2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Will Surprisingly Fall out of First Round

While there are many locks in the first round this of the 2012 NFL Draft, there are many studs that will surprisingly fall into the second or third rounds.

Teams are looking to fill needs, so if a player is injured, faced disciplinary actions or just doesn’t fit the schemes a team runs, he could slide down the board farther than any analyst could’ve imagined.

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

As if there was any question; Luck is at No. 1.

2. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Mike Holmgren can’t be convinced that Colt McCoy is the QB of the future. That’s why trading up may be the smartest move for Cleveland.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need to add a tackle that can protect the franchise QB’s blind side. Matt Kalil could be a perennial Pro Bowl player.

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

The Rams will benefit from the feeding frenzy around Andrew Luck and move out of the No. 2 spot. If Cleveland bites, they could get the No. 4 pick and a second-round pick as well.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

As if you need a reason to replace father time, Ronde Barber. Morris Claiborne will be the Patrick Peterson of the Bucs.

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

While most people will give the Washington Redskins a look of disgust when they take QB Ryan Tannehill, he has the size and talent to be a seriously talented NFL quarterback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

Quinton Coples is as underrated as they come, and if he had played for a team in the SEC he would be a top-five pick.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Ron Rivera is looking to add more size and strength to his defensive line. Devon Still will be a huge run stopper with an ability to put pressure on the QB.

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

With the arrival of either Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn, the Dolphins need to protect their new QB with an offensive lineman that can make it happen for the next few years. Riley Reiff is Miami’s man.

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

The Buffalo Bills need a pass rusher and they will find him in Courtney Upshaw. This is a perfect fit for team and player.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Seattle Seahawks need some serious help on the offensive line and it will begin with Stanford standout Jonathan Martin.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With serious questions about Jamaal Charles and his injury, the Chiefs may be forced into taking Richardson in the hopes that the tandem of Richardson and Charles would work with both healthy.

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

Stewart Bradley isn’t the answer in Arizona, Luke Kuechly is.

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

With two offensive linemen selections in the first round over the last two seasons, there will be no excuses about no run game, or Tony Romo sucking this season.

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

The Philadelphia Eagles need a big redzone target, his name is Michael Floyd.

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

Ingram is my favorite player in this draft because of everything he can do and the versatility he has. Ingram will put Rex Ryan’s defense back on the map.

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

Despite charges of Marijuana possession, the Bengals will look past Dre Kirkpatrick’s faults and look to the great talent he could add to the team.

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

Nick Perry is a stellar player that fits the Chargers perfectly. He will need to make an impact right away or Norv Turner is out.

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

With Jay Cutler being destroyed on a weekly basis behind a porous Bears' offensive line, Peter Konz will be the savior of Cutler’s health.

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

With Brockers showing as much upside as any defensive tackle in this draft besides Devon Still, the Tennessee Titans would be drafting a project that could blossom into one of the best in the game.

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

This pick has been one of the toughest to read because of the silence from Cincinnati on their plans for unrestricted free agent Cedric Benson.

If the Bengals decide that they want to hold on to Benson, there is a good chance that they would either trade out of this spot, or take the best player available at a position of need.

If Miller isn’t gone when the Bengals pick the second time in the first round, it's more than likely that he would fall all the way to the mid-second round where the Bengals might take him.

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

If the Cleveland Browns get RGIII with their first pick, taking Alshon Jeffery here would give the team’s new QB the perfect weapon to play with.

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

As if we have to explain why giving up 45 points a game won’t cut it. Alfonzo Dennard will step right onto the field and boost the Lions' putrid secondary.

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

Ben Roethlisberger found himself on the ground too often last season. Pittsburgh will avoid this by taking stellar guard, Cordy Glenn.

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

While Fletcher Cox is an amazing talent, he is a defensive end that only fits in certain schemes.

It’s true that one of those schemes in which he would fit perfectly is Denver, but the Broncos have other needs as well. If Cox isn’t taken at No. 25 by the Broncos, there is a good chance that he falls into the second round.

The Broncos will be hunting for him in the second round and you may even see them trade up to ensure they get him.

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

Wade Phillips' defensive transformation of the Texans will be another fantastic piece along safety Mark Barron.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

If the Super Bowl loss proved anything, it’s that the Patriots need major work on the defensive side of the ball. Andre Branch will begin the reinvention with a solid pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Green Bay needs to revamp their defense even more than New England and it starts in the trenches. Jerel Worthy will be a perfect fit for the Packers.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Watch for Baltimore to take an angry middle linebacker that loves to hit. I know, it’s a shocker.

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

The San Francisco 49ers have some fundamental issues with their pass game that adding a speedy wide receiver to won't help. Their biggest problem is Alex Smith.

Since they refuse to acknowledge how terrible he truly is, there was a plan to surround him with speedy wide receivers he can over or under throw. Hopefully, Jim Harbaugh ripped up those plans.

While Kendall Wright is a solid player, he will be a mid-second round pick at best. Watch for the 49ers to make a move to get him if teams start sniffing around.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Patriots will continue their defensive reinvention with the selection of trouble cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Despite a troubled past, the Patriots have all the faith in the world that he will be thinking the Patriots way in no time.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

As if the Super Bowl champs needed anymore help, they could get the steal of the draft if outside linebacker Zach brown falls this far.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

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