2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Prospects Who Could Soar with Strong Combines

Every calendar year, a handful of draft prospects make themselves millions of dollars at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Let's take a look at some first-rounders who could really help their stock with a strong combine showing.

2012 NFL Mock Draft    

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If Blackmon runs in the high 4.4- or low 4.5-range, he should almost certainly be the top receiver off the board in April. 

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

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

6.  Washington Redskins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Separation concerns will highlight Jeffery's combine. With an explosive time on pace with Blackmon, Jeffery could be a top-10 pick.  

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

9.  Miami Dolphins – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The size (275 pounds) is going to be easy to see. But if Upshaw can time out well in the acceleration drills, there's no remaining reason why he shouldn't be the top 3-4 outside linebacker picked.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

After an impressive Senior Bowl showing, Ingram needs to continue his pre-draft momentum. Solid numbers in Indy will make him tough to pass up for teams in need of a pass rush.

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, LB, USC

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

NFL teams are going to grill him in interviews. If he holds up and shows some maturity, fears about taking him high would dissipate. 

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is going to open some eyes in Indy with how athletic he really is. An impressive showing should make him the top 4-3 outside linebacker taken in April. 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23.  Detroit Lions – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos – Devon Still, DL, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict is an athletic monster, but NFL teams will want to pick his brain to see what makes him tick. Maturity issues on the field have to be addressed.  

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

31.  New England Patriots – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama