2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players That Would Fill Each Team's Biggest Need

The 2012 NFL Draft will present the opportunity for some teams to fill their biggest needs with just the right players. 

This is a deep draft with plenty of QB talent and big-time playmakers. There will be plenty of impact players available. 

However, it is the impact guys that can fill a huge need that I will highlight below in my complete first-round mock.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

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

If you are wondering why Andrew Luck is the No. 1 pick, how was life under that rock for the last two years?

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Why the Rams Need Blackmon

The Rams offense desperately needs someone that can stretch the field. Blackmon can do just that. At 6'1", with a 40 time projected to be around 4.45, Blackmon doesn't have elite speed or size.

What he does have, though, is the innate ability to go up and grab the ball at its highest point. He also has tremendous hands that allow him to come down with big catches in traffic. Take a look at these highlights to get a glimpse of what Blackmon is capable of.

Blackmon is also good after the catch. He can turn short catches into big gainers. All of this will add an element of explosion that the Rams offense sorely lacks, and will give young QB Sam Bradford a player to grow with.

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Why the Vikings Need Kalil

The Vikings need someone to keep their young franchise QB Christian Ponder healthy. Through Week 15, Minnesota has allowed the 29th most sacks in the league.

This team needs an anchor on the outside of their offensive line. Kalil is the perfect fit.

Matt is the younger brother of the Panthers' excellent center Ryan. He is 6'6" and 295 pounds, with the room to add bulk comfortably onto his massive frame.

Matt moves his feet very well, and is a technically sound blocker. He would be able to step in right away and contribute, and has the potential to develop into one of the game's premier left tackles.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is a shutdown corner that also adds value as a kick returner. He is an excellent athlete with Pro Bowl potential.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This is an accomplished and polished tackle that will be able to start right away.

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

Richardson is as complete a back as you will ever find coming out of college. He can shoulder a heavy workload and will not have to come off the field in any situation.

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a fundamentally sound CB that has the ability to play man or zone. This may be a bit of a reach, but the Bills need the secondary help.

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

Why the Dolphins Need Barkley

Miami is still searching for a QB to replace Dan Marino. With their second-half resurgence, the Dolphins showed that they have a solid defense. They just lack a consistent presence at the quarterback position.

Barkley will do the trick. The USC QB does not have eye-popping physical attributes. He stands only 6'2" and does not have an explosive arm.

As you can see in the following highlights, his arm is strong enough to make all the NFL throws, and his accuracy is second to none.

Barkley also boasts a history of success. He is a proven winner, and is very mature for a college QB. He makes good decisions and has extensive history in a pro-style system.

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

Why the Redskins Need Griffin

The Redskins need Griffin because their QB duties were shared by Rex Grossman and John Beck this season. That is not acceptable.

Griffin has as much upside as any player, including Andrew Luck, in this draft. He lacks elite size at 6'2", but he more than makes up for that with his mobility.

Griffin has solid arm strength, excellent accuracy and he makes solid decisions. He also has an uncanny knack for the miraculous. Take a look.

The biggest red flag with Griffin is injuries, but his talent means he is worth a roll of the dice.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Devon Still is strong defensive lineman with the explosion to occasionally apply pressure to the QB. He will be a good fit as a DT, or an end in a 3-4 system.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is an accomplished pass rusher with a good size/speed ratio.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Jones is a bit raw, but he has all the tools you look for in a pocket passer. He will have to adjust to the pro game, but he has a high ceiling.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7):  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is a talented and fierce linebacker. He suffers from bouts of stupidity, which lead to unnecessary penalties, but has elite-level talent.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Denard is a touch raw, but he has elite athleticism and instincts. He could develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber corner.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a polished blocker that is fundamentally sound and strong in pass protection and run blocking.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Baron is a prototypical strong safety with an elite size/speed ratio.

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

Why the Bengals Need Miller

Cincinnati needs an explosive backfield player to pair with young studs QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green.

Miller adds big-play ability out of the backfield. He is a straight-ahead runner that has the explosiveness to take carries to the house.

He always fights for extra yardage and is tough to bring down. Take a look:

Miller is also a solid receiver out of the backfield, and will be a nice safety blanket for Dalton. He needs to improve in his pass protection, but with good coaching this shouldn't be a problem.

Miller will complete an impressive nucleus of young talent for the Bengals.

18. Chicago Bears (7-7): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is the best center in the draft. He is fundamentally sound and strong as an ox.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has all the physical tools to be elite. There are questions surrounding his maturity, though.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kueckly is not an elite athlete, but his feel for the game and his nose for the ball are second to none. He plays a lot faster than he is.

21. Detroit Lions (9-5): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is a pro-ready prospect with no big weaknesses.

22. New York Jets (8-6): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is an explosive and versatile lineman that will be able to play multiple positions along the line.

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

Cox is a supremely athletic player, albeit a bit raw, that will be able to flourish as an end in a 4-3 or a 3-4.

24. New York Giants (7-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is one of the best athletes in the draft. He is a perfect fit for a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has the size and hands NFL teams are looking for. He lacks elite speed, and has a checkered history with off-the-field issues.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

At 6'5" and 338 pounds, Glenn has all the size. He has played guard and tackle in college, but is best suited for guard in the NFL.

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

Wright is a speedy receiver with solid hands. He has the potential to be a serious playmaker.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw has good pass-rushing skills and strength. He will be able to play on the outside in a 3-4 or a 4-3.

29. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower's elite size/speed ratio will allow him to flourish as a rush linebacker or as an inside backer.

30. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has great size at 6'5" and solid speed. However, scouts have questioned if has the mentality to succeed in the NFL.

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry is a versatile defensive player that will be able to fill multiple position in the NFL. This will be similar to the Patriots' first selection in this draft, but this defense needs it.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Crick is a strong end that is proficient at holding the edge and can occasionally get into the backfield.