2012 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing Each Pick to a Hall of Famer from Their New Team

As the NFL playoff picture grows clearer, so also does the picture of the 2012 NFL mock draft. Teams will usually pick the best player available, but there are a few that lend towards need.

Taking that into consideration and putting equal value on the best available versus need, this is how I see the 2012 NFL draft. Keep in mind that circumstances are likely to shift this board from week to week, but this is the way things stack up after Week 12 in the NFL.

Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section at the bottom. Cheers.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback (Stanford)

There's no doubt that the Colts will be picking No. 1 next April in the 2012 NFL draft. I don't see any scenario where Bill Polian doesn't pick Andrew Luck from Stanford.

Andrew Luck, despite a couple of performances recently that weren't Heisman-esque, is still the undisputed best player coming out of college football next year.

He possesses all the qualities you hope for in a franchise quarterback. He has a cannon for an arm, he can get out of trouble with his legs, he is very accurate and he is a general on the gridiron.

NFL comparison: Johnny Unitas

2. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle (USC)

The Minnesota Vikings are in desperate need of some help for their offensive line. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is showing signs of being a capable franchise quarterback, but both he and Adrian Peterson could use some assistance going forward.

Matt Kalil is the top prospect at the offensive tackle position, and he would fit the bill nicely for the Vikings. The best part about it for the Vikings is that they won't have to pay through the nose to sign him. You gotta love the new CBA

NFL comparison: Ron Yary

3. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver (Oklahoma State)

The St. Louis Rams are in desperate need of another target for Sam Bradford to throw to. They will run to the podium to hand in the name of Justin Blackmon. 

Blackmon provides an explosive, athletic target to play opposite of Brandon Lloyd for the Rams. Throw in a healthy Danny Amendola in the slot and you have a dangerous receiver corps.

NFL comparison: Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch 

4. Washington Redskins (trade with Jaguars): Matt Barkley, Quarterback (USC)

Mike Shanahan, nervous about someone trading into Carolina's spot, trades up to the fourth overall pick to select quarterback Matt Barkley out of USC. 

The Redskins are one player away from seriously contending for the NFC East title, and Matt Barkley fits their vision of a quarterback who can make quick reads and make all the throws. His experience as a three-year starter in the Pac-12 will serve him well as he comes into the NFL.

NFL comparison: Sonny Jurgenson

5. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback (LSU)

The Carolina Panthers made the right choice with the first overall pick last season, and they will be thrilled to pick up Morris Claiborne, cornerback out of LSU, with the fifth overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft.

Claiborne may be a better cornerback coming out of college than his teammate last season, Patrick Peterson. He uses his 6'1" frame expertly while the ball is in the air, as his five interceptions would indicate. He will greatly assist this young team in their development into a competitive player in the NFC South.

NFL comparison: Eric Davis

6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver (South Carolina)

Alshon Jeffery is this year's version of A.J. Green. He has all the size and athleticism you could hope for in an elite wide receiver. He's quick off the line, and he has enough speed to beat you deep.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the least-talented teams at the wide receiver position, so picking Jeffery with the sixth overall pick will be a breeze for them.

NFL comparison: Jimmy Smith

7. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker (Alabama)

The Miami Dolphins drafted outside linebacker, Koa Misi, with the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Misi has been a huge disappointment for the team, only collecting 5.5 sacks in 26 starts.

The Dolphins will rectify their past mistake by selecting Courtney Upshaw with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Upshaw is a pass-rushing specialist who can also cover in space when asked to do so. He isn't a prototypical speed rusher, but he possesses an excellent swim move and has good strength to go against the offensive tackles of the NFL.

NFL comparison: Jason Taylor

8. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, Running Back (Alabama)

The Cleveland Browns were counting on running back Peyton Hillis to have another big year this season, and instead, they found out that he isn't the answer. 

Instead, the Browns will be content to land the best running back to have come out of college in a few years. Alabama's Trent Richardson is the ideal mix of size, speed, agility and quickness. Oh, as an added bonus, he's pretty good catching passes out of the backfield, too.

NFL comparison: Jim Brown

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback (Alabama)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of positions to shore up. With the ninth pick of the 2012 NFL draft, they will pick up Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback out of Alabama. 

Ronde Barber is in his 15th season. After him and Talib, the Bucs are mighty thin at that position.

Kirkpatrick is a big, physical player. He's bigger than most cornerbacks in the NFL and matches up well against most of the bigger receivers. His speed is adequate, and he's a mean tackler. He would give the Buccaneers an excellent tandem for the future, as long as Aqib Talib stays out of trouble.

NFL comparison: Ronde Barber (but much bigger)

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, Defensive End (North Carolina)

The Philadelphia Eagles need help at almost every position on the field (except cornerback...maybe). The team drafted defensive end Brandon Graham with the 13th pick of the 2010 NFL draft, but he has been a tremendous disappointment and has been battling injuries throughout his young career.

They will cut Graham (if they're smart) and draft Quinton Coples out of North Carolina with the 10th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. 

This may seem like a strange move to some. After all, don't the Eagles already have two of the best pass-rushers in the league, Jason Babin and Trent Cole? Yes, they do. But the depth behind those two studs is lacking. The way the Eagles defense is currently set up, they require a constant pass rush. Two studs will get tired. Three will keep going all game long.

NFL comparison: Reggie White

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle (Stanford)

The Kansas City Chiefs need to solidify their offensive line. Jonathan Martin out of Stanford isn't much of a downgrade from Matt Kalil, and he would fit the Chiefs' style of offense perfectly.

Martin is an elite player in both the run and passing game. At 6'6" and just over 300 pounds, Martin is very athletic. He would be effective protecting Matt Cassell's blind side, and he'd be perfect for the diverse running game they like to play in Kansas City.

NFL comparison: Jim Tyrer

12. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker (Illinois)

The San Diego Chargers are struggling this year, as everyone has seen. They desperately need another pass-rusher in their 3-4 defense. When Shaun Phillips was out of the lineup due to injury, the Chargers couldn't generate any significant pressure.

Whitney Mercilus is a tenacious pass-rusher the Chargers would be thrilled to have fall to them at the 12th pick of the 2012 NFL draft.

At 6'4" and 265 pounds, Mercilus is this year's version of Aldon Smith. He will convert well to fit the Chargers' scheme as an outside linebacker.

NFL comparison: Woodrow Lowe

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle (Ohio State)

Kevin Kolb doesn't look like the answer for the Arizona Cardinals, but then he never really got a good chance, now, did he?

The Cardinals offensive line is atrocious, and they desperately need a stabilizing force to anchor the blind side. They will pick Mike Adams out of Ohio State with the 13th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft.

Adams looks like your prototypical NFL left tackle, and he plays like one too. He has quick feet and moves well for a man of his size. Coming from Ohio State, you know he will be able to move laterally, because the Buckeyes roll out the quarterback a ton.

NFL comparison: Louis Sharpe

14. Seattle Seahawks: Landry Jones, Quarterback (Oklahoma)

The Seattle Seahawks' No. 1 need is at the quarterback position. Neither Tavaris Jackson nor Charlie Whitehurst is the answer.

The Seahawks will be thrilled that Landry Jones out of Oklahoma has fallen this far, and they will pick him 14th overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

Jones has a cannon for an arm, and he's also an accurate quarterback used to working in a pro-style offense. Head coach Pete Carroll will jump at the opportunity to mold him into his version of an NFL quarterback.

NFL comparison: Matt Hasselbeck

15. Buffalo Bills: Zack Brown, Outside Linebacker (North Carolina)

The Buffalo Bills have been collecting pieces of their defense for a few years now, and they are close to finding the right mix. 

The Bills will select Zach Brown out of North Carolina to challenge Shawn Merriman for the starting outside linebacker spot. Many have suggested Brown wouldn't be a good fit in a 3-4, but I think he'll thrive. 

A bit undersized, at 6'2" and 230 pounds, Brown is a rare athlete. He's raw explosive talent in a jersey. He will need to get stronger and bulk up, but his athletic abilities would shine on the edge.

NFL comparison: Daryl Talley

16. Denver Broncos: Brandon Thompson, Defensive Tackle (Clemson)

The Denver Broncos are developing into a fine team, and defense is their strong suit. Building upon their strength couldn't hurt.

The Broncos will select Brandon Thompson out of Clemson with the 16th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft to start as a defensive tackle on their up-and-coming young defense. 

Thompson is a disruptive force that could be a huge addition to the Broncos. He's a big man at 6'2" and 310 pounds, but he can really move and is a fantastic athlete. 

NFL comparison: Paul Smith

17. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver (Notre Dame)

The New York Jets and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer are obsessed with passing. Never mind that Mark Sanchez is just as likely to throw four interceptions as throw four touchdowns. 

The Jets will select Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame with the 17th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He will give Mark Sanchez another target to throw to.

Floyd is a gifted receiver; there's no doubt about it. He's more of a possession guy than a speed guy, though, at 6'3" and 233 pounds. He could fill the same type role that Anquan Boldin fills for the Baltimore Ravens, and he would help to open up the sidelines for the Jets' speedsters. 

NFL comparison: Don Maynard

18. Tennessee Titans: Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker (Boston College)

The Tennessee Titans are a team that will continue to get younger as the franchise rebuilds. Middle linebacker is a position of need for them.

The Titans will gladly pick Luke Kuechly out of Boston College with the 18th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft to come in and anchor the middle of their defense for a decade as a middle linebacker.

Kuechly is a throwback player, relying on excellent football IQ and a good nose for the ball to gobble up tackles. In addition to his exceptional productivity as a tackler, Kuechly also has good hands for a linebacker, and he has seven career interceptions.

NFL comparison: Keith Bullock

19. Cleveland Browns: Alameda Ta'amu, Defensive Tackle (Washington)

The Cleveland Browns hit a home run drafting Phil Tayor last year with the 21st overall selection of the 2011 NFL draft. They still need help on their defensive line, however.

The Browns will select Alameda Ta'amu out of Washington with the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft to come in and start next to Taylor on the interior of their defensive line.

Ta'amu is a massive man who's tough to move. He's a surprising athlete for his size, as the picture above shows. You have to be able to move to catch LaMichael James.

NFL comparison: Len Ford

20. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback (Nebraska)

The Detroit Lions dwell in the NFC North, along with the Bears and Packers (the Vikings, too). As such, the team can never have enough good secondary talent.

The Lions will select Alfonzo Dennard out of Nebraska with the 20th pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He will give the team another set of hands and feet to try and track down Jennings, Driver and the rest of the Packers receivers.

Dennard is an excellent defender in man-to-man coverage. He's physical and loves to get his hands on the receiver. He has good hips and can move with the fluidity required to stick to his man.

NFL comparison: Lem Barney

21. Houston Texans: T.J. McDonald, Free Safety (USC)

The Houston Texans already have one of the most fearsome defenses in the NFL. Can you imagine adding another explosive piece to that already deadly group?

With the 21st overall selection of the 2012 NFL draft, the Texans will select T.J. McDonald, safety out of USC.

McDonald is a head-hunting, physical safety that relishes plastering opponents into the turf. He also can cover a tremendous amount of grass when the ball is in the air. McDonald plays the ball well in the air, as well, and he has three interceptions this season.

NFL comparison: Aaron Glenn

22. Cincinnati Bengals: Vontaze Burfict, Middle Linebacker (Arizona State)

The Cincinnati Bengals are an up-and-coming team, and they love to play tough defense for their coordinator Mike Zimmer.

With the 22nd overall selection of the 2012 NFL draft, the Bengals will select Vontaze Burfict, middle linebacker out of Arizona State.

Burfict is the toughest, hardest-hitting player coming out next year. He's also one of the best. He reminds me a bit of Patrick Willis, and he has about the same size, too. He reads and reacts better than any linebacker in his class.

NFL comparison: Brian Simmons

23. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Guard (Georgia)

The Chicago Bears are a team that has struggled with their offensive line for years. Jay Cutler is always among the most-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Bears will select Cordy Glenn out of Georgia with the 23rd pick of the 2012 NFL draft. The offensive guard will give the Bears' stability on the interior of that offensive unit.

Glenn is a people mover, at 6'5" and about 350 pounds. He has also been used in the past at other positions on the line, which indicates he's smart and diverse, something that NFL teams covet. He will be a welcome addition to the Bears.

NFL comparison: Jay Hilgenberg

24. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, Strong Safety (Alabama)

The Dallas Cowboys' roster is loaded with talent. Their team is strong in just about all areas...except one. 

The Cowboys will select Mark Barron out of Alabama with the 24th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. The stud strong safety is just what the Cowboys need to strengthen their secondary.

Barron is a big man for a safety, but he moves well for his size. He's excellent in run support while also maintaining good play in the passing game. The Cowboys would be a team willing to overlook his off-field issues, and they would gladly take a chance on this talented young man.

NFL comparison: Darren Woodson

25. Cincinnati Bengals: Montee Ball, Running Back (Wisconsin)

The Cincinnati Bengals get the Oakland Raiders' first-round pick due to the Carson Palmer trade. The Bengals need to find a replacement for Cedric Benson.

The Bengals will select Montee Ball out of Wisconsin with the 25th pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He will be their workhorse for the near future.

Ball is your traditional power-running back. He's not going to blow you away with speed, but he's a fantastic all-around back that will thrive with the Bengals.

NFL comparison: Corey Dillon

26. New York Giants: Levy Adcock, Offensive Tackle (Oklahoma State)

The New York Giants are annually one of the most solid teams in the NFL. From top to bottom, all positions are generally well-stocked.

The Giants will select Levy Adcock out of Oklahoma State with the 26th pick of the 2012 NFL draft. The mammoth offensive tackle will challenge immediately for one of the starting spots at tackle.

Adcock leads one of the best pass-protecting offensive lines in all of college football. He's a natural athlete, bending and moving with fluidity. He is excellent at blitz pickups, and he will be a long-time starter for the Giants.

NFL comparison: Rosey Brown

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Jenkins, Outside Linebacker (Florida State)

Year in and year out, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in contention for the championship. Some have said that the team is getting too old at some key positions, however.

The Steelers will select Brandon Jenkins out of Florida State with the 27th pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Jenkins will be tutored in the art of quarterback hunting for a year or two while he develops more strength by none other than James Harrison and Lamar Woodley.

Jenkins is a defensive end in college, but he will convert into an excellent outside linebacker in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme. He relies on elite quickness and excellent top-end speed to zip down the line for sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

NFL comparison: Greg Lloyd

28. New England Patriots (from Saints): Jared Crick, Defensive End (Nebraska)

The New England Patriots are once again leading the way in the AFC East. They are doing it despite having one of the worst defenses in the league.

With the 28th pick of the 2012 NFL draft, the Patriots will select Jared Crick out of Nebraska. Crick will be an immediate upgrade for the Patriots on the interior of their defensive line.

Crick is an animal, and he's another excellent defender in a long line of defenders to come out of Nebraska. He's relentless out on the field and holds the point of attack better than anyone at his position in the draft.

NFL comparison: Larry Eisenhauer

29. Baltimore Ravens: Juron Criner, Wide Receiver (Arizona)

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the most unpredictably explosive offenses in the NFL. Joe Flacco, when protected, is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

The Ravens will select Juron Criner out of Arizona with the 30th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. This will solidify their wide receiving corps as one of the best in the league.

Criner is a physical receiver with excellent hands. He's highly effective running across the middle, using his size and physicality to run after the catch. 

NFL comparison: Derrick Mason

30. Green Bay Packers: Billy Winn, Defensive End (Boise State)

The Green Bay Packers have ridden Aaron Rodgers and their offense to an undefeated season so far. The offense has covered up the weaknesses of the defense. The team hasn't been as effective in getting pressure on the quarterback this season, and the loss of Cullen Jenkins is one of the chief reasons for the decline.

The Packers will select Billy Winn with the 29th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. The defensive end from Boise State will give them the piece the team has been missing this year.

Winn is a powerful force in the trenches. He has an excellent bull rush and uses his hands well for a collegiate athlete. He's agile and can hold the point of attack. He isn't the most explosive defensive end, but he makes up for it in other ways.

NFL comparison: Willie Davis

31: New England Patriots: Dont'a Hightower, Inside Linebacker (Alabama)

The New England Patriots, as usual, end up with two first-round picks this season. They will use their second pick to continue to shore up their weak defense.

The Patriots will select Dont'a Hightower out of Alabama with the 31st overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Hightower will fit in perfectly next to Brandon Spikes in the middle of their defense.

Hightower is an electric, versatile defender that can play the outside as an edge rusher in the 3-4 or scoot inside if need be. He's another large linebacker out of Alabama that can also run sideline to sideline.

Hightower is fifth player from Alabama to come out in the first round of the draft, and he's the fourth defender (yea, Alabama's defense is stacked this year).

NFL comparison: Andre Tippett

32: San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback (North Alabama)

The San Francisco 49ers may be the most-balanced team in the NFL. They have one of the best defenses in football. The 49ers do struggle in one area on defense, however, and that's in the secondary.

The 49ers will select Janoris Jenkins out of North Alabama with the 32nd and final pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Jenkins will solidify their already strong secondary with another playmaker to cover the corner.

Jenkins was a stud at the University of Florida until off-the-field issues forced the university to cut ties with their star. He was arrested twice in a three-month period for misdemeanor marijuana possession. 

The 49ers will gladly accept the challenge of keeping Jenkins on the right side of the law, and they will bolster their elite defense in the process.

NFL comparison: Jimmy Johnson