2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dre Kirkpatrick and More Questionable Prospects

The one term no NFL Draft prospect wants to hear leading up to draft day is "red flags." Whether it be due to off-field concerns, shaky production or other issues a team may find during their research, red flags are never good when it comes to a player's stock.

Since the league's competitive balance is better than ever, teams simply can't afford to swing and miss on early picks and expect to remain in contention for any extended period of time. That's why scouts are so important to a franchise's success.

With that in mind, here's a full mock draft of the first round, featuring three players teams will need to take a long look at before committing their first pick to them.

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

No matter what final decision is made with Peyton Manning the Colts must select Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

It's going to be either Kalil or Justin Blackmon if the Rams don't trade the pick.

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

Claiborne is the most talented defensive player on the board in this year's class.

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

Richardson would be much more effective than Peyton Hillis.

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

Kirkpatrick's recent off-field problems will force him to answer more character questions during the draft process. He's never had any issues in the past, which should help his cause, but putting himself in a bad situation during the most important months of his career will raise questions about decision-making.

He's still an extremely talented cornerback and has the potential to provide an immediate boost to the secondary he joins. Elite skills will always be given a chance to succeed, so his draft stock isn't ruined, but his chances of overtaking Claiborne are likely gone.

The Buccaneers defense allowed 30 touchdown passes. That's one of the major reasons they didn't live up to the hype. Adding Kirkpatrick would put them back on the path to success.

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

The Redskins would be on cloud nine if Griffin falls to them in April.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is the elite receive Blaine Gabbert doesn't have at his disposal yet.

8. Carolina Panthers* (6-10): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Even though he isn't receiving much hype, Still would be a nice pick for the Panthers.

9. Miami Dolphins* (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

No team that faces Tom Brady twice per season ever has enough pass rushers.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Bills have had a subpar pass rush for quite some time. Coples would help fix that problem right away starting in Week 1.

11. Seattle Seahawks* (7-9): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is one of the draft's fastest-rising prospects, and would be a welcome addition to Seattle's defense.

12. Kansas City Chiefs* (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is battling Jonathan Martin to be the second tackle taken and has the edge.

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

The Cardinals have a few needs on each side of the ball, but Ingram will force their hand

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Dallas has been searching for a tackling machine like Kuechly for several drafts now.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd is one of the most intriguing players in the entire first round. He's established himself as the second-best receiver in the class and, with so many teams in need of an upgrade at wide receiver, that should ensure his stock only rises before April.

Teams need to proceed with caution, though. Floyd is not on the same level as Justin Blackmon, so desperate teams shouldn't reach for him just to fill a need too early. He's not going to be able to step in and become an All-Pro right away.

The Eagles haven't ruled out bringing back disgruntled wideout DeSean Jackson, but they are probably better off ridding themselves of the headache and taking a chance on Floyd.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Jets need to do whatever it takes to ensure their line is ready to blast open running lanes in 2012.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

A dynamic running back would be preferable for the Bengals, but DeCastro provides much better value at this point.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Brown would be San Diego's latest attempt to fill the outside linebacker void.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears need to upgrade their interior line, which is something Konz would help accomplish.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard's stock seems to be ever-changing recently, but the Titans could use somebody with his playmaking abilities in the secondary.

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

The Bengals need some fresh legs at running back after another disappointing season from Cedric Benson.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will supply Matt Schaub with the second option he's been wishing for.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions are really close to becoming a complete team. Adams will put them one step closer.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Ben Roethlisberger loves to stand in the pocket waiting for routes to develop, but that takes a tremendous line. The Steelers need a few upgrades in that area.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is another player whose stock seems to change with the tides, but for right now he looks like a solid choice for Denver's defense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The strong safety position was one of the few weaknesses on Houston's defense throughout the year. Barron will make sure the same isn't the case next year.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Defense will clearly be the focus for the Patriots during the offseason. Hightower is an underrated player who will excel in New England.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers have enough talent to make a luxury pick like Polk, who could replace the team's two injury prone running backs.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

On the surface, Jeffery would seemingly have all the tools a team would be looking for in a young wide receiver. He has tremendous size, good hands and is willing to run any route. Nevertheless, he's only considered a fringe first-rounder right now.

That's mostly because his production at South Carolina was shaky. A lot of that had to do with a poor batch of quarterbacks trying to throw him the ball, but teams are always going to be uneasy about selecting a guy who only had one big season in college.

He's well worth a shot late in the opening round, however. The Ravens could still use more weapons to help Joe Flacco, who was good but not great in the conference championship game.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The 49ers offense needs a few more weapons like Sanu to get over the final hump.

31. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

New York could really use a fiery linebacker like Burfict of the center of its defense.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins' ability has never been a problem. It's the surrounding issues that will cause other teams to shy away, letting the Patriots get a late-round stud.