2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Season Stats for Each First-Rounder

Experts can talk about potential all they want, but the real measure of players and the NFL draft is production. 

Here is a look at how all the selections in my latest first round mock draft will produce statistically during their rookie seasons.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck will eventually round into form and put up great numbers. But on an Indianapolis team that can't surround him with elite talent his rookie year will be a struggle. I can see him breaking the 3,000-yard barrier, but 20 touchdowns and 15 to 18 interceptions are probably on the horizon as well.

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

Like Luck, Griffin will eventually be a stud, but it will be a rough first season for him. I see 2,500 passing yards, 500 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns. But I also expect him to try and make too many plays and toss at least 20 interceptions.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a future Pro Bowler and will start from day one. I see him starting every game for the Vikings and allowing four or fewer sacks.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson will step in and be an immediate factor for Pat Shurmer's offense. He has the inside track to be the 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year. I see Richardson going for 1,300 yards from scrimmage and scoring 10 touchdowns for an otherwise anemic offense.

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

Claiborne is going to be a stud, but quarterbacks will test him as a rookie. As a result, I can see him grabbing five interceptions as a full-time starter. 

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

Blackmon will finally give Sam Bradford the No. 1 target he has been dreaming of. But with opponents keying to stop him, the Oklahoma State product won't reach his full potential just yet. He'll grab around 60 balls for 950 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie campaign.

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

Ingram is a versatile defender who should vastly improve Jacksonville's pass rush. He'll fall just short of Aldon Smith's production for the 49ers in 2011, but should still top 10 sacks and be a menace off the edge against opposing linemen.

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

Tannehill will eventually be Miami's starting quarterback, but I seriously doubt he sees any action in 2012.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

At 6'4" and 346 pounds, Poe will have an immediate impact on Carolina's defensive front. He is a bit raw technique-wise, but his size and strength alone will improve the Panthers defense. Poe will rack up 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks, but as is most always the case for DTs, his impact will be much more measured than any stat line can indicate.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the second-best tackle in this draft class, and Buffalo desperately needs a franchise left tackle. The Iowa product will start all 16 games and, like Kalil, allow five or fewer sacks.

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

Like most linebackers, there will be an adjustment period for Kuechly in the NFL. Still, a solid rookie season with 80 tackles, two sacks and an interception should be easily achievable.

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

Coples will need to be motivated by Seattle's coaching staff, but he should get at least six sacks on talent alone as a rookie. I'd say the high end for the former Tar Hell would be 10 sacks.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin will easily be the best tackle on Arizona's roster and should start from day one. He'll make 16 starts but he is currently an unpolished pass-protector and could surrender a good seven sacks. 

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

Cox is a versatile defensive lineman who could start all over the Cowboys' three-man line. He will have a similar impact that J.J. Watt did for the Houston Texans in a 58-tackle, 5.5-sack rookie season. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron will be an instant upgrade at safety for the Eagles. I see him finishing the year with 75 tackles, four interceptions and a sack.

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

Upshaw's ability off the edge should result in a vastly improved Jets defense in 2012. I'm projecting 58 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

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

Floyd will be sharing receptions with A.J. Green, but should still grab 45 passes for 600 yards and five touchdowns from Andy Dalton.

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

DeCastro will start and play at a Pro Bowl level almost immediately for the San Diego Chargers. He'll allow just two sacks on the season and lead the way for Ryan Mathews, who will have the best season of his three-year career.

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

Like the other offensive linemen on this list, Glenn will start immediately at one of the two guard spots or right tackle. Unfortunately, the weakness of the line around him will lead to him getting beaten from time to time. Five sacks allowed is not out of the question.

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

Gilmore will step in and play in Cortland Finnegan's old spot. As a big, physical corner, he'll immediately be forced to cover top-level receivers, but his outstanding ball skills will lead to at least four interceptions.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick will take time to adjust at the NFL level, as he is more suited to play in a zone-coverage scheme. He'll grab two interceptions but it will be trial by fire his first season in the league.

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

Adams really needs time to develop and round into his talent. As a rookie he'll make all 16 starts but will allow at least eight sacks.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is a stud who will start all 16 games and not allow a single sack, which will get him some attention for the Pro Bowl.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Steelers don't like to play rookies full time, preferring to rotate them in. That will hurt Brockers' numbers, but 25 tackles and four sacks in part-time duty will be a nice start to his career.

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

Worthy will come in and make an impact for the Broncos immediately. He has a non-stop motor and will be an upgrade along the interior of the team's defensive line. A solid season of 45 tackles and 5.5 sacks is definitely not out of reach.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will finally give the Texans the legitimate No. 2 receiver they have been lacking. He'll certainly have at least 45 catches for 600 yard and six touchdowns. 

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

Jones is raw so he may not play full time as a rookie. But Bill Belichick will certainly turn him loose on the edge in passing situations. I could see him racking up nine sacks in limited time as a rookie for the Pats defense.

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

Perry is going to come in and start right away for the Packers. He will help fellow USC product Clay Matthews as another edge-rusher who can get to the quarterback. Perry should rack up at least 45 tackles and seven sacks.

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

Hightower will come in and play off the edge for the Ravens until Ray Lewis retires, at which time he will move to the inside and take over the for the future Hall of Famer. In 2012, he should easily be able to replace the departed Jarret Johnson's annual 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

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

Hill is incredibly raw and likely will need time to develop. That means he won't see a ton of time for a Super Bowl contending team in 2012. But he will get his foot in the door with 15 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns. 

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

Reyes will be another solid addition to New England's front seven. He'll play much more than the previously drafted Jones a couple picks prior, but his contribution won't be as easy to calculate statistically. Still, 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks for a rookie defensive tackle/defensive end in New England's 3-4/4-3 hybrid set isn't a bad start at all.

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

With Mario Manningham gone to San Francisco, Eli Manning needs another target to throw to. Fleener is big, athletic and has fantastic hands. He's good for at least 35 receptions, 400 yards and five touchdowns.