The 2012 draft is going to be just as interesting as the lockout in 2011 for the NFL. So many teams are riding on good picks to rebuild their franchises. Now with the Scouting Combine over, teams can start preparing for how they are going to direct their franchises for the future. Is it Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III? These are now easier answers to see.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Standford

This is the most obvious pick in 2012 now that it has become obvious that the Colts do not want to pay Peyton Manning. Andrew Luck is projected as the most NFL ready quarterback and with as successful of a combine as he had, who is to doubt it? He ran a 4.67 in the 40 yard dash and out jumped Cam Newton from the 2011 draft. All that is left for Luck is to participate in his pro day. Don't look for RGIII to take over the number one spot due to the fact that the Colts system doesn't support mobile quarterbacks.

2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

St. Louis will more than likely trade away this pick either way. It gives them more value in the long run with the ability to gain more first round picks. However, since there is no way of knowing who will jump and take the 2nd pick away from St. Louis the best bet is to guess that Blackmon will be taken. If the Rams decided to keep the pick, Blackmon would give Sam Bradford a big play threat to throw to. The only downside is his speed which fails to match up with some cornerbacks in the NFL.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

This pick would all depend on the trade situation with St. Louis. The Vikings would benefit the most from drafting RGIII because of his obvious speed and arm strength. With Griffin and Adrian Peterson in the back field, the Vikings would be one of the fastest if not the fastest offense in the NFL. There would be a big play threat almost every play. Now the biggest question is how would they get RGIII with Cleveland having so many picks available for trade? Well a proposed trade could be:

Rams get:

3rd Overall (Still take Blackmon)

22 Overall (From Cleveland)

4th Round (From Minnesota)

Minnesota Gets:

2nd Overall (Take RGIII)

Cleveland gets:

Christian Ponder, QB from Minnesota

5th round (Minnesota)

Future Picks (Minnesota or St. Louis)

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

With Cleveland picking 4th overall, Claiborne would be a steal. He could jump straight into the defensive scheme that the Browns run and shutdown the pass from the start. With Cleveland not getting RGIII, Claiborne would be easily the next best available player followed by Trent Richardson. Since Cleveland has Peyton Hillis at runningback, Richardson would be useless in their system.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Tampa Bay needs to invest in a power back who can establish a running game for a team that desperately needs support for the quarterback. To often do you see that teams are depending to much on the quarterback position to carry the load and Tampa is no exception. Richardson is easily the strongest back in the draft and is an established runner with the ability to break tackles and hit holes in the line. Richardson is also a decent blocker which gives Tampa more options with the playbook now that they can block for Johnson.

6. Washington Redskins: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Washington doesn't have the trade assests to trade up and get the prize of Robert Griffin III. Because of that, they will have to settle for a later QB pick. Matt Kalil would solitify the O-Line and help set up a 2012 season with a rookie quarterback. Kalil's size at 6'7" and 300lbs makes him an ideal OT and would help out an offensive line that seemed to not be able to stop anyone in 2011. His only question is how he will stand up with the speedy defensive linemen in the NFC East.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Jacksonville has their Quarterback in Blaine Gabbert and is ready to move forward with him and Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield. Now it's time to give Gabbert someone to throw to and Wright is the man for the job. Wright lacks size at 5'10" but is quick on his feet and has the ability to create open space for Gabbert to throw in to. Wright is also versatile with the ability to also be a return man. Look for Wright to be an impact player in 2012.

8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Like most of the top 10 picks in this draft, the Dolphins need a quarterback. However, there isn't another quarterback available in this draft who will be taken anywhere near this high in the draft. With that being said, Coples is an almost guaranteed pick at the number eight spot. Coples is the biggest Defensive End in the draft and could be considered one of the strongest. His size and strength as well as his speed makes him a threat in the backfield and one that quarterbacks should fear. The downsides are keeping Coples motivated where he has seemed to give up on certain plays. This should be fixed during the preseason.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The pick of Hightower is definitely a reach for Carolina. However, the benefits would be seen right away. Hightower would give Carolina a physical Linebacker with decent speed and incredible strength. Hightower can stop the run as well as contain receivers in the middle of the field. He can read plays well and has the ability to follow the ball well which will help him defend against the pass.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Upshaw is another reach but back-to-back Alabama linebacker picks wouldn't be out of the question. Buffalo needs a physical defensive player who can stop the run and Upshaw definitely fits that bill. Upshaw has amazing strength which gives him the ability to move blockers to get to the rusher. His speed also gives him the ability to hit holes before the running backs can get through them.

Jake Espinoza
Shawn Hernandez