2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Find Stars in Round 1

Every team will walk into its draft room on Thursday with high hopes. After all, there's plenty of reason for optimism when everybody has an 0-0 record and is about to add some new pieces to the mix.

But the draft will be more important to some teams than others.

With that in mind, here's a complete mock draft of the first round featuring teams that can't afford to come away from the draft table without a star who can make an immediate impact. And the reason is different for each franchise.

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

Colts fans were spoiled during the Peyton Manning era. Yes, they only won a single Super Bowl title, but they went to the playoffs virtually every year and were regularly one of the league's best teams during the regular season.

Manning being out was a rude awakening, though. The rest of the team simply wasn't good enough to compete without him, and their record illustrated that. The Colts need somebody who can get the fans interested again and Luck will do exactly that.

It's rare for a prospect like him to receive so much hype and proceed to live up to every bit of it. His development will take some time because the players around him will be pretty weak, but before long he'll be tearing up defense with ease.

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

The Redskins have taken plenty of gambles under owner Daniel Snyder. While many of them haven't paid off, trading up to land Griffin should have no problem bucking the negative trend.

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

After watching rookie quarterback Christian Ponder get sacked 30 times in just 11 games last season, the Vikings can't afford to let a franchise left tackle like Kalil get past them.

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

Richardson has the potential to take this year's huge slide on draft day if the Browns decide to pass on him. That said, Cleveland really needs dynamic playmakers like him on offense.

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

While other teams are focused on adding offensive players to fit the league's high-powered mold, the Buccaneers will capitalize by selecting the class' most promising defensive player.

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

It doesn't make any sense for the Rams to pass on Blackmon here, even though that seems to have become the prevailing wisdom lately. They need a top target and he fits the bill.

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

The Jaguars have to weigh the positives and negatives of Coples. He could develop into a premier pass-rusher, but there are questions about his effort level. As usual, talent wins out.

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

Miami spent most of the offseason attempting to woo several quarterbacks, but came up short in every pursuit. Tannehill would be there last chance to fill the void before training camp.

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

Expectations are on the rise for Carolina. After Cam Newton took the league by storm last season, the Panthers are no longer being viewed as an afterthought. Instead, people are actually expecting them to compete, which is a refreshing change for their fans.

That said, higher expectations means they can't afford to swing and miss in the first round. They have some holes to fill on defense so the unit doesn't quickly give back any points Newton puts up like it did so often last season.

Cox makes the most sense. He has pushed himself toward the top 10 with a rare combination of athleticism and size. Similar to Newton, there are concerns about his ability to translate that into NFL success, but Newton proved it's possible.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Even though the Bills really need another receiver to play opposite of Stevie Johnson, Barron has started to gain a lot of draft momentum recently and fills another hole.

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

There isn't a more intriguing defensive prospect on the board than Brockers, who has the potential to become a dominant force once he gains experience.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Seahawks brought in Matt Flynn to take over at quarterback and now must find a way to better protect him. So, Reiff seems like the most logical fit for Seattle.

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

Larry Fitzgerald has carried the receiving load on his back for far too long. Give him credit for not complaining about it. Floyd should finally give him some help.

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

With Barron off the board a couple picks earlier, the Cowboys will turn to his Crimson Tide secondary teammate Kirkpatrick. He's a physical corner that will make an impact right away.

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

Sometimes slow and steady really does win the race. That's the case for Kuechly. He's not the fastest or strongest linebacker, but he is a more complete player than any other prospect at the position.

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

It's no secret the Jets put extra pressure on themselves by trading for Tim Tebow, but Rex Ryan wouldn't want it any other way. He loves the spotlight. Now the team must figure out how to warrant that attention by getting back into the playoffs.

The biggest problem last season was a lack of pressure on the opposing quarterback. Nobody on the roster had more than six sacks. That means the Jets should be looking to add a pass-rusher right away in the draft.

Ingram can move around the defense and always finds a way to make plays in the backfield. Ryan will have a field day figuring out different ways to work him in, making the Jets a good fit. He'll help make sure the Jets are back in the postseason mix.

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

The Bengals need to bulk up the offensive line to protect Andy Dalton. While most teams are looking for tackles in Round 1, Cincinnati's need is actually on the interior.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

While Upshaw can play multiple positions, the Chargers are in desperate need of an outside linebacker who can attack the passer, so that's the role he'll fill.

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

Trading for Brandon Marshall means the Bears likely won't spend their first-round pick on another receiver, so an underrated lineman like Konz would be a smart selection.

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

The two words you will hear most about the defensive tackle class on draft day are "upside" and "potential." Poe falls right into the category with tremendous strength, but raw skills.

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

Picking twice in the first round should put the Bengals in good shape to make another run toward the playoffs. Still had a solid career at Penn State and is an ideal fit.

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

Hill still has a lot of work to do before he reaches his potential, but he'll immediately become Cleveland's biggest deep threat. That's something Colt McCoy hasn't had since taking over.

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

The Lions have the look of a Super Bowl contender. They just need to add some talent on the offensive line and a little depth in the draft and they'll be primed for a run.

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

Glenn has watched his stock improve nicely since the draft process began and landing in Pittsburgh would allow him the best chance to succeed from the get-go.

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

It's refreshing to see a playoff team not settle on one season of success. The Broncos knew the model in place wasn't built to last, so they made some changes and Worthy will continue the build.

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

The Texans offense is one wide receiver short of being a complete unit. Wright is the best one left on the board after an impressive finish to his career at Baylor.

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

If there's one team that won't think twice before selecting Jenkins, it's the Patriots. They have dealt with players with past problems before and would do so again if Jenkins was available.

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

Dennard's recent off-field incident might be enough to push him out of the first round. That said, he can still help the Packers secondary if they are willing to take a chance on him.

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

The Ravens are already firmly in the contender category for next season, so they can afford to look ahead toward the future. Hightower could eventually replace Ray Lewis.

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

If Gilmore was still on the board, San Francisco wouldn't hesitate to select him. He still has room for improvement, but he's already a playmaker with a bright future.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

Bill Belichick is like a good chess player, always thinking two or three moves ahead of everybody else. Mercilus won't fit every system, but the Patriots will find a way to utilize him.

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

Closing out the round, the Giants will take a chance on Fleener. The Stanford tight end was a late riser, but don't bet against him becoming the position's next big star.