2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Studs Have Biggest Upside?

Every NFL prospect in the draft has excellent potential and is expected to make a large impact as a rookie. Otherwise, franchises wouldn't invest so much research and development into finding the right player to fit the system.

The bad news, unfortunately, resides in knowing that not every single prospect will turn out as an elite player. As for the first-round of the 2012 draft, here's a look at the studs with the best upside to do so.

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

The man with the most potential of anyone this draft or the 2011 draft, Andrew Luck begins anew with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. Let the rebuilding process begin.

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

Despite not coming from a true pro-style offense, Robert Griffin III is a major step up from Rex Grossman. The upgraded receiving corps will benefit early on.

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

The Vikings have their franchise quarterback in Christian Ponder. Adding Matt Kalil as the franchise tackle for pass protection is the next building block for Minnesota.

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

Despite only being Alabama's main Brahma Bull for one season, Trent Richardson accounted for over 1,800 total yards between 2009 and 2010, including 18 touchdowns.

Taking the No. 1 role in 2011, Richardson was a Heisman Finalist and totaled over 2,000 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He's the perfect solution to Cleveland's dire need on offense, and that's pounding the rock to set up the pass.

The Browns haven't had a consistently dominant running back since Kevin Mack, and the addition of Richardson will take much needed pressure off Colt McCoy. Paired with a healthy Brandon Jackson, Richardson allows the Browns to field a balanced offense and help the promising defense.

As we see with Ray Rice in Baltimore, having that dual-threat back opens up the playbook to have success downfield. Wide receiver is a much deeper position this draft and Cleveland can snag a sleeping gem in the middle rounds.

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

Tampa Bay has a spruced up offense and complementing that with Morris Claiborne significantly helps the ailing defense. The Buccaneers will be under-the-radar in 2012.

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

The Rams desperately need a downfield playmaker on offense. Justin Blackmon will stretch defenses and take pressure off running back Steven Jackson to field a balanced attack.

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

With Laurent Robinson out wide, the Jaguars' offense has promise in 2012. Riley Reiff adds reliable pass protection and polished running lanes for Maurice Jones-Drew to help Blaine Gabbert's development.

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

Ryan Tannehill is a risk at No. 8 overall, but Matt Moore needs competition in Miami. Lest we forget that Tannehill also played receiver for Mike Sherman before becoming a top quarterback prospect.

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

Carolina couldn't stop the run or pass in 2011 and it cost the Panthers in numerous close games. Melvin Ingram can play anywhere in the front seven, and will be a great complement to Charles Johnson and a healthy Jon Beason.

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

Arguably the best cornerback in the draft, Buffalo needs Dre Kirkpatrick to improve the Bills' secondary. The front seven will dominate, but Buffalo has AFC title potential in fielding a potential top five defense.

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

The Chiefs need a defensive tackle that knows how to find the rock. Michael Brockers may have just one legit college season under his belt, but he can split double-teams and be a consistent playmaker at the line.

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

Head coach Pete Carroll has his quarterback in Matt Flynn to get the offense moving fast. Defensively, Seattle is near complete with guys like Chris Clemons, Brandon Browner and Marcus Trufant.

Still, a linebacker to stuff the run will complete the puzzle and Luke Kuechly is that answer. The man recorded 532 tackles in just three seasons at Boston College and 374 over the past two years. Kuechly quickly dissects plays, knows how to take perfect angles and is an obvious sure-tackler.

His preparedness and football IQ allows Kuechly to easily make better pre-snap reads, which will come in handy when facing NFC West ball-carries like Frank Gore and Steven Jackson.

Additionally, Kuecky recorded seven career interceptions and defended a total of 17 passes. Taking away the intermediate passing game will allow Clemons more time to apply pressure and provide the secondary more opportunities to make plays in man coverage.

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

A relentless run-blocker, David DeCastro brings attitude to the Arizona offensive line that needs to improve this season. DeCastro also enhances the pocket protection which will give Larry Fitzgerald more time to get open.

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

DeMarcus Ware is the NFL's best and most feared pass-rusher. Quinton Coples has that kind of potential and pairing the two together completely restores the Doomsday Defense.

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

The NFC East is overloaded with standout pass-rushers. Therefore, the Eagles must oppose that with Jonathan Martin to protect Michael Vick. In addition, Martin has the athleticism to lengthen the running lanes for LeSean McCoy.

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

A young and true No. 1 receiver will put the Jets' offense over the edge. Michael Floyd is the complete package and will block downfield to setup play-action and out-jump any defender in the red zone.

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

One of the more all-around cornerbacks, Stephon Gilmore goes a little overlooked because of other SEC defenders like Morris Claiborne and Dre Kirkpatrick. Nevertheless, he's a physical corner that is reliable against the run and has an excellent feel for developing routes and making plays.

Last season the Bengals ranked No. 9 against the pass, but Leon Hall went down after nine games. Regardless of Hall's health when the season kicks off, the addition of Gilmore is also needed since veteran Nate Clements will be 33 years old at year's end.

In three seasons at South Carolina, Gilmore defended 23 passes, recorded seven picks and forced four fumbles. The man has good size to begin as the Bengals' No. 2 corner, but also has the ability to play safety if needed.

Cincinnati needs another tough defender in the secondary and Gilmore will provide run support to aid the front seven. Through development, Gilmore has the potential to become one of the league's premier defensive backs.

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

Fletcher Cox is a proven consistent defender against the run and can apply quarterback pressure from anywhere in the trenches. San Diego needs a dynamic player to free up the linebackers to improve the rush defense.

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

The Bears may have ranked No. 5 against the run, but they lacked a pass rush and allowed an average of four yards per carry. Nick Perry is a complete defender and will react fast to the run and apply impressive outside pressure.

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

The Titans don't have a shot to contend for the AFC South title without stopping the run. Dontari Poe has the strength and quickness to plug gaps and cause pileups. In turn, linebackers make more plays at the line of scrimmage.

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

With the addition of Stephon Gilmore and now Devon Still, the Bengals' defense has top five potential and will get a lot more quarterback pressure. Still will also improve Cincy against the run as that cost the Bengals in 2011.

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

Competing in the AFC North means running the ball and playing defense. The earlier selection of Trent Richardson solidifies the ground game and getting Courtney Upshaw gives Cleveland a complete front seven.

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

The inability to defend the intermediate passing game plagued Detroit in 2011. Zach Brown is a linebacker that can take away slants and crossing routes, while also forcing turnovers courtesy of excellent field awareness.

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

The interior of Pittsburgh's defense needs an upgrade. Dont'a Hightower will thrive between the tackles as James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley control the outside.

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

Denver needs an inside presence that will make plays in the backfield. Enter Jerel Worthy who makes a living by splitting double-teams and possessing excellent play recognition skills.

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

The threat of Andre Johnson out wide just got a lot more dangerous. Kendall Wright has No. 1 receiver potential, and will make an immediate impact in an offense that needs a second reliable receiver.

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

For New England to defend its AFC crown, keeping a sound pass rush is needed to help Vince Wilfork in the middle. Whitney Mercilus can get consistent pressure and will quickly develop against the run.

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

The good news about Green Bay's defense is that it has nowhere else to go but up. Vinny Curry is arguably the draft's best pass-rusher and has a knack for causing fumbles as well.

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

If the Ravens want to get over the AFC title game hump, upgrading the offensive line for Ray Rice must happen. Cordy Glenn is an excellent run-blocker and that will setup the play-action pass to Torrey Smith.

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

Randy Moss was undoubtedly a great move by San Francisco, but the man is 35 years old so adding a younger playmaker to the receiving corps will address the long-term solution.

Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill fits the mold perfectly in the Bay Area as he comes from a run-heavy offense. The Yellow Jackets averaged 316 rushing yards per game and Hill is now a polished stock-blocker downfield.

The 49ers and Frank Gore will welcome that attribute because setting up the play-action pass creates a balanced offense. Plus, Hill has an impressive combination of size, speed, leaping ability and overall athleticism.

In 2011, Hill averaged almost 30 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns. He's excellent at getting yards after-the-catch and will be a dominant weapon inside the red zone.

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

Mark Barron has durability concerns, so it's possible he drops to the Pats at No. 31. Fortunately, Barron is the perfect fit as Bill Belichick needs a safety that can make plays all over the field.

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

The two-back system has been the philosophy for Eli Manning and the Giants under Tom Coughlin. Doug Martin is the ideal complement to Ahmad Bradshaw and Big Blue improved the rush offense in 2012.

John Rozum on Twitter.