2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Senior Bowl's Best Prospects

The 2012 NFL draft season kicks off with the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on January 28th.

Let's take a look at the best players who have committed to the exhibition showcase thus far.  

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The 6'4'' and 275-pound defensive end is a special athlete who frequently beats with his suddenness an overpowering physicality. He totaled 19 sacks over the last two seasons for the Gamecocks and even had two interceptions in 2011.

A player that should be a top-20 selection.  

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

In the eyes of some, Adams is the fourth best tackle prospect behind USC's Matt Kalil, Stanford's Jonathan Martin and Iowa's Riley Reiff. At 6'8'' and 320 pounds, Adams is a mammoth bookend tackle and typically controls defensive linemen with pure strength. 

He struggles with faster players coming off the edge.

With many teams in dire need of offensive line depth, Adams could sneak into the late stages of the first round if he impresses during the pre-draft process.  

Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The 6'5'' and 310-pound Still is the premier defensive tackle in the 2012 draft class. He produced steadily for Penn State, accumulating 10.5 sacks in his three seasons with the team. Still is more of a disruptive tackle than anything. He uses his deceptive quickness to burst into the backfield to blow up running plays and to get to the quarterback. 

He should be a first-round selection. 

Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin 

Playing in a run-heavy offense in 2011, Toon caught 64 passes for 926 yards with 10 touchdowns. He was the favorite target of Russell Wilson. He possesses ideal size at 6'3'' and 220 pounds, but the senior is not a tremendous athlete with great acceleration or speed.

Toon should be a late-first or early-second-round pick and projects as a possession receiver at the next level. 

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona 

The 6'5'', 240-pound senior is the most NFL-ready signal-caller at the 2012 Senior Bowl. He projects as a pure pocket passer with a strong arm that can complete all the throws.

His interception total during 2011 was a bit higher than he would have liked (14), but he backed it up with 28 touchdowns. Foles' completion percentage increased in each of his four seasons at Arizona.

Because of his raw talented, size and skill set, it's distinctly possible the former Wildcats' gun-slinger is the third quarterback taken.  

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright's flat-line speed and playmaking ability will make him a highly-sought receiver prospect. At 5'10'' and 190 pounds, he fits the DeSean Jackson mold but will enter the draft slightly bigger and more physical than Jackson was in 2008. 

He reeled in 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns from Robert Griffin III this season.

Don't be surprised if he sneaks into the bottom half of the first round. 

Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin

Although Wilson is only 5'11'' and a shade above 200 pounds, his productivity, smarts, arm strength and accuracy cannot be ignored.

After an illustrious career at NC State, Wilson brought his talents to Madison and had an incredible year in 2011.

The life force of the Badgers offense was running back Montee Ball, but his presence set up play-action passes for Wilson all season.

He completed nearly 73 percent of his passes and tossed 33 touchdowns to only four interceptions.

The 23-year-old signal-caller's also an outstanding athlete with great mobility. He ran for 338 yards with six rushing scores this season.

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Jan. 10 Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

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

3.  Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

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

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

8.  Carolina Panthers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

10.  Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

16.  New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami  

18.  San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford  

19.  Chicago Bears: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

20.  Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

23.  Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

27.  New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

28.  Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

32.  Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington