2012 NFL Mock Draft: Perfect Picks for Entire First Round

After months of buildup, workouts and hype, it's finally draft week in the NFL. Prospects around the country are hoping all of their hard work pays off and teams are looking to fill the voids necessary to make them a contender sooner rather than later.

Here's a complete mock draft of Round 1 featuring players that will provide terrific value based on where they get selected. It's a pretty deep class of talent, so even a pick late in the round has the potential to pay off right away.

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

Luck won't be able to match Cam Newton's monster rookie numbers, but that's only because he's going to have the league's worst supporting cast by far. The Colts should have no second thoughts.

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

After giving up several key picks to move up four spots, the Redskins are going to give Griffin every opportunity to succeed. While it was a huge investment, he's well worth the risk.

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

Taking an offensive tackle with the third overall pick rarely draws rave reviews. That said, Kalil is in a class by himself and the Vikings can't afford their left tackle position to become a revolving door.

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

Even though running backs usually don't go inside the top five anymore, Richardson should be viewed as an exception to the rule. He's exactly what the Browns offense needs to get back on track.

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

There isn't a more complete defensive player on the board than Claiborne. His big-game experience in college should allow him to step right into Tampa Bay's starting lineup without missing a beat.

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

If the Rams decide to go another direction with this pick and Blackmon's still on the board, it will be a major mistake. They can't keep forcing Sam Bradford to work with lackluster receivers.

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

Concerns about Coples' effort level have some merit, but so does his potential to dominate. The Jaguars need a pass-rusher and shouldn't let him slip away based on issues that may never materialize.

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

The Dolphins had a tough offseason when it came to bringing in a quarterback, so Tannehill looks like their last chance to land a new signal-caller before the start of next season.

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

Cox didn't receive a lot of recognition during his time at Mississippi State, but clearly the scouts liked what they saw as his stock has steadily improved during the draft process.

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

With their pass-rushing need filled, the Bills have the potential to go any number of different directions here. Reiff makes the most sense based on need and who's left on the board.

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

A prototypical high-risk, high-reward pick, Brockers will need some time to develop at the next level before his true ability becomes known. His raw tools give him the look of a future Pro Bowler.

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

Upshaw still makes sense for the Seahawks. They lack a dominant pass-rusher and don't have as many other needs as most 7-9 teams do. A minor reach, but certainly worth it.

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

The Cardinals offense has a lot of nice individual pieces, but adding Floyd to the mix should be exactly what the team needs to take things to the next level.

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

The Cowboys secondary has been the source of a lot of their problems in recent seasons. Kirkpatrick is a physical corner who can help provide some stability on defense.

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

Kuechly has a nose for the ball and has the best tackling skills of any prospect in the draft. He doesn't have off-the-charts athleticism or amazing playmaking abilities, but he always finds a way to get the job done anyway.

The Eagles didn't live up to expectations last season and one of the major reasons why was a lack of consistency from their linebackers. Kuechly would bring some much-needed help to Philadelphia's defense, which must improve next season.

He's been generating more hype in recent weeks as people have come to respect his reliability, so the Eagles would be happy to land him at No. 15.

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

New York's biggest offseason addition, Tim Tebow, won't do much to help the team become a contender again. Ingram will ensure the Jets don't let Tom Brady pick them apart.

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

When it comes to perfect fits, DeCastro and the Bengals might be the best example from this draft. Cincinnati needs a guard and the Stanford product is the best one available.

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

The Chargers have lacked an edge-rushing presence for the last couple seasons, which has caused the defense to struggle. Mercilus would help put an end to those troubles.

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

Konz deserves to go in the first round after an impressive career at Wisconsin, so it's just a matter of finding a good fit. The Bears need help along the line after a disappointing season.

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

Playing against lower-level competition has been the biggest concern about Poe, who has proven himself as a workout warrior. Once he gains some experience, the Titans defensive line will get a major boost.

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

Another player to help give the Bengals more strength in the trenches. Playing against the Steelers and Ravens four times per season makes that essential to the team's success.

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

The Browns should have added Richardson by this point, which makes wide receiver should be next on their to-do list. Hill has the most upside of any wideout left on the board.

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

It wasn't long ago that Martin was considered a fringe top-10 selection. A deep offensive tackle class paired with changing team needs have dropped him quite a bit, though. That won't bother the Lions, however, as they continue to seek offensive line help.

Martin did a terrific job of keeping Andrew Luck safe at Stanford. He shouldn't have much trouble doing the same thing for Matthew Stafford. The Lions are one of the NFL's best young teams, but their chances evaporate if Stafford gets hurt, so finding another tackle is vital.

A while back it looked like Detroit would need to reach for somebody like Mike Adams to fill that void, so landing Martin would be a pleasant surprise and definite upgrade.

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

Glenn has a lot of sleeper potential because he's been overshadowed by some of the other offensive tackles. He needs some work, but the Steelers would be happy to see him still on the board.

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

After pushing Tim Tebow into the playoffs last season, the Broncos defense still have some improvements to make, including defensive tackle, before it can be consider an elite unit.

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

Wright played a critical role in helping Robert Griffin III win the Heisman Trophy. He's a solid all-around receiver and should help the Texans offense take another step forward.

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

Jenkins had some off-field issues that forced him to land at North Alabama after starting his college career at Florida. One thing that's never been disputed at any point was his talent level, which alone would put him closer to the top 10.

Teams are being more careful when it comes to taking players with red flags, though. That will force Jenkins to slide quite a bit on draft day, allowing the Patriots to capitalize. Bill Belichick won't let previous situations stop him from adding a potential shutdown corner.

Five years from now, this pick could very well turn out as the best one outside of the two quarterbacks at the beginning. Jenkins would thrive in New England.

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

An off-field incident has put Dennard's draft stock in jeopardy, but the Packers are one of the best organizations in sports, so players understand issues like that won't be acceptable.

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

Drafting Hightower would be a signal the Ravens realize some fresh faces are needed on defense to keep the unit amongst the league's top tier moving forward.

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

The 49ers have done a nice job fortifying their roster to make another run toward the Super Bowl next season. Gilmore would be a solid pick this deep in the round.

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

A lot of projections have Barron going higher, but that would be a reach. Even though he's the best safety available, that doesn't automatically make him worth picking in the teens.

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

The Giants have built a powerhouse franchise by taking the best player available and letting him earn a starting spot, even if the position is deep. Fleener fits the mold here.