2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Add Toughness

The NFL is a physical game, and there's certain teams who need to add more toughness in the draft so they are more competitive next season.

Toughness can be found at every position on both sides of the ball, and in this year's draft class, there are several players who can add toughness to a team.

Let's look at a fresh first-round mock.

*Denotes teams adding toughness with their pick.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are starting over and are fortunate to have a franchise quarterback waiting for them at pick No. 1.

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

The Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor is one of the most talented players to enter the draft in years, and will finally give the Redskins the franchise player they've been needing for years.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Selecting the best offensive lineman in this draft is an easy choice for the Minnesota Vikings.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns cannot trade this pick and pass on a chance to select a game-changing offensive player such as Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon.

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

Claiborne is a future Pro Bowl player that the Buccaneers would be foolish to pass on.

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

The Rams cannot afford to let a talented receiver like Justin Blackmon pass them by, especially when they are so thin at the position.

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

The Jaguars would like Blackmon, but if he's not available, then they will address their defensive line with Melvin Ingram.

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

Ryan Tannehill will be a bust since his passing accuracy isn't good enough for the NFL, but the Miami Dolphins will foolishly take him since they need a quarterback so bad.

9. Carolina Panthers*: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Panthers won't hesitate to fill a big need on their team by selecting star Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills addressed their defensive line in free agency by giving Mario Williams an enormous contract, and now they must address their offensive line by drafting Reiff.

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

Kuechly will be one of the better rookie defensive players next year because he's a smart player who adapts to new defensive systems quickly.

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

Many people think Coples will be a bust but he has great size and strength, which is exactly what you need from a defensive end who excels at rushing the passer.

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

The Cardinals need someone who can take defense's attention away from Larry Fitzgerald a bit, which is something Michael Floyd will be able to do.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Mark Barron is going to be a star safety in the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys need a safety to build their secondary around. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers would really help an Eagles defensive line that struggled last season to rush the quarterback on a consistent basis.

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

Upshaw remains with the Jets, as he has in my past mock drafts. He's a talented pass-rusher who may also be able to play defensive end.

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

David DeCastro is a tremendous offensive line prospect who could dominate at the NFL level from Week 1.

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

The Chargers need to improve their defensive line, which makes the nation's leader in sacks last season a great fit at pick No. 18.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears' offensive line was bad last season, so taking talented left tackle Jonathan Martin is a great idea.

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

Cornerback is a need for the Tennessee Titans with Cortland Finnegan leaving the team through free agency this offseason. Gilmore is going to be a tremendous NFL player.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is going to be a great cornerback with his coverage skills and quickness. Taking him also fills a need in the secondary.

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

The Browns need a wide receiver and Kendall Wright will be the best one available toward the end of the first round.

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

Nick Perry is a solid pass-rusher and will help make the Detroit Lions defensive line even more scary. The Lions would rather take Gilmore, but he probably won't be here at pick No. 23.

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

Toughness, intelligence and leadership are what it takes to be a Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker. Alabama star Dont'a Hightower has all of those qualities.

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

The Broncos need to upgrade their size on the defensive line, which means finding a strong defensive tackle to stop the run.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle is an experienced player and also plays well in important games. His good hands and ability to run solid routes makes him a reliable player.

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

The Patriots have done a great job selecting offensive linemen in the first round during Bill Belichick's tenure as head coach, and that won't change with Konz.

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

Branch is the best defensive end on the board at this point, and would really improve the Packers' pass rush so their defense can play like it did during their Super Bowl run of 2010.

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

The Ravens would like to draft Hightower, but it's unlikely he's available at this pick, so they will address a need on the offensive line be selecting Cordy Glenn from Georgia.

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

The 49ers would like to add a receiver in the first round, and Stephen Hill will be the best one available at this point.

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

This is an easy pick for the Patriots, since their pass rush must improve if they want to win the Super Bowl next season.

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

Adding some youth and athleticism to their offensive line would be a smart strategy for the defending champion New York Giants.