1. QB Andrew Luck - ColtsSurprise. It's a selection that's been in the making for nearly two years, though the notion that a player some consider to be the top quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning would end up in Indianapolis seemed absurd until last fall. Refurbishing the house that Manning built will be no easy task, but Luck has the arm strength, athleticism and intangibles to make it a quick rebuild. He won't be as dynamic of a fantasy player as Cam Newton was as a rookie, but his dynasty league potential is through the roof.
2. QB Robert Griffin III - Redskins
The complete package physically and mentally, Griffin offers rare athleticism, quick feet, a canon arm, impressive pocket presence, and uncanny downfield accuracy to go with a high football IQ and unparalleled charisma. He led the nation in yards per attempt (10.7) while completing 72.4 percent of his passes. A perfect fit for Mike Shanahan's bootleg-heavy offense, the Heisman winner has agility inside and out of the pocket with the ability to make all of the throws. While Griffin will make his living as a passer, his fantasy value gets a boost from his running ability and the Redskins' free-agent additions at wide receiver. He could gain borderline QB1 consideration by the time fantasy drafts roll around this summer.
3. RB Trent Richardson - Browns
The Browns moved up one selection by trading their fourth-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks to the Vikings to insure they landed Richardson. Many argue that a top ten selection should not be spent on a running back, but Richardson has proven he can handle a full workload. He is a thickly built runner with an excellent lateral hop to evade and break away from the pack. Richardson will be the focal point of the Browns' offensive attack for years to come.
4. OT Matt Kalil - USC
The Vikings were able to trade down a spot and still get the player they've been most consistently linked to since the draft order was finalized. This year's consensus top tackle prospect, Kalil clocks in at a mountainous 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, and could immediately be a top-ten left tackle. Protecting potential 2013 No. 1 pick Matt Barkley, Kalil didn't allow a single sack his final season at USC. Charlie Johnson's days of manning the blindside in Minnesota are over.
5. WR Justin Blackmon - Jaguars
Jacksonville surrenders picks Nos. 7 and 101. Owner Shad Kahn was reportedly smitten with Blackmon, leading the Jags to leapfrog the receiver-needy Rams for the draft's top wideout. Although Blackmon boasts an NCAA record 14 straight 100-yard games, he's considered a notch below the talent level of A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Possessing terrific ball skills, physicality, outstanding open-field explosion, and red-zone chops, Blackmon bears a resemblance to Giants star Hakeem Nicks. Even if he has a chance to unseat Laurent Robinson for the No. 1 receiver title, Blackmon's rookie fantasy prospects are depressed by Blaine Gabbert, arguably the NFL's least effective QB in 2011.
6. CB Morris Claiborne - Cowboys
Dallas handed over pick No. 45 in the second-round to the Rams to move up from pick No. 14. Yes, the team signed Brandon Carr during the offseason but Morris Claiborne is an elite man to man cornerback. He mirrors at the line of scrimmage well with a fluid hip turn while playing the ball in the air like a receiver. Mike Jenkins only has one-year left on his contract so Claiborne offers a nice tandem to cover the receiver heavy NFC East.
7. S Mark Barron - Bucs
Widely expected to take the draft's top corner in Morris Claiborne at No. 5, the Bucs instead moved down two spots to select the No. 1 safety. A steady "riser," Barron missed the Combine after undergoing double hernia surgery, and was originally forecasted to go in the second half of the first round. A two-time first-team All American for the Crimson Tide, Barron is best utilized as "in the box" safety, but also holds his own in coverage.
8. QB Ryan Tannehill - Dolphins
Owner Stephen Ross finally gets his quarterback. A converted wide receiver, Tannehill draws comparisons to Jake Locker for his athleticism and accuracy outside the pocket. A natural fit for Miami with former Aggies coach Mike Sherman as offensive boss, Tannehill's play-action and bootleg skills also complement the Dolphins' West Coast scheme. With just 19 college starts under his belt and tendency to lock onto his primary target, Tannehill will need a year or two to develop into a viable NFL starter. Expect him to sit behind Matt Moore and David Garrard for the majority of his rookie season.
9. LB Luke Kuechly - Panthers
The Panthers' linebackers were decimated with injuries in 2011, with Jon Beason and Thomas Davis both undergoing major surgeries after missing virtually all of last season. This selection is more insurance for Thomas Davis than anything, who is coming off of his third straight ACL tear. They do not come any more productive than Kuechly, who made 532 tackles in three seasons at Boston College. This likely shifts Beason to the weak side with Kuechly taking the reins on the inside.
10. CB Stephon Gilmore - Bills
Initially viewed as a fringe first-round prospect, Gilmore ends up being the first Gamecock off the board ahead of more heralded teammates Melvin Ingram and Alshon Jeffery. A three-year starter, Gilmore packs an intriguing combination of size and speed, and comes into the NFL with a stellar reputation. A stout 6-foot 1/2, 190 pounds for a cornerback, he ran a 4.44 40 at the Combine. He should be an immediate starter for a Bills team that struggled with injury and ineffectiveness in its cornerback corps last season.
11. DT Dontari Poe - Chiefs
Kansas City had a vacancy at nose tackle following Kelly Gregg's retirement. A physical freak at 6'4" and 346 pounds, Poe blew the doors off the Combine with a 4.87 forty, 1.70 10-yard split, and 44 reps on the bench. Poe's game tape tells a different story, however, as he often disappeared due to poor technique and an inconsistent motor. The draft's first boom-or-bust pick, Poe could emerge as a dominant force in the middle of Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense or fall flat along the likes of former first-rounders Ryan Sims or Jimmy Kennedy.
12. DT Fletcher Cox - Eagles
Philadelphia surrenders pick No. 114 and a sixth-round selection to move up three spots, but Cox is certainly worth the price. A true penetrating three-technique, Cox does his best work disrupting upfield with low pad level and excellent burst. He still has a long way to go technique wise, infrequently using his length to his advantage, but Cox's relentless motor is invaluable. This is a perfect fit for the Eagles' aggressive, upfield defense.
13. WR Michael Floyd - Cardinals
Two years after trading Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals have finally found a legit No. 2 receiver to pair with the all-world Larry Fitzgerald. A four-year starter for the Domers, Floyd has an elite combination of size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and speed (4.47 Combine 40), but has been dogged by off-the-field issues. Nevertheless, he was the draft's top-ranked wideout by a number of respected analysts, and could give Arizona one of the league's very best receiver duos. For now, however, his fantasy upside is capped by the Cardinals' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and John Skelton. He's unlikely to be more than a WR3/4 in 2012.
14. DT Michael Brockers - Rams
Much like last year's first-rounder, Robert Quinn, Brockers is a developmental player with great size (6'5" and 322 pounds), long arms, and powerful athleticism. While he should offer solid run defense regardless, his ceiling will hinge heavily on the Rams' ability to coach him up. As a pass rusher, Brockers lacks a second gear, often plays too high, and fails to create separation.
15. DE/OLB Bruce Irvin - Seahawks
A shocker. The Seahawks have this selection after trading down with the Eagles and chose to go with a pass rush specialist. Playing extremely out of position as a defensive end in West Virginia's 3-3-5 defense, Irvin was second in the nation with 14 sacks in 2010. The question is, where does he play? Irvin projects best as an outside linebacker since he tends to shy away from contact, but his kind of first step and burst is highly coveted. Irvin does come with some red flags after dropping out of high school and serving a stint in juvenile jail.
16. DE Quinton Coples - Jets
One of the draft's true boom-or-bust prospects, Coples will be paired with one of the league's top defensive minds in Rex Ryan after mailing in his senior year at North Carolina. Accused of playing more not to get hurt than anything else, Coples saw his numbers fall across the board before turning in a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl. Despite being a mammoth 6-foot-6, 284 pounds, Coples ran a 4.72 40 at the Combine in addition to an eye-popping 1.63 ten-yard split. If Ryan's motivating powers are successful, Coples could immediately emerge as one of the league's top young pass rushers.
17. CB Dre Kirkpatrick
This is the pick acquired from the Raiders for Carson Palmer. According to NFL Network's Mike Mayock, Kirkpatrick is the last of the true first-round corners in this draft. Big, long, and physical at 6'2" and 190 pounds, Kirkpatrick is NFL ready in all coverage concepts after playing under Nick Saban at Alabama. While the second-team All-American didn't always played to his talent level in college, he certainly fills a need with so many question marks in the Bengals' secondary.
18. DE Melvin Ingram - Chargers
San Diego gets their pass rusher in Ingram, who many doubted would make it past the Jets. Ingram shined in a larger role during his senior season as an edge rusher, but the majority of his production came from the defensive tackle spot on third downs. Blessed with an amazing closing burst, Ingram excels when using his stouter frame to leverage and press the pocket. However, he only has 31.5" arms, which likely turned off a few teams. Ingram is a creative defensive coordinator's dream with the ability to line up and rush the passer from multiple angles.
19. LB Shea McClellin - Bears
A high-motor pass rusher of Chris Peterson's pro-friendly system, McClellin can play both linebacker and defensive end, and could see time at both in Chicago. He has the ability to drop back into coverage as a linebacker on first and second down before lining up at end on third down. The owner of 20.5 career college sacks, he's drawn loose comparisons to Clay Matthews.
20. WR Kendall Wright - Titans
It's a bit of surprise that Tennessee passed on Stanford OG David DeCastro after making it a priority to upgrade the interior, but it's hard to quibble with this pick. Already boasting a burgeoning young offense, the Titans add the draft's top slot receiver with extraordinary run-after-catch ability and the vertical explosiveness to burn defensive backs. A Steve Smith-Santonio Holmes hybrid, Wright is arguably the top playmaker in the draft at wide receiver. Quick off the line, he should make an instant impact as a rookie in three-receiver sets. Wright is going to be more of a late-round flier in fantasy drafts, however.
21. DE Chandler Jones - Patriots
New England moves up from pick No. 27. Mike Mayock's top defensive player, Jones offers many uncoachable qualities, including a 6'5" frame and 35.5" arms. Because of this length, Jones lacks a real burst off the line, consistently looking uncoordinated when forced to quickly change directions. It will be interesting to see if the Patriots continue to use four man fronts while adding bulk to Jones' body, potentially grooming him as a future 3-4 DE. Jones' success is reliant on hand control and separation.
22. QB Brandon Weeden - Browns
So much for Cleveland expecting Colt McCoy to "make a big leap this year." This pick will be labeled a reach in many quarters, but it's arguable Weeden may have been considered a top-15 prospect if not for his advanced age of 28, and the Browns clearly thought he wouldn't fall to them at No. 37 on day two. Cleveland is wisely moving on at the game's most-important position instead of gambling the weak-armed McCoy will somehow take a bold leap forward in his third year in the league. Weeden will be a strong contender to start in Week 1, and paired with No. 3 pick Trent Richardson, should help lead what will be an improved Browns offense. With second-year pro Greg Little as his No. 1 receiver, however, he won't be an intriguing option in fantasy leagues. McCoy could be traded or released.
23. OT Riley Reiff - Lions
Reiff is uniquely disciplined in his assignments and fundamentals after learning from the NCAA's top O-Line guru in Kirk Ferentz. While his short arms and average athleticism are better suited to right tackle, Reiff is likely ticketed for Matthew Stafford's blindside as 34-year-old Jeff Backus' successor. As a rookie, though, the strong run-blocking Reiff could push RT Gosder Cherilus for a starting job.
24. OG David DeCastro - Steelers
One of the safest selections in the draft, DeCastro was not selected earlier primarily because of the value of the guard position. The Steelers are happy to sweep him up. A mainstay in protecting Andrew Luck for three seasons, DeCastro is a balanced blocker that consistently cleans up in the running game and mirrors defensive linemen very well in pass protection. The Steelers scooped up a top talent at a true position of need.
25. LB Dont'a Hightower - Patriots
The Pats surrendered the No. 31 and No. 126 (four round) picks to move up for the second time in four selections. The fourth Crimson Tide player off the board, opinions are split on whether or not Hightower is a talented enough pass rusher to be a three-down player, but the Pats clearly believe he is. He should be primarily used as a run stopper as a rookie, but also has the speed (4.68 Combine 40) to effectively drop back into coverage.
26. LB Whitney Mercilus - Texans
A natural edge rusher with 4.68 wheels at 6'4" and 261 pounds, Mercilus posted 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles in a breakout season. Though he's a bit raw as a speed rusher with limited moves and trouble against double teams, Mercilus has the explosive first step and closing speed to develop into a force in Wade Phillips' defense. He'll take Mario Williams' place in a three-man rotation with Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed on perhaps the NFL's most talented young defense.
27. OG Kevin Zeitler - Bengals
This is after a trade down with the Patriots. Zeitler is a true Wisconsin type offensive lineman, flourishing in the ground game with power to open up running lanes. He struggles a bit when he does not when initial contact, losing leverage and balance in the process. But, when Zeitler gets his hands in sound position and extends his arms in pass protection, he frequently controls the opposition. Zeitler is an instant starter for the Bengals front line.
28. DE/LB Nick Perry - Packers
A defensive end at USC, Perry will likely play outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 defense, lining up opposite fellow former Trojan Clay Matthews. Although he'll likely be asked to shed a few pounds, Perry currently clocks in a bruising 6-foot-3, 271 pounds, making his unofficial 40 times of 4.50 and 4.56 at the Combine extremely impressive. His tape didn't always match his measurables at USC, however, leading some analysts to label him a workout warrior. He might be a huge rookie contributor.
29. S Harrison Smith - Vikings
Boasting an extra fourth-round pick from the Trent Richardson trade, the Vikes will send the Nos. 35 and 98 picks to Baltimore. With Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond atop the depth chart, Smith fills a glaring long-time need in Minnesota. The best pure zone free safety in the draft, according to NFL Network's Mike Mayock, Smith also possesses the athleticism and size (6'2", 213 pounds) to play in the box and direct traffic. He'll step in as a Day One starter.
30. WR A.J. Jenkins - 49ers
A surprising pick in the first round, A.J. Jenkins was extremely productive during his senior season with 1,276 receiving yards on 90 catches. Most of all, Jenkins flashed 4.39 speed at the Combine after performing well at both the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. Jenkins has tremendous positional versatility, lining up outside or in the slot with excellent body control to make difficult catches. He needs to refine his routes while working back towards his quarterback, but Jenkins is a reliable target on intermediate routes and vertically.
31. RB Doug Martin - Bucs
The Bucs surrendered the No. 36 and No. 101 picks to acquire a selection that originally belonged to the Patriots (as well as the No. 126 pick). Generally considered the draft's second best back after Alabama's Trent Richardson, Martin is the anti-LeGarrette Blount, offering up big-play ability and above-average skills as both a pass-protector and pass-catcher. His selection marginalizes what little was left of Blount's fantasy value. Martin could be an immediate asset in PPR leagues.
32. RB David Wilson - Giants
The Giants close out the quickest first-round in years by grabbing a 1-2 punch for Ahmad Bradshaw. A two-sport (track) star for the Hokies, Wilson was the 2011 ACC Player of the Year after rushing for a school-record 1,709 yards. Though his instincts, hands, and durability are concerns, Wilson has outstanding burst laterally as well as north and south. Much like Bradshaw, he's constantly fighting for extra yards. Wilson should contribute immediately for the G-Men, accruing RB3/flex value in fantasy leagues while Ahmad Bradshaw falls back to low-end RB2 territory.