2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Reach to Fill Positional Needs

Since the NFL Draft isn't an exact science, teams have plenty of different theories on how to attack it. Filling team needs regardless of the pick location is one of them, but it often leads to reaching for prospects at certain positions.

With that in mind, here's a full mock draft of the first round featuring three teams that will be forced to take a risk in order to fill a void in the lineup. It doesn't guarantee the pick will be a bust, but it's not as safe as taking the best player available.

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

Nobody ever expected the Colts to look any direction other than Luck despite all the hoopla throughout the draft process. He's the quarterback they need to begin a rebuild.

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

After trading away several valuable picks in order to land this pick, the Redskins are hoping Griffin lives up to the Heisman hype. There's no reason to believe he won't.

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

Christian Ponder still has a lot to prove before the Vikings should feel safe with him as their franchise quarterback, but grabbing Kalil to protect him will make his job a lot easier.

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

The Browns need offensive playmakers more than any other team in the league. Deciding to pick anybody other than Richardson would come back to haunt them.

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

In a draft riddled with defensive prospects with plenty of question marks, Claiborne should have no problem adjusting the the NFL after a solid career with the Tigers.

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

Even though the trendy picks for the Rams right now are mostly defensive players, they really shouldn't allow a potential Pro Bowl receiver like Blackmon slip through their fingers.

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

The Jaguars only had one player record more than four sacks last season, so it's obvious that finding another pass-rusher should be near the top of the team's to-do list. Coples has more upside than any other defensive end on the board, but he doesn't come without risks.

Concerns have been expressed about his motor. He can't afford to take any plays off at the next level if he plans on living up to the hype, and not every team thinks he's prepared for that type of challenge. So, taking him this early would be viewed as a reach.

He's the class' ultimate high-risk, high-reward pick. Based on the Jaguars' current position, it's a risk they might be forced to take.

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

Tannehill could suffer an extended slide, similar to that of Aaron Rodgers, if the Dolphins decided to go another direction. He still seems like the most logical pick, though.

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

No player has made a larger jump over the past couple weeks than Cox. The promising defensive tackle makes sense for an improving Panthers defense.

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

The Bills were able to lure Mario Williams to Buffalo with a huge contract offer, so they no longer need to worry about adding a defensive end. That leaves the secondary and wide receiver as their two biggest needs, with left tackle not far behind.

Barron's name has been generating a lot of buzz, especially in relation to the Bills. Even though he's clearly the best safety on the board, taking him inside the top 10 would be overshooting his actual value. That instantly increases his bust potential.

Buffalo had a similar problem with Donte Whitner several years ago. They took the safety higher than most experts projected, and he never turned into the superstar the Bills hoped.

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

Brockers will be a dominant force for years to come if he discovers how to use his excellent size and athleticism to his advantage. He's a work in progress who's worth the risk.

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

It seems like the position to take the biggest hit has been offensive tackle. That won't bother the Seahawks, however, as they get Reiff at a bargain price.

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

Since the Cardinals defense is already in pretty good shape, the team should focus on adding a star on offense in Round 1. Floyd fits the bill and should thrive opposite of Larry Fitzgerald.

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

The Cowboys won't be fortunate enough to land Barron, it appears, but settling for his college teammate isn't a bad fallback option. Kirkpatrick will make an immediate impact.

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

It's difficult to separate the hype from the truth when it comes to Kuechly's landing spot since so many teams need linebackers, but the Eagles won't let him get past them.

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

A down season from the team's vaunted defense probably has Rex Ryan trying to find ways to make it an elite unit again. Adding a rusher like Ingram would help the cause.

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

Making offensive line upgrades usually doesn't cause the fanbase to erupt with joy, but since the Bengals have two picks in the opening round, they can afford a non-flashy pick.

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

The Chargers need somebody who can put pressure on the quarterback, plain and simple. Upshaw has limitations in other areas, but he will help San Diego's defense anyway.

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

When healthy, Konz illustrated elite skills. While he's dealt with some nagging issues, he should be all systems go in time for training camp, making him a smart choice for Chicago.

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

Poe burst onto the scene with a huge showing at the combine. His strength alone will be enough to entice a team to select him in Round 1 despite playing against low-level competition.

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

Reaching for a running back is certainly in play here for the Bengals, but selecting a solid defensive tackle like Still presents a much safer alternative.

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

As discussed earlier, the Browns must focus on upgrading their offense in Round 1. Hill would seem like a logical choice based on his eye-popping combine results, but he'll be a one-dimensional player for his first season or two.

While his speed will make him an immediate deep threat, he still has to learn the finer points of the position before he moves toward that elite class of wideouts. And when a team spends a first-round pick on a WR, they are rightfully expecting major production right away.

Since the wide receiver class has plenty of depth, the Browns would be better off waiting to grab one instead of reaching for Hill. That said, his upside will be tough to pass up.

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

If Martin indeed falls this deep into the round, it would be a steal for the Lions. Adding a tackle of his caliber to the line makes the group exponentially better.

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

The Steelers don't have a lot of pressing needs, as last year's record would indicate, but a versatile lineman like Glenn would do wonders for a line that has battled injuries.

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

Worthy's actual value will far exceed his pick position if his work rate improves in the NFL. He's a monster in the middle when he's willing to put in 100 percent effort.

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

Houston should emerge as a serious threat in the AFC if the Texans can avoid key injuries like they suffered at the end of last season. Wright gives them another playmaker.

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

After watching their secondary get torched on a weekly basis, the Patriots would be crazy to let a potential star like Jenkins get past them despite some off-field concerns.

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

The effect of Dennard's off-field incident won't be known until draft day. He has enough talent to get drafted in the first round and the Packers do need another corner.

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

Even though the Ravens aren't in desperate need of an inside linebacker quite yet, taking Hightower now will allow him to gain experience before taking over the crucial spot.

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

Gilmore has jumped as high as the top 10 in some mock drafts, but I'm not buying the hype. He's a hard-working player who will improve, but he's better served deeper in the round based on current talent.

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

Aside from defensive backs, the Patriots defense also needs a linebacker. Mercilus makes the most sense at this point based on his ability to rush the passer.

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

While the Giants could opt to look for a running back, Fleener would provide Eli Manning with another reliable piece in his arsenal. He has improved his stock with solid workouts.