2012 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 with Potential Bills-Vikings Trade

Most draft gurus have their mocks all set for tonight's first round of the 2012 NFL draft, but potential trade rumblings could throw everything for a loop.

According to former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans general manager and current CBS Sports analyst Charley Casserly, the Buffalo Bills have interest in trading up to select USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil.

There is no doubt that such a trade would shake up the draft, as the Minnesota Vikings seem like a likely candidate to move down to No. 10 from No. 3 and pick up the Bills' second-round selection as well. Most mocks have Kalil going at No. 3 so that wouldn't change much, but the Vikings could go in a number of different directions with their pick, completely reshaping the draft.

Here is a full, first-round mock draft for your enjoyment, complete with the possible Bills-Vikings trade and analysis on how it will affect the opening round.

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

All of this trade talk won't have any bearing on what the Colts do, as they have already decided to make Luck the new face of their franchise.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via STL)

The Redskins made a preemptive trade a couple months ago, and they will make no mistake by taking their quarterback of the present and future in Griffin.

3. Buffalo Bills (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC (Projected Trade with MIN)

Here is where things start to get interesting. While the Bills certainly have a need at left tackle with Demetress Bell signing in Philadelphia, this may not be the best move for them. Provided Kalil becomes a Pro-Bowl tackle, it would be tough to argue with the move, but the Bills are a team with multiple needs, so giving up a second-round pick in addition to the No. 10 pick in order to move up would really limit their options.

Buffalo's incumbent starter on the left side is Chris Hairston, who was a fourth-round pick last season. He played a bit last season and looked good, although it wouldn't hurt to upgrade. Even so, the Bills allowed fewer sacks than any team in the league last season, due in part to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's quick release, so the offensive line isn't the biggest issue. There are also holes at linebacker, cornerback, safety and wide receiver that have to be filled.

With clear needs at five positions, I don't believe the Bills can afford to hone in on just one. With a fairly early second-round pick, the Bills have a chance to draft two immediate starters, and while trading up for Kalil would be an impact move, it wouldn't be the right one.

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

The Browns have some options with this pick, but with Peyton Hillis gone, they need a running back and Richardson is clearly the best in the class.

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

Tampa Bay signed Eric Wright during the offseason, but their cornerback situation is still a bit of a mess, so the Bucs should grab the top cover man in the draft.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via WAS)

There has been talk of the Rams looking at offensive tackles, defensive tackles and running backs, but wide receiver is a huge need, so Blackmon will be the pick.

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

Coples has fallen out of favor in the opinions of many draft gurus, but he is still the most talented pass-rusher in the draft and the Jags need another one badly.

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

Tannehill may be no better than a second-round prospect in reality, but the Dolphins missed out on all their quarterback targets this offseason, so they'll panic and reach for him.

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

The Panthers have two obvious needs at defensive tackle and cornerback, and Cox may be the most NFL-ready lineman in the draft, making him a smart choice.

10. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (Projected Trade with BUF)

Since the Vikings appear to be lukewarm on the prospects of taking Kalil, trading down to No. 10 makes a lot of sense from their perspective. It was quite apparent last season that they had a lot of problem areas on the roster, so remaining in the top 10 and picking up yet another second rounder should be a big help. 

This particular pick will have a major impact on the rest of the first round as the Vikes could go in a number of directions. Offensive tackle is still a need, so Iowa's Riley Reiff could be an option. Also, Minnesota has some issues at cornerback, making South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore a possibility. In order to accelerate the development of second-year quarterback Christian Ponder, though, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd should be the pick.

Aside from Percy Harvin, Ponder has nobody to throw to, particularly on the outside. Floyd is big, skilled and speedy, so he will put Ponder in a position to succeed. Not only do they fill a big need here, but they have two picks to address tackle and cornerback next round.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chiefs don't have many pressing needs, but they can't go wrong fortifying the offensive line with the draft's top guard in DeCastro.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Seattle had some difficulty getting to the quarterback regularly last season, but pairing Ingram with Chris Clemons should help change that.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Even when the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl, their offensive line was suspect, so they won't hesitate to nab Reiff as a long-term option at tackle.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

There have been plenty of whispers over the past couple weeks that the Dallas Cowboys are smitten with Alabama safety Mark Barron, but it was beginning to look as if they might not get him. The Buffalo Bills have emerged as a late contender for Barron's services at No. 10, but if they trade up to the third pick, then that would allow Barron to fall into Dallas' lap.

The Cowboys have had tons of issues defending opposing passing games over the last few seasons, but Barron would really help tighten things up. Not only is he an intimidating figure in the middle of the field who will make receivers think twice while running their routes, but he has ball skills as well and will be a huge asset in coverage.

Dallas is desperate for an impact player on defense who will reverse its fortunes, and if the Bills-Vikings trade plays out, then it will be great news for the Cowboys as Barron will quite likely still be on the board.

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

The Eagles may have the weakest linebacker corps in the league, but if they can pair Kuechly with DeMeco Ryans, then things may be looking up.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Gang Green's pass rush simply wasn't as potent last season as it had been in previous years, but Upshaw would make for a much-needed infusion of talent.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals still need another cornerback after signing Terence Newman, and Gilmore seems to have cemented himself as the No. 2 option in the draft.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

San Diego has had a lot of turnover on its offensive line, and with such turmoil it makes sense to take Glenn since he can step in at guard or tackle.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

When Tommie Harris was at his best for the Bears, their defense was nearly impenetrable, and Brockers may remind the Chicago brass of the good old days.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans did well to sign Kamerion Wimbley for one side of the line, and they will complete their pass-rush duo by selecting Mercilus.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Cincinnati doesn't really have anyone across from A.J. Green, so quarterback Andy Dalton would love to have a speedster like Wright to throw to.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Since the Browns already took Trent Richardson earlier in this mock, they might as well strengthen the running game even more by taking a top tackle in Martin.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions' secondary was exposed as a farce late in the season, so the organization won't let Kirkpatrick's off-field issues deter them from taking him.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Pittsburgh has to know that Casey Hampton's days are just about numbered, so if a big, athletic nose tackle like Poe is available, the Steelers have to pounce.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Most mocks have Konz being taken early in the second round at this point, but Peyton Manning would really benefit from a promising center such as Konz.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Texans have a prolific offense, but it may reach unstoppable territory if Hill develops as a good complementary threat across from Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

The Patriots can't get away with other team's retreads at linebacker forever, so they'll be proactive and take McClellin to be an outside pass rusher.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

Clay Matthews wasn't the same last season since opposing offenses keyed on him, but Jones should take at least some of the attention away from him.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Not only could the Ravens use a linebacker to play next to Ray Lewis currently, but someone like Hightower could be the heir apparent to his spot as well.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The only discernible weakness the 49ers have currently resides on the right side of their offensive line, so they'll gamble on Adams' character issues being fixable.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

If ever there were a Patriots-type defensive lineman in this draft, it is Still as he has the versatility needed to play pretty much anywhere.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

It hasn't been talked about as much of a need, but the Giants would love to replace Mario Manningham at outside receiver, and Randle would be a great fit.