Ryan Flynn — General Assignment Reporter
1. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: QB ANDREW LUCK—STANFORD
Touted all year as a once-in-a-generation prospect, Luck has been the pick to replace Peyton Manning for a long time now.
2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (FROM ST. LOUIS): QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III—BAYLOR
Washington paid an incredibly steep price, but Griffin is the real deal.
3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: OT MATT KALIL—USC
The Vikings, who took quarterback Christian Ponder 12th overall in last year’s draft, look to protect their investment with the best left tackle in the 2012 class.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS: CB MORRIS CLAIBORNE—LSU
Pairing Claiborne with Joe Haden will create one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.
5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: RB TRENT RICHARDSON—ALABAMA
Richardson has the rare combination of speed and power that GMs and coaches love.
6. ST. LOUIS RAMS (FROM WASHINGTON): WR JUSTIN BLACKMON—OKLAHOMA STATE
Quarterback Sam Bradford desperately needs weapons on the outside, and Blackmon is the best in this class.
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DE MELVIN INGRAM—SOUTH CAROLINA
Jacksonville seems to have holes everywhere but decides to build through the trenches with Ingram.
8. MIAMI DOLPHINS: QB RYAN TANNEHILL—TEXAS A&M
The biggest mistake in the draft but it looks like a lock to happen. Familiarity with Dolphins OC Mike Sherman and lack of a franchise QB spark this panic move.
9. CAROLINA PANTHERS: DT FLETCHER COX—MISSISSIPPI STATE
Carolina has to address the defensive side of the ball, and the 298-pound junior should help their interior d-line.
10. BUFFALO BILLS: WR MICHAEL FLOYD—NOTRE DAME
After locking up free agent DE Mario Williams to shore up the D, the Bills go offensive and grab another weapon for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
11. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: G DAVID DECASTRO—STANFORD
GM Scott Pioli, who always seems to covet value over need, grabs the only elite guard in the draft in DeCastro.
12. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: LB LUKE KUECHLY—BOSTON COLLEGE
Head coach Pete Carroll has always been a defense-first guy and adding a legitimate run-stopper at linebacker should help last year’s ninth-ranked defense continue to flourish.
13. ARIZONA CARDINALS: OT RILEY REIFF—IOWA
After signing two guards in the offseason, the Cardinals continue to rebuild their O-Line with the massive three-year starter from Iowa.
14. DALLAS COWBOYS: S MARK BARRON—ALABAMA
Dallas annually has one of the most talented rosters in the league, but also seems to always need help in their back four on defense.
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: DT DONTARI POE—MEMPHIS
Andy Reid and the Eagles have spent six of their last seven first-round picks on either offensive or defensive linemen, and the trend continues here.
16. NEW YORK JETS: DE/OLB COURTNEY UPSHAW—ALABAMA
The Jets are desperate for a pass rush and would love to add a talent like Upshaw to run Rex Ryan’s exotic blitz schemes.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS: DE QUINTON COPLES—NORTH CAROLINA
Cincy gambles on this year’s talented but inconsistent pass rusher.
18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: OT JONATHAN MARTIN—STANFORD
With left tackle Marcus McNeil gone, the Chargers need help protecting Phillip Rivers’ blind side.
19. CHICAGO BEARS: DT MICHAEL BROCKERS—LSU
Putting Brockers next to Henry Melton and Julius Peppers should create a nice front four.
20. TENNESSEE TITANS: CB STEPHON GILMORE—SOUTH CAROLINA
Gilmore is the perfect fit to replace departed CB Cortland Finnegan.
21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: CB DRE KIRKPATRICK—ALABAMA
The Bengals need a corner to play opposite Leon Hall. With Gilmore snatched one pick earlier, Cincy settles for Kirkpatrick.
22. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR KENDALL WRIGHT—BAYLOR
The Browns receiving corps is one of the—if not the—worst in the league. Wright is a burner and would help stretch the field for quarterback Colt McCoy.
23. DETROIT LIONS: OT MIKE ADAMS—OHIO STATE
Detroit’s issues in the secondary take a huge backseat to keeping franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford upright.
24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: DONT’A HIGHTOWER—ALABAMA
Hightower can fill in nicely for the recently-cut James Farrior.
25. DENVER BRONCOS: DT JEREL WORTHY—MICHIGAN STATE
Denver has very little talent up front. The run-stuffing Worthy would definitely help.
26. HOUSTON TEXANS: WR STEPHEN HILL—GEORGIA TECH
Houston needs a threat opposite Andre Johnson, and the 6’5” Hill could be a matchup nightmare.
27. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: DE WHITNEY MERCILUS—ILLINOIS
The Patriots 31st-ranked defense needs help, and the best teams are built up front. Whitney Mercilus is a good fit and a steal this late.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: DE SHEA MCCLELLIN—BOISE STATE
The Packers need a pass rusher to go opposite Clay Matthews and get their man in McClellin.
29. BALTIMORE RAVENS: C PETER KONZ—WISCONSIN
Konz could eventually replace veteran Matt Birk at center.
30. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: TE COBY FLEENER—STANFORD
Fleener gets reunited with his old coach and gets to play opposite pro-bowler Vernon Davis.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: DE NICK PERRY—USC
Taking both Mercilus and Perry could create a very talented defensive line rotation. You can never have too many of those guys. Just ask the Giants.
32. NEW YORK GIANTS: SS HARRISON SMITH—NOTRE DAME
This four year starter is smart, versatile and mature. He can play either safety spot and would be a great pick to end the first round.
Texans won’t be taking Stephen Hill or any WR at #26. I’m from Houston, and local media has been reporting that the Texans will take whichever O-Lineman is still on the board whom the Texans have given a first-round grade. If no such O-Linemen are there at #26, apparently the Texans won’t reach but take Coby Fleener. If Fleener is gone, then Texans will take best player available. Personally, I hope it’s Fleener, as the Texans can address O-Line and WRs in later rounds.