2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Fix Major Flaws in 1st Round

There are 32 teams in the NFL, and none of them can be described as being totally flawless. The best teams can hope for is to have fewer flaws than others.

The best way for a given team to address the flaws it does have is to draft the right players. The Green Bay Packers are a walking testament to what good drafting can do for a franchise, and there are several other franchises that have built a foundation for success via the draft.

Generally speaking, this starts with a team filling its biggest needs. All 32 teams are going to look to do this in the 2012 draft, and some of them are going to succeed in filling major needs.

And when I say "major," I mean major. 

To give you an idea, let's take a look at my latest NFL mock draft.

Note: draft order is a combination of current record and projections.

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

Ho-hum. I've been mocking Andrew Luck to the Colts for months, and I'm not about to stop now. The Colts could not ask for a better guy to take over for Peyton Manning when the time comes (and it could come very soon). Luck is legit, and he has a bright future ahead of him.

But since the Colts could easily bring Manning back, I'm not about to say that they will be fixing a major flaw if they pick Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State*

If you're jonesing for an example of what I mean when I say a "major flaw," here you go. The Rams desperately need some talent at the wide receiver position, and they can get some early on in the draft.

I've been going with South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery in this spot, but I'm switching my pick up to Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon for a couple reasons.

First and foremost, the Rams can ill afford to pick a player with bust potential, and I think Jeffery does have some. Blackmon, on the other, is as sure a thing as there is in this draft class. He'll be rock solid from the start.

Secondly, Blackmon would mesh well with Sam Bradford. Blackmon will get open and present Bradford with an easy target every time he drops back to pass. That's what Bradford needs more than anything right now.

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

The Vikings cut Bryant McKinnie for being too fat in August, and Charlie Johnson hasn't been much of a solution in McKinnie's stead. The Vikings need an upgrade at left tackle.

To this end, Matt Kalil will be nothing short of a godsend. He's an elite tackle prospect, one who will keep Christian Ponder's blind side safe for years to come.

He won't be in the draft, but Matt Barkley will vouch for Kalil's talent. Kalil kept Barkley safe for three years at USC, and it's time for him to cash in.

The Vikings will be happy to oblige him.

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

I fully expect the Browns to wave goodbye to Peyton Hillis after the season. After they do, Trent Richardson will be too good to pass up in the draft. He's an outstanding running back, and he projects as a star in the pros.

But since the Browns will have options as far as their running backs go, they wouldn't be filling a major need.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina*

In the words of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson, Jacksonville's receivers are "[f--king] jokes."

The best way for the Jags to address that criticism is by drafting one, and Alshon Jeffery will be the best player available.

I'm actually of the mind that Justin Blackmon would be a better fit for the Jags, but Jeffery isn't exactly chopped liver. He's big and he's athletic, and nobody is going to beat him in a jump-ball situation.

He's a lot like Calvin Johnson in that regard. That idea should please Blaine Gabbert.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers are going to have some decisions to make with their cornerbacks, as Ronde Barber is old and a free agent and Aqib Talib is dealing with some serious legal issues. They can save themselves a lot of trouble by drafting Morris Claiborne. That will give them a young stud to build around, which if nothing else is one less thing to worry about.

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor*

I've said it before, I'll say it again: The Redskins are one quarterback short of having a contending team.

The Redskins may very well be all alone in the race to grab Robert Griffin III after Andrew Luck is drafted, and I don't think they're going to have any trouble getting him. He'll be there for the taking, and the Redskins would be fools to pass on him.

In RG3, the Redskins would be getting a quarterback who brings all sorts of things to the table. It's all well and good that he is a Heisman Trophy winner, but the Redskins would be drafting him primarily for his pinpoint accuracy and well-above-average mobility.

By now, you've no doubt heard about the comparisons to Cam Newton. Personally, I think RG3 could be better than Newton.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins would have drafted Matt Barkley here, but that's no longer an option. They'll look to further bolster their offensive line a year after drafting Mike Pouncey in the first round, and Riley Reiff would be too good to pass up here.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Panthers are all set at the quarterback position, but they have plenty of holes everywhere else. Since none of them are particularly glaring, the Panthers can afford to take the best player available, and Dre Kirkpatrick would fit the bill. He's a corner who could help them keep up in the pass-happy NFC South.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Bills scored with Marcell Dareus, but their front seven could use some help in the linebacking corps. I figured they were going to get Von Miller in 2011, and in 2012 I think they could get this year's version of Von Miller, Zach Brown. He's an outstanding athlete, and he could step in right away and make a difference.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need an upgrade at right tackle, and Jonathan Martin would be a fine fit for the job. I wouldn't deem right tackle a major flaw, though, as Barry Richardson hasn't killed the Chiefs this year. Hurt them, yes, but not killed them.

12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

This would be a great place for the Cardinals to find some offensive line help, but they would have to reach. Instead, they may as well draft a proper partner in crime for Larry Fitzgerald, and Michael Floyd is almost too perfect. He has some character issues, but Fitzgerald would get him squared away.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College*

It's no secret that the Eagles need a solid presence at middle linebacker. The guys they've used this year are anything but solid.

I'm not positive he has star potential, but Luke Kuechly is nothing if not solid. He's a tackling machine, racking up a grand total of 191 of them in 2011.

Kuechly would be an immediate upgrade over the guys the Eagles currently have, and he would prove to be useful as far as solving their problems with their rush defense.

If the Eagles get that problem squared away, they'll be dangerous.

14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Seahawks are another team that could have gone for Matt Barkley, but they probably would have had to look elsewhere even if he hadn't gone back to school. With Tarvaris Jackson under center for at least one more year, the Seahawks will look to fill a secondary need, such as defensive end. Quinton Coples is the best DE on the board, and a steal at this spot.

15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

The Chargers need help at both tackle positions, but Cordy Glenn would help solidify their right tackle spot. He's done a little bit of everything at Georgia, but in San Diego all he would have to do is keep Philip Rivers safe. The question is who will be coaching him?

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Gabe Carimi was a good pick in the 2011 draft, but the Bears need another tackle. The best ones will be off the board, but the Bears could be excused if they reached for Mike Adams. He could start opposite Carimi, and the two of them would keep Jay Cutler much healthier.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

I'm of the mind that the Titans are a couple pieces shy of being a perennial contender. One of their priorities is shoring up the interior of their offensive line, and David DeCastro would be a steal. He could step in and clear running lanes for Chris Johnson, and he would also keep Jake Locker safe.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Sean Lee is awesome and DeMarcus Ware is an absolute beast, but the Cowboys are going to need to add a body to their linebacking corps this offseason. Courtney Upshaw will be coming from an excellent Alabama defense, and he could team with Ware to give the Cowboys a truly elite pass rush.

19. New York Jets (8-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina*

As good as the Jets defense is, it's not perfect. What it could use more than anything else is a pass-rusher and a playmaker.

Melvin Ingram is both, and he could be transformed into an outside linebacker at the next level. After all, he started his South Carolina career as a linebacker, and he still has the physical tools to handle linebacking duties.

Ingram has done everything Steve Spurrier has asked him to, and he could do the same for Rex Ryan. He's a tremendous athlete, but he also boasts an uncanny knack to be right in the middle of everything. 

The Jets don't have one of those in their front seven. They need to change that.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson is a free agent at the end of the season, and the last thing the Bengals want to do is pay big bucks to bring him back. If they go into the draft looking for a running back, Lamar Miller will be too perfect at this spot. Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Miller would make quite the trio.

21. New York Giants (8-7): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Giants would probably love to draft a top-tier offensive lineman at this spot, but pickings will be slim. They would be better off patching their linebacking corps, and Dont'a Hightower would be the best option. He's another guy who will be coming from Alabama's great defense, and he has the goods to be a solid middle linebacker for many years.

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State*

Given their needs, I figured the Broncos were going to draft Marcell Dareus with the No. 2 overall pick, but they went for Von Miller instead. Thankfully, that pick has worked out just fine.

But because the Broncos did pick Miller, defensive tackle remains an area of weakness. If he's still on the board, the Broncos would be wise to pick Penn State's Devon Still.

At 6'5" and about 310 pounds, Still is a big dude. At the next level, he'll require the full attention of a given offensive line, which will open up holes for Von Miller and Denver's pass-rushers. He also has more than enough ability to bully his way into the backfield for tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

With Still in the mix, Denver's front seven would go from being solid to being dangerous. Playing the Broncos wouldn't be very fun.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Bengals are pretty solid on defense, but they need to find a long-term replacement for Jonathan Joseph. Alfonzo Dennard would be ideal here. He's on the smaller side (5'9"), but he's feisty and aggressive. He'll be able to compete at the next level.

24. Detroit Lions (10-5): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions will be adding another guy with questionable character to their defense if they draft Janoris Jenkins, but they could use a talented cornerback. Their secondary is decent, but it needs to be great if they plan on hanging with the Green Bay Packers in coming seasons.

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

At full strength, the Texans might just be the best team in the NFL. One thing they could use, though, is a home run threat to take some pressure off of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright has made a name for himself as RG3's home run threat, making him a good reach pick here.

26. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*

I admit, it's pretty weird to indicate that the middle linebacker position on the Ravens is a major flaw. They have a future Hall of Famer manning that position in Ray Lewis.

But the time is now to find a replacement for Lewis. His career is winding to a close, so finding a youngster for him to groom as his successor is imperative.

It's hard to think of a better player than Vontaze Burfict. He has tons of talent, but he's a bit of a loose cannon. He let his mean streak get the better of him this season, and Dennis Erickson finally ran out of patience late in the season.

Assuming he's up for it, Lewis could set Burfict straight. By the time Burfict is ready to take over, he would be a star waiting to explode.

27. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

I'm all for giving Colt McCoy more time to develop, but the Browns need a fallback option in case McCoy struggles or gets hurt. If Landry Jones is still on the board at this spot, he would be a steal. He has work to do, but he's not lacking in ability.

28. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

I've had the 49ers going for a wide receiver in recent mocks, but they're probably better off trying their luck with a free agent (i.e. DeSean Jackson). So instead, they should make their defense even stronger by drafting a stud corner. Stephon Gilmore would be the best option, and he can be used on special teams too if need be.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Offensive line help would be ideal here, but it's a little late in the draft for top prospects. The Steelers would be better off looking to fill another need, and one of those is an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton. Dontari Poe would be the best nose tackle available, and a steal given the Steelers' needs.

30. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE, Wisconsin

The Patriots have been able to survive having a subpar defense this season, but they don't want to risk trying it again next season. They need help on their defensive line, and Jared Crick is a guy Bill Belichick could fit into any scheme. That's a good thing seeing as how the Pats are going to have to choose between the 4-3 and the 3-4.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State*

Upgrading their defensive line is going to be a priority, but the Pats' primary concern going into the draft should be upgrading their secondary. It's gotten better as the season has gone along, but that doesn't change the fact that it is very weak.

A stud corner would be ideal, but there won't be any available at this spot. However, there will be a couple of safeties worth taking, and Markelle Martin would be a good pickup.

Martin still has room to grow, but he's already good at reading quarterbacks and anticipating routes. If the Patriots add him to their secondary, you'll see fewer big passing plays against them.

Adding Martin wouldn't give the Pats the league's No. 1 pass defense, mind you. It would, however, even things out a little.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers have been able to hide their weak rushing attack this season, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't upgrade it. Washington's Chris Polk is one of the most underrated players in the 2012 draft class, and he's versatile enough to fit right in with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense.