2012 NFL Draft Preview: The First 10 Selections

If one word should be attributed to the 2012 NFL Draft, it'd be 'luck.' This word mainly applies to Andrew Luck, the starting quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal. Luck's NFL stock is so high, he was even projected to go first overall last season before opting to remain in school.

Yes, only one team will be lucky enough to get Luck, but who will it be? Through ten weeks of the NFL season, it seems as if the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts are the front runners to nab Luck. Yet, there are still a mound of valuable and highly touted players that will be chosen and will be expected to immediately perform..

Offensive play-makers such as Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and Alabama's Trent Richardson are just several of many offensive weapons available in the first round. While on the defensive side, Zach Brown of North Carolina and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson are expected to be chosen in round one.

It is safe to say Andrew Luck will go first overall, but the rest of the field is up to debate. According to projected final standing positions, I will analyze every team's first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB

This should be an absolute, sure fire pick for the Colts. Currently sitting on an 0-10 record and on pace for a statistically worse season than the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16). This obviously due to the neck injury sustained by franchise quarterback Peyton Manning prior to the season.

The Colts honestly did not realize how good they actually had it. The very same 0-10 Colts team with Peyton Manning could very well be 10-0, much like the previous 10-0 starts with Manning under center. Yet, Manning isn't getting any younger, or better.

If the Colts receive the first overall selection, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be taken. He could very well become what Aaron Rodgers was, an understudy. He could learn the game under Manning and commit to a smooth transition for Luck when Manning retires.

More interestingly, if Luck is taken by the Colts, do you trade Peyton Manning? Luck is clearly in NFL-shape right now and could start immediately. The Colts would receive a lot, and I mean a lot in return for Manning to build around Luck.

No. 2 St. Louis Rams-Matt Kalil, OT

The St. Louis Rams will select offensive tackle Matt Kalil, of USC. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has suffered complete punishment this season. Kalil will certainly add depth and power to a struggling offensive line.

I toyed with the idea of the Rams drafting wide receiver Justin Blackmon, but considering the Brandon Lloyd acquisition, the Rams will have to pass.

3. Miami Dolphins- Robert Griffin III, QB

Sitting at the third spot in the 2012 Draft, the Dolphins are in a tough spot. They absolutely need to draft a quarterback with their first pick. The real question is who?

As much as the Dolphins would love to get Andrew Luck, Baylor's Robert Griffin III might be the Dolphins next best option. An absolute athlete, he brings up Tim Tebow comparisons, with an even better arm. Although there should be a new regime in Miami, Griffin could effectively help run the Wildcat offense as well.

4. Minnesota Vikings-Jonathan Martin, OT

Christian Ponder, much like every highly drafted quarterback, needs help. The former 12th overall pick in last season's draft, has nearly no offensive line help. Unfortunately, Martin is hardly top-5 talent.

Considering the St. Louis selection of Matt Kalil, the Vikings will select Martin, the next best offensive tackle in the draft. Yet, he will with no doubt improve the struggling Vikings offensive line. Ponder has shown he can start in the NFL, he simply needs more protection.

The Vikings have offensive weapons in Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, and have no need for another play-maker in Justin Blackmon.

5. Arizona Cardinals-Justin Blackmon, WR

The Cardinals, with the fifth pick, are in somewhat of a bind. They would have liked either tackle already chosen to protect the injury-prone Kevin Kolb, whom they are paying a great deal of money.

With that financial situation in mind, it's difficult seeing the Cardinals drafting another quarterback-they need to give Kolb a chance.

The Cardinals will draft Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon. He is the highest talent in the draft, and reminds fans of former Georgia Tech wide-out Calvin Johnson. Paired with Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals will sport a wide receiving corps with similar talent of their Super Bowl XLIII team.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars-Michael Floyd, WR

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is finally getting his feet wet in the NFL. Although the Jaguars are struggling this season, it is a transition year for the franchise as they need to develop and receive more weapons.

Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd is the best play-maker available on the board. Gabbert needs a player who is speedy, and can effectively run routes for him. South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery was a considerations for the Jags, but select Floyd instead.

Does it pay off?

7. Seattle Seahawks-Matt Barkley, QB

As the college season progresses, USC quarterback Matt Barkley is quickly increasing his NFL stock. Barkley owns an excellent arm, with surprisingly accurate passes that just keep getting better as he progresses.

The Seahawks need a quarterback, and they need one bad. With a solid foundation and a franchise quarterback already drafted to build around, the Seahawks could be a team to reckon within the next few years. This is where Barkley comes into play.

The future of Seattle lies with Barkley, who won't have to move far from home, will be united with coach Pete Carroll, and will strive under his system.

8. Cleveland Browns-Quinton Coples, DE

Quinton Coples, who draws comparisons to last year's Da'quan Bowers of Clemson, is the best defensive end in the NFL Draft, and it is already a surprise that he has fallen all the way to eighth in the draft.

The Browns need defensive help, as they are moving to their 4-3 defense under the watchful eye of Mike Holmgren. He will be an effective NFL pass rusher, and would be a pleasure to have Coples play defense for them

9. Washington Redskins-Morris Claiborne, CB

Yes, yes. We all know that the Redskins need a quarterback. But let's think rationally here. Is Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones really a good fit for the Redskins at nine? He has NFL talent, but lacks consistency, as well as questionable decision-making,

I believe this may be the Redskins plan: draft LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and/or trade the pick along with other players for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Can you say Manning brothers in the same division?

10. Carolina Panthers-Trent Richardson, RB

Alabama running back Trent Richardson can run, block, catch and run some more. He is even more highly touted than his former teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram ever was.

The Panthers are one of the most exciting teams in the NFL. Quarterback Cam Newton is a rookie sensation, and needs weapons. He already has Steve Smith catching his bomb passes, so why not draft Richardson and let him run wild?

With Richardson, the Panthers will have an amazingly high-flying offense, much like the current Detroit Lions team.