2012 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Tannehill and Draft Stocks That'll Be Overinflated

Overrated athletes adorn every single mock draft out there. The trick is finding the players that will fail to live up to the expectations, and that is exactly what we have done here. 

There are a few collegiate superstars that are getting some undue love at the moment. As you will soon see, even some less heard of athletes are rising up draft boards at a record pace. 

The key for us is to temper some of that hype with a good dose of reality. This is not a means to hate on some very good athletes. Rather an exercise in illustrating the shortcomings of those over-hyped prospects. 

Here is a draft that includes popular picks around the Internet. The obvious note is that I wouldn't put them here if I didn't think they were overrated, so here is what most think. 

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

If there was any candidate for too much hype, it would have to Andrew Luck right? Nope. He is the real deal and an NFL-ready arm that will shine next season.  

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

Matt Kalil is still my pick for the Rams despite the probability they deal this pick to the multiple teams that crave Robert Griffin III. Kalil will keep Sam Bradford healthy for years. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The Vikings are in dire need of a playmaker that can handle the corners. Claiborne is a big athletic talent that will be a star. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Richardson may not land in Cleveland if the Browns decide to nab Robert Griffin III. I still think he is the play here and his ability to find holes on the line is just one reason. 

Richardson comes in as one of the better-built prospects. He is extremely hard to tackle, making me believe we are going to see some ridiculous power numbers at the combine. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The Bucs need a cornerback badly, one that will provide some physicality on the wings. There is no need to trade when you have the big, bad figure on the corner in Dre Kirkpatrick. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Redskins are targeting just one player right now, and that is Robert Griffin III. The Baylor standout has the arm to win and the charisma to win over every last fan. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR 

The book on him is that he has average speed for his size, but I beg to differ. If we aren't amazed by his 40-yard dash time, we may be looking at some great power numbers. This guy is a brute at the point of contact with corners.  

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

OVERINFLATED ALERT

We come to our first overinflated alert, and they largely center around concerns of the big man's work ethic. He may have a tenuous motor, but he is killing it right now. 

Coples nailed the Senior Bowl. It will be easy for scouts to forget thoughts on his consistency. Most have him pegged as the real deal, and his Senior Bowl solidifies his status as a top-10 draft choice.

The Panthers have their man. 

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

Reiff is as solid and dependable as they come. The Dolphins could be another team to trade up for quarterback glory in RG3, but they could also use a great deal of help on the line.   

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

OVERINFLATED ALERT

Kuechly continues to get adoration for his top-tier instinct, but we will soon see that he is a tad small and slow for this high on the draft board. It remains to be seen what he can prove in the way of athleticism at the combine. 

I am hoping (for his sake) that he proves detractors wrong shortly.

The Bills need a great deal more toughness on defense. Kuechly has a mind for the game and is adept at being at the right place at the right time. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

It's important to note that some draft boards, including Russ Lande's of The SportingNews has Ryan Tannehill going this early. Tannehill is the impetus for this mock draft, so it's important to know where he is landing. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports even has him going 6th to the Redskins. 

As for Michael Brokers, he is huge. That is all you can say about a man that plays like he is on a mission each and every play. It's unfair that a beast could be this big and also be as quick as he is. 

Brockers continues to rise, and his size and ability to breach the line are reasons why. 

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

The best part about Martin is his run-blocking, which should help the Chiefs move the ball all next season. If he has a great showing in the combine, we could see his stock rise to top-10 standards. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

If he can handle his emotions, he is a true superstar in waiting. I am very eager to push him up the board but want to see how the draft process treats him. 

I would like to place him in the "struggles" category, but I continue to think that his on-the-field anger issues actually give him an edge that may be harnessed in the right way at the next level. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

Courtney Upshaw is exactly the player the Cowboys need. Dallas needs to get tougher and deeper on defense, and they could use a workhorse who is as versatile as he is tough. Upshaw is a hungry player that would uplift a spiraling franchise. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB

Here is my chance to reach for the Eagles. Some have Zach Brown closer to a second round selection, but I love his tenacity. This is exactly the player the Eagles craved last season. 

Philadelphia was abysmal up the gap last season. They had the star corners last year, but their linebacker core was a joke. Zach Brown will not let running backs demolish the Eagles next year. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

The safety is getting a lot of love right now and fits the bill for the Jets. Barron covers ground well and has a nose for the ball. This pick would add depth to a team that could use a strong safety to allow a more versatile approach on defense.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

OVERINFLATED ALERT

This is one player that will get a lot of attention at the combine. Questions remain on his speed and ability to cover star receivers. 

He does a great many things things well, but nothing great.  

Dennard is big and powerful and can dominate receivers at the line, but he was suspect on double-move coverages at the Senior Bowl. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

The only way to ensure the same Philip Rivers malaise is negated to next year is to beef up the offensive line. DeCastro will be a solid addition to the Chargers' pocket protection.    

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR 

Michael Floyd is my favorite to rule this draft class. He is a sneaky receiver who creates a ton of room in coverage. He has the speed and power to mix it up at the line.  

The Bears may have to cross their fingers that a star receiver like him drops this far in the draft. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

A big body to stick on the line is never a bad thing. Glenn is a looming presence that stays in front of rushers with top-notch footwork. 

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

I am feeling Miller a lot more as the process continues. I am excited to see what he has to show us in the next couple months.

Miller is a burner that will no doubt kill it at the combine. The worry for me in his rookie year is that he is a back that really kills you in getting to that second level. He will fight to find holes in year one. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Devon Still, Penn State, DE 

The jury is still out on Still, and many consider him far too inconsistent for the first round. I disagree. 

Still is a multi-talented athlete that will bring versatility to the defensive front. The jury is still out whether he is a star or bust in waiting. It would have been great to see him at the Senior Bowl.  

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

Janoris Jenkins may have wrapped up a trip to the first round with fine Senior Bowl practices. He is just as fast and explosive as you would hope and isn't getting fooled. Character-issue questions aside, we may have ourselves a small-school first-rounder.  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

The Steelers' offensive line needs depth after a season mired in inconsistency. Sanders was my pick heading into the Senior Bowl, and we will see what the weekend holds before we start dropping him from lofty precipices.  

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB

OVERINFLATED ALERT 

The need for quarterbacks welcome Ryan Tannehill to the first round of most mock drafts. ESPN's Todd McShay has him going to the Broncos, and who am I to argue. Like I said, I still don't see him in the first round, but noticed a strong need for most to include him here. 

The Broncos may need some insurance behind Tim Tebow, but I have questions about Tannehill. For one, he has durability issues off the bat as he manages a recent toe injury. 

Versatility is nice, but the former receiver is still raw at quarterback, and there is no certainty that he will manage to pick up an uncanny ability to read defense. Great upside, but too many questions for the first round. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

I like Poe as an NFL player and love him for the Texans. He is big and strong, making him the perfect person to clog the middle. The Texans' marvelous defense in 2011 gets all the more fierce. He is the perfect huge asset to stick in their 3-4 scheme. 

27. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus had a great year where he finally figured out how to use his size and wingspan. His dynamic reach will affect a great many passes at the next level. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

I still say Cox is the perfect player for the Packers. The tackles-for-a-loss machine will be a fine addition to a Green Bay team that slays the draft. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

The Ravens still need a star receiver and I have Alshon Jeffrey and Kendall Wright being the likely receivers to be available at this time. 

I say Wright has the hands and speed to be a superstar. The blazing speedster should destroy the competition  at the combine. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Jared Crick, Nebraska, DE

San Francisco gets a versatile machine in Crick. He will go nicely with the new team motif of killing quarterbacks.  

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

The Patriots held the Giants in check for most of the Super Bowl. It would have been nice to have depth in the secondary to cover Mario Manningham though. This portion of the field has to be the first thing the Pats target.  

31. New York Giants (9-7): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

The offensive line looks stout, and with no great picks at this point, we head to defense. There is a good chance that a solid linebacker comes falling to the back of the first round, but if not, Branch is a solid pick. He doesn't fill a specific need but is the best player out there. 

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