2012 NFL Mock Draft: Identifying Top Possible Selections for 1st Round

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we identify the top possible selection for each team picking in the first round:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Robert Griffin III appeared on the Colts' radar for a micro-second, but this pick has been Luck all along. There's simply no better fit for Indianapolis in starting the post-Peyton Manning era.

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

The Redskins didn't give up a king's ransom in draft picks to select anyone but Luck or Griffin III. Fans in the nation's capital should be giddy about what Mike Shanahan could do with an electric quarterbacking talent like Griffin III.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings are a team always looking to move down, but talk about them trading out of the No. 3 pick doesn't add up. Take Kalil, the draft's unquestioned No. 1 tackle, and forget about the left tackle position for the next 10 years.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns aren't sold on Colt McCoy, and I'm not sure they should be. But instead of reaching on Ryan Tannehill, GM Tom Heckert and vice president Mike Holmgren should give McCoy a workhorse back to help lessen the load on the young quarterback's shoulders. Richardson could produce 1,400-1,600 total yards as a rookie, even in Cleveland's watered-down offense.

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

New head coach Greg Schiano would love if Richardson fell to the Bucs at No. 5. But with the top running back off the board, Tampa Bay settles for the No. 1 cornerback available. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

The sureness of Blackmon in the top 10 has started to cool, but the Rams really can't afford to let a playmaking receiver go at No. 6. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd fills a big hole at receiver, but upgrading the pass-rush is a much bigger priority and a much better value. 

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

I'm not sure how popular a pick it will be, but the Dolphins have to find themselves a long-term option at the quarterback position. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is the No. 1 defensive tackle on a large number of boards, making him a good fit the Panthers at No. 9 overall.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

The Bills will likely be tempted to take Floyd here, but passing up the value of Reiff at such a need position doesn't seem like good business.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

You don't hear of guards going this early often, but DeCastro gives the Chiefs an offensive line perfected for running the football down people's throats next season. When Kansas City was at its best with Matt Cassel under center, it was the league's best running team. DeCastro is a push in that direction.

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

GM John Schneider can't possibly think that free-agent pickup Barrett Ruud is the answer at middle linebacker. Kuechly would likely start there right away.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

By adding Perry, the Cardinals can theoretically throw three (Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield being the others) versatile and young pass-rushers at opposing offenses next fall. As the New York Giants have shown, the more guys you have that can get after the quarterback, the better. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron could give the Cowboys their best safety since the days of Darren Woodson. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Eagles need to add bulk in the interior of their defensive line, and there's no better player in that regard than Poe. He might be a more effective pass-rusher in a 4-3 front, too. 

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama 

It's hard to see GM Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan passing on such a perfect player for a defense that needs help. Upshaw is scheme-versatile and plays both the pass and runs well from a stand-up position. I'd imagine Ryan could find more than a few ways to use Upshaw, who hasn't tested out well in the pre-draft process but is more football player than workout warrior. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Signing veteran Terrence Newman shouldn't deter the Bengals from adding more help at the cornerback position. 

18. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (TRADE w/San Diego)

The Browns will likely spin their wheels on taking a receiver with the No. 4 overall pick. But if they do go Richardson like we predict here, moving up a couple of spots to stop the fall of Floyd gives the Browns exactly what they needed out of their first round. There would be no more excuses for Colt McCoy under center after adding this much talent early. 

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

A defensive line flanked with Coples and Julius Peppers would give the Bears one of the top 1-2 duos at defensive end in all of football.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans have worked hard in free agency to get a veteran center on the roster, but nothing has clicked. Konz fills the hole as the draft's top center available.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

Glenn has slowly gained steam as a guy who can play multiple positions along the offensive line. In Cincinnati, Glenn would be expected to start at guard early on.

22. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (trade w/Cleveland)

The guy who protected Andrew Luck's blindside for three years gives the Chargers a huge upgrade on the right side early and a long-term option at left tackle.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Given how badly the Lions struggled to stop the pass to close 2011, letting a top cornerback slip by their pick doesn't add up. Kirkpatrick, who many still consider the No. 2 overall corner in the draft, would help fill the role vacated by free agent Eric Wright while giving the Lions a potential shutdown guy down the road.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower might not be an impact player right away for Pittsburgh, but give him half a season to get his feet wet behind Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons, and the former Alabama defensive captain will eventually make a difference.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Adding an offensive playmaker for Peyton Manning makes sense here. But the Broncos can't avoid the gaping hole along the interior of their defensive line, where Still could really have an immediate impact. Denver also has to consider how to replace Broderick Bunkley, who bolted in free agency to New Orleans. Still has the potential to be a better overall player.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

The Texans can go a lot of different ways at No. 26 overall, but it might be hard to pass up a playmaking receiver to team with Andre Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State

McClellin's stock continues to rise, and no one should be surprised if the versatile defender goes in the late first round. New England looks like a natural landing spot, as Bill Belichick values the versatility McClellin brings and there's a definite need for a pass-rusher. This pick maybe makes too much sense to happen.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

It might be a surprise if Mercilus falls this far, but the Packers won't mind. They need a pass-rusher in the worst way, and Mercilus has shown the athletic ability to stand up as as 3-4 outside linebacker.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Branch isn't the most complete or polished prospect in this draft, but the Ravens will value the kind of natural pass-rushing skills he can bring early on. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is more of a luxury pick for the 49ers, but they can afford to make one with such a balanced roster. The raw LSU lineman can be a rotational player in his rookie year while learning from one of the game's best in Justin Smith.

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (trade w/New England) 

The Patriots rarely pull the trigger on both first-round picks, which they seemingly position themselves to have every year. Chicago looks like a team that could move back into the first round to snag Fleener, the draft's top tight end. 

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is the kind of high-ceiling tackle that the Giants could use to solidify their offensive line both now and down the road.