2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Far Will Projected Combine Busts Fall?

The NFL Scouting Combine is finally upon us, and with workouts scheduled to take place over the coming days, the draft stock of many prospects is sure to be impacted. Some players will go from having a second-round grade to being a sure-fire first-rounder, while others will inevitably fall from grace.

While it isn't fair for the combine to take precedent over in-game performance, that is often what happens. No matter what, there are going to be productive college players who are overlooked because of their measurables, and those are the players who often make talent evaluators look stupid.

Along with a full first-round mock draft, here is an analysis of how far some of the combine's projected busts will fall.

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

The Colts have a tough decision with Peyton Manning, but they can't pass up a generational talent like Luck.

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

St. Louis has a ton of holes, but quarterback Sam Bradford needs a dangerous weapon like Blackmon.

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

The Vikings have a lot of issues to address as well, however getting quarterback Christian Ponder a blindside protector is paramount.

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

Colt McCoy simply isn't getting the job done, so making Griffin a franchise-defining selection is a must.

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

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Alabama running back Trent Richardson would be unable to participate in the combine workouts due to minor knee surgery he underwent three weeks prior. He is supposed to be ready to resume football activities by late March, but his absence at the combine could potentially hurt his value.

Richardson was extremely productive in college, rushing for nearly 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. His powerful frame and good speed made him a good candidate to impress at the combine, though, so it's a bit of a letdown that he won't be able to compete.

With that said, Richardson is far and away the best running back in the draft, and because of that, his draft value won't be affected much, if at all. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 5 look like a prime landing spot for Richardson because they need an impact player on offense.

Richardson showed enough this past season to remain a high pick.

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

The Redskins would love to get Luck or Griffin, but failing that, they will reach a bit for Tannehill to replace Rex Grossman.

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

Jacksonville could use an offensive playmaker, but with none worth taking, it will turn to the best corner in the draft.

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

Jake Long has one side of the Dolphins' offensive line on lockdown, but taking Reiff will make it a complete unit.

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

Charles Johnson is a good pass-rusher, but a replacement for Julius Peppers is needed, and Coples fits the bill.

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

Buffalo has had one of the worst pass rushes in the league for years, but Upshaw will help with a transition back to a 4-3.

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

There are some players who look great in games, while there are others who look great running around in shorts. Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly is unquestionably the former, but it shouldn't hurt him too much in the draft process.

Kuechly was among the most productive defensive players in the nation over the past three years, racking up at least 150 tackles in each of those seasons.

As good as Kuechly's instincts and ability to diagnose plays are, though, he lacks in the athleticism department. It's clear that he's able to go sideline to sideline to chase down ball-carriers as can be seen on film, but his clocked 40-yard dash time of 4.8 seconds suggests that he's incapable of playing inside linebacker at the next level.

The teams that trust what they see on the field tend to have the best drafts, so the Kansas City Chiefs would be well served to take Kuechly at No. 11. He would be the perfect complement inside to a do-everything linebacker like Derrick Johnson because he is so sure-handed that he is able to clean up messes.

Kuechly is going to be an impact player at the next level, and a so-so combine shouldn't scare teams away.

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

Seattle is decent everywhere, but great nowhere. However, Still could really elevate the play of the entire defense.

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

The Cardinals haven't been able to protect the quarterback for a long time, making Martin the obvious pick.

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

Dallas reshaped its offensive line last season and should continue to retool by selecting a stud like DeCastro.

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

The Eagles should give up on the headache that is DeSean Jackson and take a potential beast in the form of Floyd.

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

The Jets' defense took a major step back last season, but a top-notch pass-rusher like Ingram should help them return to form.

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

While the Bengals probably shouldn't be taking players with character concerns, Kirkpatrick's value is too good at this point to ignore.

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

With Shawne Merriman long gone and Larry English looking like a bust, the Chargers need to gamble on a high-upside pass-rusher like Perry.

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

No. 19 may seem a bit high for a center, but the Bears desperately need a replacement for the departed Olin Kreutz.

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

The Titans have lost some quality defensive players in recent years, but Brockers has the potential to be a dominant lineman in the NFL.

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

Perhaps the Bengals could get away with Cedric Benson for one more year, but fresh legs like those of Miller are needed at running back.

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

With Robert Griffin III on board, taking his favorite weapon in Wright makes perfect sense, especially since the track star has elite speed.

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

The Lions' biggest issues are along the offensive line and in the defensive backfield, and they'll address one of those needs with Adams.

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

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has to be tired of getting knocked around, so taking Glenn makes perfect sense.

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

Denver's defense took a major leap forward next season, and that will continue if it improves the defensive line with the addition of Cox.

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

Due to double hernia surgery, playmaking Alabama safety Mark Barron will be unable to take part in the NFL combine workouts, much like his teammate Trent Richardson. Barron has long been considered a late first-round talent, but not much higher because of the position he plays.

Even with his injury, that shouldn't change much.

At 6'2" and 218 pounds, Barron has a good, strong frame for a safety, but he also has great athleticism. Luckily for Barron, the combine isn't necessarily a big deal for safeties. The bench press isn't going to tell you much regarding a safety's true strength, while the 40-yard dash doesn't mean much either because of positioning.

Since missing the combine shouldn't have much of an effect, look for the Houston Texans to scoop Barron up at No. 26. Houston had one of the league's worst pass defenses in 2010, but it suddenly developed into one of the best in 2011.

In order to make everything come together, an all-around safety like Barron is the perfect pick.

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

The Patriots have enough weapons as it is, but Jeffery will give them the outside threat that they have lacked since 2010.

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

A lot of holes were exploited on the Packers' defense last season, but the worst was in the secondary, making Dennard an easy selection.

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

Burfict may be a bit of a headcase, but if he is going to blossom anywhere, Baltimore is where it's going to happen.

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

The 49ers prefer the short passing game, but getting a downfield threat like Sanu can really open things up.

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

Jenkins really hurt his draft stock due to off-field issues, but if he can put them behind him, he is a major steal for the Pats here.

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

The main thing that slowed the Giants down during the regular season was injuries, so adding depth in the linebacker corps is a good idea.