2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Players Will Hopeless Teams Target in the Top 10?

It's only Week 5 of the NFL season, but there are plenty of teams who are far more excited for the draft in April than the Super Bowl in February.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, we saw the best defensive class since Troy Polamalu, Terrell Suggs, Osi Umenyiora and Nnamdi Asomugha came out in 2003. The 2012 draft class is overloaded with offensive talent, sprinkled in with the sort of terrifying middle linebackers the last class was sorely lacking.

Just because this season isn't working out the way some teams were hoping it would doesn't mean all is lost. There are plug-and-play quarterbacks coming out this year who can resurrect a franchise and talented pieces that can help teams who already have a field general take their team to the next level.

Here is how the top 10 of the 2012 NFL Draft could shake out.

1. Miami Dolphins, Andrew Luck, QB

The Miami Dolphins had quarterback problems to begin with and with Chad Henne going down, it's unclear whether or not they are going to be able to win more than two games all season long.

Andrew Luck is the pick that has all the teams salivating. He's big, he's athletic, he can make all the throws and he's been groomed by Jim Harbaugh to be perhaps the most NFL ready quarterback since Peyton Manning.

The Dolphins have the best left tackle in the game in Jake Long and a top-flight receiver in Brandon Marshall. Luck wouldn't be coming into an offense he would have to build from scratch and he could take the Dolphins from worst to the brink of the playoffs, as Sam Bradford did a season ago with St. Louis.

2. Indianapolis Colts, Landry Jones, QB

If Andrew Luck would have come out in last year's draft, everyone would be gaga over Landry Jones. Even though Jones isn't quite up to Luck's "once in a generation" standing, he's the complete package and should be more than capable of taking the wheel after Peyton Manning retires.

Some believe the Colts will try to fill the holes that have been brought to the surface with Manning out, but they have a chance to draft a top-notch quarterback of the future and with Manning back in action, there is no telling when they would be drafting here again.

Jones sitting behind Manning for a a couple of years would soften the blow of losing Manning and give them time to do some patchwork with Manning under center and Jones on deck.

3. St. Louis Rams, Justin Blackmon, WR

The Rams weren't able to snag A.J. Green or Julio Jones in last year's draft and failed to be proactive in the offseason. Sam Bradford can't do it alone, as the Rams' winless record indicates.

He's got protection issues, but the most glaring issue on the Rams is his lack of weapons. Danny Amendola can't be priority No. 1 for opposing secondaries.

Justin Blackmon is one of the most productive receivers in college football history. In 15 of his last 16 games, he's racked up 100 receiving yards or more. He's also scored a touchdown in 15 of his last 16 games.

Blackmon will give the Rams a true No. 1 receiver. He's only 6'-foot-1-inches and his poor attitude was on full display in the game vs. Texas A&M this season, but he's a competitor with rare hands and productivity you can't argue with.

Check out his game against Prince Amukamara last season to see how he matches up against an 1st-round corner.

4. Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Barkley , QB

Todd Haley's shortcomings as a coach are on full display, as are Matt Cassel's inadequacies under center. Without an elite offensive coordinator, it's clear Haley doesn't know what he's doing. Without the best run game in the NFL, Cassel is erratic at best.

Both issues will be addressed this offseason (if not sooner for Haley). Usually teams drafting this high have problems at quarterback and we saw last year how far teams are willing to reach to fill a need under center.

This year is serving up a better array of quarterbacks. Matt Barkley has experience being "the guy", which is crucial when selecting a quarterback who is going to start immediately in the NFL. He led USC to a victory on the road at Ohio State as a true freshman and put his leadership qualities on full display from the moment he entered USC.

Barkley is shorter in stature than Jones and Luck, but he's got the same rifle for an arm. He has problems hitting receivers putting the ball where it needs to be at times when throwing deep routes, but he's certainly got the "it" factor going for him.

As of right now, he's the third best quarterback in the draft. While he can't overtake Luck for the No. 1 spot, he has a chance to pass Jones when he meets with teams. Barkley has been in a pro system dating back to high school and is someone who has a great feel for how coverages work and what defenses are trying to do to him. He's a polished product and a team could easily fall in love with him.

5. Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, OT

The Vikings are the wild card the Browns were in the 2011 draft (the Browns cashed in their pick for a truckload of picks from the Atlanta Falcons). They could go a number of directions and a talented defensive end like Quinton Coples would allow them to sustain their scary pass-rush off the edge for years to come.

Even so, they just invested heavily in Christian Ponder. Donovan McNabb has been sacked 10 times and only has 111 attempts on the season. With a running back threat like Adrian Peterson in the backfield, it's not as though teams are pinning their ears back and thinking pass on every play.

They need a franchise left tackle who can keep the heat off Ponder. Kalil has NFL lineage, a 6'7", 295 pound frame and remains a finesse pass blocker despite his size. He doesn't blow defenders off the line of scrimmage in the fashion you would expect of a lineman with his size and strength, but he makes up for any shortcomings he has in the run game with his pass blocking.

He's the reason Tyron Smith—who went No. 9 overall in the 2011 draft—played his college football on the right side of the line. At No. 5 overall, the Vikings would be getting a steal here.

6. Seattle Seahawks, Vontaze Burfict, MLB

Clearly Tarvaris Jackson isn't the answer in Seattle under center and if any of the top 3 quarterbacks slip to the Seahawks, Seattle is going to go quarterback.

They have needs on the other side of the ball as well though. Their defense has lacked an identity since Lofa Tatupu was in Seattle. Though Earl Thomas has been overly impressive thus far, opposing players aren't losing sleep over what he brings to the table.

All of that would change if they brought in Vontaze Burfict. He's dirty, unruly, out of control, overly aggressive, hostile and unapologetic about being mean. All of those traits can be seen as negative qualities, but they are exactly what Seattle needs on their defense.

Aaron Curry busted and they lack talent up front. Burfict is a run-stopping machine who can play sideline to sideline, has tremendous closing speed and explodes upon impact.

He's got character issues that are a major concern, but if Pete Carroll can keep Burfict's full-tilt style of play between the whistles, he's going to be the type of player who takes over games.

7. Carolina Panthers, Alshon Jeffery

The Panthers could go a number of directions with this pick. Ron Rivera has to be dying to pump in some defensive talent, but the St. Louis Rams prove that the laissez-faire approach to surrounding a young, franchise quarterback with talent is recipe for failure.

Cam Newton is everything the Panthers had ever dreamed he would be. He's helped resurrect Steve Smith's career and is looking like a ten-year pro. Rather than sit back and allow him to keep throwing to a below-average group of targets, the Panthers need to give him a go-to guy.

That's where Alshon Jeffery comes in. Newton to Jeffery has the potential to become the most feared connection in football. Jeffery's huge 6'4" frame and down-the-field speed are a rare combination that would allow him to become a matchup nightmare out of the gate.

He's a specimen and he shines brightest when the lights are on. He's got character questions, as he was held out of play for breaking an undisclosed team rule, but the Panthers shouldn't have a problem overlooking it when they pop in his tape.

8. Arizona Cardinals, Quinton Coples, DE

If the Cardinals are able to snag Quinton Coples here, there is a solid chance they'll be getting the biggest steal of the draft. At 6'6," 285, he's going to draw comparisons to Osi Umenyiora as the draft approaches.

He's got the versatility to play anywhere along the line and the Cardinals would be getting a relentless edge rusher to plug in opposite Calais Campbell and alongside Darnell Docket.

The Cardinals would have a defensive line teams fear and if Ken Whisenhunt can keep his job past this season, he'll have elite, young talent on his defense he can build around.

The Cardinals have their quarterback and Larry Fitzgerald just signed a huge extension. With Beanie Wells coming around and Ryan Williams returning from injury next season, it's time to start focusing on the defensive side of the ball.

9. Cleveland Browns, Jonathan Martin, OT

The Browns need to surround Colt McCoy with weapons, but having a chance to bring in the best right tackle in football is an opportunity they aren't going to pass up. Tony Pashos isn't a long-term answer and putting Jonathan Martin on the same line as Alex Mack and Joe Thomas would give the Browns the best line in the game.

Martin is Andrew Luck's body guard and would do wonders for a developing quarterback like McCoy. With a line like that, Peyton Hillis would have a field day running the football and even with limited weapons, the Browns would have a bruising offense that no front seven would have the upper hand on.

He's a complete tackle, as he doesn't shy away from mauling his opponents in the run game, but he still has the feet to keep up with even the most brutal edge rushers. Mike Holmgren sees the value of putting forth the best offensive line in the league, as he did in Seattle when Walter Jones and Cco. paved the way for Shaun Alexander to become MVP.

This might not be the most popular pick in Cleveland, but keep in mind they also have Atlanta's first-round pick if they want to address defense or the wide receiver position.

10. Philadelphia Eagles, Manti Te'o, MLB

Surprised to see the Eagles picking in the top-10? You shouldn't be. Michael Vick is already banged up and the team is completely collapsing. They aren't making the most out of their free agent acquisitions and the explosive offense doesn't mask their horrendous run defense that can't stop anyone.

That's where Manti Te'o comes in. He's got a great feel for the game and may not have Vontaze Burfict's upside, but he's just the man the Eagles need to stop surrendering 139.5 yards a game on the ground.

There is a chance Burfict slips in the draft because of his character issues, but even if he is off the board Te'o can fill the linebacker void capably.

He's the thumper the Eagles need in the middle to make teams respect their run defense. He gives a much needed physical lift to a soft team who unsuccessfully tried to win a Super Bowl by building the team from the outside in.