2012 NFL Mock Draft: College Stars Who Won't Excel at Next Level

While there are many players in the 2012 NFL draft that were stars in college, very few will continue that success at the next level.

The following italicized players will not be stars in the NFL.

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

I think this has become very obvious by now.

2. $$ Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The train wreck will start early in the 2012 draft with the Cleveland Browns trading up to the No. 2 spot and the St. Louis Rams moving down to No. 4 and getting another pick of some sort.

The second half of this wreck will be the Browns getting one of the more overrated quarterbacks coming out of college I have seen in a long time. And there is no more fitting team than the one Colt McCoy starts for.

Griffin will be what McCoy has become at the NFL level. Just look at how similar they are. In Griffin’s senior year he threw for 4,293 yard and added 37 touchdowns through the air and 10 more on the ground. In McCoy’s junior year, the Texas star had 3,859 pass yards and 34 touchdowns through the air with 11 more on the ground.

They are the same player, but Griffin has more speed. He will be mediocre in the NFL at best.

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

With Christian Ponder looking like the future of the Vikings, they need to protect him with standout tackle Matt Kalil.

4. $$ St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This will be a best player available type pick for the St. Louis Rams because they will be trading back, but taking Justin Blackmon is the wrong choice.

As good as the young player was in college, he was part of an offense that got the ball to the wideout as often as possible. If the Rams force the ball to Blackmon too much, cornerbacks will have a feeding frenzy on Blackmon.

While I agree St. Louis needs help at wide receiver, the combination of a young quarterback and a lack of an offensive line will stunt the young receiver’s growth. I don’t see him being anything more than what Anquan Boldin has become in Baltimore. Which isn’t much.

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

Imagine the tandem of Trent Richardson and LeGarrette Blount. Watch out, defenses.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If Washington misses out on all the free-agent quarterbacks and can't trade up for RGIII, it will take Ryan Tannehill and get solid production, but nothing amazing.

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

Morris Claiborne has the potential to be a star in the NFL and Jacksonville will finally have a piece to build its defense around.

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

The Panthers need a complement to star end Charles Johnson and they get that with Quinton Coples.

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

With Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning on their to-get list, they need to an offensive lineman to protect whoever is under center.

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

The BCS National Championship MVP will give Buffalo the pass rush it desperately needs.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

With no pressure or run stopping last season from their defensive line, the Seahawks will hope to improve both with star tackle Devon Still.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Tamba Hali will help Luke Kuechly form one of the most dangerous linebacker duos in football.

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

Whoever is under center next season needs the time to get the ball out; that’s where big offensive tackle Jonathan Martin comes in.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With two offensive linemen in two years for the Cowboys in the first round, Tony Romo and the offense are out of excuses.

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

Michael Floyd is the red-zone target that the Eagles need.

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

Melvin Ingram could be the best defensive line prospect in this entire draft if he gets in the right system. Rex Ryan will turn this kid into a star.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

So the Bengals are going to take a player with a checkered past? No kidding.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The San Diego Chargers haven’t had a pass rush since Shawne Merriman was putting the lights out, so Nick Perry will be a welcomed addition.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Bears QB Jay Cutler was destroyed last season and the quest to protect him will start with center Peter Konz.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

One of the brightest defensive tackle prospects out of this draft with the potential to be the steal of the draft. Plenty of upside.

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

Depending on what the Bengals do with Cedric Benson, Lamar Miller could be the starting running back in Cincinnati next season.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

If the Browns make one mistake taking Robert Griffin III, they will follow it up by taking potential bust Alshon Jeffery. Bad draft in the long run if this comes to fruition for Cleveland.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Despite a dire need in the secondary, the Lions want to keep Matthew Stafford healthy by having tackle Mike Adams protect him.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Ben Roethlisberger needs all the help he can get and Cordy Glenn is the man to do it. Perfect lineman that may be a steal if he falls this far.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

John Fox is determined to build this Broncos defense into what he had in the heyday of the Carolina Panthers run, and taking Fletcher Cox makes perfect sense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Wade Phillips' defensive reinvention takes another step forward with stellar safety Mark Barron.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins would’ve been a top 10 pick if it weren’t for off-field issues. The Patriots aren’t afraid.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

With a secondary that was burned more than any other in the NFL and finished the season allowing the most yards per game, this selection is easy for Packers management.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

If the Ravens can tame him, this man will be a beast for a long time in Baltimore.

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

There are so many problems with the San Francisco 49ers taking a speedy wide receiver that I’d don’t even know where to begin.

Since it’s become painfully clear that the 49ers want to have Alex Smith be their quarterback going forward, the idea of having an inaccurate deep passer having to hit a smaller speed receiver is a terrible plan.

Wright was the benefactor of the schemes his college team ran, but taking into consideration the NFL transition and his lack of help, he will be as mediocre as a wide receiver can be in the NFL. Or as I call him, Michael Crabtree II.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

With Chad Ochocinco on his way out and Deion Branch getting older, Mohamed Sanu will be Tom Brady’s new toy.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

After winning the Super Bowl, the Giants getting a player as good as Zach Brown is not fair.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL scouting combine.

$$—potential trade

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