2012 NFL Draft Tracker: Breaking Down Every 1st-Round Pick

As the first round of 2012 NFL Draft progresses, we track and break down each of the first 32 picks Thursday night: 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Stanford QB Andrew Luck

There were no surprises from the Colts, who announced last week that Luck would be the draft's No. 1 overall pick. The former Stanford quarterback should be a perfect bridge from the end of the Manning era to the start of the future in Indianapolis. 

2. Washington Redskins: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III

With Luck locked into the first overall pick, Griffin III was the sure-fire No. 2 pick. Washington spent a number of high picks in both this draft and future drafts to acquire the second overall selection, and there was zero chance it would was going to spend that pick on anyone but Griffin III. 

3. Cleveland Browns (from MIN): Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Smart move up from the Browns, who sent a fourth, fifth and seventh round pick to Minnesota to ensure they would get the draft's most complete non-quarterback. Richardson gives the Browns an offensive identity, while also taking a load off the shoulders of third-year quarterback Colt McCoy. He could produce 1,500 total yards (or more) as the center piece of Cleveland's offense in 2012.

4. Minnesota Vikings (from CLE): USC LT Matt Kalil

The Vikings are early winners in the first round after acquiring three extra picks and still getting the left tackle they wanted all along. Kalil gives Minnesota a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle that should keep 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder healthy next season. The extra picks will go along ways in speeding up the rebuilding project in Minnesota, too. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (from TB): Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon

The Jaguars didn't wait around once Blackmon got past Minnesota, moving up two picks with Tampa Bay to get the Oklahoma State receiver. A defendable move for Jacksonville, as 2011 rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had little no receiving options during a miserable first season. Blackmon and free-agent acquisition Laurent Robinson gives Gabbert hope for an improvement in 2012. 

6. Dallas Cowboys (from STL): LSU CB Morris Claiborne

The Cowboys made the most aggressive move of the first round so far, jumping up eight spots to get Claiborne at No. 6 overall. The price wasn't cheap, but Claiborne gives Dallas a talented cornerback that can also contribute on special teams. I'm a little surprised Dallas didn't wait one more pick and get Barron, but it's hard to knock getting the draft's top cornerback here.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from JAX): Alabama S Mark Barron

The Bucs played the top-10 masterfully. Not only did they move down a couple spots after Richardson went at No. 3, but they also positioned themselves perfectly at No. 7 to get an impact safety in Barron. He'll be an instant starter in a Tampa Bay secondary that needed help in this draft. Thumbs up for how the Bucs played this decision. 

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

It was the move Miami had to make. After striking out on Peyton Manning, Alex Smith and Matt Flynn this offseason, GM Jeff Ireland really forced his own hand. Tannehill will need time and has a bust factor to him, but he could be the answer at the game's most important position if handled correctly. We're guessing offensive coordinator Mike Sherman will have the right idea on what to do with Tannehill at the next level.

9. Carolina Panthers: Boston College LB Luke Kuechly

The Panthers make a safe pick with Kuechly, who should be an instant starter among the Carolina linebackers next season. He'll most likely be headed to the outside, but Thomas Davis and Jon Beason are coming back from injuries, so there's options here. I thought Fletcher Cox also made a lot of sense at No. 9, but I'm not sure you can hate on such a safe top-10 pick. 

10. Buffalo Bills: South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore

Barron was a better fit for the Bills, but Gilmore is a fine value selection at No. 10 overall. He could have a Charles Woodson like impact at the NFL level, and you can never have enough good cover people during this age of professional football. Gilmore will have an impact on a Bills' defense that could be pretty good next season. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Memphis DT Dontari Poe

Not a fan of this pick. While Poe has all the measurables you could ever ask for in a defensive lineman, he wasn't very productive at Memphis and has workout warrior written all over him. Romeo Crennell will find creative ways to use him, but I think the Chiefs could have gotten a better player at No. 11 overall. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (from SEA): Miss. St. DT Fletcher Cox

The Eagles sat tight and hoped that Cox would fall, then pounced on a deal with Seattle once he did. He could be a dominant player right away with the talent that already exists on the Eagles' defensive line. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn is a happy man tonight.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd

The Cardinals find their next Anquan Boldin in Floyd, who should give Arizona another top receiving threat to team with Larry Fitzgerald. I haven't been a fan of the Cardinals making this choice in mock drafts, but it makes sense given how the first round has played out. Kevin Kolb needs to put together a productive season in 2012 with the weapons he's been handed. 

14. St. Louis Rams (from DAL): LSU DT Michael Brockers

Love this selection for the Rams. Not only have they stockpiled picks both in this draft and in 2013, but Jeff Fisher also got his next Albert Haynesworth. Brockers is a monster defensive tackle that has All-Pro potential in the right situation. He's raw right now, but Fisher will turn him into a force.

15. Seattle Seahawks (from PHI): West Virginia DE Bruce Irvin

The draft's first real head-scratcher. Trading down was a smart move, but it's hard to defend the selection of an undersized player with character concerns in the first round. Irvin received a second-round grade on almost every analyst's draft board. You need to rush the quarterback in this league, but Irvin was a big reach. 

16. New York Jets: UNC DE Quinton Coples

A top-10 talent that didn't always give the effort, especially during his senior season in Chapel Hill. However, Coples tore up Senior Bowl week and should be a versatile piece for Rex Ryan's defense. While there were a number of other pass-rushing options still on the board, Coples could be a steal this late if the light turns on under Ryan.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick

A solid pick that many have predicted for months in mock drafts. While Cincinnati spent money in free agency on the secondary, Kirkpatrick should be a starter right away at either cornerback or safety. He'll add toughness and physicality to a secondary that needed the extra depth. 

18. San Diego Chargers: South Carolina DE/LB Melvin Ingram

It's certainly not a surprise that the Chargers went with a pass-rusher, but you'd have to think GM A.J. Smith was ecstatic that Ingram was still available at No. 18 overall. San Diego now has Ingram, Shaun Phillips, Jarret Johnson and Antwaun Barnes as primary pass-rushers, which isn't a bad foursome for getting after the quarterback. Chargers' fans should be a happy bunch tonight. 

19. Chicago Bears: Boise State DE Shea McClellin

McClellin looked like a better fit in a 3-4 defense, but the Bears did well to get one of the draft's top pass-rushers at No. 19 overall. He put his hand in the dirt plenty during his four years at Boise State, so there's no reason to think he can't be a full-time 4-3 defensive end. Overall, putting McClellin opposite Julius Peppers on the Bears' defensive line looks awfully good on paper.

20. Tennessee Titans: Baylor WR Kendall Wright

A mini-surprise here at No. 20. While Wright was mocked in the early 20s for most of the draft season, few had him going to Tennessee at this point. He'll team with Kenny Britt to give the Titans a solid pair of complementary receiving options. Big-armed Jake Locker could do a lot worse than those two for the next decade. 

21. New England Patriots (From CIN): Syracuse DE Chandler Jones

Huge pick here for Bill Belichick and the Patriots after moving up six slots from No. 21 overall. Jones was the top pass-rusher on a lot of boards and should be an impact pressure player for New England early in his NFL career. If Jones can put on a little weight, there's a lot of Jason Pierre-Paul in his game. Huge get for the Patriots, even if they did have to make an uncharacteristic move up. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden

The Browns pre-draft interest in Weeden was no joke. Instead of hoping that Weeden would get to the Browns' second-round pick at No. 37 overall, GM Tom Heckert and vice president Mike Holmgren pulled the trigger on the 28-year-old quarterback with the team's second first-round pick. Colt McCoy, you're job as the Browns' starting quarterback is in serious jeopardy.

23. Detroit Lions: Iowa T Riley Reiff

The Lions get much needed insurance at tackle and a potential day one starter at guard in Reiff. He'll be a candidate to take over for left tackle Jeff Backus once the 35-year-old hangs up the cleats. He could be a long-term starter at right tackle, much like Bryan Bulaga in Green Bay. Safe, smart pick for the Lions, who needed help up front. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Stanford G David DeCastro

Love this pick for the Steelers. DeCastro is arguably the best college guard since Steve Hutchinson, and Pittsburgh needed help on the offensive line. He'll also be a candidate to play right tackle if need be. Good teams make smart picks, and that's exactly what the Steelers did here.

25. New England Patriots (from DEN): Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower

The Patriots make their second move up in the first round to snag Hightower, who represents the fourth Alabama player picked in the first round. While an inside linebacker in college, Hightower will likely compete for a starting job at strong side linebacker in the Patriots' 4-3 defense. Interesting fit, but you can't knock a team that finished 31st in total defense for taking the captain of one of the best defenses in college football history. 

26. Houston Texans: Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus

The Texans find a natural replacement for Mario Williams, who bolted Houston for Buffalo during free agency. Mercilus will be just fine standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and his athleticism should make him an impact pass-rusher early on, even if it's only in a rotational role. A really good defense gets better with this selection at No. 26 overall. 

27. Cincinnati Bengals (from NE): Wisconsin G Kevin Zeitler

The second guard taken in the mid-20s, Zeitler gives Cincinnati the inside presence that many mocked to the Bengals in the first round. He may also have the ability to play center and right tackle, giving Cincinnati plenty of options with how they want to use him. Not a sexy pick, but one that makes sense. 

28. Green Bay Packers: USC LB Nick Perry

I thought Courtney Upshaw was a better fit for the Packers defense, but there's no knocking Ted Thompson for finally addressing the outside linebacker position. Perry should be an immediate starter opposite Clay Matthews, giving Dom Capers a pair of USC pass rusher to unleash at quarterbacks in 2012. 

29. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL): Notre Dame S Harrison Smith

I haven't been a fan of Smith as a first round pick, but I can see why the Vikings moved up to get him here at No. 29. Few teams got worse safety play last season than Minnesota and no moves were made to fix the position in free agency. Smith should be an instant starter at the back end of Minnesota secondary.

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

There was talk of Jenkins' stock rising as the draft neared, but I doubt there was one analyst who considered Jenkins a first-rounder. Does that make this a reach? Maybe. But Jenkins was ultra productive at Illinois and should give Alex Smith another viable receiving target in San Francisco. Surprising, but I like the fit. 

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from DEN through NE): Boise State RB Doug Martin

After missing out on Trent Richardson in the top-5, Tampa Bay moves back into the first round to get the three-down back they covet. New head coach Greg Schiano will smartly plug him in ahead of LeGarrette Blount as the Bucs' bell-cow runner. There's Matt Forte/Ray Rice like impact potential from Martin in year one. 

32. New York Giants: Virginia Tech RB David Wilson

The Giants lost Brandon Jacobs in free agency but now have a completely different style of runner to replace him next season. An electric athlete, Wilson will give the Giants a home run threat out of the backfield to team with starter Ahmad Bradshaw.