2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Will Be Hurt by Injury Concerns

An NFL player must have great skill in order to be successful, but you also have to be able to stay on the field. Injuries are a part of the game, as we all know, though they do have a way of derailing careers before they get started. 

So while the NFL Draft is a time to celebrate the beginning of new and, hopefully, prosperous careers, there are a few players who will see their stock slide due to injury concerns. 

Here is a look at the latest 2012 mock draft. 

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

No surprise here. Unless something drastic changes in the next three months, Luck will be Peyton Manning's successor. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a bit of a reach here, but the Rams are desperate to find playmakers to help Sam Bradford's evolution. It would not be a surprise at all to see them shop this pick as we move closer to the draft. 

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

This might be the easiest pick of the draft after the Colts. The Vikings are old at cornerback and desperate for help. Claiborne is a shutdown corner who can make an immediate impact. 

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

Any concerns about Richardson's ability to handle a full-time role before were squashed after his run of dominance in 2011. 

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

I am giving the Buccaneers Kirkpatrick, but I think that he could be an injury casualty. He has been healthy during his time at Alabama, which bodes well for him.

The problem for Kirkpatrick is, he had surgery to fix his shoulder in high school. He had some nagging leg problems for a time when he was a freshman. NFL teams are going to scope everything, and if they don't like what they see, he will drop.

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

The second that the Redskins draft the 2011 Heisman winner, he is automatically the best quarterback on the roster. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts right away, though I wouldn't recommend it. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Despite playing in every game for the Fighting Irish in 2011, Floyd does have some injury history that could cause his stock to drop. I have the Jaguars taking him because they are looking for someone that Blaine Gabbert can actually throw to, but I can see them passing because of his fragility.

He also comes with off-field baggage that should raise some red flags, but strictly speaking on the field, he is prone to injuries and could to the bottom of the first round. 

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Panthers could go defense with this pick, but Martin's upside and the team's need to find protection for rookie sensation Cam Newton make this a perfect fit. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Like Martin with the eighth pick, Reiff is one of the most durable players in this draft. He will provide instant results for the Dolphins, who need to find someone to protect the quarterback, whoever that will be, and open holes for Reggie Bush.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Bills are desperate to find anyone who can make plays on defense. Upshaw should step right in and upgrade a lackluster pass rush. He could go much earlier if he has a good workout, but for now, he is at the bottom of the top 10. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

With Branch available, Pete Carroll is going to land the impact defensive lineman that his team has been missing the last two years. He is not a dynamic pass rusher, but he can hold his own against bigger offensive linemen and has great instincts against the run. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Since their success on offense is predicated on a strong running game, their top priority should be on the offensive line. DeCastro is going to be Matt Cassel's best friend for a long time. 

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

Ingram is an explosive pass rusher who could be a star in the NFL. He has some baggage that should concern some teams, even the Cardinals who I have taking him. He missed all of 2008 with a broken foot and suffered a broken hand in 2010, though he was able to play through that injury. 

He did save himself a little bit this season playing without injuries, but this could have been the aberration that players have on their way to a big contract. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Cowboys are going to be jumping at the chance to draft Barron considering all the problems they have in the secondary. Before they start the parade, they should know that he does come with some baggage. 

He suffered a torn pectoral muscle in 2010 against Auburn. His stock climbed a bit this season, as he was able to stay healthy all year, so perhaps he won't fall hard at all. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly is going to go from one Eagles team to another, and Philadelphia will be happy to have him. The biggest problem that the Eagles have is at linebacker, so they can repair their biggest hole without having to spend money on another big-name free agent.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

I am riding on the coattails of B/R's own Matt Miller with this pick. Rex Ryan knows that this team has to get back to pounding the football in order to make it to the playoffs, and Polk is a big, bruising back with good speed. 

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

Another running back taken in the first round, Miller is my favorite because of the value that he will provide as a late pick and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. He will make a nice replacement for Cedric Benson. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Burfict is going to be one of the fastest rising prospects in this year's draft. He is fast and athletic with the potential to be a dominant force in the middle of the field. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Despite their best efforts to address the offensive line last year, the Bears still have a lot of problems that need to be fixed. Adams is not being talked about as a first-round pick a lot, but he has the upside to be a dominant force for a long time. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Titans need to get more help on the outside to play alongside Kenny Britt, who should be ready to go by the time training camp rolls around. Jeffery will make a nice complement, and he can help open up the offense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

You hear the word "concussion" associated with any player, and it is immediately going to raise a bunch of red flags for you. 

Dennard suffered his in 2010 and played all of last season injury-free, but with the NFL's stance on head injuries, anyone that has suffered one is going to be put under a microscope. He is going to undergo a litany of tests during his workouts to prove he is OK.

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Despite being a smaller receiver, Wright has never had any serious injuries that forced him to miss time. The Browns are going to love seeing him with the No. 22 pick because they are desperate for playmakers to compete in the AFC North. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

The Lions have to find a running back capable of staying on the field for 16 games. They could wait to get one later, but Wilson is a terrific speed back that has the ability to make would-be tacklers miss thanks to his deceptive power. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

No one is as desperate for offensive line help as the Steelers. While Sanders does not have the upside that the other linemen do, he will help Ben Roethlisberger stay as healthy as possible over the course of an entire season. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

When you look at the footage of Still, he should be a top 15 pick. When you look at his chart, he looks like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at any moment.

He has had serious injuries throughout his college career, including a torn ACL and broken ankle. The former caused him to miss an entire season in 2007, while the latter made him miss most of 2008. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina

If Texans fans had their way, Jacoby Jones would never see the field in their uniform again. He had a terrible day against Baltimore on Sunday, and it shined a light on the team's need for another receiver to play alongside Andre Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

No player in this year's draft class was hurt more by an injury than Crick. He was the best defensive line prospect coming into the year, but a torn pec in October ruined his season and his draft stock. 

He is going to workout at the Combine to prove that he is back, but teams are going to put his pecs under a microscope leading up to draft day. It's possible that he slides out of the first round. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma 

Clay Matthews needs help in order to get back to being the player he was in 2010. Lewis has the speed and athleticism that the Packers are looking for from their linebacking corps. 

29. New York Giants (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins issues off the field could keep him out of the first round, but his problems are more about character than injuries. This team still needs help in the secondary, and he is the best cornerback available. 

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, G, Wisconsin

Konz is a terrific center who would go much higher if he hadn't dislocated his ankle earlier this season. He was able to play in the Rose Bowl, which will help his stock climb back up, but he is still going to have to prove himself to NFL teams. 

The Ravens are not exactly looking for an offensive lineman to fill an immediate need, so they can give him time to develop in practice before throwing him to the wolves. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples could be a steal if he gets this far. and the Patriots are in desperate need for defensive linemen who can get after the passer. Bill Belichick would be able to coach him up to his potential in a short amount of time. 

32. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

While the 49ers do have Carlos Rogers on one side of the field, they have to get more impact talent at cornerback. Minnifield has the potential to go higher than the final pick of the first round, but until he works out, he is stuck down here with one of the best defenses in the NFL. 

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