2012 NFL Mock Draft: Essential Pick-by-Pick Guide to First Round

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Just keep this in front of you from the moment the draft kicks off at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday. It'll have you covered. 

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2012 NFL Mock Draft (Final Pre-Draft Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

Thanks for ruining the suspense, Jim Irsay. Ha. Yeah, right. We knew Luck was going to Indianapolis all along. 

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

There hasn't been any "official" word that RG3 is headed to D.C., but come on, he'll be wearing a Redskins helmet next season. Another formality. 

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

Needs: OT, CB, WR

Does the draft really begin with this pick? I still don't see how Minnesota doesn't draft a franchise left tackle to protect the guy it hopes becomes a franchise quarterback. Morris Claiborne is the underdog at this spot. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Needs: RB, WR

This is where the draft actually starts. Well, kind of.

Richardson has been pegged to the Browns for a while due to the run-heavy style the team could implement with him in the backfield, but Justin Blackmon is a possibility. Any type of offensive weapons to make Colt McCoy's life easier are desperately needed.

Michael Floyd or Ryan Tannehill could sneak in here, too. Not likely, though. 

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

Needs: CB, OLB, RB, WR

The Buccaneers play in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan. Claiborne makes far too much sense at this juncture not to happen. Eric Wright was brought in via free agency, but this LSU standout has No. 1 corner potential. With Richardson gone, I don't see how the Bucs go in a different direction than the top defensive back. 

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Needs: WR, OL, DT

Something about Jeff Fisher's past success with Albert Haynesworth makes me think this will be the pick, surprising a fair share of people. Poe is a mammoth human being at 6'4'' and 350 pounds with remarkable athleticism. Justin Blackmon is another distinct possibility. Don't rule out Mississippi State defensive lineman Fletcher Cox; he's got star potential. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Needs: WR, DE, OL

Blaine Gabbert threw to Chastin West, Mike Thomas and Jarett Dillard in 2011. No disrespect, but he needs more help out wide.

Blackmon has much to prove after he's seen his stock take a hit over the last few weeks. He's a great YAC wideout who has the promise to be a No. 1 receiver for the next decade. Don't rule out Michael Floyd or Melvin Ingram. The team would like to add to its already underrated defense. In the end, the offensive deficiencies are too significant to ignore.

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

Needs: QB, WR, RT

Tannehill's a work in progress with tons of upside. Who better to groom him than his college coach, Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman? No one. The Dolphins should be building to make a serious playoff run in 2013. Many won't be ecstatic about this pick and peg it as the ultimate reach, but if I'm "reaching" on any position, it's quarterback.

Tannehill's not any worse of a prospect than Christian Ponder was last year. You can't leave Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff or Michael Floyd out of the equation, but after their falling out with Brandon Marshall, it's unlikely Miami takes another wideout with off-field problems. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Needs: DL, CB, OLB, WR

Cam Newton put on quite the show during his rookie campaign. Another receiver would be the more sexy pick, but Cox adds a dynamic and versatile lineman to a defensive line that struggled in 2011. Carolina will look to become a more well-balanced team from here on out, and Cox helps the cause. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Needs: WR, CB, OT, OLB

Buffalo upgraded its defense in free agency. Time to get Ryan Fitzpatrick a premier receiving talent, isn't it? Floyd can become the team's go-to target down the field while Stevie Johnson wreaks havoc underneath and David Nelson makes his mark down the seam. 

It's been my favorite saying of draft season—"During Buffalo's downward spiral in 2011, the lack of premier receiving talent was far more apparent than offensive line struggles."

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

Needs: NT, OLB, LG

Do the Chiefs have any major holes? They'll gladly pair Kuechly with 2011 Pro Bowler Derrick Johnson in the middle of their underrated defense. He's one of the "cleanest" prospects in the draft. The two will instantly become one of the better linebacker duos in the AFC.

Reilly Reiff is a possibility, and you definitely cannot sleep on Stanford's David DeCastro. He's the best guard prospect to enter the draft since Steve Hutchinson in 2001. A darkhorse is Dre Kirkpatrick, but I doubt he'll get picked here.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, Southern California

Needs: LB, DE, OL, WR

Pete Carroll coached Perry at USC. He became one of the better defensive ends in the country and will wreak havoc with Red Bryant next season and beyond. Perry needs coaching and could add more pass-rushing moves to his repertoire but has the size and innate skill to become a solid professional. Melvin Ingram and Luke Kuechly are possibilities, too. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Needs: OL, WR, OLB, 

Levi Brown needs help on the offensive line. Hello, David DeCastro.

He'll make the lives of Brown and Kevin Kolb much more comfortable. Remember, the Cardinals have allowed 104 sacks over the last two years. Yikes.

If Michael Floyd is still available, they could draft him and create quite the formidable wideout tandem with Larry Fitzgerald. Ken Whisenhunt would love the creativity Melvin Ingram brings as well. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Needs: S, DT, CB, G

No Terence Newman? Kirkpatrick fills a legitimate void and will become a Rob Ryan favorite. He and Brandon Carr will formulate one of the better, more physical cornerback tandems for years to come. It's really as simple as that.

I'm not as high on his Alabama teammate Mark Barron, but due to the need at safety, he could certainly be the selection here. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

Needs: S, DT

The Eagles were too soft on the interior of their defense last season. Brockers' enormous frame and disruptive tendencies will change that. It may take a while for the LSU stalwart to get acclimated to the NFL, but he's got scary potential. Brockers, Trent Cole and Jason Babin form a stellar defensive front. Don't sleep on Barron, either. 

16. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Needs: RT, OLB, S, WR

Did you watch Wayne Hunter last year? He was, well, really bad. Reiff takes over his spot on the right side protecting Mark Sanchez and, dare I say, Tim Tebow? Another dominating force on the Jets offensive line that went through its fair share of struggles last year.

If Melvin Ingram is somehow still here, Rex Ryan will jump on him. So much special talent. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB South Carolina

Needs: CB, WR, G, OLB

I doubt Ingram makes it this far, but that doesn't mean it's totally out of the question. Mike Zimmer is one of the better defensive coordinators in football. Imagine the blitzes he'll draw up with the uniquely talented Ingram. With this phenomenal talent from South Carolina, the Bengals defense could be top-five good.

Kendall Wright or the rangy cornerback Stephon Gilmore are undoubtedly options. If DeCastro is still available, the Bengals will sprint the pick to the podium. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama

Needs: OL, DE, NT

Shaun Phillips is one of the more under-the-radar yet well-rounded defensive ends in football. The same goes for Courtney Upshaw, his perfect complement. He's not overly dynamic off the ball, but can play three downs. They'd have two sound edges to feature on their defensive line.

Georgia's Cordy Glenn or the aforementioned Gilmore are also possibilities.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Needs: DE, LT, CB

I think teams are a little worried about Coples perceived "low motor."

The Bears could look at offensive tackle here, but the Bears would like to improve upon the 33 sacks they accumulated last season. Someone needs to light a fire under this supremely talented defender. Think playing alongside Julius Peppers could help spark him? Definitely.

This is about the earliest I could envision Jonathan Martin going, and if Glenn's available, GM Phil Emery could make him the pick. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Needs: CB, OLB, S

The Titans play in division with Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster. Brown's elite speed will help track down those star runners. He's the perfect 4-3 outside linebacker with great range. He and Akeem Ayers will create a nice linebacker tandem to lead the team for years to come.

This is another potential landing spot for Stephon Gilmore or Mark Barron. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Needs: CB, WR, G, OLB

Leon Hall's returning from a devastating Achilles injury. Gilmore learns from him and Nate Clements and emerges as a playmaking pro. He'll become another vital asset to the Bengals' blossoming defense.

They could look to add a dynamic receiver to place opposite A.J. Green, so Kendall Wright, Rueben Randle and even Alshon Jeffery are options. 

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Needs: RB, WR

Browns fans should be ecstatic with the team's first-round haul of Trent Richardson and Kendall Wright. It wouldn't be so easy to match up defensively against the Browns anymore.

Remember, there's a chance the team trades out of their fourth pick, which could drastically complicate things and don't be stunned if they move this pick.

They seem to be content with Colt McCoy for at least one more year, but Brandon Weeden is an undoubtedly an option. If the Dolphins don't take Tannehill at eight, he could be picked here. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

Needs: OT, CB

Matt Stafford is capable of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league if he stays healthy. Glenn provides insurance that he stays upright on a more consistent basis next season. He can play left or right tackle or either guard spot. He's a great commodity to have.

If somehow Gilmore is still available, they'll take a long look at him as well as a few other cornerbacks. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Needs: OT, CB, ILB

The Steelers released James Farrior. Hightower learns the ropes from veteran Larry Foote and is taking starter snaps by the end of the season at the middle linebacker spot. Doesn't Hightower belong in Pittsburgh as a member of one of the league's most vaunted defenses? I think so.

They'd love to upgrade their offensive line as well, so Jonathan Martin and even Mike Adams come into the equation. Don't sleep on California tackle Mitchell Schwartz. 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT Penn State

Needs: DT, CB, G, RB

Denver's another team that needs to add more beef on its defensive front. Still is mammoth and when he's on, there aren't many with more penetrating ability. Von Miller, Elvis Dumveril and Still create a nasty trio of disruptive forces in Denver's front seven. With Peyton Manning controlling the offense, the Broncos must add talented pieces to their defense.

I don't see great value at cornerback here. Sleeper alert—Boise State running back Doug Martin. 

26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Needs: WR, ILB, RT, TE

If Kendall Wright is on the board, there's no doubting that he'll be the pick. Alshon Jeffery? Eh, maybe.

I love what Fleener could bring to the middle of the field for Matt Schaub. Hightower's also an option to play middle linebacker in their 3-4. 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Needs: S, DE

Bill Belichick is still reworking his secondary. Barron formulates an intimidating safety duo with Patrick Chung. Both are willing run defenders with better than advertised coverage abilities. He represents great value here and fills a major need.  

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Needs: OLB, S, RB

Clay Matthews can't do it alone. That's where the dynamic Andre Branch comes in. He'll come flying off the opposite edge and offensive lines won't know what hit them. He's an exquisite Matthews complement. The defense took a step back last year, especially when attempting to get to the passer. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Needs: OLB, G, LT

No more Corey Redding or Jarret Johnson. Jones has loads of promise and can learn the nuances of the game from Terrell Suggs. He's a bit raw, but what better atmosphere to grow as a defensive player than playing in Baltimore? I don't see any guards with great value here that will likely be available. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

Needs: G, DE

Adam Snyder bolted in free agency. Silatolu is a late riser who has tremendous power and is a profound force when quickly reaching the second level. He's a perfect addition to San Fran's downhill running scheme. Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler or Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele are other guard options. Silatolu simply fits the scheme best. 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Needs: S, DE

Belichick needs some youth on the edge of his defense, especially with Andre Carter a 32-year-old free agent and Mark Anderson now on the Bills. Mercilus led the the nation with 16 sacks last fall and is the perfect fit. He'll be a situational guy for the Pats to begin his career. Belichick will use him just like he did Anderson last year.  

32. New York Giants, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Needs: RT, RB, LB

Chances are, right tackle Kareem McKenzie won't be with the team in 2012, and Jonathan Martin needs some polishing, but he is certainly capable of starting on the right side after an illustrious career in Palo Alto. The team loves 2011 fourth-rounder James Brewer, but Martin gives him quality competition and could start this season.

Competition is never a bad thing, right? If they really want to add a dynamic player to their offense, Miami running back Lamar Miller is an option. Washington's Chris Polk brings more of a punishing running style that would work well with lightning bug Ahmad Bradshaw. 

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