2012 NFL Mock Draft: 2nd-Round Talents That Can Help Super Bowl-Caliber Teams

This is all about the overzealous contenders reaching into the second-round to nab exactly what they need. 

We start you off with three players that could very well end up in the first round. I don't have them pegged there in the following first-round mock draft, but it's important to highlight the players that could jump into a top-tier team's lap. 

Here are some second-round players getting first-round buzz right now. A great combine may see them solidify that measure shortly. 

Ryan Tannehill:

There are more than a few mock drafts that have Ryan Tannehill landing in the first round. I need to see more from him before I can take that leap of faith. 

ESPN's Todd McShay has him going to the Broncos, and I could see them taking the jump for some Tim Tebow insurance on a guy with great upside.  

Versatility is nice, but the former receiver is still raw at quarterback, and there is no certainty that he will manage to pick up an uncanny ability to read defenses. Great upside, but too many questions for the first round. 

Dont'a Hightower:

This is not the best draft classes for linebackers. That has me confident some big names may slide or some less heralded players make a leap forward. 

I could see him going to any number of teams in the later round, but the Ravens may be the best fit as Hightower could use a season in the bullpen before he gets quality minutes. 

He has the size and power to clog the middle of NFL lines and will be a great addition to any team's run defense. 

Mohamed Sanu:

This draft is littered with great receivers and offensive lineman. I could see the Rams foregoing Justin Blackmon in the second pick precisely because a player like Sanu may be around in the second round. 

That being said, Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffrey and Kendall Wright could all go before contenders that need a receiver get to pick. It may be a perfect draft for a handful of receivers in the first round. 

2012 NFL MOCK DRAFT: FIRST ROUND 

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

Selection for easy, peasy pick of the draft. 

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

Matt Kalil is still my pick for the Rams despite the probability they deal this pick to the multiple teams that crave Robert Griffin III. Kalil will keep Sam Bradford healthy for years. 

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

The Vikings are in dire need of a playmaker that can handle the corners. Claiborne is a big athletic talent that will be a star. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Richardson comes in as one of the better-built prospects. He is extremely hard to tackle, making me believe we are going to see some ridiculous power numbers at the combine. 

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

The Bucs need a cornerback badly, one that will provide some physicality on the wings. There is no need to trade when you have the big, bad figure on the corner in Dre Kirkpatrick. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Redskins are targeting just one player right now, and that is Robert Griffin III. The Baylor standout has the arm to win and the charisma to win over every last fan. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR 

If we aren't amazed by his 40-yard dash time, we may be looking at some great power numbers. He may sneak up to become the Rams next go-to guy. 

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

Coples nailed the Senior Bowl. It will be easy for scouts to forget thoughts on his consistency. Most have him pegged as the real deal, and his Senior Bowl solidifies his status as a top-10 draft choice.

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

Reiff is as solid and dependable as they come. The Dolphins could be another team to trade up for quarterback glory in RG3, but they could also use a great deal of help on the line.   

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

The Bills need a great deal more toughness on defense. Kuechly has a mind for the game and is adept at being at the right place at the right time. Questions on size and speed continue. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

Michael Brokers is huge. That is all you can say about a man that plays like he is on a mission each and every play. It's unfair that a beast could be this big and also be as quick as he is. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

The best part about Martin is his run-blocking, which should help the Chiefs move the ball all next season. If he has a great showing in the combine, we could see his stock rise to top-10 standards. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB

The man plays with a mean streak, and that also happens to be his epic downside as well. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

The Cowboys need to get tougher and deeper on defense, and they could use a workhorse who is as versatile as he is tough. Upshaw is a hungry player that would uplift a spiraling franchise. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB 

Philadelphia was abysmal up the gap last season. They had the star corners last year, but their linebacker core was a joke. Zach Brown will not let running backs demolish the Eagles next year. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

Barron covers ground well and has a nose for the ball. This pick would add depth to a team that could use a strong safety to allow a more versatile approach on defense.   

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB  

Dennard is big and powerful and can dominate receivers at the line, but he was suspect on double-move coverages at the Senior Bowl. He needs a huge combine. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

The only way to ensure the same Philip Rivers malaise is negated to next year is to beef up the offensive line. DeCastro will be a solid addition to the Chargers' pocket protection.    

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR 

Michael Floyd could be gone well before this. He has the talent to dominate at the next level. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

A big body to stick on the line is never a bad thing. Glenn is a looming presence that stays in front of rushers with top-notch footwork. 

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

Miller is a burner that will no doubt kill it at the combine. The worry for me in his rookie year is that he is a back that really kills you in getting to that second level. He will fight to find holes in year one. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Devon Still, Penn State, DE 

Some consider Still as an inconsistent mess. He will have to prove a great deal in the coming months to stay in the first round. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

He is just as fast and explosive as you would hope and isn't getting fooled. Character-issue questions aside, we may have ourselves a small-school first-rounder.  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

The Steelers' offensive line needs depth after a season mired in inconsistency. Sanders was my pick heading into the Senior Bowl, and we will see what the weekend holds before we start dropping him from lofty precipices.  

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina, WR

They could use a corner, but will settle on one of the best receivers in the nation. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

I like Poe as an NFL player and love him for the Texans. This marvelous defense in 2011 gets all the more fierce. He is the perfect huge asset to stick in their 3-4 scheme. 

27. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus had a great year where he finally figured out how to use his size and wingspan. His dynamic reach will affect a great many passes at the next level. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

I still say Cox is the perfect player for the Packers. The tackles-for-a-loss machine will be a fine addition to a Green Bay team that slays the draft. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

I say Wright has the hands and speed to be a superstar. The blazing speedster should destroy the competition  at the combine. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Jared Crick, Nebraska, DE

San Francisco gets a versatile machine in Crick. He will go nicely with the new team motif of killing quarterbacks.  

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

The Patriots held the Giants in check for most of the Super Bowl. It would have been nice to have depth in the secondary to cover Mario Manningham though. This portion of the field has to be the first thing the Pats target.  

31. New York Giants (9-7): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

The offensive line looks stout, and with no great picks at this point, we head to defense. There is a good chance that a solid linebacker comes falling to the back of the first round, but if not, Branch is a solid pick. He doesn't fill a specific need but is the best player out there. 

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