2012 NFL Mock Draft: Workout Wonders Sure to Disappoint in Pros

The best way to evaluate talent is through in-game performance. While that obviously comes into play during the NFL Draft process, there seems to be a great deal of emphasis placed on workouts. That specifically includes pro days and the scouting combine.

Admittedly, there is some merit to the combine as it measures prospects against each other in athletic feats, but if somebody can't do it on the field then it doesn't matter what they do in skin-tight shorts and tank tops.

Here are three workout wonders who will fizzle in the NFL, as well as a full first-round mock draft to go along with it:

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

There's a sticky situation in Indy with Peyton Manning's health still in question. Regardless of what happens, though, the Colts can't pass up a generational talent like Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams have a lot of issues, but perhaps the biggest is a lack of offensive weapons. Quarterback Sam Bradford needs a target if he is going to bounce back from a dismal 2011 campaign, and Blackmon would certainly help.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

While getting rid of Bryant McKinnie was likely the right thing to do, it left the Vikings with a big hole at left tackle. I think they'll address that need by nabbing Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Perhaps Colt McCoy needs more time to prove he can be an NFL quarterback, but he doesn't seem to have it. With that said, the Browns need a spark and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III will provide that.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Buccaneers had a lot of issues that led to their collapse last season, so their best best is to take the best available player. Running back LeGarrette Blount is an exclusive-rights free agent, but he has character concerns, so Tampa should go with Trent Richardson.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Rex Grossman and John Beck aren't going to cut it, so the Redskins need a quarterback. Taking Tannehill this high is a major risk but he has all the tools, so Washington may be willing to take that risk.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Jaguars have a lot of issues on both sides of the ball, so they are in a best-player-available situation. Claiborne is undoubtedly the best cornerback in the draft, so he should be the pick.

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

Pass rushers have proven to be more hit and miss than perhaps any other commodity in recent years, so there is certainly some risk in taking one early. From a talent standpoint it would seem as though North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples is the best in the draft. Because of that, he is sure to dazzle some teams at the combine.

At 6'6" and 281 lbs. Coples is a monster of a man, but he also has great versatility, as he can conceivably play defensive end in any defensive scheme, defensive tackle in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4.

The issue, however, is that Coples never really put up the numbers you would think a person with his skills should have at the collegiate level. Coples had just 7.5 sacks this past season, and he did much of his damage against cupcakes like James Madison and Duke.

Even so, a team like the Carolina Panthers will be enticed to take him high. The Panthers already hit pay dirt with a defensive end from North Carolina before in Julius Peppers, but they'll find out that Coples is merely a cheap imitation.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Left tackle Jake Long is among the best offensive linemen in football, but the Dolphins have issues everywhere else along the line. Reiff can step in and excel as a right tackle immediately.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Buffalo made a curious decision prior to the season, switching to a 3-4 defense despite having no pass-rushers to speak of. Upshaw is by far the best hybrid pass-rusher in the draft, so the Bills must grab him.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Seahawks were in the middle of the pack defensively last season, so some improvements can certainly be made. Still has the potential to be a dominant defensive tackle at the next level.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

With Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki returning on offense next season, the Chiefs seem set on that side of the ball. Adding a tackling machine like Luke Kuechly could really improve the defense, though.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Even when the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, their offensive line was lacking. Either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton could use a blindside protector and Jonathan Martin fits the bill.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Dallas has a no-name offensive line, and while it was solid at times, it was also prone to breakdowns. DeCastro should serve as a stabilizing force both in the running and passing games.

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

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson seems to have overstayed his welcome in Philadelphia, meaning the Eagles need a replacement. Floyd would make a nice complement to Jeremy Maclin.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

While the offense shouldered a lot of the blame for the Jets' shortcomings in 2011, the defense struggled as well. A pass-rusher is needed and Ingram is the best left on the board.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With two picks in the first round, the Bengals have the luxury of taking some chances. Kirkpatrick has character concerns, but if he can mature then he would form one of the best corner tandems in the league with Leon Hall.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Chargers' linebacker corps has been depleted in recent years thanks to the departures of Shawne Merriman and Kevin Burnett. Perry should be a nice complementary pass-rusher to Shaun Phillips.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears' offensive line was bad to begin with, and losing center Olin Kreutz certainly didn't help matters. Konz is the best center in the draft and should help fill the void.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Since losing the now-terrible Albert Haynesworth in free agency a couple years ago, the Titans have been looking for somebody to anchor their defensive line. Brockers has that kind of potential.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

It has become quite apparent that running back Cedric Benson is on his last legs, so the Bengals need new blood in the backfield. Miller is the most explosive back in the entire draft.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

After a breakout 2010 season in which he dominated to the tune of 88 grabs for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns, South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery regressed in a big way in 2011. He reverted back closer to his freshman numbers, as he managed only 49 catches for 762 yards and eight scores. Because of that, he has moved down draft boards quite a bit.

To be fair, a big reason for Jeffery's decline was the fact that quarterback Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the team and it was tough to find an adequate replacement. On top of that Jeffery was often double covered, but that is something he has to get used to.

Jeffery has produced in the past and has an impressive 6'4", 229-lb. frame, though, so somebody will nab him in the first round.

The Browns are in dire need of all kinds of offensive help, and if they take quarterback Robert Griffin III earlier in the round, drafting Jeffery as a weapon would make sense. He has all the physical tools you look for and he should measure out very well at the combine.

If the way he handled adversity is any clue as to how he will pan out as an NFL player, though, his future isn't bright.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions certainly have needs on defense, but the offensive line can be improved as well. Jeff Backus is getting up there in age and Gosder Cherilus is nothing special, so Adams is a logical selection.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was beaten and battered relentlessly this season, so the Steelers need to address their offensive line issues. Glenn will provide a solid, steady presence.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos arguably have the best pass-rush duo in the league with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they need some help from the defensive line. Cox can take up blockers and free up the fearsome tandem.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Houston orchestrated one of the finest year-to-year defensive turnarounds in recent memory this season. The final piece of the puzzle is a playmaking safety, and Barron is just that.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

It's no secret that the Patriots need help in the secondary, as they ranked 31st against the pass this season. Jenkins has some character concerns but he is a top-10 talent, making him a steal here.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Packers truly had issues all over the defense this past season, particularly when it came to defending the pass. Dennard would certainly toughen up the Green Bay defensive backfield.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

One of the most intriguing prospects in the draft is undoubtedly Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict. At 6'3" and 250 lbs., Burfict is built like a tank, but there are character concerns that may be pushing him down many teams' draft boards. Those concerns could very well be curtailed when scouts see him at the combine, however.

Burfict has a great deal of strength and he had a decent 2011 season with 69 tackles and five sacks. At the same time, though, he isn't a prototypical inside linebacker. He lacks the instincts and diagnosing skills to put up big tackling numbers, so that could limit him at the next level. Even so, somebody will be intrigued.

One team that might take a chance on him is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have quite a history of developing elite defensive players, so they may take Burfict as an understudy to future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. If anyone can get the most out of Burfict it is likely Lewis, but Burfict seems too undisciplined and one-dimensional to follow in Lewis' footsteps.

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

The 49ers have a great defense and running game, but the passing game is lacking. A speed threat who can stretch the field would really open up the offense, so Wright would be an ideal fit.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Quarterback Tom Brady has an embarrassment of offensive weapons, but he could use an outside threat at wide receiver. Sanu could eventually replace Deion Branch in that role.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Giants' defense was ravaged by injuries this season, especially at linebacker. Brown would give the G-Men excellent depth and would likely receive significant playing time immediately.