2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Best Players to Be Picked in Round 2

We'll hear about Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson and a slew of other top players that will be taken later, most likely at the end of the first round. 

What about the guys who'll ultimately be selected in Round 2? 

Remember, there have been a variety of extremely successful NFL players who weren't picked in the first 32 selections. 

Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte, LaMarr Woodley, Greg Jennings, Maurice Jones-Drew and Devin Hester were all second-round picks. 

Let's look at the prospects who could be picked in Round 2 that could blossom into stars at the next level. 

Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa 

McNutt doesn't have the natural explosiveness or overall speed to be a first-round pick, but he has ideal size at 6'2 1/2'' and 216 pounds to be a possession receiver in the NFL. 

He had a good Senior Bowl week, but didn't catch a pass in the game. 

The senior prospect can get off press coverage at the line of scrimmage and, because he can't consistently win on speed and quickness alone, he's a sharp route-runner. 

He has a chance to be picked in the second round by a team looking for that bigger, chain-moving wide receiver. In the right system, he could become a solid professional. 

Andre Branch, DE, Clemson 

Many NFL teams are looking to add pass-rushers to their rosters, especially after watching the defensive line of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants dominate late in the season and in the playoffs. 

With guys like Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples, Nick Perry and Whitney Mercilus likely taken in the first round, Branch will fall into the second. 

At 6'5'' and 260 pounds, Branch is an ideal 3-4 rush linebacker/defensive end. 

He totalled 9.5 sacks in 2011 for the Tigers. 

There's not much he leaves to be desired. Branch frequently demonstrates his quick fire off the snap and is athletic enough to dip around offensive tackles on the speed rush. He also possesses enough strength to shake free from blockers and make plays in the running game. 

A steal in the second round. 

Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech 

Virginia Tech has provided the NFL with some quality cornerbacks over the years, most notably DeAngelo Hall and Brandon Flowers. 

Hosley, at only 5'10'' and 171 pounds, is a smaller corner that will likely play against slot receivers in the NFL. However, his instincts are top-notch. 

He was a ball hawk during his collegiate career, with 12 interceptions over his last two seasons with the Hokies. 

Despite his lack of size, Hosley isn't afraid to take on bigger receivers, is extremely aggressive in man coverage and can match anyone athletically. 

With his football IQ and keen ability to read quarterbacks, Hosley could be a fine pick in Round 2. 

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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