2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Skill Position Studs Will Fall from Top 10?

Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon and Robert Griffin III did not disappoint in their final collegiate games.

All three players solidified themselves as top 10 picks, potentially even top five if they can ride their momentum effectively.

The same cannot be said of all prospects, though. There a few skill players in particular who are going to fall away from the top 10.

(Draft order 21-32 subject to playoff outcome)

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

Andrew Luck has faced some scrutiny at times this season, but those doubts have been erased after his dominating Fiesta Bowl performance. The redshirt junior could very well be up for auction if the Colts decide to chase another ring with Peyton Manning, but he'll go No. 1 regardless.

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

With a new coach coming into St. Louis, it would be wise for the Rams to turn this pick into multiple picks. The Rams could certainly benefit from USC tackle Matt Kalil or Pokes wide receiver Justin Blackmon, but they have a number of needs they must address.

With RG3's stock soaring, they could certainly find themselves a number of potential partners in the top 10 alone.

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

Whether it be Kalil, Blackmon or Morris Claiborne, the Vikings really can't go wrong. They need help at each position, and the three choices are among the top five players in the draft.

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

The Browns have two picks in this year's first round and are considered a major candidate to trade up for Andrew Luck if the Colts want to move out. Justin Blackmon is also going to be high on their radar as well as Alabama's Trent Richardson.

It is difficult to take a running back so high these days, but the Crimson Tide star fills a major need for the Browns.

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

The Bucs would love to see Claiborne fall here, but they can still work with Kirkpatrick's upside a top five pick as well. They are also a prime candidate to trade down with a new coach coming to town. They desperately need defensive help.

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

The Redskins will be lucky if RG3 is still on the board here. In fact, they'll likely have to trade up to No. 2, 3 or 4 to land him. Regardless, this team is in desperate need of a quarterback.

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

Another super-lucky scenario, but the Jags are hoping beyond hope that they can get a shot at the draft's top receiver. They have no bigger need if they honestly want to give Blaine Gabbert a shot to succeed.

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

Still will likely fall back down the board a bit, but the lack of elite defensive tackle talent in this draft leaves him near the top of the class. 

The Panthers should grab the top defensive prospect on the board unless Blackmon is still somehow on the board.

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

This is a place-holder and nothing more. Landry Jones is likely returning to Norman, and even if he doesn't, he is not a top 10 pick anymore. That said, he does have first-round tools, and the Miami Dolphins' biggest need is under center.

Coming into the year, Jones was one of the top prospects in the country. Injuries to teammates and his overall inconsistency have driven him down the board in a big way.

He has the size, athleticism and arm to potentially be a franchise quarterback, but he didn't showcase it throughout this season.

The Dolphins need to land a quarterback, and if it is for Jones, should he declare, they should trade out of the top 10.

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

The Bills could get involved in the quarterback race if they decide to get out of the Ryan Fitzpatrick contract with a clause that won't hurt them much financially.

That said, they do still have a tackle to protect their quarterback and Riley Reiff is the No. 2 tackle prospect.

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

The fast-rising pass-rusher would be a great fit in what his former college coach is building in Seattle. This is a bit high for him right now, but he'll continue up the board as the draft process continues.

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

Another top tackle, Martin is big, athletic and smart. He'll help this team immediately as they shuffle the offensive line to find the best fit the players they have.

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

Another slight reach, but Ingram's speed and tenacity off the edge are something the Cardinals are looking for.

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

The BC linebacker is an ideal fit alongside Sean Lee in linebacking unit for the Cowboys' 3-4. He's instinctive, smart and helps Dallas get younger at the position.

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

The big, athletic wide receiver is the perfect complement to the speedy weapons already in place in Philadelphia.

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

The Jets need to fix their running game if they want to be successful again, but they also need help getting after the passer. Coples is a falling defensive prospect whom Rex Ryan could potentially turn into a player.

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

DeCastro is an ideal fit for a Bengals team working toward keeping Andy Dalton standing and improving their running game.

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

The senior cornerback was one of the top defensive players in the country entering the season, but he wasn't on the field early in the year due to injury, and it took some time for him to get back up to speed.

He's not elite in any area, but he's a completely solid cornerback with good experience and a physical nature.

Dennard got into a scrape with fellow first-round prospect Alshon Jeffery in their bowl game. The two were matched up for most of the game before the altercation took place.

Coaches love to see fire, but they don't want to see Dennard swinging away at Jeffery's head, and it ultimately got him thrown out of the game.

The cornerback was also bested a bit by the bigger receiver before they were ejected.

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

The top center prospect in the country is a great fit for a Bears team that can move Roberto Garza back to guard, his natural position, and plug in Konz, a big, solid, well-coached Badger, in between he and Chris Spencer to form a solid interior line.

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

The Sun Devils' wild linebacker has declared his intention to play in the NFL next season. He's a freak athlete with good size (6'3", 250 pounds) and fits into the Titans defense.

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

The former Florida Gator is not forgotten among scouting circles. He's a great athlete with explosive playmaking skills. The Lions secondary needs as much help as it can get.

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

The Hurricanes running back is getting a lot of love, and there are plenty of mocks that have him falling near the top 10. His size (5'11", 212 pounds) and speed (rumored sub 4.4 40-yard dash) are worth getting excited about.

That said, he wasn't nearly consistent enough this season to warrant top 10 or top 15 consideration. He started the year great but wasn't consistently the explosive back you'd like to see.

The running back position is also not nearly as valuable as it was once. Teams don't typically go after running backs too high anymore.

He's only a junior and will get better, but he's a rising prospect that shouldn't be taken near the top 10.

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

A super-versatile defensive lineman with great size, Cox is rising up boards. He fits exactly what the Broncos want in stopping the run.

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

Jeffery has elite talent, but he doesn't always play with it. He rose to the occasion against Dennard before being thrown out of the game and made a heck of a play on the Hail Mary, but he simply doesn't always do it.

Jeffery is 6'4", 235 pounds, and can make catches with ease. He can dominate when he wants and he's a huge red-zone target.

He will struggle getting separation in the NFL in terms of speed, though. He'll have to work at his craft to be able to separate from fast and athletic corners, and that alone is cause for concern.

There are many who have him in the top 10, but he hasn't played like it this year.

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

Most complete safety prospect in the draft has the size, speed and athleticism to very good very quickly.

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

A Bulldogs captain, Glenn is a mountain of a man at 6'5", 350 pounds, and he can play tackle or guard. The Steelers always need help up front.

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

An elite athlete, Brown hasn't quite played up to his potential yet. He's undersized for the position as well, but he brings a lot of the tools the Giants need at linebacker to the field.

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

The Alabama pass-rusher will have one last opportunity to showcase his skills in the national title game. He loves the spotlight and could rise quickly up the board.

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

Another Crimson Tide defender, Hightower is big, strong, athletic and nasty. Potential replacement for Ray Lewis.

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

Kendall Wright isn't a top 10 prospect, but a few mocks have shown him creeping closer and closer to the top 15, top 10 range.

His a speedy deep threat with damn good athleticism and a ton of production.

That said, he's not a complete receiver yet, and we've seen speed demon receivers flop in the NFL with too much expectation heaped on them.

Wright could be great if he continues to develop, but he shouldn't be draft near the top 10.

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

A super-versatile offensive threat with size, speed and unlimited potential.

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

Polk is gaining a lot of momentum in draft circles right now, and rightfully so. He's got size, balance and vision, and he was very productive throughout his career.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine