2012 NFL Mock Draft: Second-Rounders Who Will Provide First-Round Value

There's always plenty of value to be found in the second round of the NFL draft. It's not uncommon for teams to pick up players that end up contributing in a big way right away.

To give you a few recent examples, take a look at what players like Andy Dalton, Jabaal Sheard, Brooks Reed, Stefen Wisniewski and Torrey Smith were able to do in 2011. The five of them made major impacts, and they weren't the only ones.

The general consensus is that the 2012 draft class is even more loaded than the 2011 draft class, meaning there's going to be even more talent up for grabs in the second round. Some players who will go in the second round could even go in the first round.

Even if they don't, they'll at least play like first-rounders in 2012 and beyond.

Let's take a look at four notable examples.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson 

You're seeing Dwayne Allen go in the first round in some mock drafts, but he's far from a lock to be one of the first 32 players taken off the board on draft day.

More likely, Allen will be picked up in the early-to-mid second round, where he will be drafted by a team looking to get in on the tight end craze that is sweeping the NFL.

Allen fits the mold of top tight ends like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski and others. He can make all the catches and run all the routes, and he's a much better athlete than most of the other tight ends who are out there.

Just like Graham, Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, Allen also has a background in basketball. That's not an automatic sign that he's going to be a star, but the track record of basketball-playing tight ends is definitely in Allen's favor.

One thing Allen will have to do, however, is improve his blocking. He's much more of a receiving threat than he is a blocker. He'll have to level things out.

Even still, the talent is there, and we know from Allen's 2011 season at Clemson that he can produce. He's going to be a good NFL player.

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Jared Crick was projected to be a high first-round draft pick at the start of the 2011 season. 

Alas, then Crick tore his pectoral muscle, forcing him to sit out the bulk of the season.

That injury is going to cost Crick when the draft rolls around, but he won't fall further than the second round. Some team is going to take a chance on him recapturing the dominant form he showed as a member of the Cornhuskers.

Crick will gladly oblige whoever takes him. He's not the most athletic prospect under the sun, but he's as strong as a bull and a hard guy to block. He's going to blow up a lot of offensive lines once he gets to the NFL.

The best thing about Crick is his versatility. He'll be at home on both a three-man front and a four-man front, and he has the ability to play at multiple spots on a four-man front. 

In a league where versatility is more important than ever, Crick has the potential to be a star.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

I've typically had Alfonzo Dennard going in the first round of most of my mock drafts, but he didn't do himself any favors with his lackluster performance at the Senior Bowl.

Nevertheless, if Dennard doesn't go in the latter third of the first round, he'll certainly go early in the second round. He's not perfect, but he's no slouch.

Dennard's biggest shortcoming is his size. He's just barely 5'10" and 200 pounds. That would be fine if Dennard was a speed demon, but he's not. His speed is just good enough.

Dennard makes up for it by having superior instincts, and he plays much more physically than a guy his size should play. We've seen plenty of feisty, undersized corners through the years, and Dennard is cut from the same cloth.

As long as Dennard stays healthy, his upside is as high as that of any cornerback who will be drafted in the first round. Down the road, he could be a steal.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus led the NCAA in sacks in 2011, making him a very intriguing target for teams looking for a pass-rusher.

The trouble is that quite a few teams loaded up on 4-3 defensive ends in last year's draft, meaning there just won't be a huge demand for 4-3 DEs in this year's draft. Moreover, Mercilus is not as highly regarded as Quinton Coples, who is considered to be a top-10 draft pick.

Mercilus does not have Coples' skill set, but he certainly has a better motor than Coples. Mercilus is not exactly refined as a pass-rusher, but he has the drive to slip past blockers by any means necessary. The results (16 sacks) speak for themselves.

Mercilus could get some looks in the latter third of the first round, but the truth is that the teams drafting at the end of the first round have bigger fish to fry. Mercilus will go in the second round, but it won't be long before he makes it obvious everyone who passed on him made a mistake.

First Round Mock

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

No reason to change this pick. The Colts would be foolish to pass on the best quarterback prospect in a long time.

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

The Rams need a force in the middle of their defense, and they're not going to find a DT prospect with a higher ceiling than Michael Brockers.

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

In Minnesota, Matt Kalil would be a long-term replacement for Bryant McKinnie.

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

The Browns need a franchise quarterback, and Robert Griffin III's potential is through the roof.

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

The Bucs have LeGarrette Blount, but Trent Richardson is too good to pass up here.

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

If the Redskins can't get RG3, they'll have to find a quarterback elsewhere. May as well make sure the next guy has a top wide receiver to throw to.

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

Morris Claiborne will be an easy pick if the Jags choose to part ways with Rashean Mathis.

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

Quinton Coples may be lacking a motor, but he's a versatile defensive lineman. The Panthers could use one of those.

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

The Dolphins need some help at tackle, and Riley Reiff will be the best guy on the board at this spot.

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

The Bills desperately need a pass-rusher like Courtney Upshaw.

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

The Chiefs need O-line help, and Jonathan Martin is a natural fit for their offense.

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

The Seahawks are set at guard, but David DeCastro represents an outstanding value pick here.

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

The Cardinals could use an outside linebacker, and they won't be able to do any better than Nick Perry here.

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

The Cowboys need to make their secondary as strong as their front seven. Dre Kirkpatrick would be an easy pick here.

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

Vontaze Burfict is the middle linebacker the Eagles are looking for.

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

The Jets need a pass-rushing outside linebacker, and Melvin Ingram is arguably just as good as Courtney Upshaw.

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

Janoris Jenkins would be a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph.

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

The Chargers have needs at both tackle spots, and Mike Adams could potentially play both of them.

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

Alshon Jeffery is the big receiver the Bears have needed for several years at this point.

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

Zach Brown would be a perfect fit next to Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers.

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

If the Bengals let Cedric Benson go, they're going to need a new running back. Lamar Miller would fit right in.

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

Michael Floyd would be a franchise wide receiver to go along with Cleveland's new franchise quarterback.

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

The Lions need to make sure their offensive line is as strong as can be for Matthew Stafford's sake. Peter Konz is an easy pick here.

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

Cordy Glenn can play anywhere, and the Steelers need help everywhere.

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

Jerel Worthy would shore up Denver's defensive tackle problems quite nicely.

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

Kendall Wright's speed and route-running savvy make him a perfect counterpart for Andre Johnson.

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

Devon Still could play anywhere in any scheme, making him a perfect Bill Belichick guy.

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

Chris Polk would bring some much-needed balance to Green Bay's offense.

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

Dont'a Hightower could become a star if he studies under Ray Lewis for a year.

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

The 49ers desperately need a wide receiver, and Mohamed Sanu is a sleeper stud.

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

The Patriots need a cornerback. Any cornerback.

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

Luke Kuechly is the tackling machine the Giants need at middle linebacker.