2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Do Potential Combine Stars Fit in the First Round?

No matter what you think about the NFL Scouting Combine, opinions range from completely useless to a key part of the draft process, it's become a prominent event. The brass of every team shows up in Indianapolis with hopes of finding a future cornerstone.

Players who post eye-popping numbers immediately boost their stock while those who struggle force teams to review the game tape again before deciding whether to select them. So the next couple of days are vital for everybody involved.

Let's examine the entire first round with a focus on players who could jump up the rankings thanks to impressive performances at the combine.

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

The Colts need to select Luck no matter what happens with Peyton Manning.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Sam Bradford's development will finally take off with the addition of Blackmon.

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

Kalil will be the left tackle Minnesota desperately needs to get their offense back on track.

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

If nobody trades up for Griffin, the Browns would be crazy to pass on the Heisman winner.

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

Tampa Bay went from rising team to a complete disappointment in one year. Richardson will turn the tide once again.

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

Tannehill might not be on the same level as Luck and Griffin, but he's still an upgrade for Washington.

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

Claiborne deserves to be a top-five pick, but it's an offense-driven league, so the Jaguars benefit.

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

The Dolphins already have one franchise tackle. Reiff will give them an awesome tandem.

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

Coples' draft stock has changed more than any other player's since the start of the college football season. There were times he was a fringe top-five pick and others when he fell closer to No. 20, and the jury is still out about where he truly deserves to go.

That will change at the combine. Few defensive players are more physically gifted than Coples, who has worked hard to make sure he can stick as a edge rusher in the NFL. All that effort should be rewarded with terrific event results.

Since there are so many high-powered offenses dominating the league, it's virtually impossible to be a legitimate contender without reliable pass rushers. That, paired with a strong showing in Indianapolis, will confirm Coples' top-10 status.

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

Buffalo's pass rush was been a disaster for far too long, making Upshaw an essential selection.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin would be ready to start in Week 1 for the Chiefs, which makes him worth picking this high.

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

The Seahawks have several holes to fill before next season. Still is the best player available who fills one of them.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick and Patrick Peterson would be a dynamic secondary duo for many years to come.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Dallas continues to look like the most likely destination for the consistent, reliable Kuechly.

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

The Eagles showed signs of life over the final few months. Floyd would give the offense another boost.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Bulking up the offensive line so the running game can be more effective should be Rex Ryan's main goal this offseason.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram has a nice combination of strength and speed, which should ensure success at the next level.

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

The Chargers are so desperate to add an outside linebacker that they'll be willing to wait for Perry to develop because of his high potential.

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

Not a ton of interior linemen get selected in the first round, but Konz deserves it and the Bears could use him.

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

Brockers is already one of the class' fastest rising stars and the combine should ensure his climb continues for the near future. The defensive-tackle depth isn't as good as in recent years, so he could take a major jump before April.

He's already capable of being a rock-solid run stopper in the NFL, but it's his potential to become a good pass rusher as well has teams intrigued. There aren't many multidimensional tackles in the league, which makes Brockers special.

It's a rare combination of size and short-area quickness that makes him stand out, but it will take a couple seasons before he reaches his peak. His combine showing, which should be among the most dazzling, will determine how exactly high he goes in the draft.

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

With Cedric Benson hitting the free-agent market, Miller would step right into a big role for Cincinnati.

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

The Browns have one of the NFL's worst receiving corps. Jeffery would at least give them one solid option.

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

Adams would be a perfect fit in Detroit. The team's offensive-line play has been shaky in recent years.

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

Ben Roethlisberger loves to keep plays alive with his legs, but he needs more support from his line. Glenn is an underrated option.

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

Denver would benefit greatly from adding a monster defensive tackle like Cox.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will be the final piece of Houston's offensive puzzle.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Even though Dennard's stock has fallen, he's too good for the Patriots to pass up, given their weak secondary.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins had some off-field issues at Florida that eventually caused him to land at North Alabama, but his playmaking skills are still there. If teams are impressed with his answers during the interview process, he'll immediately jump into the top 15.

He literally has all the skills a team could hope for in a cornerback. Not only does he have the talent to play in any coverage scheme and excel, but he also plays the run extremely well and is consistently making big plays.

Jenkins is expected to match up well in pure numbers against Claiborne and Kirkpatrick, so that's not an issue. As long as convinces teams he's prepared to leave his personal issues in the past once he gets drafted, he'll skyrocket up the board.

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

The Ravens' wouldn't be short on emotion with both Burfict and Ray Lewis on the roster.

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

San Francisco definitely needs to select a wideout at this spot, it just depends which player stands out to them. Sanu would be a nice fit.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Another talented college star who would help reshape New England's defensive backfield.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Allen is garnering much hype yet, but he will before draft day. He has the potential to become the next great tight end.