2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rising Teams That Will Find Final Piece of Puzzle

Enough about all of the teams that can transform themselves from losers to winners with one draft pick this year.

There are some teams that achieved almost-but-not-quite status by the end of the 2011 season, and they might find their one missing piece on this year's board.

Here's a 2012 mock draft with special emphasis on the teams that will find their one secret ingredient to success next week.

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

It's as official as it can be without being official: Luck's new home will be Indy. He's the top, and most complete, quarterback prospect on the board.

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

Griffin still has room to grow as far as reading NFL defenses, but he's an incredibly fast, athletic prospect with the intelligence to thrive in the NFL.

3. Miami Dolphins (mock trade from Vikings) (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Dolphins clearly have a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to succeeding in the ultra-competitive AFC East, but it all starts with finding a quarterback.

No team can succeed without a quarterback it can build around, and the Dolphins haven't had one in a very long time. There is still abundant skepticism about whether Tannehill is that guy for them, but he is the best they can do right now, and the fact that he's only made 19 starts at the position shouldn't detract from his abilities.

He has enormous upside because of his arm strength and his football intelligence, and he has shown he can come through in clutch situations. There isn't a lot to suggest he'll be a bust aside from the fact that he's inexperienced, and on that note, great college quarterbacks bomb at the pro level every day.

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

He is possibly the best non-quarterback offensive prospect on the board and can spearhead a new-look Browns unit that was completely pitiful last season.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The former wide receiver is already the best corner available, and he'll get even better as he gains experience.

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

Before Sam Bradford can become the quarterback he's expected to be, he needs to be surrounded by the kind of talent that can make him look good. Blackmon is the first step.

The Rams finished second-to-worst in the league in total offense in 2011, and their receivers caught the fewest touchdowns in the NFL (9).

Yes, their entire unit needs a drastic face lift, but the most pressing need is at wideout, and Blackmon—far and away the best wide receiver in the college ranks in 2011—provides Bradford with the kind of superstar he needs.

This is a case where one player will make a huge impact and will give St. Louis a drastically different offense.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is the best available defensive end and fits perfectly into the Jaguars' scheme. If for some reason they want to go in another direction, they should trade up to get Blackmon.

8. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade from Miami) (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil fills a huge need for the Vikings and will drastically improve their offensive line. They run a risk of losing out on him if they do trade down and get either Miami's or St. Louis' pick, but if that happens, they still have the opportunity to snag Riley Reiff.

By all indications, though, Kalil is their guy. The 6'7", 306-pounder can anchor Minnesota's line for the next decade, and he's described as a great character guy with no ego and lots of motivation.

Kalil isn't taking anything for granted, either; he's ready to fight for a starting spot and will work tirelessly to make sure he holds on to it. He's exactly what every coach wants and could be the missing piece for Minnesota's offense.

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

Cox has been shooting up the board in recent weeks because he's already the best playmaker available and yet still has room to get better as he grows into his 6'4" frame.

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

Reiff compares nicely to other offensive tackles who have been successful at previous combines and shows above-average athleticism. Plus, he's ready to start now.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

He led the nation in tackles this season and impressed at the combine with his athleticism, despite concern that he was below-average in the area.

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

Coples is still a bit of a work in progress who needs more room to develop, but his quickness and size suggest he has the potential to be an elite lineman.

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

The Cardinals could use a receiver alongside Larry Fitzgerald, and Floyd, after a record-setting career at Notre Dame, is the best option outside of Blackmon.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe—at 6'4" and 346 pounds—can provide a massive interior presence on the Cowboys' line, and yet he's still surprisingly agile.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron, who led the NCAA's best defense in 2011, excels at reading offenses and has the potential to be a ballhawk.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Though he's still a bit of a raw talent, if he harnesses his core strength and his quickness, he has the potential to be extremely effective in a 4-3 scheme.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The biggest knock on DeCastro is his supposed lack of athleticism, but he makes up for it with his strength and the fact that he operated under a pro-style offense at Stanford.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Though his numbers at the combine weren't mind-blowing, he's the perfect size for an NFL guard and can be a staunch run-blocker.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin started all 26 of his final games at Stanford and has the right quickness and intelligence to be a staple on Chicago's line for years.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

His ball skills are a bit suspect, but he's physical and aggressive, and his natural instincts are solid.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

At about 6'1" and 190 pounds, he's taller and heavier than most corners in the league, but he's still one of the fastest prospects available: He ran an unofficial 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 3.94 in the 20-yard shuffle.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

RG3's prime target would be a perfect alternative to Trent Richardson on the Browns' brand-new (capable) offense.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Even though he's a little short at about 6'2", he is still solid against the run and hits hard.

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

He does have a big injury in his past—he tore his left ACL in 2009—but his dedication and determination make him a safe pick. He'll do whatever it takes to get better and earn that starting job.

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

He's not as strong a pass-rusher as some of the other DTs on the board, but he's 6'6" and 322 pounds, so once he improves upon those skills, he'll be a force to be reckoned with.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

His speed is one of his biggest selling points, along with his ability to make the big play.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) (13-3): Nick Perry, DE/LB, USC

It looks like Perry could fall to the Patriots, and if so, they would benefit immensely from his versatility and natural athleticism.

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

He's a big guy at about 6'4" and 261 pounds, but he's uncharacteristically quick. Still, some teams are shying away because he came out of nowhere to lead the NCAA in sacks as a senior.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

He's very physical and always reads the field well, and his instincts make him a big-play threat.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

He can play on the right or the left side and he's quick, but his suspect recognition skills are one of his biggest weaknesses.

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

He still has room to develop into an elite pass-rusher, and Bill Belichick is the perfect coach to groom him.

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

He has above-average athleticism, and his 6'6" frame and long arms make him an even more appealing selection.