"Bowl Season Kick-Off" 2012 Mock Draft (1st round)

This is the first round of my revised 2012 mock draft. The draft order is the one that has been posted on this site by Dan Kadar.

1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford Do I even need to explain this pick? The only reason the Colts win is because of Manning. Unfortunately, he is getting older and will be especially vulnerable to injury in the coming years so it is definitely time to find his replacement. It couldn't have come at a better time either because Andrew Luck is considered the top quarterback prospect since Manning.

2. St. Louis Rams - Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, Southern California The Rams have struggled in almost every position this year. They could easily go cornerback or receiver with this pick, but they need to rally their team around Sam Bradford. If Bradford is not playing because of injury, that's kind of hard to do. Matt Kalil is the best offensive tackle prospect since Jake Long and might be the most surefire player in the draft to have a great pro career. Give Bradford time in the pocket, good things will happen.

3. Minnesota Vikings - Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU Claiborne does not posses the pure athleticism and cover skills that his predecessor Patrick Peterson has, but he is certainly a top 5 worthy pick. The Vikings secondary is pretty old and has performed like the 26th ranked pass defense. A young player with limitless upside would provide a key piece to the Vikings which is a team entering the rebuilding process.

4. Carolina Panthers - Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State Steve Smith is putting together an amazing season, but he is getting older. If Cam Newton is to succeed in the future, he needs a young receiver with whom he can grow as a player. Blackmon is far and away the best receiver in the draft and is one of the best receiver of the 2000s so far. He is dangerous everywhere on the field and if he can fix his fumbling issue, he is destined to be a pro bowler in the NFL.

5. Washington Redskins - Matt Barkley, Quarterback, Southern California Washington needs to do some major rebuilding through the draft and free agency if they want to compete in a division that has some of the best talent around the NFL. It all starts with the quarterback and Barkley is a true talent. He finished the season stronger than any other player in college football and could have success if put into the right scheme in the NFL. He can make all of the throws and is dead accurate. He does not have the mobility of RG3, but that also means he is not as prone to injury...something a team like the Redskins cannot afford.

6. Cleveland Browns - Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor The Colt McCoy experiment has not panned out the way Cleveland fans had hoped. You just have to keep in mind, however, that he was a third round pick. He may have been a legendary college player, but that does not mean he will translate those accolades to the professional level. Having a QB like RG3 would propel this team to a place it has not been in a while. Griffin shown this year that he is the most efficient quarterback in college football. Having a player who automatically makes the Browns a contender, and a backup that many teams would be thankful to start, is the first ingredient in the recipe for success.

7. Miami Dolphins - Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford Unless the Dolphins trade up, I believe that they will wait until the second round to draft a quarterback. Their offensive line has played poorly with the exception of Jake Long. Getting another top-tier tackle to play on the right side would not only protect whatever QB may be playing in South Beach for years to come, but will also significantly help the Phins developing running game.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dwight Jones, Wide Receiver, North Carolina The Jag's have one of the worst receiving corps' that I've ever seen. Many people want them to go QB here, but it is unfair to judge Gabbert this year because not only did he enter the league during a lockout with limited training time, but he has NO ONE to throw to. Mercedes Lewis is the leading receiver with less than 500 yards, which is unacceptable. Dwight Jones is ranked ahead of Alshon Jeffery on my board because they both bring similar things to the table, but Jones is more refined, is faster, and runs better routes. Having a big playmaking receiver like Jones would give the Jags a weapon that would make their passing game much less laughable.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama The Bucs biggest position of need is cornerback. Ronde Barber is old and aside from Aqib Talib, there is no depth at the position. Dre Kirkpatrick is a very good cover corner who can deliver a blow. Being a starting cornerback in the SEC is the closest thing to being one in the NFL. Having a good all around corner like Kirk will surely improve the Bucs underwhelming secondary.

10. Kansas City Chiefs - Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa The Chiefs have a major problem at the tackle position. They released Jared Gaither and have no depth to take his place. They need to draft a young, powerful tackle who will clear some lanes for Jamaal Charles and block for whoever the QB is there next year. Reiff is considered by some to be more developed than Jonathan Martin, but he is a bit light for a tackle so that is what keeps him the third ranked OT in this mock. Having a good weigh in at the combine could move him up a few spots, however.

11. Philadelphia Eagles - Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Boston College I know the Eagles don't like drafting linebackers in the first round, but Kuechly might be too perfect to pass on. If they can get just one big time run stuffing stud in their linebacking core, the Eagles defense would improve by a lot. Kuechly is a tackle machine, racking up 191 total tackles this season and coming just shy of the career mark. He has great lateral movement and his insanely high motor allows him to get to the ball carrier no matter what obstacle may lay in his way.

12. Buffalo Bills - Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina Jeffery may have hurt his stock more than anyone this season, so it is amazing that he is still a first round pick. What will put him in this position is solely his athleticism and his career stats. He is not fast whatsoever, but he is a true deep threat who can improve a receiving core as long as he has someone who can throw him a catchable ball.

13. Arizona Cardinals - David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford DeCastro is arguably the second best offensive lineman in this draft, but there is a lower need for interior linemen in the first round nowadays. The Cardinals, however, have problems all around their offensive line and having a superb run blocker who can pave the way for budding running back Chris Wells along with a pass blocker for the developmental Kevin Kolb could actually make this team a playoff contender in a weak division.

14. Seattle Seahawks - Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
The Seahawks are a team on the rise, and if they can figure out their QB situation, they can really be a good team. I don't think Zach Brown can play QB, but he is the best player available who also fills a need. The hawks run a very strange defensive scheme that combines the 34 and 4-3 defenses. Having a guy like Brown who can play in both is a major boost.

15. San Diego Chargers - Courtney Upshaw, 34 OLB, Alabama Upshaw is a player whom you don't see very often. He can play any linebacker position a team asks of him, in any scheme, and also play defensive end. He can be explosive at times, but he is just a solid all around player. The Chargers linebacking core is getting old and having a guy who can become a starter in a year or maybe immediately is great, especially when you have someone like Shaun Phillips opposite him.

16. Dallas Cowboys - Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama/Florida Jenkins is a quandary. He possesses top 10 skills, but his attitude and off the field history moves him back a few spots. The Cowboys have had the most unsure and inconsistent secondary over the past couple of years. Janoris Jenkins could finally sure up the #2 or maybe even #1 spot in time and make this team a better contender than they already are.

17. Tennessee Titans - Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska
Dennard is another guy who finished his final season on the right foot. He shut down Marvin McNutt and has been on the rise. I was going to mock Trent Richardson here because of the Titans unsure situation with Chris Johnson, but then I read Cortland Finnegan's comments on whether he will be back next year. He said that him and the Titans are very far apart in contract talks and he will probably be on another team next season. Dennard is a guy who can step in and fill that #1 role immediately. He is not superb in any one aspect, but his instincts, fundamentals, and skill set are exactly what teams look for in draftees.

18. New York Giants - Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama
Trent Richardson falls pretty far in my draft. He is ranked #6 on my big board, but a combination of a low desire to draft running backs early and teams that aren't really looking for one, he falls pretty far. The G Men luck out grab him. Ahmad Bradshaw has not had a great year, but you have to cut him some slack for being injured. Brandon Jacobs is washed up though. He is no longer a reliable back. The Giants have the 32nd ranked rushing attack. Having a player as exciting and prospective as Trent Richardson could finally give this team that missing puzzle piece to propel them back into Super Bowl contention.

19. Chicago Bears - Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
I debated giving da Bears Coples, but then I realized, "Hey, you've got Jay Cutler at quarterback, but he has no true #1 receiver to throw to".Michael Floyd would finally fill that need and improve an offense that is missing some pieces. Matt Forte is relied on in the receiving game, but his situation in unclear and he may not be back next year. Johnny Knox is good, but he is not a true #1. Michael Floyd has been the best offensive player on Notre Dame for the past couple of years and provides a big bodied, number 1 receiver for Jay Cutler.
20. Cincinnati Bengals - Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina
It's not the biggest position of need, but at this point, Coples is the best value in the draft. Once considered a top 3 pick, Coples dropped off a bit after a lack luster season. However, he has still shown he can produce. He fought off a ton of double teams and made an impact. Coples would improve an already very good defense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami
Miller is a very talented running back who can step in and fill an aging and declining Cedric Benson's shoes. Miller has not taken a beating as he is only a sophomore, and he has everything you could want in a running back, minus the blocking skills.

22. Cleveland Browns - Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois
The Browns need an explosive pass rusher opposite Jabaal Sheard. Mercilus put together a great season and is without a doubt a first round pick.

23. New York Jets - Barrett Jones, Offensive Guard/Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Jets have had poor play from their right tackle, Wayne Hunter, all year. He is not meant to be a starter, but the Jets can't sit him because they have no depth behind him. Barrett Jones had lit up defenders this year and is a great offensive line prospect. Maybe he can help with the development of Sanchez and the rebirth of the Ground n Pound.

24. Denver Broncos - David Wilson, Running Back, Virginia Tech
David Wilson is a great running back who draws comparisons to Walter Payton. Willis McGahee is turning 32 next season and there is no other starting caliber running back on a team that has rushed over 50 times in a game twice this season.

25. Detroit Lions - Peter Konz, Offensive Center, Wisconsin
The Center position has been the weakest link on the Lions offensive line this year. Having a great player like Konz who comes out of Lineman U would help keep Stafford off of IR and would also help Mikel Leshoure/Kevin Smith have an easier time pounding the rock.

26. New England Patriots - Chase Minnifield, Cornerback, Virginia
Behind a struggling Devon McCourty, there is little depth for the Patriots at cornerback. Minnifield is a good cover corner who played great all year except for the game against Virgnia Tech.

27. San Francisco 49ers - Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
The 49ers have done a poor job in the pass blocking department and having a big fatty like Adams solidifying the right side would drastically improve what is without a doubt the most boring offense in the league.

28. New England Patriots - Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama
Yet another Alabama player drafted. The Pats biggest position of need is Safety and Barron is a starting caliber safety. He is good in pass protection, but excels against the run. The Pats have the worst defense in the league and having a threat that can play deep or in the box would sure fill some holes.

29. Houston Texans - Alameda Ta’amu, Nose Tackle, Washington
Ta'amu is projected by some to be a 4-3 defensive tackle, and other see him as a 34 nose. The reality is, he is both. He is not a true defensive tackle or nose guard, but isn't that exactly what Wade Phillips wants? Isn't that what he did with Jay Ratliff in Dallas? Seems like a perfect fit to me.

30. Baltimore Ravens - Dont’a Hightower, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
Yet ANOTHER Bama player in round one! Hightower isn't a perfect linebacker, but he is a great prospect with a high ceiling. He has drawn a ton of comparisons to Ray Lewis so this may end up being a dream pickup for the Ravens.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
Ziggy Hood is looking a bit like a bust, Aaron Smith will likely retire, and Brett Kiesel is aging. Devon Still is a great fit as a 34 defensive end who can plug up a gap and rush the passer when needed. When don't the Steelers go defense?

32. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Jenkins, 34 OLB, Florida State Brandon Jenkins had a down year, but there is no denying he has pass rushing talent. Having him lined up across from Clay Matthews could be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.