2012 NFL Mock Draft: Early-Round Prospects with Highest Potential to Bust

Had the NFL Draft not been an inexact science, we wouldn't consider Ryan Leaf and Tony Mandarich two of the biggest busts in pro football history.

Coincidentally, it's the potential bust-factor in every selection that makes each pick a risk. And there are future busts in every draft.

That said, here's a look at some who are considered early-round choices this April.

Ryan Tannehill: QB, Texas A&M

He has a strong arm, great mobility with size and didn't have much help surrounding him.

Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, though, has only one full season at the helm and missed the Senior Bowl in January due to injury.

In short, durability concerns make Tannehill more of a bust than anybody, since no matter how great a player is, the sideline doesn't win games. Additionally, Tannehill had only a 61.6 completion percentage against consistently weak pass defenses of the Big 12.

The interesting aspect about him, however, was that he played receiver in 2008 and 2009 for the Aggies. There, Tannehill racked up 1,453 receiving yards on 101 receptions including nine touchdowns.

So, if quarterbacking doesn't pan out in the NFL, provided that he does get healthy, Tannehill does have the wideout experience to get another opportunity.

Mohamed Sanu: WR, Rutgers

Make no mistake about it, Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu has solid size at 6'2", 215 pounds to be a legit No. 2 NFL receiver.

However, he only had one legitimately productive college season with 1,206 yards on 115 catches that also included seven touchdowns.

Yes, great numbers no doubt, but Sanu still had a year of eligibility and could have become a solid Top-15 pick with a second noteworthy campaign. After all, if there's anything that keeps a player in the NFL, it's consistency on a weekly and annual basis.

Sanu proved the weekly performance with seven games of 100 or more yards. The question is whether he could have done that a second straight season.

Still, with the potential and size to, at the very least, be a bigger slot man, Sanu has a lot more proving to do than other receivers.

Andre Branch: DE, Clemson

Perhaps the most appealing attribute about Clemson's Andre Branch is his versatility.

Mostly playing defensive end for the Tigers in 2011, Branch actually began as an outside linebacker. But on the rare occasion he would sink underneath and play against the pass, it didn't help much.

Last season, Clemson's defense allowed 29.3 points and almost 380 total yards per game. Had it not been for an insanely productive offense, there's no chance Clemson would have won the ACC and finished 10-4.

As for Branch, his 6'4", 260-pound frame is ideal for the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker spot. Unfortunately, Branch lacks a consistent explosion off the snap to defend well against the run and doesn't have the power to work against multiple blockers in the NFL.

Now, he did have 9.5 sacks and 77 tackles last season, but then again, most offenses were passing against Clemson anyway to keep up with the Tigers' offense.

Therefore, Branch had way more opportunities to accumulate sacks than, say, defensive ends in the SEC, Big East and Big Ten.

Zebrie Sanders: OT, Florida State

Definitely a dynamic offensive lineman who proved to play both left and right tackle, Florida State's Zebrie Sanders had a solid 2011 season but was part of a line that allowed 41 sacks.

To make matters worse, the Seminoles didn't even play ACC schools like North Carolina or Virginia Tech, both of which had solid defenses all season.

Also, Sanders had a weak Senior Bowl performance both during practice and the game. He was exposed in many one-on-one situations, which, at the pro level, will happen whether he's a right or left tackle.

NFL defenses with one stud pass-rusher will line up over Sanders, as he tends to get anxious and lunge when facing someone much quicker. In turn, this translates into weaker-than-advertised footwork along with lateral agility.

So, unless Sanders significantly improves at the combine as well as his pro day, his stock will continue to be on thin ice as the draft nears.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

John Rozum on Twitter.