2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Studs Worth the Buildup

Many top NFL draft prospects have been getting a lot of praise and for good reason, because there are a number of players with star potential in this draft class.

Let's look at all the first-round studs worth the build up in this fresh NFL mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is the perfect player to lead the Indianapolis Colts into the post-Peyton Manning era. He is a tremendous talent.

People have been praising Luck left and right, and with good reason. His arm strength is exceptional and his football intelligence is remarkable. 

Luck is a winner and has all the intangibles of a successful NFL quarterback. The sky is the limit for Luck.

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

Robert Griffin's athleticism and strong passing skills make him a no-brainer for the Washington Redskins at pick No. 2.

Griffin is different from a lot of other dual-threat quarterbacks, in that his running skills and passing skills are both very developed. He's a better passer than both Vince Young and Cam Newton coming out of college.

The Heisman Trophy winner throws a tremendous deep ball and doesn't get rattled when the going gets tough. He's a high character kid with a ton of talent. There's not much more you could want out of a young quarterback.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil is a safe pick for the Vikings at No. 3, and will be a star left tackle for a long time. There is no need for Minnesota to trade this pick.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is too talented for the Browns to pass up, especially when they need a game-changing running back.

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

The best cornerback in the draft will give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary a big improvement.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is an easy choice for the Rams because they don't have enough offensive weapons for quarterback Sam Bradford.

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

The Jaguars have to improve their pass rush, and Melvin Ingram's pursuit and athleticism make him a good fit in their defense.

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

The Dolphins are desperate for a quarterback and will reach for Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill at pick No. 8. This pick has bust written all over it.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Panthers have a no-brainer at No. 9 with Dontari Poe, who will be a star defensive tackle in the NFL.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff would be a great addition to the Buffalo Bills offensive line at right tackle with his strength and fundamental skills.

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

Luke Kuechly can play both the pass and run well, and would be a big upgrade to the Kansas City Chiefs defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Quinton Coples is being labelled as a bust by many people, but he has too much talent for the Seahawks to pass on given their need for pass-rushers.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

A wide receiver pairing of Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald would be very tough for defense to stop given both of their abilities to make phenomenal catches.

Floyd has tremendous hands and makes big catches even when double covered. He also has the size and strength to muscle off weak tacklers and rack up yards after the catch.

Floyd is going to be a Pro Bowl-caliber NFL player for a long time.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

The Cowboys will fill a need in the secondary with the talented Mark Barron of Alabama, the only safety capable of starting in Week 1 in this draft class.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

If the Eagles want to get back to the playoffs, they must rush the quarterback better, which will also help their secondary. Michael Brockers of LSU is a great pick here.

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

The Jets are in desperate need of a pass-rusher who can come off the edge and pressure quarterbacks, which makes Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw a solid pick at No. 16.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro is by far the best offensive guard prospect in this draft class and will surely be a star at the NFL level.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

Mercilus led the NCAA in sacks last season and will bring that same pass-rushing ability to the San Diego Chargers defense.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With the Chicago Bears having some major issues on the offensive line last year, selecting a talented left tackle such as Jonathan Martin with this pick makes total sense. 

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

Gilmore is a talented cornerback with excellent coverage skills and huge potential. Certainly a great value pick for the Titans at No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals still haven't replaced star cornerback Jonathan Joseph, who left through free agency before last season, which makes Dre Kirkpatrick a great fit for them.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright would satisfy one of the Browns' biggest needs, which is a speedy wide receiver who can make big plays as a deep threat.

23. Detroit Lions: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Lions would love for Stephon Gilmore to fall to them, but will likely take Nick Perry if that doesn't happen.

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

Alabama star Dont'a Hightower would give the Pittsburgh Steelers some much needed youth and athleticism at the linebacker position.

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

One of the few weaknesses in the Broncos defense is the lack of a defensive tackle who can command double teams and stuff the run. Jerel Worthy would address this need.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Injuries and durability concerns make the wide receiver position a need in Houston. Rueben Randle is an experienced receiver from LSU who is very reliable because of his great hands. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots need to draft a center for the future, and Peter Konz has the makings of an NFL star. Even if he won't start next season, he's still worth taking in the first round.

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

The Green Bay Packers need to improve their defense for next season, and that starts with strengthening the defensive end spots. Andre Branch of Clemson would excel in the Packers defense with his size and strength.

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

The Ravens would be wise to select Cordy Glenn at this stage of the first round because he has the versatility of excelling at guard and tackle. 

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

Stephen Hill's speed and ability to make difficult catches will make him a perfect fit in the 49ers passing attack alongside star tight end Vernon Davis.

31. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Patriots' biggest weakness is their pass rush, and it would be foolish of them not to take a talented defensive end with one of their two first-round picks.

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

Mike Adams would certainly add some youth and athleticism to a good but aging offensive line in New York. Eli Manning needs to be protected well for the Giants to return to the Super Bowl.