2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Will Be Late Bloomers

It's not always about whether a prospect can help you out right away. Sometimes waiting a year or two is worth it if he develops into a star.

Some teams this year will take a chance on a player who needs grooming because his measurables stack up so well to the next level.

Here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft, complete with prospects I see being late bloomers (in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Anyone who doesn't think the Colts will draft Andrew Luck at this point is dreaming (probably fans of other AFC South teams).

Luck has the arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and ability to scramble that will make him a great successor to Peyton Manning.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

By offering the No. 6 overall pick and two second-rounders, I believe the Redskins will move up to No. 2 and nab Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins are tired of Rex Grossman and John Beck. Griffin has tremendous arm strength, as well as solid accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and outstanding running ability.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil's ability as a pass-blocker and run-blocker will benefit the Vikings greatly. Young quarterback Christian Ponder needs better protection before he can be fully evaluated. Offensive tackles like Kalil come around once a blue moon.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

According to Cleveland's The Plain Dealer, the Browns have renewed interest in re-signing running back Peyton Hillis after he finished strong in the final six weeks of the season.

In that regard, I expect them to draft Justin Blackmon—a strong player with outstanding leaping ability—to give quarterback Colt McCoy a weapon.

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

Not only is Morris Claiborne a top-five prospect, he fills a need for the Buccaneers. Aqib Talib is not a reliable individual anymore and Ronde Barber is 36 years old.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Reilly Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Rams would like a receiver but I don't know if they'll take Alshon Jeffery this early, especially since they grabbed Brandon Lloyd last season. Instead, I expect them to shore up their offensive line and draft Riley Reiff to protect young quarterback Sam Bradford.

Reiff is an elite prospect with his strength and athleticism and could step in right away.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery dealt with a poor quarterback situation all season at South Carolina, but he showed late in the season why he could become a star in the NFL. He has better speed and strength than Blackmon and he would be a nice weapon for young quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

With the Dolphins reportedly shifting to a 4-3 defense next season, I like them grabbing Zach Brown to shore up their linebacking corps. Brown is a great fit in a 4-3, with the ability to rush the passer, stuff the run and use his outstanding speed to cover receivers.

Brown had a good Senior Bowl and I see him rising even more after the NFL combine based on his impressive measurables.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

When LSU's Michael Brockers declared, it changed everything. He was only a sophomore this season so he needs to work on his technique a bit, but his combination of strength, speed and quickness could make him a star down the line.

Remember, San Francisco 49ers rookie Aldon Smith was considered a reach at No. 7 overall last year, but he's developed quite nicely.

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Bills need a pass-rusher more than ever in their 3-4 defense. Nick Perry may have just surpassed Courtney Upshaw in some draft experts' minds. 

He has the strength, length and athleticism to be a force in the NFL and he's not a reach at No. 10 overall.

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

Jonathan Martin has the athleticism and toughness to be a good pass-blocker and run-blocker in the NFL and the young Chiefs need some help on the offensive line.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

There are some concerns about Upshaw after a poor Senior Bowl performance, but anyone who saw this guy at Alabama knows he can be a force. I believe Upshaw's desire will lift him past these concerns in the long run.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is one of the biggest risers this season. His size, frame and impressive footwork could see him surprise in the NFL.

The Cardinals offensive line needs serious work. Not all of Kevin Kolb's struggles last season where on him.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

After grabbing offensive tackle Tyron Smith last year, expect the Cowboys to bolster themselves at the guard position with David DeCastro.

DeCastro's footwork and technique could make him a better overall lineman than Jonathan Martin.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With DeSean Jackson likely headed out of Philly, Michael Floyd could become the Eagles' next star receiver. He has the strength, shielding technique and leaping ability to be a big-time player in the pros.

16. New York Jets: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

I continue to be impressed with Whitney Mercilus the more I see him on film. His speed and explosion could make him a nightmare for opposing defenses and he challenges Perry as the fastest first-round OLB prospect in the class.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is a legit top-10 prospect this season. His combination of power, speed, burst, vision, patience and big-play ability project him as a potential superstar in the NFL.

If he lands here, he'd be a great successor to Cedric Benson. There aren't a lot of teams this season whose primary need is running back.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram's size and speed doesn't make him the ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, but he changes direction very well and his closing speed and length allows him to make up for it.

Plus, he impressed in the Senior Bowl and the Chargers are in desperate need of a pass-rushing OLB. He may be a late bloomer adjusting to the speed of the NFL, but I like him enough as an overall player to give him a shot at OLB.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears haven't fixed their offensive line, evidenced by the 49 sacks allowed in 2011. Quarterback Jay Cutler isn't to blame for getting injured, people. Cordy Glenn has the size and athleticism to be an solid guard in the NFL.

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

The Titans would ideally like a guard, but with Glenn taken off the board, they'll have to address defensive end with the best defensive lineman available.

Devon Still is a bit big for a defensive end, but his natural athleticism and burst is outstanding for his size.  

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Imagine if the Bengals got Richardson and a top cornerback prospect like Dre Kirkpatrick to line up opposite Leon Hall. That would be a huge first round for them.

At the moment, I could see this happening and Kirkpatrick's overall ability helping the Bengals' young defense improve even more in 2012.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

I know it's a bit crazy to draft two receivers in the first round, but sometimes crazy works. The Browns obviously don't have a lot of depth at receiver, and Wright, with his DeSean Jackson-like athleticism, would allow the Browns to stretch the field while using Blackmon as a possession receiver.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions were exposed by the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs and it's clear they could use a difference-maker at cornerback.

Stephon Gilmore has great ball skills and coverage ability and he flies to the ball carrier. He can also return punts for the Lions. Talk about a complete prospect.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers would like some help on the offensive line here, but I don't see a first-round prospect in the rest of the class.

In that case, the Steelers should find a nose tackle to replace 34-year-old Casey Hampton down the road. Dontari Poe is the only legit first-round nose tackle in the draft, with the strength and burst to be a troublemaker in the interior.

25. Denver Broncos: Quinton Coples, DT/DE, North Carolina

Quinton Coples' desire leaves, well, something to be desired, but there's no questioning his strength and overall physical ability. Someone will take a shot at him in the first round after the NFL combine.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Texans need a No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson. Mohamed Sanu has the strength, hands, leaping ability and fearlessness to be a solid receiver in the NFL.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Illinois

I expect the Patriots to shift to a 3-4 defense next season and Fletcher Cox, with his strength and quickness, would be a nice fit as a defensive end.

28. Green Bay Packers: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) 

If Lamar Miller falls this far, I find it hard to believe the Packers wouldn't grab him and shore up their running game. Miller has the speed, burst, vision and ability as a receiver out of the backfield to be a dangerous player in the NFL.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict has obvious character concerns, but his strength, instincts and range make him a scary prospect. I expect Ray Lewis to keep him under control and groom him as his successor. He projects as a late bloomer because he needs to work some things out mentally, but he could be a star in the NFL if he gets it together.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 49ers would prefer a receiver like Wright or Sanu, but with them off the board I see them adding depth to their secondary with Janoris Jenkins, whose overall ability and performance at the Senior Bowl appears to be outweighing his character concerns.

31. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Patriots could go with an outside linebacker here, but they value Tom Brady more than anything and center Dan Koppen is 32 years old and fractured his ankle this season.

Peter Konz is a legit first-round prospect at center.

32. New York Giants: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

There are some concerns about Luke Kuechly's size and strength at the next level, but his instincts, tackling ability and vision is going to make it hard for the Giants to pass him up, especially considering they're in dire need of an inside linebacker.