2012 NFL Mock Draft: Elite Studs Sure to Shine in Rookie Season

The Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III hype has made this 2012 NFL offseason one of the more memorable in NFL history.

Yet we haven't even entered the NFL draft, as the 2012 event will be as promising as any with the type of first-round talent coming out this year, with Luck and RG3 headlining the field.

Griffin, unlike Luck, will be one of several studs that will light it up in their first year in the league. These are the studs set to shock the league in year one, as well as the mock draft for the entire first round in 2012.

No. 1: Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

Andrew Luck may be argued as the QB with some of the greater potential to do big things in the league. Yet as was the case with Peyton Manning, expect a slow start for Luck on a new-look football team.

No. 2: Washington Redskins - Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

When the Redskins take Griffin III in 2012, he will burst onto the scene strong his rookie season and put up numbers that surpass Cam Newton's phenomenal rookie season in 2011.

He has the ability to break the pocket with his legs as well as one of the more accurate deep balls in this draft class, whether it's in the pocket or on the run.

Expect Griffin III to make a mockery of opponents on a solid football team in his rookie season. There's no question about it.

No. 3: Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, USC, OT

Kalil has proven to easily be the most promising OT in this draft class and will be the only one taken in at the position in the top six.

No. 4: Cleveland Browns - Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

With skill sets equivalent to that of a Calvin Johnson, Blackmon is a strong, quick wide receiver that is lethal when it comes to yards after the catch.

There is no doubt Blackmon is one of those elite studs that will bring his talents to the table early and often in his rookie season. Robert Griffin III and Blackmon will be duking it out for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

His junior season featured over 1500 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns, as there is no telling just how much promise Blackmon will bring to this Browns WR corps.

No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Expect big things from Richardson on the next level, as his ability to break tackles and carry an offense on his back is impressive to say the least.

No. 6: St. Louis Rams - Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

The Rams are in dire need of a force at the WR position, as no Blackmon will leave the team to take Floyd from Notre Dame—a solid, worthy top-10 receiver.

No. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars - Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

Riley Reiff, the 6'6'', 313-pound offensive tackle from Iowa, would make a great pick for this Jaguars team. Note: Blaine Gabbert needs protection.

No. 8: Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB

The Miami Dolphins missed out on Peyton Manning, as the QB position still needs to be filled. Look for them to go QB on draft day with the pick.

No. 9: Carolina Panthers - Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The Panthers are a team that, with the exception of their high-powered offense, are boasting major struggles. Claiborne, a top-five-projected pick, will fall to the Panthers with a steal that this team would have to pick up on.

Claiborne is a great CB and arguably the best the league has seen in the draft for years.

His speed and ability to shut down receivers will translate well into the NFL, as the Panthers get a steal at No. 9 taking Claiborne. Expect major upside for this top-notch talent in the future as well. He is the third and final stud of the first round that will make noise in his rookie season from the get-go.

No. 10: Buffalo Bills - Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DT

Cox, hands down the best defensive tackle in this year's class, gives the Bills a solid pass-rusher on a defense that needs talent desperately.

No. 11: Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Kuechly, Boston College, ILB

The No. 25 passing defense needs a force in the middle of the field, and Kuechly could well be that guy.

No. 12: Seattle Seahawks - Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

Coples is as promising a player as there is defensively in this draft class.

Although not one of the top three talents expected to make noise in their rookie season, there is absolutely no doubt that Coples bursts onto the scene as one of the top DEs in football soon enough.

No. 13: Arizona Cardinals - Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

In the words of Russ Lande of AOL's Sporting News: "He displayed quick feet, agility and athleticism that are uncommon in 6-7 linemen. Combined with his long arms and strength, Adams is a lock to go by the end of Round 1."

No. 14: Dallas Cowboys - Mark Barron, Alabama, SS

Another Crimson Tide talent, the Cowboys must jump on Barron. He was an integral part of what was a top-five defense in college football history.

No. 15: Philadelphia Eagles - Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

An impressive combine has had Poe climbing up the charts in a hurry this offseason.

No. 16: New York Jets - Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, LB

The Crimson Tide guys just keep coming, with Hightower boasting some of the most upside as the LB position that the league has seen in quite some time.

No. 17: Cincinnati Bengals - David DeCastro, Stanford, G

Quarterback Andy Dalton has to be on hands and knees begging the Bengals bring in DeCastro. That offensive line needs it.

No. 18: San Diego Chargers - Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, DE

Another Chargers letdown last season means major improvements have to be made, starting with that soft defensive line that made little impact late in the season.

No. 19: Chicago Bears - Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB

The Bears are volumes better than their 8-8 finish last season, as passing defense was the killer for them. No question about it; Bears will go cornerback with the No. 19 pick in the 2012 draft.

No. 20: Tennessee Titans - Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

Dre Kirkpatrick may well be the most underrated defensive player in the NFL draft.

No. 21: Cincinnati Bengals - Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

The Crimson Tide talents just keep coming, and for good reason.

No. 22: Cleveland Browns - Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech, WR

A major deep threat and quick wide receiver that played in a tough ACC in 2011 will be a major help to this Browns team.

No. 23: Detroit Lions - Cordy Glenn, Georgia, OT

Stafford is injury prone and could use the talent of Glenn on the line this season.

No. 24: Pittsburgh Steelers - Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

The Steelers are known for intelligent picks at the WR position, and Wright will be that smart pick in 2012.

No. 25: Denver Broncos - Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT

Just when you though the Broncos had one of the best defenses in football, they go for all the more firepower in the draft.

No. 26: Houston Texans - Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

A team expected to rock the AFC in 2012, the Texans complete their team with a stronger offensive line for Arian Foster.

No. 27: New England Patriots - Chandler Jones, Syracuse, DT

The Patriots love taking defensive players early, and Jones gives the NFL's worst defense much promise in 2012.

No. 28: Green Bay Packers - Shea McClellin, Boise State, DE

Rodgers is great, but boasting the second-worst defense in the NFL in yards allowed per game is what knocked this team out early in the 2011 postseason.

No. 29: Baltimore Ravens - Peter Konz, Wisconsin, C

Matt Birk is getting older, so Konz makes for a promising backup and potential starter in several seasons.

No. 30: San Francisco 49ers - Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin, G

Another Badger just makes the first-round cut.

No. 31: New England Patriots - Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, FS

Harrison Smith will give the Patriots a major threat in the secondary this season. Smith joins a young defense that only has room to get better in 2012, literally (hard not to with the No. 32-ranked defense).

No. 32: New York Giants - Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, DE

Reyes joins arguably the best defensive line in football in what should make this unit all the more scary next season.