2012 NFL Mock Draft: Fantasy Impact for Each First-Round Selection

Fantasy football has become so huge that even on the day of the NFL draft, players are scouting for future prospects.

Here is a look at how the guys taken in my latest mock draft will perform as fantasy players during their rookie seasons.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

In keeper or long-term leagues, Luck will be a solid pick. But in his rookie season on a Colts team that lacks elite talent around him, it will be a rough one for the Stanford product.

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

Like Luck, Griffin should have a rough first season, but he could pay off in the long run as he develops.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil should help quarterback Christian Ponder's development and will certainly aid returning running back Adrian Peterson.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is likely to make a big impact in his rookie season. While the Browns won't have a whole lot of talent around him, he should be able to top 1,500 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

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

Claiborne's presence will surely add some interceptions to the Buccaneers' defense and will improve its standing in fantasy circles. But it still won't be an elite unit. 

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

Blackmon will vastly improve St. Louis' offense. As Sam Bradford's No. 1 target, the Oklahoma State product will improve the quarterback's development while surely surpassing 70 catches and 1,000 yards as a rookie.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is a versatile playmaker who will improve Jacksonville's defense by adding to its pass rush. Again, the Jags won't be an elite unit just because Ingram is on board, but in a year or two, he could elevate them even further as he develops.

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

Tannehill should have absolutely zero fantasy impact as a rookie and isn't worth risking a pick on for at least two years.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Solely because of his size and strength, Poe will elevate the Panthers' run defense. They still won't be elite, but they could be a solid No. 2 defensive option.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Adding Reiff will help elevate both Stevie Johnson and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Both guys have long-term deals now, and with Reiff helping protect Fitzpatrick, both guys' numbers should improve over last season.

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

Kuechly will be a huge upgrade in the middle of Romeo Crennel's defense. I believe the Chiefs will be vastly improved defensively next season and may be worth fringe No. 1 defense consideration.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Without a pass rush, Pete Carroll's 4-3 scheme suffers terribly. Coples is a big-time hit or miss prospect, but if he develops he could be a terror. That would make the Seahawks defense a whole lot better.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Either Kevin Kolb of John Skelton will be thrilled to finally have some protection. Larry Fitzgerald's numbers should improve over 2011 as well.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Dallas' defense is one or two players away from reaching elite status. Cox is the kind of penetrating defensive lineman who is one of the missing pieces.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles defense is another unit that is close to elite status. After trading for DeMeco Ryans and adding Barron here, they will have the strength up the middle to finally be there.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a bit of a reach at this spot, but he is the perfect fit for Rex Ryan's defense. The Jets lacked toughness in 2011 and need someone who can get to the quarterback off the edge. Upshaw's ability to defend against the run and the pass will make the Jets a heck of a lot better.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Michael Floyd

Floyd would be sharing receptions with A.J. Green, but the guy he will have the most impact on is quarterback Andy Dalton. With a second legitimate target to throw to, don't expect a sophomore slump from Dalton.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Ryan Mathews will be sending a rather large fruit basket or flower arrangement to general manager A.J. Smith's house after this pick. The third-year running back could become one of the NFL's top backs.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

With Brandon Marshall now on the roster, adding Glenn will make both Jay Cutler and Matt Forte that much better. It should elevate them both to the top tier of most fantasy drafts.

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

With Cortland Finnegan gone, the Titans have a hole to fill at corner. Gilmore will come in and improve the team's pass defense immediately.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cincinnati had a solid defense in 2011, but it will be even better after finally finding a replacement for Jonathan Joseph, who left for the Houston Texans last offseason.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Improving their offensive line is a big need for the Browns. If Cleveland can keep Adams motivated, he would improve Trent Richardson and Colt McCoy's numbers.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz will elevate the play of Detroit's entire offensive line, thus improving the numbers of the Lions' entire offense. His ability to read defenses will help quarterback Matthew Stafford improve as well.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Steelers already have the capability to be an elite defense. By adding a top-15 talent like Brockers, they will only be better.

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

Worthy is a great player with an incredible motor who just doesn't quit coming. But the Broncos will need far more than just him to elevate their defense. Denver will be a No. 2 option at best.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a field-stretcher and a legitimate No. 2 receiver, and while he could make an impact numbers-wise during his rookie season, his value will be seen in teammates' numbers. He will open up the field for quarterback Matt Schaub, receiver Andre Johnson and running back Arian Foster.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

New England's front seven needs a serious upgrade. While he is a raw athlete at this point, Jones will be a huge upgrade off the edge for the Patriots. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Green Bay's biggest need is an edge-rusher to help Clay Matthews get to the quarterback. Perry is the best pure pass-rusher in this draft, and his addition should cause a ripple effect that will improve the entire defense.

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

Hightower is a solid linebacker who will step in and replace Jarret Johnson as Baltimore's run-stuffer on the outside in the short-term before taking over for Ray Lewis on the inside when the Hall of Famer retires. Let's face it, no matter who they add, the Ravens will have one of the NFL's top defenses.

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

Hill is a long-term project who should have a minimal fantasy impact during his rookie season. In three years, he may develop into one of the NFL's best deep threats, but that's too far off to concern yourself with now.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes is the second piece in New England's front seven rebuild puzzle. Along with Jones, he will help New England get better up front.

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

With Mario Manningham gone, Eli Manning could use another target to throw to. While Fleener won't have a Rob Gronkowski-like impact during his rookie season, I firmly believe he'll be one of the NFL's best tight ends in a few years.