2012 NFL Mock Draft (willy): Round 1, 1-16, 2/11

For More Draft Coverage Check out Fanspeak’s Draft Blog, NFL Draft Page, and Steveo’s Mock Draft! 

Willy’s Mock Draft -: Round 1 (1-16), Round 1 (17-32), Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6

1. Indianapolis Colts– QB Andrew Luck, Stanford:        

-The Colts finally have their head coach, so now we know who will be popping the champagne for landing Andrew Luck come April. This pick will be one of the easiest in NFL Draft history.

2. St. Louis Rams– OT Matt Kalil, USC:

-This pick will be a prime target to trade up to, but if the Rams keep it the pick has to be Matt Kalil. Sam Bradford didn’t have a chance to succeed last year, and adding an elite LT will go a a long way to changing that.

3. Minnesota Vikings-  WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State:

-The Vikings need to come out of this first round with one of three things: an OT, WR or CB. Corners are rarely taken this high, and with Blackmon on the board it will be hard for Minnesota to pass him up. The injury to Adrian Peterson could make finding more playmakers on offense even a bigger priority.

4. Cleveland Browns- QB Robert Griffin, Baylor:     

-They might have to trade up for him, but I think Robert Griffin will be a Cleveland Brown next April. Due to the Julio Jones trade the Browns have the ammo to move up, without bankrupting their team. Cleveland also has the need for a top level signal caller.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– CB Morris Claiborne, LSU:

-The Buccaneers need to add some defensive back help, and landing Claiborne would be a huge boost to this team. He’s the top corner in the draft, and when you face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton a total of six times a year, it is impossible to have too many corners.

6. Washington Redskins- OT Riley Reiff, Iowa:

-The Redskins need to solidify their line, and if they can’t move up for a quarterback, or move back to stock pile picks then I think Reiff is their man. Adding a top level lineman will make everyone’s job easier on offense, and that is exactly what the Redskins need.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars– WR Kendall Wright, Baylor:     

-The Jags need to land a receiver early in this draft, and Wright is quickly working his way up draft boards. He’s a big play receiver, with excellent hands and should help stretch the field for Jacksonville.

8. Miami Dolphins- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama:

-The Dolphins could look at a pass rusher or running back here, but a top corner might be too much tto pass up. The Dolphins CB’s are mediocre at best, and that simply isn’t good enough when you play in Tom Brady‘s division.

9. Carolina Panthers– DT Michael Brockers, LSU:

-The Panthers are desperate for a defensive tackle, and Brockers inclusion in the draft is great chance for them to land that guy in top 10.

10. Buffalo Bills- DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina:        

-Even with the Bills likely to move to the 4-3 Coples is a smart pick here because he is capable of fitting in any defense. Coples could give Buffalo the elite pass rusher they lack. If Buffalo wants to succeed in the AFC East, they have to improve their defense and keep the score manageable.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs– RB Trent Richardson, Alabama:

-Now this isn’t a major need, but the Chiefs could look to ease Charles back into the line-up and go with a more run centric offense, similar to the Texans or 49ers.

12.  Seattle Seahawks– DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina:

-The Seahawks need a bookend pass rusher for Chris Clemons and Ingram would be a great fit. He’s on the bigger side so he can be a more complete option against the run as well.

13. Arizona Cardinals-OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford:

The Cards need to beg, borrow and steal to ensure they land an offensive lineman (particularly a tackle) with this pick. Their line is in woeful shape and if they ever want to figure out if Kevin Kolb is the answer they should probably keep him on his feet.

14. Dallas Cowboys- OG David DeCastro, Stanford:

-The Cowboys interior offensive line is pretty bad, so landing a guy like DeCastro would be huge.

15. Philadelphia Eagles- MLB Luke Kuechly, Boston College:

-The Eagles linebacking situation is by far their biggest weakness going into this season. Kuechly would be a steal at this spot and could really bring this defense together.

16. New York Jets- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama:

-The Jets need a star pass rusher to make this defense complete. Given how important defense is to their success, I don’t know if it makes sense to use this pick on a luxury. Upshaw would be a great fit here coming off the edge and getting penetration.