2012 NFL Mock Draft: Alshon Jeffery and Playmakers Who Will Slip

South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery is one of several playmaking college stars who will slip in the 2012 NFL draft for a variety of reasons, some of which include character issues and just being overrated.

Teams must take every bit of every information on players very seriously, especially since these franchises with high draft picks are paying millions of dollars to young and inexperienced athletes.

Let's look at a complete NFL mock draft which will include several playmakers who will fall in the first round.

* Denotes playmaker who will slip in draft

1) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is an All-Pro caliber talent with good arm strength and decision making. The Colts would be crazy not to take Luck with the top overall pick.

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

The Rams need to protect quarterback Sam Bradford, and left tackle is a serious need the team has that should be addressed with this pick. Look for USC left tackle Matt Kalil to be taken by the Rams at No. 2.

3) Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Justin Blackmon is the real deal. He doesn't have explosive speed or enormous strength, but his all-around skills are tremendous and he would be a real upgrade at wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.

4) Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Cleveland Browns will likely let Peyton Hillis walk in free agency, which means they will have a huge need at running back. Richardson has good speed and field vision, and would be a great fit in Cleveland, a team that really needs more offensive playmakers.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is a fantastic cornerback with shut-down capability. With veteran corner Ronde Barber inching closer to retirement, drafting a top-tier corner should be a priority for the Buccaneers.

6) Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Baylor is a dual threat quarterback and can dominate defenses with his superior arm strength and running back-like rushing ability. The Redskins need a serious upgrade at quarterback, and Griffin is a good fit.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Jaguars need to upgrade their defensive line and Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still is a talented run stuffer who demands double-teams from opposing offensive lines.

8) Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Carolina Panthers defense has to improve, and cornerback is one position that must be upgraded. Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama would give the Panthers secondary more coverage skills and a very good tackler.

9) Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

With Jason Taylor retiring, defensive end is a major need for the Miami Dolphins. Courtney Upshaw played exceptionally at Alabama, and he is a very good pass rusher that can help the Dolphins defense from day one.

10) Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff is one of the best left tackles in this draft class, and it's a position the Buffalo Bills need to improve in. Reiff is a fantastic choice to protect quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for many years.

11) Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

With no quarterback worth taking at pick No. 11, expect the Seattle Seahawks to take a top pass rusher. At this point in the draft they should select Nick Perry from USC who can play linebacker or defensive end.

12) Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Kansas City Chiefs need a left tackle to protect quarterback Matt Cassel, who suffered through the 2011 season with injuries. Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin is one of the more NFL-ready players in this draft class.

13) Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Arizona Cardinals need to improve their pass rush, so their secondary isn't under too much pressure to perform beyond their capabilities each game. Melvin Ingram from South Carolina would help address this weakness.

14) Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is a good linebacker with an all-around skill set that includes a high football intelligence. The Cowboys need to get younger at the linebacker position.

15) Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Philadelphia Eagles need some more depth at wide receiver because Jeremy Maclin has battled injuries recently and DeSean Jackson might leave in the summer through free agency. Notre Dame playmaker Michael Floyd is a fabulous receiver who is a reliable target with great strength.

16) New York Jets: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jets badly need a defensive tackle who can command double-teams like Vince Wilfork does for the New England Patriots. Quinton Coples of North Carolina is a good defensive tackle but also adds versatility to a team with his ability to play defensive end too.

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

Stanford guard David DeCastro is a great guard and is a Pro Bowl caliber offensive lineman. The Bengals could certainly use an upgrade at guard, and DeCastro's talent is too good to ignore at this stage of the draft.

18) San Diego Chargers: Alfonzo Dennard*, CB, Nebraska

Alfonzo Dennard has tremendous coverage skills and could be an elite defensive player in the NFL. He could slide down to No. 18 where the San Diego Chargers would be foolish to pass on him.

19) Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Peter Konz is a great center but recent injury issues have caused some concern regarding his draft status. He should definitely be taken in the top 20, and with all the offensive line issues the Bears have had in recent years, drafting a center is a smart idea.

20) Tennessee Titans: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is one of the better offensive linemen in this draft, and the Titans don't necessarily need a tackle, but Adams' talent is too good to pass on with this pick.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami FL

The Bengals running game was inconsistent this season, and Lamar Miller would give them the speed and strength they need at the running back position.

22) Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery*, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery has immense talent and has all the makings of a top 5 draft pick, but concerns about his consistency will cause him to drop in the draft. The Browns need a playmaking wide receiver, so if he falls to No. 22 they will take him.

23) Detroit Lions: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Sun Devils linebacker has immense talent but sometimes doesn't control his physicality and energy well enough. He is a great pass rusher, and would be a fine addition to the Lions defense.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers battled injuries this season, and adding some fresh talent like the talented guard from Georgia is a smart idea.

25) Denver Broncos: Mohamed Sanu*, WR, Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights receiver would be a fine addition to the Denver Broncos passing offense with Tim Tebow as quarterback. Sanu has good speed and is a reliable pass catcher. His draft stock will only get better as the combine concludes.

26) Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Jerel Worthy's draft stock has risen well in recent months, and his strength and run-stuffing ability would help the improving Houston Texans defense.

27) New England Patriots (from NO): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Patriots need help in the secondary badly since they had the worst passing defense in the NFL this season, which makes Alabama safety Mark Barron a good choice here.

28) Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Green Packers passing offense was exceptional this season, but their running game was the worst ranked unit in the NFL. Chris Polk of Washington would be an exceptional pick to improve their rushing attack.

29) Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens have to get younger at linebacker with Ray Lewis past his prime, and having the opportunity to select a talented player like Dont'a Hightower is a chance they must take.

30) San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright*, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright has the ability to be a fine NFL playmaker and has the speed and pass-catching ability to be a reliable target for 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

31) New York Giants: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

The Giants rush the passer extremely well, so why not continue to add that kind of talent to the team? Zach Brown would add another talented linebacker to the Giants roster.

32) New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, formerly of Florida

After getting kicked out of the Florida football program, Janoris Jenkins must prove to NFL teams that he has the maturity to succeed in the NFL. If there's anyone who can point a player with character issues in the right direction, it's Bill Belichick.