2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting the Surest Bets of Round 1

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we highlight some of the surest bets available in the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Is there a more sure pick in the entire draft than Luck? The son of an NFL quarterback and arguably the top college prospect since Peyton Manning, Luck is a No. 1 pick you can feel comfortable with. I wouldn't want any other player helping bridge the gap in the post-Peyton Manning era.   

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

As the draft process wore on, Griffin III came closer and closer to being considered the same kind of sure thing that many have called Luck. He's a more athletic and polished version of Randall Cunningham.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The talk about the Vikings trading down makes little sense to me. Getting more picks is great, but Kalil is a sure thing as a 10-12-year starter at left tackle.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns would be making a big mistake if they reach for Ryan Tannehill here. Grab the draft's top back to ensure that Colt McCoy has a viable running game in 2012 and beyond.

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

Richardson would be a good fit for Tampa Bay, but Claiborne makes just as much sense. Aqib Talib (legal issues) is far from a sure thing moving forward, and Ronde Barber is on his last legs.

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

You get the feeling that the Blackmon-to-St. Louis comfort level is dropping. There are plenty of other ways the Rams can go here.

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

The Jaguars really do need more in the passing game, and Michael Floyd would be a great fit to team with Laurent Robinson and Mike Thomas. But passing up on a pass-rushing option like Ingram seems risky. While the draft is littered with talented pass-catchers, guys who can get after the quarterback like Ingram are rare. 

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

Tannehill is one of the biggest boom-or-bust picks in this draft. The Dolphins desperately need for it to be a boom.

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

Cox can be the kind of penetrating defensive tackle Carolina needs. Dontari Poe, for all his combine greatness, is too risky at No. 9.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

Reiff may not be the No. 10 overall prospect, but the fit here gives him a chance. The Bills need a left tackle after Demetress Bell left for Philadelphia, meaning Reiff would be expected to immediately fill the shoes as Ryan Fitzpatrick's blindside protector.   

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

The Chiefs have other need areas and guards typically don't go anywhere close to this high, but there's very few "elite" players at their respective positions every draft. DeCastro is one of them. Plug him in at guard and watch the Chiefs' running game march right back near the top of the NFL in 2012.

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

A big need opened up for the Seahawks when David Hawthorne bolted for New Orleans. Kuechly is a major upgrade over Barrett Ruud, who Seattle ended up signing after Hawthrone left.

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

The Cardinals would love if Reiff or DeCastro fell to No. 13, but getting Perry is a fine consolation prize. He'll team with emerging pass-rushers in Sam Acho and O'Brien Scofield to give Arizona a solid trio.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The more you look at the draft board, the more convinced you become that Dallas will take Barron here at No. 14. He's the best value at a need position for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

On paper, Poe looks like a guy who could anchor the middle of a 3-4 defense. But he may be at his best as a penetrating 4-3 tackle, which is exactly how the Eagles would use the combine's star.

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

Upshaw may not have all the measurables of some, but his tape says enough about what kind of football player he can be at the next level. He'll play the run well and get after the quarterback for Rex Ryan. 

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

There is some veteran depth at cornerback after the signing of Terrence Newman, but that shouldn't deter the Bengals from snagging one of the draft's most intriguing cover guys.  

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

After passing on Justin Blackmon at No. 4 overall, the Browns move up a couple of spots to nab Floyd, who many consider the second best receiver in the draft. Instant upgrade for the Browns outside. 

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

Most don't think Coples will fall this far, but motor and consistency issues might see it happen. The Bears wouldn't mind stopping the free-fall at No. 19. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans have tried over and over to fill the center position in free agency, so Konz fits here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

A mauler in the run game, Glenn has the ability to start at guard and right tackle early in his NFL career.

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

Martin played left tackle for three years at Stanford, but he's plenty capable of playing right tackle for San Diego. Jeromey Clary isn't good enough on that side. 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

The Lions will be hard-pressed to pass on a cornerback talent like Kirkpatrick, who many labeled as a top-10 pick as the draft process opened up.  

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

The Steelers don't need immediate help at inside linebacker, but taking the Alabama defensive captain gives them a long-term option to put alongside Lawrence Timmons. 

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

The Broncos fill a big hole at defensive tackle by taking Still, a top-five defensive tackle prospect in this draft.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

There may not be a more sure bet at receiver than Wright, especially if he lands in an offense like Houston's. With Andre Johnson and Arian Foster there to take away most of the defensive looks, Wright could easily emerge as a Rookie of the Year candidate  

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

I'm not sure how high of a ceiling you're getting with McClellin, but there shouldn't be any surprises. In New England, McClellin could play of variety of positions while filling a major need as a pass-rusher.

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

In the end, I think Mercilus will be picked before the Packers come up at No. 28. But if he's still there, it's hard to see Green Bay passing on such a dynamic pass-rusher.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

Putting another raw but talented pass-rusher into the Ravens' defensive front will help maintain what they have done on that side of the ball for so many years. 

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

Brockers may fall in this draft as teams struggle to match up the potential with Brockers' actual production at LSU. But for the 49ers, who restocked offensively in free agency, Brockers represents a luxury pick with a high ceiling. 

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

Having the Patriots pick twice at the end of the first round just isn't smart when putting together a mock. The Bears help solve that as an offense that has lacked a tight end gets one here.

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

There's some bust potential in the big left tackle, but the Giants can afford to take that risk at a position that needs a future.