2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Draft for Value over Need

One of the smartest things a team can do in the 2012 NFL draft is pick for value over need in the first round.

It's not only a safer way to go about things, but it's much more effective.

When you draft for need over value, you tend to reach for players, especially in the first round. While reaching sometimes works out, nothing can set a time back more than a first-round bust.

Smart teams will draft for value, and there are certainly some great values in the first round of this draft.

Here's my latest mock fresh off the press with some emphasis on great value picks:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This pick fills both the value and need categories very nicely. 

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

What was said for Luck and the Colts can be said for RGIII and the Redskins. He's a tremendous value and fits a need. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil will be an exceptional franchise left tackle in the NFL for years to come. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This is first and biggest case of taking value over need. The Browns technically don't need Richardson, but he's by far the best player available and he has the potential to be a top five running back in the league for years to come.

They would be unwise to pass up the value he'll bring to their offense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is going to be a shutdown corner in the NFL; it's as simple as that. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Wide receiver is a huge need for the Rams, so they'd be smart to stick here and draft Blackmon.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Jaguars have a ton of needs, so they could literally pick any position besides quarterback here and come away better. Perry is the best defensive end on my board, and they'll love his pass-rushing presence. 

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

This is a classic example of going need over value. Tannehill has the value of a second- or third-round prospect. This is a horrible pick. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT 

Like the Jaguars, the Panthers have a ton of needs, especially on defense. Brockers has incredible size and athleticism and has the intangibles to be a star. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, LT, Iowa

The Bills have a need on the offensive line, and Reiff is somewhat underrated considering he has to stack up to Matt Kalil. This is a great pick. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the second best overall prospect on my board. He's as nearly flawless at guard as Andrew Luck is at quarterback. The Chiefs are getting an incredible value here at No. 11. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is smaller and very quick on the edge, which fits nicely into this defense. 

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

The Cardinals need a receiver, but they could draft fundamentally with defense or picks that would fortify the trenches here. Instead, I see them taking a player with incredible value in Floyd.

He's arguably the best receiver in the draft, depending on who you are talking to, and he has the chance to shine across from Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Poe is an incredible fit here in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme at nose guard. He can take up space and penetrate the A-gaps. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is an incredibly underrated player that isn't getting much attention, but he has the ability to be a stud on this defensive front. The Eagles need help here, so they'll take the second best defensive tackle on the board. 

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE Alabama

Upshaw's size and versatility will allow him to play with his hand in the dirt, or as an outside linebacker. He'll be an exceptional addition to this defense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery's stock has been up and down all throughout the draft process, but he as the highest ceiling out of any of the receivers. This is a great pick, and he'll have a chance to grow and be a stud across from A.J. Green. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

The Chargers need help on the offensive line and Glenn is incredible versatile, athletic and big. He can play either guard or tackle. 

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, LT, Ohio State

The Bears biggest priority right here has to be finding a left tackle to protect Jay Cutler. Adams is a very raw prospect, but he has the intangibles to develop into a star. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

This is a pick made purely because of need for the Titans. They need a center, and Konz will be a solid starting center right off the bat. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a slightly underrated prospect that will be a difference-maker on this defense. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This team has plenty of needs, but none is greater than giving Colt McCoy weapons on offense. Wright will be a deep threat and can be a valuable option in the slot. 

23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Lions have been known to draft the best player available, and this is the case here. On paper and with potential, Coples has the intangibles of a star, but he needs to consistently put it together.

The future of the Lions defensive end position up in the air, and if they strike gold with Coples, they would easily have the best defensive front in football. This is a great pick all around.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers:   Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly is a linebacker that has a nose for the ball and will be a great eventual starter for this team. Some would consider him the best linebacker in this draft. 

25. Denver Broncos: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is big, he's physical and he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The addition of him to this linebacker squad makes Denver very dangerous on defense. 

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

Putting a speedy receiver across from Andre Johnson will be too good of a thought for the Texans to pass up on. Hill brings great value at No. 26 overall and he'll make this Texans' offense very good. 

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Merciulus is a pass-rushing machine, and the Patriots desperately need someone to get pressure on the quarterback. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

McClellin may be a slight stretch here but he does bring enormous value to the Packers. They are one or two plugged holes away from having an elite defense again, and McClellin gives them the pass-rusher they need on the weak side.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens need to give Joe Flacco a deep threat, and Sunu is a very fast and slightly underrated player. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Martin, LT, Stanford

Martin is a Stanford player so he knows coach Jim Harbaugh well, and he fills the need they have at left tackle. This is a stellar pick for the 49ers. 

31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is a tenacious defensive tackle that is good against the run, but can also play a factor getting after the quarterback. 

32. Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State

The Giants will take Osemele to fill a big need they have on the offensive line. He's going to be more of a developmental player, as he doesn't have first-round technique or athleticism.