2012 NFL Mock Draft: Alshon Jeffery and Other Prospects Teams Will Reach for

Every draft season, we see a handful of players get overvalued. It's inevitable. Whether this happens because of position (quarterbacks are often way overvalued), measurables (size/speed factor) or college production (big college numbers that don't translate), the fact is we know it happens because not every pick turns out as well as most project.

In the 2012 NFL draft, the following players fit the mold of a guy teams may reach for.

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT USC 

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor 

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB LSU 

6.  Washington Redskins—Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

Teams are going to see Jeffery in person and fall in love with his physical attributes. He's an imposing receiver (6'4") that displays good hands and will make the circus catch. But if you're picking a receiver in the top 10, he better be a matchup buster right off the bat. I'm not sure Jeffery is that kind of receiver.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Riley Reiff, OT Iowa 

8.  Carolina Panthers—Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State

If Christian Ponder and Jake Locker could get picked within the first 15 picks last season, there's no reason why Brandon Weeden can't go that soon in 2012. Yes, age is an issue. But don't forget that Kurt Warner made his first NFL start at age 28. Besides, quarterbacks are such a valued asset that teams will overlook obvious red flags just to make sure they have a franchise-type guy on their roster. Weeden looks like he could be that kind of reach in this draft, especially since Matt Barkley and Landry Jones returned to school.

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

14.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College

15.  New York Jets—Ronnell Lewis, LB Oklahoma

16.  Oakland Raiders—Zach Brown, LB North Carolina

17.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG Stanford

18.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

19.  Dallas Cowboys—Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama 

20.  Tennessee Titans—Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

21.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DT Penn State

22.  New York Giants—Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina  

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR Baylor

24.  Houston Texans—Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama

Hightower is well-built, always around the ball and instinctive from the inside linebacker position.  But he's far from an explosive athlete, and some of his production is due to the vast array of talent around him on Alabama's defense. Hightower will likely be a first-round pick, but he's more Brandon Spikes than he is Patrick Willis. 

25.  Cleveland Browns—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

26.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

Whereas Hightower lacks the athleticism to be an elite middle linebacker in the NFL, Burfict lacks the maturity and discipline. No one will question his athleticism, as there are few players, even in recent drafts, that can compare with him at the linebacker position. But he has a long ways to go upstairs, and too many teams will likely ignore that come April. 

29.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C Wisconsin 

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S Alabama

For the second straight season, the safety class has been weak. Barron is likely the top guy at the position in 2012, but he has serious limitations covering the back end of a secondary. He'll hit in the running game, no question. However, Barron could really struggle at the next level covering the numerous pass-heavy offenses in the NFL. 

32.  Green Bay Packers—Nick Perry, OLB USC