2012 NFL Mock Draft: Elite Prospects Who Won't Live Up to Hype

There are several big-name, elite NFL draft prospects on the board that will be taken on Day 1 of the 2012 NFL draft this coming April, but unfortunately for some unlikely teams, not all will live up to the pre-draft hype.

For the Indianapolis Colts, selecting No. 1 overall brings with it opportunity and also risk—risk that the player they choose to lead them for the next decade doesn't pan out. 

No one can know for sure which prospects will fall flat at the next level; there are a variety of factors that influence that, but some players are simply higher-risk picks than others.

Here's my 2012 NFL mock draft's first round with some elite prospects that will fall short of the hype.

No. 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

The hype surrounding Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck seems far too heavy for the highly touted prospect to live up to.

Not only do NFL fans, coaches and scouts expect big number from the soon-to-be rookie signal-caller, but he will undoubtedly be compared to Peyton Manning for years to come. 

No. 2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

The Rams can't go wrong with a big offensive tackle to protect the edge. Matt Kalil is 6'7" and that qualifies as huge in my book.

No. 3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The playmaking abilities of Morris Claiborne make him a top-five talent, and the Vikings have a woeful pass defense to improve heading into the offseason.

No. 4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Trent Richardson is tough enough to take a hit at any level and has unmatched strength and athleticism for a running back prospect.

No. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, LB

Most experts have Courtney Upshaw going much later in the draft, but his experience as a defensive captain and leader is unrivaled on the board.

No. 6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

Robert Griffin III will struggle with the hype regardless of where he lands. An NFL city is simply not Baylor's campus, and that attention and pressure could make a flop out of Griffin III.

No. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

Justin Blackmon is a physical freak of nature and a lock for the top 10.

No. 8/9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

We have seen what great pass-rushers like Von Miller and Clay Matthews were able to do in their first seasons in the NFL, and many expect similar results from Quinton Coples.

No. 8/9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, DE

Jason Taylor is retired and that opens up a spot for SC's Melvin Ingram on the edge of the D-line. 

No. 10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

Someone has to block those ferocious defensive ends, and plus the Bills need to keep Ryan Fitzpatrick upright if they are to contend in the AFC East next season.

No. 11/12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

If Kansas City selects Riley Reiff in hopes that he will become a star on the offensive line, they might be disappointed. Reiff is a talented prospect no doubt, but he is gaining some unwarranted hype as one of the few solid OLs available.

No. 11/12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

A big target with NFL ability is what the Seahawks need to develop their passing game.

No. 13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

Dre Kirkpatrick is a great cornerback option considering that he can blanket most wide receivers. He would be a great fit opposite Patrick Peterson in the desert.

No. 14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

Michael Brockers is another talented question mark considering he is an underclassman, but at defensive tackle he is practically a done deal.

No. 15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

Scouts love Luke Kuechly's ability to diagnose the play and use his linebacking instincts effectively, but at the next level physical strength decides success.

Kuechly has been hyped as the best LB in the draft this spring, but unfortunately he lacks a few of the necessary qualities to live up to that hype.

No. 16. New York Jets (8-8): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

There are no legitimate backs in New York right now and the Jets' offense needs some explosion on the ground. Lamar Miller can provide that and more in 2012.

No. 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders 8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

The Bengals need to shore up that secondary, mainly the safety play. 

No. 18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

Stanford's interior offensive lineman could help block for Ryan Mathews and protect franchise stud Philip Rivers for the long term.

No. 19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR

Alshon Jeffery has awesome size and will be an instant superstar in Chicago's offense.

No. 20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Coby Fleener, Stanford, TE

Coby Fleener made Andrew Luck look very good at times during their Stanford careers; don't underestimate what his skills could do for Tennessee.

No. 21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): David Wilson, Virginia Tech, RB

With Cedric Benson likely finished contributing in Cincinnati, the Bengals would be wise to get younger and scarier in the offensive back field with a game-breaker like David Wilson.

No. 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons 10-6): Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, DT

Defense is key in the AFC North, and if the Browns want to be relevant in arguably the toughest division in football (they were the only team from the AFC North that didn't make the playoffs in 2011) they need a monster on the defensive line.

Jerel Worthy is capable of swallowing up backs like Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall twice a year. 

No. 23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

Once that laundry list of injured running backs slims down and the offseason gets older, the Lions will realize they need a big up front to block for those guys.  

No. 24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

The Steelers love to rotate young players into their veteran defense in order to stay competitive year after year. That won't change in 2012.

No. 25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, Penn State, DT

That Denver defense got a whole lot better when Tim Tebow took over under center. Imagine it with a player like Devon Still up front. 

No. 26. Houston Texans (10-6): Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

If Brandon Thompson fails to find the motivation necessary to remain fired up at the next level he may fall short of all the hype. The NFL is hardly the ACC, and Thompson could struggle to learn that. 

No. 27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints (13-3): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

Kendall Wright has tremendous speed and hands and has very few flaws in his game.

No. 28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, LB

Getting zero pressure on the quarterback cost the Packers their near-flawless season in 2011. A linebacker with edge-rushing ability is key in the first round.

No. 29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

This guy could be scary playing alongside Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. Baltimore would love a guy like Vontaze Burfict to help carry the torch passed on by the older guys.

No. 30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

Continuing to win in California will call for more protection for the improving Alex Smith and better run blocking for Frank Gore. 

No. 31. New York Giants (9-7): Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

A 6'7" offensive lineman who could start upon arrival in the Big Apple.

No. 32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, N. Alabama, CB

Janoris Jenkins' character issues have to be a concern for any team looking to draft him, but the Patriots ought to be able to straighten him out.