Not many draft boards will look different in the first six picks, but after that, things are shaken up a bit. Updated 3/18/2012
#1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
You don’t release a hall of fame quarterback for anything less than a sure thing, and Luck is as close to a sure thing as possible in the 2012 NFL Draft.
#2. Washington Redskins (From St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Redskins put their franchise in jeopardy with their risky trade with the Rams, they have a lot of faith in Robert Griffin to say the least.
#3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
This looks like a sure thing after the Redskins trade. Kalil is a future 10+ year starter at tackle, and consistency that the Vikings will need in rebuilding their team.
#4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The Browns will have a very dangerous secondary with former Florida Gator Joe Haden and the addition of Morris Claiborne. I cannot see them passing up on Claiborne unless a trade comes their way that is too good to pass up. The Browns could go with Trent Richardson, but Claiborne is the right pick.
#5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
I previously had the Buccaneers snatching Justin Blackmon before the Rams could have a chance at him, but all of that changes after Tampa Bay signed Vincent Jackson. Tampa now has the great option to add a dynamic running back to their backfield in Trent Richardson.
#6. St. Louis Rams (From Washington): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams are catching every break in the offseason. Not only do they pull off a great trade with the Redskins and sign cornerback Cortland Finnegan, but the Buccaneers pick up Vincent Jackson, leaving Justin Blackmon within their reach at pick #6. The Rams gladly take Blackmon at #6.
#7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Reiff is not the sexy pick here, but if the Jaguars are committed to turning around their franchise and protecting Blaine Gabbert, this is the smart choice. Jaguars are a good candidate to trade up to the #5 pick to get Justin Blackmon, but if they stay at #7, I think they will take Reiff over DE Coples.
#8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Coples could slip in this draft, but I like the Dolphins to pick him at #8. Another possible selection here is QB Tannehill from Texas A&M, but I think that Tennehill at #8 is far too high and the Dolphins would be better off spending the pick on Coples.
#9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
With Brockers on the board at #9, it would be hard for the Panthers, who have a desperate need for a DT, to pass him up.
#10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Keuchly, ILB, Boston College
Keuchly fits the mold of a Bills defensive stud and will fit a position of high need for the Bills at ILB. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, is the favorite pick here at #10, but I think the Bills will go with Keuchly due to Upshaw’s slipping value of late because of his lack or preparedness at the combine.
#11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Chiefs need protection, Martin provides it, should be an easy pick for the Chiefs.
#12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, Tannehill?
#13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
The Cardinals will be competitive in the NFC West, but keeping a quarterback on his feet would probably make them the second favorite in the division after the 49ers. David DeCastro fills in a wide open gap on the offensive line and is a perfect fit for the Cardinals.
#14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Jerry Jones is more than willing to take a risk on CB Janoris Jenkins, but I still think Dre Kirkpatrick is the best pick for the Cowboys in this position. Kirkpatrick will be a playmaking corner for the next decade in the Cowboy’s backfield.
#15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
The Eagles have several defensive needs, but linebacker is by far their biggest. Upshaw at #15 is a steal and could turn into a very good pick for the Eagles.
#16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
The Jets could use skill at several positions, but upgrading the safety position is a need that should be addressed this year. Barron is the best prospect at safety in the draft and should be a safe yet effective pick for the Jets. Since this is a somewhat safe pick, expect the Jets to do something completely different, but this is still what I am predicting.
#17. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama
The Bengals would be a candidate to trade up if Trent Richardson were to fall, but still having Jenkins on the board would be a good consolation prize, and the Bengals have a history of drafting potentially explosive personalities like Jenkins.
#18. San Diego Chargers:
#19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
The Bears made a fantastic move in acquiring Brandon Marshall pre-draft, and now are unpredictable at the #19 spot. The Bears are in need of offensive line help, and for the safety of Cutler, lets hope they go offensive line with this pick. The Bears will have Carimi back after being placed on the IR in 2011, but depth and talent is still needed badly on the offensive line.
#20. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
#21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
With picking a playmaker earlier in the draft, the Bengals make another investment to protect surprise performer Andy Dalton at quarterback by upgrading their offensive line.
#22. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta):
#23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Gilmore is projected a little later than #23, but the Lions are desperate at CB. The Lions have been strictly selecting based on the best player available the past few years, but Gilmore makes sense here at #23 and will excite fans who are tired of allowing 500 yards passing to opposing quarterbacks.
#24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Hightower is a perfect Steeler and the best move they can make for their defense here.
#25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
DT’s have been hot in the last several drafts, and there is a strong class this year as well, but many teams have much higher needs than a defensive tackle. The Broncos could use an interior defensive lineman to create pressure.
#26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
The Texans are creating a dynasty on defense and will add to an increasingly dangerous defensive line.
#27. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): TRADE: Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Do you expect the Patriots to not trade down for extra picks!? Cleveland got their quarterback in Tannehill and now give him a dangerous weapon in Kendall Wright.
#28. Green Bay Packers: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
The Packers look to be keen on Worthy and need young defensive talent as several playmakers contract’s are set to expire soon.
#29. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
Baltimore could go several ways here, but taking an interior offensive lineman of Zeitler’s talent is probably their best move.
#30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
The 49ers upgrade their offensive firepower with the tall and strong Rueben Randle. The 49ers will most likely go after a wide receiver whether it is Randle, Marvin Jones, Juron Criner, or another talented wideout.
#31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Still is another player that could end up anywhere from the early teens to the early second round, but the Patriots would be missing a very good opportunity here if they let Still slip by them at #31 if he is still available.
#32. New York Giants: Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
The defending Super Bowl Champions should improve protection around Eli. Osemele is a little bit of a work project, but could turn into a very strong interior lineman for the G-men.