2012 NFL Mock Draft: Ranking Matt Kalil and the Draft's Top Road Graders

USC left tackle Matt Kalil announced earlier this month that he will enter the 2012 NFL draft (as told here by ESPN), a decision that should make him the first offensive lineman picked next April. 

Who comes off the board following Kalil?

The following players figure to be the top offensive linemen in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Matt Kalil, USC

We've already stated that Kalil is likely to be the first offensive lineman picked. It's possible that he could even be a top-three or top-five pick. You just don't see many athletic left tackles with the tremendous upside that Kalil possesses.

Remember, 2011 first-round pick Tyron Smith was playing on the right side at USC because of Kalil. He may need to get stronger at the next level to be dominant, however. 

Riley Reiff, Iowa

Reiff should be the next offensive tackle in a long list of high picks at that position from Iowa. He is equally solid in pass protection and run blocking, but not dominant in either.

Reiff will remind a lot of people of 2010 first-round pick Bryan Bulaga.

David DeCastro, Stanford

Some draft analysts have DeCastro in their top 20 players, but guards rarely get picked that high. Still, DeCastro has had an eye-opening season at Stanford and should be a first-round pick in April.  

Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Martin is the epitome of a road-grading left tackle. He has been a dominant run blocker on the left side of the line this season. He'll need to improve his technique and power in the NFL to get better in pass protection, and lacking in that area will likely see his stock drop to the middle of the first round. 

Barrett Jones, Alabama

Few tackles have improved their draft stock as much as Jones has during this college football season. His strength lies in run blocking, but he's shown vast improvements in the passing game.

Jones also has experience playing guard. He'll have to decide if he wants to declare for the NFL draft after the national championship game. 

Cordy Glenn, Georgia

After a disappointing start to the season against Boise State, Glenn has been one of the more dominant offensive lineman in college football.

He could be a top-40 pick. However, Glenn might be better served returning to school. He could be a top offensive line prospect with another good year in 2012. 

Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a long history of developing offensive lineman, but Zeitler still might skate under the radar. He is a mauler in the run game and has shown more athletic ability than most guards in the 2012 class.  

Peter Konz, Wisconsin

In a weak class for centers, Konz looks like the front-runner to be the first picked. He and Zeitler fared very well against the likes of Jerel Worthy, Jared Crick and Davon Still during the Big Ten season.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	17. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
2. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	18. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	20. Dallas Cowboys: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	21. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)	22. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
7. Miami Dolphins: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	23. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
8. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	24. Denver Broncos:Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
10. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	26. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
11. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	27. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
12. San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
15. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
16. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)