2012 NFL Mock Draft: After Week 1 in College Football

With the first week of college football over, a number of top NFL prospects have begun their seasons.

Here's a look at how the NFL Draft could shape up after NCAA Week 1. It may be early, but it's never too early for a look at the upcoming NFL draft.

While this draft contains the obvious big names such as Andrew Luck, Alshon Jeffery and Trent Richardson, it also includes smaller-name players ready to absolutely blow up this season.

No.1: Miami Dolphins: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Most people seem to think the Dolphins are in for a rough year in 2011. I am one of those people.

The players don't seem to want to give their all to Tony Sparano, and when players quit on a coach, it usually results in a firing (e.g., Wade Phillips last season). Couple that with the fact that Chad Henne doesn't look like the answer behind center, and the Dolphins' next coach probably turns to Luck.

The most anticipated QB prospect to come around in some time, Luck is a world-class talent with plenty of experience in a pro-style offense.

He has been one of the main reasons Stanford is no longer laughed at in college football and likely would have gone first had he declared for the 2011 draft.

No 2: Denver Broncos: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Broncos are making the transition from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 under John Fox.

While they have pass rushers Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller at linebacker, a pass-rushing defensive end is necessary to run a solid 4-3.

That's where Coples comes in. At 6'6'' and 270 pounds, Coples was a monster last season at UNC, notching 10 sacks while recording a solid 15.5 TFL.

Just like he did with Julius Peppers, Fox will draft Coples as an edge-rushing terror to build his defense around.

No. 3: Washington Redskins: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Redskins' failed Donovan McNabb experiment has left them in dire straits at quarterback. John Beck isn't the answer, and Mike Shanahan is going to need someone to spread the ball around if he wants to win.

Landry Jones has put up some outstanding numbers for Oklahoma and would be a great choice here. He has great size and, while not on the level of Luck, he has the potential to be a very good starting quarterback in the NFL.

No. 4: Carolina Panthers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Panthers drafted Cam Newton first overall last year to be their answer at quarterback.

For him to be successful, they're going to have to surround him with some weapons in the passing game.

At 6'3'' and 230 pounds, Alshon Jeffery has been an outstanding producer in the rugged SEC and is one of the better wide receiver prospects in recent memory.

No. 5: Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

After drafting Andy Dalton last year, the Bengals need to bolster their O-line and keep their investment  healthy, especially with talented pass rushers like James Harrison and Terrell Suggs in their division.

Matt Kalil isn't a finished product, but once he is, he has the skill set and size (6'7'', 300 pounds) to be an elite blindside protector at the next level.

No. 6: Oakland Raiders: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

While the Raiders are very unpredictable in the draft, they have an absolutely glaring need at cornerback after losing Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency.

Al Davis is often sold on measurables, so he might just see Dre Kirkpatrick as what they need. At 6'3'' and with 4.4 speed, Kirkpatrick has been a solid producer for Alabama and has all the tools to be an All-Pro at the next level

No. 7: San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

San Francisco has put its faith in Colin Kaepernick as the QB of the future. So it is more than likely the 49ers will invest on someone to protect him this year.

Jonathan Martin played for new head coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford and did a great job protecting Andrew Luck's blindside, so he is definitely a logical choice at No.7.

No. 8: Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

While many think the Bills will take a quarterback here, I think they will see that their most glaring need is at left tackle and decide to wait until 2013 to look for a QB.

Reiff may not have the elite potential of Kalil or the exposure of Martin, but he has been a solid producer during his career at Iowa, a school known for churning out NFL linemen.

No. 9: Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Jags made it clear they believe Blaine Gabbert is their best bet at quarterback by cutting David Garrard. The next step for them is giving him a go-to receiver. Enter Justin Blackmon.

Blackmon has put up ridiculous numbers for Oklahoma State and isn't a bad consolation prize for not being able to get Alshon Jeffery. Drafting him gives Gabbert a legit No.1 receiver to throw to.

No. 10: Arizona Cardinals: Donte Paige-Moss, DE/OLB, North Carolina

Joey Porter is not getting any younger, and the Cardinals will need someone to take his place as the main pass rusher in their 3-4 scheme.

At 6'4'' and 260 pounds, Paige-Moss is a very athletic and versatile prospect who can play both as a rush end in a 4-3 and as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

He hasn't yet reached his full potential, but when he does, he has the ability to be a nightmare coming off the edge.

No. 11: Tennessee Titans: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

After losing Justin Babin via free agency, the Titans need to find someone to replace him as the disruptive force among their front four.

Worthy could be just the man for the job. He is a solid pass rusher from his defensive tackle position and has usually commanded double teams from opposing linemen.

No. 12: Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

After turning the page on Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle is left to wonder if Charlie Whitehurst is their answer at quarterback. That question will be answered this season, but I'm leaning towards the answer being no.

If Whitehurst does struggle, it would seem likely that Pete Carroll makes a play for Barkley in this year's draft. He coached Barkley for a season at USC, and Barkley is a solid prospect who should only get better with NFL-level coaching.

No. 13: Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State

The Chiefs need another pass rusher for their 3-4 scheme. Tamba Hali is solid, but he needs someone to stop teams from simply creating a game plan to neutralize him.

Although he plays in a 4-3 at FSU, Jenkins is versatile enough to be a great 3-4 linebacker at the next level. He has also been incredibly productive, notching 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles-for-loss last season.

No. 14: Houston Texans: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Texans have drafted both Brandon Harris and Kareem Jackson in recent years to improve their secondary.

While Harris' potential at the next level is TBD, Jackson has struggled. If Jackson doesn't improve and Harris doesn't cut it either, Houston may look to add yet another corner in this year's draft.

If they do, Hosley would be a solid choice. He has outstanding speed and is a true ballhawk, recording nine interceptions last season.

No. 15: Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, MLB, Arizona State

It's obvious that Cleveland President Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert are building something great.

However, they still need some help on defense, particularly at linebacker. With Scott Fujita getting up there in years and D'Qwell Jackson struggling to stay healthy, the Browns might just use one of their two 2012 first-round picks on a stud linebacker.

Vontaze Burfict is an absolute beast for the Sun Devils and is still oozing with potential. He had 90 tackles as a sophomore and was on many preseason All-American lists before this season.

Couple that with the fact he fits perfectly into the 4-3 scheme that Browns Coach Pat Shurmur is implementing, and this seems like a solid choice for Cleveland.

No. 16: Minnesota Vikings: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

This past offseason, the Vikings sent starting LT Bryant McKinnie packing, leaving the team without an established blindside protector for Donovan McNabb and 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder.

It only makes sense that they try to protect their investment through this year's draft.

Despite being suspended for five games this season for receiving improper benefits, Adams finished last season as possibly the best left tackle in the country, and he's still developing.

At 6'8'' and 320 pounds, Adams has great athleticism in pass protection and is a dominating run blocker. Were it not for his suspension, Adams has the ability of a top-10 pick.

If Ponder really is the Vikes' QB of the future, why not help him out by drafting an LT to keep him upright?

No. 17: Dallas Cowboys: Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon

Dallas' issues at corner are a lot worse than they seem. Terence Newman is 33 and has been struggling with injuries, and Mike Jenkins can't be depended on to consistently play at a high level. So it's only a matter of time before Newman retires or Dallas lets him go.

Even with some character concerns, Oregon's Cliff Harris makes sense for Jerry Jones and company. Harris has great speed and recorded 6 interceptions last season.

Coupled with his abilities as a return man (4 punts returned for TDs in 2010), and Harris may be tough for the Cowboys to pass on.

No. 18: New York Giants: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs aren't getting any younger, so it makes sense for the G-men to target their next feature back through the draft.

At 5'11'' and 220 pounds, Richardson is a beast and should tear it up this coming season, his first as a starter.

The Giants have been known to take the best player available in the past, and one could certainly make the case that Richardson is their best option at No. 18.

No. 19: Chicago Bears: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Jay Cutler has taken a beating over the past couple seasons, and it appears Chicago is finally beginning to address its needs along the offensive line. After drafting OT Gabe Carimi in the first round last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Bears target another lineman this year.

DeCastro is a bit of a sleeper but could easily move up in the first round with a good season. He is a tough, fundamentally sound lineman with good size and athleticism. If he protects Andrew Luck as well as he did in 2010, it's possible the Bears could target DeCastro in the first round.

No. 20: St. Louis Rams: Manti Te'o, OLB, Notre Dame

The Rams have improved a great deal in the Steve Spagnuolo era, and the future is bright in St. Louis.

However, there are a few needs on defense that must be addressed for them to take the next step. MLB James Laurinaitis is a stud, but he could definitely use someone on the outside to give him some help.

Te'o would be a great fit on the outside next to Laurinaitis. He is very athletic and has a great knack for getting to the ball. He's been a high-impact player since his freshman season in South Bend, and there's no reason to believe he can't be one at the next level.

No. 21: Detroit Lions: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

Lions GM Martin Mayhew has done a great job building a promising team through the draft. That's largely because he focuses on taking the best player available.

The Lions need to add some more to their defense, so look for Mayhew to take a linebacker here.

Kuechly is definitely a viable option for Mayhew and the Lions. He has been a tackling machine the past two seasons at BC, and there's no reason to think he won't continue his dominance this season. 

No. 22: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bucs' best corner, Aqib Talib, has had a multitude of off-the-field issues and is on thin ice with the league. If he were to be suspended, the Bucs would need another corner they can count on to perform.

Stephon Gilmore could greatly help Tampa Bay. He has great size for a corner (6'1'', 190 pounds) and plays a physical game that helped him notch 79 tackles and 3 interceptions last season.

No. 23: San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Shaun Phillips is solid, but he isn't getting any younger, and unless Larry English steps up this season, San Diego will need to look for a pass-rushing linebacker for its 3-4 scheme.

Courtney Upshaw would be a solid choice for the Chargers, as he has played in a 3-4 all through college and recorded 7.5 sacks in 2010.

No. 24: New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

While they don't necessarily need a safety, New England could use someone to replace recently waived Brandon Meriweather.

Mark Barron is a solid safety who is adept both in pass coverage and against the run. With time to develop, he could become a Pro Bowler for the Pats.

No. 25: Indianapolis Colts: Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

This may be Reggie Wayne's last season with the Colts. If it is, they will need to target another receiving threat for Peyton Manning.

Jeff Fuller is the type of receiver the Colts like for their offense. He is a crisp route runner and has great hands, which could make him the choice here.

No. 26: New York Jets: Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

Everyone knows the premium that Rex Ryan's 3-4 scheme puts on pass rushers, so it certainly shouldn't surprise anyone to see Ryan add pass-rushing depth through the draft.

Bruce Irvin would be a solid fit for the Jet's defense. He has the right measurables for a 3-4 OLB, and his production at West Virginia has been outstanding (14 sacks in 2010).

No. 27: Baltimore Ravens: Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

The Ravens have a solid center in Matt Birk. But he's in the twilight of his career, and a replacement will be needed, probably sooner rather than later.

Ohio State's Michael Brewster is a four-year starter and a great center prospect. He has great size for the position and is solid in both run blocking and pass protection.

No. 28: Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With their second first-round selection, the Browns should look to add some weapons for Colt McCoy and their new West Coast passing attack.

They added WR Greg Little, FB Owen Marecic and TE Jordan Cameron last year, but they could still use an elite WR prospect for McCoy to target.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd makes perfect sense here. He'll drop in the draft due to some alcohol-related issues at Notre Dame, but he is an elite receiver and has been since his freshman year of college. Adding him to the arsenal would likely make McCoy's life much, much easier.

No. 29: Pittsburgh Steelers: Nate Potter, OT, Boise State

The Steelers aren't above using the first round on long-term solutions. Last year they drafted a defensive end for the future in Cameron Heyward. It's possible they could target depth on the other side of the trench this year.

Nate Potter has been super-productive at Boise State and is versatile enough to play either tackle or guard at the next level.

No. 30: Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State

When Michael Vick is your quarterback, you can never really have too much depth along the offensive line. 

Andrew Datko could help add some depth immediately. The reliable four-year starter at Florida State is athletic and aggressive enough to make an impact on a Philly O-line that sorely needs depth.

No. 31: New England Patriots: Devin Taylor, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Like the Jets, the Patriots love pass-rushing depth on defense. So for them to target a pass rusher here really isn't much of a surprise.

Devin Taylor is a physical specimen at 6'7'' and has been very productive in the tough SEC. He could be just what the Patriots are looking for at the end of the first round.

No. 32: Green Bay Packers: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska

After losing Cullen Jenkins in free agency, Green Bay should target a replacement starter at his end position in their 3-4 scheme.

Jared Crick has been an outstanding producer at Nebraska and has the versatility to play both defensive end and defensive tackle.