2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underrated Stars Who Will Be Workout Warriors

The NFL scouting combine is this week. It won't tell us which draft prospects are bound to be great NFL players, but at least it will single out which players are great athletes.

If that doesn't sound right to you, I hate to break it to you, but that's really all the combine is good for. It's a test of athleticism, not football savvy.

Still, athleticism never hurt anyone. There will be plenty of freakish athletes at the combine, some of whom will be the subject of much hype. Stars like Trent Richardson and Robert Griffin III come to mind.

There are some under-the-radar stars who will stand out too. Since I feel like discussing them in the context of where they'll go in the draft, here's a full first-round mock that pays special attention to underrated studs who will own the combine workouts.

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

Andrew Luck is most certainly not underrated. He's the best quarterback prospect we've seen in years, and I consider him a lock for the No. 1 overall pick.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Conventional wisdom suggests the Rams will go for a wide receiver with the No. 2 overall pick, but they need defense. It won't be long before Michael Brockers is a can't-miss top-five selection.

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

I've mocked Matt Kalil to the Vikings seemingly hundreds of times. I could change my mind, but he's too good of a fit for their need at left tackle.

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

Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram noted on Wednesday that Browns OC Brad Childress isn't worried about how Robert Griffin III would transition into a West Coast offense if need be. All the more reason for the Browns to take him with the No. 4 overall pick.

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

If the Browns pass on Trent Richardson to take RG3, he'll be too good for the Buccaneers to pass up. They need to add some punch to their offense, and LeGarrette Blount is easily supplanted as the team's starting running back.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Redskins stand to miss out on RG3. If they do, I expect them to add a quarterback via free agency. They might as well make sure that QB has somebody to throw to by drafting Justin Blackmon.

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

The Jags have needs at a number of positions, but Morris Claiborne will be too good to pass up here. Drafting him will allow the Jags to move on from Rashean Mathis.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10, pending coin flip with Miami): Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina

The Panthers will be able to select the best player available on draft day. If he's still available, that will mean drafting Quinton Coples. I worry about his motor, but he can play anywhere on a 4-3 defensive line. He'd be a good pick-up for Carolina.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10, pending coin flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins will also likely sign a quarterback off the free-agent scrapheap, but they'll need to make sure he's protected. Riley Reiff is an easy pick here.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina*

Okay, let's stop and talk about Melvin Ingram.

I loves me some Ingram. He's one of the most freakish athletes in the 2012 draft class, and there were few things he couldn't do playing for South Carolina. He rushed the passer, he made plays in coverage and he even scored a touchdown on a fake punt.

Nevertheless, Ingram flies under the radar compared to fellow front-seven standouts like Coples and Courtney Upshaw. Truth is Ingram is just as good, if not better, than both of them.

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has been raving about Ingram ever since November, when he questioned whether Ingram is the most versatile player in this year's draft class. I'll wager that he is easily the most versatile defensive player, and it's because he's got a perfect blend of size, speed and agility.

Ingram may be lacking as far as press is concerned, but he's a beast. The Bills could definitely use a guy like him in their front seven.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, pending coin flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs needed offensive line help last year and didn't get any in the first round. They need to make sure they don't miss out this year, and Jonathan Martin is a perfect fit for their offense.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9, pending coin flip with Kansas City): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Seahawks have capable starters at both guard spots, but depth never hurt anyone. David DeCastro is a great value pick here, and it wouldn't be long before you'd see him starting in Seattle.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Courtney Upshaw is very similar to Ingram in many respects, though not quite as versatile. Even still, he's a pass-rushing specialist with a high ceiling who will fit well in Arizona's front seven.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have a strong front seven, but their secondary could use another body. Dre Kirkpatrick stands out as an easy pick here, and he could actually start right away depending on what Dallas does with its current corners.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

I've gone back and forth on who I think is the perfect pick for the Eagles. This week, it's Dont'a Hightower. He's less of a loose cannon than Vontaze Burfict and a better athlete than Luke Kuechly.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Nick Perry, OLB, USC*

Nick Perry is being largely overlooked as we speed towards the draft, but it won't be long before people start to catch on.

Perry was a stud at USC, and he has the tools to be a stud in the NFL as well. He has above-average athleticism, long arms and a strong lower half, all of which help him get through the line of scrimmage towards the quarterback. He'll be a tough guy to handle at the next level.

Perry is billed as a defensive end, but he has more than enough athleticism to handle a transition to outside linebacker. He has some things to work on (Wes Bunting will tell you all about that), but Perry's ceiling is definitely high.

At the combine, you're going to see Perry address some concerns about his ability to drop into his coverage, but his speed, strength and quickness will not be in question. He's set in those areas.

When all is said and done, Perry will stand out as a fit for the Jets, who need a pass-rusher in their front seven.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals could use a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph. At this point in the draft, Janoris Jenkins will stand out as an obvious solution.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The word from the San Diego Union-Tribune is that Vincent Jackson will "almost certainly" test the free-agent waters. If he does, I think he's as good as gone. The Chargers will need a new wide receiver, and Michael Floyd is a perfect fit for them.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears could go for Alshon Jeffery here, but they have cash to sign a receiver in free agency. They're better off bolstering their offensive line with Mike Adams, who could play left or right tackle if need be.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina*

Zach Brown is a beast of a man, plain and simple.

Brown is not the strongest linebacker you're going to see, but he might be the fastest. He's a virtual lock to post the best 40-time out of any linebacker at the combine, which will no doubt turn a lot of heads.

Brown could impress in other areas. He'll likely show off impressive agility, and perhaps some impressive leaping abilities too. Basically, anything you can expect from an elite athlete.

Brown still has some learning to do as a football player, but his raw athleticism will make him worth a look for any team. He has the potential to be a great starter. At worst, he'll be a great specialist.

On the Titans, Brown would fit in perfectly next to Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, giving Tennessee a great young linebacking corps.

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

Trent Richardson is going to be a star attraction at the combine, and deservedly so. He's a remarkable athlete.

He won't be able to beat Lamar Miller's 40-yard dash time, though. According to Tony Pauline of SI.com, Miller has been running practice 40s in the mid 4.3 range recently. That's pretty fast for a running back.

There's obviously more to being a running back than straight-line speed. Luckily, Miller is also pretty agile, and he's not afraid to show it off.

In the end, Miller will be a great get for the Cincinnati Bengals, who stand to lose Cedric Benson to free agency. Per the Cincinnati Enquirer, Benson says he and the Bengals haven't even talked yet.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This would be too perfect. RG3 and Kendall Wright combined for some huge numbers at Baylor. Since the Browns need a speedy wide receiver, reuniting them would be a great idea.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions are strong in a lot of areas, but center should be an area of concern. Dominic Raiola isn't going to be around forever. Might as well draft Peter Konz and start grooming him now.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Steelers need all sorts of help on their offensive line. It just so happens Cordy Glenn is the most versatile offensive lineman in this year's draft class. He'd be a godsend.

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

The Broncos got by with a weak interior defensive line all season. They need to make sure that doesn't happen again. Fletcher Cox is an easy pick here.

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

Last year, we saw Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea dominate the bench press at the combine.

This year, Dontari Poe could be the one who steals the show. He's one of the strongest dudes in this year's draft class.

Poe puts all that strength to good use. He's powerful enough to overpower blockers, which will be important at the next level. Poe will require extra attention, opening things up for his comrades.

The Texans don't have a massive need as nose tackle. Then again, they don't have massive needs anywhere. They can afford to take the best player available on draft day, and that's Poe in this case.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots desperately need bodies in their secondary. Stephon Gilmore is a guy who could help out in a big way.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers have an elite offense, but it requires balance. Chris Polk's versatility would play well in Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

I'm very much on the fence about Vontaze Burfict, but he has the potential to be a star if he ends up in the right place. In Baltimore backing up Ray Lewis is the right place.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery is either going to go high in the first round or he's barely going to make the first-round cut. I think concerns about his weight will ultimately cost him. If he's available here, though, the 49ers won't pass on him.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots need to bolster their defensive line. Devon Still is a guy who could play multiple positions in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Giants have a good defensive line, but they need somebody solid backing it up. Luke Kuechly is overrated, but he's a tackling machine who will fit right in with the G-Men.