2012 NFL Mock Draft: Quick Gameplans for 4 Teams That Need the Most Help

NFL teams that have either been out of playoff contention for a while or have recently fallen apart need to be thinking about the upcoming NFL Draft. That being said, just because you draft a highly talented prospect doesn't mean he'll fit the gameplan or system.

So, here's four teams who need help game-planning, as well as in the draft.

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

It's shocking to see the Colts here, isn't it? Fortunately for Indy, they are the current front-runners in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Thing is, it's not like the Colts have bad offensive talent. Their WRs are pretty decent to say the least and the offensive line isn't all that bad. They are simply desperate for a QB and have been mauled by injuries.

It's certain how much they miss Peyton Manning and how valuable he's been to that franchise. So, even if he comes back, they still need Luck, as he can learn from one of the best and takeover at any time.

To that end, regardless of who's under center come next fall, the Colts should focus on establishing a solid ground game. For one, it'll help take pressure off of Luck if he's under center and two, if Manning's under center it helps get his feel for the game back easier.

You don't want to rush things with a rookie or a banged-up veteran when trying to turn things around. The RBs in Circle City are dynamic enough that the Colts can have a really good ground game next season. And, not since the days of Marshall Faulk, have the Colts been dangerous running the ball.

Sure, Edgerrin James and Joseph Addai have been solid, but nothing like Faulk. Doing work on the ground will only benefit whoever's under center.

St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Even though the Rams have Brandon Lloyd, he's not a year-in year-out No. 1 receiver, especially when the talent after him is vastly inferior. Nonetheless, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is here to help.

Last season, he was college football's best receiver, and Blackmon's putting on a encore performance in 2011. That said, Blackmon can help stretch the field and open up the middle for receivers like Lloyd.

In addition, that helps remove defenders from stacking the box to stop the running game, as well as makes the defense weary of blitzing. Not to mention Blackmon is big and strong enough to be a great stock-blocker on the outside.

So, in having Blackmon, the St. Louis offense becomes that much more balanced. You have a WR who opens up the play-book, takes pressure away from the ground game and provides explosiveness all at the same time.

Therefore, either running the ball early or hitting Blackmon on some quick, west-coast offense pass patterns can really throw off a defense. That sets up the play-action as well as a double move for the deep ball.

Let's put it this way, for as good as QB Sam Bradford is, he's has never had a WR this complete across the board.

Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, LB (Arizona State)

The Browns, quite simply, need attitude on the defense. When you think of the AFC North, with Balitmore's Ray Lewis and Pittsburgh's James Harrison, attitude is definitely one word that comes to mind.

Cleveland lacks that and Arizona State's Vontze Burfict can provide not only attitude, but is a great talent also. Currently the Browns rank No. 29 against the run and No. 1 against the pass.

Obviously, with Joe Haden on the corner, teams aren't throwing the ball nearly as much versus Cleveland and rightfully so with that horrendous rush defense. Drafting Burfict will significantly help in stopping the run and, at the same time, give them a solid blitzing LB.

Cleveland gets hardly any pressure on the opposing QB and with a secondary good enough to play man-coverage for at least three-to-five seconds, Burfict will do wonders.

He's quick and accelerates fast enough to blow up any running play before it happens. He can also take on bigger offensive lineman without many issues. The best way to utilize his speed is to bring him off the edge, but also blitz him up the middle to keep the O-line guessing.

The more Burfict is used to stopping the run and blitz, the more dominant the Browns' pass defense becomes, despite being rather solid to begin with.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

For as young and as much potential as the Buccaneers have, especially their defense, Tampa Bay has significantly underachieved/under-performed this season.

Defensively they rank No. 28 and No. 30 against the pass and rush, and allow a total of just under 400 yards per game. In the game of football, it all starts in the trenches.

Bringing in Penn State's Devin Still will definitely be an upgrade, as Albert Haynesworth needs to go. Alongside Gerald McCoy (when healthy), this could be one dominant interior on the defensive-line.

First, Still will prevent any chance of the offense establishing the run between the tackles. And, with a young defense, the best odds are defending against sweeps and tosses, since youth in the NFL usually also means quickness and speed.

Forcing the offenses to run on the edges will make defending the run that much easier. Now, defending the pass still needs work. That said, Still has recorded 8.5 sacks the past two seasons, which is nice for a DT.

The next John Randle? Obviously it's way too early to make that comparison, but Devon Still is about as complete of a rookie DT as there's been entering the NFL Draft.

2012 NFL First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	18. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB, (LSU)	19. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (S. Car.)
4. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	20. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
5. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (ND)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
7. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	23. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
8. Seattle Seahawjs: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	24. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
9. Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)	25. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Mich. St.)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devon Still, DT (Penn St.)	28. N.E. (From N.O): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
15. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
16. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

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