2012 NFL Mock Draft: Stars Who Will Have Better Careers Than Andrew Luck

Most of the focus of 2012 NFL draft centers around Andrew Luck, who should be the No. 1 overall pick. However, just because he's labeled as the best prospect doesn't necessarily mean he will have the best career of all the players in the class of 2012. 

There are always big surprises on draft day, and players you wouldn't think would dominate in the NFL end up doing just that. Sometimes it's easy to tell who is destined for greatness, but there will always be guys who are overlooked and end up proving everyone wrong. 

For the 2012 NFL draft, there are a number of talented players headed for great NFL careers. Of course, there will be shockers, but at the same time, it's not difficult to see which guys are going to be elite. 

With that said, here is my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on players, as well as a more in-depth look on guys whom I believe will finish with a better career than Luck. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

*Picks to be determined by coin flip 

Picks 31 and 32 to be determined after Super Bowl 

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

He's the top prospect in the draft and he will be first overall pick no matter who the team is. Don't mistake this article for thinking Luck isn't going to have a great NFL career, because he is. 

However, others are going to thrive in their positions much more over the long haul as Luck struggles to start. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the real deal. Listed at 6'7", 295 pounds, Kalil is going to be a dominant offensive tackle for many years to come. 

It's possible the Rams trade back here for a team interested in jumping up for a QB, but sticking with the order, they stay put and select the best overall player available. 

Sam Bradford needs extra protection to help keep him from suffering injuries after monstrous hits, and Kalil will make sure his blindside is covered for the rest of his career. 

He's the top offensive tackle in the class of 2012, which is saying something because it might be the deepest position in the draft this year. 

Kalil is going to shine bright wherever he ends up, and his career will be greater Luck's, who will wish he had Kalil protecting him. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Cornerback is another deep position in the 2012 NFL draft, and Claiborne is by far the best corner, which is very impressive. 

While Tyrann Mathieu received all the hype for LSU this past season, Claiborne was quietly doing his thing, shutting down receivers with ease. It was easy to see that Claiborne was the best player on an extremely talented team, and life in the NFL will be great for him as well. 

The Viking secondary was atrocious this past season, so look for Claiborne to step in immediately and make a big impact.

Claiborne also has superb skills as a return man, and he should put those on display to give Percy Harvin a rest from time to time so he can focus on offense. 

Listed at 6'0" and 185 pounds, the 2011 Thorpe Award winner is going to excel in the NFL. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns have plenty of options here, but there best bet is to give Colt McCoy more weapons to work with. There isn't a more dangerous weapon in the class of 2012 than Blackmon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bucs need help all over, but they'll do the right thing and take the best available defender. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

If the Redskins ever want to get serious about winning the NFC East, they need a better QB. Griffin is a dual-threat QB that thinks pass first, which makes him so dangerous. He definitely has the skills to help elevate the Redskins to new heights. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

A bit of a reach here, but the Jaguars need big-time playmakers to help Blaine Gabbert. Jeffery can catch just about anything thrown his way. Look the Jaguars to possibly move down a few spots since they can still get an elite wideout then. 

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

Another reach, but the weak defensive class helps Still out tremendously. The Panthers need to add another big body to help stop the run and disrupt opposing offenses, and Still has the potential to be great. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

It's possible Richardson falls even further on draft day, or perhaps some team will trade up for him because it knows he's going to be a star. 

Richardson wasn't abused in his college career because the first two years he spent time backing up Mark Ingram. This will benefit him in the long run during a very successful and vigorous NFL career. 

Life as an NFL running back is brutal, but Richardson can handle it. The Dolphins didn't get what they wanted from Daniel Thomas, and Richardson's skills are too good to pass up here. 

He's the top running back in the draft class, and there is no doubt he will thrive at the next level. Richardson has impeccable vision, and he's going to dominate in the NFL. He can make defenders miss, power through opposing players and has a great burst of speed. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills have to get better on the offensive line, and Reiff will certainly help them in that area.

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

Another solid offensive lineman, Martin will help keep the Chiefs QB safe and will also create several holes for Jamaal Charles. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks' biggest need is a QB, but they won't get one here. Instead, they'll grab a very skilled defensive end to help get after the opposing QB. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Cardinals have needs all over the place, but Upshaw's talents are too good to pass on. He'll help give the Cardinals defense great strength, as well as a superb tackler. 

14 . Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a tackling machine. The Cowboys need youth on their defense, and Kuechly will continue be a relentless defender that can stop anything. 

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

DeSean Jackson isn't likely to return, which means the Eagles need to make a splash in the draft. Floyd has character concerns as well, but he'll shape up really fast if given the chance to play with a legitimate contender. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jets are a team I believe will trade up for Richardson should he fall out of the Top 10. Since I'm not predicting trades, the Jets grab a skilled pass-rusher to help boost their defense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals need another back to complement Cedric Benson and to eventually take his place. Miller has blazing speed and he will definitely succeed at the next level. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Chargers could look to the offensive line here, bur Burfict's skills are too good to let walk away.

Burfict has Top 10 talent, but his character issues will see him drop on draft day. Don't be surprised if he fall to the later part of the first round either.

Still, I think Burfict is going to be a phenomenal player in the NFL. It's up to him to keep his act together, but after dropping in the draft and constantly hearing about his character problems he will shape up and excel in the NFL.   

Listed at 6'3", 250 pounds, Burfict is a beast on defense and he will flourish in the NFL, ending with a better career than Luck's. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft, and the Bears will lock him up to help protect Jay Cutler. It's possible the Bears move up for a receiver because that is a huge need, but I think they'll spend the big bucks in free agency for a proven wideout. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Titans need to improve the pass rush, and Ingram is an exceptional defender that loves to disturb opposing offenses. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has character concerns after being kicked off the Florida Gators team, but the Bengals will look past that and focus on his ability to shut down receivers. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Merclius only shined for one season, which is a worry. However, the Browns need a pass-rusher and they'll gamble on Mercilus, hoping he continues to get after the QB. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia                       

The Lions have to do a better job of protecting Matthew Stafford, and Glenn's versatility up front will greatly help them.        

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State 

Adams is climbing on draft boards, but defensive needs for other teams will see him land with the Steelers. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU 

Brockers is another player soaring up on draft boards, and it helps him that the defensive tackle class is thin. The Broncos will take the gamble on Brockers because the have a huge need for his position. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Texans are going to have a hard time keeping Mario Williams, Arian Foster and Chris Meyers. I think they dump the center and draft Konz to replace him. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots' secondary was very weak this past season, so they'll use their first pick of the first round to help boost the pass defense. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington 

The Packers could look to take a defender here, but the run game really needs a big boost, and Polk is the next best bet at running back. 

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

Hightower can learn from Ray Lewis and eventually take over for him. 

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

The 49ers need a strong deep threat, and Wright will definitely provide them with that. 

31. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Giants will focus on defense this late in the first round, and Brown is the best available linebacker, which is a position of need for them. 

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The Patriots could trade this pick, but I think they're better off keeping it and landing a skilled player to upgrade the defensive front.