Mel Kiper Jr. 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Kiper Misses on His Updated Big Board

Mel Kiper Jr. is ESPN's main expert when it comes to the NFL draft, but just like always, he gives way too much love to players that don't deserve it and often underrates future elite stars. 

While Kiper hasn't released a mock draft since Jan. 18, he does update his Big Board more often. If you're unfamiliar with Kiper's Big Board, it's a list of who he thinks is the top 25 prospects in the upcoming draft. 

For the 2012 NFL draft, Kiper is spot on in some areas, but he definitely misses big on a few prospects. Do expect him to issue out a new mock draft soon since the draft order looks much different from the last time he did one. 

With that said, here are the players Kiper is overrating and underrating. First off, though, Kiper doesn't even include Alshon Jeffery, Alfonzo Dennard, Mike Adams, Janoris Jenkins or Nick Perry in his Top 25. 

Trent Richardson at No. 3

Don't get me wrong, Richardson is phenomenal athlete. However, he is not the third-best prospect in this draft, as the players Kiper lists him ahead of are much better. 

Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon and Robert Griffin III should all be rated higher than Richardson. This is just another case of Kiper giving high praise to a running back. 

Sure, Richardson has proven he is elite and will be great in the NFL, but he doesn't belong at No. 3, especially considering those players behind him. They're also some of the best players at their position, but each is more poised and ready to thrive in the NFL from day one. 

Michael Floyd at No. 24 

The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver has had multiple run-ins with the law, which is why I think Kiper drops him so far. 

While there may be some character concerns about Floyd, there's no denying his talents. He is certainly at least a Top 20 prospect, if not Top 15. With several teams in need of a playmaking wide receiver, expect Floyd to be long gone by pick No. 24. 

Listed at 6'3", 224 pounds, Floyd is the ideal size for an NFL wideout, plus he has the strength and skills to back it up. Kiper knocks him down for what appears to be over character concerns, but the truth of it is, Floyd is a superb talent that deserves a better ranking. 

Vontaze Burfict at No. 25 

Here we have Kiper not giving enough love to a star athlete once again. It could be over character concerns once again, but there's no way to prove it. 

Burfict easily has Top 15 talent, but those character concerns will cause him to drop on draft day. Still, though, he has shown that he's one of the best linebackers in the class of 2012, and it's a major insult to call him the 25th best prospect of the draft. 

Listed at 6'3", 250 pounds, Burfict is a relentless defender and a true animal on the field. He's going to be a dominant force in the NFL, and Kiper needs to rank him higher on his next update.