2012 NFL Mock Draft: Safe Picks for Teams Not Willing to Gamble

For teams who are just one player away from making a run to the Super Bowl, you can bet they won't gamble in the 2012 NFL draft and will select a "safe" player who is certain to be ready to contribute in Week 1.

Let's look at some teams who won't gamble with their pick in this latest mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts will never make an easier pick than Andrew Luck in this year's draft. He is a franchise quarterback who looks like a Pro Bowl-caliber talent with his passing skills and athletic ability.

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

The Baylor quarterback will be a fine NFL player and will give the Redskins their franchise quarterback the team has sought for years.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Young quarterback Christian Ponder needs a stud left tackle to protect him for years, which is why USC star Matt Kalil is the safest pick for the Vikings at No. 3. In a passing league, you have to protect the quarterback to win games.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns could trade this pick so they can acquire more picks, but if they use it, Justin Blackmon is the safest pick because he's the best receiver in this draft class.

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

The Buccaneers need a shutdown cornerback to stop the elite quarterbacks they face in a tough NFC South division.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe would give the Rams defensive line a big upgrade with his ability to stuff the run and force offensive linemen to double-team him.

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

Ingram would help a Jaguars defense that didn't rush the quarterback as well as it would have liked in 2011.

8. Miami Dolphins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Dolphins have Reggie Bush at running back, but he's not an every-down back like Richardson; plus, Miami needs some star power after the departure of Brandon Marshall this offseason.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples could end up being one of the biggest busts of the draft, but the Panthers must improve their defense to compete in the NFC South.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is one of the best players in this draft and is the safest pick the Buffalo Bills can make at this point in the first round.

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

Kuechly is a tremendous player and will be a leader on the Kansas City Chiefs defense for a long time.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Seahawks need a quarterback, and even though they signed Matt Flynn, they may consider Ryan Tannehill with this pick.

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

Floyd is going to be a star receiver in the NFL, and with Larry Fitzgerald on the other side of the field, the Cardinals could create headaches for defenses all season long.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron is by far the best safety available and is a very safe pick for a Cowboys team that needs to strengthen its secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Eagles defense let them down last year, which means the opportunity to take a future star in Courtney Upshaw is one that cannot be passed on.

16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers would really improve a Jets defense that lacks a big presence in the middle of the defensive line.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

Mercilus' ability to get after the quarterback will help improve a Bengals defense that took great strides last season.

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

DeCastro falling to the Chargers at pick No. 18 would be a dream come true for them after all the offensive line issues the team had last year.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a very safe pick for the Bears, who really need some help on the offensive line. Martin will be a solid pro for many years.

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

Gilmore will be a shutdown corner in the pros and is one of the more NFL-ready defensive players in this year's draft class.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick has been high on many people's draft boards for a long time, but if the Bengals see him on the board at pick No. 21, they won't hesitate to take him.

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

Wright is a fantastic route runner and is a fundamentally strong player who the Browns will be able to rely on in their passing for years to come.

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

The Lions defense has to improve if they want to win in the playoffs, which means they must take a player like Nick Perry who can contribute from Week 1.

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

Hightower would be a great fit on a playoff team like the Steelers since he played in many big-time games throughout his career with Alabama.

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

An upgrade at defensive tackle would be one of the final pieces in the rebuilding of the Broncos defense.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The Texans need to add depth at wide receiver given their recent struggles with injuries over the years at that position.

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

The Patriots drafted offensive lineman Nate Solder last year with their first-round pick, and they will take another OL this year with center Peter Konz.

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

The Packers defense was their downfall last year, so they must upgrade at several positions, and defensive end is one of them.

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

The Ravens will select Cordy Glenn with this pick and give quarterback Joe Flacco another good pass protector on offense.

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

Stephen Hill is one of the more NFL-ready receivers in this draft class with his fundamental skills and ability to make big catches downfield.

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

The Patriots need to add some depth on their defensive line after injuries hurt them last year towards the end of the season and into the playoffs.

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

Adams is a safe pick for the defending champs, who wouldn't be hurt by giving Eli Manning some more protection in the passing game.