2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 of the First Round

Draft day is always full of surprises, as teams try to position themselves to take the player who can put them that much closer to the Super Bowl. With the NFL Draft almost two weeks away, lets take a look at who your favorite teams will take in the first half of Round 1.  

1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts have been waiting since the season ended to get their hands on Andrew Luck. Robert Griffin III has put some pressure on Jim Irsay, but ultimately Luck is a no-brainer.  

2. Washington Redskins (trade with the St. Louis Rams) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin is the perfect fit for Mike Shanahan's offense, as he is a very mobile quarterback who can throw well on the run. He also has great accuracy and should be a great fit for the Redskins.   

3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC  

The Minnesota Vikings are in need of a left tackle, and Southern California offensive tackle Matt Kalil is a no-brainer for the Vikings at No. 3.  The Vikings will need someone to protect Christian Ponder's blind side, if they feel that he is their quarterback of the future.  

4. Cleveland Browns - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M  

There are many people who have the Browns taking running back Trent Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick, and that would make a lot of sense. However, they should not pass up Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill needs at least one more year of development before he is NFL-ready, but with Colt McCoy behind center next season, Tannehill will get that extra year he'll need to get ready.    

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Buccaneers have been on a spending spree this offseason, signing guys like Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks to huge deals. The Buccaneers could go a number of directions; however, if the Browns pass up on Richardson, it will be tough for the Tampa Bay to pass up on him as well.    

6. St. Louis Rams - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State  

If Blackmon falls to the Rams at No. 6, they will instantly be the winners on draft day. The Rams traded the No. 2 pick in the draft to the Washington Redskins, as they wanted draft choices to build for the future. Their rebuilding process will go a lot quicker if Blackmon falls to them.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jaguars could go a number of directions with the 7th pick in the draft, but they are in desperate need of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and Floyd at No. 7 would make a lot of sense.

8. Maimi Dolphins - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

If Ryan Tannehill does not fall to the Dolphins at No. 8, then I could see Miami seeking a defensive lineman to help out their pass rush. Another direction the Dolphins could go is wide receiver.

9. Carolina Panthers - Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Panthers will be looking for the best available defensive lineman in this year's class, and Quinton Coples could be the player the Panthers choose at No. 9.  

10. Buffalo Bills - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Buffalo Bills are going to need to find an offensive tackle to replace Demetrious Bell, and Riley Reiff would be a good fit for them.  

11. Kansas City Chiefs - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

His draft stock is rising quickly, but he should not get past the Chiefs at No. 11.

12. Seattle Seahawks - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro would be the ideal choice for the Seahawks at No. 12; however, if he goes higher in the draft, look for them to look at Jonathan Martin.

13.  Arizona Cardinals - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Arizona Cardinals will look to upgrade their offensive line, and offensive tackle Jonathan Martin would be a great start.

14. Dallas Cowboys - Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

The signing of Brandon Carr will help the Cowboys a ton; however, I don't think they are done addressing the secondary, and safety Mark Barron would make a lot of sense for the Cowboys at 14.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Eagles will be looking for a defensive tackle on draft day, and LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers would fit in well with the Eagles defense. 

16. New York Jets - Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

If Upshaw falls to the Jets at No. 16, this is almost a no-brainer. He fits in perfectly with Rex Ryan's 3-4 defense.