2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Names That Deserve Second-Round Grades

The talent evaluation process for the NFL Draft is one of the most volatile in all of sports. A player can be ranked as an early first-round pick once the season ends, but a few weeks later, despite no games being played, their stock can plummet without any real explanation.

Because of things like that, it's no surprise that there are plenty of swings and misses in the draft. The same will be true in the 2012 edition as plenty of players will be drafted in the first round despite deserving lower grades than that.

Along with a full first-round mock draft, here are three players who will be selected in the first round, despite truly being second-round prospects.

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

There's a sticky situation in Indy with Peyton Manning's health still in question. Regardless of what happens, though, the Colts can't pass up a generational talent like Luck.

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

The Rams have a lot of issues, but perhaps the biggest is a lack of offensive weapons. Quarterback Sam Bradford needs a target if he is going to bounce back from a dismal 2011 campaign, and Blackmon would certainly help.

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

While getting rid of Bryant McKinnie was likely the right thing to do, it left the Vikings with a big hole at left tackle. I think they'll address that need by nabbing Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Perhaps Colt McCoy needs more time to prove he can be a NFL quarterback, but he doesn't seem to have it. With that said, the Browns need a spark, and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III will provide that.

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

After a 10-6 2010 season, the Bucs were an absolute mess in 2011. There are issues on both sides of the ball so Tampa will go with perhaps the surest thing in the draft in Richardson.

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

Washington desperately needs a quarterback as neither Rex Grossman nor John Beck are the answer. The 'Skins will try to trade up, but failing that, Tannehill will be the pick.

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

The Jaguars have a lot of issues on both sides of the ball, so they are in a best-player-available situation. Claiborne is undoubtedly the best cornerback in the draft, so he should be the pick.

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

Charles Johnson has filled in admirably since defensive end Julius Peppers left in free agency, but the Panthers need another pass rusher. They'll look to hit pay dirt with another Tar Heel in Coples.

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

Left tackle Jake Long is among the best offensive linemen in football, but the Dolphins have issues everywhere else along the line. Reiff can step in and excel as a right tackle immediately.

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

Buffalo made a curious decision prior to the season, switching to a 3-4 defense despite having no pass-rushers to speak of. They are switching back to a 4-3, however, and need a player like Upshaw coming off the edge.

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

The Seahawks were in the middle of the pack defensively last season, so some improvements can certainly be made. Still has the potential to be a dominant defensive tackle at the next level.

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

The Chiefs have several high-impact players returning from injury on offense next season, so they should be much better in that regard. Adding a player like Kuechly will give the defense a new dimension.

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

Even when the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, their offensive line was lacking. Either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton could use a blindside protector and Jonathan Martin fits the bill.

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

Dallas has a no-name offensive line, and while it was solid at times, it was also prone to breakdowns. DeCastro should serve as a stabilizing force both in the running and passing games.

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

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson seems to have overstayed his welcome in Philadelphia, meaning the Eagles need a replacement. Floyd would make a nice complement to Jeremy Maclin.

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

While the offense shouldered a lot of the blame for the Jets' shortcomings in 2011, the defense struggled as well. A pass-rusher is needed and Ingram is the best left on the board.

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

The Bengals have a history of drafting troubled players, and Kirkpatrick comes with baggage, but if he can behave, then he and Leon Hall may form one of the best cornerback duos in the league.

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

The Chargers' linebacker corps has been depleted in recent years thanks to the departures of Shawne Merriman and Kevin Burnett. Perry should be a nice complementary pass-rusher to Shaun Phillips.

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

The Bears' offensive line was bad to begin with, and losing center Olin Kreutz certainly didn't help matters. Konz is the best center in the draft and should help fill the void.

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

Since losing the now-terrible Albert Haynesworth in free agency a couple years ago, the Titans have been looking for somebody to anchor their defensive line. Brockers has that kind of potential.

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

Miami running back Lamar Miller has the ability to be the most dynamic player in the draft as his combination of size and speed make him a rare talent. At the same time, though, quality running backs can be found late in the draft and in free agency, so it almost feels like a waste to take a back with a first-round pick.

Somebody will be intrigued enough by Miller's tools to take him in the first, and I expect that team to be the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has two first rounders so they can afford to roll the dice a little bit and go for the gusto. Current starter Cedric Benson is showing his age and is on his last legs, so the Bengals could definitely use a back.

At the same time, though, the Bengals can find a good back at any juncture of the draft, so it would make sense to fill other needs at this point. Cincinnati was a playoff team this past season, but it isn't without holes, and there are certainly more glaring ones than running back. Miller being overvalued is more a product of backs being easy to find than his overall talent level.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Having already taken quarterback Robert Griffin III earlier in the round, it only makes sense to give him a target with whom he has instant chemistry in the form of the speedy Wright.

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

At 6'6" and 320 lbs., Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams has all the tools to be a starter at the next level, but it seems as though scarcity has improved his standing in the draft. The likes of Matt Kalil, Riley Reiff and Jonathan Martin are all locks to go early in the first, so a guy like Adams may find himself going late in the first round despite being a second-round talent.

A team who I could easily see reaching for him is the Detroit Lions. Detroit is getting old on the offensive line with Jeff Backus in the twilight of his career, so it would be easy to see them being enticed by Adams' size and athleticism. At the same time, though, they could easily address their needs in the secondary in the first round and wait until the second to take an offensive lineman.

Adams has some ability, but it's strange that he has suddenly catapulted to first-round status, especially when his Senior Bowl performance wasn't even overly impressive. Adams seems like more of an early-to-mid first-round pick, but there is a good chance that he goes closer to the late-first round.

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

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was beaten and battered relentlessly this season, so the Steelers need to address their offensive line issues. Glenn will provide a solid, steady presence.

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

The Broncos arguably have the best pass-rush duo in the league with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they need some help from the defensive line. Cox can take up blockers and free up the fearsome tandem.

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

Houston orchestrated one of the finest year-to-year defensive turnarounds in recent memory this season. The final piece of the puzzle is a playmaking safety, and Barron is just that.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

If not for a weak 2011 season, Jeffery would likely be a top-10 pick. The Patriots are notorious for having top talent fall to them, so they'll be happy to nab the big wideout.

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

The Packers truly had issues all over the defense this past season, particularly when it came to defending the pass. Dennard would certainly toughen up the Green Bay defensive backfield.

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

At 6'3" and 250 lbs., Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict is built like a brick wall and is one of the most punishing hitters in the draft. While his size and strength make him an intriguing prospect, they also inflate his value a bit. Burfict has had character issues and problems with getting penalized, so he isn't the safest pick on the board.

There is no denying Burfict's physical ability, but a lot of the time he seems to have more style than substance. Burfict had only 69 tackles this past season, which is an awfully low number for a middle linebacker. Some team will look past the stats, though, and nab him in the first round, and I expect that team to be the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore's defense is among the league's best on a yearly basis and a big reason for that is the ability to find up-and-coming players in the draft. Burfict seems like the Ravens' type of player, but there are too many variables to make him a safe selection. Maybe Burfict will excel in the right situation, but he seems like more of a second rounder to me.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The 49ers have a great defense and running game, but the passing game is lacking. A speed threat who can stretch the field would really open up the offense, so Sanu would be an ideal fit.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

It's no secret that the Patriots need help in the secondary, as they ranked 31st against the pass this season. Jenkins has some character concerns but he is a top-10 talent, making him a steal here.

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

The Giants' defense was ravaged by injuries this season, especially at linebacker. Brown would give the G-Men excellent depth and would likely receive significant playing time immediately.