2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rookies Who Will Start New NFL Trends

Adam WellsJun 7, 2018

The NFL is very much a copycat league. Every team wants to be the first to find that new trend to give themselves an edge, and when it works, everyone else has to follow suit.

Most trends are going to start in the NFL draft. These prospects get put through the ringer, and scouts are looking for anything that sets them apart. If it goes against the grain, then they may not pick up on it because the measurables all have to be there or else the scouts aren't going to think highly of them.

With that in mind, here is a new mock draft that highlights players whose unique ability will start new trends in the NFL.

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

No one player can possibly duplicate what Luck already has. A worthy No. 1 pick and heir to Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.

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

While he is not the best wide receiver prospect of the last five years, Blackmon is a unique talent in that he does not have great measurables, but he also manages to get the most out of what he does have thanks to his ability to find the ball.

Scouts are going to talk about his speed at the scouting combine, but that would be missing everything that he does well.

He is not going to be a burner in the NFL. Instead, he will make plays down the field by going over defensive backs. The league needs more players who aren't afraid to go after the ball in the air, and Blackmon certainly fits the mold.

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

Considering that Claiborne is being thought of as a slightly lesser version of Patrick Peterson, it would be hard for him to be a trendsetter. He will have to settle for being a very good NFL cornerback.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Browns are going to find their first athletic quarterback since reentering the NFL in 1999. Griffin has the traditional pocket-passer mentality, but he also has the ability to scramble and take off with the ball.

Cam Newton started the craze last year thanks to his dual-threat skills, and Griffin will put the cherry on top. He is not going to be as dynamic as the Panthers' quarterback, but he is going to prove to teams that there is more to the position than just having a strong arm and good measurables.

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

Being a running back in the draft is never easy. The position has been so devalued in recent years that even the best prospects in the country tend to fall to the bottom of the first round.

Richardson will be a reminder to all 32 teams that the position deserves to be brought back into the spotlight. He is the quintessential running back prospect, with size, speed, strength and intangibles to be one of the best in the game.

The NFL has fallen in love with the two-back system in recent years, but Richardson will remind everyone what it is like to have that one elite player in the backfield.

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

Tannehill is not an elite talent, but he is far better than any quarterback the Redskins have.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There is something to be said for just being a great offensive line. Kalil fits into that mold and will be a staple up front for the Jaguars for the next decade.

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

Coples has more upside than any defensive player in this draft class.

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

The Dolphins should look to address the quarterback position in free agency and plug the holes in the offensive line in the draft.

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

The hybrid defensive player has taken on a life of its own in the NFL, and Upshaw will be the latest player to be taken in the top 10 thanks in large part to his versatility.

The Bills are desperate for help off the edge of the defensive line, but they are also weak at linebacker. Upshaw is basically a two-for-one package. He fills multiple needs for this team and only costs them one draft pick.

His success in the NFL is going to cause a ripple effect that is felt for a long time to come.

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

Still is rising up draft boards thanks to his raw athletic ability. He will fit right in with Seattle's young defensive line.

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

The Chiefs have a good foundation on offense with Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel, but they have to build up the offensive line.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly may not be an elite prospect, but his instincts are off the charts and he is a leader on the field.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

No mystery or great trend set here. The Cowboys are looking for help on the offensive line and secondary. DeCastro will be a nice complement to last year's first-round pick Tyron Smith.

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

Floyd himself won't be a trendsetter, but what the Eagles are building on offense is going to be a model that every team is going to try replicating.

With Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and, if they choose to re-sign him, DeSean Jackson, the Eagles are loaded with speed receivers who can get off the line of scrimmage.

What Floyd gives them is a change of pace. He has good speed, but his game is predicated on overpowering defensive backs and going to find the ball in space. He is the perfect piece for the Eagles receiving corps.

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

Another hybrid, Ingram doesn't possess Upshaw's upside and will most likely be slotted in at defensive end.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals have proven time and again that they won't back away from a player just because of off-the-field baggage.

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

Perry will give the Chargers the pass-rusher off the edge that they haven't had since Shawne Merriman.

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

It's not exactly a trend that the Bears want to start, but they will keep drafting offensive linemen until they solve their protection issues up front.

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

What is the easiest way to fix an anemic pass rush? Some would suggest that you have to go after players adept at getting after the quarterback. That is one strategy, but there is another that works just as well.

Defensive tackle has taken on added importance in the NFL with so many teams incorporating elements of the 3-4 scheme.

Brockers is moving up draft boards thanks to his surprising speed and ability to break through double-teams.

The Titans were one of the worst teams getting after the quarterback last season, and Brockers will give them the big body in the middle to open holes for his fellow defensive linemen.

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

Miller is a solid prospect who can do anything out of the backfield. He will be an immediate upgrade over Cedric Benson.

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

After getting their quarterback of the future with the No. 4 pick, the Browns will get him a receiver to throw to.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard doesn't have the upside of the other cornerbacks in this draft, but his instincts and leadership skills will make him a valuable asset for a Lions secondary that still needs work.

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

Glenn will be Pittsburgh's ticket back to playing the brand of football that made it one of the most intimidating places to play.

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

After finding a perfect pairing off the edges with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, it is time that the Broncos fix their issues up the middle.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is going to earn high marks since he played for Alabama, but his less-than-ideal speed will push him down the first round.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

There has to come a time when people start paying attention to what the Patriots do in the draft. The only thing that matters is whether or not you can play. Any off-field issues give them no cause for concern because they trust the system they have working.

Perhaps there is something else going on there, but you would think that every franchise would have enough structure and stability to take a player of Jenkins' talent in the top 10-15, which is where he should go.

Bill Belichick always goes after the best player available, and it has worked out pretty well for the Patriots in the past. Teams have to pay attention to what this franchise is doing, or else they are going to rule the AFC for another decade.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is a freakish athlete with some character concerns. The Packers will be happy to see him slide down here.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, OSU

With no pressing needs, the Ravens can start to prepare for the future by drafting raw, talented prospects and get them comfortable in the scheme.

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

Alex Smith still has room to improve, and surrounding him with more talent will increase his effectiveness.

+31. New York Giants (9-7): Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

Injury concerns be damned, the Giants will see the talent that Crick has and put him in the middle of their defensive line.

+32. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Rutgers

Wright may not be a perfect prospect—his hands are questionable—but he has the big-play ability that Belichick loves.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL scouting combine

+Determined by Super Bowl