2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players with Character Issues Who Will Disappoint

Every year, you hear the same description about certain prospects at the NFL Draft—"extremely talented but some concerns about character."

Sometimes those players are taken high anyway and thrive. Sometimes they drop and wind up disappointing, proving the NFL teams that didn't select them correct.

This article is interested in the latter. Let's take a look at some players with question marks surrounding their character who will disappoint in the NFL.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

At this point, it's pretty clear Andrew Luck will be a Colt next year. Which is exactly why he doesn't have Pro Bowl potential just yet—other than Peyton Manning, what quarterbacks could have Pro Bowl potential on this offense, especially if players like Reggie Wayne and Jeff Saturday don't return?

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor *

There is no way the Redskins are going to miss out on one of the top two quarterbacks in this draft. They desperately need a young talent at the position to excite the fanbase, and they'll do what they have to in a trade to make sure they land him.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings would be wise to select Kalil as protection for last year's first-round pick, quarterback Christian Ponder.

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

Colt McCoy may not be the long-term solution at quarterback, but it's hard to fairly judge him without first giving him some weapons.

Enter Justin Blackmon, who will upgrade their weapons, even if he is a bit overrated in my opinion.

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

The Bucs will be thrilled to upgrade the cornerback position with the best defensive player in this draft, Morris Claiborne.

6. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Rams get a much-needed weapon for quarterback Sam Bradford here and will excite the fanbase in the process.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

After just missing out on the top two receivers, the Jags will be happy to solidify a position wracked by injuries last season with the NFL-ready Kirkpatrick.

But Kirkpatrick has gotten himself in trouble recently, as he was arrested in January for marijuana possession, though all charges were dropped. Kirkpatrick was in a passenger in a truck where marijuana was found by police, though he claimed he did not purchase the drug.

That's good news for NFL teams, though it may raise concerns as to the lifestyle of Kirkpatrick. Fair or not, NFL teams will inquire very thoroughly about the incident.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers will look for their replacement to Julius Peppers in the defensive end from North Carolina, who has the ability to both make an impact rushing the passer, like rookie Aldon Smith did for San Francisco, and play every down and stop the run, something Smith didn't do.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins need a solid right tackle. Reiff fills a big need.

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

The Bills need a pass-rusher and are likely to play more four-man fronts under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Ingram is the perfect fit.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Seahawks could use another edge rusher to pair with Chris Clemons. They get that player in Mercilus, who is merciless to opposing quarterbacks.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Vontaze Burfict, OLB, Kansas City

Burfict has the blend of size, strength and sheer aggressiveness that makes one think his game will translate to the NFL. Plus, he's versatile enough that he could likely play any linebacker position in any defense—either inside or outside linebacker in the 4-3 or 3-4 defense.

He'll pair with Derrick Johnson in the Chiefs' 3-4 scheme to give them one of the scariest and most athletic groups of linebackers in the NFL on paper.

But the concerns with Burfict range from his work ethic to his ability to maintain self-control on the field. I want to see Burfict succeed because I think he could be really fun to watch, but I'm afraid he might be his own worst enemy in the professional ranks and disappoint.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals need a better left tackle to protect Kevin Kolb or John Skelton than Levi Brown. You're up, Jonathan Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Back-to-back Stanford picks—how exciting.

The Cowboys will be on the market for a guard, and they'll reach a bit to draft the top guard on the board.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

Kuechly is a tackling machine, accumulating 191 tackles in 2011. He has good instincts and is a solid form tackler. He makes perfect sense in Philadelphia, a team that desperately needs someone who can step in at linebacker and play immediately.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

Upshaw will instantly upgrade the Jets' pass rush and provide stability to the outside linebacker position.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama **

The Bengals would be thrilled if Richardson falls this far to them, and he'll instantly have a huge impact on their offense, carrying the load for this team. Of all the players in the first round, Richardson is the most likely to make the Pro Bowl his rookie year.

18. San Diego Chargers: Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama

If you're looking to bolster your run defense, the big and powerful Hightower is the man for you.

If Vincent Jackson returns to San Diego, look for the Chargers to have eyes for Hightower when their pick at No. 18 comes on the board. It's that, or ask old man Takeo Spikes to hold down the fort for another year.

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

Jay Cutler will be quite pleased with this selection. There is no question that Floyd has talent, after all, but he's also had three separate transgressions in the past involving alcohol, including an arrest for drunken driving in March.

Floyd is the consensus third wide receiver in this year's draft, but wideouts are always a tough position to predict at the NFL level. Floyd may be a solid receiver, but he won't be the sort of game-breaker a team drafting him in the middle of the first round is hoping for.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Titans need to upgrade their pass rush. They'll look to the incredibly athletic Perry, who is a high-ceiling selection who should help them do just that.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore will step in and man the side left vacant when cornerback Jonathan Joseph headed to Houston before this season. The Bengals could desperately use another cornerback to pair with the talented Leon Hall, and Gilmore is great value here.

22. Cleveland Browns: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

I don't expect Peyton Hillis to return, and Montario Hardesty is injury-prone. Cleveland will be happy to add Miller, and Colt McCoy and Browns fans everywhere will be thrilled that the team finally added some talent to the skill positions in this draft.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Detroit fills a need with this pick. It isn't sexy, but it's smart—with the exception of running back, the Lions offense is set at the skill positions on offense, and they can find a suitable running back later in the draft.

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

Ben Roethlisberger needs to be healthy for the Steelers to win. Adams will step in and help keep Roethlisberger's jersey clean.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

John Fox has put a premium on running the ball and playing solid defense. When Tim Tebow is your starting quarterback, those sort of need to be your priorities anyway.

Fox will be happy to further improve an up-and-coming defense with this selection.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans, wanting to pair a playmaker with Andre Johnson, will snag the receiver from Baylor with the blazing speed and give defensive coordinators nightmares all season long.

27. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama***

Jenkins has the potential to be the best cornerback in this draft and will only drop after teams eliminate him from their boards due to off-field concerns and his dismissal from Florida's football team before this season.

This could be another steal for Bill Belichick. Or Jenkins could have the sort of issues like Brandon Meriweather—who was both a concern coming out of college and did little to alleviate his character concerns in the professional ranks—and find himself unexpectedly cut from the team early in his career.

28. Green Bay Packers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Another steal this late, Brockers will replace the loss of Cullen Jenkins from last offseason, a player the Packers desperately missed this year.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Baltimore knows their bread and butter is defense. They draft accordingly.

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

Sanu is an instant upgrade for San Francisco's wide receiver corps and will be a valuable addition to an up-and-coming NFC power.

31. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse

No, they probably won't keep this pick. But some help at outside linebacker wouldn't hurt if they do stay here, and Jones will step in and provide excellent athleticism at the outside linebacker position.

He's likely a better fit in the 3-4 than the next linebacker selected in the draft, hence this selection.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Giants, needing an upgrade at linebacker, will quickly scoop up Brown and his high upside when they select with the 32nd pick.

* The Redskins, worried the Browns might take Robert Griffin III at No. 4, trade the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second- and fourth-round pick this year and second-round pick next year for St. Louis' second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

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