2012 NFL Mock Draft: Most Reliable Offensive Players on Board

Offensive players dominate the beginning of the NFL draft because the league has shifted away from the dominant defenses of the past toward teams like the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, which can move the ball seemingly at will.

With that in mind, here's a complete mock draft of the opening round featuring the most reliable player at each offensive skill position. The big day is less than a week away, so teams should have a pretty good idea of the direction they are going to head in by now.

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

There won't be another quarterback prospect like Luck for a decade. He has the arm strength, accuracy and intelligence to provide the Colts with another dozen years of elite play. He also displayed some impressive athleticism at the combine.

The most important thing for Colts fans will be patience. Peyton Manning led the team to a 3-13 record in his first season while getting his feet wet, before turning into one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. So, don't jump to conclusions after one season.

That's especially true since his supporting cast won't be very good. It will take some time, but Luck will put the Colts back on the right track.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

In many other years, Griffin would have been a lock to get selected first overall, but there's nothing wrong with coming in second to Luck. The Heisman winner is a perfect fit for Washington.

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

While taking an offensive lineman early in the first round isn't the most sexy pick by any means, without an anchor at left tackle, a team's quarterback is doomed. That's why the Vikings need Kalil.

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

Breaking the top five is an impressive feat for any running back based on the decreased value of the position. Richardson's playmaking skills make him an exception. The Browns need somebody to lead the way on offense, and he fits the bill.

Colt McCoy hasn't illustrated the type of skills Cleveland was hoping for when drafted out of Texas, but it's hard to succeed when there's a lack of talent around you. Taking Richardson and a wide receiver later in the round will really help him.

Having played LSU so much, he knows what hard-hitting defenses are all about. That sets him up to survive in the rough-and-tumble AFC North.

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

The first defensive player off the board, Claiborne can do it all, from guard elite receivers to returning kicks. Due to some aging pieces on defense, the Buccaneers can't pass on him.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State's high-powered passing game allowed Blackmon to show off his dynamic skills on a weekly basis, likely earning him the top wide receiver spot ahead of Michael Floyd. He has no shortage of ability and will help the Rams immediately.

His combination of size and athleticism paired with terrific hands will make quarterback Sam Bradford a very happy camper heading into next season. He hasn't had a legitimate top target since being selected first overall a few years ago, but Blackmon will fill that hole.

Even though there are very few guarantees when it comes to wideouts coming out of college because the game changes in the NFL, Blackmon is as close as it gets.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Ask 10 different scouts and they'll each probably have a different opinion on the polarizing Coples. His potential to become a dominant pass-rusher should be enough for the Jaguars to take a chance.

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

The Dolphins have been searching for a new quarterback all offseason and have come up empty so far. Tannehill has more risks involved than Griffin or Luck, but Miami can't afford to stand pat at QB.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox headlines a deep yet unpredictable group of defensive tacklers. He should have no problem stepping into the starting lineup to make an immediate impact.

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

Don't sleep on the Bills heading into next season. They filled their biggest need by signing Mario Williams, and Reiff will provide protection for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has all the physical traits a team looks for in a defensive tackle. Even though he's going to need some time to develop those skills, he'll be worth the wait for Kansas City.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

There's a wide range of potential landing spots for Upshaw, making him one of the toughest prospects to predict in the first round. The Seahawks make plenty of sense since they really need a rusher.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Cardinals need another wide receiver to add some depth to their offense, and are lucky enough for Floyd to fall into their lap. He will be in the Rookie of the Year mix playing opposite Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

A handful of Alabama players are expected to go in the opening round, so it's no surprise the Tide were virtually unstoppable last season. Kirkpatrick gives Dallas a physical corner the team has lacked.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly makes plays. He doesn't blow anybody away with his speed or strength, but he can be counted on to get the job done, and the Eagles need someone like that in the middle of their defense.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The Jets defense, which became the team's calling card over the past handful of years, didn't live up to expectations. Ingram will get things moving back in the right direction again.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The best interior lineman in the class, DeCastro would help solidify a Bengals offense that made major strides last season. If he can protect Luck at Stanford, he can protect Andy Dalton.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

San Diego needs an outside linebacker so desperately that it will probably be willing to reach for one at this spot. Luckily, Mercilus proves solid value this deep in the round.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears have a playoff roster already assembled as long as they have better injury luck next season. Konz had a solid career at Wisconsin and should make a smooth move to the next level.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Another defensive tackle with plenty of upside, Poe played a lot of his college games against inferior competition. That shouldn't be enough to scare the Titans away, however.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Bengals already upgraded their offensive line with DeCastro, and now provide a boost on the other side of the trenches with Still. He has less upside than Poe, but will be ready to play sooner.

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

After turning heads with an eye-popping performance at the combine, Hill gives the Browns another playmaker to build their offense around. The unit has been subpar for far too long.

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

Martin was projected to go much higher than No. 23 for most of the draft process, but has begun to slide as of late. The Lions won't complain since they need an offensive tackle.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

The Steelers seem to suffer a couple key injuries along their offensive line every year. Glenn has the versatility to play multiple positions, making him an ideal fit.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Adding Manning means the Broncos don't have to spend as much time worrying about offense and can focus on making the defense a stout unit as well.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andre Johnson dominates even though he gets limited support from his other receivers. It will be interesting to see what type of numbers he can post with Wright on the team.

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

This seems like a typical Patriots pick. They get somebody with top-10 ability deep in the round because of concerns about his off-field problems. New England's leaders will keep him in line.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard will help a Packers secondary that got torched far too often last season. They don't need to make every stop because of the team's offense, but the playoffs are a different ball game.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Ravens don't have any major voids to fill before next season, so they can focus on building up defensive depth for the future with Hightower.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

San Francisco continues to do a very nice job of building its roster. Gilmore would help the team's secondary, which is one of the only remaining areas in need of an upgrade.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Some projections have Barron as high as the teens, but that would be a reach. He's a solid player, but not a game-changer. The Patriots would be a nice match for him.

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

If there was an award for helping yourself the most with workouts, Fleener would probably win it this season. His performances should be enough to slide him into the back end of Round 1.