2012 NFL Mock Draft: Forecasting Future First-Round Failures

There will always be a handful of picks in the first round of the NFL draft that turn out to be busts no matter how advanced the scouting techniques become. This year is destined to be no different, even though the class is pretty deep compared to recent season.

Here's a full mock draft of the opening round featuring three picks that won't work out in the long run.

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

The Colts have quickly transformed from a model franchise into a dysfunctional one due to the Peyton Manning drama. Luck should get them back on track.

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

St. Louis probably wouldn't mind trading this pick to a team in desperate need of a quarterback. If the front office can't get a deal done, Blackmon is a rock-solid backup plan.

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

Kalil would provide a massive boost to Minnesota's offensive line, but the Vikings are apparently interested in trading their pick as well. It's going to be a crazy week leading up to the draft.

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

While the Browns have been seemingly content with Colt McCoy under center, it's becoming tougher to imagine them passing up a rare talent like Griffin if he's still on the board.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

There are sure to be some changes in Tampa Bay with a new coaching staff in charge. Richardson would be the perfect building block on offense.

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

After Matt Barkley decided to stay at USC for his senior season it appeared that only two quarterbacks would be selected in the first round. It's now looking more and more like the Redskins are willing to reach a bit to fill their void at the position, however.

Tannehill is not a terrible prospect by any means, but he'd be much better off getting selected in Round 2 where the pressure is far less immediate. Getting picked this high will force him to start and be effective right away, and I'm not sure he's ready to make that big leap.

If Washington really wants Tannehill, the front office would be better off trading down into the teens and stockpiling some picks for later on in the process. If he's taken here, Tannehill won't be able to match the hype.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne continues to look like the draft's top corner, which makes him a nice fit for the Jaguars.

8. Carolina Panthers* (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples' stock has seemingly leveled off after a violate couple of months that seen him drop outside the top 10 for awhile.

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

The Dolphins have several needs but perhaps none are more pressing than a dominant offensive tackle.

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

Upgrading the pass rush is still Buffalo's top priority after many failed attempts in the past few drafts.

11. Seattle Seahawks* (7-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Seattle would prefer an instant impact star on offense at this spot, but they are all off the board so taking a marquee defensive player is a smarter move.

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

Martin is a nice fit for the Chiefs, who showed glimpses of being a contender throughout the season.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Recent off-field issues have caused Kirkpatrick's stock to drop, but he's simply too good for the Cardinals to pass up at this spot.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys continue to look for more consistency from their inside linebackers. Kuechly would be able to provide it right away.

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

Since the re-signing of DeSean Jackson won't be decided for awhile, the Eagles should select a safety net in Floyd just in case they choose to part ways with the dynamic wideout.

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

The Jets must be able to attack Tom Brady if they want to reign supreme in the AFC East. Ingram and Nick Perry are both terrific options at this point.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If a team is going to dedicate an early pick to an offensive lineman, they better be a dominant force for the better part of a decade. Even though DeCastro's stock has remained relatively constant, I'm not convinced he fits that bill.

He played on a terrific line at Stanford with Jonathan Martin that often went up against inferior pass rushes, so it's tough to feel confident he'll be able to handle the NFL game without some type of transition period first.

The Bengals would be much better off selecting a wide receiver like Alshon Jeffery or an impact defensive stud like Nick Perry here, but the offensive line is a big need so they seem more likely to take a chance on DeCastro. I don't think it will pay off.

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

Perry will finally fill San Diego's outside linebacker void, which should help the team avoid another disappointing season in 2012.

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

The Bears need help on the interior of their line. Konz could fill the hole while also bringing a workman-like attitude to the offense.

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

Brockers has been rising up draft boards ever since the national title game and would provide nice value to the rising Titans.

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

Cedric Benson won't be the answer at running back much longer in Cincinnati. That should allow the versatile Miller to sneak into Round 1.

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

Whether the Browns select Griffin or Richardson with their first pick of the round, Jeffery would be another upgrade to a subpar offense.

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

It's tough to predict which direction the Lions will go with this pick since the available players don't match their most pressing needs, but Adams would help protect Matthew Stafford.

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

Ben Roethlisberger gets hit far too often for a franchise quarterback, so bulking up the line should be Pittsburgh's one and only goal with this pick.

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

The Broncos will need to have a dominant defense if they plan on winning a lot of games with Tim Tebow under center.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Andre Johnson needs more help from his fellow receivers. The Texans will gives Wright a chance to do what Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones couldn't on the opposite side.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

New England will compete for the Super Bowl even though the team's secondary has been terrible. It will receive some reinforcements during the offseason.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Packers were let down by a porous defense in the playoffs. Jenkins will be a tremendous pick should his off-field issues remain a thing of the past.

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

By now anybody who is following the draft process knows about Burfict's infamous temper. When he's able to keep his emotions in check he's a solid linebacker, but there is certainly more than an ounce of risk associated with taking him in the first round.

Everybody's already seen what happened when Ed Reed took a shot toward Joe Flacco during the playoffs, so you have to wonder if the Ravens locker room has room for another person unafraid to speak his mind. It just doesn't seem like a good mix.

While it doesn't seem like a major problem this far into the round, the Ravens have other needs they could address instead of taking a chance on him. A lot will depend on Ray Lewis' decision, but assuming he returns the Ravens should look elsewhere with this pick despite Burfict's upside.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Alex Smith needs more weapons if his development is going to continue trending in a positive direction. Sanu will able to make his presence felt right away.

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

The Giants' offense can score points with anybody as they have proven over the past month. Stopping the opponent hasn't been quite as easy.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Another secondary star for the Patriots to start rebuilding their defense with heading into next season when they could be defending a title.