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

With Week 10 approaching, it's only fitting to make a first round mock draft with many teams (unofficially) out of the playoff race. 
 
The Andrew Luck sweepstakes will finally be put to rest as I am sure, both fans and analysts alike, have the Stanford product going first overall in the 2012 NFL draft. 
 
Expect some team to trade up for Andrew Luck, but that might be out of the question if a quarterback needy team is slotted to pick first overall. This is a quarterback-heavy draft, so teams will have other options besides Luck. 
 
After Luck, it gets a bit dicey of who will go where. Do not expect a flurry of trades as many franchises intend to keep their first round selections because of the new rookie salary cap. 
 
With that, here is my first round 2012 mock draft. 
 
Note: I did not account for any potential draft day deals.

32) Green Bay Packers

Selection: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virgina Tech

The Green Bay Packers may trade down. If they stay pat, expect them to address their secondary.

31) Pittsburgh Steelers

Selection: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Pittsburgh Steelers need an infusion of youth on defense, especially at defensive end.

30) San Francisco 49ers

Selection: Alfonnzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The San Francisco 49ers will likely address their secondary or may move down to acquire more picks.

29) New York Jets

Selection: Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy

The New York Jets need a pass rush off the edge, and Massaquoi looks to be a perfect fit.

28) New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

Selection: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Patriots need a big, physical wide receiver to line up opposite pro bowler Wes Welker.

27) New York Giants

Selection: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The New York Giants will finally land the quarterback of their defense with the selection of Hightower.

26) New England Patriots

Selection: Brandon Thompson, DE/DT, Clemson

The New England Patriots must address the defense, especially the defensive line.

25) Baltimore Ravens

Selection: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Bryant McKinnie is not the long-term solution at left tackle. The Baltimore Ravens intend to keep Michael Oher at right tackle, therefore leaving a gaping hole at left tackle.

24) Dallas Cowboys

Selection: Peter Conz, C, Wisconsin

The Dallas Cowboys have issues along their offensive line. Conz would start day one.

23) Detroit Lions

Selection: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting up there in age. Ingram would learn from one of the best in the game.

22) Houston Texans

Selection: Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington

Wade Phillips has done wonders with the Houston Texans defense. A successful 3-4 defense must have a true nose tackle, and Ta'amu will fill that role nicely.

21) San Diego Chargers

Selection: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Takeo Spikes was a solid fill in, but the San Diego Chargers need an infusion of youth at the inside linebacker position.

20) Philadelphia Eagles

Selection: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted an offensive guard/tackle in the first round last year. They will again draft an offensive tackle to better protect franchise quarterback Michael Vick.

19) Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)

Selection: Devon Still, DE/DT, Penn State

The Cleveland Browns need help in the interior of their defensive line. Still can play end in a 3-4 scheme and tackle in a 4-3 scheme.

18) Cincinnati Bengals

Selection: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Cincinnati Bengals will continue to refine their strong defense. Manny Lawson will likely depart in free agency in search for a long-term deal.

17) Buffalo Bills

Selection: Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State

Shawne Merriman was recently placed on IR and is not the long-term solution for the Buffalo Bills. Jenkins will fill the role of a 3-4 rush linebacker that the Buffalo Bills thought they were drafting in Aaron Maybin.

16) Chicago Bears

Selection: David Decastro, OG, Stanford

The Chicago Bears need offensive line help and Decastro could start immediately.

15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Selection: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must address the secondary especially if cornerback Aquib Talib faces jail time. Jenkins is also a headache off the field, but expect the Bucs to ignore all the warnings (like the time when Talib was drafted).

14) Cincinnati Bengals ( from Oakland Raiders)

Selection: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama 

The Oakland Raiders gave up their 2012 first round selection in the Carson Palmer deal. The Cincinnati Bengals will look to add to an already strong defense. 

13) Kansas City Chiefs

Selection: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Chiefs will fill their need at nose tackle with the selection of Poe.

12) Tennessee Titans

Selection: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Matt Hasselbeck has played solid football thus far, but expect Jake Locker to take the reins sometime next season.

The Tennessee Titans has improved since last season but they still lack impact linebackers. Expect Burfict to change that.

11) Cleveland Browns

Selection: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis is a goner in Cleveland, which will leave a gaping hole at the running back position. Unless the Browns move up in the draft, they will be tough out of luck for a franchise quarterback.

10) Carolina Panthers

Selection: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

If the Panthers make the permanent move to a base 3-4 defense, Coples could aid their transition. I see Coples as a perfect 3-4 defensive end.

9) Minesotta Vikings

Selection: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The departure of Sidney Rice left a huge hole in the wide receiver corps. Jeffery would be a nice complement to the weapons already in Minnesota.

8) Arizona Cardinals

Selection: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford University

The Arizona Cardinals must improve their offensive line if they hope for Kevin Kolb to succeed. Martin would immediately start over the awful Levi Brown at LT.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars

Selection: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Jacksonville Jaguars boast a solid defense, but they lack playmakers at the DB position. With Rashean Mathis getting up in age, look for the Jacksonville Jaguars to select the Alabama product.

6) Washington Redskins

Selection: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Washington Redskins are starving for a franchise quarterback but may end up out of luck. Robert Griffin is still on the board, but I expect Mike Shanahan to pass on the much improved quarterback out of Baylor.

I expect the Redskins to make a push to move up in the draft. Matt Barkley would be the ideal fit (other than Luck of course) in a West Coast scheme.

If the Washington Redskins stay pat, expect them to improve a struggling line with the selection of Kalil.

5) Seattle Seahawks

Selection: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne will make an immediate impact on a Seahawk team dry with talent. The St. Louis Rams will also take a good look at the prospect out of LSU, as they have been decimated with injuries at the DB position.

4) St. Louis Rams

Selection: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State 

I expect the St. Louis Rams to draft the stud WR out of Oklahoma State but not this high. Look for the St. Louis Rams to move down in the draft.

Sam Bradford will love this pick.

3) Miami Dolphins

Selection: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma University

The Miami Dolphins would be foolish to pass up Jones. The Dolphins have long needed a franchise quarterback since the olden days when Dan Marino was under center.

2) Denver Broncos

Selection: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

I envision three franchises—Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams—will all finish with the same overall record at season's end. 
 
With luck on their side, the Denver Broncos would be able to draft the stud quarterback out of USC. Matt Barkley has loads of potential and may end up as the best QB from the 2012 class.

1) Indianapolis Colts

Selection: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford University

'Suck for Luck' anthem will finally die when the Indianapolis Colts (or whoever trades up) selects the Stanford product with the first overall selection.

Luck has all the physical tools and intangibles to dominate at the next level.