2012 NFL Mock Draft: Perfect Pick for Each First-Round Selection

There are always teams that blow their first-round selection in the NFL draft—typically there are a bunch of them. 

They will reach for a guy loaded with talent and red flags, take a guy who is not well-suited for the NFL game, or just surprisingly draft a guy way too early. 

There are nearly limitless reasons why teams mess up their first-round selection, but they don't have to. In fact, if every team just followed this blueprint, they would all end up with the perfect selection. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are trying to add a little intrigue to the first pick, but there is, and always has been, just one lucky guy who will go first.  

2.  Washington Redskins via St. Louis: Robert Griffin III 

And with Luck going first, there is only one person who can go second. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings will find their next franchise LT in Kalil. 

 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Why Richardson is the Perfect Pick

If the draft unfolds this way, the Browns will likely be torn between WR Justin Blackmon and Richardson. Richardson is the only smart choice here. 

Blackmon is a limited receiver. He doesn't have the height or speed to get open deep. This is not going to help the Browns. They need to stretch the field to help occupy the defense. Not a good route-running receiver who will be most effective within 10 yards. 

Richardson, on the other hand, will help the Browns' anemic offense in all kinds of ways. He is an every-down back who will be a boost to any running game. 

Also, he can catch and block, and having a receiving threat out of the backfield who can block will help this passing game more than Blackmon. 

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

The Buccaneers have so many holes, all they need to do is take the best player available and he will fill a need. Claiborne will be that guy. 

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

The Rams will ecstatic if Blackmon lasts until the sixth pick, and he should.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars have been in need of a pass rush for years. Coples will finally help give them answers. 

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

The Dolphins have to find a QB to get excited about. Tannehill is raw, but he has a ton of potential. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

The Panthers must identify the best defensive tackle and take him at No. 9. Still will be a nice fit. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bills need to add some back-end help to go with shiny FA acquisition Mario Williams. Kirkpatrick is a nice fit.  

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

DeCastro is an elite run blocker who will help the Chiefs restock an aging offensive line. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is a massive interior presence with big potential. He will be another addition to help boost the Seahawks pass rush. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Martin, T, Stanford

The Cardinals need to add toughness and athleticism to their offensive line. Martin will add both. 

 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Say what you want about Kuechly's lack of athleticism, but he produces. The Cowboys can use his consistency. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Eagles must stabilize their offensive line. Reiff is a nice start.

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Why Ingram is a Perfect Fit

Since Rex Ryan took over in New York, the Jets have gotten used to an elite defense. That defense was not elite last season. 

This is still a solid group; they just weren't the impenetrable run defense they had been in recent seasons. They finished 13th overall in rush defense. 

At the root of these problems was their inability to seal off the edge. The Jets front-seven lacked athleticism and speed. They were not able to string out runners as they watched them gallop around the corner for big yards. 

Ingram will help give them the speed to limit the damage in this area. He will also bring a much-needed pass rush to help ease the burden on the Jets' talented secondary. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals via Oakland: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is an explosive and hard running back who should be a fixture in the Bengals backfield for years to come.  

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

Mercilus will bring some needed muscle and intimidation to the Chargers' front. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears suffered through some of the worst center play in the league last year. Konz is easily the best center in this draft. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a complete strong safety. He has potential and is pro-ready. This will fill a big need for the Titans. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has accumulated a large pile of character concerns, but his talent means a team will take a chance on him in the first round. 

22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown's all-around linebacking skill set will help complete a promising Cleveland defense. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a big, bruising offensive lineman who will add a needed physicality to the Lions' trenches. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers must add some talent up front if they want to transition successfully back to being a bruising offense. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Why Cox is the Perfect Fit

The first reason that Cox is a perfect fit for the Broncos is that he is a defensive tackle. The Broncos desperately need DT help. 

2011 starter Brodrick Bunkley departed in free agency, and this was already a thin group. Cox is not just a fit because of his position. His skill set is also a nice fit. 

Bunkley is an athletic and explosive defensive tackle. He knows how to penetrate into the backfield. He will be a nice fit with the athletic pass rushers, Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, that Denver has on the edge. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd's character concerns will keep him on the board longer than his talent suggests. It will be too much for the Texans to pass on at No. 26. 

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

New England has to add talent to a defense that was patched together last season. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Green Bay has to find another player who can put pressure on the QB. Perry can definitely do that. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a versatile and talented linebacker. He can play outside while being groomed to take over for Ray Lewis in the middle. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

San Francisco has clearly made it a priority to bolster their receiving corps. That will continue into the draft. 

31. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Patriots can't limit themselves to just one first-round pick on defense. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Giants will go back to the well and continue to add athletes to their defensive line.