2012 NFL Mock Draft: Combine Warriors That Will Fool Teams

It happens every year—a few players shoot way too far up draft boards after impressing everyone with how they tested at the NFL combine, and teams select them way before they should have.

Or those players simply end up being busts.

Alongside my updated mock draft, I've highlighted a few players that will impress teams with their measurables but are huge risks to disappoint once the games begin.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I still believe the Colts and Browns, or Redskins, might be trade partners before all is said and done. But with Peyton Manning's future remaining uncertain, I'm keeping the Colts at this slot for now.

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

There is no way the Redskins are going to miss out on one of the top two quarterbacks in this draft. They desperately need a young talent at the position to excite the fanbase, and they'll do what they have to in a trade to make sure they land him.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings would be wise to select Kalil as protection for last year's first-round pick, quarterback Christian Ponder.

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

Colt McCoy may not be the long-term solution at quarterback, but it's hard to fairly judge him without first giving him some weapons.

Enter Justin Blackmon. You're welcome, Mr. McCoy.

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

The Bucs will be thrilled to upgrade the cornerback position with the best defensive player in this draft, Morris Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Rams get a much-needed weapon for quarterback Sam Bradford.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After just missing out on the top two receivers, the Jags will be happy to solidify a position wracked by injuries last season with the NFL-ready Kirkpatrick.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers will look for their replacement to Julius Peppers in the defensive end from North Carolina, who has the ability to both make an impact rushing the passer, like rookie Aldon Smith did for San Francisco, and play every down and stop the run, something Smith didn't do.

And while he'll fool teams with his athleticism and strength, he'll never live up to this top 10 selection. His versatility against both the run and pass will be nice, but he'll never be the type of game-changer the Panthers were hoping when they selected him eighth overall.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins need a solid right tackle. Reiff fills a big need.

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

The Bills need a pass-rusher and are likely to play more four-man fronts under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Ingram is the perfect fit.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Seahawks could use another edge rusher to pair with Chris Clemons. They get that player in Mercilus, who is merciless to opposing quarterbacks.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Vontaze Burfict, OLB, Kansas City

Burfict has the blend of size, strength and sheer aggressiveness that makes one think his game will translate to the NFL. And he'll be a star. Plus, he's versatile enough that he could likely play any linebacker position in any defense—either inside or outside linebacker in the 4-3 or 3-4 defense.

After killing it in his workouts, he'll be too hard to pass up for Kansas City at No. 12, and they'll slot him in as a middle linebacker next to Derrick Johnson to form a truly athletic group of linebackers alongside Tamba Hali and Justin Houston on the outside.

The problem? Well, can Burfict play under control and keep his cool on the football field? After a disappointing 2011, will he completely dedicate himself to football as a pro? The Chiefs will take a huge risk taking Burfict this high.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals need a better left tackle to protect Kevin Kolb or John Skelton than Levi Brown. You're up, Jonathan Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Back-to-back Stanford picks—how exciting.

The Cowboys will be on the market for a guard, and they'll reach a bit to draft the top guard on the board.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

Kuechly is a tackling machine, accumulating 191 tackles in 2011. He has good instincts and is a solid form tackler. He makes perfect sense in Philadelphia, a team that desperately needs someone who can step in as a linebacker and play immediately.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

Upshaw will instantly upgrade the Jets' pass rush and provide stability to the outside linebacker position.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama**

Holy dropping superstar, Batman! The Bengals will be thrilled Richardson falls this far to them.

18. San Diego Chargers: Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama

If you're looking to bolster your run defense, the big and powerful Hightower is the man for you.

If Vincent Jackson returns to San Diego, look for the Chargers to have eyes for Hightower when their pick at No. 18 comes on the board. It's that or ask old man Takeo Spikes to hold down the fort for another year.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Jay Cutler will be quite pleased with this selection.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans need to upgrade their pass rush. They'll look to the incredibly athletic Perry, who is a high-ceiling selection who should help them do just that.

Perry will impress with his pure athletic ability and versatility as either a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end, but the Titans will lament using this high a pick on Perry, who will disappoint at the pro level.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore will step in and man the side left vacant when Jonathan Joseph headed to Houston before this season.

22. Cleveland Browns: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

I don't expect Peyton Hillis to return and Montario Hardesty is injury prone. Cleveland will be happy to add Miller, and Colt McCoy and Browns fans everywhere will be thrilled that the team finally added some talent to the skill positions in this draft.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Detroit fills a need with this pick. It isn't sexy, but it's smart.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Ben Roethlisberger needs to be healthy for the Steelers to win. Adams will help with that.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

John Fox will be happy to further improve an up-and-coming defense with this selection.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright has blazing speed, there is no question about that. And teams lamenting passing up on other smaller speedsters in the past such as Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson will be sure they don't ignore Wright simply because he is only 5'10".

But smaller receivers like Jackson and Percy Harvin have also been injury prone in the past. Harvin certainly more than Jackson, though, Jackson has played more tentatively after suffering a concussion in 2010.

The Texans, wanting to pair a speedster with Andre Johnson, will snag the playmaker from Baylor and pray that he is able to stay on the field. That, and that he doesn't become another in a long line of smurf receivers in the NFL that weren't able to translate quickness into success at the NFL level.

27. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama***

The Patriots' secondary was brutal this year. Belichick will take his chances with Jenkins' character issues and land one of the elite talents in this draft.

28. Green Bay Packers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Another steal this late, Brockers will replace the loss of Cullen Jenkins from last offseason, a player the Packers desperately missed this year.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Baltimore knows their bread and butter is defense. They draft accordingly.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The 49ers' receivers don't scare many people. Sanu is an instant upgrade to an up-and-coming NFC power.

31. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse

No, they probably won't keep this pick. But some help at linebacker wouldn't hurt if they do stay here.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Giants, needing an upgrade at linebacker, will quickly scoop up Brown and his high upside when they select with the 32nd pick.

* The Redskins, worried the Browns might take Robert Griffin III at No. 4, trade the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second- and fourth-round pick this year and second-round pick next year for St. Louis' second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

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