2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Top 5 Teams and Players

It's never too early to start thinking about the 2012 NFL draft. Sure the 2011 NFL season is reaching it's halfway point, but we are already learning a significant amount about the teams, or at least enough to start making educated guesses on their draft needs.

Mocking the draft is not a specific science as some would tell you. In fact, it's an art form.

An art form that even the best of experts get wrong a good majority of the time.

Nonetheless, there is something exciting and innocent about looking into the future of building, rejuvenating, or stock piling franchises.

Every NFL franchise has a different need coming into the draft, and all those college players you see out there on Saturdays are needs met.

Here is my projected top five teams and the players they will be selecting in the 2012 NFL Draft:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

I see no possible way that the Colts would pass up a quarterback like Luck, especially after watching their season implode when they lost Peyton Manning.

Manning's future with the franchise is obviously shorter than what the Colts front offices wanted to admit, but they won't make the mistake of passing up on Luck.

A year or two behind Manning and we could be looking at the next Aaron Rodgers, or better.

2. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

The Dolphins have many needs, but none are more obvious or gaping than the void they have at the quarterback position.

This is a team that needs a fresh start and a new identity. They are going to take Jones to be the new face of the franchise.

3. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

I have no doubts that Blackmon is the best wide receiver in this draft after watching him play the first half of the college football season.

He's going to get better and will continue to put up points. The Rams have their franchise quarterback and running back, now they need the wide receiver to complete the triangle of offensive production.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

It's rather evident that the Jaguars need to get a big-time receiver to help rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert become a big-time quarterback. Jeffery is arguably on-par with Blackmon as far as talent is concerned, and I feel he can develop into a star in the NFL.

5. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT USC

With the two big-time wide receivers off the board and a franchise quarterback taken last year, I think the Vikings would be wise to protect that franchise quarterback. 

USC has pumped out some very big and talented offensive linemen as of late. The Vikings are going to want to keep Christian Ponder safe and give him time. Kalil is going to be the perfect guy for the job.

Note: Draft order is a combination of current records and expected performance.

No.	Team	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	Miami Dolphins	Landry Jones, QB
3.	St. Louis Rams	Justin Blackmon, WR
4.	Jacksonville Jaguars	Alshon Jeffery, WR
5.	Minnesota Vikings	Matt Kalil, OT
6.	Carolina Panthers	Quinton Coples, DE
7.	Denver Broncos	Trent Richardson, RB
8.	Seattle Seahawks	Matt Barkley, QB
9.	Kansas City Chiefs	Morris Claiborne, CB
10.	Arizona Cardinals	Vontaze Burfict, LB
11.	Cleveland Browns	Jonathan Martin, OT
12.	Dallas Cowboys	Melvin Ingram, DE
13.	Washington Redskins	Robert Griffin III, QB
14.	Chicago Bears	Michael Floyd, WR
15.	Philadelphia Eagles	Manti Te'o LB
16.	Tennessee Titans	Brandon Jenkins
17.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Cordy Glenn, OL
18.	Atlanta Falcons	Brandon Thompson, DT
19.	Cincinnati Bengals	Lamar Miller, RB
20.	San Diego Chargers	Courtney Upshaw, DE
21.	Pittsburgh Steelers	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
22.	San Francisco 49ers	Ronnell Lewis, LB
23.	Buffalo Bills	Alfonzo, Dennard, CB
24.	New York Giants	Michael Brewster, C
25.	Oakland Raiders	Janoris Jenkins, CB
26.	Detroit Lions	Zach Brown, LB
27.	Houston Texans	Stephon Gilbmore, CB
28.	New York Jets	Jared Crick, DT
29.	Baltimore Ravens	Donte Paige-Moss DE
30.	New Orleans Saints	Devin Taylor, DE
31.	New England Patriots	Nick Toon, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers	Jerel Worthy, DT