NFL Draft Tracker 2012: Updates on All Day 1 Action

The 2012 NFL draft was one of the wildest drafts in years, with numerous trades and bizarre picks galore. Heck, even the New England Patriots traded up in the draft.

For some fans, it was bliss. For others, confusion and agony.

Here's a breakdown of all the picks on Day 1. Don't worry, Cleveland Browns fans, the Browns organization did you proud.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The 2012 NFL draft started out predictably, with the Colts grabbing a once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect in Andrew Luck. He has the ability to lift the Colts franchise, even without many weapons. He's that good.

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

My mock draft was 100 percent accurate at this point, as was everyone else's. The Redskins grabbed a potential superstar in Robert Griffin III, who has the arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and legs to be a franchise quarterback.

3. Cleveland Browns (via MINN): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Fearing other teams would trade the Vikings for the opportunity to draft Trent Richardson, the Browns did what they had to do to grab a potential superstar at the next level. They traded the No. 4 overall pick, and a fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round pick to move up to No. 3 overall.

4. Minnesota Vikings (via CLE): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This was a predictable pick for the Vikings. They need to add protection for young quarterback Christian Ponder and Matt Kalil has the potential to be a franchise tackle.

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

Opinion will be split on this move by the Jaguars. They traded up from No. 7 overall to grab Blackmon, who deserves the distinction of being labeled the best receiver in the draft but has questions when it comes to size and speed. 

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

A curious trade and a curious pick. The Rams had a chance to strengthen the secondary with Claiborne, but opted to trade back and give the pick to the Cowboys. A cornerback wasn't expected to be the Cowboys' first-round selection, but it does strengthen their secondary.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via JAC): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Buccaneers decided to skip on Claiborne and upgrade their secondary with safety Mark Barron. I don't agree with the pick. Claiborne is a much better prospect than Barron and would have been a great successor to Ronde Barber.

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

This was expected. The Dolphins were desperate for a quarterback and Ryan Tannehill was largely considered the third-best quarterback in the draft. Tannehill's a project, so it will take time before he can make a great impact.

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

I thought the Panthers may go with a defensive tackle here, but adding an inside linebacker of Luke Kuechly's caliber isn't a bad idea, either. His instincts, range and tackling ability could make him a star in Carolina.

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

I didn't expect the Bills to draft a cornerback, but I do like Stephon Gilmore a lot. Apparently the Bills weren't that high on Iowa offensive tackle Reilly Reiff, who would have added protection for Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

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

The Chiefs needed help stopping the run and Dontari Poe has the potential to be a star in the NFL based on his dazzling combination of strength, size and speed. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via SEA): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

This is a great pick for the Eagles. They had trouble stopping the run last season and Fletcher Cox could become the best defensive tackle to come out of the draft. They got the pick via a trade with the Seahawks. 

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

A predictable and great pick for the Cardinals. They needed to add a weapon opposite Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona and Michael Floyd has the strength, leaping ability and hands to be a nice player in the NFL.

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

A big goal of the Rams defense was to get bigger and more physical, so I could see why the Rams made this pick, particularly with Blackmon and Floyd off the board at receiver. Michael Brockers has character concerns, but his combination of strength and athleticism is outstanding.

15. Seattle Seahawks (via PHI): Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

Boy, oh boy. I've already detailed why this was a horrible pick, but I'll reiterate. Bruce Irvin was not only a legit third-round prospect, he came with character concerns. He used his impressive speed to create pressure in college, but he's a one-dimensional pass-rusher who many project as a third-down situation player from the get-go. I don't see how this is a reasonable pick.

16. New York Jets: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Just when you thought the Jets had enough character concerns and distractions in their locker room, they go ahead and draft Quinton Coples. Coples' desire was questioned last year. He was inconsistent and appeared downright lazy at times. He has the strength and speed to be a star, but I don't see that happening. I would have gone with Melvin Ingram.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

A very predictable and solid pick by the Bengals. Dre Kirkpatrick gives them someone to pair up with Leon Hall. He's a physical, strong player with solid instincts.

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

Imagine casually walking outside for the morning paper and finding a pot of gold beneath a rainbow at your doorstep. Yeah, that's how the Chargers must be feeling. Melvin Ingram was projected as high as No. 7 overall to the Jaguars. Instead, they saw the pass-rushing outside linebacker they've been coveting for years fall in their lap. They have to be ecstatic.

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

I see what the Bears were trying to do here. They wanted to add a pass-rusher off the edge beyond Julius Peppers. But in the first round? After Jay Cutler got hurt last season because of your poor offensive line? I don't understand, Chicago. You are asking for trouble again.

20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With Gilmore and Kirkpatrick off the board, the Titans decided to add a weapon in the passing game. I love Kendall Wright moving forward. He has DeSean Jackson-like athleticism and great hands.

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

I don't know if I agree with Chandler Jones this high, but he is a versatile player, and Bill Belichick loves using different schemes, so it could be a good fit. But I don't understand why the Bengals wouldn't give Andy Dalton some protection with elite guard prospect David DeCastro. I don't like this trade for the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

With Kendall Wright off the board, I understand why the Browns made this pick. Frankly, they don't trust Colt McCoy at quarterback and Weeden is a very accurate quarterback who grew in his last season at Oklahoma State.

23. Detroit Lions: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Lions could have added a pass-rusher like Nick Perry here, but Riley Reiff was clearly too good to pass up here. He could have been a Top-10 pick. Instead, he fell to No. 23, and he stands to develop into Matthew Stafford's blindside protector.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

A lot of playoff contenders lucked out in this draft. DeCastro was considered in some circles as the second-best offensive lineman in the draft and he fills a need for the Steelers. A major upgrade on a suspect Steelers O-line. They have to be ecstatic.

25. New England Patriots (via DEN): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Folks, 2012 clearly will mark the end of the world. The Patriots traded up twice in an NFL draft. Apparently the Broncos weren't in love with any of the defensive tackles remaining and decided to trade back. Dont'a Hightower is a good fit with the Patriots, with the versatility to be moved all over the field.

26. Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Exit Mario Williams. Enter Whitney Mercilus. Mercilus has the potential to be a special pass-rusher in the Texans' 3-4 scheme. A receiver opposite Andre Johnson would have been nice, but Mercilus was the better player on the board.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (via NO through NE): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Kevin Zeitler was a second-round prospect in my book, so I don't like what the Bengals did here. Andy Dalton is a very promising quarterback and he deserves better than this.

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

Be afraid, NFL, be very afraid. Some believe the Packers were a pass-rusher away from making it back to the Super Bowl headed into the draft. Now all they've done is added a lightning-fast, explosive pass-rusher in Nick Perry. Perry has the ability to step in right away and make an impact.

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

This was a nice trade and a solid pick by the Vikings in my opinion. They needed help defending the pass and Harrison Smith was largely considered the second-best safety in the class. He's a versatile player with good instincts.

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

Given what Jim Harbaugh and Co. did last season, I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the 49ers on this one. A.J. Jenkins isn't actually as bad a reach as some people think. He has good size, top speed, nice hands and impressive body control. He's a work in progress and needs to work on his route running and consistency, but the 49ers coaching staff is one of the best in the league.

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

While I was a bit confused by the Buccaneers' selection of Mark Barron, I did like this move. They weren't able to grab Trent Richardson, but they did get a guy in Doug Martin who could develop into a dependable starter. He's a multi-faceted running back.

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

I honestly didn't like this pick. I do agree they need to add some depth behind Ahmad Bradshaw, but Coby Fleener would have been a nice addition for Eli Manning with tight ends Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard out for next season with torn ACLs.

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