2012 NFL Mock Draft: Picks, Analysis and Draft Order for Entire 1st Round

After Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, Round 1 of the 2012 NFL draft can go any number of directions.

Let's take a look at an updated first-round mock draft with less than one week until the big weekend.

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

The Colts need a franchise quarterback more than anything, and Andrew Luck is arguably the most NFL-ready prospect since Peyton Manning. It's a win-win situation.

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

Washington has a better receiving corps than last season and moved up to No. 2 overall. Robert Griffin III has to be this pick because Rex Grossman isn't the future.

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

Last season, the Vikings allowed 49 sacks, which ranked No. 5 in the league. If Christian Ponder is the franchise quarterback, Matt Kalil must get selected to ensure more reliable pocket protection.

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

The Browns need a complete of running backs to build their offense around. Trent Richardson addresses this need and will help the passing offense become more relevant.

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

The NFC South is a division run by passing offenses. Last season, Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans all ranked in the top half of the league in the passing game, and both the Saints and Falcons were in the top 10.

Tampa Bay, unfortunately, ranked No. 30 in total defense and just No. 21 against the pass. Recording just 14 picks all season, the addition of LSU's Morris Claiborne is the first piece to rebuilding the Buccaneers defense.

With an improved offense, Claiborne's ability to make plays and change the field position gives Tampa a distinct advantage. Between 2010 and 2011, Claiborne recorded 11 interceptions and returned them for 274 yards.

He'll put the Bucs offense in better position to score and defensively, take away half of the field to let the front seven focus more on stopping the run.

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

With Steven Jackson in the backfield, St. Louis can field a solidly balanced offense with the addition of Justin Blackmon. At least, defenses won't be constantly stacking the box as play action becomes a threat.

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

Despite upgrading the receivers, Jacksonville needs Michael Floyd to be its young and promising No. 1 receiver. Additional weapons to assist the development of Blaine Gabbert only help the Jags offense.

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

Ryan Tannehill remains a risk for Miami at No. 8 overall, but he does provide size, mobility and impressive arm strength to the position. The 52 sacks in 2011, however, could force the Dolphins to look elsewhere with this selection.

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

The versatility of Melvin Ingram fits virtually any defensive front. In Carolina, he'll be a dominant 4-3 defensive end opposite of Charles Johnson and can play defensive tackle in strict pass situations.

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

As we saw in the beginning of 2011, keeping Ryan Fitzpatrick protected led Buffalo to a fast start with a balanced offense. After injuries, it all went downhill, but Riley Reiff's athleticism solidifies pocket protection and an improved running game in 2012.

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

Provided that Kansas City gets fully healthy for 2012, the Chiefs have legit AFC title odds. The addition of Fletcher Cox provides a significant boost to the front seven that lacked against the run in 2011.

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

Seattle's biggest threat in 2012 are the rushing attacks of its NFC West rivals. Luke Kuechly will stuff each ground game between the tackles and blanket well against the intermediate passing game.

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

At times in 2011, the Cardinals offense displayed promise in presenting a balanced attack. Taking David DeCastro ensures much better pocket protection and extending running lanes to set up Larry Fitzgerald on the outside.

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

DeMarcus Ware is going to dominate with or without a sidekick pass-rusher lined up opposite him. Quinton Coples, however, brings raw talent to the Dallas front seven and will have favorable situations to produce as Ware draws double-teams.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Although he's not the most impressive pass-rusher on the interior, Dontari Poe brings strength, power and explosion to be a solid playmaker in the backfield for Philadelphia.

The Eagles already have a shutdown secondary led by Nnamdi Asomugha and ranked No. 10 against the pass a year ago. Lacking against the interior running game and possessing an inside pass rush left the middle quite vulnerable in Philadelphia's front seven.

In three seasons, Poe recorded 21.5 tackles for loss, forced four fumbles and had eight quarterback hurries.

As long as he draws a double-team from the center and guard or beats one-on-one to force the pass-protecting running back to check the middle, Trent Cole and Jason Babin will increase their 29 combined sacks from last season.

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

Nick Perry isn't the most explosive or flashy pass-rusher, but he plays every assignment to a T and reads well when defending the run. He's also great at reacting then knocking down quick passes from a two-point stance.

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

Possessing good size, physical play and elite awareness, Stephon Gilmore can contribute at corner and/or safety for Cincinnati in 2012.

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

Although it's possible that Courtney Upshaw goes before No. 18 overall, the Chargers need him (or someone like him) to present an outside pass rush and reliability against the run.

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

Getting younger and enhancing the pass rush is needed for Chicago's front wall of defense. Whitney Mercilus proved his ability when given an opportunity, so expect him to develop quickly for the Bears.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Last season, the Titans ranked No. 24 against the run and middle linebacker displayed promise with 68 tackles and two forced fumbles. Adding Dont'a Hightower gives more instincts between the tackles and a better coverage shield against the intermediate passing game.

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

The Bengals defense has top-five potential with Stephon Gilmore enhancing the secondary. Michael Brockers upgrades the front seven by drawing double-teams and forcing ball-carries to bounce outside.

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

Cleveland could go with a receiver or offensive lineman at No. 22, but Joe Haden needs a complement in the secondary. Dre Kirkpatrick will lock down in man coverage and help with the perimeter run defense.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, Safety (Alabama)

In 2011, Detroit survived strictly on an amazing passing offense, where Matthew Stafford compiled over 5,000 yards and Calvin Johnson simply worked every secondary on the schedule.

For the Lions to take that next step, Alabama's Mark Barron is a safety that addresses both the rush and pass defensive needs. Albeit a strong safety, Barron can also sit back in Cover 1, 2 or 3 as a free safety and simply react to the developing routes.

While with the Crimson Tide, Barron defended 34 passes and made 12 picks between 2009 and 2011. His size will present big hits on receivers over the middle, and he has instincts to make plays when helping over the top.

Against the run, Barron gives Detroit the option of rolling him down to fill in for a blitzing linebacker, or he can get pressure off the edge as well. His coverage skills can blanket a slot receiver or tight end, which better positions the front seven to make plays.

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

After giving up 42 sacks in the regular season, the Steelers allowed five more sacks of Ben Roethlisberger to Denver in the Wild Card Round. Enter Jonathan Martin, who played on a Stanford offensive line that allowed just 23 sacks of Andrew Luck between 2009 and 2011.

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

The inability to defend the run cost Denver in 2011. Jerel Worthy is the perfect solution to this problem, because he can make plays in the backfield, thus allowing Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil to control the outside.

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

Houston's weakest link last season was the passing offense. Even when Andre Johnson was healthy it wasn't overly dominant. Add Kendall Wright, and the Texans offense just became a complete unit.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Shea McClellin, DE (Boise State)

New England must get younger on the defensive line and add a potentially dominant pass-rusher to help out Vince Wilfork. Shea McClellin can apply consistent pressure and read well enough to limit any perimeter rushing attack.

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

Fielding the league's worst defense and lacking a pass rush in 2011, Vinny Curry is everything the Packers need for 2012. He's a great pass-rusher and plays well against the run, which will complement Clay Matthews in Green Bay's front seven.

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

An underrated part of Cordy Glenn's game is his versatility. Baltimore needs a dynamic offensive lineman, and Glenn provides solid pass protection and agility to give Ray Rice smooth running lanes.

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

Not too many receivers enter the NFL as run-blocking specialists. Stephen Hill is just that, but also a great playmaker that averaged almost 30 yards per catch last season.

31. New England Patriots: Lavonte David, LB (Nebraska)

After adding Shea McClellin to the defensive line, New England needs an outside linebacker to complement Rob Ninkovich and cover well against the intermediate passing game.

Nebraska's Lavonte David is just the man for the job, because he's fast, agile, dissects plays quickly and just knows how to make plays.

With 285 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 11 defended passes and three forced fumbles between 2010 and 2011, David can also blitz and dominate against the run.

The Patriots lacked against the pass over the deep middle and at the second level in 2011, so getting David to wall off in zone and take on slot receivers, running backs and tight ends bodes well for the pass rush.

Even more interesting, David comes in at only 6'1", 233 pounds, so provided he were to lose 10-12 pounds, trying him out at safety isn't a bad idea. David already possesses impressive coverage skills, and his instincts and fast reactions will allow the Pats to at least include the Tampa 2 concept.

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

The Giants ranked dead last in rushing offense last season and won't have a shot at repeating if that occurs again. Doug Martin is the next most complete back in the draft and provides excellent reliability with Ahmad Bradshaw.

John Rozum on Twitter.