2012 NFL Mock Draft: Polarizing Players Teams Will Hesitate to Bring in

If you want to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, you need to be an outstanding football player with an outstanding personality.

However, some players get drafted in the first round despite the fact they stretch the limits of one requirement or the other. Sometimes they stretch the limits of both, and still end up going in the first round.

These would be what we call the polarizing players. There are a few in every draft, and there are going to be a few in the 2012 draft as well. Teams are going to be hesitant to go after them.

Let's go ahead and identify who these players are. Read on for a full first-round mock.

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

No problems here. Andrew Luck is the most talented quarterback prospect to come along in a long time, and it is widely agreed that he is a great person as well. Despite their sudden hot streak, the Colts are favorites to end up with the No. 1 overall pick, and they will draft Luck if they are given the chance.

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

I wouldn't have thought to label Justin Blackmon as a polarizing player before, but suddenly I'm not so sure.

If you haven't heard the latest news, Blackmon is a key figure in a developing situation at Oklahoma State involving impermissible benefits. FoxSports.com has all the details, which involve Blackmon allegedly getting paid for autographs and other such violations.

Relatively speaking, the allegations involving Blackmon aren't all that serious. And besides, what happens at the college level is of no concern to the NFL (except for when it comes to Terrelle Pryor).

Nevertheless, any scandal will give rise to character concerns, and Blackmon is going to have to deal with those concerns.

But these concerns won't stop Blackmon from being a high draft pick. If the Rams have a shot at him, they could very well take him.

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

Matt Kalil is a dominant left tackle, and the Vikings are a team that could use a dominant left tackle. Essentially, Kalil will be Bryant McKinnie's replacement, and his job would be to keep Christian Ponder safe.

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

Trent Richardson is an elite running back prospect, and there's simply no way he's going to last beyond the top 10 on draft day. The Browns are going to need a running back when they part with Peyton Hillis.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

There's a slight difference of opinion regarding just how good Alshon Jeffery is, but not enough of one to label him as a "polarizing" player. He'll go to a WR-needy team, and I can easily see the Jaguars drafting him if they pass on a cornerback.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is widely regarded as the best cornerback prospect in the 2012 draft class, and the Bucs are going to need him. Ronde Barber is a free agent and Aqib Talib is facing felony assault charges. Both of them could be gone after this season.

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

There are some people out there who think Robert Griffin III is just as good as Andrew Luck. Even if he is not, he's still well worth a top-10 draft pick, and the Redskins would be scoring big-time if they drafted him at No. 7.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Matt Barkley would have been ideal for the Dolphins at this spot, but he's not ready for the NFL. The next order of business for the Dolphins is to upgrade their offensive line, and Riley Reiff is the man for the job.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Panthers have a bunch of upgrades they need to make on defense, but they would be wise to draft a cornerback. Dre Kirkpatrick would help them compete in the pass-happy NFC South.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Bills scored with Marcell Dareus, but they could stand to upgrade their linebacking corps. Zach Brown is a blazing-fast outside linebacker who could rush the passer and help out in coverage. He would be a valuable asset.

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

The Chiefs are poised to have a quarterback battle in 2012, but they need to improve the offensive line for whoever ends up winning he job. Andrew Luck will vouch for Jonathan Martin's talents, and he's practically a steal at this position.

12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame*

Based on talent alone, Michael Floyd might be good enough to go in the top 10.

The only trouble is that Floyd hasn't exactly lived the good Catholic life at Notre Dame. He has a history of alcohol-related brushes with the law, the most recent of which was a DUI arrest in March 2011.

Floyd has supposedly been on his best behavior ever since, but the very idea that a guy might be a boozer is enough to make NFL teams nervous. The last thing they want to do is invest millions of dollars in a player who likes to party hard.

Still, the fact that Floyd has cleaned up his act will help him. If the Cardinals come across him, they could take him as a much-needed complement for Larry Fitzgerald.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine, and that's something the Eagles are going to need in 2012. They cannot risk having a rush defense as leaky as theirs was in 2011.

14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina*

Nobody is going to question the fact that Quinton Coples deserves to be a first-round draft pick, but there are some legitimate concerns about how high his ceiling is.

Even ESPN's Mel Kiper, who is a fan of Coples, has his doubts about him. 

"The size and talent are there," admits Kiper, "but he'll need to add to his arsenal with increased blocking attention."

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller is even more skeptical:

"

Has not always shown the speed and flexibility to be a consistent pass-rusher on the edge. Coples has not been as productive as other top defensive ends. Coples hasn't shown elite agility, particularly lateral agility, and may struggle in space and in pursuit. Does not show much change of direction ability. Questionable flexibility. I like him much more as a left defensive end than as a pass-rusher off the right side.

"

In a nutshell, Coples is a great athlete, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's a good football player. That's enough to make teams beware drafting another Vernon Gholston.

But Coples will go in the first round anyway. It just so happens the Seahawks could use a defensive end, and it would be worth it for them to roll the dice on Coples.

15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

The Chargers are sorely in need up an upgrade at right tackle, and Cordy Glenn would be a perfect fit. He's billed as a guard, but he has the size and the skillset to handle right tackle duties.

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears made a good pick when they drafted Gabe Carimi in 2011, but they need to shore up the opposite end of their offensive line in 2012. Chicago's offensive line did improve throughout the course of the season, but the Bears still need to make it stronger.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

David DeCastro is easily the best interior offensive lineman in the 2012 draft class, and the interior of Tennessee's O-line could use some improvement. DeCastro will prove to be useful clearing running lanes for Chris Johnson and protecting Jake Locker. Once again, Andrew Luck will vouch. 

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Cowboys don't necessarily need to upgrade their linebacking corps, but drafting Courtney Upshaw and placing him alongside Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware is a pretty scary idea. Nobody would look forward to facing Dallas' defense.

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

Melvin Ingram is a bit of a tweener, but he's a talented player who could fit in as a 4-3 defensive end or as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Jets could use an outside linebacker, particularly one who could rush the passer. Ingram fits the bill. 

20. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals will likely wave goodbye to Cedric Benson after this season, which would leave them in need of a running back. If they draft Lamar Miller, they'll have a rock-solid offensive trio featuring Miller, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

21. New York Giants (8-7): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Giants would love to find offensive line help here, but there's none worth reaching for. A good middle linebacker is a secondary priority, and Dont'a Hightower would be a safe pick.

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Broncos could have drafted Marcell Dareus in 2011, but they went for Von Miller instead. That pick has worked out, but they need to get stronger at defensive tackle. Devon Still would make them very strong at defensive tackle.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Bengals lost Johnathan Joseph to free agency this past offseason, so it would be wise for them to find a long-term replacement. Alfonzo Dennard would be a great pick here.

24. Detroit Lions (10-5): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama*

When it comes to Janoris Jenkins, everyone agrees that the talent is there. 

The great unknown is whether Jenkins has a good head on his shoulders. After all, his off-field problems led to his dismissal from Florida in the spring of 2011.

Jenkins' dismissal was preceded by two marijuana-related arrests in a span of three months. He was also arrested in 2009 after getting in a fight and fleeing from police.

Ultimately, Jenkins' missteps led him to North Alabama, which is a far cry from Gainesville. 

Before drafting Jenkins, teams will have to ask themselves two questions. One is if Jenkins can handle success in the pros, and the other is if they can trust a guy who spent 2011 dominating Division II competition.

Because the Lions could stand to add a cornerback to help them compete with the Green Bay Packers, I think they would roll the dice.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans are as deep as any team in the NFL when they're healthy, but they could stand to add a home run threat who could take some pressure off of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright is the perfect man for the job.

26. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*

We come at last to the most polarizing player in the 2012 NFL draft class: Vontaze Burfict.

Burfict is as talented as they come, but he played a little too wildly in 2011, ultimately ending up in Dennis Erickson's dog house.

Here's what SI.com's Tony Pauline wrote about Burfict in late November:

"

Possibly no player has dropped down draft boards faster this season than Burfict. He entered the campaign ranked as a potential top five pick, but his immaturity has cost him at least half a round, if not more. He's been consistently flagged for unsportsmanlike penalties, and it has cost his team dearly. Scouts say Burfict shows little in the way of controlling his temper, which has NFL decision-makers concerned.

"

Because Burfict is a junior, you honestly have to wonder if coming out of Arizona State is the best thing for him. If he wants to repair his image, he should return to school for one more season.

If Burfict does go pro, I could see the Ravens drafting him. They need to find an heir apparent for Ray Lewis, and Burfict may very well be the next coming of Lewis.

27. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma*

Speaking of players who could benefit from another year in college, here's Landry Jones.

For the better part of the 2011 season, Landry Jones looked like a surefire top-10 pick. Then Ryan Broyles got hurt, and Jones went into a tailspin. In Oklahoma's final three regular season games, Jones threw five interceptions and no touchdown passes.

Mel Kiper was asked on "SportsCenter" on Friday what he thinks Jones should do, and Kiper hinted that going back to Oklahoma for another year could be in Jones' best interest.

I agree. Jones is different from Matt Barkley in that he actually needs one more year in college, and Barkley's absence probably wouldn't help him in any way.

If Jones does go pro, he would probably slide all the way to the 20s, where he would be a great pickup for the Browns. They shouldn't be willing to trust Colt McCoy with the keys to their franchise.

28. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The 49ers need to get a little less one-dimensional on offense, but they will have options in free agency (i.e. DeSean Jackson). Instead, they could make their pass defense as strong as their rush defense by drafting Stephon Gilmore.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Offensive line help would be great here, but the Steelers would have to reach. They're better off taking Dontari Poe as an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton, who is getting up there in years.

30. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE, Wisconsin

The Patriots will have to decide what kind of defensive scheme is the best fit for them, but Jared Crick could play in any scheme they decide on. He could play on a 4-3 or a 3-4 defensive line, making him an ideal pick.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

The Patriots need help at cornerback too, but upgrading their safeties is a must. Markelle Martin is a safer pick here than Alabama's Mark Barron.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers are a dangerous offensive team now with a weak rushing attack. Just imagine how dangerous they would be with a strong rushing attack. That's a job for Chris Polk.