2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Big Names with Huge Bust Potential

We officially know where half of the league's teams will pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

The 20 teams not in the playoffs have been slotted, but four teams will have their position determined by a coin flip.

The playoffs will determine the rest of the order, but for this week, the 19 teams (Oakland traded its No. 17 pick to Cincinnati) will start their draft process.

And that process includes finding elite talent and, most importantly, avoiding busts. Here are five big-name players with huge bust potential.

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

The Colts have a few tough decisions to make in the coming weeks. A lot of that has to do with the No. 1 overall pick. If they choose to draft Andrew Luck, they'll be starting over whether they want to admit it or not. If they choose to trade the pick they may be able to help Peyton compete for another ring.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Whoever the Rams hire as their new coach, they'll have to hope they can protect Sam Bradford. He needs another weapon outside, but no wide receiver truly deserves to go top two in this draft.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The LSU Tigers' defensive back is a bit overshadowed by his Heisman finalist teammate, the Honey Badger, but Claiborne is the real deal. The top cover corner in the draft is an immediate upgrade in the Vikes' secondary.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide running back is the real deal. He's a freak physical specimen that can do everything and then some at the position.

He has the size, speed and natural ability to simply shine in the NFL.

But the running back position has been—and rightfully so—devalued in recent seasons.

For the Browns, a team with question marks all over the offense, to take a shot on a running back, they must hope he pans out.

Cleveland has two first-round picks in this draft—trade with Atlanta last year—and cannot afford to miss on either of them after passing on Julio Jones a year ago.

Running backs can come in and contribute from Day 1, but they can also be found almost anywhere. If Richardson goes top 10, that team had better hope he's special. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Top-notch athlete with great size and potential. Cornerback is a major position of need for the Bucs and Kirkpatrick could truly elevate their entire secondary if he allows himself to be coached.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The 2011 Heisman trophy winner was a candidate for this category—any quarterback is—but RG3 has proven to be quite a tremendous talent thus far. He could legitimately go No. 2.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The nation's most productive receiver isn't overly fast or big. He's not on par physically with A.J. Green or Julio Jones from a year ago, but he is a complete football player.

Blackmon is 6'1", 215 pounds. He knows how to get open, is not afraid of anything and has shined against top competition throughout his career.

He can make plays with the ball in his hands and is a big play threat after the catch.

All in all, the problem with Blackmon is that he is going to be drafted in the top 10 and there isn't a guarantee he's going to be an elite No. 1 in the NFL.

He certainly has the potential, but it is up to him what he can do with it. He'll have to be a crafty player at the next level; he cannot rest simply on physical tools alone because it won't be enough.

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

A bit of a reach, but the Big Ten defensive player of the year was one of the most disruptive d-lineman in the country this year. Panthers need best available defensive prospect.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

This pick is more about position than it is about Jones. For starters, there is a good chance he returns to school. He possesses first-round skills, but his stock has taken a hit lately. Dolphins aren't far away from competing, but need a franchise QB to do so.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills are a wild card for a quarterback because they can get out of Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract if they want. However, they've ignored the tackle position for a long, long time.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Rising prospect with a lot to like. Perry is a good fit with his former coach in a rising, young defense.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Same thing said for the Bills goes for the Chiefs. Martin has great feet for his size and will be a solid player for a damn long time.

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

The Gamecocks pass rusher started putting everything together this year and earned himself a ton of attention. He's a bit undersized, but he's a dynamo getting after the quarterback.

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

Tackle machine with top-notch intangibles and elite instincts.

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

The most prolific receiver in Notre Dame history already has endless amounts of pressure put on him already simply because of his stature in South Bend. For all the players that have donned the Golden Dome, he is the most decorated receiver to ever do it.

Floyd's physicality and playmaking skills are undeniable, and at his size, he's one hell of an intriguing prospect.

But he has dealt with off-the-field problems and was suspended early this season. He's been arrested for alcohol-related issues, and he was lucky to be allowed back to the team at all.

His speed and separation skills have also been called into question. In two of the three biggest games this season, Floyd failed to make a lasting impression when challenged by better athletes.

The Irishman could be great, but he needs to take himself serious and work on his craft or he'll suffer in the NFL.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

The UNC defensive lineman continues to fall down draft boards. Many people had Coples in the top five at the start of the season, and he's done little to defend that.

The Tar Heel defensive lineman struggled against double teams this year and was called out for not going hard all the time. 

He has great size at 6'6", 280 pounds, but he's not an elite athlete and doesn't have enough burst to get away with just that.

Coples is a bit of a tweener when it comes to defensive end or defensive tackle in a 4-3, and whichever team takes him will have to be effective in lighting a fire under their players.

He could be great, but he could easily wash out too.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The best interior lineman on the board, DeCastro helps the Bengals figure out what to do with their run game again next year while protecting Andy Dalton.

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

Solid all-around cornerback prospect with good intangibles and experience against top competition.

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

Big, solid center who allows the Bears the opportunity to shuffle things around and make the best combination of interior linemen possible.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Big-time athlete with size, speed and tremendous tenacity.

21. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida

Great athlete with speed and playmaking ability. Can cover and is very physical for his size. Big time need for the Lions.

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

Speedy running back to possibly compliment Cedric Benson or completely take over.

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

Big, versatile d-lineman to help shut down the run and cause problems in the pass game.

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

Jeffery is a great athlete with size and skill.

But Jeffery has been completely inconsistent this year and has not done a good job of taking advantage of opportunities. He has the potential to simply dominate the football field if he wants, but he doesn't always do it.

He can out-jump anyone and does a phenomenal job using his body to his advantage, but he doesn't always do it.

Plain and simple, you don't know what you're going to get with Jeffery. He could be great, but you just don't know.

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

Top safety prospect in the draft has complete game and looks to be getting even better.

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

Glenn's size and versatility will be too much for the Steelers to pass up. He can help them a number of ways.

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

Super-athletic linebacker with elite speed. he is a bit undersized, but the Giants can use him outside in coverage and allow Michael Boley to shift inside.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Well-known defender who will be drafted higher than this. Upshaw is a bit undersized, but he can do it all.

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

Big, physical and potentially dominating linebacker; Hightower is ideal potential replacement for Ray Lewis.

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

Speedster could potentially become a complete receiver with the right coach. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Little-known receiver with insane versatility and very good size (6'2", 215). His best football is ahead of him.

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Recently-declared running back prospect is a fringe first round with a very good all-around game.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine