2012 NFL Mock Draft: Identifying the Biggest First-Round Question Marks

In this 2012 NFL mock draft, I'll run down the biggest first-round question marks based on draft position, health, off-the-field issues and value.

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Cleveland Browns)

A large majority of mock drafts, including this one, obviously, have Blackmon as a top-five pick. But when you're thinking about taking a receiver this high, you want him to be in the Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green range. Is Blackmon there? 

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

6. Washington Redskins – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Separation has been the biggest concern. If he can show at the combine that the speed and acceleration are there, these question marks could be muted. Still, you're expecting a lot out of receiver taken this high. 

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

There are worries about his motor and work ethic after disappearing for most of his senior season. The talent is definitely there, but is the film enough to scare away top-10 teams?

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

There's no doubting Brockers' talent and potential. However, after just two seasons of college football (he's a redshirt sophomore), few players are as raw in terms of snaps played. It might take Brockers some time to develop into the player you think you're drafting in the top 15. 

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

I don't think anyone would question that Kuechly is the most instinctive and well-rounded inside linebacker in the 2012 class. However, his size is worrisome at the next level, where he could get engulfed in plays by bigger offensive linemen and fullbacks. 

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

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

His off-the-field problems at Florida forced a move to North Alabama. Jenkins has mostly rebuilt his draft stock, but character issues are becoming a much bigger part of the drafting process. 

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd struggled to stay healthy at Notre Dame, and there's always the DUI arrest to wonder about. He's still be taken this high because of the talent, but it'll be with a blind eye to some of the red flags. 

23.  Detroit Lions – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill is rocketing up boards despite a foot injury that has kept him out of a majority of the draft process thus far. He also struggled to win at Texas A&M, which makes you wonder why a first-round talent would have problems putting numbers in the win column at the college level. 

26.  Houston Texans – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

27.  New England Patriots – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

A hernia injury will keep Barron out for some time, and his value is inflated because of another poor safety class. Is he worth a first-round pick based solely on the fact that his position lacks many other top draft picks?

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

There's always the worry about one-year wonders, which Mercilus certainly was at Illinois. He led the NCAA in sacks during 2011 but was hardly known before his final season. 

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama