2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trade Scenarios That Will Shake Up First Round

What happens if the Indianapolis Colts don't win the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft?

All hell breaks loose.

It is far from certain that the Colts will draft Andrew Luck should they get a shot at him anyway, but, if they aren't No. 1 overall and somebody else trades up to that spot for Luck, no team needs to trade out more than Indianapolis.

There is also the matter of Matt Barkley's return to USC. The projected No. 2 quarterback leaves a big hole on draft boards, and now the remaining quarterbacks are in even higher demand than before.

Plain and simple, with one week to go in the NFL season anything can happen. And once the draft order is set, expect the unexpected.

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

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

If the Colts lose to the Jaguars in Week 17 they'll officially lock up the No. 1 pick. If they win, a number of scenarios could still play out, and all of them end with the most common theme: trade out.

Should Indianapolis choose to pass on Luck or sit in the No. 2 hole, they need trade out immediately. The biggest problem with that is there isn't a prospect that warrants the bounty that Luck would fetch if they fell to No. 2.

The Colts have a number of holes to fill on both sides of the ball and acquiring as many picks as possible is the best option if they don't want or don't get a shot at Luck.

If it is the No. 2 pick they earn (St. Louis plays San Fran and is likely going to lose), they have to hope someone is crazy enough to come up for a shot at Robert Griffin III.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Whether it be the USC tackle or LSU's Morris Claiborne, the Rams get better immediately with this pick. Selecting Kalil is the best option because he makes them better at two positions with Rodger Saffold moving to right tackle.

If they earn the No. 1 pick they'll easily be able to find a suitor for Luck. Miami, Washington and Cleveland make the most sense as early first teams looking to trade up for the Stanford signal-caller.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This team doesn't need to go anywhere. Whoever the Rams opt to pass on, Kalil or Claiborne, is an easy pick for the Vikes—best-available players both at positions of need.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This is the best-case scenario for Jacksonville, assuming they want to stick with Blaine Gabbert under center. Blackmon is the draft's top receiver and fills a huge need for the Jaguars.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

This is a bit of reach for Tampa Bay, but with Claiborne and Blackmon off the board, they quickly run out of options. Thus, this is an ideal spot to trade down.

The Bucs went from a 10-win team last year to at least an 11-loss team this year. There was little-to-no progress made across the board, and this defense has a huge hole at cornerback.

Kirkpatrick's body of work doesn't warrant a No. 5 pick, but his physical attributes, overall potential and the emphasis on need at the position could make it possible.

But Tampa Bay should be able to find a trade partner to help them move down. With both Trent Richardson and RGIII on the board and the Cleveland Browns on the clock next, the phone is expected to ring.

The Bucs can make something bigger of this No. 5 pick if they play it smart.

If Mo Claiborne falls to them, they draft him in a heartbeat.

6. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Drafting Trent Richardson is the Browns' most likely draft scenario with this pick. The things that happened this year at the running back position are far from acceptable, and he's the most complete back in this draft and does warrant top-10 consideration despite the recent drop in value at the position.

Along with a second first-round pick courtesy of Atlanta (who should really be Julio Jones in a Browns uniform) Cleveland can fill two immediate needs in the first round.

Or, they could put those picks together and make a run at Andrew Luck.

Colt McCoy has earned himself another shot at being the franchise quarterback in Cleveland, but McCoy will never be Andrew Luck.

If Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur have even a small doubt about McCoy, then they need to start working on a trade package now.

7. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This team and fan base were devastated by Matt Barkley's return to USC. The Dolphins could put something together to move up, or they can wait and see which QB falls.

There is a general feeling that Miami might not be too high on the Heisman Trophy winner, but getting a quarterback is their biggest need.

8. Washington Redskins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

And then we have Redskins. There is no team in the league that needs a top quarterback prospect more than Washington. Coach Mike Shanahan's job depends on it, and he has to find a way to make this work.

There is a lot of fuss about whether OU's Landry Jones is a legitimate first-round prospect right now, but his overall body of work, size and potential give him a strong case as a justified gamble.

With Luck and RG3 off the board, the Redskins have no choice if they can't trade up.

But that needs to be the case, and they need to move up the board. Whether it is for Luck or RG3 remains to be seen, but they cannot walk out of the first round without a quarterback prospect.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The best-available O-lineman allows them to shuffle things around and become a better unit immediately.

10. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Best-available defensive player for a defensive-minded coach.

11. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bills could choose to get in on the quarterback chase if they opt to sever ties with Ryan Fitzpatrick and that crazy contract (there is a way they can do it without taking a big cap hit too). If they keep him, then they need someone to protect him.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Big wide receiver prospect and touchdown machine. Great complement to speedsters already wearing green jerseys.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Best available defensive tackle with good versatility. Crazy Pete Carroll could do just about anything though.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Complete all-around cornerback prospect to eventually replace an aging Quentin Jammer.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

A bit of reach, Ingram has serious pass-0rushing potential and continues to move up draft boards. With Still off the board a few picks earlier, the Cardinals will look for the next best front-seven prospect they can find.

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Similar to St. Louis and Kansas City, the Bears get a player who makes them better at multiple positions at one time. Konz will allow Chris Spencer to stay at right guard and allows Roberto Garza to move back to left guard.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Potential-driven pick with a lot to learn. Burfict's tenacity and fire would be ideal in Tennessee's middle.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Speedy complement and/or replacement to Cedric Benson. Miller is one of the faster rising prospects in the draft.

Cincinnati has two first-round picks and will look for two difference makers.

19. New York Jets (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Gang Green always has to be a running team first because Mark Sanchez won't win throwing the football 59 times a game. DeCastro is draft's best interior O-lineman. 

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Instinctive linebacker to pair up with Sean Lee for the next decade. Helps ease Bradie James and Keith Brooking out of the lineup.

21. Detroit Lions (10-5): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Matt Stafford and the Lions are never going to be a running football team. That said, they cannot be hurt the way there were this year by injuries at the running back position.

Jahvid Best is a great talent, but an injury-ridden talent.

Wilson is another versatile back with big-play speed and great hands who will seamlessly fit in with the offense. He takes some of the burden off Best and can do similar things.

A bit of a reach but a necessary one for a team only a few players away from legitimately contending for the next few years.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The second of the Bengals' two picks, Jenkins is a playmaking cornerback with questionable character. The Bengals live in that vein.

23. Denver Broncos (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Big, versatile D-lineman who can play in any front. Cox will only help the Broncos get better against the run.

24. New York Giants (8-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Speedy linebacker prospect for a team that refuses to address its biggest needs. Brown will allow a slowing Michael Boley to potentially shift inside for his remaining years with Big Blue.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The draft's most complete safety prospect has good size, great body of work and potential to make this defense truly elite. He would join former college teammate Kareem Jackson in the secondary.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

A mountain of a man with great feet, Glenn can play guard or tackle for the Black and Yellow.

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

Boom or bust prospect with great size and potential to dominate. This is the pick that should've been Julio Jones. Instead they make the move one year late and with a lot less certainty.

This is assuming they don't trade up for Luck.

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

A Nick Saban front-seven prospect for Bill Belichick sounds rather easy.

29. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Potential replacement for Ray Lewis, Hightower is a nasty linebacker with great size for the position and a ton of experience.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Speedy receiver with potential to develop into a very dangerous all-around playmaker. Wright can get deep with his speed but can be better if he learns how to run routes.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Super-versatile player with size. He could honestly help the Patriots in the secondary and be one of the best young receivers at the same time. We've seen Belichick do it before, and it wouldn't surprise again.

As always, the Patriots are a threat to trade out in this scenario.

There is no telling where things will go on Day 2 of the draft, and if any team is looking to make a splash for a quarterback it would likely be for Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill. He still has a lot to learn, but he has great athleticism and leadership with the ability to make all the throws necessary to succeed.

If a team like Washington or Buffalo missed out or opted to go elsewhere the first time, around this is the spot we could see them jump up to.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers will sit tight and jump on the best-available player.