2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full First Round Projections

With the college football season winding down it is time to turn our attention to the 2012 NFL draft and where the big stars of the 2011 season will end up going in April.

While it is still early in the evaluation process I have a pretty solid feel for what most NFL teams need and what spots they will be looking to fill in this year's draft. 

I have four quarterbacks coming off the board in the top 11 picks, showing just how deep this class is under center. Go inside to see my full first round projection.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

You can argue whether or not the Colts need a quarterback all day, the fact is they will end up with the No. 1 pick and Andrew Luck is the top commodity available this year. He will be the No. 1 pick.

Luck is simply the best player in the draft and one of the most polished, well-rounded quarterback prospect to come out of college in years. 

I still think the Colts could try to trade this pick for a king's ransom to a more quarterback-needy team, but that's just a guess. Luck will be the top pick and the Colts currently own that selection.

2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The St. Louis Rams have their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, a Pro Bowl running back in Steven Jackson and they have two talented, young offensive tackles in Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith. The one thing they don't have is a stud receiver for Bradford to target.

Jeffery is not the No. 2 player in the draft but he is a big, physical target who can make plays in the passing game. He fills the top need for the Rams and could end up being a stud receiver for years to come.

He's not as athletically gifted as Calvin Johnson but he has the ability to make eye-popping plays like Megatron does. He has incredible ball skills and at 6'4" and 232 pounds he can be a deep threat without top-end speed.

Bradford needs a big target and Jeffery is a perfect fit.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is easily the best offensive line prospect in this class and is likely the best tackle to enter the league since Jake Long was the No. 1 overall pick back in 2008.

The Vikings have a young quarterback in Christian Ponder and one of the best running backs in football in Adrian Peterson. Now they need a blindside tackle to protect Ponder, and Kalil should be the guy.

Kalil has a perfectly well-rounded game, he's big, physical and has great feet. He's outstanding as a pass-blocker and is an absolute head-hunter in the run game. He is easily the draft's second-best player after Luck.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert during the 2011 draft but have no one for him to throw the ball to. The result of that has been a disastrous rookie season for the Missouri product. Jacksonville needs to get him a target and Blackmon may be the best one available in this class.

While he doesn't possess exceptional size at 6'1" and 208 pounds Blackmon has fantastic ball skills and works incredibly hard to get open. Off the field he has a fantastic work ethic and has been the most productive player in college football over the past two seasons (224 catches for 3,118 yards and 35 touchdowns).

Blackmon is a play-maker and will immediately help Gabbert and the Jaguars.

5. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Carolina's biggest need is at cornerback and LSU's Claiborne is easily the best available cover man in the draft. While he has been overshadowed by playmaking teammate Tyrann Mathieu, Claiborne may actually be the better pro prospect.

Claiborne has size, speed and outstanding ball skills and he has had a dominant season shutting down the best receivers in the SEC. He has outstanding instincts and is a pure corner who will start from day one in the NFL. 

The Panthers will gladly take him and start him immediately.

6. Miami Dolphins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III has had a remarkable season, and could end up walking away with a Heisman Trophy. He is an elite athlete and despite his size limitations at 6'1" and 220 pounds, he has managed to put up gaudy numbers for Baylor.

While he has improved his throwing motion and ability, I am still not sold on Griffin as an NFL quarterback. That said, his speed, production and overall athleticism will cause a team to reach for him and I think that team will be the Miami Dolphins.

Miami will walk away from the 2012 NFL draft with a quarterback and I think they will go with Griffin's flash over some better options.

7. Washington Redskins: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

It is painfully obvious to anyone who has watched the Redskins this season that their No. 1 need is a quarterback. While head coach Mike Shanahan has a solid offensive line and a good young running back in Roy Helu, now he needs to get his quarterback.

In Jones he will find a guy with a lot of tools and ideal size (6'4" and 229 pounds) who has struggled with his consistency this season. Still there's a lot to like about Jones and the Redskins will gladly take him.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals need an offensive tackle to build their line around and protect the investment they made in Kevin Kolb. Martin starts that process.

He is a 6'6," 304-pound mauler who is solid against the pass but excels in getting to the second-level and punishing defenders in the run game. At worst he'll be a long-time starter at the NFl-level, at best a multi-year Pro Bowler. 

9. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Eagles have a really weak linebacking corps and they need an inside backer as much as any team in the NFL. Instead of going with the superior instincts of Boston College's Luke Kuechly, they'll go with the ridiculous upside of Burfict. 

The Arizona State prospect has a lot to prove as far as his on and off the field maturity goes, but no one can question his raw ability. He is a physical freak and covers a ton of ground at 6'3" and 250 pounds and he is a punishing hitter. 

As far as raw ability goes Burfict may be the best defender in this draft class.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Kansas City Chiefs need to protect the quarterback and Reiff is a very solid option who could force Braden Albert to the right side of the offensive line. 

He is big, physical and a mauler in the run game. The Chiefs need the kind of attitude Reiff can provide along their offensive front. The Iowa product is a former tight end and has great athleticism. He should fit perfectly into the team's zone blocking scheme. 

Reiff may not have the upside of Kalil or Martin but he's very solid and will be a starter in the NFL for a long time.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Pete Carroll finally gets his quarterback as Matt Barkley falls to him in this projection. 

Carroll started Barkley as a freshman at USC and obviously thinks very highly of him. Barkley finished the season playing as well as anyone in college football and no one has risen more on draft boards over the past month.

He's a very solid prospect, and has off-the-charts intangibles. He is a true franchise quarterback and Seattle can't pass him up at this spot.

12. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is clearly the best running back in this draft class and the Browns' backfield is currently a disaster. 

Peyton Hillis has apparently fallen out of favor in Cleveland and Montario Hardesty has been injured almost all season. Richardson could be a solution for a Browns team that already has guys like Joe Thomas, Colt McCoy and Josh Cribbs on offense. There are tools there for a solid offense to emerge, but they need help at running back.

Richardson is powerful, fast and has great vision. He's 5'11" and 224 pounds and is both quick and strong running between the tackles and has enough speed to run past defenders.

13. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma

The San Diego Chargers are headed for a lot of change this offseason as head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith could both be on their way out of town. 

One spot they need a lot of help is outside linebacker. The spot in the defense opposite Pro Bowler Shaun Phillips has been a black hole as several players have failed to fill it. 

Lewis is a pass rusher who can get to the quarterback, has great instincts and seems to always be around the football. The Chargers have played relatively well defensively this season but they have struggled to get to the quarterback. Lewis will provide an instant upgrade in that area.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Buccaneers need to draft a replacement for the aging Ronde Barber and Kirkpatrick has the perfect skill set to fit into their 4-3 scheme.

While he's not fantastic in one-on-one coverage on the outside, Kirkpatrick is outstanding in zone schemes and his 6'2," 190-pound frame makes him great in run support. He is a big, physical corner who isn't the coverage guy Claiborne is, but he's definitely a value at No. 14.

15. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

After releasing first-round bust Aaron Maybin earlier in the season and having Shawne Merriman go on injured reserve, the Bills have the need for an edge rusher.

Ingram is a defensive end for South Carolina but he will likely move to outside linebacker at the next level as a pass rusher. He is a phenomenal athlete who should jump up draft boards after the Combine. 

16. Tennessee Titans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Like our resident expert Matt Miller, for some reason I see this as destined to happen.

The Titans are going to try and surround rookie quarterback Jake Locker with as much young talent as possible. They have Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer in the backfield and Kenny Britt on the outside. Floyd will be a solid No. 2 receiver. 

He is a big, strong receiver with excellent hands. I'm not convinced he will be able to separate from defenders at the next level, but he'll be a solid possession receiver who should have a long career.

17. New York Jets: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Last year the Jets took Muhammad Wilkerson to help along the defensive line and this year that rebuilding effort will continue as Quinton Coples will fall this far. That is too far for a talent like this.

While Coples is ideal as a 4-3 defensive end, Rex Ryan will find a place for him in his defense. The 6'6," 285-pound end has a ton of tools and the Jets will figure out a way to use him.

18. New York Giants: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is a fantastic offensive lineman and will make an impact at the next level. With David Diehl playing well at left tackle for the Giants, that has given them a hole at left guard. DeCastro has the ability to step in right away and be a great contributor.

The Giants will take him and stick him in the lineup immediately and not look back.

19. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Denver Broncos need to start thinking long-term at the cornerback position as Champ Bailey is getting on in years. Dennard isn't an elite corner in any one area but he's solid across the board and learning from a guy like Bailey could make him much better.

He's a little undersized at 5'10" but he's a very solid 204 pounds and has a good frame. He's a competitor who takes pride in his work and won't disappoint anyone at the next level.

20. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

The Lions have a decent offensive line but they could use an upgrade at right guard. Glenn is a massive 6'5" and 348 pounds and he is versatile enough to play both guard and tackle at the next level.

While the team has other needs, Glenn is far too good a value to pass up at this spot in the draft. Protecting Matthew Stafford should still be the team's priority and getting Glenn will help with that and opening even more running lanes.

21. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

This is almost too perfect a fit, isn't it? Jerry Jones loves to make a splash on draft day and Jenkins is certainly an incredibly talented player.

He had to leave Florida after multiple drug-related arrests but most reports suggest he has been a good citizen at North Alabama. He is fantastic in press coverage, has great instincts and can help in the return game. He would automatically upgrade Dallas' secondary.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

The Bengals picked up this selection thanks to the Carson Palmer trade and with it they will continue the rebuilding of their offense. Last year they grabbed receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton with their first two picks and snagging the explosive Miller here would bug a big pickup.

Miller has good size at 5'11" and 214 pounds, and while his numbers tailed off down the stretch he is still a prize this late in the draft. He explodes out of cuts, has outstanding top-end speed and looks NFL-ready right now.

He will step in as a complement to Cedric Benson's bruising style and should eventually take over as the full-time back in Cincinnati.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals still need a replacement for Jonathan Joseph, who departed for the Houston Texans in the offseason. Gilmore will give them an NFL-ready guy who can step in and contribute from day one.

The South Carolina product is exceptional in run support, can step in as a return man and can play in press coverage as well as off the ball in zones. He is a playmaker who will help Leon Hall and Nate Clemens and will likely force Clemens into nickel duty in a year or two.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

I have Still as the top defensive tackle on my board and after the Browns took Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard last season, they will look to complete the rebuilding of their defensive line.

Still is a massive 6'5" and 310 pounds and he has battled double-teams all year to pile up 4.5 sacks anda ridiculous 17 tackles for loss. He makes everyone around him better by eating up space and taking on multiple blockers on virtually every snap. He has been easily the most disruptive defensive lineman I've watched all season.

With Taylor, Sheard and Still, the Browns will have a scary defensive front.

25. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

While this may be a little high for him to go, the Texans need a nose tackle and Poe is clearly the best one available this season. This slot could definitely be a target for other teams looking to trade up, but if Houston doesn't move it will select the future anchor for the middle of its emerging defensive line.

Poe is 6'5" and somewhere around 350 pounds. Simply put, he's a space eater and with J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed flanking him on the defensive line he could end up being the final piece of the puzzle for Houston's defense.

26. Chicago Bears: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

While the Bears could certainly use offensive line help, Lovie Smith loves versatile linebackers and Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher aren't getting any younger. Brown isn't big at 6'2" and 230 pounds but he has legit 4.4 speed and is phenomenal in coverage.

He will fit perfectly into Chicago's 4-3, Tampa 2 scheme and can be eased in to action as Briggs and Urlacher slow down.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly deserves to be off the board in the top 15, but he doesn't have the physical gifts of some of the players being taken ahead of him. The thing is, his instincts make up for any limitations he may have. 

He's 6'3" and 237 pounds and his work ethic, football IQ and ability to read plays better than any defender in the nation will endear him to Pittsburgh fans. He's can really play any linebacker spot, but for the Steelers he'll fit perfectly on the inside with James Farrior likely headed for retirement.

28. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Had Crick not torn a pectoral muscle and missed the second half of this season, he would likely be taken within the top 20. He is a powerful and productive defensive lineman and will fit perfectly as a defensive end in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme.

The Patriots don't mind taking risks on guys at the bottom of the first round, but really Crick isn't much of a risk. He's a known quantity but some teams will be scared off by his injury issues.

29. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Back-to-back picks and back-to-back improvements along the defensive line for the Patriots. Mercilus has come out of nowhere this season to lead the nation in sacks with 14.5 and while he isn't an ideal defensive end in a 3-4, he has the athletic ability to play standing up as well if needed.

Personally I think he'll put on a solid 20 pounds of muscle and be a perfect 3-4 defensive end. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

I had this pick in my last mock draft as well as I just think it's a perfect fit. Toon is the ultimate solid but not spectacular guy and the 49ers need a reliable pass catcher.

Braylon Edwards probably won't be around much longer, and Toon gives them a legitimate threat in the receiving game across the field from Michael Crabtree. The 49ers don't need help on defense or along the offensive line, so adding a receiver makes the most sense at this point.

Toon may not have the most raw talent of the remaining wideouts on the board, but he'll be consistent and work hard.

31. Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Ray Lewis has admitted that he's getting towards the end of his playing career, so the Ravens need to think about drafting his replacement.

Te'o has been a starter since he stepped on campus at Notre Dame and has top-notch instincts and size for an inside linebacker in the NFL. At 6'2" and 255 pounds he's big and while his tackling needs to become more consistent, Te'o possesses excellent range and goes all out when closing on the ball.

32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Thompson, DT/DE, Clemson

The Packers have gotten a lot of mileage out of Ryan Pickett and Jarius Wynn at defensive end, but they need a guy who can be a more long-term solution next to B.J. Raji along the defensive front.

Thompson is a scheme-versatile defensive lineman who has played a lot of defensive tackle for Clemson, but at 6'2" and 310 pounds he could become a huge defensive end in a 3-4 front. I think he'd be a great fit and could slid inside on passing downs when Green Bay goes to a four-man front.