2012 NFL Mock Draft: Late-Rising Prospects Guaranteed to Bust

It happens at just about every year, and the 2012 NFL draft will be no different. Players come on strong during pre-draft workouts, only to end up being a major bust in the NFL. 

It's unfortunate, but every team is hit with a first-round bust every now and then. Just because a guy excels in drills, it doesn't mean he will thrive on the playing field. 

Whether they were one-hit wonders in college or they dominated the combine, multiple players will continue to receive unworthy hype. The teams that pick them will soon find out that they made a mistake. 

With that said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each player and a more in-depth look at those late rising prospects that will be busts. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

* Picks to be determined by coin flip at Scouting Combine

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

Luck is the best prospect in the draft. The Colts would have to be insane not to take him and focus on their future. 

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

The Rams will probably trade this pick, but if they keep it, I think their best bet is to add protection for Sam Bradford. Keeping him healthy needs to be priority No. 1. 

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

The top cornerback in the draft, Claiborne is the real deal. He'll be a huge boost to the Vikings secondary. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State 

The Browns have plenty of options here, including a running back or a quarterback. However, they're better off sticking with Colt McCoy and just giving him top talent to work with. That is something he doesn't have right now. 

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

A recent run-in with the law could see him drop, but given the Bucs needs all over the place, they'd be wise to focus on talent and just make sure Kirkpatrick stays out of trouble. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

If the Redskins want to win the NFC East, they need to get a legitimate quarterback. The Heisman Trophy winner is extremely dangerous with both his arm and his feet. He'll thrive under the direction of Mike Shanahan. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Somewhat of a reach here, simply because the Jaguars could trade back a few spots and likely still get him. However, they desperately need big-time receivers to help Blaine Gabbert improve. 

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

This is a reach that the Panthers hope will pay off, but unfortunately it won't. After a down year this past season, Coples' draft stock continued to move all over the place.

However, Coples has great measurables and is sure to shine in the pre-draft workouts. He had a stellar 2010 season, and once scouts see him excel without the pads on they'll start to remember his good days.  

Don't get me wrong, Coples is a great player. He fills a need for the Panthers. The Panthers need someone to get after the quarterback more often, and those are skills Coples has. 

Unfortunately, he won't live up to expectations as a top-10 pick. Coples need to dominate from the start and put up excellent numbers. That won't happen for the 6'6", 285-pound defensive end. He moves well for his size, but lacks the superb explosiveness needed to flourish in the league, which means he will be bullied around in the NFL. 

Coples will benefit from his college success as well as pre-draft workouts, but once he starts playing in the NFL, Coples won't live up to being the No. 8 overall pick. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins will forget about Daniel Thomas and avoid passing on the amazing talent of Richardson. He'd be an excellent complement back to Reggie Bush. Miami could also think about trading back from this spot as well. 

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

The Bills have to get better on defense if they expect to win in the AFC East, so they'll do the right thing and draft the best one available, which is Upshaw. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Adding protection for whoever ends up being the quarterback is definitely needed in Kansas City. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks would love a quarterback, but they'll have to trade up to get one. Instead, they improve the defense by adding a gifted pass-rusher who is very quick off the edge. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals have needs all over, but adding strength to the offensive is never a bad idea. Martin's skills and size are too good to pass up. 

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

The Cowboys need youth, toughness and tenacity on their defense, which is exactly what Kuechly, a dominant tackling machine, brings to the table. 

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

With DeSean Jackson likely headed elsewhere in free agency, the Eagles would be wise to draft a big threat like Floyd. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

I could really see the Jets trading up for Trent Richardson if he falls out of the top 10, but since I'm not predicting trades here, I have the Jets getting stronger on the defensive front, which is something that needs to be down.

However, they could think about Lamar Miller and Chris Polk here. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami 

The Bengals might be able to wait until their second first-rounder to draft Miller, but they shouldn't take the gamble. Miller's speed will be a great addition to the Bengals, as he'll eventually take over for Cedric Benson. If the Bengals ever re-sign him, that is. 

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

Adams is on the rise for most draft boards, and deservedly so. He's a monster in the trenches and he'll definitely help keep Philip Rivers safe for many years. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears would love a playmaking wide receiver here, but the top ones are all gone. They'll still gladly settle for DeCastro, though, as he is the best interior lineman in the draft. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Titans have to start getting after the opposing QB more often, and Ingram will definitely help in that area. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

There are character concerns, but the Bengals will look past that and focus on Jenkins' talent. Had Jenkins never got in trouble, he'd probably already be in the NFL and doing well. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Another player that is getting hyped more and more, Mercilus is certain to bust at the next level. 

Mercilus had one good year in college, recording 16 sacks. The 6'4", 265-pound defensive end should have stayed in college for one more year. Not only would he have ended up being a high draft pick for next year, he's also going to flop in the NFL. 

Sure, Mercilus has great talent, but one-hit wonders typically falter once they get to the NFL—such will be the case for this former Illinois defender. 

Mercilus needs more time at the college level to truly be ready for the NFL, which is why he will bust big-time upon arriving to Cleveland. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia      

The Lions have to make sure Matthew Stafford stays healthy at all times, so drafting Glenn makes perfect sense. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict drops because of character concerns, but the Steelers won't pass on his talent, which is top 10-15-worthy. Pittsburgh knows it can keep him in line. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is quickly climbing up draft boards because of his big frame and the weak defensive tackle class of 2012. 

Hes certain to blow everyone away at the combine, but success in the NFL isn't measured on the combine alone. 

Brockers opted to leave LSU early, which will turn out to be a mistake. He'll continue to get hype and praise because he's 6'6" and 306 pounds. 

While he may look the part, he just isn't ready to dominate like people think he will, which is why he'll end up as a bust. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Texans will have a hard time keeping center Chris Myers, in addition to Mario Williams and Arian Foster. Houston could easily take a wide receiver here to play opposite Andre Johnson, but getting the best center in the draft is a better decision.

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots have to upgrade their defense, and they'd be wise to start with a skilled defensive back like Dennard. 

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

Polk is strongly climbing up draft boards and is a borderline first-rounder. I think the Packers take a gamble and select Polk over a linebacker. Ryan Grant isn't getting it done, so the Packers need a big boost in the backfield. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

The Ravens would love an offensive lineman here, and they could potentially reach for one, but the smart move would be get the best available player here. That's Brown, a quick linebacker who will learn a lot from Baltimore's talented defense. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

The 49ers are in dire need of big-play threats on offense, and Wright will give this Super Bowl-contending team just that. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

New England could easily trade this pick, but the best decision is to hold tight and use both first-rounders to greatly improve the defense. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

Hightower may not be here, but because of other teams' needs on offense and in the secondary, he slips to the Giants, which they will definitely love.