2012 NFL Mock Draft: Michael Floyd and Tempting Players Teams Will Reach for

Reaching for a player in the NFL draft is an interesting concept with no legitimate definition. In most cases, the team that does the "reaching" doesn't believe they are reaching at all.

Public perception of a player means nothing to an NFL organization that spends countless hours evaluating players with the most up-to-date information possible.

Draft value is legitimate, though. There are teams that understand this better than others and can use it to their advantage. Rather than "reaching" for a player in the top five that will still be there between 6-12, a team will wisely trade down and acquire the player they fancy at a later pick.

There are plenty of players in the 2012 NFL draft that will be hard to pass up on, but whether a team "reaches" is something only time will tell.

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

Clearly not a reach, Andrew Luck is the top player in the draft and deserves to go No. 1 overall.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the St. Louis Rams do not trade away the No. 2 overall pick, they are doomed to reach for a player. If they have to reach for someone, it will likely be Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State.

The 6'1", 215-pound underclassman is the draft's top wide receiver and fills an immediate need for the Rams, but he is not the same type of prospect that A.J. Green, Calvin Johnson or even Julio Jones was.

St. Louis holds an interesting position in this draft, because Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will be a very hot commodity come draft day.

The Rams would be wise to trade down to at least No. 4 with the Cleveland Browns—a team reportedly very high on RG3—and grab Blackmon there.

It isn't out of the question for them to stay at No. 2, though, and whomever they take would be a reach.

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

The USC junior fills an immediate need for the Vikes and can take over protecting Christian Ponder's blindside.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

If the Browns don't trade up to No. 2 to land RG3, it is likely that someone else (Washington) will.

RG3 is not a top-five prospect in this draft, but the amount of teams searching for a franchise QB will drive his value sky-high and to a likely No. 2 overall selection.

The Baylor QB is an intriguing prospect with no direct NFL comparison available. He's a better quarterback than Cam Newton was last year but is not as imposing with his running ability. He is faster but will not take punishment as well as last year's Heisman winner, should he fancy running as much as Newton in the NFL.

RG3 is also still a work in progress, and any team that takes him on must have the coach in place capable of developing elite talent.

Griffin is reach that a number of teams are willing to make.

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

A surprising value pick, the Bucs get the draft's top defensive prospect at a position of need and simply had to sit and let him fall.

They could go the opposite way and reach for running back Trent Richardson of Alabama here, too.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The reach of the draft comes courtesy of the Washington Redskins because they desperately need to land themselves a franchise quarterback.

Whether Ryan Tannehill truly is a franchise QB is still very much up for debate, and his recent injury/surgery will postpone any legitimate judgement. The way things are shaping up, the injury may actually benefit him, though.

Scouts are rumored to be fascinated with Tannehill's potential. He comes in with great size at 6'4", 222 pounds and has great athleticism to go with it. He switched from QB to WR and back to QB and is still work a in progress, but has the benefit of knowing two of the more intricate positions in football.

He struggles with accuracy at times and forces the ball too, but he can make all the throws and puts good zip on his passes.

Tannehill's potential at a time for desperate organizations like Washington and Miami (No. 8 or 9) will make him hard to pass up.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

Quinton Coples is one of the most difficult prospects to rank in this year's draft class. He came into the 2011 season as a potential top-five pick, but he turned in an underwhelming campaign and forced scouts and coaches to question his work ethic and motor.

So far at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, he has been one of the most talked-about prospects, though.

His size (6'6", 281 pounds) and versatility is extremely intriguing, and he can be completely unblockable at times.

Unfortunately, a few good days on the field at Ladd Peebles Stadium isn't enough to make everyone forget about an entire season of relatively mediocre play.

The Jaguars have a need for elite talent, though, and they miss out on an opportunity to land an elite playmaker here. So, in typical Gene Smith fashion, they're an ideal candidate to reach for someone as enticing as Coples.

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

Arguably the best remaining defensive prospect, Still will help the Panthers' porous run defense immediately.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Hawkeye is an ideal upgrade at right tackle opposite Jake Long.

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

Best available defensive player on the board and easily the best pass-rusher, Upshaw will immediately make an impact for the Bills and will be reunited former teammate Marcell Dareus as the key playmakers in this front seven for years to come.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This is a bit of a slide for Richardson, but the way the board plays out he falls into the lap of a team stuck with making a tough decision on Marshawn Lynch. Drafting Richardson makes that decision much easier.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If the Chiefs win the flip over the Seahawks, it could easily be them scooping up Richardson to pair with Jamaal Charles.

Martin is a big, athletic tackle who helps make the Chiefs' entire O-line better.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Best available defensive prospect gives the Cardinals a starting inside back for the next 10 years.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Dallas has a major need on their interior offensive line, and DeCastro is the best lineman on the board. Solid match for a team that wants to the run the ball better.

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

The Eagles will be extremely lucky if they see Michael Floyd still on the board at No. 15. They have a ridiculous need for a big-bodied playmaker on the outside opposite the speedy DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Floyd comes in at 6'3", 224 pounds and is the most productive receiver in Notre Dame history.

He's a magnet for the end zone, makes tough catches look easy and is a prime example of a red-zone target with more to offer.

The Eagles couldn't ask for more.

However, there are teams who could jump on him earlier due to a lack of elite receiving talent in this class.

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

The senior pass-rusher has looked very good at the Senior Bowl and is backing up the great numbers he put together this season. The Jets continue to look for pass-rush help, and he fits the bill as a 3-4 edge rusher.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Falling prospect with fresh character concerns; the Bengals always bite.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Chargers have been searching for pass-rush help for far too long. Nick Perry is a local product they simply cannot pass up.

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

The massive Badgers center helps the entire Bears line get better immediately.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This is a bit of reach because Brockers still has a lot developing to do, but the the redshirt sophomore has great potential and the Titans are an ideal team to coach him up.

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

Cedric Benson is unlikely to return, and the Bengals will not hesitate to find his replacement in this draft. Miller has rare speed for his size and could be an immediate impact player.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The mixed reviews on Jeffery's potential are very real. Even at No. 22 he is a bit of a reach for me, but if the Browns somehow keep this pick they could use his size on the outside.

If the Rams acquire this pick they'll be looking at Mike Adams, Cordy Glenn and Fletcher Cox.

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

Towering offensive tackle helps a Lions offensive line that needs help as much as the secondary. He's been impressive in Mobile as well.

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

The massive lineman can play tackle or guard, but he appears to project better on the interior so far in Senior Bowl practices. He can help the Steelers regardless of position.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Big, versatile D-lineman from the SEC is exactly the type of player the Broncos need in their front seven.

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

A bit of a slide for the All-American, Barron is the draft's most complete safety and ideal player to take over in the Houston secondary.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The reviews on Jenkins continue to be mixed, but there is no denying his physical talents. Belichick isn't shy to take a shot, and he likes his Gators as well.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Packers' physical style of play is a great fit for Dennard, who lacks the elite speed to run with NFL receivers on an island.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

A bit of a reach, but if anyone can tame Vontaze, Burfict it is Ray Lewis and the Ravens D.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a receiver that some teams have much higher, but he still needs to prove he can run more than just a 9 route.

+31. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Super athletic linebacker is ideal for the weakside. His coverage ability will allow the Giants to shift Michael Boley inside full time as he gets older.

+32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Scarlet Knight receiver is an extremely versatile weapon who is getting better and better with every game he plays at wide receiver. We've seen Belichick use Julian Edelman as WR, RB, CB and PR during this postseason.

Sanu can do all that and be even better. He also has the potential to become a starting receiver.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

+Determined by Super Bowl

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