2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Best Prospect from Each BCS Conference Will Land

The BCS is the focal point of college football, and often it's where the true stars of the NFL hail from. The PAC-12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and Big East have a plethora of talent headed to the NFL in 2012, but which young stars are the best from each conference, and where will they end up?

Let's break it down, as I go through a first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts—QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

PAC-12's Best Prospect

Let's start here, because it is the most obvious. Andrew Luck is the top prospect regardless of conference, so he obviously is the the man out west. Compared to Peyton Manning and John Elway, who could trump that? 

We already know that the Colts are going to draft Luck, barring some freakish change in strategy. The Colts connection for the three QBs is undeniable. All of them have been or will be selected first overall by the same franchise.

The Colts, while still in Baltimore, drafted Elway in 1983. The man of massive teeth refused to play for the Colts and as most know, ended up with the Denver Broncos. Elway's comparisons are even more freaky, as he also went to Stanford.

As most also know, Manning was selected by the Colts and, up to the moment, is still a part of the franchise, though change is in the air.

Here is how the three past, present and future Colts' choices' last college years compare to each other:

-John Elway: 262-of-405, 3,242 yards, 24 TD, 12 INT, 294.7 YPG 145.6 QB rating. His career culminated on one of the most famous plays in football history. You know the one, with the band on the field as California completes five laterals to stun the Cardinal.

Like Luck, Elway finished second in Heisman voting in his final collegiate year, but he did not lead his team to a bowl game. Elway's supporting cast was perhaps the least talented of the three, and he played in an era when passing had yet to become the flavor of the day.

Peyton Manning: 287-of-477, 3,819 yards, 36 TD, 11 INT, 347.2 YPG, 147.7 QB rating. Manning, like Luck, could have been the top selection in the draft a year before he was selected No. 1.

He had earned his degree in three years, but he still came back for his senior year. Just as Luck came back for his junior year, even though he was draft eligible after his sophomore year and projected as the top pick.

Manning finished second in the Heisman race in his final year, just like Luck and Elway.

Andrew Luck: 261-of-373, 3,170 yards, 35 TD, 9 INT, 264.2 YPG, 167.5 QB rating. Luck had fewer pass attempts but still had gaudy numbers, and his QB rating was the highest of the three. If the connections to Elway and Manning mean anything, the Colts can't go wrong with selecting him.

2. St. Louis Rams—WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.

Big 12 Best Prospect

This same selection could be made at four if the Browns trade up to grab Robert Griffin III. Justin Blackmon has been compared to Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens and Andre Johnson, and I can certainly see the similarities.

His body is chiseled like all 3-star receivers. He has great hands like Johnson, as Owens was often too much of a body-catcher, which is what led to the high drop totals.

His run-after-the-catch ability is similar to Boldin. Both players are almost like RB after the reception, though I think he's faster than Boldin.

He is a very physical presence on the line of scrimmage just like T.O., but also he has some off-the-field concerns. Owens never got into trouble away from the field. His issues came from on-the-field and locker-room antics. Nonetheless, it's all perceived as a distraction.

The Rams will have to consider this as they bring him in. 

3. Minnesota Vikings—T Matt Kalil, USC

Vikes will give Christian Ponder another look-see, and Kalil is a safe pick to protect whomever is under center for the foreseeable future.

4. Cleveland Browns—QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Recent talk of bringing in someone compete with Colt McCoy is a smoke screen, and it doesn't mean the competition won't come from RG3. The Browns would be silly to let him get away.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

SEC's Best Prospect

Claiborne is clearly the best cornerback in the draft, but he is also the best prospect on the defensive side of the ball. He has the size, athleticism and instincts that make for an elite cornerback.

He is possibly the most fluid athlete in the draft, next to Robert Griffin III. He turns and runs, and back pedals as well as anyone who will be available. He has great leaping ability and the hands of a receiver for INTs.

His only weakness is tackling, but that can and will improve. The Bucs' biggest weakness was on the defensive side of the ball, so this is a great get, especially since the future of Aqib Talib is in doubt. He reminds me of Charles Woodson.

6. Washington Redskins—CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

The Skins would love RG3, but I think the Browns will grab him, so they will have to look elsewhere. They may move back to grab a receiver, but if they don't Kirkpatrick would be great on the other side of DeAngelo Hall.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars—WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

The Jags need a playmaker in the passing game fast. Floyd may be able to save Blaine Gabbert from bust status.

8. Carolina Panthers—DT Michael Brockers, LSU

Carolina needs help on the offensive line, but most of all they need to shore up their defense. Brockers has huge upside as a pass-rusher and overall D-Lineman.

9. Miami Dolphins—T Riley Reiff, Iowa

Big Ten's Best Prospect

The Dolphins would have loved to draft a QB, but there aren't any here that warrant it, you just may see them take a chance on Nick Foles in the second round, if he's there when they pick. Instead, Reiff is a great bookend at RT with Jake Long at LT.

The Dolphins would have one of the best young offensive tackle tandems in the NFL. They may go after Matt Flynn, the free agent QB from Green Bay—especially since Joe Philbin, the former Packers offensive coordinator, is now the head coach.

Reiff is a great athlete at 6'6", 300 pounds, he has long arms and locks on well at first engagement. The only knock on him is that he is more of an athlete than an offensive lineman. Some scouts believe he isn't mean enough, and that probably keeps him on the right side.

10. Buffalo Bills—OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

The Bills need tons of help defensively. A player who can impact the game by rushing the QB would be huge. There are other more athletic pass-rushers at OLB, but Upshaw is a winner.

11. Seattle Seahawks—G David DeCastro, Stanford

The Seahawks will continue to run the ball primarily, so they could take Trent Richardson here, but DeCastro offers more long-standing effect.

12. Kansas City Chiefs—ILB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

The Chiefs have some needs sprinkled about, but they played very well last year and expect Matt Cassell, Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles back. Hightower can make an immediate impact on that defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals—T Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Third Cardinal selected in the top 15 helps the Cardinals better protect whomever will be under center.

14. Dallas Cowboys—DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

I know the Cowboys generally haven't had NTs this big, but Poe is a special player on the inside. He can command a double-team, and this would be a great pick for Dallas.

15. Philadelphia Eagles—WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

The Eagles need a big-body receiver for Mike Vick. This could be the biggest pick in the first round if the Eagles continue their momentum from late 2011.

16. New York Jets—OLB Nick Perry, USC

Jets need some bite to that once-feared defense. They have no dominant pass-rushers—Perry has the tools to be just that.

17. Cincinnati Bengals—RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Tide keeps rolling in, the best RB prospect slips here only because there isn't a strong need from previous teams, and he lacks game-breaking speed. Still, he fits in perfectly with Bengals style.

18. San Diego Chargers—T Mike Adams, Ohio State

The Chargers will need another big-play receiver, as Vincent Jackson may bolt, but the O-Line also needs help. Adams is a solid pick.

19. Chicago Bears—C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

Taking Konz, the best center prospect in the draft, enables the Bears to move Roberto Garza back to guard. It strengthens the entire line.

20. Tennessee Titans—DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Ingram is a beast of an athlete and should be a huge hit at the NFL combine, where his athletic gifts will be on full display.

21. Cincinnati Bengals—CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

The Bengals take a chance on another player with a troubled past, but Jenkins is a top-five talent that slips here only because of past issues.

22. Cleveland Browns - RB - Lamar Miller, Miami (FL)

ACC Best Prospect

Miller is a great all-around back who could thrive in the Browns' system. He can run between the tackles, has the speed to get outside and is a capable receiver.

At 5'11", 215 pounds, he has good size, and the fact that he has only started one season in college is a plus. He does not have the mileage on him that other feature backs out of college have, like Richardson and Chris Polk.

Miller reminds me a lot of former Georgia Bulldog and San Francisco 49er, Garrison Hearst. Hopefully, Miller will stay healthy more than Hearst could. Even through an injury-stained career saw him miss 66 games in an 11-year career, he rushed for 7,966 yards and 30 TDs, and caught 229 passes for 2,065 yards. If Miller has that type of career, he'll have had a successful one.

23. Detroit Lions—CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

Dennard has not helped his stock at the Senior Bowl, but teams won't completely dismiss his collegiate play. Lions need help in secondary...bad.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers—LB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

Lewis can rush the passer, and the Steelers have to think about replacing the 34-year-old James Harrison before he retires, regresses or is fined out of the league.

25. Denver Broncos—WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

The Broncos need playmakers if they are sticking with Tim Tebow. They need guys who can take a short throw and turn it into a big play, and Wright may be the best at that in the draft.

26. Houston Texans—WR Mohammed Sanu, Rutgers

Big East Best Prospect

Sanu could be better than Jeffery and Floyd when its all said and done. He has remarkable hands and great strength, but he seems to be a little discounted by some.

Sanu had amazing production last year with 115 receptions, 1,206 yards and seven TDs. He stands 6'2" and a solid 220 pounds, he will demolish most corners if they jam him at the line of scrimmage, and he makes receptions out away from his body with ease.

His strength and agility combination is similar to Brandon Marshall. Sanu rounds out a first round full of exciting receiver prospects.

27. New England Patriots—DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

At one time Coples was considered a top-two pick—he has slid dramatically, but as a Patriot, he could be the explosive pass-rusher many expect.

28. Green Bay Packers—CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

Packers need some youth at corner, and Hosley is an impressive athlete that could start in 2013, and play nickel in 2012.

29. Baltimore Ravens—LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

This pick is perfect for the Ravens and Burfict. At 36, Ray Lewis is on his way out, and Burfict is talented, but needs guidance. No better person than the GOAT.

30. San Francisco 49ers—CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia

Niners could use a WR and/or KR/PR, but there are no WRs left they can't get later, and the same is the case for a return guy. Minnifield adds depth at the secondary spot.

31. New York Giants—RB Chris Polk, Washington

Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are often injured, and the Giants need to add some depth at the spot. Polk is a quality back who is physical and can be hybrid of Jacobs and Bradshaw.

32. New England Patriots—CB Stephen Gilmore, South Carolina

The Patriots will clean up on draft day, and people will wonder how in the hell they ended up with players of this caliber after winning the Super Bowl.

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