks of sorts in Round 1. Wright has the potential to take their offense to a new level, which would bring them into the Super Bowl conversation.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots were able to reach the Super Bowl despite poor play in the defensive backfield for virtually the entire season. They can't ignore the problem any longer.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Green Bay shouldn't have any concerns about its offense, so adding another piece to ensure another defensive meltdown doesn't occur is paramount.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

If the Ravens plan on maintaining their current identity after some of their legendary veterans retire, they need to start drafting replacements now.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore doesn't have as much upside as other cornerbacks drafted earlier in the round, but he's prepared to help a contender like San Francisco right away.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Having played in a lot of high-pressure games with the Crimson Tide, Barron would be well prepared to help the Patriots reach their ultimate goal after falling just short.

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

Few players have boosted their stock like Fleener during the draft process. He'd give Eli Manning another reliable target in key situations.