2012 NFL Mock Draft: Fringe First Rounders That Will Prove Their Worth

There are players in this draft that are in danger of slipping past the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft but will ultimately prove they were well-worth that lofty selection. 

This is certainly not something that is unique to this year's draft. It happens every year. You'll see in the mock draft below players who will prove this to be true once again. 

Here is my latest complete first-round mock draft, with special attention paid to the fringe first rounders that will pay big dividends.

Richard Langford's Mock Draft

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This is the Andrew Luck draft. He is going No. 1. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a serious deep threat. He doesn't have blazing speed, but he has an impressive natural ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a polished lineman with all the tools to excel. He is easily the most promising tackle in the draft. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne doesn't have the breathtaking athletic ability of his former teammate Patrick Peterson, but it doesn't make him any less effective. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is polished enough to come in and start right away. He has the potential to be a Pro Bowler. 

6. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a complete back that will almost always find a way to get positive yards. He would be able to immediately step in and fill the void created by the inevitable departure of Peyton Hillis. 

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

The Heisman Trophy winner has the potential to dominate the NFL. There is no way the 'Skins pass on him if he is available when they draft. 

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma 

Jones is going to take some time to develop into a pro QB, but he has all the tools, and the Dolphins need to find a franchise signal-caller. 

9. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bills defense needs some work. Kirkpatrick is a sound corner that isn't afraid to pitch in on the run game. 

10. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Still is an explosive interior lineman that can clog running lanes and disrupt passing games. He is just what the Panthers' weak defense needs. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is a polished and experienced tackle that will be an instant upgrade to the right side of the Chiefs line, and he could end up being an excellent left tackle down the road. 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a strong defensive end. He provides an excellent bull-rush and will help the Eagles shore up the edge on rush defense. 

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8):  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is an amazing athlete. He has some serious mental lapses on the field, but this won't be enough to keep Pete Carroll from drafting him. 

14. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Denard is an athletic corner. He would bring some much-needed speed to the Chargers' defense. 

15. Chicago Bears (7-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Chicago must improve its offensive line. Konz is hands-down the best center in the draft, and he would be capable of starting Week 1. 

16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

DeCastro is a strong guard that excels in the run game. He will fit nicely into the Cardinals' offense. 

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barorn is a prototypical safety. He has a good size/speed ratio that helps him be effective in coverage and lay the lumber in run support. 

18. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK (8-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals will look for a playmaker in their backfield to pair with young guns Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. They won't find a better playmaker in the RB position than Miller. 

19. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a smart linebacker that relies on instincts more than athleticism. He will be a great centerpiece for the Cowboys' complex defensive schemes. 

20. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is a supremely talented CB with off-the-field questions. This won't concern the Bengals. 

21. New York Jets (8-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is an excellent athlete that can provide some pass rush. This is exactly what the Jets need. 

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is a big lane-clogging tackle. He would be a nice addition to the Broncos' defensive line. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-5): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a beast of a man. He weighs nearly 340 pounds. He would be a big boost to the Lions' weak running game. 

24. New York Giants (8-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is an amazing athlete that would be an instant upgrade for the Giants at weak-side linebacker.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd is a supremely gifted receiver. He has some off-the-field issues, but he is worth a pick in the late stages of the first round. He would give the Texans an excellent option to line up opposite of Andre Johnson. 

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Scouting Report

Adams is huge. He is 6'8" and 320 pounds. He has room on his massive frame to comfortably add 10-20 pounds. Despite his size, he moves his feet well and will excel in pass blocking. He will need some coaching to develop into an elite run blocker, but the potential is there. 

There are serious character concerns with Adams. This will be the main factor leaving him to be a fringe first rounder. Check out some highlights. 

Why Adams Fits with the Steelers

Pittsburgh needs offensive line help. This tweeter sums that fact up well. 

This is the perfect landing spot for Adams. They have a strong veteran core that will help them limit any character concerns. They also have an infectious killer attitude, that many scouts feel Adams lacks. 

27. Cleveland Browns via ATL (9-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a speedy receiver that will be able to stretch defenses. He could excel in the slot or on the outside. 

28. New England Patriots via NO (12-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Scouting Report

Upshaw is a supremely athletic player. He is explosive and has a knack for getting to the passer. However, he is a bit of a tweener. 

He is a mess in a coverage, which will turn teams off looking to make him a linebacker. And as a down lineman he struggles to get off of blocks. Check out this video to get a feel for his potential. 

Why Upshaw Fits with the Patriots

The Patriots defense has a lot of needs. One of the biggest is that they have no pass rush. Actually that statement may be too kind. 

Upshaw would give the Patriots a player with a nose for the QB. The fact that Upshaw appears to be caught in between positions won't concern Bill Belichick. He has tremendous success with this kind of player and will find a role that will lead to Upshaw's success. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (10-5): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is an amazing athlete that will be able to flourish as an inside or outside linebacker.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery will give the 49ers someone who can stretch the field.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry will be another player for the Patriots to add athleticism to their front seven.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska

Scouting Report

Crick does not posses elite athleticism. This could keep him out of the first round. However, at 6'6" and 285 pounds, he has great size and strength. He also has the frame to add some beef.

Crick will be an ideal fit for an end in a 3-4 system. He has very good pass-rush moves and the strength to maintain his gap in the run game. Feel free to peruse this video to get an idea of his ability.

Why Crick Fits with the Packers  

The Packers need serious help to stop oppositions from running on them. Crick will be an instant upgrade for them in this regard. 

The Packers blitz-heavy defensive system will help limit the liability of his lack of athleticism. This will allow Crick to do what he is well-equipped to do: beat lineman in one-on-one pass rushing situations and hold his ground against the run.