2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Many QBs Are First Round Material?

There are plenty of quarterback-starved teams that aren't going to be able to cash in on Andrew Luck. Luckily, this 2012 draft class includes the best group of quarterbacks to come out since the 1983 class that featured John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino.

Only one team can snag Luck, but Landry Jones and Matt Barkley are excellent consolation prizes. They aren't the only quarterbacks who are going to be taken in the first round, either.

Every year, we see teams overvalue quarterbacks and reach for a quarterback who has shortcomings. First-round surprises last season included Christian Ponder and Jake Locker. Two years ago, the Broncos proved by drafting Tim Tebow that it only takes one desperate team in need of a franchise QB to reach for a high-risk quarterback.

With more importance placed on the quarterback position than ever before, let's take a look at where the 1st-round quarterbacks will fall in this full 1st-round mock draft.

1. Miami Dolphins, Andrew Luck, QB

Why Andrew Luck Goes Here:

Andrew Luck embodies everything you would ever want in a quarterback. He's 6'4", has a rocket arm and has incredible accuracy in short, intermediate and long throws. He's athletic, a winner by every definition of the word and a former valedictorian to top it all off.

Luck understands what defenses are trying to do to him, having been hand-groomed by Jim Harbaugh during the coach's time at Stanford. He has a tendency to drop the ball unnecessarily prior to throwing it, but the ball comes out of his hand so quickly that to dwell on that would be nitpicking.

His 18 touchdowns and three interceptions this season point to his incredible efficiency. He's a Heisman frontrunner and there is a solid shot Stanford runs the table en route to a National Championship berth because of him.

Will He be a Good fit?:

Luck would be a good fit in any NFL system, but he couldn't ask for a better place to go than Miami. He doesn't have to follow a legend as he would if he went to Indianapolis, but he gets to go to a place that values having an elite quarterback under center.

Despite their struggles, Miami has solid pieces on both sides of the ball that would make a turnaround manageable. Tony Sparano is unlikely to remain in Miami after this season and coaches should be lining up for a chance to kickoff their regime with Luck under center.

2. Indianapolis Colts, Landry Jones, QB

Why Landry Jones Goes Here:

Landry Jones has prototypical size and uncanny accuracy. While he's coming out of the spread, he should have no problem adapting to the NFL scene, especially if he has a chance to learn under one of the best quarterbacks of all-time for a year or two.

Jones isn't afraid to take chances and that's caused him to rack up six interceptions on the year. He's still got a great feel for the game and is exactly the sort of gamer teams want under center. His 6'4" frame and huge arm would be all the rage if he weren't coming out in the same class as Luck.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Everyone knew Peyton Manning's elite play was masking holes all over the field for Indianapolis, but it's hard to believe anyone saw them going from playoff lock to one of the worst teams in the league when he went down.

Manning was their best defense, the offensive line and the head coach. If the Colts strike out on Luck, they should be more than happy to bring in Landry Jones. Jones is a surefire franchise quarterback and even if Manning's career isn't finished, the Colts won't see a chance to bring in a quarterback of Jones' caliber again before Manning hangs up his cleats.

3. St. Louis Rams, Matt Kalil, T

Why Matt Kalil Goes Here:

Matt Kalil is the best left tackle prospect to come out since Jake Long burst onto the scene in 2008. He's 6'7", a technician and the ideal blind-side protector. He's the sort of nasty left tackle every quarterback would love to have.

Kalil has NFL lineage and all the polish of a true plug-and-play left tackle. He quick enough to handle pure pass rushers and strong enough to take on the bull rush. His huge frame surprisingly doesn't take away from his low center of gravity. Kalil forced last year's No. 9 overall pick Tyron Smith to remain on the right side of the line during his days at USC. He'll do the same to Rodger Saffold at the next level.

Is He a Good Fit?

The Rams tried unsuccessfully to fill this need when they selected Jason Smith. This time around, they'll be able to find a tackle who can keep Sam Bradford off the ground. Bradford has been sacked a league-high 22 times. He's one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the game, but if protection continues to fail him, he can't produce like the elite quarterback he's bound to become.

The Rams are going to be tempted to take Justin Blackmon here, but preserving the shelf life of the face of their franchise has to take precedence over all else this offseason.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars, Quinton Coples, DE

Why Quinton Coples Goes Here:

Quinton Coples is the next Osi Umenyiora. At nearly 6'7" and weighing-in at 272 pounds, Coples is a versatile pass rushing nightmare who will develop into one of the best right defensive ends in football.

He's quick, strong and his ability to get around the opposition with an array of moves is special. While he projects as a defensive end, he's spent time at defensive tackle that would allow him to drop into a 5-technique defensive end role in a 3-4 with ease.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Coples is perfect for the Jaguars. He gives them the ability to maintain their run-first defensive mindset and also provides them with a relentless pass rusher. The Jaguars need help on both sides of the ball, but they can't pass up a chance to obtain a franchise player who can become the identity of their defense in his rookie campaign.

We saw Ndamukong Suh single handedly resurrect the Lions' defense. We could easily see Coples do something similar in Jacksonville.

5. Arizona Cardinals, Jonathan Martin, T

Why Jonathan Martin Goes Here:

Jonathan Martin is the most complete tackle in the draft. He's a relentless run blocker and a refined pass blocker. Andrew Luck's current body guard can step in immediately and give any team he goes to an immediate lift.

With a 6'6" frame, he may not be Matt Kalil, but he's far and away the next best option. We've seen tackles like Trent Williams leap frog other talented o-line prospects, but it's hard to imagine Martin slipping out of the top 5.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Kevin Kolb has six times more interceptions than wins. He's not the franchise quarterback the Cardinals thought they were getting and Larry Fitzgerald is still not performing up to his potential because he's weighed down by the offense.

The Cardinals aren't going to bail on him, though. They've got to beef up the offensive line and hope that their offensive struggles are the result of their lackluster play from Levi Brown and the rest of the big guys. Martin can come in and give the line a boost from day one. If they go offense, they can't do any better than Martin here.

6. Denver Broncos, Matt Barkley, QB

Why Matt Barkley Goes Here:

Matt Barkley has the poise and an NFL arm that makes scouts drool. He's started every day since his freshman year and he's excelled in the spotlight dating back to his days as the top high-school recruit in the nation.

Barkley doesn't have the height of Jones and he struggles with deep throw accuracy at times, but his pocket presence is miles ahead of any quarterback to come out of the draft last season, including Cam Newton.

Is it a Good Fit?:

John Elway and John Fox didn't bring in Tim Tebow. He's getting the start now, but the Broncos' quarterback of the future isn't on roster. If they have a chance to bring in one of the top-three quarterback prospects in this class, they won't hesitate to do so.

Barkley gives the Broncos a great offensive building block. Von Miller has already established himself as a dominant defensive presence and the Broncos would be crazy to hold out hope for Tim Tebow and not select Barkley when they have the chance.

7. Kansas City Chiefs, Robert Griffin III, QB

Why Robert Griffin III Goes Here:

Robert Griffin III is one of the biggest enigmas in this draft class, and whichever team isn't able to bring in one of the top-3 prospects, RGIII's upside is going to be impossible to pass on. He's got Michael Vick's athleticism and an absurd 78% completion percentage.

He's a fearless leader and has shown the ability to take over games. He's got to find the right fit, but a quarterback-starved team won't hesitate to bring in one of the most exciting players in football.

Is He a Good Fit?:

It's hard to tell whether Matt Cassel or Todd Haley is the bigger problem in Kansas City, but it's time to part ways with both of them. Though Cassel shows flashes of brilliance, as he did last week in a four touchdown performance against Indy, he's erratic when the run game isn't elite, as it was last season.

Griffin brings a completely different element to the offense. He's much more than a game manager and he's actually an asset in the run game. If the Chiefs have Jamaal Charles and Griffin in the same backfield, it's going to be too much speed for teams to handle. Not to mention, Dwayne Bowe will actually have a legitimate quarterback throwing him the ball for once in his career. Scary.

8. Seattle Seahawks, Justin Blackmon, WR

Why Justin Blackmon Goes Here:

Justin Blackmon is one of the most productive receivers in NCAA history. With 2,650 career yards receiving, he's a huge part of Oklahoma State's success. He's only 6'1", and we've seen with Michael Crabtree that a receiver with big college numbers isn't a lock to become a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL, but Blackmon brings far more to the table.

His routes are clean and precise and he plays bigger than his body should allow him to. Like Roddy White, his natural hands, physicality and play-making ability make him an asset, even though he's not a physical specimen or an elite speed guy.

Is He a Good Fit:

The Seahawks have far bigger needs than wide receiver. There are a number of talented linebackers and corners that they could use, but Blackmon is too talented to pass on at this pick. The Seahawks brought in Sidney Rice, but injuries have kept him from being the blockbuster acquisition they'd hoped he would become.

With no quarterbacks on the board fitting of going here, it comes down to Blackmon or Trent Richardson for this spot. Advantage Blackmon.

9. Carolina Panthers, Morris Claiborn, CB

Why Morris Claiborn Goes Here:

Morris Claiborn is being overshadowed by a stacked LSU defense, but teams are going to be enamored by his potential to become a lock-down corner. He's not Patrick Peterson, but Claiborn has the ability to turn and run with some of the fastest receivers in the league.

He's 6'0" and though he could use some bulk, he's not afraid to put his nose down and make a tackle when he needs to. Claiborn is a stud corner and has surpassed Dre Kirkpatrick as the best defensive back this draft class has to offer.

Is He A Good Fit?:

Ron Rivera struck gold on the offensive side of the ball last season by selecting Cam Newton. Now it's time to look to the defensive side of the ball. Rivera's 3-4 scheme still has a long way to go in Carolina and they don't have the personnel to make it work at the moment.

Charles Johnson is solid up front and they have solid pieces scattered throughout, but they have serious holes on the defense and corner is one of them. While their run defense is the 2nd worst in the league, Rivera won't hesitate to bring in a shut-down corner if he has the chance.

10. Minnesota Vikings, Riley Reiff

Why Reilly Reiff Goes Here:

Reilly Reiff is a significant notch below Jonathan Martin, but he's much better than Tyron Smith was at this time last season, and Smith was selected with the No. 9 overall pick. The talented tackles in this draft will force Reiff to slide, which will allow a team to steal him far later than he should be drafted.

Reiff can handle a wide variety of pass rushers. He's can sink his hips and hunker down when he needs to take on a powerful defensive end and can set up into pass pro quick enough to manage speedy edge rushers.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Vikings invested heavily in Christian Ponder. It's time to take out an insurance policy. The NFC North is loaded with pass rushers like Clay Matthews, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Julius Peppers. They can't afford to have Ponder be a sitting duck when facing competition that fierce.

Minnesota has a young, franchise quarterback in the making, the best running back in the game and a solid group of receivers to build upon. They have to address the offensive line if they want to maximize the potential of their talented offense.

11. Cleveland Browns, Alshon Jeffery, WR

Why Alshon Jeffery Goes Here:

Alshon Jeffery is a big, 6'4" receiver who may not be Julio Jones fast, but he can provide a huge target for a young, developing quarterback. Jeffery's production has fallen off this season and he's going to have to finish with a bang to redeem himself and keep his draft stock sky high.

He's not going to blow anyone's mind in the 40, but he's got all the makings of a No. 1 receiver. It's rare to see two wide receivers go this early on, but as we saw last season with the blockbuster trade that sent Jones to Atlanta and a boatload of picks to Cleveland, teams aren't afraid to put their faith in a wide receiver.

Is He a Good Fit:

This is tricky. Browns fans are probably screaming at their computers right now, as this pick has Braylon Edwards written all over it. Even so, the Browns are in dire need of a legitimate receiver.

Peyton Hillis has been a non-factor this season and they could part ways with him and replace him with Trent Richardson, but that wouldn't do anything for Colt McCoy. They've got elite pieces on their line and if Hillis and the Browns can sort through their differences, running back is solid. Now they need a legitimate target for McCoy to put it all together.

12. Dallas Cowboys, Janoris Jenkins, CB

Why He Goes Here:

Had Janoris Jenkins not been kicked out of Florida, he would be a top-10 pick. Now at North Alabama, he's going to be taken off plenty of team's boards who don't think his character is worth gambling on.

Jenkins is an absolute animal. He has a great feel for the game and athletic upside that is going to turn heads at the combine. The way he breaks on the ball, adjusts to receivers and mirrors the opposition is going have a team take that risk.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Jerry Jones may be reluctant to gamble on Jenkins. We saw Pacman Jones fizzle in Dallas and Dez Bryant's character concerns have come to the surface as well. While Jones kicked himself for passing on Randy Moss, he's also struck out by buying into the red flags.

On the field, Jenkins is the perfect addition to Rob Ryan's secondary. The Cowboys are going to have to pick his brain and find out where he is mentally before they take the plunge.

13. Philadelphia Eagles, Manti Te'o, LB

Why Mati Te'o Goes Here:

Manti Te'o can play sideline to sideline and punishes his opponents on impact. He's 6'2", 255 and the sort of Mike backer who can step in and be the heart of a defense. His reaction is excellent and though he doesn't have the biggest upside of any linebacker in the draft, he's the least risky by far.

Te'o is a leader and a run-stopping machine. He's constantly in a relentless pursuit of the ball carrier, but he's smart enough to know how to control the aggression and has a knack for sniffing out plays and blowing them up.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Eagles have to bring in a middle linebacker to address their glaring run-defense issues. They allow 123.8 YPG on the ground which has lost them football games this season. If they are going to drop Jason Babin into a wide-nine technique, they had better have the linebackers to compensate for the precedence they are placing on the pass rush.

Te'o takes care of that. He provides an immediate lift to the struggling run defense and takes some of the pressure off Michael Vick and the offense in the process.

14. Browns (via Falcons), Luke Kuechly, LB

Why Luke Kuechley Goes Here:

Luke Kuechly takes over games like no defensive player in the nation. He's constantly around the ball and makes his presence felt on virtually every snap. Even if he doesn't get there, he's always nearby. He's a pest to opposing offenses and just the sort of tackling machine teams are looking for.

Kuechly isn't nearly as talented as Vontaze Burfict, but Burfict's mental mistakes are going to turn off teams, the Browns included. Kuechly can start right away and his play will translate easily to the next level.

Is He a Good Fit?:

He's a great fit in Cleveland. Putting him with D'Qwell Jackson gives the Browns multiple players who can produce 10 or more tackles a game.

That's an incredible asset to have and one that can help bridge the gap between their high-performing pass defense and run defense that allows just under 130 YPG on the ground.

15. Houston Texans, Brandon Thompson, NT

Why Brandon Thompson Goes Here:

Brandon Thompson is a perfect fit for the 3-4. He's not a giant, two-gap behemoth like Casey Hampton, but that's not always a bad thing. He tips the scale at over 300 pounds, but it doesn't take away from his ability to move.

He's an active nose, not just an immovable object. He's going to command a ton of attention and will still be able to make plays on the ball, which is perfect for a DT in a 3-4 scheme. He takes the heat off the linebackers and still manages to produce.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Amobe Okoye tanked in Houston, but the front seven is absolutely loaded. With Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed and Demeco Ryans already on the field, adding Brandon Thompson to fill Jay Ratliff's role in Wade Phillips' defense would make them unstoppable.

The Texans have the best young defense in football and can add a dominant nose. Thompson doesn't just fill a hole, he's a major part of the special defense the Texans have assembled.

16. Washington Redskins, Michael Floyd, WR

Why Michael Floyd Goes Here:

No receiver is as safe of a bet as Michael Floyd. He's not going to be the first one taken, but we will all look back and wonder how he slid this far in the draft.

Floyd is 6'3", a red zone nightmare, a guy who can move the chains, and a game breaker. With three games of over 100 yards receiving, Floyd is going to be too attractive for a team in need to pass up.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Redskins need a quarterback, but there isn't a quarterback that warrants being selected here. They need a wide receiver and Michael Floyd is the best player available.

The Redskins need weapons and any quarterback they bring in at this point isn't going to be a starting rookie quarterback. Floyd will be a staple in the offense going forward and a dangerous weapon they can build around.

17. New York Giants, Zach Brown, LB

Why Zach Brown Goes Here:

Zach Brown isn't the most talented linebacker on the board and he's slightly undersized. Even so, he's a scrappy linebacker who still delivers even though his semi-lanky 6'2", 230-pound frame shouldn't permit it.

Quinton Coples is soaking up the glory at North Carolina, but Brown is the machine in the middle who makes everything work.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Giants haven't had a legitimate middle linebacker since Antonio Pierce retired. Vontaze Burfict is the clear choice here, but there is no way Tom Coughlin puts up with Burfict. If he doesn't think he can fix Burfict, he's going to have to resort to a lesser talent who he knows won't make costly mental errors.

Brown is far better than anything the Giants have going for them for the time being and the need is too great to pass up if they want to improve upon their 25th-ranked run defense.

18. New York Jets, Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB

Why Brandon Jenkins Goes Here:

Brandon Jenkins is a tweener type who is going to be utilized either as a rush outside linebacker in a 3-4 or a rush end in a 4-3. He's lightning quick off the ball, though at 255, a team who chooses to put his hand in the dirt could become vulnerable against the run.

Jenkins' burst off the line of scrimmage makes him well worth it, though. If he ends up in a 4-3, he's going to pack on some weight and could develop into a well-rounded and ferocious defensive end.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Jets' pursuit of a dominant pass rusher continues to elude them. Their rush by committee defense has worked for them in the past, but having a guy who can rack up double-digit sack numbers is a valuable asset that can take their team to the next level.

In Rex Ryan's defense, Jenkins would flourish. Ryan and the Jets don't have a commodity in their front seven with his ability to penetrate and destroy the pocket.

19. Cincinnati Bengals, Vontaze Burfict, MLB

Why Vontaze Burfict Goes Here:

Vontaze Burfict is the most talented defensive player in the draft. His combination of speed, athleticism and ferocity hasn't been seen since Patrick Willis came out of the draft. He's got serious character issues he's got to battle through, but if a coach can get him to keep his play between the whistles, he's got All-Pro ceiling.

Burfict makes plays from sideline to sideline and has closing speed that is hard to comprehend. He's a stellar blitzing middle linebacker and relishes the opportunity to put his opponents in the ground. His mean streak is going to cause for a Randy Moss-esque skid.

Is He a Fit?:

Character issues? Ridiculous upside? He's destined to be in Cincinnati. The Bengals never shy away from a guy who has character flaws and won't hesitate to put him between Rey Mauluga and Keith Rivers if the opportunity arises.

He's got Ray Lewis potential. Hopefully for the Bengals he learns how to control his aggression. The sky is the limit for Burfict and if he eliminates the costly mental mistakes, he's got DROY honors in the bag.

20. Chicago Bears, Dre Kirkpatrick, CB

Why Dre Kirkpatrick Goes Here:

Dre Kirkpatrick is over 6'2" and is downright obnoxious to deal with for opposing offenses. He's an in-your-face corner who doesn't let receivers get a free release. He's great in run coverage and in the right scheme, he may end up having a remarkable career.

The problem with Kirkpatrick is that he may be a glorified Nate Clements. Corners get paid to cover. While his intangibles make him attractive, his shortcomings in down-the-field coverage will force him down the board, though he's certainly worthy of going in the first round.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Kirkpatrick is a great fit in Chicago. They need weapons on the offensive side of the ball, but their once elite defense is in the bottom half of the league in run defense and pass defense. Kirkpatrick gives a boost to both.

He's a physical guy that provides an immediate upgrade to the position. The receiver position and finding a successor to Brian Urlacher are more pressing needs, but with neither a feasible option, they could do far worse than Kirkpatrick.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alfonzo Dennard, CB

Why Alfonzo Dennard Goes Here:

Alfonzo Dennard's height is a major issue. He's not even 5'10" and that's going to deter some teams from gambling on him. Even so, he's got the raw athleticism to compensate for his small stature and isn't going to get overpowered by physical receivers off the line.

There are a lot of promising corner prospects in the draft, but Dennard will likely gain the most momentum in personal workouts and the combine. His height is a red flag, but everything else being on point makes him a top-15 pick.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Bucs have a legitimate cornerback in Aqib Talib, but they can't risk putting all their faith in a guy who's probably going to be incarcerated. They are loaded with talent up front, and it is now time to start loading up in the secondary.

Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay offense are just fine. They've got a chance to add even more young building blocks to a defense that has unlimited potential. Alfonzo Dennard is just the receiver they need to fill the corner void left by Ronde Barber retiring, Talib being behind bars, or both.

22. Tennessee Titans, Kendall Reyes, DT

Why Kendall Reyes Goes Here:

Kendall Reyes has the potential to wreck multiple interior lineman on every play. He's in the backfield on almost every play and has the rare ability collapse the offensive line. He's a natural fit in the 4-3 and if he was playing outside of UConn, he would be seeing the hype he deserves.

Once Reyes gets more exposure, his draft stock will soar. There is a solid chance he ends up being a top-15 pick when it's all said and done.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Titans could have easily taken a defensive tackle last season. Their offense needs some work and young Jake Locker could use some weapons, but Mike Munchak is going to recognize the value Reyes presents in the trenches.

23. Buffalo Bills, Courtney Upshaw, OLB

Why Courtney Upshaw Goes Here:

Courtney Upshaw's build is difficult to comprehend. He's 6'2" and over 270 pounds. While teams could try to make him a defensive end, having him trim down and become a rushing outside linebacker would be the best fit for him.

He's not going to be a force in coverage, but he knows how to get to the quarterback and could easily finish the season with a sack total that bests his mark of seven sacks in 2010.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Bills already have one of the most explosive offenses in the league. While their defense gives up yards, they're opportunistic. Buffalo has a league high 16 take aways this season and Upshaws' pass rushing only increases the chances of forcing mistakes.

Upshaw is on the best defense in college football and knows how to win. He's got a great opportunity to give the Bills another pass rushing threat and complement their vaunted offense.

24. San Diego Chargers, Jared Crick, DE

Why Jared Crick Goes Here:

Jared Crick sustained a season-ending injury, but it's not going to knock him out of the first round. He's the perfect 5-tech defensive end and his high motor and run-stopping abilities make him ideal in a 3-4 scheme.

We saw J.J. Watt dazzle teams and shoot up draft boards as the draft approached. It's not just defensive ends in a 4-3 that have first-round potential.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Greg Manusky knows how valuable having a force at defensive end can be. He had Justin Smith in San Francisco and Crick has a chance to be that sort of player for the Chargers. They get pressure on the quarterback with OLB play, but Crick brings a different element to the defense.

His raw power and ability to come down the line in a hurry would free up the Chargers' linebackers and improve their run defense exponentially. It's not a sexy pick, but it's one they have to make here.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers, David DeCastro, G

Why David DeCastro Goes Here:

David Decastro is the total package. He's a mauling guard who is quick enough to get out in front and throw a block on a linebacker. He very rarely loses the battle on the line of scrimmage and has the sort of physicality every team wants in an interior lineman.

There isn't a team DeCastro wouldn't start on. His best attribute is his well-rounded repertoire of skills, as his ability to crush the opposition in the ground game doesn't take away from his abilities in pass protection.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Pittsburgh is in serious need of offensive line help, but rather than take a tackle, they would be better suited taking the lineman on the board. They struck gold with Maurkice Pouncey. Another man child in the middle is more valuable than another so-so tackle struggling on the outside.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders), Trent Richardson, RB

Why Trent Richardson Goes Here:

Trent Richardson is guaranteed to be a superstar wherever he goes. He's got a punishing running style, the vision, the wherewithal to turn a busted play into something spectacular, and underrated speed.

Richardson is the complete back and Mark Ingram going in the first round last season makes Richardson a lock to do the same. In the right system, Richardson will develop into the most productive back in the NFL.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Richardson slipping all the way down to the Bengals here is borderline ridiculous, but teams tend to shy away from even the best backs in the first round. The Bengals have to take him if they are presented with an opportunity to do so.

With Burfict as their first pick and Richardson as their second, they could easily have the offensive and defensive ROY on their team. Richardson puts Cedric Benson to shame and would join A.J. Green and Andy Dalton in an offense stacked with promise for the future.

27. Detroit Lions, Cliff Harris, CB

Why Cliff Harris Goes Here:

Cliff Harris' draft stock fell due to his suspension for speeding on a suspended license, but he remains one of the best corner prospects in the nation. There are plenty of corners to choose from, but Harris' ability as a return man make him even more appealing.

He may wait to come out in order to avoid putting himself in a pool of such favorable competition, but there will be a team down the road who gambles on him. He has a serious shot at producing a 4.4 at the combine and shouldn't slip to the second round.

Is He a Good Fit?:

The Lions are building something special. Their defensive line is loaded, Calvin Johnson is the most uncoverable receiver in football and Matthew Stafford is a true franchise quarterback. All they have to do now is plug one hole at a time and build around their superstars.

Harris would start at corner right away and help the Lions matchup better against their division rival Packers' overloaded receiving corp.

28. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints), Kellen Moore, QB

Why Kellen Moore Goes Here:

Kellen Moore is widely viewed as a second-round quarterback at best. Even so, he has all the makings of being a superstar at the next level. He's got leadership qualities that are unparalleled and performs at his best when the pressure is on.

He's not Andrew Luck, he doesn't have Robert Griffin III's speed, Landry Jones' height or Matt Barkley's big-name school, but he gets the job done and has been nothing short of incredible during his time at Boise State.

Is He a Good Fit?:

Ryan Mallett will never be the next Tom Brady. Moore may not be the next Brady either, but the comparisons are eerie. Written off by most, Moore will follow Brady's path as a disrespected quarterback who is faulted for things out of his control. 

The fact of the matter is that Kellen Moore is a winner. He doesn't come with Mallett's athletic ability, but his head is on straight, he's incredibly intelligent, he's a hard worker and Bill Belichick can count on him in crunch time. Such is not the case with Mallett.

29. San Francisco 49ers, Alameda Ta'amu, NT

Why Alameda Ta'amu Goes Here:

Alameda Ta'amu is consumes the middle of the field. He draws multiple offensive lineman and has to be accounted for on every play. He can't be moved, his lower body strength is on display every time he makes contact, and he's unwilling to surrender an inch to offensive lineman.

He's an unselfish player who won't acquire stats at the next level that do his play justice, but his fellow defenders will look at him as one of the most critical parts of the defense.

Is He a Good Fit?:

He's a great fit in San Francisco. Vic Fangio's defense doesn't necessarily require a two-gap nose, but it would give their already stacked front seven yet another piece. Giving Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman a clean break on the ball would make it impossible for anyone to run the ball.

The secondary is coming around and Aldon Smith is on pace to break the rookie sack record of 14.5, set by Javon Kearse. Ta'amu would take their run defense from one of the best in the league to the No. 1 run defense in the NFL.

30. New England Patiots, Mark Barron, S

Why Mark Barron Goes Here:

Mark Barron is far and away the best safety in the draft. His reaction speed is uncanny and he's a daunting presence in the middle of the field.

Barron flies to the ball and isn't afraid to come up and make the big hit. It doesn't take away from his ability to make the big play in pass coverage though, as he's got the cover skills that often times elude run-stopping safeties.

Is He a Good Fit?:

So, Bill Belichick was right; Brandon Merriweather was overrated. Unfortunately, they never filled the hole at safety. As a result, they've got the worst pass defense in the entire league and can't afford not to address it in the offseason.

31. Baltimore Ravens, Michael Brewster, C

Why Michael Brewster Goes Here:

Michael Brewster has a chance to replicate the magical season Maurkice Pouncey had a season ago. He has started in all four seasons he's been with Ohio State and can take over the starting job from day one.

Centers are undervalued, but teams like the Browns and Steelers who struck gold drafting a center early on prove that there are centers who warrant being selected in the first round.

Is it a Good Fit?:

The Ravens are the perfect place for him to land. Matt Birk can't play forever and he's on the wrong side of 35. The Ravens would be getting a replacement without seeing a significant drop-off. The AFC North has elite centers coming out of their ears; it's time the Ravens landed one of their own.

32. Green Bay Packers, Ronnell Lewis, OLB

Why Ronnell Lewis Goes Here:

Ronnell Lewis' draft stock is skyrocketing. Lewis can set the edge, which is crucial in a 3-4 backer, and he infiltrates the pocket in a hurry. He's a pivotal part of the Sooner's defense and though he wasn't really on the first round radar prior to this season, he's making his presence felt this season.

Lewis has already matched his 3.5 sacks from last season and his increased production will take him from promising talent to first-round steal this season.

Is He a Good Fit?:

What do you give the team that has everything? A new running back would be nice, but a linebacker to put opposite Clay Matthews is borderline unfair. Dom Capers would have a field day with the exotic blitz packages at his disposal with that tandem.

They need a guy to fill the void left by Cullen Jenkins, but there isn't one on the board. Another monster in the front seven may be glutinous of the best team in the league, but depth is about all the Packers can accrue at this point.