2012 NFL Mock Draft: Best Case Scenarios for First Round's Brightest Stars

The biggest, riskiest and most coveted investments of every NFL draft happen in Round 1. No matter how for sure a selection appears to be, a franchise making this kind of decision has a large effect on the upcoming season.

So, making the best possible move to ensure longevity must happen: not every top prospect is the best-case scenario for every team. To that end, here are the best-case scenarios for each organization in Round 1.

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

The beginning of a new era in Indianapolis, the Colts must get the most NFL-ready quarterback since Peyton Manning. Andrew Luck has everything a franchise wants in a quarterback, so there's no reason to pass him up.

2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Looking at how much the Redskins gave up to move to No. 2 overall, their desperate need for a franchise quarterback and the upgraded receiving corps, Washington cannot justifiably select another player here other than Robert Griffin III.

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

In the last NFL draft, Minnesota selected Christian Ponder at No. 12 overall. Here, they get Ponder's blindside protected with franchise tackle Matt Kalil.

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

Cleveland can go a few ways here, but it's been a while since the Browns have had that true No. 1 running back. Trent Richardson brings everything to the table, and the offense can be built around him.

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

The Buccaneers need defense if anything. And upgrading with Morris Claiborne in the pass-happy NFC South will be a great complement to the improved offense.

6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Last season the St. Louis Rams were completely horrendous on offense. They ranked No. 30 in passing, No. 23 in rushing, averaged just 12.1 points per game and had only 283 total yards.

Running back Steven Jackson was the lone performer, having compiled over 1,400 total yards. Taking Justin Blackmon at No. 6 overall will simply prevent defenses from stacking the box against Jackson. In addition, the Rams now have a more legit play-action pass and a receiver who can block downfield.

Blackmon is also reliable over the middle and on quick screens. His strength immediately creates separation from the defender, and he's a tough receiver to tackle.

Possessing excellent body control to quickly change directions, Blackmon is an impressive route-runner who has strong hands to fight for the rock on jump balls, and his presence will force a defense on its heels. This also allows Sam Bradford to make more clear reads through his progressions.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was selected at No. 10 overall in 2011. With virtually no help other than Maurice Jones-Drew last season, Gabbert was sacked 40 times, and Jacksonville had the NFL's worst passing offense.

The addition of Riley Reiff will seal off the blindside and lengthen the lanes for MJD downfield.

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

Certainly a risk at No. 8 overall, but if Miami wants Ryan Tannehill the Dolphins can't trade down too far. He is a good fit with size, mobility and a strong arm, but a lot rides on whether Matt Moore is the long-term solution under center.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

The Panthers have postseason potential in 2012 but can only pull it off with an improved defense. Melvin Ingram's versatility will help all over as Carolina ranked No. 28 in total defense last season.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

If Buffalo doesn't end up looking into free agency at cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick will suffice. He's a shutdown player who will benefit off the Bills' upgraded front seven and help with perimeter run support.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

2011 was a roller-coaster season that the Kansas City Chiefs almost turned into a postseason bid. Unfortunately, injuries put a significant damper of the Chiefs' season as well as ranking No. 26 against the run.

K.C. allowed an average of 132 rushing yards per game and an average of 4.2 yards per carry. It wasn't so much that the Chiefs were allowing big plays, but they couldn't win short-yard situations. So selecting LSU's Michael Brockers will pay extreme dividends.

This guy can draw a consistent double-team, slip between the blockers to be a backfield menace and loop to the B-gaps to get quarterback pressure. He's a two-gap controller that will free up the linebackers to make plays and can beat any one-on-one situation.

Brockers has impressive ball awareness and play recognition skills, which will force running backs to bounce outside or flush the quarterback out of the pocket to stud pass-rusher Tamba Hali.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Seattle needs dominant production behind Chris Clemons at linebacker. Luke Kuechly provides reliability and consistency to propel the Seahawks' defense into the top five.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Arizona needs to improve pass protection and get more consistent on the ground. David DeCastro has the quickness to drive defenders off the ball, get to the second level and wall off the interior portion of the pocket.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

The Doomsday Defense is nearly complete. Adding Brandon Carr spruced up the secondary and getting Quinton Coples to complement DeMarcus Ware creates a dominant pass rushing duo.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

To compensate for the NFC East being overloaded with stud pass-rushers, getting Jonathan Martin to Philadelphia solidifies pocket protection and longer running lanes for LeSean McCoy. If the Eagles are to contend for the division, an effective ground game to setup play-action will keep Michael Vick off the ground.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Unless the New York Jets feel that Chaz Schilens is the long-term answer at the No. 1 receiver spot, then Notre Dame's Michael Floyd is the best fit.

Floyd is the complete package receiver who can outjump any defender in the red zone, has the strength and reliability to go over the middle and is a dependable run-blocker. Gang Green's offense is a run-first philosophy and Shonn Green is coming off his best season with over 1,000 yards on the ground.

Finishing his career as arguably the greatest receiver in Notre Dame's history, Floyd played with three different quarterbacks and still produced at a high level.

He'll draw double-teams to get Dustin Keller mismatches against linebackers or small defensive backs and Santonio Holmes in single coverage situations. The play-action pass will become a dangerous weapon for the Jets and if Tim Tebow gets some snaps, Floyd only becomes that much more of a threat.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Leon Hall missed the final seven games of 2011, so adding Stephon Gilmore to keep talented depth in the secondary is needed. Cincinnati was much more vulnerable to the pass down the stretch, and Gilmore's field awareness will limit the intermediate and deep passing game.

18. San Diego Chargers: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

The Chargers need to improve at stopping the run and get a reliable pass rush. Fletcher Cox can cause havoc in the backfield from the inside and outside while also tracking down ball-carries from the backside and split double-teams.

19. Chicago Bears: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

In the pass-heavy NFC North, the Bears need to get younger on the defensive line. Nick Perry provides a solid pass rush and is a proven run defender. Chicago's offense is on the rise and the defense needs to come around for a legit shot at the NFC title.

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

If the Titans want to compete in the AFC South, selecting Dontari Poe to improve against the run must happen. With stud running backs like Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster in the division, Tennessee can catch up to Houston and Jacksonville by proving to be impenetrable in the trenches.

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

Now that the Bengals have an even more reliable secondary, Devon Still makes Cincinnati a top five defense. Still's ability to draw double-teams and make plays at the line will free up the linebackers to shutdown against the run and isolate the intermediate passing game.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

For Cleveland to really make an impression in 2012, they must get Courtney Upshaw to complete their front seven. Upshaw will control the outside against the run and provide a pass rush while D'Qwell Jackson works the middle with Phil Taylor.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

Yes, it's a bit of a stretch for the Lions to take Zach Brown at No. 23, but his athletic combo of speed, lateral agility and awareness will improve Detroit against the pass and perimeter running game. Brown can play from sideline-to-sideline and provide a fast pass rush as well.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked No. 8 against the run in 2011, it proved to be the Steel Curtain's weak spot as they allowed 131 rush yards to Denver in the Wild Card Round and failed to shutdown other stellar ground teams like San Francisco, Baltimore and Houston.

Therefore, expect the Steelers to address the front seven on its interior with Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower. On the outside, Pittsburgh has James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to defend the run and pass rush as well as Troy Polamalu monitoring from the secondary.

Hightower only needs to play between the tackles and his quick reactionary skills will dominate the trenches against the run. He's arguably the most instinctive player in the draft and has the explosiveness to beat lead-blockers to the hole and prevent offensive lineman from sealing off the running lane.

Even more impressive, Hightower has the knack for finding the ball when in coverage. His lateral speed covers well in the middle, and he'll provide Dick LeBeau with the option of running the Tampa-2 scheme in strict passing situations.

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

Jerel Worthy is a defensive tackle who can make plays in the backfield all day. Considering that Denver has Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil to dominate the outside, Worthy will stuff the interior running game and get quarterback pressure.

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

A threatening No. 2 receiver will complete the Houston offense and derive just enough attention from Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. Kendall Wright brings impressive top speed, acceleration and reliability all over the field. Not to mention he's a reliable run-blocker even from the backside.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

In order for the Patriots defense to keep their late-season momentum rolling from 2011, they must continue to get quarterback pressure. Whitney Mercilus can get constant pressure and force turnovers for Tom Brady.

Despite being a one-year wonder, Mercilus proved his potential when given a legit opportunity.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

Defense is what cost the Packers a chance to repeat in 2011 and more specifically, the lack of a pass rush. The addition of Vinny Curry will create an impressive duo with Clay Matthews and improve Green Bay's rush defense as well.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT (Georgia)

Fielding an offense that revolves around running back Ray Rice, the Ravens must select Cordy Glenn to keep the interior running lanes open. Glenn also possesses excellent lateral agility to setup play-action pass on roll-outs, thus stretching the defense with speedster Torrey Smith.

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

Not too many receivers enter the draft as run-blocking specialists, but that's just what Stephen Hill was molded to do at Georgia Tech. Nevertheless, he's a reliable playmaker, and San Francisco needs a young receiver of his size, speed and stature to block downfield and go deep on play-action.

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

Bill Belichick has two promising corners in Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington to isolate in man coverage and Cover 3 situations. Mark Barron may fall this far with durability concerns, but he fits New England's dire need at safety.

Barron can roll down to help against the run and remain in Cover 1 or Cover 3 to patrol back deep.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

The Giants still have a solid offensive line and set of receiving targets for Eli Manning to work with in 2012. However, getting Ahmad Bradshaw his trusty sidekick in Doug Martin ensures the philosophy of Big Blue's two-back set that has helped win two Super Bowls.

John Rozum on Twitter.