Latest 2012 NFL Mock draft

updated on Dec 19, 2011 5:53 PM EST

1. Indianapolis Colts - Stampede Blue

Andrew Luck | Quarterback | Stanford: It looks certain now that Peyton Manning is done with the Colts. Even if he were coming back, Luck would have been the pick. Now it will be a matter of figuring out how quickly Luck can be good in the NFL.

2. St. Louis Rams - Turf Show Times

Ryan Kalil | Offensive tackle | Southern California: The Rams will be taking several phone calls to trade out of this pick. While adding picks would be nice for the Rams, having a franchise left tackle is the most important piece this team can add. If the Rams trade down to a team wanting Robert Griffin III, they won't be able to get a player as good as Kalil. That's what the Rams will be choosing between. If they want Sam Bradford to develop, they need Kalil more than anything else. He would start at left tackle with Rodger Saffold shifting to the right side.

3. Minnesota Vikings - Daily Norseman

Morris Claiborne | Cornerback | LSU: The Vikings are currently 30th in the league in pass defense and starting Benny Sapp and Cedric Griffin on the outside. Claiborne isn't as good as previous top 10 cornerbacks Patrick Peterson or Joe Haden but he'd start as a rookie and upgrade a poor unit. With Christian Ponder in place, this should be another pick that is shopped around to a team looking to draft a quarterback.

4. Cleveland Browns - Dawgs By Nature

Robert Griffin III | Quarterback | Baylor: Colt McCoy has struggled greatly at quarterback, but Brown president Mike Holmgren has said it takes three years to master the West Coast offense. But with Griffin available, the Browns would likely grab him. It's hard to see the Browns trading up for him, however.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bucs Nation

Trent Richardson | Running back| Alabama: Tampa's pick is difficult because they've hired a new head coach in Greg Schiano. How he changes their philosophy on offense and defense will determine how they draft. We know Schiano wants to be physical on offense. We don't know if he's committed to LeGarette Blount at running back. Blount had a down year and the team struggled running the ball overall. By Adding Richardson, who is used to a duo role, the Buccaneers could immediately transform their offense and rely less on the arm of Josh Freeman. Cornerback is a strong possibility as well.

6. Washington Redskins - Hogs Haven

Riley Reiff | Offensive tackle | Iowa: Despite what some may say, this is far too early to draft Ryan Tannehill if Luck and Griffin are both gone. The Redskins could be players in a trade up for Griffin or a trade down to get Tannehill. But if they don't trade out, picking Reiff makes sense. He could pair with Trent Williams and provide the Redskins with a great offensive line for whoever ends up being the quarterback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Big Cat Country

Quinton Coples | Defensive end | North Carolina: The Jaguars have a serious need at wide receiver and cornerback, as well as defensive end. But with the top cornerbacks gone and the depth at wide receiver this year, Coples should be the choice. He had a very good Senior Bowl week and his stock is back where we expected all year. A pass rusher like Coples won't be around in later rounds, but a No. 1 wide receiver may be had in round two this year.

8. Carolina Panthers - Cat Scratch Reader

Dre Kirkpatrick | CB | Alabama: The popular move in mock drafts has been giving the Panthers a defensive tackle. Given their poor run defense, it makes sense. But the Panthers have desperately needed a cornerback opposite Chris Gamble for a while. Kirkpatrick is a big corner who can tackle.

9. Miami Dolphins - The Phinsider

Jonathan Martin | Stanford | Stanford: With both Marc Colombo and Vernon Carey as free agents, the Dolphins could be reshaping the right side of their offensive line this season. Martin could easily slide into the right tackle spot and start as a rookie.

10. Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings

Courtney Upshaw | Defensive end/outside linebacker | Alabama: Buffalo is switching back to the 4-3 and will need to fill the ever-important right defensive end position. Upshaw has a nice combination of quickness and power to rush the passer. At Alabama, Upshaw largely played linebacker, but he has some reps with his hand in the ground. For the Bills, he would allow the team to run some 3-4 looks.

11. Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride

David DeCastro | Guard | Stanford: This is not too early for a guard when there is one as good as DeCastro. The Chiefs have needs in a couple spots on their offensive line, and DeCastro is the best lineman available. Don't be shocked if he got looks at right tackle. DeCastro is that good. Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams may also get some consideration.

12. Seattle Seahawks - Field Gulls

Justin Blackmon | Wide receiver | Oklahoma State: How does a player like Justin Blackmon fall quite this far in the draft? To a degree it's scheme fit and it's also the depth at the position. Blackmon is a good player, but not an elite A.J. Green or Julio Jones kind of receiver. The Seahawks have depth at wide receiver and made a big-money free agent signing last year in Sidney Rice. But Blackmon would step in and be the best receiver on their team.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Revenge Of The Birds

Mike Adams| Offensive tackle | Ohio State: Adams had a good Senior Bowl week which will help rebuild his draft stock after missing some of his senior season due to suspension at Ohio State. Adams is a natural left tackle, which would push Levi Brown to the right side, which is where he should have been all along. If the Cardinals want to get the most out of Kevin Kolb, a sound offensive is a must.

14. Dallas Cowboys - Blogging The Boys

Janoris Jenkins | Cornerback | North Alabama: If there is one sure thing in this year's draft, it's that the Cowboys will come out of it with at least one starting defensive back. This is a little early for Jenkins and there is concern some about his character after he left Florida following drug issues. But he's a starting-caliber cornerback who is excellent at making plays on the ball.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Bleeding Green Nation

Luke Kuechly | Middle linebacker | Boston College: What Philadelphia does in the first round will be determined in part by what happens with Desean Jackson in free agency. If he's gone, wide receiver is the team's top need. If he returns, the focus can be on improving the defense. Kuechly could contribute immediately and improve the players around him.

16. New York Jets - Gang Green Nation

Melvin Ingram | Defensive end/outside linebacker| South Carolina: Rex Ryan loves pass rushers and his best pass rusher, Calvin Pace, is 31 and only had 4.5 sacks this season. Aaron Maybin is a nice story, but he's a restricted free agent and his consistency is a complete unknown. Ingram is the kind of pass rusher who could play outside at linebacker, line up at end or be used as a tackle in nickel sets.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders) - Cincy Jungle

Stephon Gilmore | Cornerback | South Carolina: The Bengals struggled to find a good replacement for Jonathan Joseph this season and Gilmore is a good replacement. He's a big cornerback with good quickness and tackling ability.

18. San Diego Chargers - Bolts From The Blue

Dont'a Hightower | Middle linebacker | Alabama: At 36, the future is unknown for Takeo Spikes. With the best pass rushers and offensive linemen off the board, Hightower would be a nice pickup for the Chargers. He's a stout run defender in the middle but also has the versatility to rush the passer from the outside.

19. Chicago Bears - Windy City Gridiron

Michael Floyd | Wide receiver | Notre Dame: There are some teams whose needs are so evident they're impossible to ignore. For the Bears, it's been wide receiver for about three years. Floyd really blossomed as a senior, despite having similar production of past seasons. He's a much leaner and quicker wide receiver while still retaining his strength. Floyd may not even last this long in the draft, but he's here now and would be a steal for the Bears.

20. Tennessee Titans - Music City Miracles

Whitney Mercilus | Defensive end| Illinois: Only one team had fewer sacks this season than the Titans. Mercilus would give them the player who can get after the passer and stay at home against the run. Also look for the Titans to consider a cornerback, especially if Cortland Finnegan doesn't return.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Cincy Jungle

Lamar Miller | Running back | Miami: Cedric Benson's production has dropped and he's averaged less than four yards per carry the last two seasons. He's also 28. His backup Bernard Scott has never shown the ability to take over the top spot. Miller, who is entering the draft following his redshirt sophomore year, could start for the Bengals for years. He's quick and has great cut and burst ability.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons) - Dawgs By Nature

Kendall Wright | Wide receiver | Baylor: The idea of having Griffin and Wright paired in the NFL is an exciting one. Wright would give the team a good vertical threat and push Mohamed Massaquoi to the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, where he is much better suited. The Browns have seen first hand what a speed receiver like Mike Wallace of the Steelers and Torrey Smith of the Ravens can do. It's time they have a player like that of their own.

23. Detroit Lions - Pride Of Detroit

Cordy Glenn | Offensive tackle/guard | Georgia: Cordy Glenn has been a popular pick for the Lions because of his versatility. He'd be able to play any guard or tackle spot and give them Lions some power up front. Wisconsin center Peter Konz is a possibility, but the Lions may give team captain Dominic Railola another season. Cornerback will be a strong possibility if someone drops.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Behind the Steel Curtain

Kelechi Osemele | Offensive tackle/guard | Iowa State: As much as the Steelers may need a replacement nose tackle for Casey Hampton, the team can no longer overlook their need on the offensive line. Osemele is a mammoth, physical blocker who has some versatility. He'd infuse the team's offensive line with power and size.

25. Denver Broncos - Mile High Report

Devon Still | Defensive tackle | Penn State: This offseason Denver will want to add talent around Tim Tebow, but needs along the defensive line are just as dire. Still is a better all-around tackle than Michael Brockers and should be able to contribute sooner in the NFL.

26. Houston Texans - Battle Red Blog

Dontari Poe | Defensive tackle | Memphis: The Wade Phillips defense has never really been built around nose tackle, but imagine what a guru like him could do with a player like Poe. Arguably the best nose eligible for the draft, Poe is a hulking figure up front who can occupy blockers and collapse the line. He'd take some pressure of ends J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, which will allow Houston's linebackers to make even more plays. The biggest beneficiaries of playing with someone like Poe will be Houston's inside linebackers.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints) - Pats Pulpit

Michael Brockers | Defensive tackle | LSU: New England has openings on all levels of their defense. Because of that, they'll easily be able to draft the best player available. In this scenario, it's far and away Brockers. In 3-4 sets he's athletic enough for end and should hold up well as a tackle in a 4-3.

28. Green Bay Packers - Acme Packing Company

Fletcher Cox | Defensive tackle/end | Mississippi State: The Packers need to get more of a pass rush next season and that can start up front with Cox. He's strong enough to set the edge but has enough fluidity and athleticism to rush the passer. If not Cox or another defensive end, the Packers could target an outside linebacker or tight end if Jermichael Finley isn't brought back.

29. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore Beatdown

Peter Konz | Center | Wisconsin: What Baltimore really needs is a true franchise left tackle, which they haven't really had since Jonathan Ogden retired. Unfortunately drafting in the back end of the first round greatly hurts the team's chances to do that. At center, Matt Birk is considering retirement and Andre Gurode is a free agent. Vontaze Burfict doesn't make sense from a on-field football intelligence standpoint.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Niners Nation

Alshon Jeffery | Wide receiver | South Carolina: Jeffery has slipped this far because of a lack of production this season and some worries about his separation skills. At this point, though, he's a big-time steal. Under Jim Harbaugh, he'd be forced to play hard, which there have been questions about with Jeffery. He's a top 10 talent, though, and could become a factor in the team's passing offense as a rookie.

31. New York Giants - Big Blue View

Dwight Jones | Wide receiver | North Carolina: There are a few methods the Giants follow in the draft. They don't reach for players, stay away from linebackers in the first round and put value on size and speed. With Mario Manningham facing free agency, the Giants could effortlessly replace him with Jones (and provide some insurance if Victor Cruz is a one-year wonder).

32. New England Patriots - Pats Pulpit

Chase Minnifield | Cornerback | Virginia: Year after year the Patriots seem to target defensive backs only to see them disappoint. While Minnifield's upside may not be as high as other cornerbacks, his bust factor is extremely low. He has the size to match up well with the bigger AFC East wide receivers like Stevie Johnson of the Bills and Brandon Marshall of the Dolphins, but enough quickness to not get beat over the top.