2012 NFL Mock Draft: Jerel Worthy and Stars Who'll Fall to Playoff Teams
When a player enters the NFL draft, the last thing on their mind is that they might fall. It is a combination of ego and information that they get fed from scouts and team executives, but it always happens.
The most famous recent example was Aaron Rodgers dropping to the Green Bay Packers in the 2005 draft, and it is safe to say that worked out well for both sides.
So which players will fall to playoff teams in this year's draft?
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Luck is the only choice for the top pick, and the Colts will be more than happy to take him off the board.
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The only question here is whether or not the Rams decide to trade down to accrue some picks before grabbing Blackmon later.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Claiborne will have an instant impact on the Vikings defense, similar to what Patrick Peterson did with Arizona in 2011.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
This is an important draft for the Browns, who have to build the foundation of their offense if they want to compete in the AFC North anytime in the near future.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Buccaneers are in an interesting position, because they have enough talent to compete already but have to make some serious adjustments in scheme and the character of players they bring in. Richardson will bring a toughness on the field and in the locker room that no one else possesses.6. Washington Redskins: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Redskins would love to get their hands on Robert Griffin III but will be forced to "settle" with Kirkpatrick.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Blaine Gabbert should be given a mulligan for his performance in 2011, because there was no one on the offense aside from Maurice Jones-Drew for him to use. That will change when the team drafts Jeffery with the No. 7 pick.
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Now that the Panthers have found their quarterback of the future, it is imperative that they find leaders on defense to make a playoff push. Brockers is moving up draft boards and will be a great anchor for this porous defensive line.
9. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
The Dolphins need a quarterback, but they are more likely to explore the trade/free-agent market to fill that need. With this pick, they will get their new signal-caller some protection.
10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
Upshaw will upgrade a terrible Bills defensive front seven. He will give them the pass-rusher off the edge they so desperately need.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Pete Carroll has done a good job of rebuilding this roster over the last two years, and one of the final pieces needed to get this team into contention is an impact pass-rusher off the edge.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Part of Kevin Kolb's problems in 2011 can be attributed to the Cardinals' problems in pass protection. Reiff has more upside than any other offensive lineman in this year's draft.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
It doesn't matter where the Cowboys are picking, they are going to draft someone to help their secondary. Barron has the size and speed to match up against wide receivers or tight ends in the NFL.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
16. New York Jets: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
It is going to take some effort for the Jets to rebuild their defense, and Branch is a great first step. He gives them speed and quickness off the edge, which is something they did not have a lot of in 2011.
17. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
While Philip Rivers got a lot of flak for turning the ball over in 2011, a big reason for that was the lack of protection up front. Glenn is a big, versatile offensive lineman who will help Rivers get back to being the player he used to be.
19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
The Bears could address the offensive line or wide receiver positions with their first pick. There are some good playmakers on the outside available, but protecting Jay Cutler and Matt Forte has to be priority No. 1 for this team.
20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, OLB, USC
Perry has the size and speed to play on the edge of a defensive line or at outside linebacker. The Titans need a pass-rusher, so they would likely be inclined to move him to the line.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
With their second pick of the first round, the Bengals will address their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball. Jenkins was thought of as one of the best cornerbacks in last year's draft, but he decided to go back to school.
He was kicked out of Florida due to a misdemeanor arrest and performed well at Division II North Alabama. His character issues could push him out of the first round, but he still has tremendous potential that will make a team take a chance on him.
22. Cleveland Browns via ATL: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Having already addressed their quarterback situation, it is time for the Browns to get some playmakers on the outside for Robert Griffin III to throw to. Floyd is like a lighter version of Justin Blackmon, with size, speed and good hands.
23. Detroit Lions: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
Despite making the playoffs for the first time since 1999, the Lions still have a lot of work to do if they want to be among the elite teams in the NFC. The front seven was a disappointment last season, but Burfict will bring all the optimism back thanks to his raw athletic prowess.
The only real negative with Burfict is that he is going to need a lot of time to develop before reaching his full potential. He has as much upside as any player in this draft with the exception of Andrew Luck, but he gets lost on the field at times.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Ben Roethlisberger might not be happy with the Steelers letting offensive coordinator Bruce Arians walk away, but all will be forgiven when he gets another offensive lineman to protect him.
Adams is a big brute at the left tackle position, and he is the kind of player that the Steelers love to draft. He won't be overwhelmed by the stage. He is going to open up things in the passing game and help the running game, which fell off in 2011.
25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
With Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller lighting up opposing quarterbacks on the outside, it is time for the Broncos to plug the middle of the defensive line.
Worthy is slightly smaller than the other defensive tackles taken in this round, but he has more speed and agility. He should be able to bull-rush opposing offensive linemen to get sacks, command double-teams to help linebackers make tackles on running backs and open up the pass-rush for everyone else.
26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Wright's big-play ability is going to carry him into the first round. His ability to consistently catch the ball and run precise routes underneath will determine how successful he is.
27. New England Patriots via NO: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
With the Patriots, you never know what they are going to do. They could trade out of the first round, or use both of their picks to move up and grab someone they fall in love with. Ingram is the pick for now as he provides them with a speed rusher off the edge.
28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
The Packers defense fell apart in 2011 thanks to its inability to get after opposing quarterbacks and a weak linebacking corps. Mercilus will give Clay Matthews good support on the outside with his speed and ability to read defenders.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
While the Ravens don't have any pressing needs at the moment, their offensive line is getting older, and Sanders would be able to play in spots this season to get him ready for a full-time job in 2013.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
It was painfully obvious during their loss in the NFC Championship that the 49ers need a lot of help at wide receiver. Vernon Davis is great at the tight end position, but he is the only one on the roster who can make plays in the passing game.
Sanu actually has the ability to catch the ball, something Michael Crabtree could learn to do. He is not a precise route runner yet, but he has great instincts and a knack for being able to find the ball when it is thrown in his general direction.
Alex Smith made great strides this season, but for him to keep getting better he needs more weapons on the outside. If the team surrounds him with the right players, there is no reason to think that he can't throw for 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.
31. New York Giants: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
We may look at the Giants defense today and think that everything is all roses, but the secondary is still an area of concern. Gilmore does not have elite athleticism, though he does make up for it with solid technique and ability to read the quarterback.
32. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska
The Patriots are still trying to repair their defensive line. They could go after a cornerback at this position, but Bill Belichick is great at hoarding talent that falls in the draft due to injury concerns or attitude problems.
Crick falls into the former category, as he was one of the hottest prospects in 2011 before tearing his pectoral muscle in October. His stock will likely fall unless he is able to show that he is 100 percent at the scouting combine next month.
He has the versatility that Belichick always looks for, which will only make him that much more appealing to the Patriots with the final pick of the first round.
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