2012 NFL Draft Grades: 1st-Round Grades and Report Cards for All 32 Picks

The first round of the 2012 NFL draft finally began Thursday night as commissioner Roger Goodell walked to center stage in Radio City Music Hall.

After the crowd settled, the first two picks went as expected. Andrew Luck became the new franchise quarterback and symbol of hope for the Indianapolis Colts, and Robert Griffin III took over the reins of the franchise for the Washington Redskins.

After those selections, chaos ensued.

Let's get right down to business. Here are first-round grades and report cards for every pick in the first round:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Grade: A+

The inevitable finally happened. Andrew Luck was the first selection in the 2012 NFL draft. Luck waltzed across the stage with a smile ear-to-ear and accepted the role of savior for the Indianapolis Colts.

This pick is easily an "A+" considering Luck is the best quarterback to enter the draft since John Elway. He can do it all and will jump-start the rebuilding phase in Indy in a big way.

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

Grade: A+

As expected, the second overall pick in the draft was Robert Griffin III.

Another "A+" selection here as Griffin is the most dynamic player to enter the league at quarterback in some time. His versatility will give defensive coordinators around the league nightmares from the beginning.

Griffin's arrival in the league is bad news for everyone else, but there's an excitement in the air in Washington that hasn't been felt for a long time.

3. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trade Alert: Cleveland trades the fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round selections to trade up one spot with the Minnesota Vikings.

Grade: A

The Browns traded away some needless picks here to take the best running back to enter the league since Adrian Peterson. With the departure of Peyton Hillis, the Browns needed a starting back, and Richardson is that and much more.

The Browns are now on the right path to building a legitimate offense around quarterback Colt McCoy. Richardson is a game-changer that will be in the league for a long time.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Grade: A+

The Vikings could have went a few ways here, but opted to get a franchise left tackle in Matt Kalil. He'll be able to protect the blind side of Minnesota quarterbacks for the next decade or more.

This pick is made even better by the fact the Vikings traded down and still got their guy while accumulating picks that will allow them to rebuild.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

Trade alert: Jaguars trade seventh overall pick and a fourth-round selection to Tampa Bay.

Grade: B-

The Jaguars get a solid weapon for second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert in Justin Blackmon. He's a great receiver with amazing yards-after-catch potential, but a bit on the small side.

The Jaguars moved up for a receiver that probably would have fallen to them anyway. Still, they got the guy they desperately wanted, and that's what counts.

6. Dallas Cowboys: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Trade alert: The Cowboys give up the 14th overall pick and a second-round selection to move up to the St. Louis Rams' spot here.

Grade: A+

The Cowboys make an amazing move here to trade up and get a player who is easily the best cornerback in the draft. Morris Claiborne fills a huge need for Dallas and will drastically improve the entire defense.

Dallas gives its second-round pick here, but the payoff is well worth it. Claiborne is a special player that will excel at the next level.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Grade: C+

A slightly surprising pick here by Tampa Bay in selecting Mark Barron out of Alabama. He's a fine safety prospect but he has had serious issues with injuries throughout his career.

Barron was picked this high because of the quality of talent available after he is off the board. If Barron can stay healthy, this is a solid pick.

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

Grade: D

The Dolphins had a chance to take an elite prospect here and end up taking one who is going to take years to develop. He's athletic, but raw. He can be a quality quarterback in a few years, but the Dolphins will likely throw him to the wolves this season.

The Dolphins would have been wise to trade down and at least justify taking Tannehill in the first. Instead they spend a first-round pick on a project; that's worthy of a "D."

9. Carolina Panthers: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Grade: B

The Panthers get a great prospect here in Luke Kuechly. He's an insanely productive player that had an impact on every game he played in college.

In Carolina he'll be a starter and have an immediate impact. He'll upgrade a unit that was quietly very good last season. He's not the pass-rusher the Panthers could have used, but he's a great pick nonetheless.

10. Buffalo Bills: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Grade: A

The Bills fill a big need here with Stephon Gilmore. He's been rising up draft boards as of late, and he has finally realized his full potential as a top-10 pick.

Gilmore will be crucial to the Bills road to the playoffs next season. They grabbed Mario Williams to rush the passer and now have an elite talent in Gilmore who will give Williams time to get to the quarterback.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Grade: D

The Chiefs are taking a huge gamble here on Dontari Poe. He saw his stock rise after an amazing NFL Scouting Combine performance, but on film it was clear he did little of anything while playing against mediocre competition.

Outside of Poe being a gamble, he wasn't even the best tackle on the board. Fletcher Cox is a better prospect, and for these reasons the Chiefs get a "D."

12. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi

Trade alert: Philadelphia gives up the 15th overall selection along with a fourth- and sixth-round pick this year to move up to this spot.  

Grade: A

Great move here by the Eagles, who saw Dontari Poe fly off the board with the previous selection and realized Fletcher Cox would be next.

Cox is the best defensive tackle in this draft, so the price the Eagles paid is well worth it in the long run. Cox is an elite pass-rusher and is stout in the running game as well.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Grade: B

Michael Floyd is a great fit here for the Arizona Cardinals. Across from Larry Fitzgerald he will thrive as a legit No. 2 receiver. If quarterback Kevin Kolb can't get it together with a weapon like Floyd, he'll be replaced by this time next year.

This selection gets a "B" because this wasn't the Cardinals' most pressing need. It's important to note that Arizona could have used a pass-rusher here, and the best prospect in that regard was still on the board in Melvin Ingram.

With that being said, this is still a great selection that makes the Cardinals a threat for their division next season.

14. St. Louis Rams: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Grade: A+

For a team that started the offseason with the second overall pick, trading down to 14 and landing a great defensive tackle prospect is an amazing feat. Michael Brockers is a great prospect that can do it all on the defensive line for the Rams.

Not only is Brockers a major upgrade to the entirety of the Rams defense, the team has accumulated a massive amount of picks to accelerate the rebuilding process.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is how to quickly build a contender.

15. Seattle Seahawks: Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia

Grade: C-

This is the definition of a reach folks. Bruce Irvin is a one-trick pony that will only be on the field in passing situations. He's good at getting to the quarterback, but he's a horrible value here.

At 15th overall taking a player that isn't a full-time starter is a mistake. It was a good idea to trade back, but not to take a player like Irvin.

16. New York Jets: Quinton Coples

Grade: B

Quinton Coples is a great pick here for the New York Jets. He'll start right away on the defensive line and provide some consistency at the defensive end position.

The issue with Coples is his motor. At times he disappeared for games at the college level. That's a big concern here, especially with a player like Nick Perry or Melvin Ingram still on the board.

There's a high bust potential here, but it's a good pick for the time being.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Grade: A

The Bengals have been reeling since the loss of Jonathan Joseph. Dre Kirkpatrick is a great selection here to build for the future.

Kirkpatrick is a large corner that is extremely aggressive. He has the ability to play safety as well.

This is a depth pick for Cincinnati now, but a great pick nonetheless. Kirkpatrick will be starting across from Leon Hall two years from now.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Grade: A

It's been no secret leading up to the draft the Charges needed to add a pass-rusher. They do just that here by getting arguably the best in the draft in South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.

It's unclear why Ingram slid this far, but the Chargers aren't complaining. Ingram fits perfectly with the Chargers and will be in contention for defensive Rookie of the Year in San Diego next season.

19. Chicago Bears: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

Grade: B

Shea McClellin has skyrocketed up draft boards as of late, and now he's a member of the Chicago Bears.

McClellin is a very good pass-rusher that will help the Bears compete in a division peppered with great quarterbacks. McClellin has an endless motor that will fit in well with the Bears defensive unit.

McClellin wasn't a big name before tonight to most, but he could be in a few years.

20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Grade: B

Kendall Wright has seen his stock fluctuate drastically this offseason. He's been called small and slow, but on film has shown what a great receiver he is by going over the middle, deep and being very effective in run-blocking.

This is a very good selection for the Titans. Wright is a four-year starter that ended up as Baylor's all-time leading receiver.

The Titans are trying to build around quarterback Jake Locker, and this is a great way to do so.

21. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Trade alert: The Patriots give Cincinnati their 27th overall pick and an additional third-rounder to move up here.

Grade: B+

It's hard to question Bill Belichick when he makes an aggressive move like this. The Patriots saw something special in Chandler Jones, and they could be right.

Jones fits in perfectly with the Patriots. New England needs plenty of help on defense and Jones provides just that. He's a very good all-around defensive end that will provide a boost to the mediocre unit.

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

Grade: D

Head-scratcher here for the Browns. They make a great selection at third overall in Trent Richardson to boost the offense around quarterback Colt McCoy and turn around and draft a 28-year-old quarterback in Brandon Weeden.

Weeded is by no means a bad quarterback, but his age is a detriment. It's hard to tell how long he'll be a viable option at the position, and the Browns will be expecting him to start right away.

The Browns could have selected a good offensive lineman here, or even a receiver. Instead they take a quarterback and take a leap in the wrong direction.

23. Detroit Lions: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Grade: A

Very good pick here for the Detroit Lions who were in big need of an offensive lineman. Riley Reiff was expected to be gone in the first 15 picks so Detroit landing him here is an amazing value.

The Lions throw the football more than any other team in the league. Reiff will be able to start at right tackle immediately and provide much better protection than quarterback Matthew Stafford is accustomed to thus far in his career.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Grade: A+

Unbelievable pick here for the Pittsburgh Steelers. David DeCastro might just be the most surefire prospect in this draft class.

DeCastro is a prototypical NFL offensive guard. He'll start right away and provide some stability on what has been a notoriously inconsistent offensive line.

DeCastro can play either guard spot. It's also worth noting that he's very good in the running game.

25. New England Patriots: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Trade alert: New England trades a fourth-rounder and the 31st overall pick to Denver to move to this spot.

Grade: B

As noted earlier the New England Patriots had a plethora of needs on the defensive side of the ball. Dont'a Hightower is a prospect the Patriots weren't expecting to still be available here, so it's no surprise they traded up.

Hightower is elite at stuffing the run, and even better at blitzing up the middle. He'll provide some stability and consistently to what was a mediocre unit before the draft began.

26. Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Grade: A

The Texans entered the draft looking for help at the receiver position and on the defense. They elected to go defense since Whitney Mercilus was still available here.

Mercilus is a very good all-around defensive end that will start immediately. He can clog running lanes when asked and apply pressure on quarterbacks with regularity.

Mercilus is a great addition to an already elite defensive unit.

27. Cincinnati Bengals: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Grade: A

The Bengals entered the draft looking for a starting right guard to protect second-year quarterback Andy Dalton. Kevin Zeitler will do just that in Cincinnati.

Zeitler is a mauler in the running game and very good at pass protection. He'll fit right in on the massive Bengals offensive line.

This pick is made even better by the fact the Bengals managed to trade down to this spot and still land a quality starting right guard.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Grade: A

The Packers needed to add an effective pass-rusher across from Clay Matthews and do just that with one of the most talented rushers in the draft in Nick Perry out of USC.

Perry is a versatile pass-rusher that uses his freakish combination of strength and speed to get to opposing quarterbacks with ease.

Perry and Matthews should have no issues wreaking havoc on quarterbacks throughout the NFL next season.

29. Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame

Trade alert: The Vikings give Baltimore the 35th over all pick and a fourth-round pick to move to this spot.

Grade: A

The Vikings knew going in that their secondary was horrendous last season. Here they find a starting strong safety in Notre Dame's Harrison Smith.

Smith is a solid athlete that is reliable in the running and passing game. He'll upgrade the secondary quickly in Minnesota.

30. San Francisco 49ers: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois

Grade: C

A.J. Jenkins was pegged as a second- or third-rounder heading into the draft. The 49ers elected to take him at the end of the first round instead.

Receiver was an obvious need for San Francisco as they had no true deep threat for quarterback Alex Smith. Jenkins is an impressive deep threat that could have an impact deep down the field should the 49ers actually decide to throw it deep.

Jenkins could have a solid impact in his rookie season, but he's still a reach. A much better option here would have been Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Trade alert: The Buccaneers give up a second-round pick and swap fourth-rounders with the Broncos to move up here.

Grade: A

Tampa Bay had an obvious need in the running game and managed to land the second-best running back in the class after missing out on Trent Richardson earlier in the first.

Doug Martin is an elite running back prospect that will provide another dimension to the Bucs running attack as he can catch the ball as effectively as he can run it.

The Bucs gave up a small amount to land such an important need.

32. New York Giants: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Grade: A

Being the Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants didn't necessarily have a glaring need. David Wilson is a luxury pick here that will only make the defending champs better.

Wilson is a gifted athlete that has game-breaking speed and can catch any pass thrown his way. He'll fit right in on any down for the Giants and only further the Giants' chances of reaching the big game again next season.

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