2012 NFL Mock Draft: Biggest Reaches in First Round

Teams reach in the NFL draft for a variety of reasons. Most of the time it is for need, some of the time it is because they don't believe they're reaching at all and other times it is because they fear that one other team could spoil their plans.

Reaching is an inevitable fact of life in the game that is the NFL draft.

2012 will be no different. Heck, one could argue the Washington Redskins already reached by mortgaging three first-round picks and a second-round pick for the chance to draft Robert Griffin III. Combine the compensation and the uncertainty at the quarterback position and it could almost be described as a reach. However, if wasn't the 'Skins then it would be someone else, so they're off the hook.

The same cannot be said for every other team, though.

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

The only thing the Colts are reaching for is the horseshoe on their helmet. After saying goodbye to Peyton Manning this team can consider itself lucky to land Andrew Luck.

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

The Rams made the Redskins pay for what they wanted, and now they got it.

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

No reach here for Kalil; the USC product will be a starter for a long, long time.

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

One could argue that taking any running back this high is a reach in today's NFL, but Richardson is an elite all-purpose back who is arguably the best prospect at the position since Adrian Peterson.

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

The LSU corner might offer the best value of the draft considering the needs of the Bucs here at No. 5.

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

Is Blackmon an elite prospect like previous top six wide receivers in recent years? No, but the Rams have a huge need at the position and already made out like bandits moving down the board from No. 2; they can take what they need.

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

Coples was once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, so the notorious reachers in Jacksonville are off the hook—even if Coples is a risky pick.

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

Ding, ding ding. Our first real reach comes as no surprise. The Miami Dolphins botched the free-agency period so bad that they actually sent away their most talented player and have nothing to show for it.

Instead of landing a signal-caller and using this pick on a right tackle or pass-rusher, the Dolphins are forced to reach for the No. 3 quarterback in the draft even though he's far from a top-10 prospect.

The need for a franchise quarterback is so great in Miami that if it were to pass on Tannehill, even though he's a reach, there is a good chance the team would never be able to gain back its completely disappointed fanbase.

It's necessary, but it's a reach all the same.

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

Poe is overrated, but he's overrated by almost everyone at this point. It is hard to blame the Panthers for taking him at this pick.

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

This is actually a great value for the Bills even if it is not the guy they wanted here.

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

This a fringe reach because taking a guard this high is difficult to justify. The Chiefs can use DeCastro, however, in effort to get their running game back on track.

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

Like Poe, Ingram is a bit overrated, but he's overrated by everyone. The Seahawks have a need at pass-rusher and he's a better fit in a 4-3 than a 3-4.

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

The Cardinals have a lot of needs, but Kuechly gives them a ready-made replacement for one of the many mistakes they've made on the open market in the past few years. The incoming rook will immediately supplant Stewart Bradley.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys are one of those unfortunate teams that always think they're a player or two away from truly competing for a Super Bowl.

Granted, they were one game away from knocking the eventual champion New York Giants out of playoff contention, they're not nearly consistent enough to be considered a contender again this year.

Safety is still a huge concern to them, and Barron is ready to step in immediately and play. He's not, however, going to get much better and he'll never be an elite player in this league.

At No. 14 it is hard to justify a pick on a player with such limited upside—even if he does help immediately.

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

The Eagles' needs for a red-zone target and reliable receiver all be filled by simply drafting Floyd. It is a great fit for them.

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

Unlike his college teammate Mark Barron, Upshaw is selected at the appropriate time in the draft by a team that needs his services immediately and doesn't have many other options to go with.

Upshaw is a better football player than athlete and may never be elite, but he'll relentlessly fight for a chance to hit the QB and the Jets need that.

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

This pick is a solid combination of pick need and value. The Crimson Tide corner has elite potential and fills a need.

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

When aren't the Chargers truly reaching for a player in Round 1?

Their last three first-round picks could all be described as questionable at best, and this fits that bill as well.

Perry is an intriguing prospect with size, athleticism and potential. However, his floor isn't very high and there is a chance he's complete bust.

If the Chargers don't jump him here he could fall down the board all the way to down the likes of Green Bay in New England in the latter portion of the round.

San Diego has faltered in recent years for a reason and part of it has to do with not hitting on its draft picks.

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

This is great value at position(s) of need in Chicago. The Bears can use Glenn's versatility from day one.

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

Cox is a steal here and provides the same type of services as Glenn, only on the defensive side of the ball. He could hear his name called as early as the top 12.

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

Some have Wright rated much higher than this, but he won't find that kindness from me. He's still got a lot a learn, but the Bengals grab a much-needed weapon opposite A.J. Green.

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

Martin has a number of teams worried due to his lack of strength and, more importantly, lack of improvement in strength since the season ended.

He's a gifted player with good feet and potential, but he needs to toughen up.

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

There is talk of Gilmore possibly sneaking into the top 15, so if Detroit sees him here it'll have a hard time passing him up.

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

This a jackpot pick—perfect combination of system fit, need and value.

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

This is almost a jackpot pick, but Still doesn't have a ton of upside to his game. The Broncos will look to exploit his strengths as a run-stopper, though.

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

Once considered a potential top-10 pick, Jeffery has fallen down the board and many have him out of the first round entirely. He's not a first-round-rated prospect for me, either—this is a reach here—but his potential is hard to ignore.

If he ever puts everything together there is a lot to love about Jeffery's size, speed and athleticism. Unfortunately, he doesn't always use his talents to his advantage and he's far from a consistent player.

Playing opposite Andre Johnson would certainly help, but going in the late first round is reaching for Jeffery.

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

Brocker's potential is hard to ignore and he fits a need for the Patriots even if he's not entirely ready to play in the NFL just yet.

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

This is a fringe reach, but the Packers' need for a pass-rusher opposite Clay Matthews is great, and Branch is arguably the best available.

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

He has all the talent in the world but has serious character concerns. The Ravens are one team that could actually keep him in check.

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

Hill is a potential-based pick, but one the 'Niners can afford to make. He could learn many valuable things from Randy Moss, and if he makes the most of his physical gifts he could one day be elite.

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

Not as well known as some, but Reyes is a tough character who'll come in and work for Bill Belichick and the Pats along the front line and they need just that.

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

The Giants would absolutely be thrilled to see Fleener available here. They also have a heavy, heavy value on draft day so it would be super surprising if they were to reach for anyone. 

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