2012 NFL Mock Draft: Pick-by-Pick Rundown for Every First-Round Selection

The NFL off-season is flying by and the 2012 draft is less than week away from officially starting.

It’s been a long arduous road for some teams that had to endure a terrible 2011-12 season, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Let’s take a look at the latest first round mock.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has been informed by the Colts that he will be the No. 1 pick in the draft, putting to rest any talk that this next kid could have leaped him.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The ‘Skins wisely decided to move up and trade with St. Louis earlier in the offseason to secure this spot. They have been searching for a franchise QB for years now and may have finally found one in RGIII.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There are trade rumors swirling around the Vikings pick now that Ryan Tannehill’s stock is through the roof. Teams like the Miami Dolphins may be interested in moving up here to insure they can select him.

If that doesn’t happen, it would be wise for Minnesota to grab a franchise LT in Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

It’s not too often that a running back is deemed worthy of a top-five pick. Richardson is definitely one of those special cases and he’ll instantly boost the struggling Browns offense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tampa was on the cusp of making the 2011 playoffs but fell off and completely bombed this past season. They are still a respectable team that just needed a new look and they got one with coach Greg Schiano.

He’ll be quite happy with the top defender in the draft and a corner who can take reps with the first team from day one.

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

St. Louis did not need a QB and opted to move down a few spots. They’ll have a great shot at Blackmon here and he is someone that will help Sam Bradford return to form in 2012-13.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

It’s been rumored that certain scouts believe Floyd to be an even better prospect that Blackmon, but his numbers aren’t comparable because of the difference in QB talent at their respective schools. Jacksonville would be making a smart move here to get a potential No. 1 to help develop Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This is a bit high for Tannehill, but considering whispers that Miami is interested in moving up, they’ll be happy to land the high-upside prospect without sacrificing future assets.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore’s got incredible all-around skills and it’s the reason why he’s one of the major risers in the class—along with Tannehill and Dontari Poe.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff has been fluctuating on the big boards, but the fact is he is the second-best tackle in this class and has a good chance to become a stalwart along Buffalo’s line.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This big, mean machine skyrocketed his stock after being freakishly quick and strong at the combine. KC can plug him in the middle of their line and let him go to work.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a risky prospect but the Seahawks should roll the dice at No. 12. He could potentially become one of the best pass-rushers in the league, or he could be playing arena ball in a few years.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cardinals need a versatile linebacker that can play inside or out with great instincts and surprising athleticism. That’s Kuechly in a nutshell.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

There hasn’t been such a promising guard prospect in a long time. DeCastro will immediately boost the flailing Cowboys running game.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox’s ability to play a number of positions and excel at them makes him a great choice for the Eagles No. 15 pick.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Jets were constantly beat deep and teams were not afraid to throw at their safeties. Barron would come in and instantly change that culture.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick’s talent far surpasses this selection, but his character issues (based on a misdemeanor marijuana charge) are holding him back. He’s an absolute steal here.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

San Diego has a huge hole at OLB that they must fill and Upshaw is the best option. He’ll help get pressure on QBs, something the Bolts need with Peyton Manning in the division.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Chicago’s line stunk last year and allowed Matt Forte and Jay Cutler to get hit too much and sustain injuries. Glenn will stabilize this unit and provide protection.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram’s a nice pass rusher despite having smaller arms than most. He’s strong and creative and that will work nicely on the Titans’ d-line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andy Dalton is expected to make big strides this season as a second-year starter. Adding another deep threat and solid receiver like Wright would be wise.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill wowed everyone in Indy with his immense athleticism and speed for his huge size. If he can run routes and create separation, the sky is the limit for this young man.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Despite not performing at the combine and a lackluster pro day, Martin is still a first-round prospect because of his dominance in college and body. The Lions No. 1 goal is keeping Matthew Stafford healthy for another year and not allowing Jahvid Best to get re-concussed. Adding a big blocker will help.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower just looks like a Steelers linebacker. He’s big, fast, physical, tough and loves laying bone-crushing hits. They would love to add him this late even if he’s not a position of immediate need.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

When all is said and done, this kid could be the best DT in the class. He’s shown flashes of skill while being young with prototypical size. Denver is taking a gamble on a raw prospect with major upside here.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

This athletic freak of a pass rusher could go much higher or even fall into the second round; he’s simply all over the board. Houston could employ him as a replacement for Mario Williams and hope he’s half the player.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is much more talented than this draft spot indicates, but his off-the-field issues and distractions are a red flag for most teams. Bill Belichick has a soft spot for reclamation projects and would help this young man get his life in order in exchange for a No. 1 cornerback.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Boom or bust. That’s what the Packers are thinking if they make this selection. Mercilus lit it up last season but has to show he can do it with consistency and against NFL-sized blockers.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk will not play forever, meaning Baltimore must start developing a new center. Nice value and fills a need late in the draft.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery’s inability to create separation in college against severely undersized and underskilled competition is extremely concerning, but he’s a first-rounder based on his size and speed alone.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes has a chance to come in and bolster the pass rush in New England

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The Stanford product runs a sub 4.5 40-yard dash and has great hands. New York would be insane to pass on him here.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.