2012 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Projections for First-Round Targets

The anticipation for the NFL draft is starting to peak with less than one week to go before Roger Goodell announces all the first-round picks. We may know who the first pick, and likely second, will be, but beyond that everything appears to be up in the air. 

Since there is so little time left until the draft, it is time to provide updated projections for all 32 picks to be made on Thursday evening. 

Here is a look at our latest mock draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I am going to go out on a limb and say the Colts don't change their minds after reports came out that the team was going to make Luck the top pick in the draft. 

It was obvious even before Peyton Manning was released in early March that Luck was going to be The Man to bring Indianapolis back to contention. He is the best prospect in at least 25 years, better than Manning was coming out of college. 

The future starts now, and it starts with Luck for the Colts. 

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

With Luck all but guaranteed to go No. 1 now, the Redskins will take the quarterback they traded their next three drafts for. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

I'm going back and forth on the Vikings' pick. I have had Kalil linked to them for a long time, but I could see them going after Morris Claiborne here. Still, with a second-year quarterback and All-Pro running back coming off a torn ACL, they need protection up front. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

If the Browns really want to shock the world, they could go after rising star Ryan Tannehill. Considering how much of a reach that would be—and the fact Colt McCoy isn't exactly a disaster—Richardson should be the choice. 

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

Claiborne might be the second-best talent in this class, so for the Buccaneers to get him at No. 5 is a steal. 

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

Even if Blackmon doesn't turn into a superstar, he has the talent to become a very good NFL receiver. Plus, they need to get someone for Sam Bradford to throw to. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

With the Jaguars, anything and everyone is in play. Coples' stock has been all over the place during this process. 

Given the inconsistent play the Jaguars had from their defensive ends in 2011, Coples' impressive raw tools and the team's willingness to do anything, he is going to be their first-round pick. 

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

Until someone tells me the Dolphins are willing to go with Matt Moore long term, Tannehill is taking his talents to South Beach. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis 

The Panthers need to fill that gaping hole in the middle of their defensive line. Poe has the combination of present skills and huge upside to provide great value in the NFL. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a reach here, but the Bills need help at the offensive tackle spot and are willing to take a chance on a potentially solid player. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

For the Chiefs to have success, the offensive line has to open holes for their plethora of running backs to roll through. DeCastro can play virtually any spot up front and he can play them at a high level. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

With a good young defense already in place, Pete Carroll will get the anchor at the middle linebacker spot that he desperately needs. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals have to find someone to play on the offensive line. Martin is not a high-upside player, but he has great technique and a great combination of size and speed. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore's stock has been climbing for weeks. The Cowboys will be more than happy to see him at No. 14. They are incredibly thin at the cornerback position and need someone who can step in right away. 

Even if Gilmore gets overwhelmed at the start of the year, he has such a high ceiling that he can figure out what he is doing soon enough and become a star. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

For all the moves that the Eagles have made to upgrade their linebacking corps, the biggest acquisition—literally and figuratively—will be Brockers. He gives them the run-stopper in the middle they have lacked for the last two years. 

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

If Rex Ryan really wants to prove Mark Sanchez is his quarterback, he needs to surround Sanchez with the playmakers to help him succeed. 

Santonio Holmes is a great talent at the wide receiver position, but he is an unstable presence who will fail to support his quarterback. 

Floyd is the perfect piece to add. He is a big, physical receiver with great hands and is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The aging Bengals secondary needs a jolt of energy if the team wants to make the playoffs again in 2012. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina 

With the Chargers searching for a new leader on the defensive line, Ingram can be the presence they have lacked for a long time. 

There are a few obvious holes in Ingram's game right now—he doesn't defend the run well—but he is a pass-rushing monster. His speed and first step are second to no one, and he has the versatility to play defensive end or outside linebacker. 

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

I'm not even sure what to do with Adams. His body and raw tools suggest that he could be a potential Pro Bowler on the offensive line, something the Bears desperately need. 

On the other hand, his character issues and lack of effort during his time at Ohio State are big red flags. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

One thing the Titans learned last year is playing without Kenny Britt dramatically changes their offense because they have no one else that teams are gearing up to stop on the outside. 

Jeffery has been all over the place this draft season. He has the hands and route-running to be a good NFL player. Given the team's need at receiver, they have to take a chance on a high-risk, high-reward player. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Offensive line is a problem spot for the Bengals. Konz is a natural center, but he has surprising athleticism and could move to another spot if needed. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

After finding their running back of the future, the Browns have to get someone who is going to help them stop the run. 

Worthy is battling Michael Brockers for the No. 2 defensive tackle in this class. He has managed to fly under the radar because he played at Michigan State instead of LSU. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn's athleticism and youth is something the Lions desperately need. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a linebacker in the mold of James Harrison: He is fast, hits hard and moves all over the field. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

I may be selling low on Cox, but if the Broncos are able to get him to plug their hole in the middle of the defensive line, they are going to be scary. 

26. Houston Texan: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

The Texans are a wild card in the first round. They don't have a huge hole anywhere, but could use depth and some impact at wide receiver. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Bill Belichick is not afraid to take a chance on a player, especially if he believes it will help him get another Super Bowl ring. 

When the player is as talented as Jenkins, it makes it easier to take that risk. Just take his off-field issues at Florida out of the picture for a minute. If we are drafting on talent alone, Jenkins would be the second defensive back taken. 

The Patriots need depth and impact in the secondary. Jenkins fills both of those holes and gives them more leeway with their second first-round pick. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

With the Packers defense getting older, they desperately need to find a pass-rusher who can come off the edge in a 3-4 defense. 

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

Hightower is a project, but putting him alongside Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs is not a bad place for him to start. 

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

Hill will join Mario Manningham and Randy Moss to give the 49ers potentially one of the best deep-threat receiving trios in the NFL. 

31. New England Patriots: Shea McLellin, OLB, Boise State

A sneaky pick, which seems to be New England's specialty. McLellin has the speed and quickness off the line to become a good pass-rushing linebacker. 

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

The Giants don't necessarily need another pass-catching threat, but tight end is a position of need and Fleener is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. He will make Eli Manning better. 

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