2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Prospects Have Improved Stock in Bowl Season?

The following draft-eligible players improved their stock the most over the college football bowl season:

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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

If there were any doubts that Blackmon was the top receiver in the 2012 class, his 186-yard, three-touchdown performance against Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl put them to bed. He's a physically dominating receiver in the mold of Terrell Owens. Blackmon should be a top-five pick. 

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

There have been concerns about Jeffery's production in 2011, but he went over 100 yards with a touchdown in the Capital One Bowl against a first-round quality cornerback in Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard. 

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

Weeden was awfully impressive in out-dueling Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl. Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Despite his age, you have to think that scouts took notice of the performance.  

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.  Cincinnati Bengals—Whitney Mercilus, DE Illinois

Mercilus closed out his breakout 2011 season with 1.5 sacks against UCLA in the Hunger Bowl. On the year, Mercilus had 16 sacks. That kind of pass rushing proficiency will be in high demand in April. 

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

Like Mercilus, Ingram ended his 2011 season on a high note. Against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, Ingram notched his 10th sack of the season. That performance, combined with a good numbers at the pre-draft workouts, should ensure he's a first-rounder.

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

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

29.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The injury concerns with Konz's ankle were silenced in the Rose Bowl. Konz was a dominating interior blocker against Oregon's defensive front. If he comes out, Konz will certainly be the first center pick in the 2012 draft. 

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

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Nick Perry, OLB, USC