2012 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Teams Who Cannot Afford to Fail in First Round

The 2012 NFL draft will be a future-defining moment for several teams who are either one good player away from a Super Bowl run, or another draft bust away from being a bad team for many more years.

If you miss on your first-round picks, the consequences are often severe. Let's look at a few teams who cannot afford to fail in the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Andrew Luck has been told he will be the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

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

The Redskins gave up multiple first-round picks to trade with the St. Louis Rams in order to move up to No. 2 for Robert Griffin.

The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback will have to perform at the level of a franchise quarterback because the Redskins cannot afford to have another failure at that position.

Since the NFL has become a league dominated by elite quarterbacks, the Redskins can't afford for Griffin to fail. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne could end up being the best player in this draft when we look back at this class a decade from now.

4. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Cleveland is in an interesting scenario since they have so many needs with several talented offensive players to choose from at pick No. 4.

Tannehill will be their choice in my opinion, and he cannot fail with the Browns desperately needing a franchise quarterback.

Cleveland fans want a winner, which means whoever the Browns choose at this spot, they have to hit a home run.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil could go anywhere from pick No. 3 to 7, but whoever drafts him won't be sorry given his immense talent.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson will be a franchise running back that the Rams could build their offense around for many years.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon has all the tools necessary to be the No. 1 type receiver that the Jaguars need.

8. Miami Dolphins: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Dolphins would like to take Tannehill or Blackmon, but I don't think either player will be available at pick No. 8.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers will continue to rebuild their defense with the selection of Quinton Coples.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is one of the highest-rated players on my board and a can't-miss prospect who will dominate at the NFL level.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe would add some strength and run-stopping ability to a Chiefs defense line that struggled at time last season. 

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

Kuechly is the highest-rated linebacker in this draft and a safe selection for a Seahawks team whose defense must get better next year.

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

The Cardinals would probably be best off pairing Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald as one of the NFL's best deep-threat duos.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron is perfect for the Cowboys, but since he is by far the best safety in this class, expect some teams to maybe look to trade up and take him ahead of Dallas.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a good pass-rusher and has the speed that the Eagles need coming off the edge.

16. New York Jets: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

The Jets' inability to get to the quarterback often was a real weakness last season, which means Mercilus is a no-brainer for New York with his selection.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers would be a great selection for a Bengals team looking to build off their playoff run last season.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro could turn out to be the best offensive lineman of this draft class, and certainly would help the San Diego Chargers at the guard position, one that has been hurt by injuries to key players in recent seasons.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is the next-best offensive lineman for the Bears to take after DeCastro comes off the board.

20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Even if Kenny Britt returns to the Titans next season feeling great after recovering from ACL surgery, their offense needs another talented wide receiver.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals would love to add a strong, playmaking cornerback like Dre Kirkpatrick that could significantly improve their defense.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Browns would be smart to draft USC pass-rusher Nick Perry to improve their team's ability to get to the quarterback.

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

The Lions have the offensive talent needed to win a Super Bowl, but they lack the talent on defense to reach that level, especially in the secondary.

Detroit would love for Kirkpatrick or South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore to fall to them at No. 23, which is a real possibility.

If the Lions take the right cornerback, they can make a deep playoff run next season. With nearly all the pieces in place for a Super Bowl title, the Lions cannot afford to fail with this draft pick.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is the perfect player for the Steelers defensive line and his hard work ethic will fit right into the Pittsburgh defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower might be taken by the Steelers, but the Broncos would win any scenario whether they draft Alabama star or Worthy.

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

Hill could be a sleeper pick in the first round with his immense talent, and could make several teams regret not taking him earlier.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz will be a good NFL center and will have the luxury of the great coaching staff in New England.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Giving star quarterback Aaron Rodgers a reliable running back in the Packers offense is the best move the team can make with their first-round pick.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle would be another nice target for Joe Flacco in the Baltimore Ravens' passing game.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Branch would fit in very nicely with a talented and hard-working 49ers defensive front.

31. New England Patriots: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

With Matt Light's future with the team uncertain, the Patriots will need to add another young offensive lineman in this draft.

32. New York Giants: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

The Giants have a weakness at cornerback and will address it by taking Chase Minnifield with the final pick in the first round.