2012 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Biggest First-Round Steals

The NFL Draft is all about getting the most value for your pick, especially in the first round where there is a lot of talent in this year's draft class.

Finding the steals in the draft are crucial to yearly playoff contenders, because they need to improve their rosters without the luxury of high picks.

Let's look at the biggest steals of this year's first round.

Note: Draft order determined by projected finish

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

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will no doubt be the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and has all-pro potential.

Luck has good arm strength and can make NFL-caliber throws. It will be interesting to see what the Colts will do with this pick if they get it, because they need a lot more help on their team than just at the quarterback position.

Peyton Manning's future is also a question mark surrounding this pick.

Will they trade this pick, or keep it? We'll have to see.

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

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a great all-around player who makes big catches and is a dependable player in any game situation.

He doesn't have exceptional speed, but he has good strength and runs solid routes. He will be a good NFL player from day 1.

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

The Minnesota Vikings have their quarterback of the future in Christian Ponder, now they need someone to protect him for years to come.

Kalil is a solid left tackle and will be a dependable part of the Vikings offensive line for years to come.

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

LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne has elite coverage skills and has the ability to be a shut-down corner for many years at the NFL level.

Claiborne has great speed and is a smart player as well.

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

The Alabama corner has very good coverage skills and his tackling ability is very good too. He is not a top five prospect in this class, but the Buccaneers need a possible shut down corner to improve their struggling defense.

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

Trent Richardson is the best running back prospect in this draft and has the ability to be a very good NFL player for many years.

Richardson is a powerful back but he also has good quickness. In addition to his excellent skills as a rusher, he is a tremendous pass-catcher out of the backfield too.

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

The Buffalo Bills need an offensive tackle for next season, and Riley Reiff is a very good one from Iowa is played exceptional against Big Ten competition this season.

8) Miami Dolphins (5-9): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Miami Dolphins have not been getting enough production out of Brandon Marshall this season, so finding his replacement is a good strategy for the upcoming draft.

Michael Floyd of Notre Dame is a strong receiver who can make tough catches in big-game situations.

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

This may be a steal at No. 9 because Robert Griffin III may be the best quarterback in this draft class. For all the talent Andrew Luck has, Griffin can make plays that the Stanford quarterback cannot.

The Baylor star won the Heisman Trophy this season and is a dynamic player who can make plays with his legs or his strong arm.

Griffin has the ability to step right into the Redskins team and be a starter from the first day forward. Washington needs a quarterback who can make plays and be effective without a ton of stars around him, and Griffin can do that.

Expect the Redskins to take Griffin here without hesitation.

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

The Carolina Panthers need more help on the defensive line and Coples is a player who can rush the quarterback well and wreak havoc in the opposing team's backfield.

11) Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Devon Still is a very good defensive tackle and he would be a great fit on a Philadelphia Eagles defense that needs improvement on the D-line and someone who demands double teams in the middle of the defense.

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

Jonathan Martin is a fantastic left tackle who excels at pass blocking, which really helps the Kansas City Chiefs, because they need a dependable offensive tackle who can protect quarterback Matt Cassel.

Martin could be a Pro Bowl offensive lineman for many seasons.

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

If Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones enters the NFL Draft, then he will be a top 15 pick, which has become even more of a possibility since USC quarterback Matt Barkley has decided to stay in school.

Jones is a terrific pocket passer and would certainly be an upgrade at quarterback for the Seahawks, who are one good quarterback away from being a playoff team again.

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

Alfonzo Dennard is a solid cornerback who would certainly fill a need on the San Diego Chargers defense in the secondary. He can cover, has good speed, and has a high football IQ. 

15) Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict has top 10 talent and is a supremely gifted player, but he has his moments when he is immature.

There's no doubting that he will be a very good NFL player and there is a good chance he will fall to pick 15, where the Arizona Cardinals would be foolish not to take him. He is a steal at this point in the draft.

Burfict's potential is huge and his physical play will fit in well at the pro level.

16) Tennessee Titans (7-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida

Janoris Jenkins is a talented cornerback who would add a lot of coverage skills and athleticism to the Tennessee Titans defense.

17) Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders who are 7-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Lamar Miller is a very good running back and had a fine season with the Miami Hurricanes. A lot of people think he could be a bust, but that is ridiculous. Miller is the real deal and will be a fine NFL running back.

19) Chicago Bears (8-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

It's no secret that the Chicago Bears have issues on the offensive line that need to be corrected so quarterback Jay Cutler can remain healthy for an entire season.

Peter Konz is the best center prospect in this draft and would be a great fit for the Bears.

19) Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram is a fantastic defensive end who doesn't have a ton of size but his strength and athleticism allows him to be an effective pass rusher.

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

Luke Kuechly was a standout player on a bad Boston College Eagles team this season, and he is a very smart linebacker who will really help the Dallas Cowboys defense get younger and more skilled.

21) Detroit Lions (9-5): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Detroit Lions need to keep building their defense, and Zach Brown would be able to give their linebacking depth more young talent. He has good speed and is able to stop the run and rush the passer effectively.

22) New York Jets (8-6): Devin DeCastro, OT, Stanford

The Jets have had offensive line issues many times this season, and injuries have caused a need in this area of the offense.

Devin DeCastro is one of the best interior linemen in this draft and has the ability to be a great NFL player.

Guards like New England Patriots star Logan Mankins have been found in the mid to late first round in recent drafts, and the Jets would be foolish not to take DeCastro at pick No. 22.

He is a steal at this point in the draft.

23) Denver Broncos (8-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Taking Alshon Jeffery here might be a bit of a risk, but the Denver Broncos need a playmaking wide receiver who can make quarterback Tim Tebow's life easier on offense.

Jeffery has a lot of size and can make spectacular catches. He has a ton of talent and the Broncos must consider taking him with their first-round pick.

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

Mark Barron is one of the best safeties in the college football and with all the injuries that have decimated the New York Giants secondary this season, they must consider taking the Crimson Tide star.

25) Houston Texans (10-5): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

With the injuries to Mario Williams over the past two seasons, the Houston Texans could really use another star player who can rush the quarterback.

Fletcher Cox is a versatile player who can demand double teams and make life easier for the defensive ends and linebackers around him.

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

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had injury issues on the offensive line this season, and Cordy Glenn of Georgia could give Pittsburgh a massive pass blocker at guard and help keep quarterback Ben Roethlisberger standing upright in the pocket.

27) Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta Falcons, who are 9-5): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Cleveland Browns defense needs help in the front seven, and Dont'a Hightower from Alabama is a highly skilled player who brings a lot of size and athleticism to a Browns defense badly needing defensive playmakers.

28) New England Patriots (From New Orleans Saints, who are 11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick needs someone who can rush the passer to help his worst-ranked NFL passing defense, and Courtney Upshaw of Alabama can step onto the team and contribute from day one. 

29) Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco really needs another weapon on offense, and Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright would be a good fit in the Ravens offense with his speed and quickness.

30) San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith could use another wide receiver who he can depend on when the running game isn't doing well, and Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers would be a good fit in their offense because of his exceptional speed. 

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

As I mentioned before, the Patriots need defensive players who can rush the quarterback. Nick Perry from USC has good speed and will get after the quarterback so the Patriots secondary doesn't have to cover wide receivers for too long.

32) Green Bay Packers (13-1): Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

The Green Bay Packers have the second worst passing defense in the NFL and need players who can cover at the linebacker position, and Marshall LB Vinny Curry can do that for them.