2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underrated Players Who Deserve More Respect

With the 2011-2012 NFL season coming to a close in the next few weeks, much of the attention will turn to the draft and which star players go where. While there always the headline thieves that get all of the attention, there are plenty of underrated players that deserve more respect.

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

There has been talk of trading out of the No. 1 spot, but taking Andrew Luck is the only option here for Indianapolis. If they pass on Luck, it will haunt them forever.

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

There are questions about where this team is heading with the management, but whoever gets the job needs to protect former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford.

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

While there are many holes for the Vikings to fill, taking Morris Claiborne at No. 2 could help in the secondary and on special teams. That’s bonus points.

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

I don’t think Cleveland is over Colt McCoy yet, so they will try to give him a legitimate weapon in the rushing attack and catching the ball with Trent Richardson. Smart move.

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

Some have said Justin Blackmon is going to the Buccaneers, but the age of Ronde Barber and that ancient secondary will force Tampa Bay to go cornerback here. With Kirkpatrick’s size (6’2”), he will be a stellar corner at the NFL level.

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

Mike Shanahan will fall all over himself to get Robert Griffin III here, but he may be looking to move up in order to make sure this happens. If Griffin busts, I hope it’s with Shanahan.

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

While Jacksonville needs wide receivers, they also need every other position on the field including quarterback. Terrible fit and Blackmon will be buried in obscurity.

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

With the offense playing well and Ron Rivera’s defensive background, this season will mark the true rebirth of the Panthers defense. That starts with Devon Still in the middle.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Just like the Minnesota Vikings last season with Christian Ponder, teams start to panic early in the first round as the top quarterbacks come off the board. It happens every season.

Whoever takes over the Dolphins head coaching position will feel more confidence in drafting a moldable Ryan Tannehill than a journeyman like Matt Moore.

Just like Ponder in Minnesota, given the time to learn the game and the snaps to get the on-field training needed to be great, Tannehill could be the surprise and steal of the 2012 draft.

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

If Ryan Fitzpatrick is the quarterback of the future, the Bills need to protect him. Riley Reiff could protect the blindside for 15 seasons.

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

While this is far above where he should be going, Perry fills the need of a pass-rushing defensive end and also strokes Pete Carroll’s massive ego.

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

The versatile offensive lineman can play where Kansas City needs him to line up and thrive. He is an immediate starter and potential star.

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

Arizona needs an end to complement Darnell Dockett and they get that with pass-rushing specialist Melvin Ingram.

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

With veteran middle linebacker Keith Brooking finally breaking down physically for the Cowboys, it’s time to make the transition to a younger defensive centerpiece.

 Luke Kuechly from Boston College is the powerful middle man that Rob Ryan has lacked in his defenses, but taking him at No. 14 will be a steal when looked back on.

Kuechly is a smart football player who can scan the offensive formations and captain the defense. Not only would the team benefit from another stellar run stopper and pass rusher, he would free up more room for DeMarcus Ware coming off the edge.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Philadelphia taking the best guard in the draft would allow them to shift veteran Todd Herremans to tackle and have one of the better lines in the NFL.

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

Rex Ryan is all about taking versatile defensive linemen and turning them into his 3-4 war machines. Coples could be a beast in Ryan’s aggressive schemes.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The key to this move will be signing Cedric Benson. If Cincinnati signs the veteran for at least another season, they will take wide receiver Michael Floyd.

It is obvious that the team is 100 percent behind Andy Dalton and they need more pieces to make the machine move. Floyd would be an amazing complement to A.J. Green and would form one of the most dangerous tandems in the NFL.

Despite having glaring needs elsewhere, I don’t think the Bengals can handle themselves if Floyd falls to them at No. 17. Why fight it when it feels so good?

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

One of the better cornerbacks out of this draft, Dennard is physical off the line but can play tight on fast receivers and doesn’t bite on play fakes very often.

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

Jay Cutler is always hurt because of his flimsy offensive line. The best center in the draft, Peter Konz is step one to the solution.

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

There may be no bigger wild card in all of the 2012 draft than linebacker Vontaze Burfict from Arizona State.

Burfict has become infamous for his fiery temper because of several on-field issues, but he has also been known as one of the hardest hitters in college football.

A team like the Tennessee Titans that can deal with maturity issues should be able to turn this kid into a star. At No. 20, Burfict is underrated.

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

Another player with maturity issues, Janoris Jenkins was known as the top cornerback in the nation before being expelled from Florida. He is still unpredictable.

With players like Ndamukong Suh learning to control their emotions on and off the field, Jenkins going to Detroit could be the blessing in disguise that he was looking for.

Not only does Jenkins get a home, the Lions get one of the most underrated players in the NFL draft. Give Jenkins a season to get his feet wet and he’ll be Asante Samuel lite.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Bengals will start to add significant defensive pieces with their other pick in the first round, and defensive end Fletcher Cox has to be at the top of their list.

23. Denver Broncos (8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

While John Fox has to yearn for a defensive pick, his lack of faith in any of the running backs in his stable will certainly have him falling over himself to grab Miller.

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

Alshon Jeffery is another stellar offensive complement for a team obviously trying to turn Colt McCoy into the quarterback of the future for the Browns.

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

Wade Phillips continues his rebirth of the Texans defense by answering his team’s safety needs with the best in the draft. Perfect fit scheme wise as well.

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

Do we really need to explain why Pittsburgh needs offensive linemen?

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

This is the versatile kind of outside linebacker that the Giants need and have success turning into solid NFL starters and even stars. Brown has the potential to be a star.

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

While many draft experts are high on Upshaw, I see an undersized linebacker not fast enough to make up for his deficiencies. Bill Belichick sees a challenge.

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

Hightower is a bruising linebacker that will be the heir apparent to the Ray Lewis throne in Baltimore.

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

It will be great to see Alex Smith choke in the playoffs and be retained in the offseason and the 49ers become the new Detroit Lions by spending yet another first-round pick on a wide receiver. An overrated one at that. Ted Ginn two.

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

There is no question that the Patriots need to find youth at wide receiver and the sure hands and size of Sanu will have Belichick salivating.

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

With Ryan Grant on his way out, the combination of James Starks and Chris Polk will be left in charge of a Packers running game that was mediocre at best this season.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

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