2012 NFL Mock Draft: Perfect Moves for the Entire First Round

Every NFL front office heads into draft weekend with high hopes. They all plan on walking away from their respective war rooms with a new group of talented prospects that will set them up for success next season and beyond.

Not every team succeeds, however. No matter how much work gets puts into the draft process, busts are going to emerge. With that in mind, here's a complete mock draft of the first round featuring teams who will make the best moves to start their draft.

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

Colts owner Jim Irsay continues to insist the franchise is considering all of their options with the first pick. If it's anybody of than Luck, it would be a massive surprise.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington knew it couldn't go another season with lackluster quarterback play and expect to keep pace in the competitive NFC West, so the Redskins went out and traded for the second overall pick. Assuming the Colts don't shock the world, Griffin will be heading to the nation's capital.

It's really difficult to compete in the NFL without a solid quarterback since the league has shifted so much toward high-powered passing games. Griffin will finally give the Redskins someone who is capable of putting the team on his back and carrying them to victory.

They still have some other holes to fill before they can be considered playoff contenders, but Griffin will put them back on the right track after years of reckless spending left the roster in bad shape. It's truly a turning point moment for the franchise.

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

After watching their quarterbacks get sacked 49 times last season, the Vikings must turn their attention to finding an anchor for the line. Kalil fits the bill.

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

Richardson would give the Browns the dynamic offensive weapon they have lacked in recent season and will take pressure off Colt McCoy.

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

The Buccaneers are the swing pick inside the top 10 because they could go so many different directions. Claiborne provides the most value while also filling a hole.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Sam Bradford has been hesitant to take chances down the field due to a lackluster receiving corps, so giving him a weapon like Blackmon will allow him to open up the offense.

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

While concerns about Coples' work ethic have affected his draft stock, his upside can't be denied. Since the Jaguars need another rusher, he's worth the risk.

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

Tannehill was a second-round prospect a couple months ago, but he's made a strong impression during the draft process and the Dolphins are desperately seeking a new QB.

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

Potential is the word you'll hear most when it comes to Brockers. It's the same thing the Panthers heard about Cam Newton last season. We know how that worked out.

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

Michael Floyd will be an option for the Bills at this spot, but the team's offensive line has been seeking a reliable tackle like Reiff ever since Jason Peters left.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Tamba Hali has had two consecutive strong seasons rushing the passer for the Chiefs. Adding a legitimate threat like Upshaw to the defense will make him even more disruptive.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Seahawks might receive some enticing offers for this pick since so many teams need a tackle and Martin is the last elite one left in the class, but they need one too.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Arizona should sprint to the podium if Floyd stays on the board until their pick. He would form a dynamic duo with Larry Fitzgerald to give opposing coaches nightmares.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys ranked 23th in passing yards allowed last season despite a solid pass rush. That's mostly due to the inconsistent play they received from their secondary, especially at corner. Kirkpatrick would provide them with a much-needed physical presence on the outside.

Making sure wide receivers don't get a clean release off the line of scrimmage is the best way to keep them from dominating. Kirkpatrick has proven he's capable of playing elite man defense, and that should carry over to the next level.

He's also a playmaker. Dallas only had 15 interceptions last season. Kirkpatrick should be able to add another handful next season. Filling their biggest hole on defense will allow the Cowboys to keep pace with the Giants and Eagles.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly represents the safest pick in the opening round. He's consistent and will rack up tackles playing in the middle of any defense. The Eagles can't let him slip by.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Even though the Jets defense didn't live up to its usual high standards last season, fixing the offense should remain the team's top priority.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Teams are rightfully concerned about Jenkins' off-field issues, but, as long as he knows the leash will be short, he's a great pick this deep in the round.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Ingram has one of the largest ranges for where he'll be picked of any prospect. If he survives this long, there's no way the Chargers should let the slide continue.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Drafting an interior offensive lineman with an early pick won't win over any new fans. That said, games are won and lost in the trenches. Konz will be a force for years to come.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Right around this pick, teams start feeling more inclined to take chances on players because all of the elite names are off the board. Poe has plenty of upside.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Coming off a surprising season that saw them sneak into the playoffs, the Bengals should focus on defense to keep up with the Steelers and Ravens.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Browns attempted to trade up to land the second pick with hopes of selecting Griffin, but they couldn't close the deal. It might actually work out in their favor, though. By adding two offensive weapons like Richardson and Hill, they fill two major weaknesses instead of one.

McCoy has never been surrounded with as much talent as those two players would give him, so Cleveland would get a full season to determine if he's the quarterback of the future. If not, the Browns have their first pick next year to grab a QB.

Hill made a name for himself with a tremendous showing at the combine and should continue to improve as he grasps the finer points of the position instead of relying simply on speed. From the beginning, he'll give the Browns the deep threat they have lacked.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions are finally on the cusp of becoming perennial contenders following years of disappointment. Protecting Matthew Stafford will be the key to it all.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Everybody knows Ben Roethlisberger loves to extend the play and often holds onto the ball too long, so Pittsburgh's offense is under more pressure than most.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Broncos defense was a major reason for the team's late charge last season, but there are still some holes to fill, such as defensive tackle.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Adding Wright will leave the Texans offense with no excuses for being anything less than one of the league's best units. There should be no shortage of options.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard has slid down draft boards over the past month. He's still worth of being a first-rounder, though, and will likely turn into a steal for New England.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Packers' dominance during the regular season is a better measure of their talent level than the team's playoff loss. A little defensive depth will make them favorites once again.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

A major part of the amazing Alabama defense that led the Crimson Tide to a national title, Hightower will fit right in with Baltimore's heavy-hitting linebackers.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore had a quiet, yet productive, career at South Carolina and should have no problem transiting to the next level. That's exactly the type of player the 49ers should be targeting.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Another defensive back to help rebuild the porous Patriots secondary, Barron is undoubtedly the top safety available and will make an instant impact.

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

Fleener has the potential to become the NFL's next great tight end after gaining some valuable experience. Once he finds his footing, he'll become one of Eli Manning's favorite targets.