There's nothing like looking back at a previous draft armed with knowledge and perspective on how each prospect developed. While it's unfair to the decision makers who ultimately pulled the trigger in 2012, I thought it would be fun to conduct a do-over of the draft that featured Andrew Luck, RGIII and a handful of emerging stars. Here's how the 2012 NFL Draft would play out if we had a chance to do it all over again:
1. Indianapolis Colts
Pick:Andrew Luck
Do-over: Same
Comment: Luck has already shown the special qualities that are typically associated with franchise quarterbacks. He has eight fourth-quarter comebacks and 11 game-winning drives, while guiding the Colts to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
2. Washington Redskins
Pick:Robert Griffin III
Do-over:Russell Wilson
Comment:RGIII has been terrific in D.C., but Wilson is the ultimate winner with a Super Bowl ring already in tow.
3. Cleveland Browns
Pick:Trent Richardson
Do-over:Luke Kuechly
Comment: Richardson failed to play up to expectations in Cleveland and Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Kuechly has already established himself as the top inside linebacker in the game.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Pick:Matt Kalil
Do-over:Josh Gordon
Comment: Gordon has quickly become one of the premier pass catchers in the NFL. He led the league with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, while averaging a ridiculous 18.9 yards per catch.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick:Justin Blackmon
Do-over:Robert Griffin III
Comment: There is no doubt that RGIII would've energized the Jaguars' fan base with his electrifying game. He also would've sparked a few more wins with his penchant for playmaking outside of the pocket.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Pick:Morris Claiborne
Do-over:Matt Kalil
Comment: Imagine Kalil joining Tyron Smith to form a formidable frontline that would allow the Cowboys to pummel opponents at the line of scrimmage.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick:Mark Barron
Do-over: Same
Comment: Big, athletic safeties with ball skills are coveted at a premium. Barron has been a steady performer for the Bucs in the middle of the field.
8. Miami Dolphins
Pick:Ryan Tannehill
Do-over:Alfred Morris
Comment: Sure, the NFL is a pass-centric league, but the teams built for the long haul have a solid running game intact.
9. Carolina Panthers
Pick:Luke Kuechly
Do-over:Alshon Jeffery
Comment: If the Panthers would give Cam Newton a big-bodied target with exceptional ball skills, Carolina's offense would go from good to great in a hurry.
10. Buffalo Bills
Pick:Stephon Gilmore
Do-over:Nick Foles
Comment: Foles wasn't considered a franchise quarterback in the original draft, but a spectacular season that featured a 27:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio has certainly changed that perception.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Pick:Dontari Poe
Do-over: Same
Comment: Former GM Scott Pioli was ridiculed for taking Poe in the original draft, but the workout warrior has quickly developed into a Pro Bowl player in Kansas City.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick:Fletcher Cox
Do-over:Stephon Gilmore
Comment: After striking out on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha a few years ago, the Eagles would gladly invest in a young, athletic cover corner with immense potential.
13. Arizona Cardinals
Pick:Michael Floyd
Do-over: Same
Comment: Floyd has been a nice complement to Larry Fitzgerald on the perimeter. He could eventually supplant the Pro Bowler as the Cardinals' No. 1 option in the passing game.
14. St. Louis Rams
Pick:Michael Brockers
Do-over:Fletcher Cox
Comment: Cox has shown promise as a high-motor defender with imposing size, strength and athleticism. He would be a nice fit in Gregg Williams' ultra-aggressive scheme.
15. Seattle Seahawks
Pick:Bruce Irvin
Do-over:Chandler Jones
Comment: Irvin flashed pass-rush skills during his rookie season, but Jones is a superior player on the edge. More important, he is a natural defensive end capable of staying on the field in every situation.
16. New York Jets
Pick:Quinton Coples
Do-over:Whitney Mercilus
Comment: Mercilus would give Rex Ryan the athletic pass rusher that he's lacked since his arrival in New York.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick:Dre Kirkpatrick
Do-over:Janoris Jenkins
Comment: Character concerns knocked Jenkins down the board in the original draft, but he has been a solid citizen and dynamic player since entering the league.
18. San Diego Chargers
Pick:Melvin Ingram
Do-over:Vontaze Burfict
Comment: Burfict's gritty demeanor and ultra-aggressive game would give the Chargers defense an edge that's been missing in recent years.
19. Chicago Bears
Pick:Shea McClellin
Do-over:Olivier Vernon
Comment: Phil Emery has hit home runs on a few surprising selections, but the McClellin experiment has been a disaster to date. Meanwhile, Vernon has already notched 15.0 sacks in two seasons and is a better fit as a situational pass rusher off the edge.
20. Tennessee Titans
Pick:Kendall Wright
Do-over: Same
Comment: Wright's "street ball" game will drive some offensive coordinators crazy, but it's hard to dispute his production or effectiveness as the Titans' No. 1 receiver.
21. New England Patriots
Pick:Chandler Jones
Do-over:Quinton Coples
Comment: Coples' versatility would make him a solid fit in Bill Belichick's hybrid defense.
22. Cleveland Browns
Pick:Brandon Weeden
Do-over:Ryan Tannehill
Comment: Tannehill would finally give the Browns a young quarterback to build around in the Dawg Pound.
23. Detroit Lions
Pick:Riley Reiff
Do-over:Bobby Wagner
Comment: Wagner is an underrated defender on the national scene, but NFL insiders see him as a steadying force in the middle of an elite defense. He would thrive playing behind Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the middle.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick:David DeCastro
Do-over:Lavonte David
Comment: David is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with terrific instincts, awareness and anticipation. Those traits would encourage Mike Tomlin to add him to the lineup in a do-over.
25. New England Patriots
Pick:Dont'a Hightower
Do-over: Same
Comment: Hightower has been a great fit in Bill Belichick's defense -- a big-bodied, versatile second-level defender with rush skills.
26. Houston Texans
Pick:Whitney Mercilus
Do-over:T.Y. Hilton
Comment: Hilton's speed and explosiveness would create more room for Andre Johnson over the middle. Additionally, Hilton's big-play ability would add another dimension to an offense that perennially ranks as one of the best in the NFL.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick:Kevin Zeitler
Do-over:Michael Brockers
Comment: Brockers possesses the size, length and athleticism that would entice Marvin Lewis in a do-over scenario.
28. Green Bay Packers
Pick:Nick Perry
Do-over:Melvin Ingram
Comment: Ingram's explosiveness would make him a more effective complement to Clay Matthews in the Packers defense.
29. Minnesota Vikings
Pick:Harrison Smith
Do-over: Same
Comment: Smith has been a solid deep middle defender for the Vikings. He attacks runners in the hole, while also showing the range to stay over the top on deep balls.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Pick:A.J. Jenkins
Do-over:Rueben Randle
Comment: Randle was overlooked the first go 'round, but the 49ers would welcome a smooth receiver with strong hands and exceptional ball skills.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick:Doug Martin
Do-over: Same
Comment: The "Muscle Hamster" shot up the charts in the original draft. His production and performance over the past two years justifies the Buccaneers' decision to select the Boise State product at the bottom of the first round.
32. New York Giants
Pick:David Wilson
Do-over:Coby Fleener
Comment:Eli Manning's numbers have dipped a little last season without a dominant playmaker down the middle of the field. Fleener's size and athleticism would give the former Super Bowl MVP a big target to pinpoint in the red zone.
Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
