2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Are Guaranteed to Walk Away from Round 1 Happy

It's time to dissect some of the best talent in the nation in the form of one of the last remaining mock drafts of the year. 

The 2012 NFL draft is here to give us some closure after months of debate and discussion. Our latest is a first-round mock draft with a highlight on the teams that will be giddy headed into the summer. 

Finding the solution to a specific need or just the best player at the time means some of these teams will be headed into the deeper rounds with plenty of momentum. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This is an easy one.

The Colts get exactly the player they need as the era of Peyton Manning closes in Indianapolis.

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

The Redskins have craved a franchise arm for a couple seasons, and at last, he's here.

RG3 has the talent and personality to be a hit with Washington.    

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings may very well go with the bigger need at tackle with Matt Kalil.

However, it's hard to pass on an elite corner like Morris Claiborne, especially in the harsh NFC North division. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns may want a quarterback, but will settle for the best running back around. Richardson is a beast out of the backfield that's near impossible to get on the ground.  

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Bucs will have some soul searching to do. They can take two very accomplished athletes in Kalil or Blackmon, but will choose the physical playmaker.    

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

That leaves the the Rams right where they started months ago, when we had them looking long and hard at Matt Kalil. 

It comes full circle as their better options are ripped from them.

Still, Kalil is as stout as they come and will be a mainstay for years in St. Louis.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina 

The Jaguars get a versatile end that can easily fill in at linebacker. More than that, he's going to give it his all each and every play. 

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

The Dolphins seem to be sold on reaching for Tannehill, which makes sense considering this team has so many holes on the roster. 

There's no quick fix, making a reach for a franchise arm seem reasonable. 

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

I love the speed of this dynamo that explodes off the line with a great first step and power to command a couple blockers.    

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

The Bills may very well go with Michael Floyd at this point, and I wouldn't blame them in the least.

However, taking a durable tackle like Reiff would be the safe choice. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College 

He comes in loaded with all the tools for years and years of success. His instincts, speed and tackling ability are all top-tier. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I actually think the Seahawks would be ecstatic to get Coples here. There are questions about his motor, but there's something to be said for a player protecting his investment. 

If Coples flips that switch, his elite size and strength will win over fans. This is a great pass-rusher that will get better with time. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

He's a big guard that can seamlessly move to tackle, but his main talent isn't versatility.

The Cardinals are getting an agile lineman that can push up to the second level with great speed.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe's magical 44 reps with 225 pounds, and 40-yard dash time of 4.98 seconds, is enough to keep him in the first round. 

Forget questions on his tape from last season, because his recent workout proves he's the real deal. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Eagles desperately need consistency at the safety position. Barron is the best around, making play after play with elite instincts, speed and power. 

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

While he may be coming off a lackluster combine, Upshaw is still one of the best linebackers in my book. He has a great motor and will prove to be one of the best pass-rushers off the board. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

You can put this wideout anywhere on the field and feel comfortable he can make the play.

Floyd can be a dangerous vertical threat or fight for space in the short game. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

I'm very intrigued to see how Mercilus unfolds as a player. He shows flashes of sheer brilliance on the field. 

If he can flip the switch on every play, Mercilus will be a rare gem in the back half of the first round. 

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears are once again in need of some talent on the line, and would do well with Martin, who's well-equipped for the NFL game after Stanford.

His agility and footwork make him a great asset at pass-blocking as well as against the run. The offense will have that much more consistency going forward.  

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

He has the size and instincts to succeed for years at the corner. He may not have the media run of a Claiborne, but Krikpatrick is nearly as gifted when it comes to sheer power to the ball.  

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals get what they need on offense with their initial pick and lock down the defense with their second selection. 

Cincinnati may have the best draft day around at this point with a solid corner who's a jack of all trades.

Gilmore may not be elite at any one thing, but is still great at everything. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is explosive off the line.

Combine that with tremendous top-end speed, and you have a vertical threat that will give Colt McCoy a very real shot at keeping his job.

23. Detroit Lions: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

DeCastro kills two birds by keeping Matthew Stafford upright and offering the speed and power of the best run-blocker around.  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

He's a perfect fit for the Steelers and will only get better with time. Right off the bat, he shows a great knack for plugging holes and never gets cheated at the point of contact. 

He has a great ability to meet the opposition with power and great form, making him a tackling juggernaut that will soon be unleashed. 

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State 

He has an inconsistent motor, but the length to really effect the offensive line. The Broncos will soon have the best pass-rushing game around.  

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

The speed won't blow you away, but his size and route-running will. The Texans will also enjoy his hands that are adept at making the hard catch. 

Putting him alongside Andre Johnson would be a stroke of genius. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is being noticed for his versatility and ability to play in a any system. His speed and tenacity will command a great deal of attention on the line. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

I still have him in first-round contention for two reasons.

First, he has a great first step and will get a great jump on the ball from the snap.

The second is his ability to command his giant frame with ease. He will be a great asset upfront or at linebacker—a great, versatile weapon to have.  

29. Baltimore Ravens: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame 

I love him to learn from Ed Reed and slowly take over at safety. He has great speed and power at contact.

The best part is Smith's vision and football IQ that may be the best of any defender in the draft. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Here's a possible reach as some mocks have him as low as the fourth round. The off-field issues may be a problem for some teams, but his athleticism is top-tier.

I don't seem him sliding as far as most do.  

31. New England Patriots: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

He will fight to get open and use his tact to win balls. He is a solid red-zone threat that will give Tom Brady yet another weapon.  

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

I would like the Giants to shore up the line with a prospect that has tremendous upside. He may come with bad habits learned from dominating lesser opposition, but has elite written all over him. 

OTHER POSSIBLE NAMES FROM THE FIRST ROUND

Alshon Jeffery: The hardest worker around and a born leader.  

Brandon Weeden: Great arm and experience will make him an immediate impact player if needed.  

Chandler Jones: You have to love his length and ability to use his arms to get around the line. 

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