2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which College Stars Will Fall on Draft Day?

With the 2012 NFL draft just a few weeks away, it’s time to start scoping the big board for the stars falling on draft day.

There are so many good players and a shuffle in the order or a surprise pick could throw everything off and leave a few stars tumbling down in the first round.

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

There is no question here. Luck to the Colts.

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

With Robert Griffin III getting the kind of hype he has received coming into this draft, St. Louis will be sure to capitalize and trade back from this position to further build for the future. In this scenario, Cleveland jumps up and snags the Heisman winner.

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

With Christian Ponder being the quarterback of the future, the Minnesota Vikings have to protect him by drafting franchise left tackle Matt Kalil.

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

Rams move back and get Justin Blackmon, the kind of receiver that Sam Bradford will absolutely love.

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

A possible tandem of LeGarrette Blount and Trent Richardson in the backfield would make Tampa Bay dangerous in the NFC South.

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

The rush to take RGIII will produce teams that reach. This year’s Christian Ponder pick will be Ryan Tannehill to the Washington Redskins.

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

The Jaguars need all the help they can get, and Morris Claiborne will help on defense and in the return game if needed.

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

Ron Rivera wants a complement to Charles Johnson and will bookend him with Quinton Coples.

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

No matter who starts the season under center for the Dolphins, they need to protect them by taking a tackle like Riley Reiff.

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

As much as his success at the college level make him a surefire machine in the NFL, I struggle to find a place for Upshaw in many defenses. Sure, he will play any position, but where will he be the most effective?

Certain teams may be turned off by questions that he may not fit in their defense because of his size (listed 6’2”, but we’ll see at the Combine) and lack of elite speed.

Upshaw looks like a 3-4 inside backer or 4-3 outside backer to me, which may turn many teams off that aren’t looking at those positions. While I know he will not fall far, there is a good chance that many teams are skeptical right now.

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

The Seahawks need help stopping the run and they will get their help from standout defensive tackle Devon Still.

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

The Kansas City Chiefs need help down the middle as well, but will look to solve their ailments via middle linebacker Luke Kuechly.

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

With the offensive line issues compounding the problems at QB, the Cardinals need to protect whoever is under center with Jonathan Martin.

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

Tony Romo and the Cowboys' running game will have no more excuses when Jerry Jones takes offensive guard David DeCastro.

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

The Eagles get the big red-zone target they need. Michael Floyd should become Michael Vick’s go-to TD guy.

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

Rex Ryan will draft the most talented 3-4 defensive end in this draft, Melvin Ingram. Watch out, AFC East.

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

Dre Kirkpatrick may have some red flags, but nothing the Cincinnati Bengals can't ignore.

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

The Chargers hope Perry replaces the nonexistent pass rush with some energy and pressure. Norv Turner is counting on it.

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

As much as Peter Konz is a great center prospect, the NFL combine and rush to skill players will drop him down the board.

It’s not a bad thing for his development, but seeing a player as talented as Konz drop won’t be fun. With plenty of positions of need, the Bears could look elsewhere and Konz would drop.

The scouts have compared him to Jeff Saturday, but the need for tackles and guards is just so deep that he may get passed over for less talented players just because of the select teams that need a center.

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

This is a very hard call, but Brockers could be a top-10 pick if he dominates the Combine like some scouts are saying he will.

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

Cedric Benson may be out in Cincinnati and Lamar Miller may be in.

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

Alshon Jeffery could be an amazing player in the NFL if the team gets him mentally ready.

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

Protecting Matthew Stafford is more important than the secondary. In comes Mike Adams.

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

Eventually Big Ben won’t be able to get back up. For God’s sake, protect the man with an offensive lineman like Cordy Glenn.

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

John Fox continues his rebuild on the Broncos defense by taking big run-stopper Fletcher Cox.

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

Wade Phillips has turned a nothing defense into one of the most dangerous in the NFL. If they get Mark Barron, they will be even more dangerous.

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

Despite the off-field issues, the Patriots have found their next Asante Samuel in Janoris Jenkins.

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

The worst-ranked secondary in the league gets a major upgrade with Nebraska star cornerback Alfonzo Dennard.

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

While teams want their players to be aggressive and carry a mean streak, Vontaze Burfict took that to extremes at Arizona State. That will hurt his draft stock.

I still have him ranked as a top-10 prospect in terms of sheer talent, but I see him falling all the way to Baltimore at No. 29 before someone takes this risk. And there is no better fit.

With a seriously talented player with issues being taught by Ray Lewis, a seriously talented player with issues, they may have the steal of the draft in Burfict.

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

Alex Smith can’t throw deep, yet people keep saying they are considering the Baylor receiver.

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

With superb route-running abilities, Sanu will be the kind of player Tom Brady dreams of.

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

It’s almost unfair that a team that wins the Super Bowl gets a player as good as Zach Brown.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

$$ - Potential trade

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