2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will This Year's Heisman Trophy Finalists Land?

Being a candidate for the Heisman Trophy certainly doesn't guarantee a great professional career, but it usually doesn't hurt. With that said, all five of this season's Heisman finalists look as though they have very bright futures in the NFL.

Four of the five finalists seem likely to declare for the draft, and of those four, three are virtual locks to go very early in the first round. While it doesn't mean that they are destined for success necessarily, they will be counted on to be cornerstones of their respective franchises.

Here is a full first-round mock draft, including predictions on where the likes of Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson and Heisman winner Robert Griffin III will land.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

He would have been the first overall pick had he declared last season and that holds true this year, as the Indianapolis Colts almost have to go with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. No signal caller is more mature or more prepared to play the pro game right now than Luck.

This, of course, could be a bit of an issue due to the presence of Peyton Manning. While Manning missed the entire season with a neck injury, all signs point to him being ready to play next season. That means Luck may have to sit on the bench and learn for at least a year.

While Luck is ready to play now, this wouldn't be the worst situation for him. Aaron Rodgers had to wait behind Brett Favre for a couple years in Green Bay, and he's now the best quarterback in football. Learning from Manning could turn out to be a best-case scenario for Luck.

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

The Rams' offense was a mess in quarterback Sam Bradford's sophomore season. He could use a monstrous, go-to target like Blackmon that he can count on.

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

The Vikings released former first-round pick Bryant McKinnie prior to the season and haven't been able to find a suitable replacement. Kalil may be the surest thing in the draft.

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

Jacksonville has plenty of holes on both sides of the ball, but grabbing the best defensive back in the draft in Claiborne will immediately improve an injury-riddled unit.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Tampa Bay has one of the worst defenses in the league this season, and the secondary has routinely been torched. Kirkpatrick will be the heir apparent to the aging Ronde Barber at corner.

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

With current starting running back Peyton Hillis' contract status up in the air, the Cleveland Browns could be in the market for a running back. I doubt the Browns will re-sign Hillis, so that automatically makes Alabama running back Trent Richardson an option with the sixth pick.

Richardson was fantastic in his first full season as a starter, racking up over 1,500 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns against a tough SEC slate. Not only does he have speed, but he has ideal size and tackle-breaking ability to boot.

Running the ball is incredibly important in a division as rough and tumble as the AFC North, so Richardson could immediately be the focal point of the Browns' offense.

With how easy it is to find impact runners in the later rounds now, running backs don't go as early as they used to. Even so, Richardson is a very special talent.

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills' offensive line has been in shambles for what seems like a decade, so it's time to get a legitimate stud. Reiff should succeed in protecting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind side.

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

Although the Dolphins played their way out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, Barkley is a great consolation prize. He has the potential to make Miami an immediate player in the AFC East.

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

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III had a magical season, as he led the Bears to a 9-3 record and became the first Heisman winner in school history. I think it's fair to say that he wasn't firmly on the NFL radar prior to the season, but that has most certainly changed.

Thanks to the success that running quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Tim Tebow are having out of spread offenses right now, more teams may be inclined to go that route. While that isn't typically Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan's style, the 'Skins desperately need a quarterback.

Griffin definitely has boom-or-bust potential, but he proved to be an efficient and accurate passer at Baylor this past season and has incredible athletic ability. If he's still available when the Redskins are on the clock, I highly doubt they will be able to pass him up.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Since the loss of Julius Peppers in free agency, the Panthers have lacked an elite pass rusher. They will be able to address that by adding another North Carolina Tar Heel in Coples to pair with Charles Johnson.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

It seems very unlikely that the Eagles will re-sign diva receiver DeSean Jackson, meaning Floyd would be an excellent pick to pair with Jeremy Maclin as Michael Vick's main weapons.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs' offensive line has been in rough shape all year and Branden Albert hasn't developed as hoped. Martin should give Kansas City what it thought it was getting when it drafted Albert a couple years back.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Seahawks have gone on a tear to end the season, but Tarvaris Jackson isn't the answer at quarterback. Jones could get them right back into playoff contention next year.

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

Quentin Jammer isn't getting any younger and Antoine Cason is looking like a bust, so the Bolts could really use a corner. Dennard is a great value pick here.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

While it has improved down the stretch, the Cardinals' defense has been an issue all year long. Still was a disruptive force on the line in college and is just the type of player Arizona needs.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Titans need a playmaker in the middle of their defense after losing Stephen Tulloch in free agency. Burfict most definitely fits the bill.

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

Cedric Benson is on his last legs in Cincinnati, and the Bengals could use a change of pace to complement him. Drafting Miller would accomplish just that.

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

Releasing center Olin Kreutz turned out to be a terrible move by the Bears and they have certainly paid the price. Konz has a similar name and a similar skill set, however, making him an ideal choice.

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

With Jonathan Joseph in Houston and Leon Hall on injured reserve, the Bengals' secondary has worn pretty thin. Jenkins would once again give Cincinnati a great corner tandem moving forward.

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

The Cowboys have a couple aging inside linebackers in Keith Brooking and Bradie James and can afford to get younger. Kuechly is a tackling machine in the mold of Brooking, but with less tread on the tires.

21. Detroit Lions (9-5): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Lions have a nice host of pass rushers, but the New York Giants have proven you can never have too many. Ingram would mesh well with the likes of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril.

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

D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold are pillars of strength on the Jets' offensive line, but it isn't without flaws. DeCastro would really solidify an inconsistent line.

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

The Broncos have done an excellent job in developing a pass rush tandem in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. Now it's time to bring in players who can occupy blockers, which is precisely what Cox does.

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

Big Blue has had a major issue with injuries on defense this season, particularly at linebacker. Brown would give them excellent depth and he could probably start immediately.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Texans now have one of the better defenses in all of football but could use some safety help to bring everything together. Barron may very well be the missing piece to the puzzle.

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

Pittsburgh has been using a patchwork offensive line for several years and while it has generally worked out, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can't continue to take this much punishment. Glenn will help in that regard.

27. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 9-5): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

It looks as if the Browns may have finally found a solid receiver in Greg Little, but they are still barren in terms of weapons on offense. Jeffery would give Cleveland a great, young tandem on the outside.

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

The Patriots' defense has been a joke this season, and one of the biggest reasons has been the lack of a pass rush. Upshaw could step in and be a big help immediately.

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

Baltimore continues to have a great defense because of the front office's ability to keep bringing in fresh, new talent. In keeping with that trend, Hightower would be an ideal fit for the Ravens.

30. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

While the 49ers' offense has been respectable this season, it could use another dimension. The speedy Wright would complement Michael Crabtree incredibly well and help keep defenses honest.

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Patriots have an excellent array of weapons in Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, but an outside threat at receiver is needed. Quarterback Tim Brady would jump for joy if the athletic Sanu was selected.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers' defense has struggled a bit this season and a big reason is the lack of a complementary pass rusher to Clay Matthews. Perry is another fast-rising Trojan, much like Matthews was, and he would be an awesome fit.

* Article written prior to USC quarterback Matt Barkley announcing he was staying in school.