Updated 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts
. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
. Luck becomes the new franchise quarterback for Indianapolis, who has a really interesting decision to make this offseason about Peyton Manning.

2. St. Louis Rams
. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
. Big playmaker on the back end of the defense can be a difference maker from day one. The Rams need someone on the back end of their defense who can take advantage of their two young pass rushers.

3. Minnesota Vikings
. Matt Kalil, OT, USC
. Kalil will protect Christian Ponder’s blind side for years to come, something that he really could have used this past season. He can also double as a field goal blocker, which doesn’t have an official position title, but Kalil is really, really good at it.

4. Cleveland Browns
. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
. I have a feeling someone (Dolphins, Redskins) will try to jump up here to get Griffin III before the Browns can select him, but it might also be the Browns making a move up to get him.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. Dre’ Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
. The Buccaneers desperately need cornerback help, and Kirpatrick was really strutting his stuff at the BCS title game, showing that he is worthy of this pick.

6. Washington Redskins
. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
. The Redskins need a legit number one receiver, and though they drafted a bunch of guys last year, I don’t think Mike Shanahan would pass on a kid like Alshon Jeffery here. Then again, does anyone have a clue about what Shanahan wants to do on draft day?

7. Jacksonville Jaguars
. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
. The Jaguars will gladly take the leftovers of either Jeffery or Blackmon at this slot. Blaine Gabbert shall rejoice.

8. Carolina Panthers
. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
. The Panthers need better protection for Cam Newton and need to build off their strength, which is running the ball. Riley Reiff would be a good addition up front for the up-and-coming Panthers.

9. Miami Dolphins
. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
. The Dolphins don’t necessarily need Richardson, but the Vikings didn’t necessarily need Adrian Peterson either, and he’s turned into their best player. Richardson would be the best player on Miami’s roster by season’s end.

10. Buffalo Bills
. Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
. Upshaw is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the entire draft. He reminds me a lot of a Terrell Suggs type of player, a guy who can constantly create pressure on opposing quarterbacks and is always in the backfield.

11. Kansas City Chiefs
. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
. The Chiefs would love for a guy like Martin or Reiff to fall to their pick here. I think the Chiefs should make a play for Robert Griffin III, but that’s just my opinion. They aren’t winning a super bowl with Cassel or Orton.

12. Seattle Seahawks
. Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson
. The Seahawks could shock the world here and take Brock Osweiler, but I won’t mock that. How about adding a big pass rusher who can also set the edge? Branch is a solid pick at this juncture.

13. Arizona Cardinals
. David DeCastro, OL, Stanford
. The Cardinals need to upgrade their offensive line in the worst way, and getting an elite guard like DeCastro is a good way to start it off.

14. Dallas Cowboys
. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
. Jerry Jones takes a risk here, drafting the very talented Janoris Jenkins. Would his attitude fit in well with Dallas? It’s a risky move, to be sure.

15. Philadelphia Eagles
. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
. I think that DeSean Jackson has played his last down for the Eagles, and if he hasn’t, good for them. I think Wright is not just an upgrade in character, but he’s a bigger, more physical version of what DeSean gives them.

16. New York Jets
. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
. The Jets continue to add powerful linemen to their offensive front with Cordy Glenn, who is a pretty underrated player that can play guard or right tackle. I could see them going for a pass rusher here as well.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
. The Bengals continue to add firepower to their offensive attack, which is necessary considering the defenses they have to play against within their own division. Getting Floyd and adding him to the fray offensively seems like a very aggressive move.

18. San Diego Chargers
. Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
. The Chargers win the Brockers derby in this draft, getting a guy who seems like he will be drafted much later than he should because he has just one year of dominance at this level. This would be the steal of the first round here in my opinion.

19. Chicago Bears
. Mark Barron, S, Alabama
. The Bears need a wide receiver in a bad way, but they also need a safety, maybe just as bad. Getting a guy like Barron who can step in right away and perform would be a great move.

20. Tennessee Titans
. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
. The Titans need a center to help restore that top notch running game they had a couple of years ago. Konz is the best center in the draft in my opinion, and a good pick here in the first round.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
. The Bengals continue to add to their offensive attack with the big, speedy Lamar Miller. I could also see a defensive back here, but I think Miller could be too enticing to pass up on.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
. Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
. Brown is a fast linebacker with good instincts who is going to be a very good pro in my opinion. He adds speed to the Cleveland defense, and would be one of their top players right out of the gates.

23. Detroit Lions
. Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
. David is making his debut in the first round here, and I don’t understand why he hasn’t been here before. If he falls to the second round, it will be a steal for whatever team gets him. He’s a fast linebacker who plays with a ton of heart and has a great motor. I think he’s going to be a stud in the NFL.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
. The Steelers get a nose tackle prospect to replace Casey Hampton. Poe is big, strong, and athletic. He is still really raw, but the Steelers could make him into a star in a couple of years.

25. Denver Broncos
. Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina
. The Broncos take advantage of Quinton Coples’ fall here, getting a guy who can help rush the quarterback from the interior or from the defensive end position.

26. Houston Texans
. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
. I really think the Texans would do well here to add a receiver to the fray. Their offense is already really good. Adding a big time playmaker like Sanu to go along with Andre Johnson would be lethal.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
. Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
. The Patriots get one of the most versatile players in the draft defensively here in Melvin Ingram, a converted linebacker who plays on the inside, outside, and in a two point stance. Valuable player here.

28. Green Bay Packers
. Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State
. Cox adds some talent and youth to a defensive line that needs it. The Packers showed serious vulnerability defensively this season, and the defensive line was a huge part of it.

29. New York Giants
. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
. The Giants would have to seriously consider Kuechly here if he’s still available. He’s a tackling machine who can be a leader for their defense going forward.

30. Baltimore Ravens
. Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama
. Hightower would be drafted as the heir apparent to Ray Lewis on the inside. He is a big, athletic guy who can rush the quarterback. Great fit for their defense.

31. San Francisco 49ers
. Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
. Supplementing the pick of Aldon Smith last year by getting another pass rusher this year, this time a local kid. Perry could be an absolute star in the 49ers defense because of the talent that would already be around him.

32. New England Patriots
. Devon Still, DL, Penn State
. The Patriots get a solid defensive end prospect here in Devon Still, who would play five technique for them. They like to get big defensive linemen, and he certainly fits that description.