2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting All 32 1st Round Picks

We are just now hitting the mid-point of the NFL season, but it's never too early to look ahead to the 2012 NFL Draft.

From worst to first, every team in the league has holes to fill, and this year's college draft class boasts some serious talent.

Here's a look at how things could shake out in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. 

1. Miami Dolphins: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Assuming St. Louis is relatively happy with Sam Bradford under center, the "Suck for Luck" race is essentially down to two teams: Miami and Indianapolis.

While the Colts looked absolutely dismal in a 62-7 loss to New Orleans last week, they also aren't competing in a stacked AFC East division, so they should win at least a game or two.

Miami will more than likely be the league's worst team when it's all said and done, and Luck is a no-brainer at No. 1.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams got the wide receiver they so desperately needed when they snagged Brandon Lloyd at the trade deadline, so they will look to strengthen their offensive line with the No. 2 pick.

Former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford is a talented quarterback, but he has been sacked a league-high 22 times this season and needs to be protected given his importance to the franchise.

Kalil is the best offensive lineman available in this year's draft, and the Rams won't pass him up.

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

The Colts are in a tough situation.

Indy would love to land Andrew Luck considering Peyton Manning's questionable health, but unless they essentially give up on the season that probably won't be an option.

Indianapolis would also love to take Matt Kalil to shore up their porous offensive line, but he'll likely be unavailable as well.

That leaves the Colts with North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, an amazing athlete who could serve as a youthful replacement for either Robert Mathis or Dwight Freeney.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Seattle is in dire need of a quarterback and USC's Matt Barkley is their best available option, considering Andrew Luck won't be around.

The Seahawks could favor Oklahoma's Landry Jones over Barkley, but you have to think that Seattle head coach Pete Carroll would go with the USC grad given the choice.

Either way, Seattle will undoubtedly address its blaring quarterback issue in round one.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals spent a fortune to bring in quarterback Kevin Kolb last offseason, but they haven't been able to protect him whatsoever.

Martin is this class' most promising tackle prospect after Kalil and he would significantly strengthen Arizona's O-line.

He has spent his college days protecting Andrew Luck, so you have to figure he's pretty good.

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

Aside from running back Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville is severely lacking in playmakers. 

Justin Blackmon may be the most explosive offensive prospect in the draft class and would certainly make a great downfield target for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

7. Denver Broncos: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Broncos have a long list of needs, but considering their reliance on the run game it would be hard for them to pass up on Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Richardson is probably the most pro-ready back in the entire draft class and he could provide an immediate boost to Denver's woeful offense.

It's possible that the Broncos could opt for a wide receiver such as South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery instead, but they traded Brandon Lloyd at the deadline, so they may not be too worried about the wideout position.

8. Cleveland Browns: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Cleveland seems to believe in Colt McCoy, but he just doesn't seem like the answer to their long-lived quarterback issues.

If Oklahoma's Landry Jones is still on the board the Browns could very well pull the trigger.

Cleveland's biggest need is at the wide receiver position, but if Blackmon is gone Cleveland may elect to address that need later on in the draft.

9. Minnesota Vikings: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder looked impressive in his NFL debut last week, but if he's going to succeed in the long run the Vikings will have to strengthen their offensive line.

Riley Reiff is no Kalil, but he is most certainly a stud offensive tackle.

Look for the Vikings to snag the Iowa prospect if he's still on the board at No. 9.

10. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Nate Washington is the Tennessee Titans' biggest receiving threat with Kenny Britt inactive, and that's just not going to cut it.

Aside from Justin Blackmon, Alshon Jeffery is the best available receiver and he would be a great fit in Tennessee.

11. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Carolina is a young team with a lot of potential, but their defense is in desperate need of improvement.

Claiborne will likely be the best defensive player still left on the board, so the Panthers won't hesitate to snag him.

12. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Sorry, Washington, but Rex Grossman and John Beck aren't franchise quarterbacks.

Baylor's Robert Griffin isn't just one of the most explosive rushing quarterbacks in the nation, he can also throw the ball pretty well and could develop into a star under the right NFL system.

If the Heisman contender is still on the board, Washington won't have much of a choice but to grab him.

13. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

If the Chiefs elect to release cornerback Brandon Carr at season's end they'll need to replace him at some point in the draft.

Why not the first round?

Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick is one of the nation's most dynamic cornerbacks and he could develop into a top-tier CB in the NFL.

While North Alabama corner Janoris Jenkins may be a better athlete than Kirkpatrick, his past legal troubles could cause the Chiefs to skip over him.

14. Cincinnati Bengals: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Cincinnati brought in Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard to fill in their linebacking corps this season, but both are signed to short-term deals.

Vontaze Burfict is one of the most aggressive and hard-hitting linebackers in the nation, and while he's been said to have some attitude issues, that shouldn't be a problem in Cincinnati.

15. Cleveland Browns: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Cleveland boasts one of the league's most talented young defenses, but it still needs some help at linebacker.

Kuechly comes from a long line of impressive BC 'backers and he could become a playmaker in the Browns' system if Cleveland picks him up.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Tampa Bay's cornerback situation is murky considering Aqib Talib's legal troubles and Ronde Barber's veteran status.

Luckily, the Bucs absolutely love Nebraska corner Alfonzo Dennard.

He's a big-time playmaker in the secondary and would be a great fit in Tampa's developing young defense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins would be a steal at pick No. 17, but because of his past legal troubles I wouldn't be surprised to see him fall quite a bit on the draft board.

Cincinnati needs a corner after losing Johnathan Joseph to free agency this offseason, and they've never been scared to sign players with off-the-field issues.

It looks like a match made in heaven.

18. Chicago Bears: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

If the Bears can't re-sign Roberto Garza at the end of the season they'll have a big hole to fill on the offensive line.

DeCastro is one of the nation's best guard prospects and would be a great fit in Chicago's grind-it-out offense.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

The "Dream Team" can play some serious offense, but Philadelphia's defense has been nothing but a nightmare this season.

Manti Te'o is an absolute beast at the linebacker position and could drastically improve the Eagles' lackluster defense should they pick him up.

Philly will have defense in mind during the 2012 draft, and Te'o could be the best defensive player available at pick No. 19.

20. Houston Texans: Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama

Houston needs a nose tackle, and Alabama's Josh Chapman is the best this year's draft class has to offer.

Wade Phillips is a defensive mastermind and he could turn Chapman into a beast of a DT.

21. San Diego Chargers: Bruce Irvin, DE/LB, West Virginia

San Diego needs a linebacker capable of rushing of the quarterback, and West Virginia's Bruce Irvin could be the man for the job.

Larry English is hurt, so the Chargers' weakness at linebacker has become more and more evident this season.

If Irvin is still available the Chargers won't think twice about picking him up.

22. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Plaxico Burress has become one of Mark Sanchez's favorite red-zone targets, but he probably isn't going to be a long-term mainstay, so the Jets need to upgrade at the receiver postion.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd is a monster of a wideout and he'd fit right in under the bright lights of New York.

23. Dallas Cowboys: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Dallas' offensive line isn't terrible, but it could certainly be improved.

Considering that Stanford's David DeCastro probably won't be around, Georgia guard Cordy Glenn makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys.

He has the potential to make an immediate impact on the Dallas O-line.

24. New York Giants: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

New York could use a boost to its linebacking corps, and Zach Brown is an absolute stud.

He'll probably be the best available athlete on the board, so don't be surprised to see the Giants opt for Brown over some other players who could fill more immediate needs.

25. Detroit Lions: Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

Despite Ohio State's struggles this season, Michael Brewster has emerged as one of the nation's most highly touted centers.

The Lions' Matthew Stafford is one of the league's best young quarterbacks, but he's awfully injury-prone and needs to be better protected.

Adding Brewster into the mix could strengthen Detroit's offensive line considerably and help to keep Stafford on his feet.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

The Steelers don't need much help on defense, but they're one of the oldest teams in the NFL and they'll look to add some youthful depth in this year's draft.

Clemson's Brandon Thompson is an underrated defensive tackle who could replace Casey Hampton when the time comes.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu isn't a big-name player, but he is quietly one of the nation's most dynamic wide receivers.

Braylon Edwards is on his way out of the Bay, and Michael Crabtree has struggled throughout his young career, so the 49ers need to boost their receiving corps.

Sanu would be a great fit.

28. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/LB, Alabama

As well as Buffalo has played this season, it certainly still has some weaknesses.

Alabama DE/LB hybrid Courtney Upshaw could give the Bills the pass rush they so desperately need, and could also develop into a pretty solid strongside linebacker, something Buffalo lacks.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Ray Lewis won't be around forever, so Baltimore will need to bring in a young middle linebacker capable of being his successor.

Alabama's Dont'a Hightower could be the man for the job.

The Ravens love to draft guys out of the SEC, and Hightower has all the tools necessary to become an impact player on the Ravens' already-stacked defense.

30. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

New England's defense line is stout with Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth, but what the Patriots don't have is depth.

Michigan State's Jerel Worthy could serve as a rotational player for his first few NFL seasons before eventually taking over as the Pats' starting DT.

31. New England Patriots: Ronell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma

Ronell Lewis has dropped off several analysts' first-round draft boards, but the Patriots would be wise to take a gamble on him.

He's one of the nation's most athletic and hard-hitting linebackers and he's the type of guy who is feared by his opponents.

New England's defense has earned a reputation for being "soft," but Lewis could put an end to that theory in a hearbeat.

32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins, DE/LB, Florida State

Even the NFL's best teams have holes to fill in the draft, and the Green Bay Packers need a dynamic pass rusher at defensive end.

If he's still on the board, look for the Pack to target Florida State's Brandon Jenkins.

He's quick, he has a nose for the ball and he could be used as a hybrid DE/LB much like Baltimore's Terrell Suggs or Cincinnati's Michael Johnson.