2012 NFL Mock Draft: Alshon Jeffery and Players Who Will Regret Leaving Early

Every NFL draft has certain players that would have greatly benefited from another year in college and the 2012 NFL draft class is no different. 

Whether they need more work or would have ended up being a higher pick, these players shouldn't have entered the draft early. 

It's unfortunate, but it's part of the game. While they were stars at the college level, the NFL is a whole new ball game and those who aren't ready will fail. 

With that said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each pick and a more in-depth look at the players who will regret leaving early. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

* Picks to be determined by coin flip at Scouting Combine

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

Luck is the best prospect in the draft, and the Colts have to draft him to better their future. 

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

The Rams are likely to trade back. But if they stay, their best bet is to get stronger protection for Sam Bradford. 

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

The Vikings have to improve their secondary, But if Kalil is still available, he's a good fit too. 

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

The best wideout in the draft, Blackmon will give Colt McCoy a legitimate weapon which will greatly improve their offense. 

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

The Bucs have plenty of options, but their best bet is to get the best overall defender and that is Kirkpatrick. 

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

The Heisman Trophy winner is sure to thrive in the NFL, and there's a chance he ends up at No. 2 if a team trades up for him. Should RGIII dominate the Scouting Combine, the hype around him will continue to build. 

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

Alshon Jeffery had a down year this past season, which was mostly due to South Carolina's quarterback struggles. South Carolina used him as a decoy a bunch too. 

This is a definite reach for the Jaguars, simply because they can get Jeffery later. I do believe they'll trade back, but that will depend on how the first six picks have gone. 

Jeffery will need to blow everyone away at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, but that isn't likely. He struggles with separation and relies on his vertical jump too much. 

Had he finished out his college career, Jeffery would have had another year to improve his skills against top SEC talent. Plus, Jeffery would have been the guy at wide receiver in the 2013 NFL draft, which happens to be thin at the moment on elite receivers. 

Now, Jeffery is likely to end up on a terrible team with a struggling QB and that wont help his career. Had he staid another year, he would have been a sure-fire top 5 pick perhaps and landed with a team with a QB that's better prepared than Blaine Gabbert. 

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

One of the best pass rushers in the draft class, Coples will stay in his hometown. He will help the Panthers bring down opposing QBs, which is something they really need in the tough NFC South. 

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

The Dolphins won't pass up on the chance to get the top running back in the draft class, especially since they didn't get what they wanted out of Daniel Thomas. 

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

Reiff will be a great upgrade to the Bills offensive line, which need to do a better job of protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

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

The Chiefs have lots of needs, but adding a boost to the offensive line for whoever their QB is the best move. 

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

The Seahawks would prefer a QB, but they won't get one unless they trade up. Instead, they'll settle for a relentless defender to help put pressure on opposing QBs.

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

The Cardinals have needs all over, but Upshaw would give them a strong force on defense as well as a great leader, which is why they won't pass on him. 

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

Kuechly is a tackling machine that was all over for the field for Boston College. He'll do exactly the same for the Cowboys in Rob Ryan's scheme, as well as give Dallas some much needed youth. 

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

The Eagles are likely to lose DeSean Jackson in free agency, finding his replacement in the draft is a smart move. Floyd has the size, strength and hands to thrive at the next level. 

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

The Jets need to get better on the defensive line, but they also might consider a running back here. Look for them to jump up for Trent Richardson if he slips out of the top 10. 

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

The Bengals need to find a replacement for Cedric Benson and Miller will definitely fit that role. Even if they bring Benson back, Miller will be an added boost to the offense and give the Bengals a solid one-two punch in the backfield. 

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

Adams is rising up draft boards and the Chargers will definitely snatch him up to help protect Philip Rivers. 

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

The Bears would prefer a playmaking wide receiver, but they're better off looking for that in free agency. For the draft, upgrading the offensive line is a must because Jay Cutler needs to have ample time to throw the ball instead of constantly being hit. 

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

The Titans need help with their pass-rush and Ingram will give them a big, quick and powerful force to help disrupt the flow of opposing QBs.  

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

There are character concerns, but the Bengals will look past that and focus on the skills. Jenkins will be a solid addition to a rising AFC team. 

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

Another player that would have benefited from one more year of college, Mercilus had one good season in his career and he's thriving of the hype. 

I understand why Mercilus left. The class of 2012 isn't overly dominant with pass rushers and Illinois is going through a coaching change. 

However, Mercilus needs more work to truly be a dynamic defender at the NFL level. Sure, he had 16 sacks this past season, but that could have easily been a fluke. 

One more season in college would have given Mercilus a chance to prove his worth as well as his draft status. There's a big difference between being picked in the top 10 to top 15 and being a late first-round pick. 

Mercilus will be selected because his hype is strong. But he won't live up to the expectation that goes with being a teams first round pick. Had he staid another year, Mercilus would be much more ready to excel in the NFL. 

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

Glenn would give the Lions better protection up front, which is something they need because Matthew Stafford needs to avoid being hit. 

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

Character concerns will cause Burfict to drop on draft day, but there's no denying his skills are very, very good. The Steelers will overlook his issues, as his talent is more important because they know they can change him if he gets out of line. 

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

Brockers is rising up draft boards and is likely to keep doing so. Different team needs is why I have him at No. 25 to the Broncos and they would definitely love that because he fills a big need. Brockers draft status hangs on the Scouting Combine, but he should do really well there. 

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 need to help the secondary out, so they'll take Dennard, who is best available cornerback here.

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

A borderline first-round pick, Polk would have been better off finishing his career with the Huskies. 

The running back class is just OK for next year and another year in college would have propelled Polk to possibly be the top guy at his position for 2013. Montee Ball would give him a run for his money, but either way, Polk would be a sure-fire first-rounder next year. 

Unfortunately, Polk decided to forgo his senior season and enter the draft. I have the Packers taking a big risk on him, but they also need defense. If Green Bay doesn't select him, I don't see him going in the first round. 

While some team could trade back into the first round for him, that wouldn't be a wise move because Polk wouldn't be worth it. 

Polk needed his senior season to help improve his speed as well as better his chances of being a first rounder. 

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

The Ravens would love for an offensive lineman to fall their way. But the best of the best are gone, so they'll settle for the best available defender.

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

The 49ers have to get a big play threat at wide receiver and Wright will definitely provide a spark for their offense. 

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

The Patriots may trade this pick, but the smart move is to keep it to continue to upgrade the defense with top-notch talent. Crick would give New England a a big body for the defensive front, which would be a huge plus. 

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

The Giants need help at linebacker and they'll love that Hightower, a strong defensive force and leader, has fallen their way.