2012 NFL Mock Draft: Smartest Moves for Your NFL Team

When it comes to the NFL draft, making the smart pick is often far better than trying to be flashy. 

The following is my latest mock draft in which I consider what the smart selection would be for every team with a first-round pick.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts have to take Luck here. Indianapolis is rebuilding its franchise from the ground up and the Stanford quarterback is the best signal-caller to enter the NFL in more than a decade.

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

The Redskins gave up three first-round picks to move up to No. 2 for the right to select a franchise quarterback at this spot. Griffin is a playmaker who will at least add excitement to Washington's franchise while he continues to develop as a passer.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

I really can't believe there is even a discussion about who Minnesota should pick here. The Vikings have a huge hole at left tackle and Kalil is the best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the No. 1 overall pick in 2008.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Peyton Hillis gone to Kansas City in free agency, the Browns don't have anyone on their roster who profiles as a No. 1 running back. Richardson solves that problem. He is an elite talent who should be one of the NFL's best backs within three years.

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

The Bucs signed Eric Wright in free agency, but Aqib Talib's future is in doubt and Ronde Barber will be entering his 16th season in 2012. Claiborne is easily the best cornerback in this year's draft and profiles as a future shutdown guy at the position.

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

Sam Bradford is in need of a No.1 target and Blackmon is the best receiver in this year's draft. The two players should flourish together.

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

The Jaguars must add some steam to their pass rush and Ingram is a versatile defender who was a big-time playmaker at South Carolina. He should be an immediate upgrade at defensive end.

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

The Dolphins missed out on Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Alex Smith this offseason. Drafting Tannehill would give the franchise a long-term solution at quarterback to build around.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Carolina needs to upgrade the interior of its defensive line and Poe is a once-in-a-decade athlete at defensive tackle. He is 6'4" and 346 pounds and head coach Ron Rivera will love having the Memphis product manning the middle of his defense. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills will take a look at Michael Floyd here, but the smart move would be to fill the team's biggest weakness. Buffalo upgraded its defensive line during the offseason by signing Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, now it's time to fix the other line. Reiff would give the Bills a rock to build around at either tackle spot.

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

The Chiefs would love to land Poe and stick him at nose tackle in their 3-4 defense. But he'll be gone so the smart move would be drafting Kuechly, who would fill a big need at inside linebacker. 

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

The Seahawks have a big need at defensive end and Coples is ridiculously talented and projects as a prototypical 4-3 defensive end. While there are questions about his motor and desire, Coples is well worth the risk at No. 12.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals will also take a look at Michael Floyd here, but the smart play would be improving their offensive line. Levi Brown was re-signed to a five-year deal this offseason, but he will never be anything more than average. Martin has an incredibly high ceiling and would be the team's best tackle immediately.

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

Dallas' biggest need is a 3-4 defensive lineman and Cox is a versatile guy who could line up all over the team's front. He could make a huge impact during his rookie year and is a perfect fit for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles did a great job in landing DeMeco Ryans to upgrade their linebacking corps. At this point the smartest move would be the versatile Barron, who can help against the run but also has the range and ball skills to be excellent in coverage.

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

There are other guys who may be flashier off the edge, but Upshaw is the best fit for the Jets here. He is a tough, rugged player who can get after the quarterback and is strong enough to blow up running plays. Rex Ryan will love him.

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

There are a number of options available here, but the Bengals have yet to replace Jonathan Joseph, who left for Houston last offseason. Gilmore is truly an elite cornerback, who is big, physical and possesses outstanding ball skills. 

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

A no-brainer here, if DeCastro is available, the Bolts have to take him. Kris Dielman's early retirement left a huge hole at left guard and the Stanford product would step in and play at a Pro Bowl level immediately.

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

Chicago's biggest needs are along the offensive line. Glenn would give them a versatile prospect who could start at either guard spot or right tackle from day one.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cortland Finnegan bolted for St. Louis via free agency and the Titans need to replace him. Kirkpatrick will fit in perfectly in Tennessee's zone-heavy scheme.

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

If Floyd lasts to this point the Bengals will take him and will be giddy about it. He would pair nicely with A.J. Green. 

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

The Browns really need to improve their offensive line to protect Colt McCoy, and Adams is a big, talented tackle who just needs to be motivated. If they can figure out how to get him to play up to his potential, the Ohio State product could be a monster up front.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

This is the smart pick simply because Detroit's current starting center, Dominic Raiola, is awful. Konz would immediately start and be a serious upgrade at the position.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Dont'a Hightower would be a good fit, but at 6'5" and 323 pounds, Brockers is the best value on the board. He could play defensive end in the Steelers' 3-4 defense until nose tackle Casey Hampton retires. 

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

Denver's defensive tackles leave much to be desired, and finding some talent there is the team's biggest need. Worthy is a stud with a non-stop motor who is relentless and plays through the whistle. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Houston's roster is loaded but the one thing the team doesn't have is a legitimate No. 2 receiver. Wright has the potential to be a big-time playmaker and will take pressure off of Andre Johnson. 

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

Bill Belichick needs to upgrade his front seven and Jones is a good place to start. He's a ridiculously athletic edge rusher who is raw but could be molded into a perfect fit for the Patriots' defense.

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

Perry is the best pure pass rusher in this draft and the Packers really need to get someone to help Clay Matthews get after the quarterback. Perry and Matthews both coming off the edge is a scary thought.

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

Hightower is the best value on the board at this point and he could slide to outside linebacker until Ray Lewis retires. At that point he could take over for the future Hall of Famer on the inside.

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

The 49ers could use a legitimate deep threat. At 6'4" and 215 pounds with elite speed, Hill could be the best field-stretcher in this draft. The Georgia Tech product is incredibly raw but he has the natural gifts to turn into a big-time playmaker.

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

Reyes would be a fantastic fit for the Patriots. He's a smart, versatile player who could line up at any spot along the line in New England's 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense.

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

With all of the top offensive tackles gone, the Giants will opt for the best player available. Fleener is that guy at this point. He is a big, athletic target who should make an impact early in his NFL career.