2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Prospects Will Shoot Up Big Board at Combine?

We still have three months to go until the 2012 NFL draft, but the NFL scouting combine is a mere month away.

As an event, the combine barely qualifies as TV-worthy entertainment. But if you like to keep track of draft stocks, it doesn't get any better than the combine. It's a place where player stocks can be made, and it's a place where they can be unmade.

It remains to be seen which players are going to come out ahead after the combine, but I don't see anything wrong with hazarding a few guesses. Ahead of you is a full first-round mock, with special attention paid to a select few players who are going to dominate the combine.

Let's discuss.

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

No change at the top. Andrew Luck doesn't need to prove a thing at the combine. He basically just needs to avoid an injury and any catastrophic mistakes, and he'll cement himself as the No. 1 pick in the draft.

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

I'll say right here and now that I fully expect the Rams to trade this pick. But if they don't, I imagine they'll go for Justin Blackmon. Jeff Fisher is a defensive coach, but he has to know Sam Bradford is in desperate need of a little help in the passing game.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This is another pick I'm not budging from. Left tackle is Minnesota's biggest need, and it just so happens the Vikings are going to have a shot at the draft's best tackle in Matt Kalil. This one's practically a no-brainer.

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

The Browns could go for Robert Griffin III here, but I think we'll know they want him when they trade up to get him. If they don't, we'll know they're prepared to tackle 2012 with Colt McCoy under center. He's going to need a running back, though, and Trent Richardson would be an obvious pick here.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This is yet another pick I'm sticking with. The Bucs have a million needs they have to fill, but none more so than cornerback. Ronde Barber is old and a free agent and Aqib Talib is facing a felony assault trial. Morris Claiborne will be too good to pass up.

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

If nobody trades up to draft RG3, this is where he'll go. The Redskins need a franchise quarterback, and RG3 is the right man for the job. He's not better than Luck, but he's pretty darn good.

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

We know Justin Blackmon is the best wide receiver in the draft. What remains up in the air is who the second-best receiver in the draft is.

This is a question that will be answered at the combine, and I foresee Michael Floyd having a very good couple of days.

In terms of athleticism and playmaking ability, Floyd is right there with South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery. We just don't know how polished Floyd is as a route runner, nor do we know if he is yet another million-dollar athlete with a 10-cent head.

Floyd can wash away these concerns at the combine. He'll have to be honest and forthright about his arrests at Notre Dame in the interview process, and he'll have to go out and show scouts that he can be precise and consistent with his route running.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Floyd will get it done, making himself a potential top-10 pick. If so, he'll be a perfect fit for the Jaguars at No. 7.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10, pending coin flip with Miami): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU*

The defensive tackle crop in this year's draft is pretty solid, but there don't seem to be any top-10 picks in the bunch.

But that will change once scouts get a load of Michael Brockers at the combine. Scouts already love him, but the combine will be Brockers' chance to show them just how good he can be.

A dominant showing at the combine will elevate Brockers to the top of the DT crop, make no mistake about that. A dominant performance will also put Brockers into top-10 territory.

Of the teams picking in the top 10, the Panthers are the best fit for Brockers. They drafted a couple of DTs in 2011, but neither of them boast the skill nor the high ceiling of Brockers. He's a guy who could step right in and bolster the middle of Carolina's defensive front, which was very weak in 2011.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10, pending coin flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins probably would have drafted Matt Barkley here had he gone pro, but so much for that. Instead, expect them to try and find a veteran QB in free agency. Regardless, they need another body for their O-line, and Riley Reiff would be an easy choice.

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

The Bills need two things: an outside linebacker and a pass-rushing presence. Courtney Upshaw is both. He would be an immediate upgrade for Buffalo's defense.

11. Kansas City (7-9, pending coin flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs could shore up their defense with this pick, but I think their D is good enough. What they need is more consistency out of their offense, especially along the offensive line. Jonathan Martin is a can't-miss upgrade here.

12. Seattle (7-9, pending coin flip with Kansas City): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina*

Quinton Coples began the 2011 season as one of the top four or five prospects in the 2012 draft class. He then proceeded to damage his draft stock by having a disappointing season.

The problem, according to Wes Bunting of the National Football Post, was in Coples' head.

"However, watching him early in the year and keying in on him this Saturday, the motor/passion just doesn’t seem to be there consistently enough," Bunting wrote in October. "Now, he still has the talent to win at the college level even when he isn’t fully invested in the game. Nevertheless, you have to wonder if he’s playing his senior year at this point not to get hurt?"

Some scouts (i.e. ESPN's Todd McShay) still love Coples, but he's going to have a lot of naysayers to silence at the combine.

Seeing as how Coples is a freakish athletic specimen, that shouldn't be too difficult. He'll do fine.

When he does, he'd be a great pick for the Seahawks, who could use a defensive end.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Nick Perry might just be the best outside linebacker in the 2012 draft class. Even if he isn't, he's a good grab for the Cardinals here. They could use a stud outside linebacker.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys would be getting a steal if they actually manage to draft Dre Kirkpatrick. He has top-10 talent. It just so happens the Cowboys need a cornerback, making Kirkpatrick an easy pick here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State*

In late November, Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated wrote this about Vontaze Burfict:

"

Possibly no player has dropped down draft boards faster this season than Burfict. He entered the campaign ranked as a potential top five pick, but his immaturity has cost him at least half a round, if not more. He's been consistently flagged for unsportsmanlike penalties, and it has cost his team dearly. Scouts say Burfict shows little in the way of controlling his temper, which has NFL decision-makers concerned.

"

Burfict's cause was not helped by Dennis Erickson, who kept Burfict in his doghouse after putting him there during Arizona State's regular season finale against Cal.

So it suffices to say Burfict is going to have to prove a few things at the combine, primarily whether he can keep his emotions in check.

Burfict can help himself in the interview process in this regard, but he'll also open eyes with his work in the combine's various drills. One thing everyone is going to be reminded of is just how athletic he is.

If Burfict exits the draft with high marks, he'll be a steal for the Eagles. They desperately need a capable middle linebacker.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

I could see the Jets going for a wide receiver here, but they need to address the hole they have in their linebacking corps. Melvin Ingram would be a great pick here.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

I'm guessing Cedric Benson isn't going to be back. If so, the Bengals will head into the draft looking for a running back. Both Lamar Miller and Chris Polk will be in play here, but I'll side with Miller. He has slightly more upside than Polk.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Chargers are going to need to find some offensive line help this offseason. I've been mocking Cordy Glenn to them because he's a good fit for their need at right tackle.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Bears are another team that needs offensive line help, but they also need a wide receiver. If Alshon Jeffery falls to them, I think they'll go for him in a heartbeat. He's everything they could ask for in a wide receiver.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Titans could go for a cornerback here if they lose Cortland Finnegan to free agency, but David DeCastro will be too good to pass up. He would fill a need too, as the Titans need to strengthen the interior of their offensive line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina*

We know Morris Claiborne and Dre Kirkpatrick are the two best corners in the draft, but who is the best option after them?

That's another question that will be answered at the combine, and Stephon Gilmore is a good candidate to answer the call.

When you go and read NFLDraftScout.com's analysis of Gilmore, you feel like you're reading a profile of a top-shelf corner waiting to be discovered. That's what will happen at the combine, and Gilmore will be a well-kept secret no more.

If that's the way things pan out, Gilmore will be a great value pick once the draft gets into the 20s. The Bengals could use a corner, so Gilmore would be a fit for them at No. 21.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Having already drafted a running back, the Browns will look to add a wide receiver. The top guys will be off the board, but Kendall Wright will still be there for the taking. He's one of the most underrated players in the draft, and a great grab for the Browns at No. 22.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Lions could go a number of directions with this pick, but I've maintained that the best plan for them would be to draft a corner. Alfonzo Dennard will be the best option available at No. 23.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers desperately need offensive line help, and Mike Adams really isn't that far removed from Riley Reiff and Jonathan Martin. He would be a no-brainer pick here.

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

The Broncos needed a defensive tackle in last year's draft, but they went for Von Miller instead of Marcel Dareus. That worked out just fine, but the Broncos don't want to pass on a DT again in this year's draft. Jerel Worthy would be a great pick.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas*

Is Jarius Wright a first-round talent?

In all honesty, no. He's too small and his hands are too unpredictable.

But, man, can Wright run. He's one of the fastest players in the 2012 draft class, and he could prove to be the fastest in the combine. If that's the case, he's going to get some attention.

Wright can also help himself by catching the ball consistently in drills. If he can do that, he'll get even more attention.

Much of that attention would likely come from Houston, which could very much use a home-run-hitting wide receiver to place alongside Andre Johnson. 

The Texans would definitely be reaching for Wright here, but they're the only team in the first round that can afford to reach with its pick.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

New England's defensive line has looked pretty sharp thus far in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact the Patriots could use a defensive end. Assuming they stick with the 3-4 for 2012, Devon Still would be an easy pick. He projects as a perfect 3-4 defensive end.

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

The Packers had the best offense in the league in 2011, but it was awfully one-dimensional. They need to add a talented running back, and they could be drafting a future star if they take Chris Polk. Aaron Rodgers would be glad to have him.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

The Ravens need some offensive line help, but there's none worth reaching for here. They're better off taking a pass-rusher they could use to help take some pressure off of Terrell Suggs. Whitney Mercilus could do the job quite nicely.

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

After watching the NFC Championship Game, it's hard to argue that wide receiver isn't an area of need for the 49ers. They need some help at receiver, and Mohamed Sanu is an intriguing prospect with a lot of upside. Jim Harbaugh is the perfect guy to unlock that upside.

31. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown deserves to go higher than this, but the Giants would gladly take him if he were to fall to them. Their linebacking corps could use some athleticism, and you're not going to find a better athlete than Brown.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama*

Mark Barron doesn't have to do anything too complicated at the combine. I'm including him in the discussion because he needs to do something to prove he's worthy of a first-round pick.

Merely showing off his athleticism could be enough to do the trick. Barron is not an elite athlete, but he moves around pretty well and he's capable of making all the plays in both pass and run defense. If he can demonstrate his potential in both areas, he'll get some looks.

My gut tells me the Patriots are going to be looking at Barron regardless. They could use a safety, and they could also use a little toughness in their defense.

Barron would fill both needs.