2012 NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st-Round Update with Matt Barkley out of Draft Field

The 2012 NFL Draft has lost a major puzzle piece.

In case you missed it, USC quarterback Matt Barkley announced on Thursday that he will be returning for his senior season in 2012. He still has a few things that he wants to do at the collegiate level before he goes pro.

After his brilliant 2011 season, Barkley was projected by many to be a top-10 pick on draft day. With him out of the picture, QB-needy teams around the NFL just got a little more nervous. 

Now that the deed is done, the obvious question is how the draft is going to play out.

To answer that question, we must mock the draft. Read on for a full first-round mock, with a special emphasis placed on the top quarterback prospects that will be available.

Note: draft order determined by current record and projected finish.

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

As you no doubt recall, Andrew Luck was the guy who surprised everyone last season when he announced that he would be returning to Stanford for another season. He was universally projected to be the No. 1 pick in the draft, but he gave it up.

Thankfully, nothing disastrous happened in 2011. Luck is still the most talented quarterback prospect to come along in years, and all signs point towards the Colts picking him if they end up with the No. 1 selection.

Luck will likely sit behind Peyton Manning for a couple seasons, but he has everything he needs to succeed right away. He has a strong, accurate arm and a good football mind, and he's a pretty good athlete to boot.

Assuming they do indeed take Luck, the Colts will be in a position to trade one franchise quarterback for another as soon as they're ready.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Rams need a premiere wide receiver, and Jeffery is going to be their best option. Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is talented, but Jeffery has playmaking potential similar to that of Calvin Johnson. Sam Bradford would be glad to have him.

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

The Vikings have a talented young quarterback in Christian Ponder, but they could stand to add some more protection for him. Matt Kalil has made a name for himself keeping Matt Barkley safe, and he's just the kind of guy the Vikings want watching Ponder's back.

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

The Browns would be fools to bring Peyton Hillis back, especially since it's looking like they'll get first dibs at Alabama's Trent Richardson. He has everything he needs to be an elite running back, and he can rescue a Browns offense that has been downright atrocious in 2011.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

As Dunta Robinson so kindly pointed out, the Jaguars could use a wide receiver. Justin Blackmon is their guy. He has a knack for getting open, and that will help Blaine Gabbert's development. Hopefully, anyway.

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

The Buccaneers are going to have all sorts of options, but it's my opinion that their best option is drafting a replacement for Ronde Barber. Morris Claiborne is the best of a strong group of corners, and having him will help the Bucs stay relevant in the pass-happy NFC South.

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

Andrew Luck is going to be the first quarterback taken in the 2012 draft, but Robert Griffin III really isn't that far behind him in terms of talent.

Everyone knew coming into the season that RG3 was an outstanding athlete, but the reason we're talking about him right here is because of his passing abilities. He showed remarkable precision in 2011, routinely hitting receivers right on the money.

The Redskins couldn't ask for a better fit. Mike Shanahan has enjoyed success with mobile quarterbacks in the past, and it helps that he has a team in place that is only really missing a stud quarterback.

Enter RG3, and it won't be long before the Redskins are ready to contend. NFC East, consider yourself warned.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This is where I had Matt Barkley going before he decided to return to USC. The Dolphins could decide to reach for Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones, but something tells me they won't. The next best option for them is patching their offensive line, and they'll pick up a potential stud if they grab Riley Reiff.

9. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I'm not a huge fan of Quinton Coples at the moment, but his freakish athleticism will put him on everybody's radar once we get to the combine. The Bills could use some help on defense, and Coples is a guy that could do a number of things for them if they stick to their hybrid defense.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Panthers are another team that has options in the first round, but drafting a cornerback is the best way to go. They also need to keep up in the pass-happy NFC South, and they'll be getting a guy in Dre Kirkpatrick whose stock is rising.

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

So Romeo Crennel thinks Kyle Orton could stick around and be the Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2012.

This despite the fact it's not a given that Crennel himself will be back next season, and let's not forget that Orton is a free agent at the end of the season.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Matt Cassel will end up back under center in 2012. But with Orton gone, the Chiefs are going to need to fill out their depth chart.

How about Landry Jones? He's a good quarterback, but he made it pretty clear in the closing weeks of the 2011 season that he needs a little more time to mature. He could begin his career as Cassel's backup, but could be the Chiefs' starter right away if need be.

And personally, I like the idea of Jones being paired with Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin. Down the road, the Chiefs offense could become a little less one-dimensional with Jones at the helm.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Is Vontaze Burfict a wild man? Absolutely. But is he talented? You better believe it. The Eagles sorely need a player like that in the middle of their linebacking corps, and Burfict could be a star if he can tone down his aggression a little bit.

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

The quarterback situation in Arizona is kinda iffy at the moment, but one thing that is obvious is that the Cardinals need some offensive line help, particularly at left tackle. Just as Matt Kalil has kept Matt Barkley safe, Jonathan Martin has kept Andrew Luck safe. He's the best option here.

14. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Going a little off the rails with this pick. The Titans have two solid young linebackers in Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy, but I'm thinking they may as well make it three of a kind by drafting Zach Brown, who has all kinds of potential. If they do, they'll have a scary linebacking corps for years to come.

15. San Diego Chargers (7-7): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

The Chargers have a number of needs they have to fill, but none more so than at right tackle. Cordy Glenn's the guy for them, as he is perfectly cut out to play on the right side at the next level.

16. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

This is where I previously had Landry Jones going. Truth be told, I'm glad I get to change the pick, as it just didn't seem like a good fit. With no quarterbacks in sight, the Seahawks will look to draft a pass rusher, and Melvin Ingram is a good one. He is also versatile, which will come in handy.

17. Chicago Bears (7-7): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears are yet another team with a number of needs to fill, but their top priority should be finding additional offensive help. They got Gabe Carimi in the first round in 2011, and Mike Adams is a good option for them in the first round in 2012. He and Carimi will be a great pair on opposite ends of the line.

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

I highly doubt the Bengals are going to bring Cedric Benson back. If they don't, they'll have to replace him. Lamar Miller will be the best option, and he will fit right in alongside Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. The Bengals couldn't ask for a better young core.

19. New York Giants (7-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Giants offensive line is a slight mess. Their main area of need is at the tackles, but David DeCastro will be too good to pass up here. The Giants should draft him and figure out how to reshape things later.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Bengals have done a fine job filling in for the loss of Jonathan Joseph, but they need a permanent fixture opposite Leon Hall. Alfonzo Dennard is an under appreciated cover man, and he will be up to the task in the NFL.

21. Detroit Lions (8-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions are pretty well set up front, but they could stand to add a cornerback. Stephon Gilmore is a very versatile corner that the Lions can also use on special teams, an asset they could certainly benefit from.

22. New York Jets (8-6): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets' top need is at the outside linebacker position, and Courtney Upshaw is a natural fit. He comes from an elite defense, and he is a guy who can rush the passer. He's just what the Jets are looking for.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Well, the Broncos won't be selecting a quarterback. That much is certain. One area they could stand to improve is at defensive tackle, as they came into the season pretty weak at that spot. Penn State's Devon Still will be the best option by far.

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

I'm iffy about this pick, as I'm just not sure a guy with Janoris Jenkins' past should be playing in the pressure cooker that is the Dallas Cowboys. But since the Cowboys could use a corner, and since Jerry Jones has shown he's not afraid of players with questionable character, it's a fit.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans really don't have any glaring holes to fill, but they could use a speedy wide receiver to place alongside Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright is the perfect guy for the job, as he made his name blazing past corners and catching deep balls from Robert Griffin III.

26. Cleveland Browns (via 9-5 ATL): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd should go much higher than this, but the Browns will gladly accept this gift if it's there. The Browns don't have any elite wide receivers, and Floyd has the potential to be elite. Drafting Richardson and Floyd in the same round borders on being unfair.

27. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The time has come to look for Ray Lewis' heir apparent. There won't be any perfect fits at this juncture, but Dont'a Hightower is a damn good one. He's got great instincts, and is a natural leader. He'll learn the rest from Lewis.

28. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

The 49ers' main priority this offseason must be to make their offense less one-dimensional. The only way they're going to do that is by bringing in more options in the passing game, and Nick Toon would be a good one. He's a talented player, and his gritty approach to the game will mesh well with Jim Harbaugh's style.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

The Steelers will be reaching a little bit if they make this pick, but they need offensive line help. Badly. Fortunately, Levy Adcock is a capable player who plays with an edge. Not a bad fit for the Steelers.

30. New England Patriots (via 11-3 NO): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The Patriots will be rolling the dice a little bit with this pick, as Jared Crick had to shut it down this year thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. When he's healthy, though, Crick is a beast, and the kind of guy Bill Belichick could fit to a variety of schemes.

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

A cornerback would be great here, but pickings will be a little slim. Addressing their safeties should be the Pats' next priority, and Markelle Martin would be a good pick. He knows how to play the ball, and he will be an instant upgrade over what the Pats already have.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers have an elite offense, but their running backs leave a lot to be desired. Ryan Grant is likely gone after this season, and James Starks is nothing special. Chris Polk is one of the most underrated players in the 2012 draft class, and I'm of the mind that he has star potential.