2012 NFL Mock Draft: Can't-Miss Picks for Every Team in Round 1

The 2012 NFL draft is two weeks from today. That means we're just two weeks away from seeing all the hype and all the projections be replaced by reality.

If the 2012 draft follows the same pattern as past drafts, the projections the so-called experts have made over the last several months will quickly become obsolete. There are a lot of smart people out there who analyze the draft, but they don't work for the teams that will be picking players.

However, there are always a few can't-miss picks in every draft, and they're not hard to spot. Some teams and players are just natural fits for one another, and they have a way of coming together in the draft.

I shall illustrate the point with a full first-round mock. Here are can't-miss picks for all 32 teams.

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

The thinking is that it's a tossup right now whether Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III is the better quarterback. That's a testament to the amount of hype RG3 has generated, but it's also a testament to how much people are nitpicking Luck.

Luck is the better quarterback. Make no mistake about that. There's absolutely nothing he can't do out on a football field, and he projects as an all-time talent in the NFL. He's the safest pick the Colts can make to replace Peyton Manning, and he's the best pick they can make.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11, from St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There's nothing that Luck can't do out on a football field, but RG3 is pretty darn good in his own right. His athleticism has inspired well-deserved comparisons to Michael Vick, but RG3 is a much more polished passer than Vick was when he was coming out of college.

It has been debated whether RG3 is a good fit for the Redskins, but that's more nit-pickery. The Redskins need a franchise quarterback, and they're not going to be able to do any better than RG3.

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

The Vikings could conceivably look to trade this pick to a team that is hot to land Ryan Tannehill. But if they don't, there's no way they'd pass on drafting Matt Kalil.

The Vikings let Bryant McKinnie go before the start of the 2011 season, so they have a need for a franchise left tackle. Kalil projects as a franchise left tackle. This is a great fit.

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

The Browns are going to have options when they're on the clock, as they could go for Tannehill, Justin Blackmon or Trent Richardson. They could also look to trade this pick.

Richardson has always been the best bet for the Browns. They need a running back, and Richardson has the kind of talent that just doesn't come along very often. The Browns will be rolling the dice in a big way if they do something other than draft Richardson.

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

The Bucs would probably draft Richardson if he fell to them. He's not going to, though, so the Bucs will have to settle for taking Morris Claiborne.

Claiborne may not be very good at taking Wonderlic tests, but that's nowhere close to being an issue. He knows how to cover receivers, and that's all that matters. The Bucs have some questions at cornerback, so drafting Claiborne would give them a little peace of mind.

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

The Rams are another team that could go any number of directions on draft day, but the safest pick they can make is Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon does have some bust potential, but it's worth it for the Rams to take a gamble on him. Sam Bradford needs a stud wide receiver to throw to, and Blackmon's knack for getting open is something that Bradford will be able to take advantage of very easily.

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

The Jaguars are going to have a tough call to make if Blackmon comes off the board at No. 6. They're a team that could use both Blackmon and Claiborne, so they'll have to go to Plan C if neither of them is available.

Plan C in Jacksonville's case is Quinton Coples. There are some questions about his character, but he has the size and physical skills to be an elite pass-rusher. The Jags need one of those.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

You can count me among the group of people that just really, really doesn't like Ryan Tannehill. For a quarterback projected to go in the top 10, he needs an awful lot of work.

But the Dolphins aren't going to have much of a choice. They don't have a long-term solution at quarterback, and this is a time and a place for the organization to take a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if they traded up to get Tannehill, but I have a feeling he's going to end up with them one way or another.

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

The Panthers drafted a pair of defensive tackles in last year's draft, but neither of them project as stars who will be able to hold down the middle of Carolina's D-line.

Michael Brockers does. He's raw, but he's got the size and the skillset to be a dominant DT down the line. This is a high-reward pick that the Panthers should make.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills lost Demetress Bell to the Philadelphia Eagles (see Pro Football Talk) earlier this month, so they'll be heading into the draft with a need at offensive tackle.

After Kalil, Riley Reiff will be the best offensive tackle on the board. He'll be able to slide right into the spot formerly occupied by Bell (who used to be Demetrius Bell), and he may actually be an upgrade.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Chiefs have the makings of an elite defense, but they have a pretty big need at nose tackle. It's worth it for them to prioritize that need over all the others.

And once they do that, Dontari Poe will stick out as an obvious pick. He's by far the best nose tackle prospect in the 2012 draft class, and his ceiling is through the roof. To give you an idea, he has been compared to Haloti Ngata.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Seahawks could easily address their defense with the No. 12 pick, as they have needs at linebacker and at defensive end. 

The smart play for them is to shore up their offensive line. It's weak in the middle, and David DeCastro is a guy who could step in and solve that problem. He has the talent to go in the top 10, so he actually represents a tremendous value pick at No. 12.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

A lot of mocks have the Cardinals addressing their defense in the draft, as they could use upgrades pretty much all over.

I disagree. Arizona's defense played really well down the stretch last season. This team's issue is offense, and the biggest hole is at offensive tackle. Mike Adams is not without issues, but he's got an NFL body, and he showed flashes of brilliance at Ohio State. With a little consistency, he'll be a Pro Bowler.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Cowboys are a team that most certainly will be addressing their defense in the draft. They have needs at all three levels of their defense.

The best thing the Cowboys can do with the No. 14 pick is simply take the player with the most value. Stephon Gilmore is the second-best cornerback in the draft behind Claiborne, and it just so happens the Cowboys need a cornerback.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Eagles have addressed a couple of glaring needs via assorted transactions so far this offseason. The biggest hole that remains now is at defensive tackle.

Fletcher Cox will stand out as a solution. He's an outstanding run-stuffer and an above-average pass-rusher. Combined with DeMeco Ryans, he'll help shore up a Philly defense that was way too soft in the middle last season.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Jets have needs all over the place, as they need help in the trenches or they could go for a wide receiver to make life easier for Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.

However, Melvin Ingram is by far the best pick the Jets can make. He should go much higher than No. 16 based on his talent, but the Jets won't complain if he falls to them. He's the pass-rusher they need in their linebacking corps, and Ingram brings a lot more to the table than mere pass-rush skills.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals are a team that will be on the prowl for upgrades at several positions on draft day, one of which is cornerback.

Janoris Jenkins is risky because of his character concerns, but the talent is definitely there. Since the Bengals need an upgrade at corner more than any position, it's worth it for them to roll the dice on Jenkins' talent.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chargers need help at virtually every position on the field, but their top priority should be keeping Philip Rivers safe.

There will be a couple offensive tackle options for the Chargers to choose from, but they'll look to target a guy who can play right tackle. Jonathan Martin is projected as a left tackle, but he could easily play right tackle in the NFL. He'll do so for the Chargers.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Bears have made some interesting moves this offseason, but many needs still remain.

I could see the Bears going for an offensive lineman, a cornerback or a defensive lineman here, but they won't pass on Luke Kuechly if he's still available. They know that Brian Urlacher's career is coming to a close, and Kuechly is a perfect heir apparent.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With Cortland Finnegan gone, cornerback is without a doubt Tennessee's biggest need.

Dre Kirkpatrick is nowhere near as good as Claiborne or Gilmore, but he'll be the best option on the board for Tennessee at this point. He's coming from a great Alabama defense, and that's a plus.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With their cornerback need filled, the Bengals will be able to seek out the best value pick at No. 21. 

If he's still on the board, that will be Michael Floyd. He could go a lot higher than this, but the teams that could use a wide receiver all have bigger needs to fill. The Bengals don't necessarily need a wide receiver, but they'd have a scary young duo of receivers if they paired Floyd with A.J. Green.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

In drafting Richardson, the Browns will have upgraded their offense in a major way.

They won't stop there, however. Colt McCoy has a good young receiver at his disposal in Greg Little, but he needs a home run threat. That's where Kendall Wright will come into play.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G/T/ Georgia

The Lions finally got to see in 2011 what a healthy Matthew Stafford is capable of. To make sure they keep seeing that kind of production from Stafford, they need to make sure he stays on his feet.

Cordy Glenn is easily the most versatile offensive lineman in the 2012 draft class. On the Lions, he could slide right in and help out at guard, and he could be moved around as injuries occur.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Steelers will be cursing the heavens as soon as Glenn comes off the board, as he's a perfect fit for them at No. 24.

With Glenn gone, I doubt the Steelers would pass on Dont'a Hightower. They need some youth in their linebacking corps, and Hightower is a guy who fits the mold of what a Steelers linebacker is supposed to be.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Broncos are going to be in a tough spot on draft day, as they won't be able to fill any of their primary needs.

The best thing they'll be able to do is make sure Peyton Manning 's offense is well-stocked going forward. Running back is not a need, but it is an area of concern. Lamar Miller brings versatility to the table that will be of use for Manning in the immediate future.

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

The Texans don't need much, but one thing they could use is a speedy wide receiver who can stretch the field and hit a few home runs.

Kendall Wright would be perfect, but Stephen Hill is also a great option. He's got tremendous speed that will play well alongside Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

When the Patriots are on the clock, one's eyes immediately start searching for versatile defensive players.

This year, that search will turn up Nick Perry. He's a defensive end by trade, but his size and athleticism will allow him to play off the line in the NFL. He'll be a great addition for Bill Belichick.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Despite the fact they only lost one game all season, the Packers showed plenty of weaknesses in key areas in 2011.

One of the biggest problems with the Packers is that there's too much pressure on Clay Matthews. Drafting a guy who can help him out is ideal, and Andre Branch is a guy who can help him out. Branch will be able to play off the line in the NFL, and he'll fit right in alongside Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Many players who appeal to the Ravens will be off the board by the time they're on the clock with the No. 29 overall pick. They'll have to improvise.

One idea is to take a center who can eventually take over for Matt Birk, whose career will come to a close very soon. Peter Konz will be able to take over for Birk down the road, and until then he could fill in at guard.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

I could see the 49ers trading this pick since there likely won't be any perfect fits for them, but finding offensive line help is a priority for them.

The biggest issue with San Francisco's O-line is that it's weak in the middle. Kevin Zeitler could step in and help at guard, and the fact that he's coming from a run-heavy Wisconsin offense should appeal to the 49ers.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn

Upon drafting a versatile defender like Nick Perry, the Patriots will look to find a young piece for a defensive line that is getting a little old.

Kendall Reyes will stick out. Belichick could use him at multiple positions in multiple schemes.

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

The Giants will be on the lookout for offensive line and linebacker help with the No. 32 overall pick. Since pickings will be slim, look for them to make a great value pick.

No matter where he ends up, Coby Fleener will be the best value pick in the first round. Super-athletic tight ends are in demand right now in the NFL, and Fleener has proven that he is most definitely a super-athletic tight end.