2012 NFL Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Heroes Who Will Crack 1st Round

The Senior Bowl can be a huge difference maker.

For example, we can think back to Von Miller at last year's Senior Bowl. Heading into the game, he was an intriguing prospect. After the game was played, Miller shot up big boards and every scout in the country couldn't stop talking about how amazing he was.

Ultimately, Miller was selected No. 2 overall by the Denver Broncos and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Without the Senior Bowl, Miller's story might look a little different.

We're almost two weeks removed from this year's Senior Bowl, and you can already see the impact the game has had on the NFL draft landscape. A lot of prospects shot up big boards thanks to the Senior Bowl, and a few more shot down big boards.

Let's talk about some of the lucky ones who shot up big boards. Below is a full first-round mock. All 32 picks will be discussed, but special attention will be paid to Senior Bowl studs.

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

Andrew Luck doesn't need the Senior Bowl or any other All-Star game to cement his status as the top player in the 2012 NFL draft class. He's a virtual lock to be taken No. 1 overall, and my gut feeling is that he will be Indy's starter in 2012. He would be looking to become the third straight No. 1 pick to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Michael Brockers decided to leave LSU despite the fact he had just completed his redshirt sophomore season. He's still raw as a player, but the skills are there and his potential is through the roof. The Rams need a force in the middle of their defense, and Brockers could very well be the guy for the job.

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

Matt Kalil is billed as one of the best left-tackle prospects to come along in years. The Vikings need a permanent replacement for Bryant McKinnie. This is a natural fit.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III is generating a lot of buzz now, but just wait until he shows off at the combine. He's going to blow everyone away. The Browns could go forward with Colt McCoy, but passing up on RG3 would be a huge mistake. They'll make the right choice.

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

If the Browns pass on Trent Richardson, he'll be too tempting for the Bucs to pass up. They have LeGarrette Blount, but he's as good as he's going to get. Richardson has the potential to be a superstar.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Redskins are a team that should be considered to be in play for RG3, but they're going to have to trade up to get him. If they stay at No. 6, expect them to go for a wide receiver. Justin Blackmon will be an easy pick if he's still on the board. The Redskins will find a QB in free agency or via trade.

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

The Jaguars could end up waving goodbye to Rashean Mathis. He's a free agent and is coming off a season in which he tore his ACL. If the Jags part ways with Mathis, they're going to need a new No. 1 corner, making Morris Claiborne an obvious target.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10, subject to coin flip with Miami): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina*

There was a difference of opinion regarding Quinton Coples before the Senior Bowl. Some thought he was a top prospect, others thought he was overrated.

Coples proceeded to have an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl, and he couldn't be blocked during the game itself. He did himself a whole bunch of favors.

If you ask Rob Rang of CBSSports.com, he'll tell you that Coples' versatility is what makes him special. Versatility is a must in this day and age in the NFL, especially along the defensive line. The New York Giants, for example, are able to give teams several different looks with their D-line, and they've done pretty well for themselves.

It's a copycat league, and that reality makes Coples an intriguing target. It just so happens the Panthers could use a versatile D-lineman. They won't pass on Coples.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10, subject to coin flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins may start 2012 with a new quarterback under center. Whoever it is, he's going to need additional protection. The Dolphins need offensive line help, and they won't be able to do any better than Riley Reiff.

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

It was no secret leading up to the Senior Bowl that Courtney Upshaw was one of the top pass-rushers in the 2012 draft class, but he proceeded to show off just how good he is anyway.

Jeff Legwold of The Denver Post wrote that Upshaw was the "most consistent impact player on the field" at the Senior Bowl. He dominated one-on-one drills, and he convinced Legwold that he could fit in both a 4-3 or a 3-4.

That is indeed the book on Upshaw. If a team wants to use him as a linebacker, it can. If a team wants to use him as a defensive end, it can.

The Bills are a team that could use Upshaw in both capacities. Upshaw's a perfect fit for Chan Gailey's hybrid defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, subject to coin flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need help on their offensive line, and Jonathan Martin is a perfect fit. At Stanford, he played in an offense that ran to set up the pass, and the Chiefs do the same thing. Martin's transition would be seamless.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9, subject to coin flip with KC): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Seahawks have some veterans at the guard spots, but they could stand to get deeper and it wouldn't hurt to continue the O-line reconstruction project they started in 2011. David DeCastro would be a huge value pick here, and well worth a pick.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Offensive line help would be ideal here for the Cardinals, but there's nobody worth reaching for. Instead, the Cardinals would be wise to find a stud piece for their front seven. To that end, Nick Perry would stand out. He's an outside linebacker who can do it all, and he could make an instant impact the same way Patrick Peterson was able to do.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have a solid front seven, but they could use a cornerback. At this point, Dre Kirkpatrick is practically a steal. Easy pick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

The Eagles need to find an answer at middle linebacker. Vontaze Burfict would be a risky pick, but he's a high-reward prospect. His athleticism is off the charts. He just needs to mature a little bit. If Andy Reid is able to control him, Burfict could be a star.

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

Melvin Ingram was underrated heading into the Senior Bowl, but he was able to show a lot of scouts what they've been missing.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller actually wrote that Ingram was "more dynamic" than Upshaw at the Senior Bowl, and he was particularly impressed with Ingram's overall athleticism.

Ingram is a lot like Upshaw in that he can play both down on the line and back behind it. He is an elite pass-rusher, and he has an array of tricks he can use to get past blockers. He doesn't try to just blow past them.

The Jets need a pass-rusher in their front seven. If they draft Ingram, they won't regret it.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama*

Janoris Jenkins went into the Senior Bowl hoping to erase the character concerns that were plaguing his draft stock.

He managed to do that, and then he went out and showed off his impressive talents as well.

By the end of the week, Matt Bowen of the National Football Post thought to put Jenkins at the very top of his list of defensive backs who stood out in Mobile. Jenkins could keep climbing in the weeks to come.

The Bengals need a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph, who signed with the Houston Texans last offseason. Jenkins would fill in quite nicely.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State*

Mike Adams is not as highly regarded as guys like Kalil, Reiff and Martin, but he managed to open a few eyes at the Senior Bowl.

Adams impressed Matt Miller with his sheer size, and he convinced Miller that he has elite pass-protection potential.

That should be all the Chargers need to hear. They need more protection for Philip Rivers, especially now that Marcus McNeill is reportedly done in San Diego. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Bears need O-line help too, but Alshon Jeffery would be too good to be true. The Bears desperately need a bigger, more physical wide receiver, and Jeffery fits that bill to a T. Jay Cutler would be glad to have him.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina*

Zach Brown had a reputation for being an outstanding athlete, but he showed at the Senior Bowl that he's also a great football player.

Russ Lande of The Sporting News raved about Brown:

"

Brown had a strong all-around week of practice, and then he exploded and had an outstanding game. He proved in practice that he was an elite athlete with the rare playing speed to chase down plays from sideline to sideline, and then in the game, was all over the field making a ton of tackles. He proved over the last week that he has excellent instincts, which combined with his foot quickness so that he could read and react to the play in a flash.

"

On the Titans, Brown could eventually start alongside Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, giving the Titans one of the best young linebacking corps in the NFL. The very notion would make drafting him very appealing.

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

My best guess is that the Bengals are going to let Cedric Benson go. If they do, they'll need to target a running back in the draft. Lamar Miller will stand out as the best fit for their offense. Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Miller would make for a great young trio.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

If the Browns draft RG3, he'll need more than just Greg Little to throw to. Michael Floyd would be a steal at No. 22, and the Browns would be fools to pass on him.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions saw what a healthy Matthew Stafford is capable of in 2011. To make sure he keeps it coming, they need to make their O-line as strong as possible. Center is an area of some concern for the team. Peter Konz is the best center in the 2012 draft class. The Lions would be wise to pounce on him.

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

Cordy Glenn's appeal is his versatility. He can play both tackle and guard if need be.

Miller raved about Glenn's showing at the Senior Bowl, writing that Glenn is "more mobile and agile than any other player I've seen at his size."

Miller also said that Glenn has the look of a Pro Bowler, no matter where he plays.

It's no secret that the Steelers need help on their offensive line. Glenn is a guy they could use wherever. And rest assured, they will use him wherever if they draft him.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Broncos passed on Marcell Dareus when they chose Von Miller in 2011. That ended up working out, but they need to use this draft to upgrade the middle of their defensive line. Jerel Worthy is the best 4-3 defensive tackle in the class.

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

The Texans don't need much, but they could use a speedy wide receiver who has the ability to stretch the field and take pressure off of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright is that and then some.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DE, Penn State

The Patriots got some impressive play from their defensive line in the postseason, but it could use another body or two. Devon Still fits in both a 3-4 and a 4-3, so he'll be a good pick no matter which scheme the Pats go with in 2012.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington*

Chris Polk is either a surefire first-rounder or a second-rounder, depending on who you ask. Scouts are split.

Scouts are also split on how well Polk performed in Mobile. ESPN's Todd McShay wasn't impressed, but Miller was, writing that Polk still deserves a first-round grade despite his lack of straight-line speed.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier was there to coach the North squad, and he was also impressed by Polk.

"You can see that burst that he has," Frazier said, per Yahoo! Sports. "He could run through some of those 'thud' tackles." 

Polk is a good fit for the Packers because they need a No. 1 running back. Plain and simple. As a bonus, Polk has the versatility to be a weapon in the passing game.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower is an iffy first-round prospect, but you have to like how he would fit in on the Ravens. He would get to back up Ray Lewis for a year, which could mean big things if Hightower watches and learns.

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

The 49ers need help at wide receiver. Desperately. They could pursue one in free agency, but there will be options in the draft. One of them is Mohamed Sanu, who is a big dude with impressive natural pass-catching skills. He seems like a perfect Jim Harbaugh guy.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots got some surprisingly good work out of their secondary in the Super Bowl, but it ended up getting exposed in the end. They need bodies for their secondary. Stephon Gilmore is a ball hawk who would be of great use.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Giants won the Super Bowl, but they're far from a perfect team. They could use a steady answer at inside linebacker. Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine who would be perfect on the Giants.