2012 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Take Andrew Luck 1st Overall

The NFL season begins tomorrow so its a logical time to put out a mock draft. Covering the draft is a year-round process and a lot of these players will see their draft stock rise or fall. However, this is a good starting point, and with solid seasons, the majority of these prospects will not drop.

Developing a draft order this early in the season is a difficult task, so I used the Bleacher Report Power Rankings. Bleacher Report's and Huge Upside's Matt Miller also used this order for his most recent mock draft.

The 2012 Draft will be all about Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck is widely regarded as the top prospect to enter the draft in years. He has "franchise quarterback" written all over him and could change the fortunes of his new team.

Outside of Luck, this draft has talent but the majority of the players are less highly touted.  Some of the other top names include Alshon Jeffery, Quinton Coples and Landry Jones. As the season progresses, check back and see more updated mock drafts.

1. Seattle Seahawks- Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

Seattle is heading into the season with Tarvaris Jackson as their starting quarterback. Jackson had several unsuccessful seasons in Minnesota, but that didn't stop Seattle from giving him the starting job.

Last season, they brought in Charlie Whitehurst with the hope that he would develop into the long-term starter. However, Whitehurst was unable to impress and appears to heading to a career as a backup.

Landing Luck would be a dream scenario for Seattle and make them playoff contenders for years to come. This would solve the franchise's biggest need and question mark.

2. Tennessee Titans- Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR

The Titans used a first-round selection in 2011 on quarterback Jake Locker. He will eventually be given the keys to the franchise and it will be important to surround him with talent.

Locker will have the pleasure of handing the ball off to Chris Johnson. However, the receiving corps doesn't have a reliable No. 1 target, mainly due to the off the field issues of Kenny Britt.

Adding Alshon Jeffery would give Locker a big target that can go up and get the football. He also has the ability stretch the defense and make plays down the field. Jeffery's presence would help both Locker and Chris Johnson.

3. Cleveland Browns- Quinton Coples, UNC, DE

Cleveland is going through a defensive transition, making the move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme. Currently, they don't have the required pieces to effectively run their new system.

Many will agree that the defensive line is the most important part of the defense. Especially, the defensive end position because they are typically the guys that create pressure.

Quinton Coples has tremendous physical talents and has the ability to rush the passer. He would help speed up the overall development of this defense. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Landry Jones, Oklahoma, QB

The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a tough position because they basically have one year to evaluate Andy Dalton. The NFL is driven by quarterback play, meaning it's imperative to have a superstar at the position. 

Is Dalton a super star, capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl? 

This is the question the Bengals will be looking to answer this season. However, the new rookie pay scale makes it possible for teams to select quarterbacks in back-to-back drafts.

Jones has all the physical tools to play quarterback in the NFL. He also has shown good accuracy and the ability to move the ball down the field. Jones needs another big season to solidify his position as a top-10 draft pick.

5. Buffalo Bills- Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

The Bills still appear several years away from contending. They have a few major needs including the all-important quarterback position.

However, Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown that he is more than capable of holding down the fort until a young stud is drafted. Any young quarterback the Bills might select would have to deal with the void of a good offensive line. Buffalo has major holes at both tackle positions and they need fill those before bringing in a young signal caller.

Jonathan Martin is my top-rated tackle and has the potential to develop into a very good left tackle. Adding Martin will help keep Bills quarterbacks upright and healthy.

6. Carolina Panthers- Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

Carolina has their quarterback of the future in Cam Newton, and now they need to surround him with the talent necessary to succeed. Steve Smith is still a dangerous playmaker, but is less effective because of constant double-teams. Carolina could also look to add defensive help, but adding offensive talent will be a priority.

Blackmon is a big-bodied receiver with the ability to threaten a defense deep. His excellent production at Oklahoma State shows he has the ability to make plays. Blackmon's presence would give Newton another excellent target as well as take some pressure off of Steve Smith.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The 49ers are in a similar position as the Bengals as they used a second-round pick on a quarterback with an uncertain future. Colin Kaepernick has a ton of physical talents, but needs to make a ton of technique adjustments. 

A poor season in San Fran might lead to another early quarterback selection. However, Jim Harbaugh has a big enough ego to believe he can develop the young Kaepernick. Harbaugh very well could develop Kaepernick, but this team seems only a quarterback away from contending.

Dre Kirkpatrick is an extremely talented cornerback that has the potential to develop into a shutdown cover man. He is still a little raw, but the talent and desire are present for him to succeed.

8. Washington Redskins- Nick Foles, Arizona, QB

Washington held a preseason battle between John Beck and Rex Grossman to see who would be the starting quarterback. Grossman has been named the starter, but doesn't inspire a ton of hope or optimism. The Redskins will definitely be looking to select a quarterback early in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Many will feel this is a crazy pick, but Foles has as much talent as anyone in this draft class. He reminds me of Blaine Gabbert, but with better down the field accuracy. Foles is accurate to all levels of the field and possesses a strong arm.

9. Denver Broncos- Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

John Fox takes over a Denver team filled with players added by previous head coach Josh McDaniels. It is no secret that Fox is not in love with many of McDaniels' personal decisions. This includes running back Knowshon Moreno, who reportedly hasn't impressed his new coach.

Trent Richardson is a John Fox-type player that will bring both speed and toughness to the running game. 

10. Miami Dolphins- Matt Barkley, USC, QB

This offseason shed some light on how the Dolphins organization feels about Chad Henne. It appears unlikely that Henne will be the long-term starter for the Miami Dolphins. This team has talent and is only a quarterback away from contending.

Matt Barkley will enter the NFL with a ton of experience under his belt. He had the opportunity to play in a pro-style offense which will make his transition to the NFL easier. There is a good chance Barkley is a starting NFL quarterback from Day 1.

11. Oakland Raiders- Matt Kalil, USC, OT

As you look over the Raiders roster, you would be surprised at the amount of talent on this team. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball with a good mixture of youth and experience. However, they need some help along the offensive line especially at the left tackle position.

Matt Kalil is one of the top tackle prospects and has all the skills necessary to develop into a Pro Bowl left tackle. He has good technique and the athletic ability to protect the edge.

12. Arizona Cardinals- Brandon Jenkins, Florida State, OLB

Arizona will use this season to see if either O'Brien Schofield or Sam Acho can create pressure on the quarterback. The Cardinals defense has some nice pieces on the line and in the secondary, but needs help at the linebacker position. Creating pressure is something this team struggled with last season.

Brandon Jenkins plays defensive end at Florida State, but will likely be asked to move to linebacker in the NFL. He has an explosive first step, and is able to get the edge and create pressure. His ability to get to the quarterback will be something that excites NFL teams.

13. Minnesota Vikings- Donte Paige-Moss, UNC, DE

Over the last several seasons, Minnesota has relied on their ability to create pressure with their front four.  However, last season that production dropped off and the defense wasn't as successful. This year they have to deal with the loss of Ray Edwards, who left via free agency.

Donte Paige-Moss is entering this season as one of the better college pass rushers. However, fellow Tar Heel Quinton Coples is getting all the attention. Paige-Moss has all the skills needed to develop into a dominant pass rusher in the NFL.

14. St. Louis Rams- Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB

St. Louis is one of the up-and-coming franchises, thanks to their young quarterback Sam Bradford. However, they still have some holes at several positions. The wide receiver corps is lacking a true No. 1 target, but at this point in the draft, selecting a receiver would be a reach.

Stephon Gilmore is an athletic corner with a ton of upside. He has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars- Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

Jacksonville spent some big money this offseason on the defensive side of the ball. However, they still have some question marks in the secondary. They are still in a division with the Colts and Texans, two teams that have potent passing attacks.

Dennard was a bit overshadowed by Prince Amukamara, but it was not his time to shine. Many feel that Dennard has more pro potential than his former teammate. 

16. San Diego Chargers- Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

The Chargers are a team that has a lot of their key positions figured out. However, it is still important to continue to add young talented players. The presence of Phillip Rivers gives the Chargers the luxury of going best player available.

Vontaze Burfict has top 10 talent, but may drop a little due to some character concerns. However, it only takes one team to feel comfortable with the risk/reward ratio.

17. New York Giants- Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State, OL

The Giants offensive line is going through a transition period. At one time, the Giants offensive line was considered the best in the NFL, but age and injuries have limited the groups effectiveness. It is time for the team to retool the position by adding young talented players.

Kelechi Osemele is a perfect fit for the Giants as he is a big tough offensive lineman. Osemele is a versatile player with the ability to play both guard and tackle. He could be the long-term replacement for Kareem McKenzie.

18. Tampa Bay- Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

Tampa has used a ton of early draft picks to beef up their defensive line. However, they still have a bit of a hole at the defensive tackle position (Brian Price's injuries).

Thompson would be a great complement to Gerald McCoy as he has the ability to play two-gap football. The Bucs could let McCoy play to his strength by penetrating and wreaking havoc in the backfield. 

19. Detroit Lions- Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB

The Lions are building an impressive defense, but still lack great talent at the cornerback position. They passed on adding to the position during the 2011 draft which makes bringing in a corner necessity in 2012.

Minnifield is an experienced corner that would give the Lions another option at the position. Detroit plays in a division with Green Bay who likes to spread the field with multiple receiver sets. This means you need to have more than a few good cover options.

20. Dallas Cowboys- Mike Brewster, Ohio State, C

Dallas made a surprise move by releasing starting center Andre Gurode within a week of the opening game. They have committed to moving forward with Phil Costa has their starting center. However, little is known about Costa, and it might be a stretch to think he could be an effective NFL starter.

Mike Brewster is in a battle for the top-rated center in the 2012 draft. He has good size and plays with great leverage. Brewster is a leader and has very good football IQ. He has the ability to step in from Day 1 and be effective.

21. Indianapolis Colts- Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT

For years, the Colts have neglected the interior of the defensive line. And for years, the Colts have struggled to stop the run. It is time for this franchise to add talent and size to the defensive front. Adding a legitimate playmaker will help the defense as a whole.

Jerel Worthy is an emerging star with both the size and quickness to make it in the NFL. Worthy is a versatile player as he has the quicks to penetrate and the anchor to play two-gap football.

22. Houston Texans- Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, WR

The Texans have a ton of talent on both sides of the football, and appear prime to make a strong playoff run. During the 2011 draft, the Texans focused on adding to the defensive side of the football. They now need to focus on finding someone that can draw some double-teams away from Andre Johnson.

Fuller has good size and deceptive speed. He has had a very productive college career and will likely be an early draft pick. Fuller has the ability to demand attention, helping draw some double-teams away from Andre Johnson.

23. Chicago Bears- Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

There isn't much debate on the Bears' biggest team need. They have question marks at almost every spot along the offensive line, but especially the all-important left tackle position. J'Marcus Webb is the current starter, but has done little to inspire a ton of confidence.

Mike Adams will miss the first five games due to a suspension, but still remains one of the top tackle prospects. He has good size and athletic ability which leads to his projection as a NFL left tackle. A strong end to the season could propel Adams to the mid/early first round.

24. Kansas City- Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, LB

The Chiefs could look to add someone along the offensive line, but it might be hard to pass up a talent like Manti Te'o. They have Jovan Belcher at one of the starting linebacker spots, and while he has shown promise, he doesn't have the upside of Te'o.

Te'o is a tremendous athlete with ability to cover sideline to sideline. In the right scheme, Te'o could lead the NFL in tackles.

25. New England Patriots- Zach Brown, UNC, LB

How do you mock a pick for a team that has young talent across the board? Well, you just find the best player available and go with that player. The Patriots have stock piled both picks and young talent which has given them a lot of freedom on draft day.

Zach Brown is one of the more talented players available, but falls a little here because of team needs. Brown also needs to show more consistency in order to solidify his draft position.

26. New York Jets- Cordy Glenn, Georgia, OL

The New York Jets like to play hard-nosed football, running the ball down their opponents throat. In order to play that style of football, you need to have a strong offensive line. As it stands, the Jets have some holes on the offensive line including right tackle and both guard positions.

Cordy Glenn is a massive offensive line prospect that could play either right tackle of guard. He has good power and excels at run blocking.

27. Baltimore Ravens- Riley Reiff- Iowa- OT

Is Michael Oher's future at right tackle? It appears that the Ravens question Oher's ability to play left tackle due to the recent addition of Bryant McKinnie.

McKinnie is not the long-term answer at the position and may not even be the short-term answer. The left tackle position is too important to have in a state of flux.

Riley Reiff is yet another Iowa offensive line prospect that is getting a ton of attention. He has some question marks and needs more time to develop, but possesses a ton of upside. Due to his athleticism, Reiff projects as a NFL left tackle.

28. Cleveland Browns- Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, RB

Cleveland has Peyton Hillis, but due to his hard running style, he is no guarantee to remain healthy. Even if Hillis is able to remain healthy, the Browns could use a speed back to complement Hillis power running style.

Cyrus Gray is one of the more exciting running backs in all of college football. He has a tremendous burst that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers- David DeCastro, Stanford, G

The Steelers are continuing their movement back to more of a power running game. That transition starts with adding more talent to the offensive line. At this point, there isn't a tackle that fits, but several interior lineman are legit options.

DeCastro is a technically-sound and tough interior lineman. He does a good job maintaining leverage and opening running lanes. His strong base allows him to anchor and protect the quarterback.

30. Philadelpha Eagles- Matt Reynolds, BYU, OT

The Eagles spent the offseason adding big-name players at several positions. However, they failed to upgrade their right tackle position. The preseason exposed the issue at right tackle, and with no long-term solution on the roster, adding a player in the 2012 draft appears like a must.

Matt Reynolds is a right tackle only, but has the potential to be a very good right tackle. He has good size and quick enough feet to protect the edge. His size and strength allow him to effectively open up running lanes.

31. Green Bay Packers- Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia

Everyone knows the type of player Clay Matthews is, but that notoriety also means added attention. Matthews often faces double teams and chips from running backs. The Packers and Matthews would benefit from the addition of another pass-rusher.

Bruce Irvin has some holes in this game, but nobody doubts his ability to create pressure. West Virginia rotates Irvin in and out of the game, playing him mainly on passing downs.

32. New England Patriots- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, LB

This is a scenario where the Patriots add the best player available at a position they love to address. An NFL team can never have enough depth at the linebacker position. 

Hightower has the versatility to fit in any system which is important to the Patriots. As usual, this pick could be a potential trade hot spot as New England rarely keeps two first-round picks.