The 2012 NFL Draft class has many high-quality, stonewall offensive linemen that will be instant-impact players at the next level.
There is first-round talent at every offensive line position.
Let's look at where the top trenchmen will land in April.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins (trade with St Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California
With the Redskins trading up to take Robert Griffin III, the Vikings are almost locked into the selection of Southern Cal's Matt Kalil. It's the ideal selection that has tremendous value and fits a need.
They invested their 2010 first-round pick on quarterback Christian Ponder and they get their franchise left tackle to protect his blindside. The perfect pick for Minnesota's rebuilding efforts.
Kalil is fantastic with speed rushers, having the size and lateral agility to push them past the pocket. He'll need to add more bulk to his frame and work on defending against counter moves to become elite in the NFL.
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
The Cardinals need major help at their left tackle position; Levi Brown is certainly not the answer. Martin is the most athletically-gifted and heady tackle in this class. He protected Andrew Luck at Stanford and anchored one of the most successful running attacks in the nation in 2011.
He is already at an NFL level in terms of his run-blocking ability and with time, he will become a premier pass-blocker. His footwork is exactly where it needs to be at this point and he's more powerful than he looks.
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
DeCastro, Martin's linemate, is the best overall offensive lineman in this draft—it's not even close. At 6'5'' and 315 pounds he has the size to play guard at the pro ranks and he excels in every facet of playing that position.
He plays with great leverage, is fast enough to make an major impact on pulls and is one of the smartest guys on the field. DeCastro always knows where he has to be and which angle he needs to push defenders. This junior prospect is an agile interior lineman who plays with a nasty streak and can overmatch defensive lineman and linebackers at the point of attack.
A perfect fit for a Cowboys team that has Derrick Dockery and Kyle Kosier currently at their guard spots.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
There's a decent chance the Chargers re-sign tackle Jared Gaither, who bounced around the NFL last season before landing in San Diego and making solid contributions.
However, they need depth across their offensive line and Glenn can play either right tackle or either one of the guard spots. At 6'5'' and 346 pounds, he's a huge body that's deceptively agile moving on pull plays.
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Max Starks was a great stop-gap option for the Steelers in 2011, but he shouldn't be part of the team's future. Adams is a mammoth 6'7'' and carries his 323 pounds well on his enormous frame. He is a bit raw, but has the strength and can slide his feet to stymie edge rushers.
He'll need to work on his technique at the next level, but he makes sense for Pittsburgh at this No. 24 spot.
25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama
28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Matt Birk has had a Hall of Fame career and has been a fine anchor for the Baltimore Ravens since coming to the team in 2009. However, he'll be 36 before next season begins and the team must look ahead to the future.
Wisconsin's Peter Konz is the top center prospect in this year's class and has all the potential to be a fantastic center as a professional.
He's not spectacular in any one area, but you rarely see any mistakes blocking for the run or protecting on pass plays. A well-rounded interior lineman that is the logical pick for Baltimore at No. 29.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington
Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox
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