2012 NFL Mock Draft: Who Are the First Round's Biggest Pro Studs?

Sometimes you just know.

You can read about their 40 times and vertical leaps all you want…but sometimes you can figure out a future NFLer by just watching them play. They jump off the screen with their bodies and sheer dominance on the field.

The following five players are hands down the leading locks for NFL stardom:

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Not much to discuss that hasn’t already been said a million times.

Luck has great intangibles, size, arm strength, instincts…the whole nine yards. He is a franchise quarterback for at least the next decade. This is the surest draft pick since the 1980s with John Elway.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Cowboys receiver did it all this season. Not only did he collect 1,522 yards and 18 TDs, but he had his best game of the season on the biggest stage. Putting up 186 yards and three TDs in what is essential the game for third place is the definition of coming up big with the lights shining bright.

At 6'1'', 215 pounds, Blackmon has the height to win jump balls around the goal line. He has 4.4 speed and incredible hands.

This guy is the complete package and destined to be the next star receiver in the NFL.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The 6'3'', 195-pound corner is a surefire first-round draft pick in the NFL because of his prototypical size. He has long arms, incredibly fluid hips and 4.4 speed. His strength allows him to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage.

With an SEC pedigree that features two championship games, nobody on defense has the big-game experience of Kirkpatrick.

Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina

The 6'2'', 275-pound athletic freak runs a sub 4.8 40 and was an absolute menace for the Gamecocks in his senior season. He registered 48 tackles including 13 for a loss and collected 10 sacks.

In his final collegiate game, he had 1.5 sacks and solidified his place among the best prospects in the nation. He has a very similar skill-set to the Broncos' Von Miller and can be the next great speed pass-rusher in the NFL.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

One of the greatest receivers in Irish history has an incredibly bright future. At 6'3'', 225 pounds, Floyd can use his size to beat the defense down the field or in a jump ball situation.

He may not have the jaw-dropping highlights of Blackmon or Alshon Jeffery, but he is more consistent and the one with better hands.

There is no doubt that Floyd is a player that is talented enough to be in the NFL for the next seven to 10 years in the slot. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

Note: The first 20 picks are set in stone (with the exception of a few coin-flips). Picks No. 21-32 are based off playoff projections.

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

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

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

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

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

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

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

8. Carolina Panthers (subject to coin-flip): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

11. Kansas City Chiefs (subject to coin-flip): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

12. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)

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

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Cordy Glenn, OT (Georgia)

18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)

19. Chicago Bears: Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

22. Detroit Lions: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

23. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT (Memphis)

25. Houston Texans: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

26. Denver Broncos: Vontaze Burfict, ILB (Arizona State)

27. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB (North Carolina)

28. San Francisco 49ers: Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)

30. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Chris Polk, RB (Washington)

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DE (Nebraska)

32. Green Bay Packers: Markelle Martin, S (Oklahoma State)