2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Talents Will Have Incredible Careers?

Incredible NFL careers are far and few between. The first round of every NFL draft has at least a few prospects of noteworthy such promise, but nothing is guaranteed.

As for the 2012 NFL draft, let's take a look at another mock with prospects that turn out impressive careers.

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

All the signs point to Andrew Luck having an incredible NFL career. For one, he comes from a pro-style offense and played under Jim Harbaugh through the 2010-11 season at Stanford. And if anything, having that ability to make a quick transition into the pros is the most important thing.

Despite pro football continuing to move as a pass-happy league, no NFL offense will be consistently effective from the shotgun formation; granted, airing the rock out has become the norm. But, being able to dice up defenses from under center is where an offense gains an edge.

In shotgun, defenses expect pass and it's easier to read the developing play. Luck, however, already possesses the skill set to setup from under center. That alone causes much concern for defenses because there's the threat of play-action pass, quick three-step drops and the running game itself.

Even the more successful college teams who run the option have a quarterback that can get the job done from under center. Luck is the rarity in already having developed a near flawless setup in the pocket when dropping back. Now all Indy needs is to get him some targets.

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

Make no mistake about it, Robert Griffin III has just as much promise to develop like Luck. He just needs to get acclimated with more experience from under center to sustain consistent success.

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

The beginning of Matt Kalil's career will be partially predicated on Christian Ponder's 2012 production. For the long term, Minnesota has its franchise quarterback and blindside tackle in the making this year.

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

Perhaps the best reason why Trent Richardson will have a great NFL career resides in him not entering the pros as physically worn down as most college Brahma bulls.

He was the No. 2 ball carrier behind Mark Ingram in 2009 and 2010, but still managed to collect over 1,800 total yards and scored 18 touchdowns during that span. In 2011, Richardson took the No. 1 spot and simply exceeded expectations.

A Heisman finalist last season, Richardson compiled over 2,000 total yards and scored 24 touchdowns. The Cleveland Browns desperately need a complete running back to help setup the passing game and win the short-yard situations.

The Browns also have a third-down back in Brandon Jackson to help with Richardson's development, so he'll make a smooth and quick transition. Cleveland can build the offense around him and provided Colt McCoy gets one standout receiver, the Browns have a balanced offense to work with.

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

In 2011, Tampa Bay fielded No. 30 ranked overall defense. After a 4-2 start, the Bucs lost 10 straight and finished 4-12. The addition of Morris Claiborne will complement the upgraded offense and slow down their high-powered NFC South rivals.

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

Fielding arguably the worst offense in 2011, the Rams adding Justin Blackmon creates a balanced attack with Steven Jackson in the backfield.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

With Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield, Laurent Robinson out wide and Marcedes Lewis at tight end, Michael Floyd completes Jacksonville's offensive weaponry. The Jaguars now have a balanced attack and Floyd will thrive on play-action pass.

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

Ryan Tannehill at No. 8 overall remains a risk, but he can quickly develop with Mike Sheman guiding once again. A lot here also depends on whether Matt Moore is the future in South Florida.

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

Melvin Ingram has an opportunity to have an illustrious NFL career solely because he's such a versatile player. Alongside Jon Beason and Charles Johnson in the front seven, Ingram will dominate for Carolina.

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

Before injuries took over, the Bills offense was rolling. Now, Buffalo needs a lineman such as Riley Reiff to wall of the blindside and get up field to elongate the running lanes. Reiff's athleticism will pay off and Buffalo emerges as legit postseason contenders.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

Fletcher Cox has the opportunity to enjoy a solid NFL career because the Chiefs have so much all-around defensive talent. Kansas City is loaded at linebacker and the secondary is one of the game's best. Fletcher, however, is the missing piece since he can improve the Chiefs against the run and get an inside pass rush.

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

In three seasons for Boston College, Luke Kuechly collected 532 tackles, forced two fumbles, defended 17 total passes and recorded seven interceptions (returned two for touchdowns).

Seattle fielded a sound defense in 2011 having ranked No. 9 in allowing just 332 total yards per game. Still, defending the run was the Seahawks' most vulnerable area and they allowed 112 rush yards per game.

This, in turn, makes defending the intermediate passing game all the more difficult. And, if Seattle wants to compete with San Francisco for the division title, Kuechly's addition is needed. The man has the instincts, experience and preparedness to read offenses pre-snap and react quickly to any play.

Kuechly is a sure tackler that is flawless with the basic fundamentals and possesses the play-making skill set to shutdown his area against the pass. All of this ability will also be a great complement to pass-rusher Chris Clemons because the NFC West isn't overly dominant at pass protection.

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

David DeCastro is arguably the best lineman in the draft. And he'll dominate for Arizona as the Cardinals need an interior run-blocker that can get up field and a safer pocket for Kevin Kolb to setup in.

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

Quinton Coples has great potential to develop as an intimidating outside presence in the NFL. Playing opposite DeMarcus Ware only helps Coples that much more and allows him to improve as a run defender.

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

In order to keep Michael Vick's career moving along, getting Jonathan Martin to take on the dominant NFC East pass-rushers is step one. Martin's also an impressive run-blocker that will create more polished lanes for LeSean McCoy.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Defensively, the Jets are expected to be sound, but allowing an average of 22.7 points per game last season cost them greatly. Nick Perry will supply a reliable pass rush and shutdown the perimeter ground game to allow the pass defense more play-making opportunities.

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

The Bengals need a physical defensive back to make an immediate impact. Stephon Gilmore provides that and excellent field awareness skills to also contribute at safety. With Nate Clements being 32 years old and Leon Hall having injury concerns (missed final seven games), Gilmore will be needed sooner than later.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

The lack of a pass rush and rush defense hurt the Chargers more than anything in 2011. Taking Courtney Upshaw provides an outside rush and a reliable run defender to contend in the AFC West.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

In the pass-heavy NFC North, the Bears need a young pass-rusher that's capable of dominating from the get-go. Whitney Mercilus will learn a lot from Julius Peppers and Chicago increases its divisional odds by getting constant quarterback pressure.

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

Tennessee failed to stop the run in 2011 and it cost the Titans a playoff spot. Dontari Poe is a potential two-gap controller with the ability to make plays in the backfield, and free up the linebackers as well.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Although he's younger and not as proven as some of the other defensive lineman, Michael Brockers can draw a consistent double-team and fight to make plays everywhere at the line. Cincinnati failed to shut down the better rushing offense in 2011, so Brockers comes aboard to put the Bengals defense into the top five.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

The Browns have a strong front seven led by D'Qwell Jackson. Dre Kirkpatrick will have an impressive career as he can help with run support and play physical press coverage. Not to mention, he'll be paired opposite of Joe Haden.

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

There will be a lot of pressure on Zach Brown to perform in Detroit because the Lions desperately need a linebacker that can work from sideline-to-sideline. Brown has that athleticism and is a playmaker so his production will pay off immensely in the Motor City.

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

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked No. 8 against the run in 2011, it was a down year for the Steel Curtain. Their inability to shutdown top rushing offenses like Baltimore, Houston and Denver cost the Steelers the division and a playoff game, so getting Alabama's Dont'a Hightower easily suffices.

Hightower will have a dominating career in Pittsburgh because there's talent around him to help early on. On the outside of the front seven are James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, while Troy Polamalu patrols the secondary.

He's a between-the-offensive-tackles defender that will shut down any ground game or force ball-carriers to bounce outside. With 234 career tackles (missed most of 2009 due to injury), Hightower is also a reliable inside blitzer with 23 quarterback hurries.

Against the pass, Hightower possesses the quickness and football IQ to blanket crossing routes and sitting receivers in the zone. Providing he continues this developing improvement against the pass, Hightower gives Pittsburgh the option of running the Tampa-2 coverage against pass-heavy teams.

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

The Broncos are the perfect defense for Jerel Worthy to have a strong NFL career. With Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil controlling the outside, Worthy will work the middle and continuously make plays in the backfield against favorable situations.

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

Kendall Wright is the missing piece for the Texans to complete their offense. Wright possesses great acceleration and is reliable all over the field. He'll also have a great career playing with Houston's other offensive weapons in Andre Johnson, Arian Foster and Owen Daniels. 

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Injury concerns drop Mark Barron to the end of Round 1, but his career starts off great in New England. For one, Barron has excellent instincts and is always around the ball. That, in turn, benefits even more as the Pats have two promising corners in Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington.

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

Expectations for Vinny Curry in Green Bay will be high as the Packers are desperate for a complete defender in the front seven. Curry's knack for getting sacks, defending the run and causing fumbles will pay extreme dividends though, because playing opposite him is Clay Matthews.

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

Cordy Glenn is a dynamic offensive lineman that possesses great lateral balance, quickness and control. His addition to Baltimore improves the ground game and helps setup the play-action pass for Torrey Smith.

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

San Francisco is a run-oriented offense that revolves around the production of Frank Gore. Stephen Hill is a receiver that specializes in run-blocking and has awesome playmaking skills. It's the perfect fit for the 49ers' balanced offense.

31. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, LB/DE (Boise State)

The Patriots need a productive pass-rusher opposite of Rob Ninkovich and to take pressure off Vincent Wilfork in the trenches. Shea McClellin is a bit undersized, but has the eye for tracking down quarterbacks and occasionally sinking into coverage.

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

It's tough to have an elite career in a two-back system, but Doug Martin has that opportunity in New York. The Giants have relied on a two-back set with Eli Manning under center and Martin's experience and success and Boise State coincides well.

John Rozum on Twitter.