2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Picks Destined to Shine in Rookie Year

There are several kinds of players that can come out of the NFL Draft. There are projects who take time to develop, but ultimately become stars after a long period of time, there are busts who never seem to get their feet under them and there are countless others.

Perhaps the rarest of them all, though, is the player who steps in right away and becomes a top player in his rookie season. With that said, it is becoming more common with each passing year as four of the top five picks last season made the Pro Bowl, and the only who didn't was Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, who still had a big effect in his own right.

Seeing as teams are beginning to rely on young players more and more, there figures to be a few immediate-impact studs in this year's class. A lot of it depends upon the situation they land in, but there are plenty of guys who have the talent to dominate from day one.

In addition to a full, first-round mock draft, here is an analysis of the players who are most likely to shine in their first NFL season.

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

With Peyton Manning now in Denver, there is no question that the Indianapolis Colts are ready to move on to a new era. In all likelihood, that era will be ushered in by the selection of Stanford quarterback, Andrew Luck. Over the past two seasons Luck has been the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and he has widely been regarded as the most talented and complete college signal-caller in the nation.

The general feeling is that Luck is a generational talent, so there is no chance that the Colts will pass him up. Everyone saw what happened to the Colts last season without Manning. Even though the roster was largely the same, Indy was an absolute mess and won only two games. The roster hasn't gotten any better as the Colts have parted ways with plenty of veterans, so there are likely to be some growing pains for Luck.

With that in mind, there is little question that Luck will be the starting quarterback from the second he is drafted, so he will have every opportunity to succeed. He won't have much to throw to other than Reggie Wayne, he won't have a great running game and he won't get much help from his defense, but Luck's talent will still shine through. Manning endured some bumps and bruises as a rookie, but his skills were evident, and that will be the case with Luck.

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

The Redskins obviously wanted Griffin and they weren't shy about going to get him as they dealt a couple future first rounders to move up from the No. 6 slot.

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

Minnesota is a shell of the team that came so close to the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, but a stud left tackle like Kalil would put the Vikes back on track.

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

Because of how easy it has become to find quality running backs late in the draft or as undrafted free agents, there have been less and less taken in the first round over the past few seasons. While that trend is likely to continue for the most part, there are always going to be talented players who force teams to go off the beaten path. This year that player is Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

Last season was Richardson's first as a starter as he was previously behind Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Richardson didn't disappoint as he was arguably the best back in the nation and figured third in the Heisman voting in his own right. Richardson was essentially Alabama's entire offense and a huge reason why the Crimson Tide was able to win the National Championship.

Richardson possesses a rare combination of power and speed that would seem to make him a can't-miss prospect. One team that can't afford to miss on its first-round picks is the Cleveland Browns, so they will likely be compelled to nab Richardson. They have a gaping hole in the backfield as Peyton Hillis departed for Kansas City. That means Richardson will start immediately and will have an impact right away.

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

The Buccaneers signed cornerback Eric Wright this offseason, but with Ronde Barber in the twilight of his career a true shut-down guy like Claiborne is needed.

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

St. Louis set itself up quite nicely by executing a trade down to the No. 6 spot with the Washington Redskins and it will result in the Rams getting their intended target in Blackmon anyway.

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

The Jaguars are a team that can improve pretty much anywhere, but in order to give the defense some credibility, a pass-rusher like Coples is a must.

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

Miami could go in a number of directions, and while Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is rumored to go here, Reiff is the safer and smarter selection.

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

The Panthers need a defensive tackle badly, but it just comes down to which one, and since Brockers fits the defense so well, he should be the pick.

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

Buffalo has really improved this offseason, but there is still a gaping hole at No. 2 wide receiver that can be filled quite nicely with the selection of Floyd.

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

The Chiefs are a bit of an enigma as they don't have many glaring needs, but the offensive line could use some shuffling, so Martin makes sense here.

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

Seattle had some issues getting to the quarterback last season and Chris Clemons needs a wing man, making a 4-3 end like Ingram a good pick.

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

There are players who are at their most impressive when they're running around in shorts and a t-shirt and then there are players who get the job done in games when it really counts. There is no question that Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly represents the latter. Kuechly was one of the most productive players in college football over the past three seasons as he racked up far more tackles than anyone else over that time span.

Although Kuechly tested much better at the combine than most anticipated, he's never going to be called an explosive athlete. Despite that, there is reason to believe that Kuechly can be a star at the next level. His diagnosing skills and instincts are incredible and he has a nose for the ball. When he puts his mind to pursuing and taking down a ball carrier there isn't anyone or anything that will stop him from doing so.

Because of all that, he would be the perfect pick for the Arizona Cardinals at No. 13. The Cards have lost a lot of good defenders in free agency over the past few years, including middle linebacker Karlos Dansby who is now with the Miami Dolphins. Arizona needs a playmaker to replace him in the middle of its defense, and Kuechly is a guy who will be a leader and a producer from the first game forward.

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

Kirkpatrick doesn't come without risk as he has had some off-the-field issues, but the Cowboys need a cornerback and he is an elite talent.

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

The Eagles have some major needs on defense aside from their defensive line, and a quarterback for the secondary like Barron could work wonders.

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

Gang Green's pass rush just wasn't the same last season as it had been in previous years, but an accomplished rush linebacker such as Upshaw will help a ton.

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

Few teams have a more promising, young offensive core than the Bengals and they should add to it with a speed demon like Wright to complement A.J. Green.

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

The Chargers are truly a tough team to figure out, but they have to realize that the offensive line needs to be upgraded, making DeCastro the clear choice.

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

Although No. 19 may seem a bit early for a center, the Bears need somebody to replace Olin Kreutz and Konz is clearly the best option.

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

The Titans have a ton of pass-rushers, but none of them get to the quarterback with any type of consistency, so Perry should be their man.

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

Cincinnati desperately needs some help in the secondary with Leon Hall nursing an Achilles injury, and Jenkins is the most talented corner left.

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

It may not be the sexiest pick out there, but the Browns really need to address the right side of their offensive line, so Adams is a good fit.

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

The Lions' secondary was exposed in a big way late last season, and while more than one change is needed, taking Gilmore is a good start.

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

Long-time nose tackle Casey Hampton is injured and on the way out, so the time is now for the Steelers to upgrade the position with Poe.

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

Protecting Peyton Manning is going to be very important for the Broncos this season, and the strong and athletic Glenn should be up to the task.

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

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is in desperate need of a complement to take some pressure off of him, and a big, skilled pass-catcher like Hill should do just that.

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

The Patriots normally prefer to find their pass-rushers from the scrap heap, but it would serve them well to take a major talent in the form of Mercilus.

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

Green Bay's defense was an absolute mess last season, and while Still won't cure all of its ills, he will open more space for Clay Matthews and others.

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

The Ravens may not be in desperate need of a linebacker currently, but with Ray Lewis taking things year to year, Hightower would make for a great apprentice.

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

The Niners could use some help on the right side of their offensive line, and while there may not be a feasible option at this point, they should reach slightly for Massie.

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

New England is severely lacking along the defensive line in terms of depth, and since Cox is one of the best 3-4 ends in the draft, he would be a fine choice.

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

Although tight end may not be a major need after the signing of Martellus Bennett, the Giants have the luxury of doing whatever they want, so Fleener would be a nice addition.