2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Draft's Top Wide Receivers

Wide receiver is one of the most emphasize and noticeable positions in football.

Every year in the NFL draft, wideouts are drafted early and often. The 2012 NFL draft will be no different.

Oklahoma State star Justin Blackmon has garnered the most attention, but there are several other first-round wide receivers. With many teams needing help at wideout, we could see them dominate early in the draft.

Few positions are more controversial or exciting than wide receiver, and this is as true in the draft as it is in a game.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

In most drafts, Justin Blackmon is not the top wide receiver. In 2012, he is by default, and the total draft class is weak enough at the top to make him a top-five pick.

A 6'1", 215-pound superstar, Blackmon is a force underneath but lacks dynamic ability. The Oklahoma State wideout isn't overly fast or explosive, and he relies on his quickness to gain yards after the catch. Blackmon is Hakeem Nicks 2.0.

Though Tampa Bay has many wide receivers, none of them are all that good. Blackmon would immediately be the team's best or second-best wide receiver, and he can develop into a No. 1 weapon.

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With DeSean Jackson likely leaving in free agency, the Eagles need help at wide receiver. Jeremy Maclin is a good player, but he would be Philadelphia's lone high-quality option for Michael Vick.

Kendall Wright is actually eerily similar to the aforementioned Maclin. Wright is a bit smaller, but he's similarly fast and explosive. 

In Philadelphia's West Coast Offense, Wright could attack vertically or make plays after the catch. The Baylor star will never be a physical presence, but he could develop into an explosive player that is better than both Jackson and Maclin.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

For whatever reason, Chicago has developed an aversion to big wide receivers. Now, the team is left with a ton of small, below-average wideouts and no No. 1 weapon.

Alshon Jeffery could change all of that. The 6'3", 230-pounder has more upside than any other wide receiver in the draft, and he may develop into a star in the NFL.

Jeffery has fantastic catching ability and is an incredibly smooth player. There are concerns about Jeffery's speed and weight, but if he's able to stay in shape, the South Carolina product could dominate for years.

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

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

If it weren't for character and injury issues, Michael Floyd would be long gone by this point. The Notre Dame star is a poor man's Larry Fitzgerald, and he has considerably more upside than Justin Blackmon has.

A 6'3", 220-pounder, Floyd excels because of his catching ability and body control. However, Floyd isn't purely a possession receiver, and he can make huge plays because of his athletic ability.

With the possible exception of quarterback, Cleveland's biggest need is wide receiver. Greg Little looks like a solid player, but he really isn't a No. 1 target, and the team has no other weapons.

23. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

26. Houston Texans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, DE, Penn State

29. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

After Braylon Edwards failed in San Francisco, wide receiver became an even bigger need for the 49ers. Michael Crabree isn't becoming the star the team hoped he would be, and they don't have many other options.

Mohamed Sanu is a legitimate first-round talent, but he's not a future star. The 6'2", 218-pounder is only a decent athlete, and he needs to improve at consistently catching the football.

However, Sanu is incredibly versatile and physical. The Rutgers star possesses strong hands and can make some outstanding catches. Only time will tell how good Sanu will be, and he's worth the risk here.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

31. New York Giants: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

32. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin