2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Will Ruin Their Value with Poor Combines

The 2012 NFL Draft will be here before you know it, but first, everyone has to get through the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, which is where several prospects will have a major impact on their draft stock.

It's up to them to make sure it's positive and not negative, but unfortunately, there will be athletes that fall flat on their face and hurt themselves in the eyes of the scouts. 

The majority of times, it's the lesser-known guys who fall victim to this, but occasionally, there will first-round caliber players that fail to live up to expectations. 

With that said, here's my updated 2012 NFL mock draft, with further discussion on those players that are likely to ruing their value with a poor showing in late February at the scouting combine. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

* Picks to be determined by coin flip at Scouting Combine

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

The best prospect in the draft, Luck is poised and ready to shine bright in the NFL. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams have plenty of options, including trading back, but their best bet is to give Sam Bradford better protection. 

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

Claiborne is the real deal at corner, and he'll give the Vikings secondary a much-needed upgrade. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns have a lot to think about here, but giving Colt McCoy more weapons is their best bet.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bucs are one of many teams who might consider trading back, especially since they could easily land Kirkpatrick after his likely combine woes. 

Tampa Bay needs help in a lot of areas, but they won't pass up on Kirkpatrick's skills. Still, though, Kirkpatrick is going to really flop in the combine. 

After being arrested for marijuana, Kirkpatrick will be grilled in the interviews, which can take a huge toll on players. No doubt it will be weighing on his mind the entire combine, and that's why he's going to do poorly.

That being said, though, his body of work in the season is enough to help him stay a high draft pick. Unless, of course, he continues to get into off-the-field troubles. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin is the real deal, and I fully expect him to shine bright at the combine, which will create even more buzz around him leading up to the draft. The Redskins have to do everything in their power to get him, although what they do in free agency could change this pick (Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn, anyone?).

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

A small reach, as the Jaguars might be able to trade back and still get Jeffery. However, Blaine Gabbert needs more weapons, and Jeffery will be a monster target for him, so the Jaguars will do what it takes to get him. 

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

One of the top pass-rushers in the draft, Coples had a down year this past season, but he's rising up boards. The Panthers will not pass on this hometown defensive end to help get after the quarterback. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins' free-agency plans will factor into their draft, but if Richardson is still available, they have to get him because he's destined for great things in the NFL. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

A top-notch offensive lineman, Reiff will give great protection for the Bills.

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

The Chiefs have to do a better job on protecting the QB, and Martin will certainly help with that. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks would love a QB, so trading up for RGIII is a strong possibility. Grabbing a defensive end to disrupt the opposing QB is their next best bet after getting a QB. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is extremely talented, and he will add great strength and leadership to the Cardinals. 

14 . Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

A tackling machine, Kuechly will fit right in with the Cowboys because he's just what they need. 

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

Another player that will struggle at the combine, Floyd will be flustered in the interview portion. 

The former Notre Dame star has crazy good skills, and his big frame is great for the NFL. However, after multiple run-ins with the law over the years, Floyd's character is of grave concern.

Constantly getting into trouble while under college supervision is not a good thing, because teams know how much more freedom these young athletes have in the NFL. 

Floyd will be hammered in the interview part, and it won't go over well, which will hurt his draft stock.  

16. New York Jets (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

The Jets may trade up for a running back if Richardson gets past the Top 10, or they could look to Lamar Miller. However, adding size and strength on the defense is also a strong move. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals need to find an eventual replacement for Cedric Benson, or one right away if they don't re-sign him. Miller has blazing speed and will work well with the young talent in Cincinnati. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is climbing up draft boards with his impressive stature, and the Chargers will lock him up because he fits a big need. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears would love a playmaking wide receiver, but with the best ones off the board, they'll gladly settle for the best interior lineman in the draft. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Titans need help getting after the QB, and Ingram thrives on giving opposing offenses trouble. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Another player who will falter at the combine, Jenkins used to play for the Florida Gators, but he was dismissed from the team because of multiple arrests. 

Look for the interview portion of the draft to get to him as well, and it will be a huge blow to his draft stock. 

What's more, he didn't play against elite talent this past season, and the big spotlight of the combine will cause him to be inconsistent. 

None of this will bother the Bengals, though, as they welcome in troubled players with open arms. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

He may have only had one good college season, but the Browns need pass rush help, so they'll take the gamble on Mercilus. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia     

Versatile offensive lineman that can play guard or tackle, Glenn will be a big boost to the Lions offensive line.                     

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Steelers have a need on the offensive line, but that won't pass up on Burfict, who, despite character concerns, will shine at the combine because of his dominant skills. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a guy that is sure to rise after the combine, but the Broncos hope he's available here. Defensive tackle is a great need for Denver, and they will make sure they get a beast like Brockers to help up front.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

With Chris Myers likely gone in free agency (bringing back Mario Williams and Arian Foster is more important), the Texans will take the risk and draft Konz, the best center in the draft. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots secondary needs a lot of help, and Dennard is the best available corner here. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington 

Polk is in need of a monster combing performance, as it will likely secure him as a lock for the first round. Unfortunately, he's not going to get it. 

Speed is always heavily praised at the combine, and while Polk is fast, he's not as electrifyingly fast like others, so he will take a back seat at the combine. 

This will be a cause for concern by some scouts, resulting in a lesser grade. It happens, but Polk will have to use his pro day as a chance to thrive in the eyes of scouts. 

Still, though, Polk is a powerful runner, and the Packers will take note of that. They need a huge upgrade in the backfield, and Polk is capable of doing big things for Green Bay. 

Although, if he does even worse than just slow speed, he will fall out of the first round. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Ravens would love for an offensive lineman to fall their way, but it won't happen, so they'll settle for the best available defender. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

The 49ers are in dire need of more playmakers on offense, and Wright will give them a great deep-ball threat. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The Patriots could easily trade this pick, as it's something they love to do. However, their defense needs help, and using both first rounders is the best move for Bill Belichick. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

Weeks ago, nobody thought the Giants would be picking last in the first round, but they'll gladly take it. They'll get a much-needed upgrade at linebacker with the this pick, although free agency moves will weigh heavy on how the Giants approach the draft.