2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Linebackers Worth First-Round Draft Picks

If there is one position in the 2012 draft where multiple players can contribute right away, it’s at linebacker.

Having the ability to stick with receivers and tight ends in coverage while also having to push aside O-linemen is not an easy task, but there are five guys that have put their name in the draft that have the opportunity to do it all because of their terrific blend of size and speed.

It’s a position with lots of depth but it lacks a can’t-miss, top-five guy.

So where does leave the top five in the latest mock draft?

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It’s all but a certainty that Peyton Manning is gone and the Colts are prepared to start the Luck era. What a difference one year can make.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This is a popular pick to be traded, but I think the Rams keep it to get Sam Bradford some much-needed protection.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is the most gifted athlete in the draft and can make Christian Ponder’s life a whole lot easier. It was hard to judge him in his rookie season considering Michael Jenkins was his second-best option.

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

I’m personally not sold on RGIII’s abilty to throw on the run but there is no doubt he is the second-best QB prospect after Luck. The Browns need to realize the Colt McCoy era is over.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The marijuana possession charge will be forgotten by April. Nobody has better ball skills and the fluid hips that Kirkpatrick holds. 

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The 5’11’, 225-pound back is a physical specimen that hasn’t been seen coming out of the draft since Adrian Peterson.  His body can handle a 16-game schedule and Richardson already has two games of championship experience under his belt.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne may have not gotten the headlines of Tyrann Mathieu, but he had just as good of a season for the No. 2-ranked defense in the country.

8. Carolina Panthers* (subject to coin flip): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram has to play with more consistency if he expects to ever make it to the Pro Bowl, but his pure pass-rushing skills are too good to pass up.

9. Miami Dolphins*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Dolphins go with the best available pick here with a tackle that can start from Day 1.

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

At 6’6’’, few players have the incredible reach of Coples and you can bet that will bode well at the next level. The Bills have to beef up a pass rush that fell off a cliff after such a promising start.

11. Kansas City Chiefs* (subject to coin flip): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs must shore up their O-line and Martin did a remarkable job of protecting Luck in college.

12. Seattle Seahawks*: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

At 6'4", 230 pounds, Jeffery has the size and athletic ability that’s so coveted at the professional level. I think his stock is only going to rise as the draft process moves forward after his ugly exit in his final bowl game.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The best interior lineman in the draft should help clear up the unpredictability of the Cardinals' running game and take some of the pressure off Kevin Kolb.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama 

The 6'2", 265-pound pass-rusher can help a quickly aging Cowboys defense instantly.

Upshaw made an immediate impact at ‘Bama as a freshman and has shown steady improvement throughout his entire collegiate career. The defensive MVP of the 2012 championship game and second-team AP All-American will be able to start from the first day of training camp because of all his experience and SEC pedigree with Nick Saban’s system. ‘Bama is turning into the new Linebacker U.

He is one of the most NFL-ready players in this entire draft and will be the 2012 version of Von Miller. There is no question he is the best linebacker in the class and would be a steal for Dallas at No. 14.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College 

My personal favorite of the linebacker bunch, Kuechly displays the sort of energy, work ethic and desire that coaches dream about. You’ll never see him take a play off. He’s like the Tim Tebow of ‘backers.

There is no question Philly needs a linebacker who can step in right away, and Kuechly is the guy. The 6'3", 240-pound Kuechly has the speed and size to justify a spot in the top 15.

The leading tackler in the nation will be helpful from Day 1, but the ceiling on Kuechly isn’t as high as some of the other linebackers available, which is why he falls to 15.  

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

He has ideal size (6'3", 225 pounds) and outstanding hands. He also has the speed and explosiveness out of breaks to create separation from corners.  With the disruptions of Santonio Holmes still fresh in the minds of the Jets, this would be the perfect pick if New York decides to part ways with Holmes.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

Glenn is a nimble tackle with quick feet that excels in a power running scheme, which is the style Cincinnati implements. The only question is if the Bengals can gamble and wait from him to drop to their second pick at No. 21.

18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is vaulting up the draft board with his strong performance in the Senior Bowl and would be an immense help to a depleted Chargers O-line. This is by far their biggest need.

19. Chicago Bears: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

He is a one-cut runner that has great vision and the agility to squeeze into tiny holes. Very underrated right now.

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has the raw strength that translates instantly to the pro level. If he continues to develop in the weight room, there’s a chance Still becomes the strongest player in the league at some point.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Shoring up a weak secondary is a must for Cincinnati, and Gilmore is the safer pick right now than the next guy…

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins was a top-10 pick last year but ruined his senior season with a marijuana bust. He is still a first-round talent, but must mature in the next three months. Assuming he does, Jenkins will be a starter in no time.

23. Detroit Lions: Baylor Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State 

The Lions need to draft a linebacker in Round 1, and Burfict is the best available.

Burfict plays like a man on a mission on the field, but has had plenty of issues off it. He needs to do a better job of channeling those emotions and avoid letting other players get into his head, which leads to stupid personal foul penalties.

Physically there is no doubt he can dominate in the league for the next decade, his pass-rushing skills are incredibly valuable, but it’s his mental state of mind that needs the most work.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Casey Hampton is only going to last for another year or two and Poe can help the Steelers make a seamless transition.

25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Stunningly fast at 5'10", 190 pounds, Wright had an eye-popping 1,663 yards and 14 TDs his senior season, but how much of that was because of RGIII? Wright is a high-risk, high-reward pick.

26. Houston Texans: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard has the speed and strength to be a third corner right off the bat.  He didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl and needs to have a strong showing at the combine to stay in the first round. His status could change drastically in the coming weeks.  

27. New England Patriots (from Saints): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

He has the size and speed to instantly be a factor in an already stellar offense. Polk displays outstanding patience as he waits for blocks to come to fruition before hitting the hole at 100 miles an hour.

Polk rounds out a terrific trio of first-round backs that are all capable of making the Pro Bowl.

28. Green Bay Packers: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State 

Adding depth to the secondary is no question the most important aspect to address in the offseason for Green Bay.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Branch is slowly rising and could end up in the top 20 before it’s all said and done.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama 

Ray Lewis is reaching the end of his career and grooming a potential replacement is the right move.

Hightower is a freak athlete that at 6’4’’ and 260 pounds can run a 4.6 40-yard dash that he believes can get better in time for the combine.

What makes him so appealing is his versatility. He can play inside or outside and would be a deadly pass-rusher alongside Terrell Suggs.

With a history of taking players from ‘Bama, the Ravens make a lot of sense for Hightower. The only reason he isn’t higher is due to questions regarding his ability to stay healthy. He tore an ACL in 2009.

31. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC 

Going into the 2011 season, Brown was still developing as a linebacker because of the supreme talent in front of him.

Five months later and he is a borderline first-round pick because of his outstanding instincts, foot quickness and blazing fast speed. His decisiveness is evident anytime he rushes the passer.

At 6’2" and 232 pounds, Brown is rising up the board rapidly and could easily jump up another 10 spots with a strong combine showing.

32. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The last player drafted in the first round is a perennial Pro Bowler because of his speed and ability to punish O-linemen in his way. A season-ending injury in October is the only thing holding him back from a higher pick.