2012 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck and Studs That Will Succeed in Rookie Year

While improving the immediate future is goal No. 1 for NFL teams at the draft, it's more than likely most young studs won't shine right away.

Don't tell Cam Newton that.

Much like Newton, there are young rookies every year who burst onto the scene and immediately make their teams better. It's not common for players to do it, but there are always one or two troublemakers who kill the trend.

Here's a first-round mock draft with a closer look at players who will immediately improve their team in 2012 (those players are in italics). 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are in complete (and I mean "complete") rebuilding mode. They could realistically go out and target any position, but no one has the ceiling that Andrew Luck has.

Not only does no one have his ceiling, but no one has his current floor, either, because Luck is ready to be a star right away.

Luck, according to most, is the best quarterback prospect since former=Colt Peyton Manning. Maybe you've heard of him.

Not only does Luck have the arm strength, deadly accuracy, pocket presence and sneaky athleticism to be a great quarterback, he also has the intangibles. 

Luck is, by most accounts, a stand-out human being. He has a will to win and strives to not only make himself better, but his teammates better as well.

He won't necessarily have a whole lot of intriguing options to throw to or hand the ball off to, but, much like other great quarterbacks, it wouldn't be surprising to see Luck make everyone around him better in 2012. 

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins were originally slotted to pick No. 6, but they were willing to trade that pick and multiple other first-round picks to move up to No. 2.

And Robert Griffin III is worth it.

If Luck weren't in this draft, RGIII would be the clear No. 1 pick.

The former Bear lead Baylor to an Alamo Bowl victory last season by completing an insane 72.4 percent of his passes, and it's not like it was on a bunch of dump-offs, either.

Griffin can throw a crazy-good deep ball, as evidenced by his late-game heroics against Oklahoma. 

Throw in his ridiculous athleticism and speed (4.41 40 time) and you have yourself someone who could easily replicate what Cam Newton did last season.

Luck clearly has the legs to make plays like Newton did, but he grades as a better passer coming out of college. It might not be as pretty as Luck, but Griffin will get it done right away in the NFL. Fantasy owners take note. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Luck and Griffin deservedly get most of the attention, but Matt Kalil is another sure thing. The Vikings need to replace Charlie Johnson, and Kalil is the perfect man to do that. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

There has been talk about Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but the Browns will come to their senses and avoid the reach. The idea to replace Colt McCoy is enticing, but Cleveland needs to upgrade other positions first.

The Browns will start with running back Trent Richardson, who is regarded as the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. With Peyton Hillis gone via free agency and Montario Hardesty injured more than a stunt man, Richardson will immediately step in as the No. 1 and will run with the role.

Drafting a running back this high is often a no-no, but Richardson has the speed, vision, toughness, and pass-catching skills to warrant the pick.

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

The Bucs re-signed Ronde Barber for (at least) one more year, and they signed Eric Wright from Detroit.

Nonetheless, they face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton six times a year. Continuing to improve the secondary makes sense.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Brandon Lloyd is gone, and poor Sam Bradford needs some legitimate weapons. Justin Blackmon is the top receiver, although Michael Floyd is making noise as a potential pick here. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jaguars lost on the Mario Williams sweepstakes, but Quinton Coples, although risky, has scary talent. Floyd is an option here even though Jacksonville signed Laurent Robinson to a big deal. 

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

I don't necessarily agree with it, but Ryan Tannehill has been shooting up draft boards. The Dolphins struck out in free agency and could look to ease their pain with Tannehill. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Carolina's run defense gave up too many holes in 2011. Michael Brockers is the type of guy who can fill those holes like cement.

He's still very young and raw, but Pro Bowl potential is too  hard to pass up. 

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

Mario Williams is sort of good and now it's time for Buffalo to upgrade the offense. Stevie Johnson is good, but the Bills need another wide receiver. 

Michael Floyd has jumped to No. 1 wide receiver on a lot of big boards.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi

The Chiefs have done a good job in free agency by signing Eric Winston and Stanford Routt. Now, it's time to shore up the run defense.

Fletcher Cox is another young stud who should develop into a star.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks missed out on Mario Williams, but Nick Perry provides the relentless pass-rusher Seattle wants.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff has top-10 talent but drops here simply because of team needs.

The Cardinals will take it, though, because they need to protect Kevin Kolb, whom they are showing a commitment to. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Cowboys have done a lot of work via free agency, but getting a 3-4 defensive tackle is still an option.

Dontari Poe, whose stock climbed immensely after the combine, is a good option.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Eagles just acquired DeMeco Ryans, but they could still use help at linebacker. Luke Kuechly, who put up ridiculous numbers in college, could step in right next to Ryans.

16. New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

With Plaxico Burress likely gone, the Jets could use someone to play across from Santonio Holmes. Alshon Jeffery's athleticism and size give him Pro Bowl talent.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Bengals signed Travelle Wharton from Carolina, but they could continue to shore up the line with David DeCastro, who continues to justify his top-10 status, even as a guard.

This could be a steal.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram is a nice fit as an outside linebacker in San Diego's 3-4 defense. He'll provide a pass rush San Diego is looking for.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears fixed their biggest need by getting wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Now, they need a tackle to put next to Gabe Carimi.

Mike Adams is the best available tackle.

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Titans lost Cortland Finnegan to free agency and Stephon Gilmore is the second-best corner behind Morris Claiborne.

Makes enough sense for me. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cincinnati signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but pairing him with the speedy Lamar Miller would be an interesting option.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Stephen Hill didn't get a whole lot of chances to prove himself in Georgia Tech's offense, but his big-play ability is too hard to ignore. 

His size and speed is comparable to another Georgia Tech graduate (you know, the one who became very rich this offseason), and he has been rising up draft boards.

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions really need to improve their secondary, and they will be lucky enough to have Dre Kirkpatrick fall in their laps.

The talented corner has been dropping down draft boards because of his character, but his talent is undeniable. He can be friends with Ndamukong Suh.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Drafting a running back would make sense, but the Steelers would be smart to improve the offensive line first.

Jonathan Martin is the best available lineman and represents good value even though his stock has been dropping lately.

25. Denver Broncos: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

The Broncos just signed Tracy Porter, but Champ Bailey isn't getting any younger.

Jamell Fleming's stock has been on the uptick, and he's the best available corner here.

26. Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Texans lost Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. They badly need to improve the defense, even though Brooks Reed and J.J. Watt were tremendous last year.

Whitney Mercilus led the NCAA in sacks last year and is a great fit in the 3-4 defense.

27. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama

The Patriots' defense was silly bad last year, and they could use help all over the place, but getting a pass-rusher should be priority No. 1 in the draft.

That's were Courtney Upshaw comes in.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE/LB, Marshall

Vinny Curry played defensive end in college, but he has terrific speed, so he'll fit Green Bay's 3-4 scheme perfectly.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

This is more of a value pick than anything, as the Ravens will be very lucky if Peter Konz falls into their laps. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Niners signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, but getting a deep-play specialist would still make sense.

What's more, Kendall Wright is a legitimate top-20 pick and serves fantastic value here for the Niners. 

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

New England's defensive line gave an ugly 4.5 yards per carry last year. Devon Still, who could go much higher than this, will help improve that number.

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Coby Fleener's stock has been rising through the roof after his fantastic Pro Day, and he's now the best available tight end, a position New York still needs to improve.