2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Bold Moves will Shape Entire First Round

Every year, NFL teams make bold moves in the first round of the NFL draft that shape the landscape for every other team selecting afterwards.

2012 won't be any different, and there are bound to be some major surprises at the top of the first.

This mock draft will focus on how those surprisingly bold picks will affect the teams picking down the line.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

The only thing left for the Colts to do is to sign Luck to a contract and then build a competitive team around the sure-fire superstar.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

The Redskins are thrilled to land the most athletic quarterback since Michael Vick, and I'm expecting RG3 to have a monster year in 2012.

3. St. Louis Rams (From Vikings): Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

The Vikings are looking to move back, and the Rams have reportedly shown interest in moving up to snag Richardson, per Matt Williamson via Twitter:

"

Could see #Rams moving to 3 to get Richardson, then trading S-Jax...#Vikings still might get Kalil at 6

"

"— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) April 25, 2012"

Richardson will do as much for Sam Bradford as any receiver, and his arrival signals the end of the Steven Jackson era in St. Louis.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

The Browns no longer have to decide whether they'll take a wide receiver or running back with Richardson off the board. Blackmon will significantly improve their ability to make plays downfield in the passing game.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

The Bucs had shown some interest in Richardson, as well. His departure from the draft board also makes their decision easy. They need to draft for the future of their secondary, and Claiborne is the premier cornerback in this draft.

6. Minnesota Vikings (from Rams): Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

The Vikings get their man after trading down a few spots. Smart move by Rick Spielman.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

The Jaguars need to build around Blaine Gabbert to give him a fighting chance to succeed in 2012. Floyd gives them a legitimate downfield threat, and his addition to the roster will go a long way towards building a balanced offense to go along with MJD and the running attack.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

The Dolphins will select Tannehill—no doubt about it. They are desperate for a franchise quarterback, and though he may not be ready to start right away we could see him take over for Matt Moore by the middle of the season in 2012.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers): Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Per DraftInsider.net, the Eagles are really high on Cox, and they have reportedly considered trading into the top 10 to snag him. This is the best opportunity for them to do so, and they won't hesitate.

Cox is a disruptive force in the middle, and he's the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the draft—a quality Andy Reid cherishes. 

He is still raw, but his size—6'4", 295 pounds—and athleticism remind me of a young Warren Sapp. He will give the Eagles a formidable front line as he lines up next to Cullen Jenkins, while Jason Babin and Trent Cole fire at the quarterback from the edge.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

With Blackmon and Floyd already off the board, the Bills will take care of their offensive line needs and try to land another playmaking wide receiver later on in the draft.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford

This pick makes too much sense. After landing Eric Winston in free agency, the Chiefs can assemble one of the league's most dominant offensive lines by adding DeCastro.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

The Seahawks need to fill the void at middle linebacker left when David Hawthorne left town for the New Orleans Saints, but Ingram is a legitimate top-flight pass-rusher as a defensive end—a position of greater priority in today's NFL than middle linebacker.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

The Cardinals don't have any solid options currently on their roster to play offensive guard. They re-signed Levi Brown, for God's sake. Glenn will be an instant starter and could become an elite tackle with proper coaching and dedication.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

The Cowboys could take Mark Barron here, but Gilmore is a better player and will help their secondary to improve even more than the former Alabama star.

15. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Many mock drafts have the Panthers taking Poe with the No. 9 pick. They will still get their man after moving down a handful of spots, plus the additional pick they landed in the trade.

Win-win.

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

The Jets were atrocious in coverage last year, despite the fact that Darrelle Revis is still the best cornerback in the NFL. They need help at safety, and Barron's ability to thrive in the running and passing game makes him a perfect fit for Rex Ryan and the multiple-scheme system he runs.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker, Boston College

Kuechly will thrive playing behind the behemoth defensive tackles that the Bengals have. As long as he can run around without having to shed blockers he's going to be a solid playmaker.

18. San Diego Chargers: Shae McClellin, Outside Linebacker, Boise State

The Chargers have a strong need for another pass-rushing outside linebacker, and McClellin is a fast-rising prospect that will have a major impact in this area for them.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

The Bears won't have a chance to compete for the NFC East crown unless Jay Cutler stays healthy. They must make their offensive line their first priority, and Martin is the best offensive tackle left on the board.

20. Tennessee Titans: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Coples is going to be a star at the next level. He has multiple pass-rushing moves, and he'll have double-digit sack totals for the Titans in 2012, making them completely forget about the loss of Jason Babin last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a physical cornerback that perfectly fits Mike Zimmer's defensive philosophy. He'll learn a lot from Nate Clements, another physical corner who's found moderate success in the NFL.

22. Cleveland Browns: Doug Martin, Running Back, Boise State

After securing an elite wide receiver prospect, the Browns will now further bolster their anemic offense by adding one of the most complete running backs in this year's draft.

23. Detroit Lions: Chandler Jones, Defensive End, Syracuse

The Lions need to plan for a future without Cliff Avril. There is a chance he'll sign a contract, but so far the two sides are at a standstill. Jones is a raw prospect, but he'll learn from Kyle Vanden Bosch how to get the most out of his skills and make an impact as a rookie.

24. Green Bay Packers (from Steelers): Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker, Illinois

The Packers are doomed without another pass-rusher to pair with Clay Matthews. They were atrocious at defending the pass last year, even though they were once again among the league leaders at creating turnovers.

Though there is some concern about Mercilus possibly becoming a one-year wonder, his potential to wreak havoc in opposing backfields will prompt the Packers to move up in order to secure his services—especially considering McClellin is already off the board.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

Worthy is a big, strong tackle that will bolster the Broncos in the middle—one of the only weak spots on their defense last year. His presence will allow the defensive ends and linebackers more leeway to attack the passer from the edge.

26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

The Texans will be able to use Fleener as both a tight end and as an interior receiver. His presence on the field will cause teams to necessarily ease off of Andre Johnson to ensure Fleener won't burn them over the top with his blazing speed.

27. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Alabama

The Patriots love guys that can play multiple positions in multiple schemes. Upshaw will be perfect for them, and best of all he won't be asked to cover in the passing game very often.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeff Allen, Offensive Tackle, Illinois

Ben Roethlisberger won't last much longer in the league if he faces any more seasons like last year. The Steelers need to protect him from harm, and fast.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

The Ravens need to plan for the eventual retirement of Matt Birk. Konz is an exceptional prospect at the center position, and in the meantime he can rotate in at the guard position if Ben Grubbs doesn't live up to expectations.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

The 49ers aren't finished overhauling their wide receiving corps, and Wright has fallen down the draft board far enough. Baalke won't leave him for another team to steal.

31. Cleveland Browns (from Patriots): Brandon Weeden, Quarterback, Oklahoma State

The Browns make one of the boldest moves thus far by trading back up into the first round for their third selection.

Weeden seems to believe there's a strong possibility he will end up in Cleveland and said as much in an interview with the Plain Dealer:

"

Yeah, they have [shown interest]. You never how it's going to go, but I feel really good about how everything's gone with the Browns throughout this whole process. It would be exciting if I ended up there.

"

Although his age worries some—he's 28—the Browns are smart to aggressively pursue him, especially after loading up on offensive weapons. Now all they need to do is improve the interior of their offensive line.

32. New York Giants: Dont'a Hightower, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

The Giants struggled in defending the run and fielding a complete defense last year. Hightower will be a perfect fit as a hammer in the middle of their defense, and his addition will make them even more dangerous as a pass-rushing team due to his skills as a blitzing linebacker.

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