2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Every Team Will Address Draft Needs

Missing on a first-round pick will easily set a franchise back three to four years.

The investment risk of every selection is the future of the organization, and immediate success can be predicated on how well a team addressed its needs.

So with one week until the 2012 NFL draft, here's how every team addresses those needs in Round 1.

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

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in the draft and arguably the best overall prospect since Peyton Manning. It's fitting that the Colts' biggest need is a quarterback.

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

Washington hasn't had a true franchise quarterback since Joe Theismann. Robert Griffin III will be available for the Redskins at No. 2 overall, and there's no reason for them to select anyone else.

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

In order to sustain Christian Ponder as the franchise quarterback, the Vikings need Matt Kalil to protect the blindside. Doing so improves the passing game and helps make the ground game more effective.

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

For a team to field a balanced offense, presenting a complete running back is the first ingredient. Cleveland definitely must improve on the ground, because AFC North defensive fronts will load the box and for the Browns to throw.

Therefore, Trent Richardson comes in at No. 4 overall and makes an immediate impact. He's a dual-threat ball carrier with impressive strength, quickness, agility and balance to work defenses between the tackles.

Richardson's presence alone will help setup the play-action pass and give Colt McCoy more time to survey the field from the pocket. Then if all else fails, McCoy can connect with Richardson on delayed screens and check downs.

His addition also helps the Cleveland defense, because it allows coordinator Dick Jauron to more time to make in-game adjustments. The Browns have a solid defense, but the improved ground game will allow them to control the game tempo.

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

With a spruced up offense, Tampa Bay has no other choice but to look at defense in the draft. Corner Morris Claiborne has the playmaking skills to take away half the field and help with perimeter run support.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Lacking any sort of threatening passing attack in 2011, Justin Blackmon goes to St. Louis and the Rams field a balanced offense. Include Steven Jackson in the backfield and the Rams have hope for the immediate future.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Jacksonville fielded the worst passing offense last year. Although the Jaguars have upgraded the receiving corps, getting Michael Floyd gives Blaine Gabbert complete weaponry and takes a lot of pressure off Maurice Jones-Drew.

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

Last season, the Dolphins allowed 52 sacks, but did present a strong rushing attack down the stretch. Ryan Tannehill brings mobility and size to the quarterback position, but will compete with Matt Moore for the starting role.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

The Panthers failed to have any success in 2011 at stopping the run or pass. Melvin Ingram provides a threatening pass rush opposite of Charles Johnson and will set the edge against the run; thus allowing a healthy Jon Beason to reestablish himself in the middle.

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

Once injuries occurred, the Bills saw their 2011 season immediate hit the deck. Adding Riley Reiff improves the pass protection and creates polished running lanes for Fred Jackson. Not to mention, but Reiff can quickly get upfield on screens and to the second level from the backside.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

Despite ranking No. 6 against the pass and dealing with a number of injuries, the lackluster rush defense and pass rush cost Kansas City in 2011.

So, the Chiefs take Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox to draw double-teams inside the trenches. Kansas City has one of the league's better linebacking corps with Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson, but their presence is obsolete when constantly blocked.

Fletcher however, has elite ability when controlling two gaps and making plays in the backfield. The man accounted for 20 tackles for loss between 2010 and 2011 and also blocked four kicks.

To contend in the AFC West the Chiefs need Cox to close running lanes first, because the Broncos, Raiders and Chargers all pit solid running games to setup the pass. K.C. has a complete defense elsewhere and Fletcher gives them top 10 potential for 2012.

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

Luke Kuechly was as productive of a defender as you can get in college football. The Seahawks need a stud middle linebacker to shut down the interior ground game and intermediate passing game. Kuechly's preparedness bodes well in Seattle, because the 49ers field a balanced offense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

The Cardinals are in dire need of improved pocket protection and a consistent running game. All that comes together with David DeCastro, as he can chip-block to the second level and take on any pass-rusher one-on-one.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Dallas is the only team in the NFC East with just one main pass-rusher. DeMarcus Ware is a beast by himself, but adding Quinton Coples to the equation enhances Big D's front seven. With increased pressure, the secondary will have more turnover opportunities.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

In order for the Eagles to start off strong and remain balanced on offense, getting Jonathan Martin will upgrade the pass protection and provide quicker developed running lanes. He's also a dynamic lineman who can play either tackle and get outside to lead on bootlegs and tosses.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Since the Bills have an enhanced defensive front, the Jets need to mirror that with Nick Perry in Round 1. He's a complete defender who plays disciplined and is well aware when tracking ball carries from the back side. Perry also provides a solid pass rush that will take pressure of those in coverage.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Cincinnati's defense was stellar in 2011, but taking Stephon Gilmore at No. 17 completes the secondary. Provided that Leon Hall gets back to 100 percent, Gilmore could be contributing at safety. Possessing good size and physical play, Gilmore can help against the run and isolate No. 2/slot receivers in man coverage.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

San Diego lacked a consistent pass rush and run defense last season. Getting Courtney Upshaw improves the perimeter against the run and generates more quarterback pressure. In turn, safety Eric Weddle has another impressive year of interceptions and tackles.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

To gain the advantage in the NFC North, fielding a dominant pass rush is the best answer. The Packers and Lions are expected to contend for the title, but the Bears will be right in the mix with the addition of Whitney Mercilus.

Now he may just be a one-year wonder at Illinois, however, Mercilus recorded 16 sacks and forced nine fumbles in 2011. Chicago also needs to get younger in the front seven in order to remain a stellar run defense.

Mercilus has the explosiveness to instantly wreck havoc in the backfield. He reads plays better than given credit for and holds up well when run comes to his side. The developing must occur when the run goes away and not being too overaggressive, which offenses will use play-action to fool him.

Still, the Bears collected just 33 sacks in 2011, and Mercilus will certainly up that total. To start, he'll likely contribute in strict passing situations, because his quickness will be utilized on interior stunts to create one-on-one mismatches with guards and/or running backs.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Defending the run cost the Titans more than anything a year ago. Dontari Poe however, brings strength and explosion to Tennessee's front four. This addition will close running lanes quicker, create more interior traffic and allow the linebackers to flow freely and make plays on the outside or in cutback lanes.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

The Bengals need a front wall defender who can get inside pressure, draw/beat double-teams and dominate when blocked one-on-one. Michael Brockers possesses the lateral quickness and initial strength at the snap to make plays and force ball-carries to the outside.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Cleveland already field a sound front seven, but Dre Kirkpatrick gives the Browns one of the better cornerback tandems playing opposite of Joe Haden. Kirkpatrick is impressive in press coverage, defends well against the run and provides excellent reactionary skills once the ball is in flight.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

The complete absence of a pass defense was the Lions' biggest vulnerability in 2011. Zach Brown is a reach at No. 23, but he has the speed and size combo to make plays over the middle against the pass and on the outside against the run.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Although Pittsburgh ranked No. 8 against the run in 2011, it cost them against stellar running offenses. So, taking Dont'a Hightower in Round 1 solidifies Dick LeBeau's front seven. With James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley working the perimeter, Hightower controls between the tackles (which is also his strength).

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

The non-existent interior pass rush allowed offenses to effectively use play-action against Denver last season. That becomes a moot point though, as Jerel Worthy explodes at the snap and will be a consistent nuisance in the backfield.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Even with a healthy Andre Johnson the Houston Texans didn't have a threatening No. 2 receiver who could beat consistently best single coverage. Kendall Wright is the perfect solution as he's reliable over the middle, can stretch a defense vertically and will take out defensive backs as a run-blocker.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Bill Belichick needs a safety to complete his secondary. Mark Barron is the ideal Round 1 prospect because he can take on slot receivers and tight ends in man, or sit back in zone to react to the developing routes. He's also a reliable tackler who can roll down to defend the run and blitz off the edge.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

Green Bay failed to repeat in 2011 because the defense failed to shut down any offense. Vinny Curry presents a fierce pass rush opposite of Clay Matthews, and the man has a knack for forcing fumbles. The Packers desperately need to upgrade the front seven, so stretching for Curry isn't too high of a risk.

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

Cordy Glenn is a dynamic offensive lineman who can line up at guard or tackle. The Ravens' pass protection was exposed in the postseason, which cost Baltimore a shot at the Super Bowl. Glenn's addition enhances the running game, which creates a better play-action to keep defenses off balance.

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

It's not often we see a dominant playmaking receiver like Stephen Hill enter the draft, because the man specializes as a run-blocker.

Hill is a rarity among receivers and it's why he fits San Francisco so well. The 49ers are a run-first offense with some great weapons in Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, Michael Crabtree and Vernon David for Alex Smith to target.

The downside though, is that Moss doesn't have a decade or even five years left to produce. Hill comes in at 6'4", 215 pounds and has the promise to quickly emerge as a No. 1 receiver.  He can stretch a defense downfield and take on any defender to extend the running lanes for Frank Gore.

Last season Hill averaged almost 30 yards per catch, so lining him up out wide opposite of Manningham gives the 'Niners the final piece to complete their offense (long-term solution). As long as Smith continues his development under coach Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco jumps to being the NFC favorites.

31. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, LB/DE (Boise State)

The Pats already have one of the NFL's best offenses, so sticking with defense in Round 1 remains the priority. Shea McClellin brings a pass-rushing presence opposite of Rob Ninkovich and a knack for creating turnovers. Worst-case scenario is McClellin gets used strictly in passing situations.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

The Giants may have won the Super Bowl, but they ranked dead last in rushing offense. Another lackluster performance on the ground and Big Blue will be lucky to make the postseason. So, enter Doug Martin who provides as a reliable pass-blocker, power between the tackles and quickness on the outside to complement Ahmad Bradshaw.

John Rozum on Twitter.