2012 NFL Draft: My Final Account of the First Round (Without Trades)

All that is left is the picking. Well, something like that. First, there is about 10 hours of waiting, more reporters asking questions, and of course, the barrage of media coverage that has already ensued in New York.

To say the potential first round choices tonight in the draft will get some rest before the big event is, well, highly unlikely.

And now that everything is set and all that is left is the picking of real estate in a very uneven market, let the feeding frenzy begin.

This draft is odd in that over half of the first round picks could be consumed by LSU, Alabama, Stanford and South Carolina. And nothing besides Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson are a sure thing (sorry, RGIII).

Most teams want to trade down in this market, not make the transition upward to the deluxe condo.

In other words, it could be one of the longest first rounds in NFL history.

Expect there to be trades, suspense and overall frustration. This draft will have as much drama as a reality television show.

And when the first round is over, we all will look back and wonder what the heck just went on. And for those reasons, here is how I see the draft shaking down, minus trades. They are too complicated to figure out.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

He has already been declared the winner of the Colts sweepstakes. To go on about his accolades would be repetition.

The only thing left for Luck and the Colts is to formalize the marriage and decide on children.

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

Another one of those picks that is really just a formality.

RGIII will add excitement in DC and will give Daniel Snyder something to brag about.

If he is everything he is believed to be, I think he becomes a bigger deal than Luck in five seasons.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Tackle, Southern California

If the Vikings somehow botch this pick, then there is something wrong with this team.

A left tackle who anchors your line for a decade is rare today. Kalil, who falls in line with other great USC tackles, can do that for the Vikings and adds another nice piece to a young puzzle of players who will not move in the right direction.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Here is where we start to twitch a bit.

The Browns have many options for a runner, receiver and defensive help. Plus, Ryan Tannehill is out there.

The safest bet and best player in this draft is Richardson, who will open up passing lanes for Colt McCoy by running to daylight.

Look for the Browns to spend their entire time on the clock to get this one right.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College

The big "switch" has begun.

Todd McShay of ESPN listed Kuechly as the pick of the Bucs in his most recent mock draft.

And after thinking about it, there is some sense in it.

But do I think Kuechly is the next Ray Lewis? NO!

The choice will be between Kuechley and defensive back Morris Claiborne. I love drama, so I will go with Kuechly and let the fallout begin.

6. St. Louis Rams: Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Another change to earlier projections.

Morris Claiborne could look good here in Missouri with Cortland Finnegan in the secondary, but Jeff Fisher takes a big tackle instead.

Cox will help solidify the line and the team can look to add a receiver with the first pick in the second round of the draft.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

The draft scenario the Jaguars have been hoping for. And the phone lines will be ringing as well.

What's a poor franchise to do?

Look for the Jaguars to pull the trigger on Blackmon of Oklahoma State but also listen to trade offers.

This position in the draft is the most sought because of the Tannehill situation.

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

The Dolphins management listen to owner Stephen Ross and take Tannehill.

Can we now get on with the rest of the draft?

Thank you.

9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, Defensive Back, LSU

It is Christmas in North Carolina.

How Claiborne, the fourth best athlete in this draft falls to ninth with the Panthers, proves theories that this is either a deep draft, Tampa Bay has no idea what it is doing, or Carolina just got the steal of the decade.

I would think it is all three.

Claiborne is a building block Ron Rivera cannot pass up.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, Tackle, Iowa

The Bills offensive line is weak and while someone like Michael Floyd is still on the board, getting  a rock to anchor the left side is crucial to the team's success.

Reiff is born, bred and corn fed. And will be the standard by which tackles are judged for the next decade.

This allows the running game to be more stout, provides more pass coverage for Ryan Fitzpatrick and opens the receiver lanes for Stevie Johnson.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

If you cannot have the quarterback you want, go after the best player available for your needs.

A strong defensive tackle like Poe is good for this team because he adds depth.

Injuries hurt Kansas City last season. It will interesting to see if everyone comes back and gives the organization the push it did in 2010.

This is Romeo Crennel's first full season as head coach with the team. Things should be interesting to say the least.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

I had first thought maybe Pete Carroll drafts defense, but Floyd is too attractive to pass up.

New Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn needs more toys to go with the offense.

If Floyd and Flynn can get their chemistry together early, Seattle may be flying to the playoffs.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Linebacker, South Carolina

Another player who falls in this draft and falls into a great situation.

Ingram and Arizona will go together smashingly.

The Cardinals played well in the second half of the season, despite injuries.

If they are going to move in the NFC West, they had better do it this year.

Ingram gives them versatility they can use at various areas of the line and the middle.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Last year, the Cowboys took a tackle to solidify the offensive line.

This year, the defense gets help.

Brockers is young and agile and can possibly play outside.

And he can anchor the defense for the next half decade.

Philadelphia Eagles: Cordy Glenn, Tackle, Georgia

Glenn gives the Eagles a huge body on the offensive line and can play both guard and tackle spots.

He also will anchor the line for the next decade.

The Eagles may try and trade up, but for now, the line is the focal point.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Linebacker, Alabama

Sometimes, things just fall into place.

The Jets need a pass-rusher and youth on the defense, and Upshaw gives them that.

New York could look to trade up in the draft, possibly to have a shot at Trent Richardson.

But for now, Upshaw is the guy they have coveted.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

The Bengals get another speed receiver and now Andy Dalton has another weapon to use on offense.

Hill is moving up the draft with his 4.37 speed.

But to be honest, I have been cautious of players like these who shoot up the chart. They tend to disappoint in the end.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, Tackle, Stanford

Martin is a steal at this spot.

If you block for Andrew Luck and fall this far, you are a godsend for the team that gets you.

The Chargers need help on both lines. But seeing Martin here is too much for the team to pass up.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Somehow I knew that Coples would fall. The Bears could use the pass-rusher opposite of Julius Peppers and have bookend players from UNC.

Now that the Bears have depth at receiver and running back, the defense gets a tweak.

Lovie Smith will smile wide if Coples plays the brand of ball he knows he can play every game.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

This could have been the Bears pick, but Mercilus does have some question marks.

Mercilus led the nation in sacks last year but he has not been consistent. I can still see him as a disruptive force.

The Titans can use defensive stars and while the pass rush needs help as well as in the secondary.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, Defensive Back, South Carolina

Now it is time to help the defense.

Gilmore has been up and down he charts and looks good in the Bengals secondary.

I am not as high as everyone on Gilmore and think he is a player who will fizzle out in a year or two.

22. Cleveland Browns: Brandon Weeden, Quarterback, Oklahoma State

Is this a reach? Maybe. But Weeden, in my opinion, is better than Tannehill.

And he will give Colt McCoy competition.

Weeden, although 28, has a great arm and can find receivers.

With Richardson already drafted, finding the passer of the future is necessary.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, Defensive Back, Alabama

Sometimes things fall into place.

The Lions have secondary needs and, well, Barron fills them. Of all the Alabama prospects on defense, it looks like Barron may be the best in the end.

He will give the safeties more depth and can fortify the return game as well.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

The Steelers always seem to find a player and reload on defense. And they always find big, strong players to fill those roles.

Jerel Worthy fills that slot.

The defensive tackle will step right in and make an impact.

The Steelers need to get younger and faster on defense and Worthy fits the team's profile.

25. Denver Broncos: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Konz will give Peyton Manning another body on the line for his protection.

Konz can play both guards slots and center.

The Broncos also need defensive depth, which also may be an option.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, Wide Receiver, LSU

A compliment to Andre Johnson.

I think Randal at his size (6'3") is a great outside threat on the other side to balance the Texans offense.

Now the Texans can truly be the beast in the AFC and the preseason favorite to go to the Super Bowl.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

The Patriots strike it rich on their first go around in the draft.

Perry is one of those big linebacker/end types that fits well in the defensive scheme up in Boston.

While the team did find some nice pieces to the puzzle in free agency, depth is still a need on defense.

28. Green Bay Packers: David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

How did the Packers get this lucky?

DeCastro was the best guard on everyone's board and well, at times, someone has to fall.

He will help rebuild and aging line and anchor the interior for the next decade.

I am sure Aaron Rodgers approves of the move.

29. Balitmore Ravens: Kevin Zeitler, Guard, Wisconsin

Zeitler moves into the spot created when Ben Grubbs moved to New Orleans.

Also, Zeitler can play both guard positions and possibly be the center of the future for this team.

It's not sexy, but it is still solid.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Dre Kirkpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama

The rich keep getting richer.

With no true flaws on this team, the 49ers have the option of choosing the best player available.

And while they can strengthen their secondary, this is a huge win for them.

Kirkpatrick falls to them and does not have to start right away and can learn the defense before he is thrown to the wolves.

Great pick!

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, Defensive Back, North Alabama

The guy with the highest risk/reward will also be the guy who may have the best talent of any defender in this draft.

Jenkins has Patriots written all over him.

Jenkins will give the team another young body in the secondary and on defense and will also help on special teams.

Really, this may be the only team that can take him and keep him from trouble.

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

A big need for the Giants and they get the best tight end in the draft.

Fleener is a nice pass-catcher who can also play halfback.

He needs to work on his blocking, but his skills and frame are ideal for the Giants offense.

Great get so late in the first round.