2012 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Who Could Realistically Sneak into First Round

The NFL draft comes with a great deal of uncertainties and almost every year we see a few prospects unexpectedly sneak into first round. 

Which more unheralded players in the 2012 draft class could become first-round picks this year?

Juron Criner, WR, Arizona 

Scouts and head coaches will initially be drawn to Criner's size. He stands 6'4'' and weighs in at 215 pounds, ideal to become a possession receiver at the next level. 

He was the go-to target for future NFL quarterback Nick Foles for the last two seasons, playing in a pro system in Arizona. 

Criner reeled in over 150 catches and 22 touchdowns in 2010 and 2011 combined.

At the Senior Bowl in late January, Criner caught six passes for 77 yards with a touchdown for the South squad. He ran much better than many scouts expected and has the chance to fall to a team like the San Francisco 49ers or the Houston Texans that are looking for more wide receiver help.  

Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Poe is an absolute behemoth in the middle of any defensive line a 6'5'' and 350 pounds. He obviously isn't tremendously fleet of foot, but he's a space-eater that will have to be blocked with two offensive linemen at the next level. 

He totaled eight tackles for loss this season with the Tigers, and is aggressive at the point of attack. Poe isn't a statue on the field and can overpower smaller interior offensive linemen, but would do himself a favor by dropping 10 pounds or so to improve his overall agility. 

This junior prospect will instantly make defensive ends and edge rushers on his team better by freeing up one-on-one blocking assignments for them. 

A team looking to fortify their run defense and add more beef to their defensive front could snag Poe at the end of the first round. 

He could flourish in New England, learning the nuances of the game from big man Vince Wilfork. 

Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State 

Osemele played left tackle during his time with the Cyclones, but is better suited to play right tackle or either guard spots in the NFL. 

He's 6'5'' and 333 pounds, is a real mauler in the run game and possesses better-than-average footwork. 

With many teams like the San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants looking to add quality depth to their offensive line, Osemele has a real chance to sneak into the late stages of Round 1. 

Teams will love his size, experience and overall technique. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Pre-Combine Edition)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

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

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

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

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

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

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

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

32. New York Giants, Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

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