2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Can Improve Their Stock During Bowl Games

The value of many NFL draft prospects is already set in stone. Andrew Luck, for example, isn't going anywhere no matter how he plays in the up-coming Fiesta Bowl. 

Or someone like Robert Griffin III. He probably could have played better in the Alamo Bowl, but there was no way his stock was going anywhere.

With that being said, there are still several players getting ready to play in the next coming days who can still improve their stock.

Here's a look at a complete 2012 mock draft with an even closer look at some of those players in particular.

1) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It's the question on everyone's mind. Do the Colts draft Luck even though they have Manning or do they trade him for a big, big haul?

No matter what happens, Luck is going to be No. 1 overall. And he's going to be a good one, there's no question about that.

2) St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, OSU

Justin Blackmon came into the season head-to-head with Alshon Jeffrey in terms of draft stock, but he's really separated himself this season. 

He's not the tallest receiver, but he has tremendous big-play ability down the field and will immediately make the St. Louis Rams a better team.

Imagine putting Blackmon opposite Brandon Lloyd with Sam Bradford throwing the ball. Things haven't been pretty for the Rams, but this would improve things. 

Blackmon is someone who can improve his stock during the Fiesta Bowl. I'm betting he does, and that will get him drafted this high. 

3) Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil has protected Matt Barkley with tremendous success and the Vikings would be smart to get him to protect young Christian Ponder.

4) Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, ALA

Richardson is another one who, if he plays well in the National Championship, will see his stock shoot this high. If not, he won't crack the top five.

If Trent can cut up a defense like LSU for over 150 total yards for a second time this season, teams will stay in love with him.

Blessed with good size, speed and tremendous vision, Richardson would immediately solve Cleveland's running-back problems.

Peyton Hillis wasn't the same person this year and Montario Hardesty looks like he'll forever be injury-prone. 

5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tyrann Mathieu gets most of the credit for this secondary, but Claiborne has shut down anyone who comes. The Jaguars need help in a lot of areas. 

6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick has been one of the leaders on Alabama's top defense. He provides terrific coverage and tackling skills. 

7) Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Washington Redskins should consider themselves lucky they get to take RGIII. 

He's blessed with amazing athleticism, arm-strength, accuracy and character. He's going to be a star. 

8) Miami Dolphins: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd's stock has sky-rocketed in the last month or so, but a 100-catch season will do that for you. The Dolphins get a good receiver opposite Brandon Marshall.

9) Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Carolina is in the bottom 10 in sacks per game this season, and Coples, the best pass-rusher in the draft, would immediately improve that. 

10) Buffalo Bills, Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Ryan Fitzpatrick just signed a big contract and the Bills should beef up their line so they can continue to protect him. Reiff also excels in the run game, which should further help Fred Jackson's progression.

11) Philadelphia Eagles: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Eagles had one of the worst rush defenses in the league this year, so drafting a defensive tackle this earlier would make sense. 

"Still" though, Still has some work to do in the TicketCity Bowl to get his stock this high. 

Still was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year as he tore up opposing offenses. Still was among the conference leaders in tackles for loss and sacks as he led a very good Penn State defense. 

12) Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin has done a fantastic job protecting Andrew Luck, and he should do the same for Matt Cassel as the left tackle of the future.

13) Seattle Seahawks: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Seahawks really need a quarterback, but Pete Carroll won't reach if he doesn't have to, especially with Matt Flynn now as a potential target. Their pass defense was terrific this season, but a lot of unknowns stepped up. 

Who knows if guys like Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner will keep up their success. Getting Dennard to add depth would be key.

14) San Diego Chargers: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict's stock has dropped considerably after a poor season, but there's no doubting his elite skills.

15) Arizona Cardinals: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

This might be a little high for a center, but it's worth it as Konz has a very low floor. There's not much risk with this pick.

16) Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Titans might get Jenkins, who was once regarded as the best corner in this class, to replace free agent Cortland Finnegan. Even if Finnegan stays, Jenkins is an elite talent. 

17) Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)

Cedric Benson won't last much longer, and the Bengals would be smart to draft the explosive Miller as his backup.

18) Chicago Bears: Devin DeCastro, OL, Stanford

Stanford has one of the best offensive lines in recent memory, and DeCastro was a big reason for that. Maybe this pick persuades Matt Forte to stay in town.

19) Cincinnati Bengals: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bengals get their second pick of the round here, and this would help them add depth to their terrific pass rush.

20) Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly led the nation in tackles the last two years and is the perfect high-motor linebacker Rob Ryan would love to have for his defense.

21) Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown has been terrific this season for the Tar Heels and he improves Detroit's arguably worst position.

22) New York Jets: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Jets defense is still good, but their run D looked a little more susceptible at times. Cox would fix that while providing good depth.

23) Denver Broncos: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery, who was once regarded as the top wide receiver in this draft, could really help his stock in the Capitol One Bowl against Nebraska.

Jeffery hasn't had the best quarterback play this year, but he still has the highest ceiling of any receiver in the draft. He has Calvin Johnson type skills. He's that good.

If Jeffery puts together a good performance today, he could remind teams of his elite skill. If not, the Broncos should consider themselves lucky to get him here.

24) New York Giants: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron could give the Giants yet another defensive playmaker. He has 66 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles for loss and five breakups on the season.

25) Houston Texans: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Mario Williams' health might be up in the air, and Dont'a Hightower gives Houston a similar player to Williams.

Even if Williams does get back to full strength, Hightower will be used. 

26) Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The offensive line was at times atrocious for the Steelers and they can't afford not to improve it. Glenn, who anchored an underwhelming Bulldogs line, would help Pittsburgh.

27) Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright is an exciting, big-play receiver with after-the-catch potential. The Browns, and Colt McCoy in particular, need someone like that.

28) New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots have been pretty horrendous at rushing the quarterback and Upshaw, who was second in the SEC with 17 tackles for loss, would be a great pick.

Upshaw also led a fantastic Alabama defense with 8.5 sacks.

29) Baltimore Ravens: Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall

Curry is a talented linebacker who can rush the passer.

Ray Lewis is suddenly getting up there in age, and Curry would be a nice back-up plan.

30) San Francisco 49ers: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Minnifield is extremely athletic and has good coverage skills. The 49ers could use some depth in the secondary and he would provide good value here.

31) New England Patriots: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Patriots need to stockpile defensive players, and Nick Perry was incredibly impressive for the Trojans this year.

He's very versatile and the Pats could do a lot of things with him.

32) Green Bay Packers: Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

The Packers offense is explosive, but they are another team that is in need of defensive help.

They still have quite a few playmakers in the secondary, but a pass-rushing specialist would really help them. Irvin is just that, and the Pack would be happy to get him here.