2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Trent Richardson and Coveted Players Land

In this draft, there are six elite players, a very deep stable of solid prospects to follow and who knows after that.

On this mock, we're most concerned with where those top six will land, namely those in the group not named Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, since those destinations are etched in stone.

I'm about to mock your world. Get ready.

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

It's better to be lucky than good. But with Luck, the Colts should be pretty damn good in a few years.

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

Hopefully for Griffin, the "III" in his name won't stand for the number of wins the Redskins manage this year.

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

At this point, it seems like this pick comes down to two players: Kalil or Morris Claiborne.

I have a hunch Claiborne has been graded higher by the team, and they have to play against some elite wide receivers in the NFC North. Frankly, he's the better value.

But I still believe the team will draft Kalil, and here's why:

• Claiborne may be the better player, but not by much. Kalil may never be a top-five tackle in the NFL, but he's an excellent football player.
• The Vikings have a need at left tackle.
• The team spent a first-round pick on Christian Ponder last year, and he's an investment they need to protect. Kalil's job description would be to protect his blind side.

Given those factors, Kalil is the pick in my opinion. But if you asked me what the odds were the Vikings drafted each player, I'd put it at 52-48 in favor of the left tackle.

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

They need a running back badly. Richardson is the best running back to hit draft in years.

They need playmakers on an abysmal offense. There is no better playmaker in this draft.

They need players the fanbase can get excited about. Richardson would sell tickets, and his jersey would be the most popular one in Cleveland in a matter of days.

They should take the best player on the board, given how many team needs they have. For my money, Richardson is the third-best player in this draft and despite the recent devaluing of running backs in the draft, he is still an excellent value here.

He doesn't have a weakness, he was only the starter at Alabama for one year so he isn't run-down and he'll be an excellent ambassador for the team. This is a home-run pick for the Browns.

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

Two players make sense for Tampa Bay: Richardson and Claiborne. They'll be hoping and praying that the Vikings draft Kalil, and don't be shocked if they consider trading up to No. 3 to land their guy.

But if the board falls like this, Claiborne is undoubtedly the guy. The Bucs need a cornerback badly, and Claiborne is the best available.

Still, don't be surprised if they trade up to No. 3 and select Richardson. It would be the cherry on top of a very aggressive offseason aimed at improving the team's offense, and Richardson would make them scary next season.

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

If we're being honest, there are five elite players in this draft and then Blackmon, who clearly is the sixth-best player in this draft but is a slight notch below being an elite prospect.

The more I look over this board, the more inevitable it seems that he'll drop to the Rams at No. 6. I'm guessing if the Browns want to go after a wide receiver, they feel confident they can land a good one when they pick again at No. 22.

And I just can't see the Vikings or Bucs going after Blackmon.

Nope, Sam Bradford can rest easy knowing he'll be able to land a new toy to catch some passes in the weapons-depleted Rams offense.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

If the Jags can't trade out of this pick—and I think they should try, with all of the needs they have—I think Ingram, Quinton Coples, Fletcher Cox and Michael Floyd are all possibilities. With teams placing such a premium on pass-rushers, I think Ingram will be the guy.

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

If they believe he could be their quarterback of the future, the Dolphins need to take Tannehill.

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

This could also be linebacker Luke Kuechly, but I think the defensive line is the bigger need.

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

Michael Floyd is also a possibility, though I think protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind side will take precedence.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT (Memphis)

I've had this pick for a long time, because the Chiefs really need a nose tackle and Poe has a ton of upside. But there is a part of me that thinks this also doesn't feel like a Scott Pioli pick, and that Poe's production in college won't impress the Chiefs enough.

I'm sticking with this selection for now, but I'm torn.

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

If he's here, he's the pick. His athleticism and ability to play all three downs will perfectly fit the Seahawks defense.

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

They could go in other directions, but the chance to pair Floyd with Larry Fitzgerald will be too hard to resist.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Maybe I just want the Cowboys to pass on Mark Barron so the Eagles can select him, who knows? But with a serious need at guard—and with DeCastro being called by a fair amount of pundits the safest pick in this draft—this selection makes a ton of sense to me.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

If Barron is here for the Eagles, he must be the pick. This team is weak at safety, and Barron is a guy who can step in and start immediately.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

He may be dropping according to some of the experts, but he just feels like a Rex Ryan guy to me. One way or another, I think this team goes after an edge rusher.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)** 

With guard a need and Glenn on the board, the Bengals fill a need with a great value in one fell swoop. They'll be hoping and praying DeCastro drops to them, however.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB (USC) 

Some say he's a second-round talent. Some think he could become the best edge rusher in this draft. I think the Chargers will be pleased with the pick.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

If Coples drops this far, the Bears will be quite pleased to add him to their defense. He and Julius Peppers could be frightening bookends, indeed.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Needing an upgrade at corner, the Titans will be quite pleased to watch the second-best prospect at the position drop to them.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

This could also be Stephen Hill, but I believe the Bengals are going to look to add another playmaker on the outside here. Wright is the safer selection, so I'm predicting him to the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)***

Richardson plus Hill equals a fun future for the Browns offense.

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

Some people have Gilmore going as high as No. 7. I still think he's the third-best corner in this draft, and I don't see him going that high. But he won't make it past the Lions, who really need an upgrade in the secondary.

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

The Steelers could surprise us, but this just feels like a natural fit.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

If Brockers drops this far, the Broncos will not only land the best player on the board, but they'll fill a big need in the process.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR (LSU)

They've been looking for a true second option to pair with Andre Johnson for years. Now, they've found one.

27. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, DE (Syracuse)****

With Mark Anderson's departure, adding a pass-rusher is a must. The Pats waste little time taking care of that.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois 

They need to add a rusher opposite to Clay Mathews III. They do so with Mercilus.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Martin has a lot of talent, and if he gets stronger, he'll be a good one in the NFL. With the Ravens, he won't necessarily be expected to step in immediately, but he can provide depth.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)  

They aren't getting any younger on the D-line, and adding depth must be a priority in this draft. Worthy is a solid value here, especially with the first tier of wide receivers off the board.

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama) 

He won't cause trouble in New England, and he could end up being the steal of this draft given his ability. Plus, he fills a huge need for this team.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB (North Carolina)

It's between Brown and Stanford tight end Coby Fleener in my opinion. Today, I think the pick will be Brown, who I apparently am alone in thinking would be an amazing fit for the Giants defense.

*The Redskins traded the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second-round pick this year and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 to St. Louis for 2012's second overall pick.

**From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

***From Atlanta in last year's Julio Jones draft day trade.

****From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram draft day trade.

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