2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Long Will Landry Jones and the Top QBs Last?

As it usually does, the NFL season is telling a tale of opposites. At one end of the spectrum, you have the undefeated Green Bay Packers. At the other end, you have the Miami Dolphins and the league's "Suck for Luck" candidates.

Not that this is a bad thing, of course. The hype surrounding Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is immense, but it is largely justified. The guy has everything he needs to play the quarterback position at the pro level, and he has the smarts to know how to do it.

However, Luck won't be the only top-tier quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft. Oklahoma's Landry Jones, USC's Matt Barkley and Baylor's Robert Griffin III should all end up being first-rounders as well. The only real question is where they'll end up.

Well, why don't we go ahead and try to answer that question? Ahead of you is a full first-round mock, and it will reveal where the year's best quarterbacks could be playing their pro ball.

1. Miami Dolphins: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

Why Andrew Luck Goes Here

It's quite simple, really. There are a couple of teams in the thick of the "Suck for Luck" race, but the Dolphins suck more than any of them. They are dreadful on both sides of the ball, and their head coach is a dead man walking. They should be considered the favorites for Andrew Luck until further notice.

As for Luck himself, he's virtually a lock to be drafted No. 1 no matter who ends up with the first pick (except for the St. Louis Rams). Quarterbacks with his size, skill set and smarts just don't come around very often.

That's not the kind of guy any team wants to pass on, much less a team that needs a QB as bad as the Dolphins do.

Is Luck a Good Fit?

Based on skills alone, Luck is a good fit anywhere. It will be up to Miami's new head coach (there will be one) to craft a scheme and cultivate a proper environment for Luck to succeed, but I don't anticipate Luck having too much trouble finding his footing in the NFL.

As much as it pains a Cal alum like myself to say it, Luck is simply too good to fail.

2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Why Alshon Jeffery Goes Here

The St. Louis Rams are going to have a very tough decision to make when they're on the clock. They need a wide receiver, and they're likely going to have a shot at both South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. Which one should they take?

I tend to side with Jeffery in this debate. Blackmon is good, but it's hard to match Jeffery's size, athleticism and sheer playmaking prowess. He's comparable to Calvin Johnson, and that comparison will help him come draft time.

After all, how could one pass up a Megatron clone after seeing what he is doing this season?

Is Jeffery a Good Fit?

I would say that this will be up to Josh McDaniels, but I have my doubts whether or not he'll survive as St. Louis' offensive coordinator. It's been a rocky ride for him in 2011.

No matter who is calling the shots, Jeffery and Sam Bradford should make for a fine pairing. We don't really know how good Bradford is yet, but having a stud wide receiver to throw to is something he appears to need.

3. Indianapolis Colts: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Why Quinton Coples Goes Here

I admit, this is a tough pick to make. There's a lot of buzz about the Colts drafting Andrew Luck if they get the No. 1 overall pick, but I just can't see them drafting a QB if they don't get the No. 1 pick.

If they don't, it will be a matter of filling their most pressing need. With Robert Mathis set to come off the books after this season, defensive end is going to be an area of need. Filling that need with North Carolina's Quinton Coples might just be the best way to go.

Is Coples a Good Fit?

Evaluating defensive ends can be tricky (see Bowers, Da'Quan), but Coples does seem to bear the usual trappings of an elite DE. He has size, he has speed and he has power, which of course are the three things one requires to get after quarterbacks.

In addition, the thinking on Coples is that he could be the kind of guy who is scheme-flexible. Maybe the Colts could find a way to use him on the interior of their D-line from time to time. Goodness knows the inside of their line could also use a boost.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Why Matt Kalil Goes Here

The Vikings parted ways with longtime left tackle Bryant McKinnie this offseason, and the move left them without a franchise tackle to protect the blind side of new franchise quarterback Christian Ponder.

There are a couple guys who could fill that need for Minnesota, but none more so than USC's Matt Kalil. He's a beast of a man, and he's done a good fine job of keeping Matt Barkley off his back in the last couple seasons.

Is Kalil a Good Fit?

Of course he is. The Vikings promise to be more of a pass-first offense as Ponder continues to progress, but they need somebody to make sure Ponder doesn't get blasted to smithereens.

Kalil's the guy for the job. Plain and simple.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Manti Te'o, ILB (Notre Dame)

Why Manti Te'o Goes Here

The Cardinals are a team that I can definitely see going for offensive line help with their first pick, but the fact that their defense is atrocious should not be overlooked. They added a good piece to their secondary when they drafted Patrick Peterson, but I think they need to add a piece to their front seven as well.

If they decide to go that route, I think Manti Te'o would be the best option. He's not as explosive or disruptive as Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict, but Te'o is smarter and he has better instincts. He is also lauded for his leadership skills, which should play well in a defense that could use a kick in the rear.

Is Te'o a Good Fit?

Some personnel changes would have to be made in order to accommodate Te'o, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, seeing as how the Cardinals would be wise to clean house with their defense anyway.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Why Justin Blackmon Goes Here

Blaine Gabbert is kind of in the same boat as Sam Bradford in that he could use a stud wide receiver to help quicken his development.

After Jeffery (and maybe even before Jeffery), Blackmon is the guy the Jaguars are going to want to have. He doesn't have Jeffery's size, but he's a very good route runner and he has a variety of tricks he uses to get open. On balance, he almost makes Brandon Weeden's job too easy.

Hopefully, Blackmon will extend the same courtesy to Gabbert.

Is Blackmon a Good Fit?

The Jags have a great runner in Maurice Jones-Drew and a talented young quarterback in Gabbert, so bringing in a guy like Blackmon to complete the ensemble is the next logical step. He won't make the Jags a contender, but he should help improve their NFL-worst passing offense.

7. Denver Broncos: Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

Why Landry Jones Goes Here

I reserve the right to change my mind in the future, but right now, I don't think Tim Tebow is the answer. We can talk all we want about his intangibles and his capacity to improve on his mechanical flaws, but there's no denying that Tebow has a long way to go.

There's also no denying that Tebow is not John Elway's guy. Elway came in to fix the Broncos, and at this point, it's very easy to see him doing so by drafting a quarterback in the 2012 draft.

If he does, he's likely going to be looking at Landry Jones, who many think is the second-best quarterback in the draft after Andrew Luck.

Is Jones a Good Fit?

Jones won't make the Broncos a better team all on his own, but he at least has the accuracy and the smarts to find and hit open wide receivers. You just can't say the same about Tim Tebow.

8. Seattle Seahawks: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Why Robert Griffin III Goes Here

In weeks past, I would have put Matt Barkley here, as surely there's just no way Pete Carroll would pass up a chance to reunite with his old quarterback.

Then I realized that even Carroll would know not to pass on a quarterback as talented as Robert Griffin III. We knew he was a great athlete heading into 2011, but none of us expected him to suddenly become such a precise quarterback. He's currently leading the nation with a 78 percent completion percentage, and it is not an accident. He is hitting receivers right on the money.

RG3 also has a good pair of legs on him, and he's not afraid to use them.

Is Griffin a Good Fit?

Seattle's offense is going through a bit of an identity crisis this season, but that has a lot to do with the fact that the Seahawks just don't have many good offensive players. If they were to plug Griffin in to the mix, all sorts of doors would be opened.

Drafting Griffin would also mean Tarvaris Jackson would have to be benched. I don't think anybody in Seattle would complain.

9. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clemson)

Why Brandon Thompson Goes Here

The Panthers have a number of defensive needs they'll be looking to fill when the draft rolls around, and one of the most pressing needs is that of a stud defensive tackle.

There don't seem to be many of those to go around in the 2012 draft class, but Clemson's Brandon Thompson is the best of the bunch. If the Panthers decide to go the DT route with their pick, he's the guy they'll target.

Is Thompson a Good Fit?

At the very least, drafting Thompson will mean the Panthers will have a host of young bodies at the DT position, as he will join 2011 rookies Terrell McClain and Sione Fua. Ideally, Thompson's ability to stuff the run will show through at the pro level, which is something the Panthers could use seeing as how they rank among the league's worst teams when it comes to stopping the run.

10. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

Why Trent Richardson Goes Here

Before you ask, I actually wouldn't be at all surprised if the Browns and Peyton Hillis are unable to come to terms on a contract extension. The talks haven't been pretty, and Hillis hasn't done anything on the field to convince the Browns he's worth a significant financial investment.

If the Browns do go into the draft with a need to fill at running back, Trent Richardson is going to be the first guy they look at. He's an absolute beast, and the Browns won't be missing Hillis if they get him.

Is Richardson a Good Fit?

The Browns haven't been able to run the football effectively this year, and their offense has suffered as a result. Adding Richardson into the mix would give them a legitimate rushing attack, and that can only help Colt McCoy.

Meanwhile, runs like the one in the video can only help the Browns.

11. Tennessee Titans: Vontaze Burfict, ILB (Arizona State)

Why Vontaze Burfict Goes Here

Depending on who you ask, Vontaze Burfict is either an out-of-control berserk or a force of nature.

If you ask me, he's both. Burftict is definitely reckless at times, but he can impact a game like few other defenders in the country. College quarterbacks fear him, and pro quarterbacks will learn to do the same if Burfict learns to properly harness his energy.

Speaking of energy, Tennessee's defense could use some of that.

Is Burfict a Good Fit?

I'm not sure how many people will agree with me on this, but I think he definitely is. The Titans have several problems on the defensive side of the football, and they could use a playmaker like Burfict.

They may also need Burfict. Starting middle linebacker Barrett Ruud is on a one-year contract. Replacing him with Burfict wouldn't be a bad idea.

12. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

Why Luke Kuechly Goes Here

I actually wouldn't be too surprised if Kuechly goes before Vontaze Burfict, but I have a feeling the two are going to be drafted close to one another either way, especially if the Philadelphia Eagles do indeed end up with a high draft pick.

Their problems with their linebacking corps have been well-documented, and the only way to fix them is to bring in guys who can actually tackle opposing running backs.

I'm going to assume Kuechly can do that better than Casey Matthews.

Is Kuechly a Good Fit?

Like I said, he seems more cut out to play at the pro level than the guys the Eagles are currently trotting out there. If the Eagles were to draft him and incorporate him, there would have to be at least some improvement.

Then it will be a matter of addressing their offensive line, but that's another headache.

13. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Why Jonathan Martin Goes Here

Much of Andrew Luck's success at Stanford can be attributed to the Cardinal's outstanding offensive line, and much of the offensive line's success can be attributed to Jonathan Martin.

If you don't watch many of Stanford's games, you may be surprised to hear that they actually run a very run-heavy offense. This is where Martin excels, as he is built to pave way for running backs.

Needless to say, this is something that should appeal to a team like the Chiefs.

Is Martin a Good Fit?

I anticipated the Chiefs going for offensive line help in the first round of the 2011 draft, but they went for Jonathan Baldwin instead. They'll have every excuse to draft Martin if they can get him in 2012, though, as Barry Richardson has had his issues at right tackle.

If the Chiefs draft Martin and put him at right tackle, they'll be very happy.

14. Washington Redskins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)

Why Matt Barkley Goes Here

If Pete Carroll doesn't reach for Matt Barkley, don't be surprised if he starts tumbling like Brady Quinn. He's talented, but there are legitimate concerns about his ability to cut it in the NFL with his skill set.

However, don't expect the Redskins to pass on Barkley if he lasts to them. I'm going to go ahead and assume that John Beck is not going to suddenly turn into an adequate NFL QB, in which case the Redskins are still going to have a need at the QB position when the draft rolls around.

Is Barkley a Good Fit?

Well, he can't be any worse than Rex Grossman, and he can probably be better than Beck. Because he'll have a good running game and a strong defense backing him up, Barkley may actually be the QB the Redskins need.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Why Morris Claiborne Goes Here

Claiborne is not the physical freak that Patrick Peterson is, but he's no slouch. He has more than enough athleticism to cut it at the pro level, and he may actually be more technically sound than Peterson.

At this point, it seems like a lock that Claiborne will be the first cornerback off the board, and don't expect the Buccaneers to pass on him if he lasts to them.

Allow me to explain why...

Is Claiborne a Good Fit?

Amazingly, Ronde Barber is still going strong at the age of 36. The only issue is that he's going to be 37 by the time next season rolls around, and he's also set to be a free agent after this season.

The Bucs can either bring him back, or go ahead and draft his heir apparent. I think the latter route is the more sensible one, and I think Claiborne is the best candidate.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Why Dre Kirkpatrick Goes Here

After Claiborne comes off the board, it's possible that several cornerbacks could follow him immediately after. There are a couple of CBs with first-round potential, and there are a lot of teams that are going to be looking to load up.

I think the Cowboys will be one of these teams. There are a number of directions they could go with their first-round pick, and rounding out their cornerback depth is one of them. If they do, expect them to jump on Dre Kirkpatrick, who is the best CB in the draft class after Claiborne.

Is Kirkpatrick a Good Fit?

I'm not entirely sure what Kirkpatrick's role would be right off the bat, but I do think the Cowboys will be glad to have him. They've had issues with their cornerback depth this year, and adding a guy like Kirkpatrick will turn that weakness into a strength.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

Why Lamar Miller Goes Here

It's going to be weird to see two running backs go in the first round after seeing just one go in the first round in 2011, but I think it's going to happen. Trent Richardson will definitely be the first, and Lamar Miller will likely be the second.

Miller may not have the most impressive numbers on the face of the earth, but you have to realize that he's playing in a Miami offense that has given him little support. He's a classic case of a player who is more skilled than his numbers indicate.

Is Miller a Good Fit?

Cedric Benson is currently playing on a one-year deal, and the Bengals have every excuse to part ways with him. Benson is getting older, and he is unpredictable away from the field. 

So essentially, drafting Miller would be a way for the Bengals to start fresh, just as they have at quarterback and wide receiver.

18. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Why Riley Reiff Goes Here

After Matt Kalil and Jonathan Martin are off the board, Riley Reiff will be the next tackle to go. He's a versatile lineman who can handle run and pass blocking, and will go to the first team that needs his services.

And make no mistake, the Bears need his services.

Is Reiff a Good Fit?

You may have already noticed, but Chicago's offensive line is terrible. They've done a better job of keeping Jay Cutler on his feet recently, but the guys on the line are not exactly a deterrent for opposing pass rushers.

Fixing the offensive line is going to be a process, but pairing Reiff with rookie tackle Gabe Carimi is a good start.

19. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Why Michael Floyd Goes Here

Alshon Jeffery is billed as the best big-body receiver in the 2012 draft class, but Notre Dame's Michael Floyd isn't that far off. He's not going to be a top-10 draft pick, but there's no way Floyd makes it out of the first round.

In fact, I actually think Floyd is going to be a bargain for teams drafting in the middle or end of the first round. The way things are looking right now, the New York Jets will be one of these teams.

Is Floyd a Good Fit?

I'm not sure what's going to happen with the Jets running game, but I do know that Plaxico Burress is playing on a one-year contract. His Week 7 explosion notwithstanding, Burress has been just OK for the Jets this year, and I'm not going to be surprised if they show no interest in bringing him back.

If they're not, Floyd would be a damn good replacement.

20. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

Why Alfonzo Dennard Goes Here

After Claiborne and Kirkpatrick are off the board, there's no telling which cornerback will be the next to be picked.

Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard will be in the mix. He's a good athlete who plays receivers well, and he has good speed to keep up with them. He's probably not as technically sound as former Nebraska standout Prince Amukamara, but Dennard is solid.

Is Dennard a Good Fit?

After the Bengals draft a running back, cornerback is one of several positions I could see them going for. One of the guys they could target is Janoris Jenkins, but I think the Bengals will ultimately shy away from him because of his off-field issues. The last thing they need right now is a bad-character guy.

21. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis, LB (Oklahoma)

Why Ronnell Lewis Goes Here

Ronnell Lewis strikes me as the kind of guy whose stock will be up and down all the way until draft day. He's having a good season and he has plenty of athleticism, but the Sooners are about to hit a rough patch in their schedule that might have Lewis looking more human.

Either way, I don't think Lewis will fall out of the first round, and I expect him to fill a need for a team that needs to fill one.

Is Lewis a Good Fit?

The Chargers have the kind of defense that seems to always be missing that one last piece of the puzzle. This year, I think that piece is in their linebacking corps. It's good, but not quite great.

If they add Lewis to the mix, that may change.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

Why Melvin Ingram Goes Here

After Quinton Coples, it could be a while before we see another defensive end come off the board on draft day. However, I do anticipate South Carolina's Melvin Ingram being the next chip to fall after Coples. He is also big, strong and fast, and he projects as a fine edge rusher in the pros.

Is Ingram a Good Fit?

The Browns made two great picks when they nabbed Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard in the 2011 draft. Ingram could play on the other side of the defensive line opposite Sheard, giving the Browns a formidable defensive line.

23. Houston Texans: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)

Why Nick Toon Goes Here

It's questionable whether or not any wide receivers are going to go in the first round once Jeffery, Blackmon and Floyd are off the board. I guess that will depend on how badly a team thinks it needs a wide receiver.

If a team (i.e. the Texans) comes to the conclusion that it needs to take a receiver in the first round, Wisconsin's Nick Toon will be a candidate. His health is a concern, but his athleticism and playmaking abilities are not.

Is Toon a Good Fit?

You're free to argue with me, but I think the Texans could use a wide receiver to play alongside Andre Johnson. He's one of the best there is, but the Texans offense would really be able to open up if they get him some support.

24. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Why Janoris Jenkins Goes Here

Just in case you're a little confused by the picture, Jenkins no longer plays for Florida. The Gators dismissed him, and he ended up with North Alabama.

Because Jenkins is playing against such weak competition in Division II, you can't read too much into what he's doing this year. The good news for him is that he does have first-round talent, and he can expect to go somewhere in the latter third.

Is Jenkins a Good Fit?

The Lions have an outstanding defensive front. Their secondary is another issue, however, and the Lions would do well do address it in the draft by adding a cornerback. At the position they're going to be drafting, Jenkins will be the best find.

As for those character concerns, I don't think those are going to be issues with the Lions. From what I can gather, their defense is chock-full of jerks anyway.

Don't worry, I'm kidding. Or maybe I'm not?

25. New York Giants: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Why David DeCastro Goes Here

Remember when we were talking about Stanford's awesome offensive line? Well, it's not all thanks to Jonathan Martin. David DeCastro helps, too.

DeCastro handles the interior of the line, and the general consensus is that he's the best interior lineman in this 2012 draft class. Odds are he's going to be a steal in the latter third of the first round.

Is DeCastro a Good Fit?

The Giants could use some bodies in their secondary, but the offensive line could use a piece or two as well. I'm not entirely sure how DeCastro would fit in seeing as how, but the Giants have done enough mixing and matching over the last year to convince me that they'd find a way to include DeCastro.

26. Buffalo Bills: Donte Paige-Moss, DE (North Carolina)

Why Donte Paige-Moss Goes Here

If we see another defensive end come off the board after Ingram, it's probably going to be either Florida State's Brandon Jenkins or North Carolina's Donte Paige-Moss.

If the Bills are doing the honors, I suspect it will be Paige-Moss. They could use a good pass rusher, but I don't think they would go for a smaller guy like Jenkins after what happened with Aaron Maybin. It sounds strange to say it given the struggles he's gone through this year, but DPM would be the safer pick for the Bills.

Is Paige-Moss a Good Fit?

The question the Bills would have to answer is where DPM is better suited to play: defensive end or outside linebacker. But because they need a pass rusher, I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted him and then figured that out later.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Why Stephon Gilmore Goes Here

I actually think Gilmore could end up being a late riser similar to Jimmy Smith in 2011, but for now, he's the kind of guy who could go toward the end of the first round.

Whether or not Gilmore is tabbed by the Steelers will depend on what kind of help is available on the offensive line. There's likely not going to be much at the position they're drafting, so they'll be better served filling another need rather than reach for an offensive lineman.

They could use a CB; hence the Gilmore pick.

Is Gilmore a Good Fit?

I think so. Gilmore is bigger and stronger than, say, Oregon's Cliff Harris, and these are things the Steelers will value when looking for a cornerback.

28. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE (Nebraska)

Why Jared Crick Goes Here

By all accounts, Jared Crick will be a steal if he lasts this long. The only reason I think he will last this long is because there are only going to be so many fits for him earlier in the draft.

But the Pats will be glad to have Crick if he lasts to them. They need defensive line help, and you just know that Bill Belichick would go for a guy with Crick's versatility.

Is Crick a Good Fit?

Most definitely. The Patriots could use another body on their defensive line, and Crick has the potential to play in any scheme they use.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Markelle Martin, S (Oklahoma State)

Why Markelle Martin Goes Here

Just like in 2011, it's questionable whether or not any safeties are going to go in the first round. There are a couple of safeties who could go in the first round, but only if there's a need for them.

The 49ers have a couple of needs in their secondary, but drafting a free safety wouldn't be the worst idea. Dashon Goldson is on a one-year contract and has battled injury troubles in 2011, so maybe the best idea is to draft a replacement.

If so, Markelle Martin will be their guy.

Is Martin a Good Fit?

Absolutely. Martin has above-average range and has a shown a good ability to attack the ball and make plays. He could stand to improve in run support, but that shouldn't be an issue seeing as how the 49ers have a front seven that doesn't let anyone through.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

Why Dwayne Allen Goes Here

Dwayne Allen is probably going to end up being this year's Kyle Rudolph. There probably won't be any room for tight ends in the first round, but Allen will be the only one good enough to be drafted if a team decides they need one.

This is admittedly just my opinion, but I think the Ravens could use one.

Is Allen a Good Fit?

The reason I think Allen is good fit for the Ravens is because Ed Dickson is really nothing special as a pass catcher. Allen is, and his stock promises to keep rising as he and the Tigers continue to make national noise.

31. New England Patriots: Ryan Broyles, WR (Oklahoma)

Why Ryan Broyles Goes Here

Ryan Broyles has definitely left his mark on the NCAA record books, but he's going to be largely overlooked on draft day, unless the Patriots take a look at him and like what they see.

Wes Welker is brilliant, but Chad Ochocinco is not going to last in New England, and Deion Branch is a free-agent-to-be. They're going to need a wide receiver, and Broyles seems like a natural fit.

Is Broyles a Good Fit?

The reason I think Broyles is a good fit is because he's a guy who has succeeded despite a relative lack of tools. He's not big, he's not strong and he's not particularly fast, but he has managed to be successful anyway.

Sounds like the kind of guy who has a future in New England.

32. Green Bay Packers: Kheeston Randall, DT (Texas)

Why Kheeston Randall Goes Here

To be honest, Kheeston Randall probably has no business sniffing the first round. The only way he's going in the first round is if a team is reaching for him.

If a team is going to do that, it will be the Green Bay Packers. They could use some help at defensive end, and Randall projects as the kind of guy who could provide said help.

Is Randall a Good Fit?

He wouldn't be the sexiest pick, but we're talking about a Packers team that has built a championship-caliber team on non-sexy draft picks. If they think they can use a guy like Randall, rest assured they will take him and use him.