2012 NFL Mock Draft: Physical Playmakers Set to Thrive in the Pros

The 2012 NFL Draft class has no shortage of physical playmakers who will make a strong impact in the pros next season.

The first round is full of defensive players who will use their size and strength to excel as rookies starting in Week 1.

Let's look at a fresh NFL mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

We know Andrew Luck has tremendous passing skills, but his ability to move outside the pocket and use his athleticism to throw on the run is impressive.

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

The Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor is the most talented player in this draft and the franchise cornerstone the Washington Redskins have lacked for more than a decade.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings could take Matt Kalil here but Morris Claiborne could be a future Hall of Famer at cornerback.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns shouldn't take Ryan Tannehill when a talented and all-around running back like Trent Richardson is still available.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the best player on the board at this point and would give the Buccaneers a franchise left tackle to build around for years.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams cannot pass on a player like Blackmon who can make big plays and score touchdowns as a rookie.

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

Ingram is going to be a very good pass-rusher as a rookie and has the speed needed to be effective in the NFL.

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

Tannehill is the best quarterback available to the Dolphins at this point and even though he's a second-round talent, expect Miami to take him here.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples and Charles Johnson would be a phenomenal defensive end duo for a Carolina Panthers defense that needs to get after the quarterback better next season.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills offensive line needs work on the right side which makes Hawkeyes star Riley Reiff a perfect fit at No. 10.

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

The Chiefs need linebacker help and Boston College's Luke Kuechly is the best fit for their defense at No. 11 because he defends the pass very well.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Seahawks don't have to take a defensive tackle with this pick but Dontari Poe could end up being a Vince Wilfork caliber nose tackle.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has really risen on my board in the last few weeks and the Cardinals would love to take him at No. 13 even though wide receiver isn't there biggest need in the draft.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron can stop the run very well for a safety which makes him valuable to teams like the Dallas Cowboys who have serious issues in the secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Eagles need a physical linebacker who can stop the run and contain tight ends in the passing game, which makes Courtney Upshaw of Alabama a great fit for Philadelphia.

16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers would add some tremendous size to a Jets offensive line that has to get meaner and nastier up front.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

Mercilus would add some speed on the defensive line of the Bengals, which really started to improve last season.

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

Pass protection in the running and passing game was an issue last season for the Chargers, which makes a stud offensive lineman like David DeCastro the right pick for San Diego.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin would be a great asset to a Bears team that has been hurt by poor offensive line play over the past few seasons.

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

Gilmore has great instincts and is a fast player who uses his athleticism to dominate in coverage. He also has good strength and size which helps him defend experienced wide receivers. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is one of the more physical defensive backs in this draft class and played in many high pressured games as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright would give Browns quarterback Colt McCoy a legitimate deep threat who can make plays with his speed on the outside against talented cornerbacks.

23. Detroit Lions: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry would give the Lions a versatile pass-rusher who can excel as a defensive end or an outside linebacker.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower might be drafted higher since his stock has risen recently but the Steelers certainly won't pass on the young linebacker if he's available at No. 24.

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

Worthy is a strong nose tackle who has a high motor and gives tremendous effort each game. He has a great passion for the game and will raise the energy level of his teammates next season.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill is a speedy receiver who has the potential to complement Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson very well. Matt Schaub would love to have two spectacular deep threats in Hill and Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz battled injury this season but he's still the best center in this draft class and it's a position that the Patriots will need to address in the near future.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Packers will likely think about Chris Polk with this pick but Clemson defensive end Andre Branch gives them the most value at No. 28.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

Quarterback Joe Flacco will need better protection next year if the Baltimore Ravens are to reach the Super Bowl.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle is an experienced player from LSU who will be a consistently good wide receiver and also block well in the passing game.

31. New England Patriots: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Patriots really need some more talent at running back, especially after BenJarvus Green-Ellis left in free agency.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is the best offensive tackle for the New York Giants to draft at this point in the first round.