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

With only two weeks left, the 2012 NFL Draft seeding is nearly set.

Everyone knows who the first pick will be, but what about the other 31 selections?

Robert Griffin III, Matt Barkley, Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon—who do you chose if they're all available?

Who do you pick if an unexpected player slips down in the draft?

General managers and front office personnel throughout the NFL have started creating their draft boards long ago. Now, they can begin to make their own mock drafts and projections as they start to fine tune their war room in preparation for April.

32. Green Bay Packers: Florida State DE-Brandon Jenkins

Needs: CB, DT

Draft Solution:

The Green Bay Packers have a glaring deficiencies on defense throughout the 2011 season. In particular, the secondary has seemingly had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese.

There's two ways to improve the performance of a secondary—get new personnel or improve your defensive line. The Packers would benefit from additional pressure along their defensive line.

Brandon Jenkins brings a high motor and gets off the ball quickly. With the lack of depth at the position and with Mike Neal being prone to injury, adding the services of Brandon Jenkins to their defensive rotation will help plug some of their holes on defense.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin OG-Kevin Zeitler

Needs: OT, DT, LB

Draft Solution:

Although they will need to think about a possible replacement for James Farrior, the Pittsburgh Steelers have done extremely well in the past couple of years picking interior offensive linemen. Drafting Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert have allowed the Steelers to patch up their interior line.

Kevin Zeitler is a big ugly that they could put at tackle or guard. He plays for a Wisconsin Badgers team that likes to be physical and pound the ball. Even if the Steelers have a deep receiving corp, their identity is ground-and-pound.

Adding Zeitler would also help keep Ben Roethlisberger clean, which seems to be a difficult task in the tenacious AFC North division.

30. New England Patriots: Baylor WR-Kendall Wright

Needs: DE, CB, WR

Draft Solution:

Tom Brady has continued to make average wide receivers look great throughout his career. Just imagine if he had a true deep threat that could take the lid off opposing secondaries.

Kendall Wright is a speedster who could have a similar affect like DeSean Jackson for the Eagles— he can make a defense stretch out their coverage. Providing Brady with a deep threat and a bigger window to throw the ball in is a scary proposition.

Wright could also serve as a kick returner early in his career.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Arizona State LB-Vontaze Burfict

Needs: LB, OT

Draft Solution:

Ray Lewis may have received an accelerated curve to retirement this year with his toe injury. The future hall-of-famer will face the undefeated "Father Time" over the next few years and the Baltimore Ravens are acutely aware of this.

Ozzie Newsome will certainly be looking to find a viable replacement that can not only replace Lewis' position, but also his passion that he brings to the field. Burfict could be a perfect fit for the Ravens with the latter.

A mid-round talent who will likely fall do to a sub-par 2011 campaign would bring a fiery attitude to an already fierce defensive unit in Baltimore. A couple years under John Harbaugh and learning under Ray Lewis and company could cultivate a future star in Baltimore.

28. New England Patriots (From NO): North Alabama CB- Janoris Jenkins

Needs: DE, CB, WR

Draft Solution:

Bill Belichick has come under scrutiny in 2011 for his unbelievably underwhelming secondary. The local press in Boston has put a chink into Belichick's armor due to the patch work secondary assembled in Foxboro.

Although Belichick does lean towards SEC players, Janoris Jenkins is a suitable cornerback at the NFL level. Jenkins has the raw characteristics needed to play the position. And, under the tutelage of Belichick, he could blossom into a full-time replacement for the Patriots' secondary.

27. San Francisco 49ers: Rutgers WR-Mohamed Sanu

Needs: WR, S, OT, LB/DE

Draft Solution:

Jim Harbaugh told Alex Smith from day one that he would be his starting quarterback.

Smith hasn't had a spectacular year, but he has been solid. However, Smith could benefit from having a large go-to wide receiver and not be forced to rely on Michael Crabtree or Braylon Edwards as his best viable options on the outside.

Harbaugh wants to build a big, physical team on both sides of the ball. Mohamed Sanu comes in at 6'2'' 215 pounds. Sanu has great hands, great strength and would be a big target for Smith in the red zone. Match-up problems galore would exist for defensive coordinators with Vernon Davis and Mohamed Sanu.

26. Houston Texans: Washington NT-Alameda Ta'amu

Needs: NT, C, WR

Draft Solution:

Wade Phillips has turned the Houston Texans defense into the league's top unit in 2011... basically overnight. That's taking into consideration that they've done so without their best defensive player in Mario Williams.

Gary Kubiak realizes the type of team he has on his hands and should look to continue investing in his defense. The Texans have a franchise quarterback, depth at running back, a true No.1 wide receiver and a stingy defense, which are all healthy ingredients for success.

Adding a nose tackle to eat up space in the middle and funnel the likes of Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson to their defensive ends and linebackers would help the Texans maintain their AFC South crown.

Alameda Ta'amu brings has a bit of a nasty streak in him and is quite nimble for a 350-plus pound defensive tackle.

25. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Georgia OG-Cordy Glenn

Needs: OG, OT, WR, LB

Draft Solution:

Pat Shurmur and Colt McCoy are tied at the hip. Shurmur must protect his quarterback and allow the young McCoy to develop so he can also protect his job.

Getting some big bodies who can keep McCoy from taking punishing hits and who can create holes in the running game are essential for success in the AFC North. Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals each twice a year could chew up and spit aside a young, feeble quarterback.

Cordy Glenn has been an All-SEC and All-American player during his playing days for the Georgia Bulldogs. Adding Glenn to the offensive line could help sure up things for Shurmur and the Cleveland Browns offense.

24. Detriot Lions: Ohio State OT-Mike Adams

Needs: OT, CB

Draft Solution:

The Detroit Lions have a glaring need for a stonewall at offensive tackle. Matthew Stafford has been injury riddled throughout his career thus far, and a bookend tackle would help alleviate these reoccurring injuries.

Detroit has been predicted to take an offensive tackle early in the draft on more than one occasion over the past few years. Maybe the 2012 NFL Draft will be the draft they wise up and do so. With a pass-first, run-second offense, the Lions would be astute in sealing off their edges along the offensive line.

23. New York Jets: Alabama LB-Dont'a Hightower

Needs: LB, DE, WR, S

Draft Solution:

The New York Jets and Rex Ryan would like to get a wide receiver or a defensive end, but they won't have a choice but to take Dont'a Hightower this late in the round.

Hightower could fit right into the Jets gritty defense.

The Alabama standout will be ahead of the curve going into the NFL due to Nick Saban's pro-style defensive scheme. Although Hightower is projected as a higher pick than No.23, there's always a few steals due to players getting overlooked.

Ryan needs to improve his pass rush going into 2012. If he can't get a standout defensive end, an All-American 3-4 linebacker should more than suffice.

22. Denver Broncos: Penn State DT-Devon Still

Needs: DT, WR, S

Draft Solution:

John Elway will face myriad variations on the same question—"Is Tim Tebow your starting quarterback for the future?"

He'll also need to answer a few needs across the rest of the depth chart.

Whether the mainstream media or the fans want to talk about it or not, the Denver Broncos' defense has played incredible football for the last two months and have won several games for the Broncos.

John Fox called an audible earlier in the season and turned his team into a run-first offense supported by a stout defense. Devon Still could be a fruitful addition to a budding defense in the Rocky Mountains. With Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden and Ryan Mathews in the division, having a big ugly to occupy space in the middle is crucial.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Miami RB-Lamar Miller

Needs: OG, RB, CB

Draft Solution:

The Cincinnati Bengals have Cedric Benson in the fold, but his long-term future is not certain. Benson was signed to a one-year $5 million dollar contract prior to the 2011 season.

Cincinnati's lack of commitment to Benson opens the door for a new running back or an additional back in the stable.

Miller brings a burst of speed that Benson simply doesn't possess. Miller is a small, pint-sized pack at 5'11'' 216 pounds.

In his red shirt sophomore season in 2011, Miller ran for 1,272 becoming the first Miami Hurricane to pass the 1,000-yard mark since 2002. Having Miller, Andy Dalton and AJ Green as a core group for the Bengals offense going forward could be a potent combination.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Nebraska CB-Alfanzo Dennard

Needs: CB, LB

Draft Solution:

The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of weapons on the offensive side of the ball but could use some patch work for Rob Ryan's defense. Eli Manning, Michael Vick and a competitive Washington Redskins offense will continue to test the Cowboys defense.

Rob Ryan's defense has been all talk and no walk thus far in 2011. Adding a playmaker on the outside to help give the likes of Jay Ratliff and Demarcus Ware more time to get to the quarterback.

19. Tennessee Titans: Alabama S-Mark Barron

Needs: LB, S, DT, OG

Draft Solution:

The Tennessee Titans have several positions they could choose to fill. However, considering where they sit at in the draft, they take the best guy available.

Alabama has several first-round caliber players throughout their defense, and Mark Barron could be the sleeper pick to become the best pro out of all of them.

Barron is second on the team in tackles for Alabama in 2011 with 66. He's a first team All-SEC player and a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Barron's size (6'2'' 218 lbs.) along with his knack for the ball, give him the tools to succeed at the next level. Add in his ability to come down in run support in a division with Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster and you have yourself an instant impact player.

18. New York Giants: Boston College ILB-Luke Kuechly

Needs: DE, LB, OG

Draft Solution:

The New York Giants desperately need a linebacker.

Their defense has struggled all season with support in the box due to a lack of talent at the linebacker position. Adding the services of Boston College standout Luke Kuechly should help.

Kuechly had an astonishing 191 total tackles and 102 solo tackles in 2011. He was basically omniscient for the Boston College defense. How do you pass on a guy who's attributes consist of being omniscient?

17. Chicago Bears: Notre Dame WR-Michael Floyd

Needs: C, WR, OLB, DE

Draft Solution:

Prior to his injury, Jay Cutler was having an outstanding season, thanks to solid protection from his offensive line. Cutler was able to throw to receivers, who were open with the additional time. Roy Williams, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester do not equate to a dangerous receiving corp.

Cutler and the Chicago Bears desperately need a true No.1 receiver, and Michael Floyd could be their man in April. Floyd has been impressive during his time in South Bend and could make the short trip up to Chicago for his professional career.

16. Seattle Seahawks: Oklahoma QB-Landry Jones

Needs: CB, QB, DE

Draft Solution:

Travaris Jackson has been playing well the last few weeks, but that does not mean he's the quarterback of the future. And, Pete Carroll has made some head scratching moves during his short tenure in Seattle with the quarterback position.

Landry Jones would be a great value pick for the Seattle Seahawks at No. 16.

Before the 2011 season, Jones was projected to be a potential top 10 draft pick. However, he had an overall disappointing season down in Norman, but he still has the tools and the right mechanics to be affective in the NFL.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Arizona Cardinals OT-Jonathan Martin

Needs: OG, OT, CB, RB

Draft Solution:

This may be a surprising pick to some, but the Cincinnati Bengals will want to protect their newly-found quarterback of the future. In the AFC North, games are won in the trenches.

Jonathan Martin has great size and hands for a big guy. He's obviously intelligent and could be a starter for the Bengals for the next decade. Of all their needs, this is the best guy available at this point in the round, and the Bengals should take him.

14. San Diego Chargers: Alabama LB-Courtney Upshaw

Needs: LB, OG, OT

Draft Solution:

The San Diego Chargers play in a division with Tim Tebow, Willis McGahee, Darren McFadden and Jamaal Charles. They need to bolster their front seven in order to stop the run and continue to be the class of their division going forward.

Courtney Upshaw is an NFL-ready linebacker who can get his nose dirty and sniff out plays. His size and pedigree speak for themselves. The most telling statistic from Upshaw's career is that 40 percent of his tackles were behind the line of scrimmage.

He knows how to find the ball and close in on it quickly.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Alabama RB-Trent Richardson

Needs: OG, OT

Draft Solution:

Surprise!

I realize running back is not a need for the Arizona Cardinals, but they would be foolish to pass on him if he fell to them. There's always a couple of highly touted players who slip down from their projection into the middle to late first round.

Trent Richardson is a horse and has thighs the size of tree trunks. Trust me, I've met him. Although Arizona could use other guys, picking up Trent Richardson would allow the Cardinals to take the ball out of Kevin Kolb's hands a little more and provide a balanced attack.

Even if Arizona doesn't get Richardson, do not be shocked if he falls just outside of the top 10.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Iowa OT-Riley Reiff

Needs: OT, DT, QB, LB

Draft Solution:

Matt Cassel has been on the IR for several weeks now. The Kansas City Chiefs would like to prevent that from happening in the future by adding some extra security in front of him.

Picking an offensive tackle with such a high pick may not be the sexiest selection, but teams need to secure the ends of their line. Securing a solid offensive tackle that can play for your team for the next decade is invaluable to any franchise.

The Chiefs have some nice pieces in place on both sides of the ball, and stabilizing their line allows them to use those pieces. Reiff is one of the top players in his position and would be ready to start right away in his rookie season.

11. Philadelphia Eagles: Notre Dame LB-Manti Te'o

Needs: LB, CB, S

Draft Solution:

The Philadelphia Eagles have run a wide-9 scheme along their defensive line with undersized, inadequate linebackers supporting it. The wide-9 funnels the run game into the middle and Philadelphia's defense has been abysmal at plugging that hole.

Manti Te'o has been a stud for Notre Dame and could help the Eagles defense tremendously. Although he has come out stating he would like to stay in South Bend for his senior season, that does not mean he couldn't be swayed after his bowl game once he sees his draft projections.

Several college players have made such statements before seeing their draft potential or finishing out their entire season. Do not be surprised if Te'o retracts his stance on staying in South Bend for his senior season.

10. Buffalo Bills: North Carolina LB-Zach Brown

Needs: LB, OT, WR

Draft Solution:

Zach Brown is one of the highest ranked players at his position going into the 2012 NFL draft. His senior season at North Carolina provided his best year statistically. Recording 91 total tackles and 5.5 sacks, Brown made it clear that he was one of the best prospects at his position.

The Buffalo Bills will be looking to sure up their front seven with Brown's services. Buffalo needs athletic and mobile linebackers to compete against the diverse offenses that are in the AFC East.

9. Cleveland Browns: South Carolina WR-Alshon Jeffery

Needs: OG, OT, LB, WR

Draft Solution:

If you caught my column about all 32 teams' biggest regret of 2011, I mentioned that the Cleveland Browns regret not getting Colt McCoy a weapon on the outside. The Cleveland front office would be incredibly inept to pass on a player with the skill set of Alshon Jeffery.

Jeffery is a mammoth at wide receiver. His 2011 campaign has been mediocre, but do not be fooled by a down year. This kid will be an NFL Combine monster, and every NFL GM knows what he could bring to the table.

You can't teach size, and you can't move the without a legitimate No.1 receiver.

8. Carolina Panthers: Alabama CB-Dre Kirkpatrick

Needs: WR, DT, DE, CB, S

Draft Solution:

Cam Newton has proven that he is the real deal. The Carolina Panthers have been competitive all year thanks to their explosive offense led by Newton. However, their defense has been porous and needs a facelift to be competitive in the NFC South.

Dre Kirkpatrick could arguably be the MVP of Alabama's incredible defense. Fielding a guy who can shut down a Roddie White or Lance Moore will be key in Carolina's aspirations to win the NFC South in 2012.

7. Miami Dolphins: Stanford OG-David DeCastro

Needs: QB, OG, DE

Draft Solution:

This may not be the pick Miami Dolphin fans want to hear. The Dolphins need a franchise-caliber quarterback, despite the solid play of Matt Moore in the second half of the season. Unfortunately, the big three will be gone by time the Dolphins pick their first draftee.

Miami will be forced to bite their lip and build up the offensive line rather than draft a quarterback.

David DeCastro joins a couple of Stanford lineman also included in this list. DeCastro should help secure the line and create holes for the now-acquainted Reggie Bush.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Oklahoma State WR-Justin Blackmon

Needs: CB, LB, S, WR

Draft Solution:

Whether it was a fluke year or a sign of the future, Mike Williams' performance in 2011 has been embarrassing. He has a deadly case of the drops and hasn't been able to turn it on at all this season.

Josh Freeman needs a go-to wide receiver.

Justin Blackmon could create havoc in the NFC South if he lands in Florida with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His athleticism alone already has scouts drooling. Just wait until he performs at the combine. Blackmon is a game-changer and would help the Bucs offense exponentially.

Maybe he'll even revive Mike Williams' career back to life.

5. Washington Redskins: USC QB-Matt Barkley

Needs: QB, CB, WR

Draft Solution:

Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins front office have the franchise heading in the right direction. Sunday's drubbing of the New York Giants at the Meadowlands should tell you the potential of this team. The last big piece they're missing is a franchise quarterback.

Matt Barkley probably goes as the No.1 overall pick in any other draft if it weren't for Andrew Luck. He has the physique, brains and mechanics to be an NFL quarterback, and will join an impressive fraternity of USC quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Baylor QB-Robert Griffin III

Needs: WR, QB, CB

Draft Solution:

Blane Gabbert has been a bust. Sometimes you must admit you're wrong and cut your losses. That's exactly what the Jacksonville Jaguars should do. They'll have a new head coach and likely a new city in a few years.

Robert Griffin III could continue to establish the new generation of quarterbacking in the NFL, alongside Cam Newton. RG3 has all the intangibles, skills and brains to be a long-term starter in the NFL. There's absolutely no way that Gabbert is still Jacksonville's quarterback in 2012.

3. St. Louis Rams: USC OT-Matt Kalil

Needs: OT, WR, CB, S

Draft Solution:

The best offensive lineman in the draft will be a quick pickup for the St. Louis Rams. Sam Bradford is the quarterback of the future and being able to have a solid bookend at offensive tackle will help keep Bradford in one piece.

Matt Kalil is a big, big man. He's 6'7'' and 295 pounds. He's incredibly tall, strong and agile for his size. Protecting Bradford and opening holes for Steven Jackson should help the Rams shake their league-worst offensive from 2011.

2. Minnesota Vikings: LSU CB-Morris Claiborne

Needs: CB, OT, WR

Draft Solution:

The Minnesota Vikings have lost quite a few games this year. Obviously, they had to earn a top-five pick somehow. Their defense has been at the center of most of their losses. They have been unable to slow down opposing offenses and will need to do so with three potent offenses in their division.

Morris Claiborne may not have been a Heisman Trophy finalist like his teammate they call the "Honey Badger," but Claiborne is 6'0'' and can run the 40 in the 4.3's. A Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Claiborne would help the Vikings defense lock down players like Calvin Johnson or Greg Jennings.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Stanford QB-Andrew Luck

Needs: RB, QB, LB

Draft Solution:

I went out on a limb with this pick but I'm feeling pretty confident. Andrew Luck is the unanimous No.1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft and the voting wasn't exactly that close

The Indianapolis Colts have proven they were a one-man team and remain uncertain on whether or not Peyton Manning will ever return to his normal playing abilities.

Luck has been touted as the greatest quarterback prospect since John Elway, which is pretty high praise. Whether or not the praise is more hyperbole than fact remains to be seen.

Indianapolis may not have everything figure out yet for what they'll do with the two quarterbacks, but you can rest assured that, come April, they'll have two alpha males at quarterback.