2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Picks and Analysis for Every First-Round Team

This is totally imperative. 

You must get the latest picks and analysis for the entire first round of the 2012 NFL draft before the actual 2012 NFL draft happens on Thursday, April 26th at 8 p.m. in New York City. 

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.

Now that the Colts have the most clean quarterback prospect to enter the league since Peyton Manning, they'll need to spend the next few years surrounding him with talent. Just like they did with Peyton Manning. 

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

This pick has almost been as big of a formality as Luck to the Colts. Griffin III is a high-profile prospect with star potential, playing in the ultra-hyped NFC East. Perfect. 

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

Needs: OT, CB, WR

Another team on the clock, another formality. Kalil is easily the best tackle in the class, and the Vikings need a franchise blindside protector. Ideal.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Needs: RB, WR

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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 that the team could implement with him in the backfield, but Justin Blackmon is a possibility. 

Richardon's the closest thing to Adrian Peterson, and the Browns must acquire dynamic offensive talent. 

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 is the best corner in the class and a fine overall prospect. Shouldn't that say enough?

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

Needs: WR, OL, DT

This pick could ultimately be Justin Blackmon, but I think Jeff Fisher is dying to get his Albert Haynesworth to help the league's 31st-ranked run defense. 

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

Needs: WR, DE, OL 

After adding pieces to their defense last offseason, the Jaguars must at least make it fair for Blaine Gabbert. He's in dire need of playmakers out wide. Blackmon is Anquan Boldin-esque. 

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

Needs: QB, WR, RT

Tannehill's the "Christian Ponder/Jake Locker reach" of the 2012 NFL draft. Wait, isn't he a better prospect than both of these guys? Definitely more intriguing than Ponder was coming out last year. 

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

Needs: DL, CB, OLB, WR

A wideout would be the more flashy pick, but I feel that Ron Rivera is more worried about obtaining quality players for his often porous defense. To some, Cox is the safest and most versatile interior defensive lineman in the class. 

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

Needs: WR, CB, OT, OLB

Nothing against the current Bills receiving corps, but it consists of three undrafted guys, one seventh-rounder and a fourth-rounder who was drafted in 2010 but who's never played an NFL down. 

Time for a supreme talent for Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

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

Needs: NT, OLB, LG

For a team picking at No. 11 overall, the Chiefs don't have a ridiculous amount of holes. Lucky for them. A big-time nose tackle like Michael Brockers is an option, but I really think they'd love to pair Kuechly with Derrick Johnson to complete their underrated defense. 

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 he 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, 

The best thing for oft-victimized left tackle Levi Brown would be Stanford stalwart David DeCastro. He's the most premier guard prospect to enter the draft since Steve Hutchinson in 2001, and he is equally as dominant run-blocking as he is pass-blocking. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Needs: S, DT, CB, G

Mark Barron's a possibility here, but the Cowboys will look to add a complement to Brandon Carr with the rangy Dre Kirkpatrick. Rob Ryan needs more skill in his defensive backfield.  

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. 

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

Needs: RT, OLB, S, WR

I'm no NFL scout, but to me, Reiff is best suited for the right tackle position. Who was out there last year for the Jets? Wayne Hunter, a guy that struggled mightily throughout the year and was totally bowled over by the much smaller Von Miller on this play. 

Yikes. 

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

Needs: CB, WR, G, OLB

Everyone seems high on Ingram, so chances are, I was wrong somewhere along the way and Ingram will be gone by No. 17. But if he somehow falls this far, the Bengals will pounce. See what I did there? Anyway, Mike Zimmer's a defensive mastermind and would like to utilize Ingram on a multiple of confusing zone blitzes. 

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

Needs: OL, DE, NT

Upshaw seems like a younger and slightly smaller version of Shaun Phillips, a guy that's been a defensive staple for the Chargers for quite some time. 

Who's better to groom Upshaw than Phillips?

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

Needs: DE, LT, CB

Coples should fall this far due to the perception that he doesn't "love" football and that he has a low motor. Not the best combination for an NFL draft prospect.

However, playing with the always hustling Julius Peppers, who could probably get by going half speed, Coples will learn how far hard work can take a talented prospect.

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

Needs: CB, OLB, S

Brown may be considered a reach at this juncture, but he's the ideal 4-3 outside linebacker who just must become more aggressive making plays against the run. He's a tremendous athlete with unparalleled speed for a linebacker.   

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

Needs: CB, WR, G, OLB

Leon Hall is returning from a devastating Achilles injury. Gilmore learns from him and Nate Clements and emerges as a playmaking pro to become another vital asset to the Bengals' blossoming defense. He's a gritty defender who brings a lot to the football field. 

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

Needs: RB, WR

Wright is what the Browns need: a true downfield threat that represents extreme danger on every snap for the opposing defense. Colt McCoy's the happiest man in Cleveland. Yes, happier than this guy.

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 is more 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

Jonathan Martin could go here because, after last season, the Steelers experienced a harsh reality check without a 100 percent Ben Roethlisberger. But the team did cut James Farrior and would like an upgrade over the aging Larry Foote.

Hightower's punishing downhill style fits wonderfully with the defensive philosophy in the Steel City.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT Penn State

Needs: DT, CB, G, RB

Don't sleep on Boise State's Doug Martin here—he'd make Peyton Manning's life easier. However, Denver would like to add more bulk to their defensive interior. At 6'5'' and 310 pounds, Still's the ideal selection. 

26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Needs: WR, ILB, RT, TE

If Kendall Wright is on the board, there's no doub 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, and he'd take rolled coverages away from Andre Johnson. 

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

Branch and Matthews coming off the edge? Scariness. The Packers totalled only 29 sacks in 2011—a number they certainly must improve upon to make another serious run at the Super Bowl.  

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Needs: OLB, G, LT

Jones is a bit raw, but he is intriguing. Playing on the same defensive line as Terrell Suggs will certainly shorten his learning curve. 

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. He an Mike Iupati pulling to the next level? I'm glad I'm not an NFL linebacker.  

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

Needs: S, DE 

If the Patriots actually stay put, which I highly doubt, Mercilus could be the pick here and play in a Mark Anderson-type role next season. While getting to the quarterback is his specialty, he's not a total liability against the run. 

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/ 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? After a promising collegiate career, Martin has the potential to emerge as a quality tackle for the G-Men for a long time.

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