2012 NFL Mock Draft: Robert Griffin III and Early Rookie of the Year Favorites

We should all be thankful for the rookies the 2011 NFL Draft has given us.

Seriously, how boring would life be right now if it wasn't for Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Von Miller and Aldon Smith? Thanks to these guys (and others), it's easy to get all warm and fuzzy inside when you think of the future of the league.

But between you and me, we ain't seen nothing yet. Just wait until the 2012 NFL Draft class arrives on the scene. It's loaded.

Why don't we look ahead right now? Below is a full first-round mock for the 2012 draft. All prospects will be discussed, but I'm going to stop and pay special attention to the prospects that I think have Rookie of the Year potential in 2012.

Let's roll.

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

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

The Colts are this close to taking themselves out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, but the good news for them is that they can clinch the No. 1 overall pick by losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17.

When they get it, there's not a doubt in my mind they'll use it on Andrew Luck.

But he won't be a Rookie of the Year candidate. I expect the Colts to bring Peyton Manning back, meaning Luck will have to bide his time for a few seasons.

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

The Rams would have an interesting decision to make if they ended up with the No. 1 overall pick, but I have them ending up at No. 2 and taking Alshon Jeffery. He's the big-play threat Sam Bradford needs, and I'll reiterate for the hundredth time that he has a little bit of Calvin Johnson in him.

I'm not about to tab Jeffery as an early Rookie of the Year candidate, though. Bradford will need a stable O-line ahead of him before he and Jeffery can really go off.

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

Speaking of stable offensive lines, the Vikings will stabilize theirs in a big way when they draft Matt Kalil with the No. 3 overall pick. He'll watch Christian Ponder's blind side for years to come. Sadly, linemen don't get Rookie of the Year love.

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

If and when the Browns draft Trent Richardson, the Rookie of the Year watch will officially be on.

Richardson is a rare specimen. He's as strong as they come and he has more than enough speed, but he's also a patient running back with great vision and natural instincts. He's going to be a star.

To boot, he'll fit right in with the Browns, who will surely wave goodbye to Peyton Hillis after the season. Richardson can take over starting duties right away, and he will be trusted to take the spotlight off of Colt McCoy in Cleveland's offense.

Assuming Richardson stays healthy, a 1,000-yard season will be in the cards, and that would put him high in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

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

Justin Blackmon is a perfect fit for the Jaguars. His specialty is getting open, and Blaine Gabbert sorely needs a wide receiver like that. All he would have to do is keep his eyes on Blackmon, and then hit him as soon as he gets an edge. Brandon Weeden has made himself look much better than he is doing the same thing over the last two seasons.

I wouldn't expect an A.J. Green-like rookie campaign out of Blackmon, so I don't think he would be in the running for the Rookie of the Year.

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

The Buccaneers will have a whole array of options in the draft, but they would be wise to grab the best defensive player available. In my estimation, that's Morris Claiborne. He's an elite cornerback and could easily replace an aging Ronde Barber.

In a division as pass-happy as the NFC South, however, Claiborne would need some time to adjust.

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

With Matt Barkley out of the picture, Robert Griffin III is a lock to be the second quarterback taken after Andrew Luck.

The Redskins are a great fit for RG3. They're a team that, in my opinion, is one good quarterback away from being able to contend. They have a solid defense and some solid players at the skill positions, so RG3 wouldn't necessarily have to step in and rescue the Redskins.

But what you really have to be excited about is how RG3 would blossom playing under Mike Shanahan. He coached John Elway to two Super Bowl titles, and he's the guy who drafted and developed Jay Cutler. He'll know what to do with RG3.

If the Redskins draft RG3, I would expect a breakout season similar to the one Cam Newton is having.

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

The Dolphins probably would have drafted Matt Barkley here, but so much for that. With no quarterbacks worth taking, they'll move on to their second priority, and that's getting another body for their offensive line. Iowa's Riley Reiff will be too good to pass up, and he'll contribute immediately.

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

I'm actually a little curious to see if the Bills will draft a quarterback later in the draft, but in the first round, they'll look to upgrade their defense. Quinton Coples is a freak of an athlete the Bills could use in a number of different roles. However, I think he would need a season or two to carve out a niche for himself.

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

The Panthers have all sorts of options in the first round, but they would be wise to jump on Dre Kirkpatrick here. He's a big, physical corner who will help the Panthers catch up to the rest of the NFC South.

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

I'll say right here and now that my gut feeling is that Kyle Orton will not be back with the Chiefs in 2012. Matt Cassel will regain his starting job, but the Chiefs will have to fill out their depth chart. Landry Jones is a good pick here because he's a quarterback with a high ceiling, but also one that is not ready to start right away. The Chiefs could draft him and stash him.

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

Vontaze Burfict's draft stock is not nearly as strong as it once was, but he'll get scouts to pay attention again at the combine. He's simply too gifted to be shunned for long.

At any rate, I'll be damned if Burfict isn't a good fit for the Eagles. He's a guy who could keep up with the rest of Philly's speedy defense. But more importantly, he'll be the defensive stopper that Philly's linebacking corps has lacked this season.

Think of all the running backs who have easily slipped through Philly's front seven this season. If the Eagles insert Burfict, this would happen far less frequently. As a bonus, Burfict is a guy who can rush the passer, too.

Burfict will have to get his head on straight, but he's a guy who could contribute right away. If he does, people are going to give him credit for rescuing Philly's defense. That would invariably lead to some Defensive Rookie of the Year love.

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

The Cardinals may be headed towards a quarterback battle in 2012, but their focus in the draft should be drafting a left tackle. Jonathan Martin will be the best option available by far. Andrew Luck will vouch for him.

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

I'm definitely going out on a limb with this pick, as the Titans are already starting two rookies in their linebacking corps. I figure they may as well make it three of a kind, especially since Zach Brown will be too good to pass up here. He's as fast as they come, and he'll fit in well alongside Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers. Sadly, he wouldn't get enough credit exactly because he would be playing next to both of them.

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

The Chargers could use a body at both tackle positions, and Cordy Glenn is a guy who could play on either side if need be. He would fit better at right tackle, though, and it just so happens the Chargers have a need at right tackle. Enter Glenn, problem solved.

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

The Seahawks are another team that could have drafted Matt Barkley, and it would have been pretty cool to see him reunited with Pete Carroll. With no quarterbacks worth taking, though, expect them to look for a pass-rushing defensive end.

Melvin Ingram would be an ideal pick, and the Seahawks could get some immediate returns from him in 2012 if they were to start him right away. 

As a pass rush specialist, Ingram would do well playing in the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams have all given up their fair share of sacks this season, and that's not an accident. Give Ingram six games against NFC West offensive lines, and he would feast.

Of course, Ingram would have fun against other offensive lines as well. We could be looking at him as a steal a year from now, not to mention a Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite.

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

The Bears could very well be in the market for a running back by the time the draft rolls around, but for now I have them looking to fix their offensive line. They scored with Gabe Carimi last year, but they need to get him a partner in crime for the opposite side of their O-line. Mike Adams is a fast riser that the Bears will be happy to jump on.

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

I've been mocking Lamar Miller to the Bengals for weeks, and I see no reason to stop now. Cedric Benson is not coming back, and Miller would simply be too good to pass up right here.

With Andy Dalton and A.J. Green already in place, Lamar Miller would effectively complete the young core the Bengals are putting together. It would be like Edgerrin James joining Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, except maybe slightly less awesome.

Even still, Miller could step in and pick up where Benson left off. That would mean a regular workload of 20-plus touches a game, and Miller has the goods to turn those touches into gold.

I don't think he would be as productive as Trent Richardson, but Miller would definitely get peoples' attention if he ends up in a Bengals uniform. The Offensive Rookie of the Year votes would come, too.

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

I figured the Giants were going to repair their offensive line in the 2011 draft, but they went for Prince Amukamara instead. It wasn't a bad pick, but the Giants can't afford to pass on fixing their offensive line again in 2012. A tackle would be ideal, but David DeCastro is too much of a steal at this spot.

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

Leon Hall is solid as a rock, but the Bengals need to find a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph, who has made good on the Houston Texans' investment in him this season. Alfonzo Dennard is an underrated cover man who could step in and strength Cincinnati's defense right away.

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

The Lions have bigger needs than the cornerback position, but it's in their interest to draft a good one anyway. Loading up their secondary is the only way they're going to hang with the Green Bay Packers in the long run. Stephon Gilmore is a dynamic player that will help out on both defense and in special teams. The Lions will happily kill two needs with one player.

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

The Jets are a very good defensive team, but they don't have much of a pass rush. That's something they should look to change in the first round of the draft.

Courtney Upshaw would be a great target for the Jets. They need an outside linebacker with pass-rushing ability, and Upshaw is just that.

Upshaw had seven sacks last season and was able to pile up 8.5 in 2011. Getting after the quarterback is what he does best, and he strikes me as a player who has the potential to do for the Jets what Aldon Smith has done for the 49ers.

If he did, people would to take note. To boot, the Jets' already-good defense would get even better. Upshaw would subsequently get some Rookie of the Year love.

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

Defensive tackle was a weakness for the Broncos coming into the 2011 season, which was more or less a result of them choosing Von Miller over Marcell Dareus (not that they regret that, of course). In 2012, they should turn this weakness into a strength by drafting Devon Still, a monster of a man who would make teams fear Denver's front seven even more.

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

Janoris Jenkins has a troubled past, but his talent is good enough to keep him in first-round territory. The Cowboys could use a cornerback, and I don't think Jerry Jones will be afraid of Jenkins' character issues. He'll always shoot for talent first and ask questions later.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

It's pretty remarkable how deep the Texans are. Take a look up and down their roster, and it's hard to pick out glaring holes. One thing they could use is a wide receiver who can take some pressure of Andre Johnson, and Kendall Wright is a perfect fit. Johnson will suck up defenders, and Wright will blow past the ones that are left. He's got cheetah speed.

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

If Michael Floyd actually falls this far, the Browns will be wondering how they got so lucky. Floyd is the elite wide receiver they're looking for, as well as a guy who would be able to help Colt McCoy's development. He wouldn't get any Rookie of the Year love playing alongside Trent Richardson, but the Browns would be glad to have him.

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

The time has come for the Ravens to look for Ray Lewis' replacement, and Dont'a Hightower should be their guy. He's a key cog in one of the best defenses in the country, and a player who seems custom-designed to be a defensive captain in the pros. He doesn't quite have Lewis' personality, but it's scary to think how much Hightower could grow as a player if he learns from Lewis.

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

You have to love what Jim Harbaugh has done in San Francisco, but he needs to make his offense a little less one-dimensional, especially seeing as how Frank Gore is not getting any younger. Nick Toon would be a good guy to bring in to complement Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis, and transitioning into the 49ers' run-heavy offense wouldn't be much trouble for him.

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

The Steelers need offensive line help. Badly. Levy Adcock would be a bit of a reach at this point, but it's a reach the Steelers need to make. The last thing they want to do is risk another season with a patchwork offensive line.

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

The Patriots defense could be in for a change this offseason, but Jared Crick is a guy they could use in any scheme. Ideally, the Pats will go back to playing the 3-4 full-time, and Crick would slide in and play defensive end alongside Vince Wilfork. 

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

The Patriots need help at cornerback, but there's nobody worth picking here. They need help at safety, too, and I could see them going for Alabama's Mark Barron or Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin right here. Martin seems like the safer pick to me.

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

They've been able to hide it, but the Packers' running back corps is not a strength. James Starks is nothing special and Ryan Grant is a free agent-to-be. Instead of spending money on him, the Packers may as well bring in a new guy.

I'm a huge Chris Polk fan. For a guy who has topped 1,000 yards in three straight seasons, he doesn't get nearly enough credit, and this year he's really ramped up his production in Washington's passing attack.

If Polk goes to Green Bay, he'll allow them to have a rushing attack again. And with Aaron Rodgers alongside him, defenses are not going to key in on stopping Polk, meaning things will be a little easier for him.

His numbers might take a dip, but I'm sure Aaron Rodgers would love to have Polk around.