2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Will Slay at the Combine

The NFL scouting combine gives teams, scouts and fans their first long look at the tangible skills needed to determine exactly where a player will be taken in April's draft.

This week is the most important in the lives of everyone participating in the drills. It is going to determine whether a player can maintain his status as a top five pick or if he is going to have a Brady Quinn-esque wait in the green room. 

Here is a look at our latest mock draft, with a special emphasis on players who will dominate the festivities in Indianapolis. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

While Luck would have been a great addition to the combine, we will have to wait until his pro day to see how he looks. My guess is, pretty good. 

2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is the rare elite player that will put his skills on display this week. He is taking a risk, but it could pay huge dividends when all is said and done. 

The Rams are desperate to find a No. 1 receiver for Sam Bradford to throw to. His development stalled last year due to a porous offensive line and no one on the outside. 

While Blackmon is already the top receiver on the board, he can put a lot of separation between himself and the rest of the pack in Indianapolis. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

No offensive lineman this year can match Kalil's present skills or upside. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There may not be a player that stands to gain more at this year's combine than the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. 

Griffin is the most athletic quarterback in the draft, his upside is off the charts and teams are already chomping at the bit to get a shot at him. We know he has a strong arm and great poise in the pocket, but this week will be all about those other attributes that we didn't always see at Baylor. 

As long as he can throw a 12-yard out route, there is no reason to think that Griffin won't force a team—either the Browns or Redskins—to move up so they can ensure he is theirs. 

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

Very few cornerbacks in the NFL today can match Claiborne's cover skills and ability to go after the ball. 

6. Washington Redskins: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

While I expect the Redskins to try trading up to get Griffin, they can go after a true shutdown corner if they can't make a deal work. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

While the Jaguars need offensive help, Brockers represents the best value at this spot. 

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

There are reasons to be skeptical about Coples as a player, namely his questionable work ethic on the field. 

However, the scouting combine is the perfect showcase for what he can do. He is a workout warrior already and will prove that in Indianapolis. His stock is going to soar when evaluators get a look at him in shorts and a T-shirt. Don't be surprised if you start to hear about him as a top five pick when all is said and done. 

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff won't do anything extraordinary, but will show that he can be an above-average offensive lineman that can start right away. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Unlike Coples, Upshaw actually has the desire and work ethic to be a great player. Teams are going to fall in love with his versatility, and if he shows the speed and upper body strength to beat offensive linemen he will be the first true pass-rusher taken. 

He is all but guaranteed to be a top 10 pick because the Bills are desperate to find an impact defensive player on the outside. 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

There is no way Richardson's stock can get any higher, regardless of what he does at the combine. 

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is not going to "wow" you in any one area, but he is a solid prospect that has great leadership skills. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

While Cardinals fans may not be jumping for joy when the team takes an offensive lineman, Kevin Kolb will hold a little celebration.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick's stock has taken a hit, though the fact the charges from his arrest were dropped will help. The Cowboys, who are desperate for cornerback help, won't care one bit. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Andy Reid loves to draft offensive players to open things up. Floyd is the perfect complement to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. 

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry is flying under the radar right now, but the combine is going to be his coming-out party. He is a versatile pass-rusher with speed and strength to support him. 

His workout will be one of the most talked about this week. Rex Ryan wants to get his defense back to playing tough, physical defense. Perry is the kind of player that they need to do that. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller's all-around game makes him one of the most intriguing backs in the draft. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams needs to have a good workout, or else he could end up falling out of the first round. 

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery could end up being the second wide receiver taken if he dominates the combine. He has the size and ball skills to be great in the NFL, but he has to show that speed teams love to dwell on. 

I don't think his speed is going to make that big of a difference because he has the unique ability to get the ball wherever it is and his route-running is one of his best assets. 

The Bears are desperate for a playmaker on the outside, so they are hoping Jeffery can put together a strong enough performance that warrants him being taken with this pick. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram's speed off the edge is going to make him a starter in Tennessee right away. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

The Bengals need a cornerback, so they will go after anyone with upside at this spot. Hosley is moving up boards already should continue to do so after this week. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will be reunited with his college quarterback thanks to the Browns' desperate need for wide receivers. 

23. Detroit Lions: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Minnifield is an underrated cornerback. He doesn't have great cover skills right now, but he knows how to find the ball. His size and speed are above average for a cornerback. He has a strong work ethic and desire to get better. 

The Lions have a strong need for help in the secondary. It did get better last season, but there are still missing pieces back there that have to be filled in for this team to take the next step. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis has prototypical size already, though he lacks the lateral quickness to be an explosive playmaker. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos are going to battle over defensive tackles with their pick. Whoever the best one on the board is—in this case, Cox—will be joining Tebow and Co. 

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers 

While other receivers are getting all the attention, Sanu is content to fly under the radar heading into the combine. Playing at Rutgers certainly isn't going to help him get a lot of national press, but he will be one of the stars we talk about this week. 

Even though there are elements of his game that are raw, like route-running, his hands and ability to steal the ball out of the air are undeniable. 

As long as he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, he is a first-round pick. If he runs in the 4.4. range, he could end up being a top 15 selection. 

27. New England Patriots: Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore isn't a high-upside pick, but does fill a huge need for the defending AFC champions. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

It is obvious the Packers have to get younger and more athletic in the secondary. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

There might not be a player ready to dominate this week more than Burfict. He has all the great measurables teams look for in a linebacker—the size, strength, speed and physical play (when he wants to).

This is the perfect event for Burfict to make his case as the top linebacker taken. While he will face questions about his desire to get better, there is no denying the way he looks in front of a stopwatch. 

The Ravens would be an ideal fit for him because he can learn from Ray Lewis for a year or two before starting. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle is a name we are going to start hearing a lot more about. He is big and has speed, which is just what the 49ers are looking for. 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois

After going fairly conservative with their first pick, Bill Belichick will go after an athletic linebacker right here. 

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

I don't see the Giants bringing back Brandon Jacobs, and Tom Coughlin loves to use the two-back system. 

Follow @adamwells1985