2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting Players Deemed Risks Who Are Worth the Gamble

It's no secret that there will be risky players in the 2012 NFL draft.

For starters, risk comes with the territory of every draft because it's always going to be an inexact science; otherwise every No. 1 overall pick would have a flawless career.

And since that has been far from the case, sometimes rolling the dice pays off immensely. So, here are notable prospects deemed risks because of a lack of production, attitude, injuries and/or inexperience that are worth the risk.

Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

Alshon Jeffery has all the raw talent you want in a No. 1 receiver.

He's 6'4", 230 pounds and can outjump any defender guarding him. He unfortunately, considered a risk because of this fight in the Capital One Bowl with Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard.

In addition, Jeffery's production was way down last season when compared to 2010, but lest we forget, the Gamecocks offense was struck more ways than one.

First, Jeffery had Stephen Garcia and the inexperienced Connor Shaw under center, which equaled fail, and then running back Marcus Lattimore got injured.

So, the entire offense was now predicated off Jeffery's ability, and for as great as he is, any defense could game-plan to stop him with no one else to worry about. Still, Jeffery caught 49 passes for 762 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

As for the NFL, the Chicago Bears could use him as they don't have a true No. 1 receiver or fade threat when near the end zone. Plus, Jeffery's size will benefit them as a run-blocker on the edge and in the secondary.

Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (Arizona State)

He's tough, mean and brings the attitude you want from an inside linebacker.

Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict may have only recorded 69 tackles in 2011, but it's not his fault the Sun Devils defense was weak across the board.

So, being that Burfict was ASU's only legit defensive player, it's no surprise the numbers were a bit down last season. That being said, Burfict is still a great run-defender, can blitz off the edge and is quick enough to make plays against the intermediate passing game.

The Cleveland Browns could use his services as they don't have a defensive player who brings tenacity and relentlessness.

When you think of AFC North defenses, players like Ray Lewis and James Harrison come to mind for their attitude and imposing threat to an offense. The Browns lack a player as such and need Burfict to help bring the pain.

With sure-tackler D'Qwell Jackson in the middle, Cleveland will significantly improve at stopping the run.

Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

Although Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard had a weak showing at the Senior Bowl practices, he's still considered a late first-round pick.

Now, as mentioned earlier, he did get into a fight with South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery, but then again, fights happen a lot more in football than most realize.

Watch any pro or college game and it's just the emotions of football taking over, something all youngsters will learn to control.

To that end, Dennard was a physical and tough corner all season for the Cornhuskers but only defended six passes and didn't have an interception.

Fortunately for Dennard's status, though, those numbers are only down because he was rarely challenged after a strong 2010 campaign. With Prince Amukamara on the opposite side, Dennard was tested quite often and responded with four picks and 10 passes defended.

We also tend to forget the Big Ten isn't a pass-happy conference like the Big 12, so that decreased Dennard's odds of numerous opportunities.

All this said, Dennard still has the combine, his pro day and just time in general to buff out the rough spots. As for the draft, expect him to go late in Round 1 to the Denver Broncos, who need a strong, young corner.

With youth residing at safety in Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore, Dennard makes for one promising secondary. There, he'll be a great zone defender and help with edge run support, an area where the Broncos need to significantly improve.

New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

The only reason why Whitney Mercilus can be considered a risk is because of his one-hit wonder college career.

Although he appeared in 11 games in 2009 after redshirting, Mercilus did start two games while appearing in 13 for the 2010 season.

Still, he had minimal production and before the 2011 season kicked off. Mercilus had just two career sacks, two forced fumbles and 24 total tackles.

Now sitting a couple of weeks before the 2012 NFL scouting combine, Mercilus is an expected late first-/early second-round pick.

Then again, it's not surprising considering he finished 2011 with 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 57 total tackles. The man simply exploded out of a canon last fall and his 6'4", 265-pound frame isn't going unnoticed.

Nor should it, and a team that fits best is New England. Needing a young complement to Mark Anderson as Andre Carter is old (and even if the Pats re-sign him), Bill Belichick's mind would allow Mercilus to flourish as a rookie.

New England also needs an edge run-defender who can wall off cutbacks and apply pressure opposite Anderson and with Rob Ninkovich (or wherever Ninkovich blitzes). The Patriots would then have a more complete defense with Mercilus' instincts and sheer knack for finding the ball and causing turnovers.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

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