2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Destined to Tumble out of 1st Round

You can almost roll of the dice here, as college stars gamble on where they fall in this year's NFL draft. Here are the few that are in real trouble of dropping out of the first round. 

What we have here is a mock draft dotted with a few caveats of some importance. We have a first-round mock draft that concentrates on those players in danger of dropping to the second round or later. 

Those players are marked with a danger. Now this just wouldn't be a giggle fest for the first few guys, so we made sure to include a "sliding" mark to those players that very well could slide in the next few weeks. 

Here is the mock draft of young men that are in trouble. Don't worry, the NFL is still calling. 

 

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

Yeah right, Broseph. There is no way Andrew luck is sliding from the No. 1 spot. He could pretty much run into a cave and hide for weeks, only to return and still be the No. 1 pick. 

 

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

I love the Rams with this pick simply because they need to take care of Sam Bradford. Kalil is the best at what he does, and that's take care of the quarterback while cracking heads. 

 

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

The Vikings need help in the secondary, and Morris Claiborne is simply a great athlete who doesn't let much get past him. A solid pick. 

 

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

SLIDING 

I love the Browns taking Trent Richardson. The Alabama star is not so much coveted for his speed as for his instincts and ability to find a path to victory. Richardson is an unrelenting beast who hits a line and keeps on running. 

What worries me is where the Browns' head is at right now. Robert Griffin III is rising quickly up boards and the Browns may want to take another crack at this quarterback thing. 

Richardson is no doubt the best running back on the board. I am not so sure that he is being targeted like he should be, though. 

 

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need solid coverage. A change in personnel may not change that, but an infusion of young players hungry to show their mettle will. Kirkpatrick brings back some grit to a soft team. 

 

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

Let me start by saying that RG3 may one day slide, but it won't be anytime soon. This is the most-hyped player in the draft not named Andrew Luck. 

He is electric and a wonder to behold. It will be tough for Griffin to maintain this crazy amount of love he is getting, but it will be fun to watch him try. 

 

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

I wasn't sold on Justin Blackmon until the Fiesta Bowl. It's clear that he is just bigger and stronger than everyone else. 

I am not so sure that Blackmon doesn't rise and get serious consideration from the Rams, who need a stout receiver. 

 

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

The Panthers are all offensive sizzle right now. It's time to get some substance on defense. Coples is a beast that would give the Panthers a young weapon on defense. Perhaps then they can win some games in which Newton dominates. 

 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

SLIDING 

Matt Moore destroyed any hope the Dolphins had for Andrew Luck a long time ago. So the Dolphins might as well take care of him. Reiff is as dependable as they come in protection. He will need to show his power at the combine if he wants to be a top-10 player. 

 

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

There will again be talk of the Bills flirting with a quarterback at this spot or trading up. I just don't see it, because that is hardly what is ailing them most. I see them getting some much-needed help to improve a porous offensive line.

 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

I initially had Landry Jones penciled here, as the Seahawks could use another quarterback. I am more confident that Pete Caroll is sold on Tarvaris Jackson for now. Brockers is rising on boards, and the Seahawks definitely need to get tougher on that side of the ball. 

 

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

The best part about Martin is his run-blocking, which should help the Chiefs move the ball all next season. Well-regarded, Martin should see a bump in the next couple of weeks on boards.   

 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

The Cardinals get a gift in Kuechly. There aren't many that are falling over themselves over Kuechly, but they should be. The man does everything. 

He reads coverage precisely and covers his ground with abandon. All we need is some combine stats to really show you what we have here. After that, we may see a top-10 linebacker here. 

 

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

After a horrible final game in which their toughness was questioned, the Cowboys could use a workhorse who is as versatile as he is tough. Upshaw is a hungry player that would uplift a spiraling franchise. 

 

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

Here is the thing—Floyd may be gone long before this pick. The Eagles still need a receiver, as nobody is buying into DeSean Jackson's apology.

It's time for a new star to take the line at receiver. Floyd is it, but I think he will do very well in the draft process and may get snagged by a team like the Cardinals, who could use a stud like this.  

 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Devon Still, Penn State, DE/DT

DANGER 

I like Still and think he will be a bruiser that any team can use. The rumblings call into question his athleticism. That is the kind of thing that will drop you from the first day. 

It will take an elite showing at the combine to prove he has the top-end speed and power to bang with the big boys. Once he does that, he should be smiling on day one. 

 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

DANGER

Just as much as Still is questioned on athletics, so is Dennard. The book on Dennard is a tad worse, though, as he is seen as a versatile player that doesn't overpower in one aspect. 

It would be fine if he had one issue, but it seems he is simply good, not great, at all things. Again, this will most definitely be answered in time. 

 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

The Chargers never learn. Even if Norv Turner is coming back, they need to take care of the QB just the same. The Chargers may lose again next season, but at least Rivers will be safe. 

 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

I could see the Bears taking a stab at some other position here. Alshon Jeffrey or Michael Floyd, if he were available, would be nice. I would also love them to take some additional help on offensive line. With some turnover on defense likely, they should draft Branch. 

He has great instincts and a fantastic first step. The Bears would keep up their ethos of defense first with this pick.

 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

A versatile beast that is a chore to move. He can play pretty much anywhere on the line, making him a blessing to whoever nabs him. 

 

21. Denver Broncos (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

The Broncos are growing long in the teeth in the secondary and need somebody to come in and infuse the defense with energy. 

 

22. New York Giants (9-7): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

DANGER 

Lamar Miller may be on the cusp of the first round with most right now, but I love his upside. After he shows what he can do with other skilled players, he should land around this area by draft day.

Past injury to his shoulder combined with tenuous need for running backs in the first round may see Lamar Miller in the second round or beyond.  

 

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

I still like Barron for the Bengals. Barron is a versatile safety that comes highly regarded and would add depth to a team growing defensively.   

 

24. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

Kendall Wright should be safe on day one. He has amazing speed and is elusive after the catch. If anything, I could see him rise on a lot of boards. 

 

25. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Kevin Reddick,  North Carolina, LB

I still think the Browns go with a defensive player. Landry Jones may be out there, but I want to see more from him before I slot him in the first round.

In this mock, the Browns settled the running back situation and now need to shore up the holes on defense. 

Reddick is a smart player who just knows where to be. The Browns can build off that as this young team continues to grow. 

 

26. Detroit Lions (10-6): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, G

DANGER 

Sanders is big and fast. The one thing he lacks is lower body strength.

For the time being, we can put him on the cusp of players that need to prove their assumed shortcomings. 

Sanders has a great motor, so I expect him to surprise some people when the draft process starts. If he can prove that mountains are movable, look for him to shoot up the boards. 

 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, ILB

The Steelers love depth on defense, and I don't see them passing up on Burfict. I am 100 percent sold on the ASU bruiser to star in the league. I think he is perfect in Baltimore, I just don't see him dropping that far. 

 

28. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina, WR 

DANGER

Let's get wacky. First, with Burfict off the board, the Ravens might go with help on the offensive line, or they may opt to finally get that star receiver.

Alshon Jeffrey would be the best available. He will be drafted here only if he can prove he has breakaway speed. There are questions about his ability to distance himself, and that is why the second round may be calling.  

 

29. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Jarvis Jones, Georgia, OLB/DE

The Patriots get a versatile player who can play a couple positions and add to a Patriots defense that was far too suspect on 2011.  

 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Jared Crick, Nebraska, DE

The Niners get a versatile machine in Crick that will go nicely with the new team motif of killing quarterbacks. 

 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

God, that secondary was awful. The Patriots simply have to address their pass defense, which was once again deplorable. Martin goes a long way to shoring up such things. 

 

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

The Packers do what they always do, and that's grab a solid player late. 

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