2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing First Round's Most Important Picks

Every pick in the NFL draft is important, but this year there are several that could impact the future of the franchises involved. 

Here is a look at my latest 2012 NFL mock draft with a focus on the selections that will be the most important in this year's event.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has separated himself as the best talent in this draft, and this pick is an absolute no-brainer for the Colts.

Indianapolis made a huge decision by letting four-time MVP quarterback Peyton Manning walk away. The only reason they did that was because Luck was available this year. This will arguably be the most important draft pick in the team's history. Obviously it qualifies as the most important pick in this year's draft.

Luck is the kind of guy a team can build with, and if you're going to hit the reset button on your franchise, he is the perfect guy to do it with. He is easily the most complete quarterback prospect I've scouted and is likely the best to enter the NFL in more than a decade.

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

The Redskins will take Griffin here and the fact that they surrendered three first-round picks to secure him makes this one of the draft's most important picks. If Griffin ends up being a bust it could set Washington back a decade. If he turns out to be a great franchise quarterback, then it was a great deal for the Redskins.

Griffin is a great kid and a phenomenal talent. He isn't as perfect a prospect as Luck, but he's well worth the risk here, and I'd bet that he won't disappoint the Redskins. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a perfect fit here as the Vikings are desperately in need of a left tackle. The USC product is the best one to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the No. 1 overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The draft will likely hinge on this pick because the Browns have so many options. But quarterback Colt McCoy desperately needs help. If Cleveland doesn't get him some help soon, his career could end up in the gutter.

Richardson is the best player available, and I don't believe there is anyone else in this draft who will have as quick of an impact as he will. He is a complete running back who will immediately give the Browns a running game.

With Peyton Hillis gone to Kansas City this offseason, Cleveland's biggest need is a running back. Richardson is the most complete back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007, and he has the kind of elite talent to become one of the league's top runners in a short time.

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

The Bucs need help in the secondary and Claiborne profiles as a shutdown corner with a long future in the league.

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

The Rams are going to pray Blackmon lasts this long so they can finally get quarterback Sam Bradford a No. 1 target.

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

Ingram is a versatile defender who should help the Jaguars finally get some pressure on the quarterback. He was a big-time playmaker at South Carolina and should make an impact in Jacksonville.

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

The Dolphins have to make this pick if Tannehill is there. Yes, it's a huge risk, but if he turns into a franchise-type quarterback it would be a steal.

Tannehill's stock has been soaring since he aced his pro day, and his incredibly high upside is driving that. He has good, improving arm strength and accuracy, and at 6'4" and 222 pounds he has prototypical size to go along with excellent mobility.

The concern about Tannehill is his lack of experience, since he only made 19 collegiate starts at quarterback. If he can overcome those limitations and continue his rapid development, I think he'll be an excellent quarterback in the NFL.

But for the Dolphins this pick is incredibly important and could shape the future of the franchise.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is one of the most physically impressive athletes in this draft and will give the Panthers a huge boost along their defensive line. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills' biggest need is an offensive tackle and they get lucky here as Reiff drops to them.

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

The Chiefs would love Poe to drop here but he isn't going to last that long. Luckily, Kuechly will still be on the board and will provide a huge boost to the team's linebacking corps. 

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

Coples is a bust risk wherever he goes in this draft because of questions about his motor. But at No. 12 the potential payoff is worth that risk.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Arizona could take Floyd here but if they're smart they'll take Martin, who has a very high ceiling and would start right away on either side of the offensive line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Dallas will look at several guys for this spot, but they'd be smart to settle on Cox. He is a versatile defensive lineman who could go as high as No. 9 and will be able to line up all over the team's defensive front. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This is an incredibly important pick because we all know the Eagles are loaded with talent,and even one player could make a huge difference. After trading for DeMeco Ryans, Philadelphia has greatly upgraded the middle of its defense. Now it must take the next step.

Barron is a versatile safety who is tough and physical enough to help against the run, while also possessing enough range to be an asset in coverage as well. He has excellent ball skills, and is a leader at the back.

He will be a great fit with the Eagles and, along with Ryans, will help the team's defense finally live up to all the hype.

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

Upshaw is the kind of tough, rugged edge-rusher that Rex Ryan loves. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Floyd and David DeCastro could be fits here but the Bengals have yet to replace Jonathan Joseph, who left for Houston last offseason. Gilmore is a premier talent at cornerback. He's a big, physical cover guy with great ball skills who should make an impact immediately.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chargers have done a great job in free agency but still have to shore things up along the offensive line. DeCastro will step in right away and replace the retired Kris Dielman at left guard.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

Chicago needs help at offensive line and Glenn is a versatile player who could step in and start right away at either guard spot or right tackle.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cortland Finnegan left via free agency, and in Tennessee's zone-heavy scheme Kirkpatrick will fit right in.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Cincinnati let Floyd go by at No. 17 and that gamble pays off as he is still on the board to improve the team's receiving corps.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Richardson is in the house and now they get someone to help block for him. Adams is a massive lineman with a ton of talent who needs to be motivated. If head coach Pat Shurmur can get through to him he could be a good one.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is an absolute stud and the Lions' current center is Dominic Raiola, who is awful. This would be a major upgrade.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a top-15 talent who is a massive 6'5" and 323 pounds. He can help out at defensive end while preparing to take over the nose tackle spot when an aging Casey Hampton decides to retire.

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

Denver's defensive tackles were awful in 2011, so they'll add Worthy here. The Michigan State product has an incredible motor and just never gives up on plays. He'll be a major upgrade.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andre Johnson is one of the NFL's top receivers, but he needs help. Wright profiles as a legitimate No. 2 wideout with big-play potential.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

Bill Belichick needs to rebuild his front seven, and Jones is a great place to start. He is raw but is an impressive physical specimen who works hard and will develop rapidly with good coaching.

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

Perry is the best pure pass-rusher in this year's draft and the Packers land him here, finally getting an edge-rusher to help Clay Matthews get after the quarterback.

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

Hightower is an inside linebacker, but he'll be able to play wherever the Ravens want him to until he's ready to take over for Ray Lewis in the middle.

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

San Francisco needs a legitimate deep threat, and at 6'4" and 215 pounds with elite speed, Hill is just that.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes is a versatile defensive lineman who will be able to line up anywhere along New England's hybrid 4-3/3-4 front.

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

If one of the top offensive tackles drops this far, the Giants will jump all over whomever it is. But those guys are all gone, so they snag Fleener, an exceptional athlete at tight end who should make an immediate impact at the next level.