2012 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Projections for Every First-Round Selection

Projecting the entire first-round of the 2012 NFL draft is no piece of cake, but after fully immersing myself in the draftnik community over the last three months, I've got it all figured out. 

Boy, I wish the end of that sentence were true.

Hitting on more than, say, 10 picks carries the same percentage chance as winning the lottery, but all 32 picks below fill specific team needs. 

(I previously stated I wasn't going to change any picks, but I won't be able to live with myself if I don't make one switch at the end of Round 1.)

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Final Pre-Draft Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

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

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California 

The Vikings are intrigued by the possibility of trading down, but Kalil's too enticing and fills a major need. You've got to protect your franchise quarterback with a franchise left tackle, right?

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

The Buccaneers play in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan. Claiborne makes far too much sense at this juncture not to happen.

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

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

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd's the ideal wideout for the Bills, who are in dire need of a supremely talented big man who can haul in balls in traffic. 

He'll also work well in Chan Gailey's quick passing system because he's great after the catch. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, Southern California

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

16. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Wayne Hunter was pretty horrendous last season, and in order for Rex Ryan to employ the power running scheme he loves, he needs a mauler on the right side. Reiff is well-rounded and is leaps and bounds ahead of Hunter as a pass-protector.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB South Carolina

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama 

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

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

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

Leon Hall's returning from a devastating Achilles injury. Gilmore learns from him and Nate Clements and emerges as a playmaking pro. He's a rangy defender who loves contact and has great ball skills.

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

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

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

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT Penn State

26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Many have the Texans going wide receiver with this pick. But with Kendall Wright gone, Fleener is a fantastic consolation prize. He'll terrorize the middle of the field and take pressure off of Andre Johnson on the outside. 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

I had Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler here forever, but Silatolu's more aggressive at the point of attack and reaches the second level with ease and immense power. He's the most ideal fit for San Francisco's smash-mouth offense.  

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Without Mark Anderson and an elder Andre Carter, Belichick needs some youth on the edge of his defense. Mercilus led the the nation in sacks last fall and is the perfect fit.

32. New York Giants, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Chances are, right tackle Kareem McKenzie won't be with the team in 2012, and Jonathan Martin needs some polishing, but he is certainly capable of starting on the right side after an illustrious career in Palo Alto. 

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