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

In the 2012 NFL draft, some teams will be looking to add that piece that they are missing to make them a playoff team. Others, like the Indianapolis Colts, will be transitioning to a brand new era for their franchise.

History has proven that the draft is a make-or-break process and one bad mistake can set a team back for a long time.

So who should your team pick in next year's draft?

Here's what each team's best bet will be in the 2012 draft if they want to succeed.

No. 1 Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

This pick is a no-brainer.

The Indianapolis Colts are in the process of seeing the Peyton Manning era end and a new era begin.

Luckily for the Colts, Andrew Luck will be waiting for them with the first overall pick in the draft. He is easily the best quarterback available and there isn't a scout who would tell you differently.

The day Manning left Indy was supposed to be a doomsday scenario for the franchise, but with Luck, it won't be long before the Colts are competing again.

Who would've thought we might be talking about them trading Manning. Certainly not me, but the pure mention of it with rationality makes you believe that Luck is the real deal.

No. 2 St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma St.

The St. Louis Rams have had a disappointing season watching their young quarterback take a ton of hits and struggle trying to get the ball to receivers with unsure hands.

I've felt that through the majority of the season, the Rams' biggest problem has been their offensive line. Still, with a young core of guys, I don't feel like the Rams will be looking offensive line with their first pick.

It'll be important to keep giving Sam Bradford more options and with a re-signing of Brandon Lloyd imminent, St. Louis will look to beef up their receiving corps through the draft.

That pick should be Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State. Blackmon is one of the best receivers in the country and with his solid size and athleticism, he should be the top choice at his position and ready for the Rams to take second overall.

No. 3 Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

If the Minnesota Vikings will be looking to build around a young quarterback in Christian Ponder, they will need Adrian Peterson to be well-protected as he carries their developing offense.

Matt Kalil of USC would be the perfect guy to do that for Minnesota, giving them a sure-fire Pro Bowl offensive lineman for years to come. He would be the perfect fit to help protect their young quarterback, giving him time to throw the ball and thrive in the Vikings system.

When Bryan McKinnie moved on to Baltimore at the start of this season, the Vikings never filled that void and it has showed.

Look for Kalil to quickly fill those big shoes.

No. 4 Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

There is no question that Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense can put yards and points on the board, having proved that this season.

That being said, it will be vital for Ron Rivera's squad to get stronger on defense and we all know how much Rivera loves his defense.

I'm torn on this one seeing as how the Panthers are terrible against the run this season, but could still use help in the secondary.

Carolina's defensive line is still relatively young and without a top-flight defensive lineman to take this high, I believe that will buy them more time to gel.

That leaves improving the Panthers secondary and Morris Claiborne of LSU will do just that. Claiborne should instantly give the Panthers a top young cornerback, eventually developing into one of the NFL's best shutdown corners.

He should certainly give Carolina's 17th-ranked pass defense a shot in the arm next season.

No. 5 Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

The Washington Redskins have found nothing but scrubs to line up behind center for them for about a decade now and drafting a quarterback is right up their alley.

I've looked at a lot of other guys' draft boards and most of them overlook Robert Griffin III of Baylor. He is having a monster year in 2011 and should be given more credit on draft boards.

Still, don't expect that to stop the Redskins from picking Griffin with their first pick as they are in desperate need of a quarterback.

Griffin will give them a two-headed attack, as he has often been compared to Cam Newton with slightly more touch. His excellent speed and athleticism will make him a threat to run the ball as well.

Newton has surprised most of us this season and if Griffin can come anywhere near what Newton has done so far, he will be the best quarterback D.C. has seen in a long time.

No. 6 Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC

If you think the Miami Dolphins won't draft a quarterback in 2012, you'd be a crazy person.

The Dolphins have been putting together some great team effort over the past three weeks and actually look like a competitive football team.

Their quarterback situation has been a total nightmare this season and Matt Barkley could erase those nightmares with just one pick.

Barkley would give the Dolphins a solution for the long-term, being more ready than most guys at his position transitioning to the NFL because of USC's notoriously pro-style system.

They may be slightly snakebitten with their rookie quarterback picks in the past, but I'm afraid the Dolphins have no choice with this one.

No. 7 Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

The Jacksoville Jaguars will look to build off a 2011 season that saw the introduction of their new franchise quarterback, Blaine Gabbert.

The Jags defense is good enough to shut people down, while Maurice Jones-Drew continues to produce week after week.

So the most important thing will be giving Gabbert options to throw to that will help him develop behind center.

Alshon Jeffery is a big, strong wide receiver who will help give Gabbert the options he needs alongside Michael Thomas, the Jags' leading receiver this year. Those two together should give Gabbert the tools he needs to vastly improve the worst passing attack in football.

No. 8 Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

The Arizona Cardinals have had a rough, painful season in 2011.

They have allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL this season while sporting the 28th-ranked rushing attack in football. This has got to change if the Cardinals want to win games next year.

These types of problems point the finger at the offensive line being in need of a ton of help.

Jonathan Martin will give the Cards that help as he is one of the most talented young offensive linemen in the draft.

Martin should beef up what has been a dreadful O-line in Arizona, giving Kevin Kolb and Beanie Wells all the time and space they need to prove they are truly worthy.

No. 9 Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, MLB, Arizona State

This is another pick I'm torn on. We've seen Michael Vick get his head nearly ripped off this season behind a decent offensive line, but seeing as how the Philadelphia Eagles run the ball so well, they can't be that badly off.

What they truly need in Philly is a middle linebacker and Vontaze Burfict fits that bill.

Burfict would fill a weak middle of the field for the Eagles, giving them some extra help inside to stop the run.

He is also a great option because of his speed and ability to play outside linebacker as well. He is also athletic enough to help not only the Eagles rush defense, but their pass defense as well.

No. 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

If you were a young cornerback and you had to choose a guy to learn under, safe to say Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be on your short list.

Barber has had a resurgence this season for the Bucs, but he is 36 years old and won't be around forever.

Dre Kirkpatrick would be the perfect fit for Tampa Bay, giving them the young piece they need to help improve an aging secondary which played itself into 29th-ranked pass defense in football so far this season.

Their rush defense was just as bad, but the Bucs do have a lot of young, developing talent on their defensive line that needs more time. That's why a cornerback is the best bet.

No. 11 Seattle Seahawks: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

When the Seattle Seahawks were at their best, Shaun Alexander was carrying the ball and dominating any defense he faced.

If the Seahawks want to return to their offensive success of years past, it'll start with a running back.

Trent Richardson of Alabama could give Seattle a solution in the backfield for a long time, replacing Marshawn Lynch who had a lackluster season in 2011 and will be a free agent next year.

Expect the Seahawks to be players for a quarterback in the free-agent market as well, possibly a Kyle Orton which would be a huge improvement over anyone they've used this season.

Any way you slice it, Seattle must improve offensively and that will start with Richardson.

No. 12 San Diego Chargers: Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami (FL)

After letting LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles go, the San Diego Chargers have had all sorts of problems running the ball this season.

Giving Philip Rivers that perfect complement lining up behind him could change the Chargers offense in a hurry.

Lamar Miller of Miami (FL) could give the Chargers a quick boost, helping San Diego's 20th-ranked rushing attack. If Miller can pan out for them, the Chargers would have one of the best offenses in football, already having the fourth-best passing attack in the league.

You never want to compare any young back to a Hall of Famer like Tomlinson, but Miller might be the closest thing San Diego finds at their spot in the draft.

No. 13 Cleveland Browns: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Had the Cleveland Browns stopped somebody—anybody—from running the ball this season, they could've had the best defense in the league and maybe a few more wins to boot.

The Browns sported the best pass defense in the NFL thus far, but that's quite the contrast from their 29th-ranked run defense.

Quinton Coples is the best defensive lineman in this draft and would give the Browns an end who can get into the backfield and cause all sorts of problems for opposing offenses.

He would give a helping hand to the Browns' horrid rush defense by beefing up the defensive line, playing next to last year's first-round pick, Phil Taylor.

Coples would make it a mistake to run the ball outside the tackles, forcing opposing backs up the middle and right into the hands of Taylor.

No. 14 Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Kansas City Chiefs couldn't stop the run if they wanted to. That may continue though, as the Chiefs won't find a nose tackle worthy of choosing with their position in the draft.

So the next best thing will be to beef up their offensive line to help their 28th-ranked offense.

Reiff would instantly give Kansas City's offensive line a boost in his first season, giving Matt Cassel more time to find Dwayne Bowe and his other options.

He may not be exactly what the Chiefs needed, but at this spot in the draft, they may not have a choice.

No. 15 Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

With their offense pretty much set for years to come, the Buffalo Bills will undoubtedly look to improve upon their 26th-ranked defense.

That will start with adding an inside linebacker to help stop the run and that is none other than Luke Kuechly from Boston College.

Kuechly has a good nose for the ball and can tackle with the best of them. It remains to be seen if he can help with pass coverage, but has the speed to do it.

He could be a good option for the Bills to give pressure up the middle, forcing opposing backs to run outside the tackles. Whichever way they use him, he would be a young piece for their defense to build around.

No. 16 New York Jets: David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

The New York Jets are having a disappointing season to say the least and have exposed plenty of holes on their team.

The most pressing, in my opinion, is their offensive line.

Mark Sanchez continues to get knocked around while the Jets rushing attack continues to get worse and worse.

David DeCastro of Stanford could be what the Jets need, filling a hole at guard. DeCastro has done a good job helping to protect Andrew Luck and could do the same for the Jets quarterback.

Sanchez has proven he is not the type of guy who can carry a team on his back, so a strong rushing attack for New York is of vital importance.

Along with Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, DeCastro could be a part of one of the best offensive lines in football if he pans out.

No. 17 Denver Broncos: Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma

I'm not writing off the Tim Tebow experiment yet because every time I do, the Denver Broncos come out of their respective game a winner.

Now that doesn't mean Tebow will always be the guy, but until he starts losing, he will be the starter.

That won't stop the Broncos from drafting a quarterback and at their current position, Landry Jones will be the best available guy for John Fox to take.

Jones will give Denver an insurance policy just in case Tebow doesn't work out and although it'll be frustrating for Broncos fans to have to start all over again with another young quarterback, at least there will be some hope.

Don't expect Jones to be ready right away, which will give Tebow more time to develop and prove he can play in this league.

No. 18 Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

With defensive end Dave Ball considering retirement and battling his third concussion in two years, there's no telling when the Tennessee Titans might need to replace him.

It could be sooner than later with the way concussions go and if that happens, Melvin Ingram could be the man to replace him.

The Titans will need to improve their 22nd-ranked rush defense and can do that by beefing up their defensive line with Ingram at the end.

Ingram can also get to the quarterback and even if Ball is back next season, many experts believe he can play outside linebacker as well.

He seems to be the safe bet for Tennessee no matter what they may need defensively.

No. 19 New York Giants: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Without a viable option for the New York Giants at offensive line, they must look to their next-biggest need and that is at linebacker.

The Giants could use the help up the middle, sporting the 20th-ranked rushing defense in the NFL.

Manti Te'o of Notre Dame could give the G-Men the help they need up the middle to help stop the run, even having the ability to bounce to the outside as well.

Te'o has proven to be a top tackler in college football this season and would give New York some extra strength defensively.

No. 20 Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

With their second pick in the first round coming from Atlanta, the Browns will have another opportunity to improve.

After taking care of their most pressing need on their defensive line, the Browns should look to the offensive side of the ball, namely their passing attack.

Colt McCoy is having a nice season but could use some more options to throw to. As it stands now, his best options are a no-name receiver and his tight end. He will need more help if he wants to develop.

Michael Floyd of Notre Dame has had off-field issues but has all the talent in the world to become a No. 1 receiver in this league. He would open up the field for McCoy, not only giving him more weapons, but opening up Cleveland's 29th-ranked rushing attack as well.

I was tempted to choose a linebacker here, maybe Courtney Upshaw, but the Browns need to improve their offense with a receiver. Still, I feel the Browns wouldn't go wrong choosing a linebacker instead.

Just a little too much defense in one round for me.

No. 21 Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

With their first of two picks in the first round, expect the Cincinnati Bengals to try and beef up their 11th-ranked pass defense.

The Bengals have been great against the run this season but have had room for improvement in their secondary.

Alfonzo Dennard of Nebraska would be that answer, giving the Bengals pass defense a boost if and when he joins Cincinnati.

If he pans out, Dennard would give the Bengals one of the deepest secondaries in all of football, making a scary defense that much more scary.

No. 22 Dallas Cowboys: Ronnell Lewis, DE, Oklahoma

The Dallas Cowboys are pretty solid on both sides of the ball this season, but could get stronger on the defensive line.

Kenyon Coleman has done a nice job for Dallas this season, but at age 32 there's no telling how much longer he'll be around.

Ronnell Lewis of Oklahoma would be a younger option at defensive end, lining up opposite Marcus Spears with the ability to rush the passer.

Lewis would become an instant fan favorite should he pan out better than Spears has. That shouldn't be too difficult for him, but as we all know, that's never certain.

No. 23 Cincinnati Bengals: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

I wanted a running back for the Bengals with this pick and possibly even their first pick, but there are no viable options this late in the first round.

So that brings the Bengals back to defense and immediately to Alabama's linebacker, Courtney Upshaw.

If Upshaw is still available this late, Cincy shouldn't hesitate for a second in drafting him.

Upshaw would be a great pass-rusher for the Bengals, as well as help to stop the run. He has a good amount of speed which would make him eligible for pass coverage.

Marvin Lewis must be giddy at the thought of adding both Dennard and Upshaw to his already top-ranked defense.

No. 24 New England: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

It's no secret the New England Patriots defense is absolutely horrid.

The Pats find themselves not only one of the worst teams in the NFL against the pass and run, but they surrender more big plays than almost anyone in the entire league.

So what's the solution to take away the deep threat that teams are using against their lackluster defense?

Mark Barron of Alabama is a solid safety to take late in the first round for New England and could help stop teams from throwing the ball down the field against the Pats.

If he pans out, he could be the beginning of the revival of a once-stellar secondary, something that was once the norm for Bill Belichick.

No. 25 Chicago Bears: Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama

Plain and simple, the Chicago Bears are downright awful against opposing passing attacks.

They could use some more help in their secondary and will be able to address that with their pick in the first round.

Janoris Jenkins would be the answer at the spot in the draft and could add some legitimacy to a struggling secondary this season.

Along with Chris Tillman, Jenkins wouldn't make any quarterbacks situation easier just because they don't throw at Tillman.

They're rush defense is sufficient, so adding to their pass defense would make Chicago an elite defense.

No. 26 Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

If the Detroit Lions want to fill a void at cornerback, they might have to reach out for a second-round pick in the first round to do so.

Their best bet?

Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina could be the guy. Most boards have Gilmore projected in the early second round, but that doesn't mean he lacks first-round potential.

Gilmore has a ton of speed that will help him keep track of faster receivers, and is tough enough to grind it out with more physical receivers.

If you want to know just how fast Gilmore is, check him out returning kicks. He could single-handedly address two needs for the Lions if the situation presents itself.

No. 27 New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The New England Patriots are set on offense, so don't expect them to address that in the first round.

Instead, expect the Pats to address their problems stopping both the pass and the run.

Devon Still of Penn State could fill both of those needs with his ability to put pressure on the quarterback as well as getting into the backfield to stop running backs in their tracks.

The Pats need more help with their secondary, but there won't be much available at this point in the first round to fill those holes.

That's why when the draft gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

No. 28 Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves with their normal top-ranked defense in 2011, so there isn't much help needed there.

The Steelers' bread and butter, their rushing attack, is ranked 16th in the NFL and Ben Roethlisberger is near the top of the league in sacks with 31. Those two facts alone tell the story of an offensive line that is lacking.

Cordy Glenn of Georgia can fill either guard or tackle for Pittsburgh, adding some much-needed help to a struggling offensive line.

No matter what they may need him for, Glenn will be ready for it, being one of the more versatile offensive linemen in this draft.

No. 29 Houston Texans: Jeff Fuller, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

Lose a top receiver for as long as the Houston Texans have lost Andre Johnson and you'll start to understand why it's important to have a No. 2.

Look at the Texans receiving corps and you'll see an immediate problem—their top two receivers this season are their tight end and running back, respectively.

That can't go on if the Texans want a more dangerous passing attack.

Jeff Fuller could be the best solution for this problem late in the first round. Fuller would instantly give Matt Schaub another option when he returns next season and could take pressure off Johnson as well.

Fuller would certainly thrive in the Texans system with much of the attention on Johnson and the Texans' two-headed rushing attack.

No. 30 Baltimore Ravens: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

With an inconsistent quarterback behind center, the Baltimore Ravens couldn't give Joe Flacco enough weapons to succeed.

Their defense being set already, the Ravens will look to add more depth at wide receiver in next year's draft.

Nick Toon would be the perfect complement to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, who has become a rising star for Baltimore.

Toon has great size and can be a good possession receiver on the other side of the field opposite Boldin. He would only improve what is already a solid pass attack.

No. 31 San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

Alex Smith is no certainty in the future for the San Francisco 49ers. Smith has just started to come on after all these years behind center for the 49ers, but even now he isn't what San Fran expected when they drafted him first overall.

Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M has become an increasing favorite on most draft boards and may be worth a look as an insurance policy moving forward if Jim Harbaugh feels he can't win with Smith.

The Niners really need a corner to help bolster their pass defense, but they won't find one worthy of the 31st pick in the first round.

Maybe the Niners think about trading this pick as well, creating the possibility they can pick up a good corner with a draft-day trade.

No. 32 Green Bay Packers: Kevin Reddick, OLB, North Carolina

With the last pick in the first round of the NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers should be looking for a quarterback.

Just kidding.

The Pack's biggest weakness has been their pass defense, which is currently ranked 31st in the NFL. They might be another team looking to trade their pick in order to land themselves a cornerback or safety.

If not, Green Bay could always bolster their linebacker corps by taking Kevin Reddick of North Carolina.

Reddick would be an appealing force to add onto one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL, making any team looking to run the ball think twice about it.