2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Best Slot Wide Receiver Prospects

While the monstrous Justin Blackmon and Alshon Jeffery headline the receiver class in the 2012 NFL draft, there are a handful of wideouts to fill that Wes Welker role at the next level. 

Let's look at the best available slot receivers in this year's draft. 

Kendall Wright, Baylor 

At 5'10'' and 190 pounds, Wright will certainly be a slot option in the NFL, but he possesses the speed to be a downfield threat, too. 

He snagged 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns during Robert Griffin III's Heisman campaign this season. 

Don't be shocked if Wright turns in one of the fastest times for top wide receivers at the combine and his experience being used on bubble screens will go a long way with head coaches at the pro ranks.

Because of his productive final two years at Baylor and big-play ability, Wright could sneak into the late stages of the first round.  

T.Y. Hilton, Florida International

Hilton was the spark plug on an eight-win Panthers team in 2011. The 5'10'', 185-pound receiver caught 72 passes for 1,038 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. He was also the team's primary return man.

He plays with a fiery demeanor, often demanding the football, a trait that may be desired by head coaches or what could keep them away.

If he times under a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, expect Hilton to be drafted by a team looking for a shifty slot guy somewhere in the third to fifth round.  

Joe Adams, Arkansas 

After that return touchdown for the ages, Adams will be thought of as a return specialist, but he did show the ability to utilize that supreme speed, accelerate and agility during his time as a slot guy in Arkansas' pro-style offense. 

The 5'11", 190-pound dynamo from Little Rock caught 104 passes and nine touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Razorbacks. 

The guy is clearly special in space. 

Expect him to be grabbed in the one of the mid-rounds. 

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

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