2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Talents with Potential to Fly Up Draft Board

We know all about Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson and Robert Griffin III, but there are 29 other players that will be taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft too.

Richardson and RG3 still need to declare, but they're currently ranked close to where they'll be selected while Luck is going to be the No. 1 pick.

A number of players behind these stars boast first round talent but some of them will rise and some of them will fall.

Here are some of the first-round talents with the potential fly up draft boards this winter.

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

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

The top prospect in the draft has nowhere to go but down. Whether it be the Colts or a team they or the Rams trade with, Luck is going to be the first name called on draft day. Don't surprised if a team comes flying out of nowhere to make it happen.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a can't-miss prospect with the size, athleticism and potential to be an elite tackle for a long time. He could actually go No. 1 if the Rams land the top pick and can't find a trading partner.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The LSU Tiger is the draft's top cover man and best defensive prospect. He could move into the top two, but that's unlikely.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The top pass-catcher on the board could move up if the Rams are truly desperate to land a wide receiver. Blackmon isn't as elite as A.J. Green was at the No. 4 spot last year, but he's a playmaker for a team that lacks exactly that.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

This is already a bit of a reach for Dre based on his body of work. His potential is through the roof, though. His combination of size and athleticism warrant top-10 consideration. Also, cornerback is a huge need for the Bucs.

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

The Crimson Tide back is a better prospect than former teammate Mark Ingram was and does warrant consideration this high despite the decreased value at the running back position. He's the total package.

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

RG3 continues his meteoric rise and he gets the nod as the first riser because, should he declare, he has a great shot at moving up to No. 2 in this draft behind Andrew Luck.

For starters, the Heisman Trophy winner will win the draft process. Physically, he's a freak athlete with track speed. Not just track speed where he's super fast, but track speed where he could legitimately compete for the Olympics if that was his focus. As for his arm, it will shine in workouts.

He'll rock interviews and team meetings to the point where he'll be lending out zany socks to all the execs and coaches in his presence.

When a quarterback-needy team sees this, they'll stop at nothing to get a shot at him.

When April comes around, should he declare, he could fly up boards.

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

The Oklahoma quarterback has first round tools but is likely going back to school. This represents the Dolphins' need for signal caller.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This is the perfect landing spot for Reiff, a solid technician who can help a team immediately. He's not elite, but he's a fringe top 10 pick.

10. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Following this weekend, when the mock is updated with the new draft order, Quinton Coples will find his name much further down the list. Panthers will take the best available defensive player.

11. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Solid tackle prospect with great, light feet and potential to develop into a blindside protector.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Big, physical, playmaking receiver is a top-15 pick and a great fit for an Eagles team looking for a steady pair of hands without durability issues.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

This is already rather high for Still, but the lack of elite defensive tackle depth has pushed the dominant Nittany Lion to the top of the class. At 6'4", 310 pounds, Still has the versatility to fit in either a 4- or 3-man front and still be an effective player.

When he's on top of his game he is dominant and he is a huge reason why the Nittany Lions are where they this year.

As the draft process continues he should be able to use his size and athleticism to dominate at the Senior Bowl and a good showing there could solidify his rise into the top 15 prospects.

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

He's a solid all-around cornerback prospect who does everything asked of him. Dennard wasn't at his best early this season and could see a bit of bump if he handles himself well in the draft process.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

This is a bit of reach on Ingram, but the 6'2", 277-pound senior pass rusher put it all together this year. His height is a bit of a concern, but he plays with good leverage and his tenacity getting after the passer should find him a home in the top 20.

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

Arguably the top interior lineman in the draft, Konz's size (6'5", 315 pounds) and ability in the middle has teams very excited.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Erratic playmaker with maturity issues, Burfict is still a freak physical specimen who, if coached up, could dominate.

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

Speed kills. Certain NFL teams cannot hide their love of speed, and Lamar Miller could turn himself into a very high draft pick because of it.

Rumors out of Miami indicate that the back runs sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash. If he puts this type of performance on at the NFL scouting combine it will certainly draw the attention of a number of NFL eyes.

He struggled in the mid-to-latter portion of the season after starting off hot, but he has already declared and has people talking.

Miller is the best running back to come out of Miami since Willis McGahee and there are few teams, including the Bengals, who will be looking for running back help in April. His speed could drive him up the board though.

19. New York Jets (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro has great size and was more dominant than Konz in most opinions as an interior lineman (Konz is a center, though). He's a great fit for a Jets team that needs to wake up and realize they're biggest strength lies in running the football. Could rise up boards, but guards don't help same value as tackles.

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

Instinctive playmaker with potential to simply tackle opponents week in and week out for the next decade. He could also bump up if teams get desperate at linebacker position.

21. Detroit Lions (10-5): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

The Hokie is a fringe first-round pick, but he's a great fit with a Lions team that doesn't have stability at the position. With Jahvid Best and the bigger Mikel Leshoure already on board, Wilson helps keep reps down and productivity up.

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

It's a risky pick, but Jenkins' overwhelming potential is too much for Cincinnati to pass up. He's a playmaker around the ball and the only reason he shouldn't move up draft boards is character concerns.

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

Super-versatile defensive lineman prospect who can play in any front. Good potential and could rise up board a bit.

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

Some team(s) are going to be enamored with Zach Brown's athleticism. Reports indicate he can run sub 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and he'll shine in workouts. 

That said, he's undersized for the linebacker position and is barely as big as some of the bigger defensive backs in the NFL at 6'2", 230 pounds.

He also hasn't played to his potential and doesn't make a lot of plays near the line of scrimmage.

The NFL is getting better when it comes to weeding out workout warriors, but Brown's talent and upside could drive him up the board.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Crimson Tide senior is the most complete safety in the class and could certainly rise up boards if a team needs one. He can cover, excels near the line, possess good ball skills and has the intangibles to to be a leader in the back.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Bulldogs offensive lineman is massive and can play either tackle or guard. Great fit in the mid-to-late first round depending on need.

27. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 9-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Could certainly fly up the board, but there are so many question marks surrounding him that only time can and production can answer.

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

The Crimson Tide senior pass rusher will almost certainly move up the draft board. In fact, this is probably a little low for him right now.

Upshaw's lack of ideal size (6'2", 265 pounds) is one of the few limitations he has.

However, he's an ideal 3-4 edge rusher with experience in the system, a knack for making big plays and the talent to contribute immediately in the NFL.

Teams know what to expect when they get a Nick Saban kid and Upshaw is one of many in the first round of this draft. He could easily find himself in the top 15 by April.

29. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Big, athletic, physical, inside linebacker could be the future replacement for Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

RG3's top weapon has great speed and the potential to develop into a complete receiver if he works for it.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is relatively unknown to the masses, but his size (6'2", 215 pounds) and versatility (has played quarterback, running back and wide receiver) have landed him in the late first round range.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry should actually be an honorable mention as a rising prospect. the 6'3", 250-pound pass-rusher is also undersized, but he knows how to get after the quarterback. Will start to elevate once the season the ends.