2012 NFL Mock Draft: Assessing the Top Senior Bowl Prospects

In our 2012 NFL Mock Draft, the highlighted players are among the best the Senior Bowl has to offer:

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—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

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

6.  Washington Redskins—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

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

There are questions about his initial burst, but no 3-4 OLB prospect is better prepared to make an impact immediately than Upshaw. There's a good chance he'll look like a man amongst boys in Mobile.  

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has jumped up draft boards after an impressive senior season that saw him make 17 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks. A big performance at the Senior Bowl could give him a chance at being the first defensive lineman off the board in April. 

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford  

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

16.  New York Jets—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

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

19.  Chicago Bears—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram has the body of a 4-3 defensive end but the burst of a 3-4 outside linebacker. By next fall, he'll likely be keeping his hand in the dirt in a 4-3. Ingram is still a borderline first-rounder, so a solid showing in Mobile is important. 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

In the process of helping quarterback Robert Griffin III win the Heisman, Wright put his name on the first-round map. He's a guy that can win in the slot but will also make the big plays down the field. I expect him to make a big splash at the Senior Bowl.

22.  Cleveland Browns—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams could make himself a lot of money in Mobile. While he's projected as a mid-to-late first rounder, he could push himself up the boards with a good performance against some of the elite pass rushers. 

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

Glenn might get some looks at tackle in Mobile, but his position in the NFL will likely be Guard. Still, dominating performances at either position can help solidify his spot among the first 32 picks. 

25.  Denver Broncos—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami 

26.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

27.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

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

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

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

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

Other big names at Senior Bowl: QB Russell Wilson (Wisconsin), QB Nick Foles (Arizona), RB Vick Ballard (Miss. State), WR Nick Toon (Wisconsin), C Mike Brewster (Ohio State), DE Vinny Curry (Marshall), DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson), OLB Nigel Bradham (Florida State), CB Brandon Boykin (Georgia), S Antonio Allen.