2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which First-Round Studs Are Worth Trading Up For?

There is something to be said for patience in the NFL draft and allowing the pieces to fall into place, but at the same time aggressiveness is often the best trait to have. The Atlanta Falcons proved that last season when they traded up several spots to select wide receiver Julio Jones, who was a major difference-maker as a rookie.

The Falcons had to give up a lot to move up, of course, but it all comes down to identifying a player and doing whatever it takes to get him. If it's going to help the team immediately and in the future, then it is well worth giving up extra draft picks to make it happen.

Interestingly enough, there are several teams picking high in the draft who could really benefit from moving down. Because of that there is a possibility that other teams could move up to select elite players while others accumulate more draft picks.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here is some analysis on stud prospects who are well worth the price of trading up for.

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

The Colts released Peyton Manning with every intention of taking Luck first overall and there certainly won't be a good enough package for them to trade out of this spot.

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

This may be cheating since the Washington Redskins already traded up to the No. 2 slot, but Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is a player who is well worth the price of trading up. The Skins had to give up a ton to move from sixth to second as they handed the St. Louis Rams a couple of future first-rounders, but if RG3 pans out, then it will have been a great move.

A couple years ago, there probably would have been doubts about Griffin's ability to translate to the next level since he played in a spread offense at Baylor and is known as a running quarterback. But thanks to Cam Newton's success last season, Griffin is viewed as a member of the new breed of quarterbacks.

The spread is becoming commonplace in the NFL as several teams have started to use it as a base offense, so Griffin shouldn't have to adjust too much. Provided Washington plays to his strengths, there is no reason why he won't be a great player at the next level. He is an accurate passer, a skilled runner, a good leader and a smart player, so he has all the tools that you look for in a signal caller. It took a king's ransom to get him, but the Redskins will ultimately get the last laugh.

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

The Vikings could go in a number of directions if they so desired, but quarterback Christian Ponder needs a blindside protector and Kalil is the best in the draft.

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

It isn't exactly en vogue to take running backs early in the draft any longer, but the Browns have a huge need there and Richardson is head and shoulders above the rest.

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

There has been a lot of talk concerning LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne following his extremely low Wonderlic score, but I would be shocked if it affected his draft stock in the least. Cornerback is a position that rewards speed, agility and reaction time more than it does the ability to break down an offense, so Claiborne is still the best corner in the draft by a wide margin.

He seems like a sure-fire Top-Five pick, and if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain at No. 5 then he'll be the pick. Ronde Barber is aging and Aqib Talib is in perpetual legal trouble, so corner is a need. At the same time, though, despite the fact that they went on a spending spree in free agency, there are a lot of positions that the Bucs can improve upon.

If they decide that they would rather stockpile picks, then there are sure to be some teams interested in their No. 5 slot. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys are all teams within 10 picks who could really use a shutdown corner, so all of them would likely have interest. It all comes down to what Tampa wants to do, but there will be plenty of options open.

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

The Rams knew what they had with the No. 2 pick, and since they could take Griffin with Sam Bradford in the fold, they made a masterful trade and will get their target in Blackmon anyway.

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

There are a ton of holes to fill on the Jaguars' roster, but a good pass rush can cure a lot of ills, so Coples has to be the selection if they stand pat.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Miami has had a really rough offseason to this point, and while an offensive tackle like Reiff may not be the popular choice, it's the safe one and the right one to boot.

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

The Panthers are in an interesting position as they desperately need a defensive tackle, and while Dontari Poe is believed to be the likely pick, Brockers fits their defense much better.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

After signing defensive end Mario Williams this offseason, the Buffalo Bills are a popular pick as a dark-horse playoff team. Despite that distinction, there is still a lot that can be done to improve the team. The two biggest needs are No. 2 wide receiver and offensive tackle, but it wouldn't be a terrible idea to trade down from No. 10.

It's hard to say how much the Bills covet Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, but other teams definitely do.

The big and speedy pass-catcher was extremely impressive at the combine and there have been rumblings that he has equaled or surpassed Justin Blackmon in terms of draft value. While I wouldn't necessarily agree with that, there are several teams who would likely be willing to part with quite a bit to reach that No. 10 spot.

The Bills could always trade down a few spots and take either an offensive lineman or a different wide receiver. That way they would still be filling a need, but also picking up some additional selections. Buffalo is in a really good spot because there figures to be a player that it can use at No. 10 or further down in the draft, so the Bills can really dictate the middle part of the first round.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs don't really have many needs, but you can never have too many quality offensive linemen, so Martin would be an intelligent selection.

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

It's obvious that Seattle needs another pass-rusher, and while there are plenty of options, the Seahawks will likely covet Ingram's ability in the 4-3 most.

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

The Cardinals have lost a lot of key pieces from their defense in recent years, but Kuechly would be a fantastic leader and playmaker at the middle linebacker spot.

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

Dallas' secondary was a real issue last season, and after the release of Terence Newman, taking a player like Kirkpatrick is an absolute must.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles have some issues at linebacker, but anyone at that position would be a reach, so they'll get their new Brian Dawkins in the form of Barron.

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

As bad as the offense was, the Jets' defense took a big step backward last season as well, making Upshaw a necessity pick at this point.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With two first-rounders and on the heels of a playoff season, the Bengals can get creative, and they will by nabbing Wright to pair with A.J. Green.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chargers tend to go for flashier picks early in the draft, but there is a major hole at guard thanks to Kris Dielman's retirement, so DeCastro has to be the pick.

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

Olin Kreutz's absence was felt by quarterback Jay Cutler and the offense in a big way last season, but Konz could make Bears fans forget all about him.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans drafted extremely well last season as they plucked plenty of defensive starters, but an elite pass-rusher is still needed and Perry could develop into one.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

After going luxury with their first pick, the Bengals will fill a need at No. 21 as they nab Jenkins to fill in for the injured Leon Hall.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Browns need a talent infusion at pretty much every spot, but I fully expect the boring, safe selection at No. 22 in the form of Adams.

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

Detroit's secondary was absolutely lit up during the last two games of this past season, so the Lions will take the fast-rising Gilmore to man one of the corners.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

With Casey Hampton on the shelf and on his last legs anyway, the Steelers need to address the nose tackle spot with the monstrous and athletic Poe.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

It appears as though the Broncos have enough weapons in place for Peyton Manning, so now they should focus on protecting him with a guard like Glenn.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Texans have needed a complement to Andre Johnson for a very long time, and they'll finally get one with the tall and speedy Hill.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

New England always finds a way to generate a pass rush somehow, but with their top sack artists from last season gone or injured, Mercilus has to be the choice.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Packers' defense was a joke last season, and while a pass-rusher may be the ideal pick, Still will take up blockers and open space for the pass-rushers they already have.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Baltimore can do anything it wants with this pick, but with Ray Lewis in the twilight of his career, the Ravens should grab his understudy in Hightower.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

There isn't a lot the 49ers can improve upon besides the right side of their offensive line, so they'll reach a bit for the big and athletic Massie.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

The Patriots continually cycle through defensive linemen, but the depth is wearing thin right now, so Cox makes a ton of sense at this spot.

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

Although the Giants signed Martellus Bennett already, they need another tight end like Fleener to pick up the slack for injured tight ends Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum.