2012 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Who Could Be Drafted Unexpectedly High in Round 1

There will be at least one absolutely stunning moment in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. 

Count on it.  

Even if one dedicates countless hours to evaluating game film, looking at NFL team's biggest needs and examining draft histories, it's impossible to peg those surprise picks. 

Let's use last year as an example of that. 

Did anyone expect the Atlanta Falcons to move from No. 27 overall to No. 6 overall to select Alabama wideout Julio Jones in exchange for five future draft picks?

How about the Tennessee Titans choosing Washington quarterback Jake Locker at No. 8 overall? What about the Minnesota Vikings grabbing Florida State signal-caller Christian Ponder No. 12 overall?

Even the Seattle Seahawks taking relative unknown Alabama tackle James Carpenter with the 25th pick came as a bit of a surprise. 

These are the guys that could be taken unexpectedly high in Round 1 in this year's draft. 

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texans A&M 

If you truly believe you've found a franchise quarterback and he's available, drafting him trumps all team needs, even in the first round. 

It's an unwritten draft rule. 

Although Tannehill started more games at wide receiver than he did at quarterback and looked out of sorts in college more often than NFL head coaches and GM's would have liked, he's got a chance to be picked in Round 1. 

Because of his elite athleticism, size and good arm strength, this Aggie QB could skyrocket up draft boards in the days leading up to April 26th. 

A QB-needy club like the Seattle Seahawks, who will likely miss out on Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, may take the chance on Tannehill if they like is potential. 

It's a real possibility. 

Juron Criner, WR, Arizona 

Justin Blackmon, Alshon Jeffery, Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright formulate the group of top wideouts in the 2012 draft class. 

However, Arizona's Juron Criner, at 6'4'' and 215 pounds, has a realistic chance to be picked a lot higher than many people are initially expecting. 

The NFL is a now a pass-happy league and teams will take playmaking receivers in many shapes and sizes. 

Criner will have an easier time with press coverage at the next level and should be a viable red-zone target. He caught over 150 passes and exactly 22 touchdowns in his last two seasons with the Wildcats. 

Advance warning: You may hear Criner's name in the top 25 picks.

Teams like the Chicago Bears or Cleveland Browns could take the Arizona standout. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Last Pre-Combine Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

Follow @ChrisTrapasso