2012 NFL Mock Draft: Speedy Studs Who Will Make Instant Impact

Speed kills in the NFL.

Or so the saying goes anyway. Great team speed isn't really needed in order to win in the National Football League, but I'll be damned if it doesn't help. This is exactly why really, really fast human beings will always have a home in the NFL.

We're going to see some really, really fast human beings come off the board in the first round of next week's NFL draft. A handful of them will step right in and make an instant impact.

The following first-round mock has a special emphasis on said speedsters.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I wouldn't call Andrew Luck a speedster. He's faster than most quarterbacks to be sure, but the Colts will take him No. 1 because of his passing skills. Luck can make all the throws.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11, from St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III can run. He racked up over 2,220 rushing yards in four years at Baylor, including over 800 in his senior season.

But I don't think anybody really knew just how fast RG3 was until the combine. He proceeded to blow his fellow quarterbacks away with a 40 time of 4.41 seconds.

That's pretty fast for a running back, much less a quarterback.

RG3 is going to end up on the Redskins on draft day, and he's going to start right away. He'll conduct most of his business from the pocket, but his legs will be put to use. RG3 would be a fool not to use them.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

I have a feeling the Vikings are going to end up trading the No. 3 pick. If they don't, I doubt they'll pass on Matt Kalil. They've been linked to other players, but Kalil has been and is the best fit for them at the No. 3 spot.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns are another team that could make a deal on draft day. If they also stay put, Trent Richardson will be the easy pick for them. I wouldn't call him speedy, per se, but he has a perfect blend of power and speed that will lead to great things in the NFL.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Ronde Barber is old and Aqib Talib is rumored to be on the trading block. This is a perfect time for the Bucs to draft a franchise cornerback, and Morris Claiborne has the potential to be just that. Relative to other speedy corners who have come and gone, I woudn't call Claiborne a speedster, however.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14, from Washington): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams are another team that I can see moving on draft day, but not if they have a shot to draft Justin Blackmon. Wide receiver is one of their top needs, and he's the top receiver in the draft. 

Blackmon is not known for being particularly speedy, but he was faster than expected when he ran the 40-yard dash at Oklahoma State's pro day. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Blackmon was clocked as fast as 4.41 seconds.

That kind of speed can only help Blackmon, but the reason he's such a highly-sought after prospect is because of his uncanny natural ability to get open. He's a smart wide receiver.

Sam Bradford will be glad to have him.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jaguars could go a number of different directions with their pick, but I have a hard time seeing them pass on Quinton Coples. Defensive end is an area of need, and Coples could be a Pro Bowler if he tries hard on a consistent basis.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill is tremendously overrated, but I've resigned myself to the fact that he's going to go in the top 10 anyway. The Dolphins will probably have to trade up to get him, but I think he's ending up with them no matter what.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The safest play the Panthers can make in the draft is drafting a stud defensive tackle. Fletcher Cox is pretty well established as the top 4-3 DT in this year's draft class.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need to replace Demetress Bell, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. At this point in the draft, Riley Reiff is an obvious pick for them.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Chiefs are another team that could go for an offensive lineman, and I could also see them going for a linebacker. But nose tackle is Kansas City's top need, and they'll likely have a shot at drafting a very good one in Dontari Poe.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Offensive guard is a need in Seattle now that Robert Gallery is gone. Even if it wasn't, David DeCastro would be an outstanding value pick for the Seahawks at No. 12.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Cardinals could use another linebacker in their front seven. Melvin Ingram is a defensive end by trade, but he's played linebacker in the past and he has the athleticism to do it in the NFL.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron is another guy who's overrated in my book, but he's a good fit for the Cowboys. They could use a hard-hitting safety, and Barron is nothing if not a hard-hitting safety.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Eagles front seven is going to be stronger than it was in 2011, but they could stand to add a stud defensive tackle. Michael Brockers is raw, but he'll be able to contribute right away. With time, he'll develop into a star.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets could very easily go for a pass-rusher here, but Michael Floyd is a great value pick at No. 16. He's not the fastest receiver under the sun, but he's a powerful player who will be tough to cover. Mark Sanchez would be glad to have him. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals have a number of small needs they'll be looking to fill in the draft, one of which is cornerback. Stephon Gilmore is the best corner in the draft after Claiborne, so the Bengals shouldn't pass on him if they can get him here.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Chargers need an upgrade at right tackle, so it's no surprise that a lot of mocks have them taking Cordy Glenn. This one does too. He and the Chargers are a great fit.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly could go a lot higher than this. If he does fall this far, the Bears won't pass on him. They know they need to find an heir apparent for Brian Urlacher, and Kuechly is almost too perfect.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

I have my doubts about Dre Kirkpatrick, but he's a safer pick than Janoris Jenkins, and the Titans definitely need a corner after watching Cortland Finnegan take his talents to St. Louis.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright's performance in the 40-yard dash was one of the most disappointing moments of the combine, as he ran the 40 in just 4.61 seconds.

Wright did much better at Baylor's pro day, running as fast as 4.41 seconds in the 40. That's the kind of speed that was expected of him.

If you watch Wright on tape, it looks like he's running a lot faster. He's an excellent deep threat, as he glides past the defense and runs right under the ball.

The Bengals have a pretty good young receiver in A.J. Green. Adding another would make Andy Dalton a very happy man.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Browns will be bummed if the Bengals take Wright, as he would fit with them as well. If they can't get Wright, they should add an offensive lineman who can help pave the way for Richardson and protect Colt McCoy. Mike Adams will be the best option on the board.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Lions could go for an O-lineman, but this is a chance for them to make a great value pick. Adding Courtney Upshaw would be adding to a pass-rush that is already fearsome.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Steelers need offensive line help. Badly. Jonathan Martin's stock has been trending in the wrong direction, but I can't imagine the Steelers would pass on him.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

This is a pick I'm not too sure about. The Broncos won't have many great options by the time they're on the clock, so I can see them trading back. If they stay put, they could take a chance on Janoris Jenkins and hope to groom him into a star as he plays behind Champ Bailey.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Stephen Hill is fast. 

Like, really fast.

Hill was a standout performer at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds. That's not too far off from the time of 4.28 seconds Jacoby Ford posted in 2010.

The scary part is that Hill is also 6'4", giving him a blend of size and speed that few receivers can match. On the Texans, he'll be a nice complement to Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Patriots will be on the lookout for versatile defensive players in the draft. Nick Perry can play down on the line and back behind it, and he has the ability to rush the passer as well. Bill Belichick will love him.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Packers need a pass-rusher who can make life easier for Clay Matthews. Pickings will be slim at this point, but Andre Branch was a productive pass-rusher at Clemson who should fit in well alongside Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, G/C, Wisconsin

The Ravens need help in the interior of their offensive line. Peter Konz is a guy they could play at guard and eventually shift over to center after Matt Birk retires. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State

I wouldn't be surprised to see the 49ers move back, but if they stay put, I imagine they'll go for an offensive guard. Kelechi Osemele will be a reach, but the 49ers are a team that can afford to reach to fill needs.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn

After drafting a versatile player like Perry, look for the Pats to go for a defensive lineman who can give their aging D-line a boost. Kendall Reyes will be the best player available for them at No. 31.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

In this day and age, super-athletic tight ends with great speed are in demand. 

Because of that, Coby Fleener will be in demand. 

Fleener owned Stanford's pro day in late March. ESPN's Todd McShay clocked him at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which would have been the fastest time posted by a tight end at the combine. It's also not that far off from the 4.38-second 40 Vernon Davis ran back in 2006.

Eli Manning could use a big play threat at tight end. The Giants should grant his wish by drafting Fleener.