2012 NFL Mock Draft: Outstanding Athletes That Will Climb Up Big Board

There are still more than two months until the 2012 NFL draft, which means players still have time to stand out from the crowd with fantastic workouts. Whether it's at the combine or during their school's pro day, great athletes will have more than enough chances to shine.

That said, players who make big jumps late pose a risk because athleticism doesn't always translate to amazing success on the field. The bust potential is always higher on combine warriors than players with solid track records in college.

Here's a complete mock draft of the first round with three players who will move up the big board before draft day.

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

Staying an extra year at Stanford will help ease Luck's transition to the NFL.

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

Blackmon is a physical freak who will immediately become Sam Bradford's favorite target.

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

Minnesota must improve in the trenches if the franchise is going to turn things around.

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

Griffin's eye-popping junior season at Baylor has already vaulted him into the top five. He threw for nearly 4,300 yards and 37 touchdowns while scoring 10 more on the ground to win the Heisman Trophy. Scouts immediately started to drool over his unlimited ceiling.

Even though it looks like Luck has secured his spot atop the draft board, Griffin still has time to slide into the No. 2 spot with good workouts between now and draft day. Good showings will have teams calling the Rams, who already have Sam Bradford, hoping to trade up to get the Baylor QB.

There simply aren't many flaws in his game. Prior to this season his accuracy was a big question mark, but he had major strides in that area. His decision-making skills are superb and he can make all the throws. If he proves all of those things in workouts, he'll be the second player off the board.

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

Even though the overall value of running backs is on the decline, Richardson is still worth a top-five selection.

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

Tannehill was lucky that Matt Barkley decided to stay in school, giving this spot to him.

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

Jacksonville knows better than any other team how important cornerbacks are after facing Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub. Claiborne is the best one out there this year.

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

If Coples can lead a defensive charge like Cam Newton did to the offense in his rookie campaign, the Panthers will be in awesome shape.

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

Reiff will provide the instant protection boost the Dolphins desperately need.

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

The Bills need to improve their pass rush if they don't want to go another decade without a playoff appearance.

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

Still possesses all the skill necessary to dominate on the interior for many years to come.

12. Kansas City Chiefs* (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

If Martin was good enough to keep people away from Andrew Luck, the Chiefs should feel confident that he's a solid pick.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

There's no chance the Cardinals will find somebody as good as Kirkpatrick to play opposite Patrick Peterson later on.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly could very well be the inside linebacker necessary to complete the Dallas defense.

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

The Eagles could really use a player like Kuechly for their linebacking corps, but Floyd is a solid consolation prize.

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

With so many teams in need of pass-rushers, it's a surprise Ingram hasn't started to generate more interest already. His stock has remained stable over the past few months, but he should see that change by the time April rolls around.

Ingram is unlike many speed rushers who have fooled teams with their outside quickness in recent seasons. He's a much more well-rounded linebacker who can both attack the quarterback or play the run with success.

That should become more obvious to talent evaluators once he gets run through the ringer. While Rex Ryan would love for him to drop this far because he would be dominant in the Jets system, another team will finally wise up before that happens.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro would give the Bengals some much-needed stability along the line.

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

There's really no other option for the Chargers. Perry fills their biggest need.

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

Chicago would have made the playoffs if it weren't for a rash of injuries. Konz is a safe, smart pick to keep the Bears on the right track.

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

Brockers' athleticism makes him the type of tackle every defensive coordinator dreams about.

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

The Bengals need a running back to replace Cedric Benson.

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

Cleveland hasn't have a wide receiver with as much upside as Jeffery in a long time.

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

Adams will ensure Matthew Stafford survives another season with injury issues.

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

Offensive lineman never garner much hype, but Glenn deserves some before draft day.

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

If Tim Tebow is going to be the quarterback, the Broncos defense won't have much margin for error and needs some upgrades.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Giving Matt Schaub the combination of Wright and Andre Johnson would cause nightmares for opposing defenses.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

It's a deep class of cornerbacks this season, which could explain why Dennard has fallen through the cracks. As the league continues to move toward high-powered passing attacks, however, teams will need to keep building depth at the position.

Dennard is a physically gifted corner that makes up for his lack of height with a rare combination of strength and speed. Once he gets the chance to showcase his skills against those of his closest competitors at the position, he'll starting moving up.

The good thing for a player like him is it only takes one team to fall in love with his potential to move him up 10 picks, if not more. He's certainly somebody to keep an eye on as the draft inches closer, especially if your favorite team is constantly getting burned through the air, such as the Patriots.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

It's hard not to get excited about Jenkins' potential if you're a Packers fan.

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

Burfict would excel in Baltimore, where the pressure to succeed would be far less than other cities.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu's impressive size and strength combination would make him handy to Alex Smith.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Two secondary upgrades in the opening round should be exactly what the Patriots are shooting for.

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

The Giants will have plenty of options heading into the draft, but Brown is a very nice fit.