2012 NFL Mock Draft: Injury Risks Who Will Be Major Steals

While taking big risks early in the draft is never a good idea, there are plenty of teams in the NFL that feel their training staff and health programs are good enough to keep any athlete healthy.

These are the players with a history of injuries that will flourish at the NFL level.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is a lock for No. 1 overall pick. This move is a Peyton Manning cut away from being 100 percent.

2. $$ Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There has been talk of the Rams trading out of this spot to whoever bids the highest for Robert Griffin III. I think Cleveland wins the bidding war.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Christian Ponder needs some serious protection in Minnesota, and Matt Kalil will be the team’s franchise left tackle for more than 10 years.

4. $$ St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Assuming it is the Browns that move up for Griffin, the Rams will be picking at No. 4 and get the unquestionable best receiver in the draft Justin Blackmon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

With Ronde Barber almost 100 years old, taking Morris Claiborne here is the perfect fit.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

At 6’4” and 222 pounds, Ryan Tannehill is the perfect size for a pocket quarterback at the NFL level. What makes this young star unique is that he can be as mobile as Aaron Rodgers when needed.

Sometimes when people start talking about his accuracy and arm strength, they forget just how good he can be on his feet, both in the pocket and scrambling to the outside.

While a foot injury that will require surgery is a huge concern for teams, this is a kid with an enormous amount of upside. While it may feel like Washington is reaching here, Tannehill will be a better NFL QB than Griffin.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

While he has stayed below most radars through the actual college season, scouts know where the talent is and Quinton Coples will be a Pro Bowl talent.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

There may be no better defensive tackle prospect in this draft than Devon Still from Penn State. As good as he is, there are some injury concerns.

Still has suffered several serious injuries over his career, including a broken ankle in his freshman season that required surgery. He also missed the Senior Bowl with a toe injury.

While the string of injuries will be something teams take into consideration, when the teams see the size this kid has and the size he can still put on, they will be falling over themselves to select him. Lucky for the Panthers he will be there at No. 8.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With the assumed arrival of Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning, the Dolphins will have to make priority No. 1 protecting the new quarterback. Jonathan Martin will be their man.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Buffalo bills need a pass-rusher desperately. Courtney Upshaw will make an instant impact.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Marshawn Lynch already in the backfield, the tandem of Trent Richardson and Lynch would be dubbed “Crash and Burn." Dangerous duo.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Kansas City Chiefs need to protect the quarterback, and that’s exactly what they’ll do when they snag Riley Reiff as an anchor for the offensive line.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

With Stewart Bradley obviously not being the future in Arizona, Luke Kuechly is the best middle linebacker in the draft and the best fit for Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With another year of an offensive lineman like David DeCastro being selected in the first round, Jerry Jones wants no excuses from Tony Romo or the run game.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Eagles will find their big red-zone target when they grab Notre Dame’s huge wide receiver, Michael Floyd.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram was built to rush the passer off the edge of Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense. With his speed and strength, he will be a force in the NFL.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Despite being arrested, the amount of talent Dre Kirkpatrick has will have the Bengals looking past his flaws—as if that were a surprise.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

If Nick Perry doesn’t pan out for the Chargers, Norv Turner is gone. No pressure, though.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Jay Cutler needs someone to protect him before he gets destroyed. Center Peter Konz will be the man to do that.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I have seen Michael Brockers all over the board, but until I see him at the combine I can’t have him crack the top 20. I want to be wrong, though.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If the Bengals draft Lamar Miller, that means no more Cedric Benson in Cincy.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery could be the steal of the draft if he falls this far, and with the possible drafting of Griffin, Cleveland could have a dangerous offense.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Detroit Lions know about injury risk because of the plethora of injury-prone stars they have drafted over the years. That’s why taking Alfonzo Dennard will be an easy choice.

With the Lions secondary ranking in the bottom third in almost every major defensive statistic, taking a player as talented as Dennard will outweigh all of the baggage he comes with.

Dennard had quad injuries through his last season at Wisconsin and has suffered on and off from injuries through his college career. Detroit will give its medical team the chance to keep him healthy.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Cordy Glenn is the second-best offensive lineman on my board, but don’t think he will go as high as many have said. If Pittsburgh gets him here, it’s a steal.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

John Fox will further infuse his 4-3 mentality onto the defense with a huge pickup in defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Wade Phillips continues his mad scientist project on the defense with stellar safety Mark Barron.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

If the Super Bowl showed us anything, it’s that the Patriots defense needs a consistent pass rush and they need better cornerbacks. Andre Branch will help with the pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

With the Packers ranking 32nd in team defense in 2011, they know that taking a defensive tackle like Jerel Worthy to help stop the run and put some added pressure on opponent’s quarterbacks is a must.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower is a middle linebacker with a hard-hitting mentality. Where have I heard this before?

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Instead of addressing the fact that Alex Smith is still not the QB of the future, the 49ers will give him a weapon he can’t handle. Great plan.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Despite having troubles at Florida that cause him to be removed from the program, Bill Belichick will turn the troubled youngster into a top-10 cornerback.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

With the Giants pulling off another Super Bowl upset, the idea of a team like New York not losing any key pieces and adding a guy like Zach Brown has to be scary for the NFC East.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL scouting combine

$$—potential trade

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