2012 NFL Mock Draft: Bold First-Round Predictions, Post-Divisional Round

The NFL is all about following trends, and right now defensive lineman, tight ends and wide receivers are dominating the playoffs. 

Teams will look to draft dynamic pass-rushers in hopes they become the next Aldon Smith or Jason Pierre-Paul.

Everyone will be looking for the next Victor Cruz, Vernon Davis or Anquan Boldin.

Here are my three bold predictions surrounding the 2012 draft after the divisional round.  

Quinton Coples is not the first DE selected

At 6'6'' and 285 pounds, Coples is quite the physical specimen. During a torrid 2010 campaign, he tallied 10 sacks along with 59 total tackles. Because he decided to stay in school, many labeled him as the top senior prospect entering the season. 

However, Coples saw a big regression in his production during the 2011 season. Not only did his sack total drop to 7.5, but many scouts and draft analysts pointed to his apparent lack of effort. SI.com's Tony Pauline had this to say regarding Coples: 

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"Coples watched his play and production slide.  Its obvious on film Coples did not play with a sense of urgency last season nor really went after plays not in his immediate vicinity.  While Coples turned it on late in the year scouts were given the word from those inside the North Carolina program that Coples was “playing not to get injured” for much of the year and was preparing for the draft rather than playing for the season."

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That won't go over well with head coaches and general managers at the next level. Not much on the field can drop a player's draft stock quite like having a "low motor" or taking plays off. 

Many teams are looking for that 3-4 outside linebacker who can rush the pass off the edge, and the 2012 draft class is loaded with those type of prospects. 

Look for Illinois' Whitey Mercilus, USC's Nick Perry and especially the highly publicized Courtney Upshaw from Alabama to be selected before him. 

Even LSU's phenomenally athletic sophomore Michael Brockers, who was a surprise entry to this year's class could be another defensive lineman picked ahead of the once extremely sought-after Coples.

Three running backs are picked in the Top 25 

Although the NFL has become a pass-first league, some old adages are once again holding true for the postseason. 

Running the football and defense win playoff games. 

The Saints were held to 37 yards on the ground while the 49ers rushed for 143 yards at 6.5 yards per carry. 

Although the ineptitude of T.J. Yates resulted in a crushing loss, Arian Foster and the Houston Texans' defense certainly played well enough to beat the Baltimore Ravens. 

Trent Richardson is the premier tailback in this class and will be the first runner chosen, but Miami's Lamar Miller and Washington's Chris Polk have the ability, size and strength to be feature backs at the pro level. 

Although team's started to devalue taking a running back earlier, you'll see three of them picked in the first 25 selections this year. 

Michael Brockers sneaks into the Top 10

It was a surprise when redshirt sophomore Michael Brockers declared for the draft last week, and the 6'6'', 305 pound, high energy defensive lineman will be a hot commodity come draft time. 

He's a tremendous athlete and goes hard with great suddenness on every snap. At the next level, Brockers projects as a disruptive defensive tackle prospect, especially after he adds more bulk to his frame. He'll be 21 when he's drafted, so he certainly has room to grow both physically and in his technique on the field. 

I have the Carolina Panthers, a team that allowed 130.8 rushing yards per game and ranked 25th in the league with 31 sacks, taking the somewhat raw but gifted defensive lineman with their first selection.

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Jan. 18th Update, post-Kirkpatrick arrest)

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: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DE/DT, LSU

9.  Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

10.  Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

11.  Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

12.  Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14.  Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

19.  Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

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

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

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

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

26.  Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

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

28.  Baltimore Ravens: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

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

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

32.  Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

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