2012 NFL Mock Draft: Making the First 64 Picks

It is almost here. Five days and counting. The pinnacle of the NFL offseason is the most important three days for professional football teams: the 2012 draft.

Andrew Luck is going to be the No. 1 pick, without a doubt. The Colts just happen to be in perfect position to draft yet another quarterback capable of being the face of the franchise for at least 10 years. The last time the Colts had the chance to select a franchise QB, it came down to Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. I think they made the right decision.

As we creep ever closer to the 2012 NFL draft, mock drafts are running rampant due to the increasing and decreasing values of certain prospects.

Here, I provide my two-round mock draft for every NFL team.

We all know that mock drafts never fall the way that the actual draft unfolds, but here is my best attempt at the first two rounds.

Hope you enjoy it, and please leave me some feedback. As a writer, I gladly accept criticism and kudos.

Happy drafting!

Indianapolis Colts

Round 1 (1st Overall)

QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)

Jim Irsay has said that the No. 1 pick is "up in the air" between Luck and Robert Griffin III. He is not being truthful. No way do the Colts pass on the best QB prospect since, coincidentally, Peyton Manning.

Round 2 (34th Overall)

TE Coby Fleener (Stanford)

The Colts grab a big complementary target for Andrew Luck. Reggie Wayne re-upped with Indy, and the Colts add Luck's former teammate to bring some chemistry to the offense.

Washington Redskins

Round 1 (2nd Overall)

QB Robert Griffin (Baylor)

The Redskins did not trade their next two years' worth of first-round draft picks for anyone other than RGIII. The Heisman Trophy winner will fit perfectly into Mike Shanahan's offense.

No second round pick in 2012.

Minnesota Vikings

Round 1 (3rd Overall)

LT Matt Kalil (USC)

The Vikings are said to be lobbying between LT Matt Kalil, WR Justin Blackmon and CB Morris Claiborne. With Christian Ponder expected to be the Vikings' franchise quarterback, the Vikings would be very wise to add the consensus-best left tackle in this year's draft to keep Ponder upright.

Round 2 (35th Overall)

WR Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina)

The Vikes give Ponder another weapon to give the offense a kick start. They already have small, shifty wide receiver Percy Harvin, so Jeffery is drafted to be the big target they lost when Sidney Rice went to Seattle.

Cleveland Browns

Round 1 (4th Overall)

WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)

The Browns are content with Colt McCoy as their quarterback, so they give him another weapon to throw to. Floyd is screaming up the draft boards and may have overtaken Justin Blackmon as the best receiver in this year's draft.

Round 1 (22nd Overall)

CB Janoris Jenkins (Northern Alabama)

The Browns addressed the receiving corp with their 4th overall pick, so they shoot defense here at pick 22. Janoris Jenkins would be the second corner off the board if it weren't for his off-the-field issues.

Round 2 (37th Overall)

RB David Wilson (Virginia Tech)

The Browns lost Peyton Hillis to the Chiefs, so they address running back here in Round 2. David Wilson is the type of back capable of playing three downs in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1 (5th Overall)

CB Morris Claiborne (LSU)

The Bucs sprint to the podium with nine minutes and 59 seconds left on the draft clock. Aqib Talib is always in trouble, so the Bucs have to "settle" for the best cornerback in this year's draft.

Round 2 (36th Overall)

RB Lamar Miller (Miami)

Even with LeGarette Blount, the Bucs do not seem content with their backfield. Miller is a redshirt sophomore so he has a relative lack of experience, but with his age, the Bucs invest here in Round 2.

St. Louis Rams

Round 1 (6th Overall)

WR Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)

The Rams are set at quarterback with Sam Bradford, so they give him a deep threat in Justin Blackmon.

Round 2 (33rd Overall)

OT Bobbie Massie (Ole Miss)

The Rams lack quality depth on the offensive line, and they are best suited to invest in one early. Massie has climbed up the draft boards and is in St. Louis at pick 33.

Round 2 (39th Overall)

RB Doug Martin (Boise State)

The Rams have Steven Jackson entrenched as the starter, but he is getting older and the Rams lack a quality backup. Martin could take over when Jackson leaves.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1 (7th Overall)

DE Melvin Ingram (South Carolina)

The Jaguars re-signed Jeremy Mincey, but he is a backup at best. The Jags, under new ownership, invest in the animal they call Melvin Ingram.

Round 2 (38th Overall)

WR Kendall Wright (Baylor)

The Jaguars haven't quite given up on Blaine Gabbert, who was the NFL's worst starter last season. They add the speedster Kendall Wright to possibly help Gabbert in his second year.

Miami Dolphins

Round 1 (8th Overall)

DT/DE Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State)

The Miami Herald reports that if Ryan Tannehill is not the pick at No. 8, then Fletcher Cox may be the pick. With the signing of David Garrard, I think the Dolphins take the "produce now" method and select Cox.

Round 2 (42nd Overall)

G/T Amini Silatolu (Midwestern State)

Silatolu has been climbing the boards as more and more teams watch his tape in-depth. He is the definition of a mauler. His versatility is the reason he is the choice for Miami in Round 2.

Carolina Panthers

Round 1 (9th Overall)

OG David DeCastro (Stanford)

The Panthers have phenom Cam Newton at quarterback, so they add the best guard in the draft to help protect him.

Round 2 (40th Overall)

WR Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers)

Carolina gives Newton a big weapon in Sanu.

Buffalo Bills

Round 1 (10th Overall)

DE Quinton Coples (North Carolina)

The Bills are transitioning to the 4-3 defense, and by adding Mario Williams and Quinton Coples their defensive four could be one of the best in football.

Round 2 (41st Overall)

WR Reuben Randle (LSU)

Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with Buffalo for another five years, and even though it may have been a risky investment, they give him a big weapon to complement Stevie Johnson.

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1 (11th Overall)

QB Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M)

It's been rumored that the Chiefs are thinking about moving up to select Tannehill, but in this mock, he falls to them at 11. They don't seem content with Matt Cassel.

Round 2 (44th Overall)

LB Lavonte David (Nebraska)

The Chiefs will be looking for linebackers in the first round, but with Tannehill falling to them in the first, they have to wait until Round 2. David is a good, quick linebacker.

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1 (12th Overall)

LB Luke Kuechly (Boston College)

The Seahawks get arguably the best inside linebacker in this year's draft with Luke Kuechly.

Round 2 (43rd Overall)

DT Kendall Reyes (UConn)

The Hawks add to their defense once again here in Round 2. Reyes is a good, instinctive defensive tackle that should help Seattle right away.

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1 (13th Overall)

OT Riley Reiff (Iowa)

The Cardinals' main weakness is their offensive line, and they address that need with Riley Reiff here at pick 13.

No second-round pick in 2012.

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1 (14th Overall)

DT Dontari Poe (Memphis)

This pick came down to Poe and Mark Barron. I think that if both are there at pick 14, the Boys go with the big, athletic Dontari Poe.

Round 2 (45th Overall)

S Harrison Smith (Notre Dame)

Here is my first major surprise. With Dallas selecting Poe over Mark Barron in the first round, I have the Cowboys taking Smith here in Round 2. Smith is a very good safety.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1 (15th Overall)

DT Michael Brockers (LSU)

The Eagles select the talented yet raw youngster Michael Brockers. He is a big man who should be well-utilized in Philly's defense.

Round 2 (46th Overall)

OLB Zach Brown (UNC)

The Eagles will be looking at linebackers, and they get a good one here in Round 2. Zach Brown is one of the fastest players in this year's draft regardless of position.

Round 2 (51st Overall)

TE Dwayne Allen (Clemson)

Another weapon for Michael Vick.

New York Jets

Round 1 (16th Overall)

DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw (Alabama)

The Jets like Upshaw and get him here at pick 16.

Round 2 (47th Overall)

T/G Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State)

The Jets need offensive line help, and Osemele fills that need. He can play tackle and guard.

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1 (17th Overall)

CB Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama)

The Bengals are never worried about drafting players with questionable character, so Kirkpatrick is the pick. Not to mention the Bengals needing secondary help.

Round 1 (21st Overall)

CB Janoris Jenkins (Northern Alabama)

The Bengals take yet another corner here in Round 1. Jenkins would be the unquestioned No. 2 corner, maybe even best corner if he had stayed clean at Florida. These two could become the best tandem in the pros.

Round 2 (53rd Overall)

RB Chris Polk (Washington)

Cedric Benson is no longer with the team, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis doesn't seem like an ideal starting back. Polk is brought in to bring some competition to the running back corps.

San Diego Chargers

Round 1 (18th Overall)

G/T Cordy Glenn (Georgia)

With Kris Dielman's retirement, the Bolts will be looking for a quality interior linemen early. Cordy Glenn's versatility helps him here in Round 1.

Round 2 (49th Overall)

OLB Vinny Curry (Marshall)

The Chargers need to improve their pass rush, and Curry is a good one with great value here in Round 2.

Chicago Bears

Round 1 (19th Overall)

DE Nick Perry (USC)

The Bears add another good defensive end to team with Julius Peppers.

Round 2 (50th Overall)

ILB Mychal Kendricks (Cal)

Urlacher is getting older, so the Bears add a young, impressive linebacker to team with him and later take over.

Tennessee Titans

Round 1 (20th Overall)

CB Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina)

The Titans lost Cortland Finnegan to the Rams, so corner becomes a big need. Gilmore is climbing up the boards.

Round 2 (52nd Overall)

G/C Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin)

The Titans have Eugene Amano at center, and he isn't very good. Zeitler can play both guard and center.

Detroit Lions

Round 1 (23rd Overall)

T Jonathan Martin (Stanford)

Martin poses too much value for the Lions to pass on here at pick 23. Jeff Backus is solid but is on his last legs.

Round 2 (54th Overall)

DE Bruce Irvin (West Virginia)

The Lions re-signed Cliff Avril but still need some pass rush help. Irvin is a speed rusher in the highest regard.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 1 (24th Overall)

ILB/OLB Dont'a Hightower (Alabama)

The Steelers had major injury problems in their linebacking group last year and forced some guys to play different positions. Hightower can play inside or outside.

Round 2 (56th Overall)

CB/S Trumaine Johnson (Montana)

The Steelers add another versatile piece to the defense.

Denver Broncos

Round 1 (25th Overall)

DT Jerel Worthy (Michigan State)

The Broncos lost Brodrick Bunkley and will be looking to replace him. Worthy could be a pro bowler if he gives 100-percent effort.

Round 2 (57th Overall)

C Philip Blake (Baylor)

Denver doesn't seem content with J.D. Walton at center. Blake adds versatility to their offensive line.

Houston Texans

Round 1 (26th Overall)

WR Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)

The Texans add another big weapon to go with Andre Johnson. Matt Schaub should be thoroughly pleased with this pick.

Round 2 (58th Overall)

OT Zebrie Sanders (Florida State)

The Texans lost Eric Winston to the Chiefs, so they will be looking to replace him.

New England Patriots

Round 1 (27th Overall)

OLB Shea McClellin (Boise State)

The Pats have been speculated to land McClellin, and they swoop in a steal him right under Green Bay's nose, who reportedly like him, according to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Round 1 (31st Overall)

C Peter Konz (Wisconsin)

The Patriots add the big center from Wisconsin with their second first-round pick.

Round 2 (48th Overall)

DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson)

New England adds a versatile d-lineman in Thompson.

Round 2 (62nd Overall)

CB Jayron Housley (Virginia Tech)

Too much value to pass up here in Round 2.

Green Bay Packers

Round 1 (28th Overall)

OLB Whitney Mercilus (Illinois)

The Patriots swooped up Shea McClellin right in front of Green Bay, so they go with the best player available. Mercilus is a stud sack artist who led the NCAA last year in sacks. He would be the perfect bookend to Clay Matthews.

Round 2 (59th Overall)

DT Alameda Ta'amu (Washington)

The big man from Washington (6'2", 335 pounds) can stuff the run along with rushing the passer with surprising quickness. A front of Ta'amu, Raji and Pickett would be nearly impossible to run on.

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1 (29th Overall)

DE/OLB Chandler Jones (Syracuse)

The Ravens add a good pass-rushing "tweener" to their already daunting defensive unit.

Round 2 (60th Overall)

RB LaMichael James (Oregon)

The Ravens add a home-run hitting, complementary back to Ray Rice.

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1 (30th Overall)

CB Josh Robinson (UCF)

The 49ers are seemingly always looking for corners, and they find a fast climber here in Robinson.

Round 2 (61st Overall)

WR Nick Toon (Wisconsin)

If Toon can stay healthy, Alex Smith and Toon may become quite the one-two punch.

New York Giants

Round 1 (32nd Overall)

T Mike Adams (Ohio State)

William Beatty has struggled since entering the league, so the Giants add another piece to the o-line puzzle.

Round 2 (63rd Overall)

WR Brian Quick (Appalachian State)

The G-men add a big receiver to go with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.

Atlanta Falcons (No First Rounder)

Round 2 (55th Overall)

DE Cam Johnson (Virginia)

The Falcons do not have a first-round pick, so they add to their defensive end group here in Round 2 with Cam Johnson.