2012 NFL Mock Draft: Raw Players Worth Gambling on

The NFL draft is all about taking risks and hoping you can build an NFL prospect into an NFL player.

There is no such thing as a sure thing in the NFL draft, even in the first round. Every team has to take chances, every team has to trust their gut, and every team has to hope the raw ability of these players can translate to the NFL.

Some players are first-rounders because of their talent and their NFL readiness seems to be at an optimal high. Others have that raw ability that a team has to gamble with, hoping it will work out.

Here's my latest NFL mock draft, with a focus on those players.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

You should be used to this by now. Luck is going to be the guy.

2. TRADE Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington needs to be bold here; St. Louis has no problem moving back for future picks.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Solid choice; protect the franchise quarterback at all times.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

We may be looking at the next best running back in the league running for the Browns.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Shut-down corner, meet defense that needs your help.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They trade back and still get what they need. Great possession receiver for Sam Bradford.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Great, athletic lineman here. Protecting Blaine Gabbert is the first priority.

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers have their star on offense in Cam Newton, and now just like any good building organization they may have their star on defense.

Brockers is the first of the raw players worth gambling on. Some may not like him here at No. 8, but he has all the intangibles and at 6'6'', 306 pounds he has the size and athletic ability to absolutely dominate offensive lines.

He's also a versatile player that the Panthers can move around on their defense front. A guy with this kind of potential is hard to pass up on.

9. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC  

The Dolphins are in need of some pass rush help, and Perry is athletic and versatile as they come.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The one thing that's going to scare people away from Ingram is the fact that he's only 6'2'', 276 pounds, and some might consider him small for a defensive end in the 4-3—which the Bills are utilizing now mind you.

Personally, I love Ingram and his raw athletic ability. I see a smaller but strong defensive end that will be able to get under the pads of left tackles and cause havoc.

He'll be quick enough to get the outside edge, and he'll have enough leverage to get underneath and inside.

The Bills have the potential to grab one of the steals of the draft here at No.11

11. Kansas City Chiefs:  Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs have a lot of needs, but it's tough not to fill a huge one with Martin.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

I see Upshaw really making an impact here as a right defensive end. The Seahawks defense is going to be young and fast.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Cardinals need to find a reliable threat to put across from Larry Fitzgerald. Jeffery is the guy for the job.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Second-best overall player in the draft, in my opinion. The Cowboys may think corner here, but with their offensive line problems DeCastro will be too hard to pass up.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Very fast linebacker that can help the Eagles all over the field.

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

The Jets got worse at wide receiver last season. They can't let that happen again.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals really got a steal here, and it fits their needs perfectly.

18. San Diego Chargers: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Chargers need all kinds of defensive help. Barron is a great pick here.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

After last season, protecting Jay Cutler needs to be a must.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

If DeCastro weren't such a stud lineman I would be raving about Glenn instead, because that's how good this guy has the potential to be.

What makes Glenn so valuable is the fact that he can play either guard or tackle, and he has the ability to do both very well.

He's got very quick feet, a very wide base and uses his hands to keep the defender off him very well. I love his lateral movement and pocket presence, and he gets a really good push in the running game.

If there's a lineman not name Kalil or DeCastro that has a chance to be a perennial Pro Bowl player, it's Glenn, and the Titans need him desperately.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

I think the Bengals are going to have no choice but do go with Wright here, as he is yet another player that displays some awesome raw potential.

What makes Wright such a good pick for the Bengals is that they can put him across from stud wideout A.J. Green and they will both actually make each other better.

Wright is fast and is a deep downfield threat, but I see him being the most dangerous running after the catch in the NFL.

With a guy like Green across from him, who is the consummate downfield threat, the Bengals are going to have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league.

Andy Dalton is going to have a field day every week with these guys running and using their athleticism to help him out.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Browns need a corner, and with Wright off the board this is a good pick.

23. Detroit Lions:  Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions need to stretch here and get a cornerback, and Jenkins has the potential to be incredible.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Steelers' nose tackle of the future is right here.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

If Jerel Worthy plays up to the raw potential he has, he could become the ultimate steal for the Broncos.

Many don't have him in the first round, but I don't see him getting out of the early second, and he fits what the Broncos need.

Worthy is simply a beast. He has a great combination of strength, speed and aggression that helps him get in the backfield and after the quarterback. He's not just a one trick pony though.

He's also very reliable stopping the run. This is a great pick by the Broncos.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Texans needs somebody to help out Andre Johnson, and now they have him.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Devon Still, DE/DT, Penn State

Big-time lineman that the Patriots will gladly stop from falling. Can play anywhere on the defensive line, which is perfect for them.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois

Mercilus has the chance to be a sack machine with Clay Matthews on the other side of him.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz will be the Ravens center of the future.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

The 49ers need an actual wide receiver that can stretch the field. I think they will stretch for Criner here.

31. New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict can learn from the Giants' defense, and he can be a beast behind their defensive line.

32. New England Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Patriots need a corner, they'll stretch for Dennard here.