2012 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive Playmakers Who Still Need Work

You can have all the physical ability in the world, but if you haven't completely learned the intricacies of your respective position, there is still some growing to do in the NFL.

There are plenty of exciting offensive prospects this year in the 2012 NFL draft, but they're going to have to work on some things before they meet their true potential.

Here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft, complete with offensive playmakers that still need work (in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

With reports that Peyton Manning has the Miami Dolphins on his wish list, it's safe to say by now that he's headed out of town.

Andrew Luck, one of the best quarterback prospects since, well, Manning, would be the ideal replacement. He has everything you look for in an NFL quarterback.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

By offering the No. 6 overall pick and two second-rounders, I believe the Redskins will move up to No. 2 and nab Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins need to upgrade under center badly and Griffin has tremendous arm strength, as well as solid accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and outstanding running ability.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil's ability as a pass-blocker and run-blocker will benefit the Vikings greatly. Young quarterback Christian Ponder needs better protection before he can be fully evaluated. Offensive tackles like Kalil are few and far between.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

According to Cleveland's The Plain Dealer, the Browns have renewed interest in re-signing running back Peyton Hillis after he finished strong in the final six weeks of the season.

If that's the case, I see them going after a potential star receiver in Justin Blackmon, who has the strength and leaping ability to transition nicely to the NFL.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Not only is Morris Claiborne a top-five prospect, he fills a big need for the Buccaneers. Aqib Talib is a liability both on and off the field now and Ronde Barber is 36 years old.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Rams would like a receiver, but I don't know if they'll take Alshon Jeffery this early, especially since they traded for Brandon Lloyd last season. Instead, I expect them to shore up their offensive line and draft Riley Reiff to protect young quarterback Sam Bradford.

Reiff is an elite prospect with his strength and athleticism and could step in right away.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery dealt with a poor quarterback situation all season at South Carolina, but he showed late in the season why he could become a star in the NFL. He has better speed and strength than Blackmon and he would be a nice weapon for young quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

With the Dolphins reportedly shifting to a 4-3 defense next season, I like them grabbing Zach Brown to shore up their linebacking corps. Brown is a great fit in a 4-3, with the ability to rush the passer, play the run well and use his impressive speed to cover receivers and tight ends.

Brown had a good Senior Bowl and I see him rising even more after the NFL combine based on his eye-opening measurables.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

When LSU's Michael Brockers declared, it changed everything. He was only a sophomore this season, so he needs to work on his technique a bit, but his combination of strength, speed and quickness could make him a star down the line.

Remember, San Francisco 49ers rookie Aldon Smith was considered a reach at No. 7 overall last year, but he's already developed into an All-Pro.

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Bills need a pass-rusher more than ever. With them reportedly switching to a 4-3 defense next season, Nick Perry would be a nice fit at defensive end.

He has the strength, length and athleticism to be a better pass rusher than Alabama's Courtney Upshaw in the NFL.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin has the athleticism and toughness to be a good pass-blocker and run-blocker in the NFL and the young Chiefs need some help on the offensive line.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

There are some concerns about Upshaw after a poor Senior Bowl performance, but anyone who saw this guy at Alabama knows he can be a force. I believe Upshaw's desire will lift him past these concerns in the long run, but I don't see him as a better pass-rusher than Perry.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is one of the biggest risers this season. His size, frame and impressive footwork could see him surprise in the NFL, but he does need to work on his technique and is considered a bit of a project.

The Cardinals offensive line needs serious help. Not all of Kevin Kolb's struggles last season were on him.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

After grabbing offensive tackle Tyron Smith last year, expect the Cowboys to bolster themselves at the guard position with David DeCastro.

DeCastro's footwork and technique could make him a better overall lineman than Jonathan Martin and the Cowboys could have their second straight score on the offensive line.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With DeSean Jackson likely headed out of Philly, Michael Floyd could become the Eagles' next star receiver. He has the strength, leaping ability, hands and technique shielding defenders to be a solid player in the NFL. 

Floyd does need to improve more on his route-running, however. That's separating him from players like Blackmon and Jeffery right now.

16. New York Jets: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

I continue to be impressed with Whitney Mercilus the more I see him on film. His speed and explosion should make him a handful for opposing offenses and he challenges Perry as the fastest first-round OLB prospect in the class.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is a legit top-10 prospect this season. His combination of power, speed, burst, vision, patience and big-play ability project him as a potential superstar in the NFL.

If he lands here, he'd be a great successor to Cedric Benson. There aren't a lot of teams this season whose primary need is running back, so there is a chance Richardson could slip here.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram's size and speed don't make him the ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, but he changes direction very well and his closing speed and length allows him to make up for it.

Ingram also impressed in the Senior Bowl and the Chargers are in desperate need of a pass-rushing OLB. He may be a late bloomer adjusting to the speed of the NFL, but I like him enough as an overall player to give him a shot at OLB.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears haven't fixed their offensive line, as evidenced by the 49 sacks allowed in 2011. Quarterback Jay Cutler needs more help in the pocket and Cordy Glenn has the size and athleticism to be an impressive guard in the pros.

20. Tennessee Titans: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Titans would ideally like a guard, but with Glenn taken off the board, they'll have to address defensive end with the best defensive lineman available.

Andre Branch wasn't close to being considered a first-rounder before the 2011 season started, but he soared in his senior season, notching 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss (first in the ACC).  

Branch has the frame and athleticism to be good fit rushing off the edge for the Titans.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

It would be a dream for the Bengals to land two potential stars on both sides of the ball as the young team emerges into a contender.

Kirkpatrick has the physicality, ball skills and height to be an asset in pass coverage and he will fly to the ball against the run.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

You generally don't see teams drafting two receivers with their first two picks, but in this case it makes a lot of sense.

The Browns obviously don't have a lot of depth at receiver, and Kendall Wright, with his DeSean Jackson-like athleticism, would allow the Browns to stretch the field while using Blackmon as a possession receiver.

Wright needs to work on his route-running like Floyd, but he has great hands and explosiveness.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

After Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints blasted the Lions in the playoffs, it's clear they need some help in the secondary.

Stephon Gilmore has great ball skills and coverage ability and he flies to the ball carrier. He can also return punts for the Lions. The Lions averaged 7.9 yards per punt return this season, 26th in the NFL.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers would like some help on the offensive line here, but I don't see a first-round prospect in the rest of the class.

In that case, the Steelers need to fin a nose tackle to replace 34-year-old Casey Hampton down the road. Dontari Poe is the only legit first-round nose tackle in the draft, with the strength and burst to be a problem for offenses in the interior.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Devon Still is the second-best defensive tackle in the class in my opinion. He's a tough player with good strength, height and bulk. The Broncos need someone to stuff the run in the middle.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Texans need a No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson. Mohamed Sanu has the strength, hands, leaping ability and fearlessness to be a solid receiver in the NFL.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Illinois

Fletcher Cox, with his strength and quickness, quickly shot up draft boards this season after a solid season at Illinois. He would be a nice fit as a defensive end for the Patriots, who need more talented pass-rushers.

28. Green Bay Packers: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) 

If Lamar Miller falls this far, I find it hard to believe the Packers wouldn't grab him and give Aaron Rodgers a running game. If Rodgers won the MVP with a lacking running game this season, just imagine what he could do with a solid running game.

Miller has the speed, burst, vision and ability as a receiver out of the backfield to be a dangerous player in the NFL.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict has obvious character concerns, but his strength, instincts and sideline-to-sideline range make him a scary prospect. I expect Ray Lewis to keep him under control and groom him as his successor. He needs to work some things out mentally, but he could be a star in the NFL if he gets it together.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 49ers would prefer a receiver like Wright or Sanu, but with them off the board I see the Niners adding depth to their secondary with Janoris Jenkins, whose overall ability and performance at the Senior Bowl is quickly erasing teams' doubts about his character.

31. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots could go with an outside linebacker here, but they value Tom Brady more than anything and center Dan Koppen is 32 years old and fractured his ankle this season.

Peter Konz is a legit first-round prospect at center. He has great size and awareness and there aren't many holes in his game. He would be a great successor to Koppen.

32. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

There are some concerns about Luke Kuechly's size and strength at the next level, but his instincts, tackling ability, range and vision are going to make it hard for the Giants to pass him up, especially considering their primary need is inside linebacker.