2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top Players Guaranteed to Have Successful NFL Careers

The 2012 NFL Draft class is stacked with talent, especially in the first round.

However, talent doesn’t always translate into a long, successful career in this league, and there are many instances where a player’s talent goes to waste and they quickly flame out.

Teams that are hoping to avoid that should concentrate on trying to select one of these select few talents that are almost guaranteed success in the league. 

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

Luck is destined to have one of the best careers of any player in this draft and is more than likely going to land in a great situation in Indianapolis.

The Colts are rebuilding and are one of the best franchises in the league at providing their quarterback with the tools to win with.

Ask Peyton Manning if you have any doubts.

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

Kalil has an NFL pedigree and definitely worthy of the No. 2 pick. The smart call is for the Rams to trade out of this slot and look to pick up Justin Blackmon down the line.

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

Claiborne proved he was a shutdown corner again in the national championship and should be the first defensive player off the board.

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

Richardson improved his stock last night when he scored the sole touchdown of the BCS championship game against a stout LSU defense.

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

Kirkpatrick is going to be an elite zone corner in the NFL and has amazing size and fluidity.

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

This Heisman-winning quarterback will be the second QB off the board after Luck and promises to have a long career ahead of him.

RG3 is a playmaker who can make things happen with his feet, while being one of the most accurate passers in college football.

The Redskins have a great team right now and need a franchise quarterback more than anything. If he goes here, he cannot go wrong.

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

This is the most sure-fire wide receiver prospect in a long time.

His numbers are Oklahoma State are simply stunning, and he’s proven that he excels in big games and can make things happen if the ball is thrown his way.

While he may not be the biggest or fastest receiver in this draft, he’s the most complete will be ready to contribute right away and for a long time.

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

Still is the most talented defensive tackle in the class and would fit in nice with a team that is severely lacking run-stoppers.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Dolphins did not find their long-term answer at QB with Matt Moore, but he did win them enough games to potentially keep the job next season since no one worthy of the pick will be available to draft here.

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

Buffalo has severely needed a franchise left tackle for years now and may find themselves one if it selects the big man out of Iowa.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Upshaw may not be the most athletic or largest guy, but he has a motor that doesn’t quit and great technique on his way to sacking the quarterback.

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

Martin is 6’6”, 305 pounds and ready to pancake linemen in the NFL.

Kansas City will need a quarterback soon, and having a franchise tackle to protect him will help.

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

This is another great pass-rusher in a league that needs more, now that so many great quarterbacks are around.

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

This physically limited 'backer plays with his head and his heart as much as he does his body.

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

Floyd is one of the best receivers in Notre Dame history and would be great alongside of Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia.

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

If Coples doesn’t bust out, he could potentially be one of the best players in this class because of his incredible size and athleticism.

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

This 6’5”, 312-pounder will protect Andy Dalton and whomever is running out of the Bengals backfield for a long time from his interior position on the line.

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

San Diego needs help after suffering two years in a row and failing to make the postseason.

Starting with a solid cornerback in the first round will help.

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

The Bears need to protect Jay Cutler, and Konz will replace Olin Kreutz as a franchise center.

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

Burfict has all the skill necessary to be an All-Pro linebacker in the NFL.

The one drawback is a motor that will not quit but often gets him in trouble for making late hits and playing far beyond the whistle.

If a coach can rein him in when he makes it to the NFL, he will without a doubt be a superstar and a force in the middle for a long, long time.

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

Cedric Benson may be on his way out of Cincinnati, so Miller would be an ideal replacement.

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

If Jeffery would have shown more dominance and ability to be consistent in college, he would be the top receiver in the draft.

Teams will certainly take a chance on him, but his future isn’t exactly certain.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions allow a ton of sacks, which is not good for the injury-prone Matthew Stafford. Expect them to bring in help on draft day.

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

This big boy stands at 6’5”, 350 pounds and will help the Steelers protect Ben Roethlisberger.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy has earned first-round status with his play at the end of the season and will help the Broncos defense improve even more next year.

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

Houston’s defense made great strides in 2011, but need a complete safety to continue their progress.

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

If the Giants can turn a project like Jason Pierre-Paul into a force, they can certainly work with Zach Brown.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

New England is sorely lacking a No. 1 receiver as Deion Branch ages and Chad Ochocinco failed to pan out.

Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are phenomenal with Tom Brady slinging the rock, but they could use a receiver like Sanu on the outside.

He’s big, physical and runs good routes and comes from Rutgers' pro-style offense.

If he lands in New England, he will be a success for sure.

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

Hightower dominates the middle of the field and would be an ideal replacement to start phasing Ray Lewis out with.

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

Wright helped RG3 win a Heisman and will help Alex Smith in the vertical passing game.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Patriots secondary has been poor, so adding a top talent like Jenkins at this spot is a no-brainer. They have proven they can deal with off-the-field issues before.

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

The Packers' glaring flaw is their lack of running game, so look for them to go running back with the last pick in the first round.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine