2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Entire First Round Will Shake out

The first round of the 2012 NFL draft begins tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. ET, and a ton of prime young prospects are hoping to be one of the elite 32 that will be selected on Day 1.

Let’s take a look at the latest and most updated first-round mock draft and see which of those talents should be off the board by Day 2.

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

No surprises here, Luck is the best player in this class at an extremely huge position of need for the Colts. The team has already informed him that he is the No. 1 pick.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington knew they needed a franchise QB but, as coach Mike Shanahan says, "they don’t just fall off trees." They made a bold move to mortgage the future of the franchise to take RGIII here.

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

There has been a lot of debate surrounding this pick, and teams are discussing trading up to select a prospect such as Ryan Tannehill here. However, if the Vikings cannot find the right offer, they’ll stay pat and grab a franchise LT to shore up their line.

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

Richardson is a powerhouse who will hit defenders harder than they can hit him, and he also possesses elite vision and speed. He’s a once-every-few-years sort of back who is worth a top-five pick.

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

The Buccaneers should have been contenders in 2011-12, but severely regressed. Now that they have much of the same roster and a new coach, adding the best defensive player/a shutdown corner just makes sense.

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

When St. Louis traded down, they knew they would have a chance at getting a player they wanted at a lower cost. It’s clear this team needs a wideout to help Sam Bradford regain his confidence, and Blackmon is the best available.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

This South Carolina defensive back has been one of the biggest risers of the offseason. He’s secured his spot as a top-10 pick by having great speed, good ball skills, legit size and a ton of upside. Jacksonville needs a corner like this.

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

Miami wasn’t able to land Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn in free agency, and was not able to trade up for RGIII. Now they are stuck taking a risky but potentially great QB early in the first round.

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

Fantasy football players loved when their RBs matched up against the Carolina defense. They could not stop anyone on the ground, which is exactly why they need to bring in a versatile lineman like Cox.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

An argument can be made that Floyd is the best WR in this class, despite not having incredible numbers like Blackmon. He didn’t have an elite QB in South Bend, and Ryan Fitzpatrick could look great throwing to this kid.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

There hasn’t been an offensive guard prospect who has looked this good in a long time. DeCastro is easily the best in the class, and should make an instant impact with the Chiefs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a high-upside pass-rusher with bust potential. He’s got superhuman size, speed and strength, but has never dominated the way he should have in the ACC.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Speaking of dominating in the ACC, Kuechly was a freak with great instincts and surprising athleticism. He’ll be a nice fit with Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron has the look and ability to become an instant starter in training camp and make a big impact in the Dallas secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has a massive frame and upside to match. He’s extremely young and raw, but he could eventually become one of the best players in this draft. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a talented player who just won a national championship and promises to be a solid character guy—along with his innate ability as a pass-rusher—and will boost the Jets' fragmented locker room.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre is an incredible athlete who can use his immense height to lock down the tallest of receivers. If he can gain some good weight while gaining ball skills, he’ll be the best corner in this class.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

SD has a gaping hole at OLB and desperately needs to find a pass-rusher to plug in and stop Peyton Manning and the other solid QBs in the division.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn will boost a Chicago line that allowed far too many hits on Matt Forte and Jay Cutler last season. It’s why they got injured and missed the playoffs, meaning it is a position of immediate urgency to upgrade.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

This athletic freak may not be able to play outside linebacker at the next level, but he’s still a great end option along the Titans line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright was the best receiver for the Heisman-winning quarterback. He would definitely become a top target for Andy Dalton in Cincy.

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

This young man ran limited route packages at G-Tech, but his size, speed and hands were so impressive at the combine that he is worth the risk. If he could become half the player Calvin Johnson is, it’s a worthwhile pick.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the second best OT prospect in this class, and it’s a must for the Lions to upgrade their line before they lose Matthew Stafford or Jahvid Best again for an extended stretch.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

After this young man’s stock went through the roof in Indianapolis during the combine, it has come back down to earth a bit. He’s still an elite prospect with some of the best size, strength and speed ever seen at his position.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Denver doesn’t have a huge window to win a Super Bowl with Manning under center, so they need an NFL-ready contributor like Still to help them out rather than a prospect to develop.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle is a huge, fast receiver who was hurt by the fact that LSU simply didn’t throw the ball too often. However, he’s got great potential, becomes a good backup option and eventually could be a replacement for Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

McClellin has great versatility and a knack for getting to the passer. New England needs a player like him right now.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus had an excellent year, but he needs to prove he can do it against bigger offensive linemen in the NFL and with consistency. Green Bay could definitely take a risk this late in the draft.  

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

Ray Lewis will not be around forever, so the Ravens should pick the biggest, meanest, strongest interior backer in the class in Hightower to be his successor.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Zeitler is a solid interior lineman who will help shore up the 49ers line.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Another versatile player who can help get to the passer would round out a good late-round draft for the Pats.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

New York could use an LT, and Martin has elite upside despite having a poor pro day.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.