2012 NFL Mock Draft: Vontaze Burfict and More Risks Worth Taking

While the 2012 NFL draft will be a place for teams to replenish their future with some of the most talented players in the nation, there are always questions that need to be raised.

Most players are good individuals, but some come from troubled pasts and have become trouble off the field for their teams. Those players will need to prove to teams that they are worth the risk.

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

With Peyton Manning’s future in Indianapolis in serious limbo, the pick of Andrew Luck at No. 1 is very certain.

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

With Colt McCoy showing management that he may not be the quarterback of the future, Mike Holmgren and crew will ensure they get their quarterback of the future by trading up and selecting Robert Griffin III.

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

If Minnesota is serious about making Christian Ponder the quarterback of the future, they need that left tackle that can protect his blindside. Enter Matt Kalil.

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

The Rams know the demand for RGIII at this point, so moving back to get Justin Blackmon and probably a second- or third-round pick is the perfect scenario.

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

With Ronde Barber getting the senior discount at Old Country Buffet, it’s time to draft his replacement. Morris Claiborne is the best cornerback in the draft.

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

Odds are that Washington will lose their cool with Griffin going at No. 2 and blow a high pick on Ryan Tannehill instead of trading back. This draft will be the death knell for Mike Shanahan in D.C.

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

Coples is the best pure defensive linemen coming out this season and he will fit any scheme that Jacksonville will run.

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

It won’t be long before Ron Rivera turns the Panthers defense into something to fear. That starts with defensive tackle Devon Still.

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

While the quarterback position is a question mark, if I was drafting for the Dolphins I'd allow Matt Moore one full offseason as the No. 1 and give him some protection. If Riley Reiff can’t turn Moore into a star, next year the Dolphins can draft a quarterback.

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

While he is a bit of a tweener for the NFL level, he will excel at whichever position the Bills finally decide he should start.

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

With the duo of Marshawn Lynch and Trent Richardson, the Seahawks could have old beast mode teach new beast mode. What a tandem.

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

If Kansas City respects Matt Cassel at all or values his health, they need to protect him with an offensive tackle like Jonathan Martin.

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

With a serious need in the middle, the Cardinals will shore up their run defense with tough linebacker Luke Kuechly.

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

With a guard like David DeCastro added to the fold, the Cowboys would finally be able to get a run game going.

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

The Eagles need a big red-zone target for Michael Vick. Enter Michael Floyd.

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

There may be no better defensive prospect in all of college football than Ingram and Rex Ryan will turn him into an absolute machine.

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

While Dre Kirkpatrick’s drug arrest is enough to scare most teams away, the talents that the young man showcased will be enough for the Cincinnati Bengals to ignore.

Over the years, the Bengals have proven that they aren’t afraid to take chances on players and Kirkpatrick is no exception. He is too talented a player for a team like the Bengals not to take that risk.

With a serious need at cornerback, if he is still there when Cincy picks at No. 17, Kirkpatrick will be a Bengal. It will pay off in the long run.

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

If Nick Perry doesn’t walk right in and make a huge impact on the Chargers, Norv Turner is fired. No pressure, though.

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

Cutler got destroyed last season. Peter Konz will help prevent a few of those sacks. Enough said.

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

Brockers is watching his stock rise by the day and a team like the Tennessee Titans would have him playing at his peak in no time.

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

With questions about Cedric Benson returning to the Bengals, this pick is the answer.

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

The Browns need a weapon for whoever they have under center to start the season and Alshon Jeffery could be the best receiver out of this draft. If he wants to be.

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

Any help for a porous Lions secondary would be welcomed and Dennard is the real deal. Great pick here to fill a need.

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

See Chicago Bears, but fill in Ben Roethlisberger and Cordy Glenn’s names.

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

John Fox is in the process of building his 4-3 defense and Fletcher Cox is the kind of defensive tackle he dreams of.

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

Wade Phillips gets another stellar toy to make his defense even better. Mark Barron will dominate in Houston.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

There is no team in the NFL that can handle an athlete with an ego problem better than the New England Patriots. With a plethora of head cases coming through the door, it has been adapt to their way or get out.

Vontaze Burfict will adhere to the Belichick way of thinking and acting within days of being drafted by the Patriots. Either that or he won’t play; it’s his choice.

Burfict is a wild man on the field and his anger management issues have been well documented. New England will help Burfict harness that anger and use it constructively on the football field.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The terrible Packers defense needs a shot in the arm. Jerel Worthy is exactly what the doctor ordered.

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

Zach Brown is the perfect outside linebacker for the 4-3 schemes that the Giants want to run. His speed and power make him dangerous against the run and the pass.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Baltimore Ravens taking a middle linebacker that likes to hit people hard? That’s odd.

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

Just what Alex Smith needs: another speedy receiver he can underthrow to.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With the Patriots already taking one risky pick, what’s another for good measure? That’s exactly what they will do when they take Janoris Jenkins with the last pick of the first round.

Jenkins was kicked off the Florida Gators' football team after several arrests and ended up with North Alabama. While he has faded into obscurity over the last year, Jenkins is still a star.

This is another case of baggage scaring teams away and one team not being afraid at all to take risks. Maybe that’s why they’re always winning?

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

$$ - Potential trade

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