2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top-10 Talent That Will Fall to Lucky Teams

Every year, teams selecting in the second half of the first round benefit from bad picks that allow talented players who should get picked inside the top 10 to slide down the board. The story will almost certainly be the same this time around.

Here's a full mock draft of Round 1 featuring elite prospects who won't get their name called as early as they hoped, allowing a lucky franchise to snag them later. That isn't always a bad thing, however, since it gives them a chance to win right away.

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

All of the hype produced by the draft process will be a burden for Luck in his rookie season. If there's anybody equipped to handle the pressure, it's Luck.

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

While trading up to select Griffin was the correct move based on Washington's quarterback situation, the team needs to exercise patience with their new star until the roster around him improves.

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

It's basically impossible to separate rumors from reality leading up to the draft, so who knows if the Vikings are really shopping this pick, but they should stand pat and take Kalil.

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

The Browns offense lacks the firepower necessary to consistently beat stout AFC North defenses. Taking Richardson will be the first step toward fixing the problem.

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

Even though the Buccaneers probably want to increase the amount of support Josh Freeman has on offense, it'd be tough for them to pass on Claiborne, who also fills a need.

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

It's not fair for the Rams to expect Sam Bradford to play like a franchise quarterback until they get him a legitimate top target like Blackmon. They can find defensive depth later.

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

Nobody should be surprised if Coples starts sliding down the board, because it's so difficult to get a read on his stock. Teams love his upside but are worried about his work ethic.

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

Tannehill faces a larger learning curve than the first two quarterbacks off the board, but the Dolphins failed to land a veteran quarterback to take over under center, so he makes the most sense.

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

The Panthers are building a talented young roster that should become a force in a couple seasons once everybody settles in. Cox will be the latest addition to the project.

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

Taking Michael Floyd would really help the Bills offense by giving Stevie Johnson some support, but the team needs safety help as well, and interest in Barron has skyrocketed.

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

Brockers has an impressive combination of size and athleticism but is still a raw prospect. His upside means the Chiefs should take a chance and wait for him to flourish.

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

Poor play from the offensive line turned out to be one of the major reasons the Seahawks weren't able to make a return trip to the playoffs last season. Reiff should step in right away to fill a void.

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

A lack of monster numbers in college has become the only real concern about Floyd. When you consider the quarterbacks he had, though, it shouldn't be a major issue.

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

Keeping up with the Giants and Eagles won't be easy, so the Cowboys have to make upgrades on defense in the draft. Kirkpatrick presents the best value here.

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

No player in the draft will be more reliable than Kuechly. The Eagles know exactly what they would be keeping from him, and confidence in a pick makes the rest of the draft easier.

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

The Jets defense didn't live up to its usual elite standards last season for myriad reasons, including a lackluster pass rush. Ingram will get the unit back on track.

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

DeCastro has the potential to become a truly dominating interior lineman if his development that began at Stanford continues, making him a wise pick for the Bengals.

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

The Chargers have been searching for an effective outside rusher ever since Shawne Merriman's production became virtually nonexistent. They would finally be able to fill that need with Upshaw, who played a key role on the title-winning Alabama defense.

He has good speed and underrated strength, both of which are key for playing on the outside at the next level. He did whatever the coaching staff asked him to do in college and did it well. That type of versatility is invaluable to NFL teams.

If San Diego plans on keeping pace with the retooled Broncos, it needs to find ways to make life difficult on their new quarterback. Upshaw provides tremendous value at No. 18 and will be looked back upon as a steal.

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

It takes a special center to earn a first-round grade, and Konz definitely falls into that category. He's battled injuries, but otherwise looked like a future line anchor at Wisconsin.

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

Going up against weak competition while playing for Memphis means Poe will need to adjust to the talent level in the NFL, but his power should make him a force sooner rather than later.

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

It's a deep defensive tackle class, which means the Bengals are able to get really good value by taking Still this deep in the round. He should make an immediate impact.

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

If the Browns are serious about fixing their problems on offense, they really need to take a wide receiver with this pick. Hill's performance at the combine gives him a leg up.

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

One of the most curious draft trends over the past month has been Martin's slide. He was once pushing the top 10, but slowly faded into the 20s as other prospects started to generate more hype and his consistency started getting overlooked.

That won't bother the Lions, though. They need another tackle to upgrade an offensive line that allowed 36 sacks of injury-prone quarterback Matthew Stafford last season. Martin did a great job of protecting this year's top pick, and he'll do the same in the NFL.

The Lions have made serious strides toward becoming an NFL contender in recent years. Improving the line will put them one step closer to a complete roster, so they'll be ecstatic if Martin remains on the board when they get up.

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

The Steelers have never worried about being flashy, so taking an offensive lineman in the first round fits their style well. Glenn brings much-needed versatility to the line.

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

After bringing in Peyton Manning and some of his former buddies with the Colts to take care of the offense, the Broncos can focus on defense in the draft.

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

Houston's offense suffered several key injuries last season, but it should be back in good shape before the fall. Wright gives Matt Schaub another dangerous weapon.

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

Jenkins' talent level and draft position won't match. He has the potential to become a shutdown cornerback and would be challenging Claiborne as the class' top defensive player if not for some off-field issues that have caused teams to worry.

That said, Bill Belichick has never shied away from players with baggage if he strongly believes they can help the team win. Based on the way New England's secondary played for most of last season, Jenkins can definitely help.

Since the Patriots don't have many other holes to fill, they can afford to take a chance on Jenkins and hope his past issues are behind him. If they are, there's a strong chance this pick would turn out as the best of the entire round aside from the top five.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

One lesson fans learn quickly is to avoid late hype whenever possible. Gilmore has been mentioned as a top-10 pick in recent days, but he really belongs much deeper in the round based on current ability.

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

Hightower will benefit from spending time with the talented linebackers Baltimore already has in place before eventually taking over in the middle.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Did Dennard's off-field incident cause his stock to drop? Only time will tell, but if the 49ers are drafting based on talent alone, he's a solid value selection at this point.

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

The Patriots need to put more pressure on the quarterback to help out their secondary. Mercilus should be a good fit for New England's defensive scheme.

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

Rounding out a first round dominated by Stanford's offense and Alabama's defense is the Cardinal tight end. Fleener should develop into a great red-zone threat.