2012 NFL Draft: Ideal Homes for First Round's Most Talented Players

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we identify ideal homes for the most talented players available in the first round:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is the most polished quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning came out of Tennessee in 1998. The Colts make the easy decision and take the former Stanford signal-caller with the draft's first pick.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

When envisioning Griffin III as an NFL quarterback, think Randall Cunningham but with a much higher ceiling as a passer. The Redskins didn't pay as much as they did before the draft to pick anyone but the Heisman Trophy-winner. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil isn't in the Joe Thomas/Jake Long range in terms of instant impact as an NFL left tackle, but he's as safe a pick as the Vikings can make at No. 3. Few will question he is the draft's top tackle and Minnesota has a huge hole on the left side. Barring some kind of monster deal to move down, the Vikings have little other option.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is the one back in this draft that you can count on for 300-plus carries and consistent production. Landing in Cleveland gives Richardson the chance to be the focal point of an offense right away, which is something his talent level warrants.

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

Claiborne has day-one starter written all over him, and he'd likely be just that in Tampa Bay. But the Bucs are also a great fit because of the presence of veteran Ronde Barber, who could do wonders on Clairborne's early NFL career. Win-win for the draft's top cornerback.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

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

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

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

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

There are fits for DeCastro up and down the draft board, but he could be the one last piece in Kansas City that pushes the Chiefs back to the top of the NFL rushing rankings. That offensive line, with free-agent signee Eric Winston on the right side, would be really good in 2012. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly has cemented himself as the draft's top inside linebacker. While that position is somewhat devalued these days, Seattle needs a leader in the middle after David Hawthorne ran off to New Orleans.  

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

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

You'll struggle to find a better football player in this draft. While others blow away the stopwatches and put up insane numbers on the bench press, Upshaw just produces on tape. He would make Rex Ryan and the Jets defense very happy next season. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

18. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (TRADE w/San Diego)

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Questions about Coples' motor might see him drop down the draft board, but if he does get this far, Chicago appears to be an ideal landing spot. GM Phil Emery wants another pass-rusher opposite Julius Peppers and Coples has all the tools to be that player. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia  

22. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (trade w/Cleveland) 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

I could see the Lions going pass-rusher here, but Kirkpatrick is too good to let go. He's a top-two-or-three cornerback with the potential to play free safety at the next level. Detroit needs help at both areas.

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

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Wright scared some with his questionable times at the combine, but the fact remains that he played much, much faster on tape. Good front offices will be able to make the connection. While Wright can help a number of teams right away, placing him with Andre Johnson in the Texans' passing offense is a scary proposition.  

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (trade w/New England) 

The Patriots are well-known for their moves back from the end of the first round. The 2012 draft sees it happen again, as the Bears move up to get Fleener. The draft's top tight end, Fleener would team with Brandon Marshall to revolutionize the Bears' passing offense.

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