2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Browns and Teams Bound to Make Wrong Selection

Making the wrong selection is something NFL general managers dread. They don't want to look back at a draft and not only regret the player they selected, but also hurt over the studs they let pass.

It can be the difference between a successful regime and a failing one.

The 2012 NFL draft will feature its fair share of failure and success stories. Let’s take a look at teams headed towards bad decisions, within a full first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck will be the pick here for the Colts. A new era has almost arrived for Colts fans.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)

I can’t wait to see RG3 perform for the Redskins. I am almost as sure he will be selected here as I am about Luck’s destination.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings’ recent discussions about Kalil, Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne are hopefully a smokescreen. Kalil is the right pick for Minnesota.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama 

I love Trent Richardson as a player, but the Browns need a playmaker in the passing game. Drafting Justin Blackmon—or trading down for Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, or even Stephen Hill—makes more sense to me.

The Browns are a team with various holes on offense—the QB position included. Taking a RB here will not advance the Browns to the next level.

This team must improve its ability to move the ball through the air. Obviously, this pick wouldn’t accomplish that.

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

Selecting Claiborne here makes all the sense in the world, especially with Aqib Talib's future uncertain.

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

Sam Bradford needs an unquestioned No. 1 receiver; that is what Blackmon could be. He could take pressure off Steven Jackson and make the Rams’ attack more balanced.

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

The Jags are in a position similar to the Cleveland Browns. They need to add weapons for their young QB. Though Ingram is a potentially dominating pass-rusher, Michael Floyd would be the best selection here.

It is almost unfair to judge Blaine Gabbert without a viable option at receiver. Mike Thomas should be a slot receiver exclusively, not Gabbert’s No. 1 option.

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

I understand the infatuation with Tannehill. He has shown tremendous growth as a QB and he’s a very good athlete. However, I still feel a QB that isn’t likely to be ready to take the reins for at least a year or two is best selected in the second round.

The league—and the Dolphins, in particular—is so starved for a franchise QB, it's overrating Tannehill.

The Fins would be better off trading down to stockpile picks and allow another team to reach for the Texas A&M product.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers need a disruptive force on the defensive line. If Brockers can realize his enormous potential, he could be an impact player in Carolina.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills' chief need is at LT. Selecting Reiff here should be a no-brainer.

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

DeCastro is easily the best guard prospect in the draft. He’s probably the best OL prospect period, but Ts are genuinely more valued.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

Shoring up the middle of the defense is a smart and logical path for the Seahawks with this pick.

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

Placing Floyd opposite of Larry Fitzgerald would instantly make the Cardinals’ pass offense amongst the better aerial attacks in the NFC.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

I’m anxious to see if Poe is going to be the type of player many of us dream someone with his size and athleticism could be.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State

Cox is one of the best athletes at DT in the draft. His ability to rush the passer and stand against the run should instantly upgrade the Eagles’ defense.

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

The Jets also need a safety. They should delay that selection until the second round. If Upshaw is available, taking him will be a bigger impact on the defense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals need youth and depth at the CB position; drafting Kirkpatrick gives them both.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

After Perry's combine performance, scouts should be excited. If he can translate that to the field, he could have a Shawne Merriman effect on the Chargers.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Bears could use a young pass-rusher. In the present, Mercilus could make a solid running mate for Julius Peppers. In the future, he could be his replacement.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

The Titans could look at Wright or Hill—especially if they have reservations about Kenny Britt’s health and readiness in 2012—but Glenn would be a solid pick and they could select a receiver later in the draft.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin is easily one of my favorite players in this draft. Something tells me he could have one of the most productive rookie seasons of any prospect.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin would give the Browns a nice set of OTs with Joe Thomas. At least this pick positively impacts the passing game.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

After the Lions lost Eric Wright, CB became a major priority for this team to address. Gilmore may not be available here, but if he is, the Lions must grab him.

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

Hightower could be a nice replacement and eventual upgrade from Larry Foote.

25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright’s speed and abilities after the catch could make the Broncos’ passing game that much more deadly.

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

After what we saw at the NFL combine, Hill has the potential to be a star. If the Texans take him here and he pans out, he and Andre Johnson could be a special tandem.

27. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I’d love to see Coples realize his potential. The Patriots may offer him the best opportunity to do that.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

At some point, the Packers need to get Charles Woodson’s replacement on the roster. Now would be a good time.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is 35 years old; the Ravens need to address the center position now. Konz is clearly the best prospect here and a solid pick for Baltimore.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Fleener and Vernon Davis would give the Pats’ Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez a run for their money as the most dynamic pass-catching TE tandem.

31. New England Patriots: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery’s great pro day could have raised his stock out of the Pats’ reach. If that hasn’t happened, the Pats must select him here. He could give Tom Brady that vertical threat he hasn’t had since Randy Moss was a Patriot.

32. New York Giants: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Wilson is a home run threat. The Giants haven’t had that element to their offense since Tiki Barber was there and in his prime.

Follow @BrianMazique