2012 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for Elite Playmakers in the Class

With the NFL season rapidly coming to an end, it's time for fans to start looking to April's NFL Draft. The focus here is on the playmakers, but they don't get all of the attention. We would certainly be foolish to neglect the players that do their work in the trenches. 

Without further ado, let's take a look at the first round of the draft and see what we can expect and who's going where. 

1. Indianapolis Colts (1-13). Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There hasn't been a quarterback to enter the NFL with this much hype since Peyton Manning. Luck has all of the tools.

If we're looking for an NFL comparison, I liken Luck to a bigger version of Drew Brees. His arm strength is not tremendous, but his accuracy is top notch, as is his leadership ability. 

Top NFL Comparison: Drew Brees

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams could go with a receiver here, but this franchise has had one consistent problem since the "Greatest Show on Turf" era. They don't keep their quarterback protected. As tempting as a guy like Justin Blackmon would be here, the Colts need the lineman. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon will be phenomenal. He's not as big as Alshon Jeffery, but is certainly big enough to be a strong red zone target for his quarterbacks. After Andrew Luck is selected, Blackmon is a real threat to be selected in the No. 2 or No. 3 position.

Blackmon and Christian Ponder will be a nice duo for the Vikings to rely on for a long time. This would also help Adrian Peterson, as opponents wouldn't be able to stack the box with the down-field threats of Blackmon and Percy Harvin.

Top NFL Comparison: Roddy White

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Jaguars have plenty of needs, but they need a defensive back in a terrible way. They are bringing in players off of the street right now. It's close, but Kirkpatrick is the top corner in this year's draft.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tampa Bay is just awful, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They are 26th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. It's time to go after a replacement for Ronde Barber, and Claiborne fits that description. 

6. Cleveland Browns (4-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is not a big man, but he's fast and has a tremendous burst. There were times when the LSU defense looked hopeless when they were trying to stop him, and that's hard to fathom. 

The Browns could use a receiver, but this is not the place where they're going to get one. They need a strong back to make the focal point of the running game. Those they have on the roster are best suited to be spot backs, not feature backs.

Richardson would be a welcome AFC North addition. In that division, you need to play nasty to win. Richardson can do that. 

Top NFL Comparison: Steven Jackson

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

I can't see thew Bills giving up on Ryan Fitzpatrick only months after locking him up. They need a guy to give him time to find the weapons that Buffalo has. Martin is that guy.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-9): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Behold, the replacement to Dan Marino. Matt Moore can't be a starter when the NFL has an entire season to prepare for him. they need to bring in a player like Barkley and let him develop. 

9. Washington Redskins (5-9): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Despite having a good defense and playing in a mediocre division, this team will go nowhere until they get a quarterback. Griffin is that guy. He's an athletic marvel, capable of beating opponents in many different ways.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Cam Newton can score as many points as he wants, but this team is 5-9 because the defense allows too many. Dennard is a quality option to step in and help eliminate that problem.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

If they can't stop the run, the "Dream Team" is going to continue to struggle. In order to do that, they will need to have a good middle linebacker to stuff the middle of the field.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This team will have a resurgent season next year, but they need to do a better job of keeping opponents out of their backfield. That will help keep the team healthy, which will make them a factor in the AFC West.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

His stock has fallen this season. His 45 receptions for 614 yards certainly don't stack up to the total of 88 catches and 1,517 yards that he had in 2010. Still, he will move up the boards between the end of the season and the actual draft. 

Jeffery is a physical specimen, and that's just hard to ignore. The Seahawks need a more consistent threat on the perimeter. Jeffery is a guy that will help the Seahawks prevent opponents from stacking the box against Marshawn Lynch. 

Top NFL Comparison: Keyshawn Johnson

14. San Diego Chargers (7-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

This season has made one thing abundantly clear. The Chargers need to find a way to protect Philip Rivers, giving him time to throw the ball. They have other needs, but nothing is more pressing than on the line.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

While defense would be a natural place to look, they need to focus more on protecting Kevin Kolb and opening holes for Beanie Wells. Glenn is the best option to fill that role.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With a returning Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson getting a full training camp, the addition of Floyd would make the Titans factors in what promises to be a wide open AFC South.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals have very few actual needs. Their one flaw is that they don't play nasty enough on offense. Miller would be a change from that. They would also be able to run to set up bombs to A.J. Green.

18. Chicago Bears (7-7): Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Brown is just an all-around strong defensive player. He can play the run, rush the quarterback and even drop back into pass coverage. The Bears can use a player like this, especially in an increasingly competitive NFC North. 

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a raw prospect, but he's too good for the Bengals to pass on here. They have the skill on defense to take a chance on Coples and if he's successful, this will be an elite defense for a long time. 

20. New York Giants (7-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Read what Jets' reporter Jenny Vrentas tweeted Jets' receiver Santonio Holmes as said about the Giants' secondary. 

Actually, with the exception of rushing the quarterback, the Giants don't do anything terribly well on defense. They don't stop the run well, nor do they defend the pass.

Barron is the perfect player to step in and fill both of those gaps. 

Top NFL Comparison: Troy Polamalu

21. New York Jets (8-6): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

This guy is an absolute beast in the middle of the field. The Jets' defense is good, but not quite what it has been over the last two seasons under Rex Ryan. Still would be a force in the middle to change that.

22. Detroit Lions (9-5): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Lions are similar to the Eagles above. They have a lot of talent, but can't defend the run in the clutch. Given the talent they have on the defensive front, Kuechly would be able to roam free, instantly making the Lions' run defense better.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Denver has a lot of talent on their defense, but are still vulnerable up the middle of the field. Cox would go a long way toward changing that. 

24. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

If you have ever watched the Cowboys, you would know that they are vulnerable to giving up the occasional big play. They need help in the secondary and Jenkins is the best man to supply that help.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Texans have the benefit of time here. Jones isn't ready for the NFL, but he won't need to be in Houston. They will have a returning Matt Schaub. After Schaub, the Texans need some help at the quarterback position. Jones is the kind of guy to step in and be ready in a few years.

Think of this as a poor man's version of Joe Montana to Steve Young, or Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Steelers' defense is still good, but it's getting old. Hightower is a complete package linebacker to step in and breathe new life, keeping the Pittsburgh defenders fresh for the entire season.

27. Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (9-5): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

RG3's main receiver has potential to be a complete steal in this draft. Over 100 catches and nearly 1,600 yards receiving this season speaks for itself. 

This is where the Browns will be best suited to take a receiver that can stretch the field. Wright is that guy. This team is way too dependent on Josh Cribbs who, while dynamic, has limited receiving skills. Wright would actually make this team quite dangerous.

Top NFL Comparison: DeSean Jackson

28. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens still need some work on defense. Sanu is a big receiver who can come in and play well with the Ravens' style of play. His size makes him the perfect compliment to speedster Torrey Smith. 

29. New England (via NO) (11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE Alabama

The Patriots have struggled to get to the quarterback, making their already weak secondary look worse than it really is, which says something. Upshaw will be able to step in immediately and change that. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The 49ers clearly have had problems up front this year. Their best offensive efforts have come when they stacked six or even seven linemen on the field. Konz will step in immediately and help the 49ers change that. 

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

This is a gamble, given his injury, but the Patriots can afford this one. These are the kind of players that Bill Belichick consistently gets the most out of.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

It's certainly not impossible that Ingram will be off the board earlier, but this is a good pick for a good team to make.

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