2012 NFL Mock Draft: Sleepers Who Will Be Biggest Steals of Draft

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III receive all the attention when talking about the 2012 NFL Draft right now. And deservedly so, the two players were the best in college football all year long.

But the draft isn't made on just one, two, three or even 100 players. The NFL draft runs seven rounds deep and superstars can come from anywhere.

And one of the most overlooked spots in the draft happens to be the late first round. Heck, the best player in the NFL this year, Aaron Rodgers, was taken No. 24 overall by a team that didn't need a quarterback to begin with. 

Needless to say, landing a steal in the NFL draft is one of the best possible scenarios.

Here are some players who will find their way into the late first round and be some of the draft's biggest steals when all is said and done.

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

Whichever team the Colts trade this pick to—if they do—is getting a steal. Luck is the real deal and the next great quarterback.

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

The Rams can do a variety of things here and it will come down to which GM they hire and which coach is hired. Expect them to trade down.

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

The Vikes have a tough decision between Kalil (if available), Claiborne and Justin Blackmon. They can't go wrong with any of them, though.

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

The Browns could very well make a run up for Andrew Luck or RG3 with their two first-round picks. If they stick with Colt McCoy they need to add playmakers immediately.

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

Bucs would have loved to see Claiborne fall to them, but Kirkpatrick will do. They could also go for Blackmon here, but their secondary is in dire need of youth.

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

Expect Washington to do all it can to move up to No. 2 to land RGIII.

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

The Jaguars would be lucky to see the top receiver on the board still available, and they'll gladly take him if he's there.

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

Still mixed on Still, but he's the best of a lackluster defensive tackle class. Unless Blackmon falls, expect the Panthers to take the best available defensive player.

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

This is a place-holder pick as Jones is no longer in the top 10. The Dolphins, however, desperately need a quarterback. 

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

The Bills have neglected their need for a top tackle for far, far too long now.

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

This is a bit of a reach, but Perry is a fast-rising prospect with the potential to be a great pass-rusher. His former coach should know all about that.

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

Martin is big, light on his feet, smart and dominant in the run game. Kansas City can do with him what it pleases, but he makes its line better immediately.

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

The Gamecocks pass-rusher still has his best football ahead of him.

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

Kuechly is one of the most instinctive playmakers to enter the draft in some time. He and Sean Lee in the middle of Dallas' defense would be very, very interesting.

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

Big-bodied, playmaking receiver to complement speedy receivers already in-house.

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

Coples is a falling prospect with the potential to be very good if coached correctly. That is something Rex Ryan can handle.

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

The best interior lineman in the draft is a huge help to a team looking to solidify its run game and protection schemes.

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

Dennard is a solid all-around corner prospect who fits into what the Chargers like to do. He's physical, can play the ball and gives them a potential replacement for Quentin Jammer.

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

Top center in the draft goes a bit early because of what he means to the Bears. His presence will allow Chicago to move Roberto Garza back to guard.

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

Fiery, angry linebacker with great athleticism and tenacity. Has maturity issues, but Tennessee's staff can handle him.

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

It is hard to dub anyone who goes No. 21 overall as a sleeper or steal, but had Janoris Jenkins not gotten himself kicked out Florida for being an idiot he'd arguably be the top cornerback in this class.

He's not too big and doesn't possess elite speed, but he's a gamer and playmaker whenever he's on the field.

Jenkins plays bigger than his size suggests and he loves to be challenged.

Should the Lions see an opportunity to land him at a spot like this it would be too good to pass up.

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

Potential-laden running back would be a solid complement/potential replacement with/for Cedric Benson.

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

Big, versatile D-lineman with his best football in front of him. Will help the Broncos plug their run defense.

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

Jeffery isn't a steal this late in the draft unless he wants to be. The kid has all the talent in the world, but he doesn't always showcase it.

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

The draft's top safety prospect is also one if its most complete players. He can do everything and has top-notch experience against elite competition.

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

Big, physical and versatile, Glenn is an ideal candidate to help a Steelers team that always needs bodies up front. He can play either tackle or guard.

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

Super-athletic linebacker prospect is a better athlete than football player right now, but the Giants have worked wonders with that before.

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

Upshaw will be drafted higher than No. 28. If he isn't then he may be the super-steal of the draft.

The Crimson Tide defender loves the big stage and burst onto the scene in the 2009 national title game. He'll get another opportunity to win his second BCS Championship this year and should be one of the game's biggest difference-makers.

He doesn't have ideal height, but Upshaw makes up for it with speed, leverage and playmaking ability off the edge.

Nick Saban knows how to run a defense and NFL coaches know damn well that Upshaw will come in well coached.

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

Big, physical linebacker with speed, Hightower could be the eventual replacement for Ray Lewis.

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

Speedy, productive receiver with the potential to be a complete playmaker if he develops as a route-runner.

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

The Scarlet Knights' top weapon has flown far under the radar thus far. At 6'2" and 215 pounds, Sanu has ideal size to be a top-flight NFL receiver.

The true junior is arguably the most versatile weapon in the draft and he spent time at safety (as an incoming freshman), quarterback, running back and wide receiver during his time in Piscataway.

This season the staff finally let him play wide receiver only and he responded with 109 catches.

His best football is still in front of him and he can do a number of things for teams immediately. 

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

The Washington Huskies running back put a nice closing stamp on his career in the Valero Alamo Bowl and he left school less than 50 yards shy of setting the school rushing record.

That said, he did set the record for carries and average per game.

Polk packs a complete arsenal despite lacking break away speed. He's solid out of the backfield, though, is willing to pick up the blitz, plays with great vision and balance and still has some upside to his game.

The value of running backs has greatly depreciated in recent years, and although Polk doesn't deserve a top 20 draft because of it, one team is going to snag a great player and some great value because of it.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine