2012 NFL Mock Draft: College Studs Teams Won't Pass on

This year's NFL draft is stocked with talent that is capable of immediately changing the complexions of several franchises.

Not only are the top two quarterback prospects some of the best that have been available in years—maybe even ever—but there is plenty of offensive and defensive talent that will allow teams in need to fill holes that will help them leap from .500 records to Super Bowl contenders.

Here's a complete first-round mock highlighting the college phenoms that NFL teams can't afford to pass up.

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

No need to elaborate on this one because there's very little left to say. Luck is one of the best quarterback prospects to come through the draft in years, and the Colts will look to him to be their next Peyton Manning for the coming decade. 

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

I will, however, elaborate on this one. There's no clear-cut answer to the "who's better" question, but the Colts seem set on taking Luck, leaving Griffin for the Redskins.

Washington, which is officially moving on from the Rex Grossman era and is in need of a quarterback to build its offense around for the long term, has the perfect answer in RG3. Though he takes a lot of hits on the run and doesn't exactly have the ideal size for a quarterback, he is a rarity at quarterback because he is insanely fast and athletic.

Griffin will allow the Redskins a chance to finally find a quarterback of the future, something they've (unsuccessfully) been trying to do for years. Mission accomplished.

3. Miami Dolphins (mock trade from Vikings) (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If the Dolphins don't trade up for this pick and the Chiefs take Tannehill, they will be stuck without a good, long-term prospect at quarterback yet again. They can't let that happen and need to take Tannehill, who has the upside necessary to be groomed into the Dolphins' quarterback of the future.

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

When a prospect like Richardson comes along, you can't pass him up.

Richardson is the best running back to hit the draft board since Adrian Peterson and can dramatically improve an offense that finished 28th overall in rushing yards in 2011. At about 5'10", Richardson isn't the biggest guy on the field, but his blend of height, weight and speed make him an elite prospect.

Richardson ran for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns for the national champion Crimson Tide in 2011 and is an incredibly powerful runner with excellent instincts. The Browns need to shore up their wide receiving corps, too, but they can take care of that at the end of the draft, when there will be plenty of wideouts available. They need to take Richardson here simply because there's no on else like him in this draft.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

He's the best overall defensive player in this year's draft and can fill a big hole for the Buccaneers at cornerback.

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

Scouts go back and forth about whether Blackmon or Richardson is the top offensive prospect on the board (quarterback position not included), but if Richardson is off the board, Blackmon still gives Sam Bradford a prime target on an offense that finished 30th in the league in passing yards in 2011.

Wide receiver is a serious need for St. Louis, and Blackmon offers the Rams their best shot at drastically improving their offense right now. Blackmon is the top-ranked receiver on the board and scored 38 touchdowns in his final 25 games in college. He ranks very high in his instincts and his body control, and his off-the-field troubles present his only true downside.

But he's worth taking a risk on. He ran a 4.46-40-yard dash and set an NCAA record with at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each game in 2010. His athleticism and talent should be enough to offset any character concerns.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

If the Vikings trade down, they run the risk of losing Kalil to the Jaguars, who will not pass up the top-rated left tackle on the board.

8. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the second-rated offensive tackle behind Kalil, but he's still athletic and has the pass-blocking abilities to be a top-of-the-line left tackle in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

As the most talented defensive player left on the board, Coples gives the Panthers an opportunity to improve a defense that finished 25th in the league in 2011 in opponent rushing yards.

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

Floyd will give the Bills an offensive playmaker after leaving Notre Dame with seven school records to his name, including the most touchdown catches with 37.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

He's an NFL-ready linebacker whose intelligence offsets some questions about his athleticism—most of which were thrown out after a strong performance at the combine, when he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and a 6.92 in the three-cone drill.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

He has seen his stock drop a bit after a disappointing performance at his pro day, but the Seahawks need to improve on the pass rush, and Upshaw still ranks as the second-best defensive end behind Coples.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is an athletically-gifted prospect who is versatile enough to fit in anywhere on defense. He led the Gamecocks last year with 13.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe has the Cowboys excited after an explosive performance at the combine and can immediately step in as a dominant final piece on a line that is already very strong. 

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

Barron is the best and most complete safety in the draft, and he can immediately make an impact on a Philadelphia secondary that ranked 16th in opponent passing yards in 2011.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse

As one of the more underrated defensive prospects on the board, Jones has the versatility to transition from defensive end to linebacker.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro would be a gift this far down in the draft and gives the Bengals some insurance on the pass rush. He made need some time to develop into an NFL-caliber talent, though.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

He made starts at left tackle, right guard and left guard in college, giving the Chargers some versatility and a solid presence on the line in front of Philip Rivers.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin started all 26 games during his last two seasons at Stanford and is a great athlete who's light on his feet. A few seasons down the line, he could be a top left tackle.

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

After losing Cortland Finnegan to free agency, Kirkpatrick fits in nicely in the Titans' secondary and has the size and versatility to match up against wideouts and tight ends, which is a huge selling point for him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

He is a top-five corner who can help the Bengals strengthen a secondary that finished in the top 10 in opponent passing yards in 2011. 

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

He's ready to start as a slot receiver in the NFL and has the speed to be a disastrous matchup. If the Browns get him and Richardson, they'll be one of the big winners of this draft.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

He had a great senior season and became an All-American after he led the nation with 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 22.5 tackles for a loss in 2011. It makes you wonder why he only started for one year.

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

At Alabama's pro day, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban told scouts that Hightower could play inside linebacker, nickel linebacker or defensive end. He fits the Steelers' needs and immediately gives them a very physical inside presence.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

He filled out and gained 50 pounds in college en route to becoming an agile and unstoppable lineman. He has a ton of upside, despite the fact that he's leaving Baton Rouge after his redshirt sophomore season.

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

Scouts claim that Hill ran an explosive 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine, and he has the kind of undeniable athleticism that can give the Texans a serious playmaker.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

New England's defense struggled mightily at the outset last year, and Cox could fit the mold of a Bill Belichick scheme with his raw athleticism and pass-rushing potential. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, DE/LB, USC

The Trojans' Defensive Lineman of the Year finished the 2011 season with 9.5 sacks, the best in the Pac-12, and he showed off a 38.5-inch vertical jump at the combine.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

With Peter Konz falling out of the first round and no worthwhile centers worthy of a pick here, the Ravens instead look to gain some insurance in the secondary with Ed Reed's time running out. Smith is the second-best safety behind Barron.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The 49ers have a hole to fill at defensive end, and Branch can fit in nicely in San Francisco's 3-4 scheme.

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

Reyes seems to be a perfect fit for a Belichick team: He's smart, he's motivated and he has tremendous upside. Plus, he's quick for his size.

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

Fleener won't take long to move into a starting role in the NFL because of his strength, durability and work ethic.